TAAC purpose and scope. (1) TAACs are available to assist Firms in obtaining Adjustment Assistance in all 50 U.S. States, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. TAACs provide Adjustment Assistance in accordance with this part either through their own staffs or by arrangements with outside consultants. Information concerning TAACs serving particular areas may be obtained from the TAAC Web site at http://www.taacenters.org or from EDA at http://www.eda.gov.

Prior to submitting a petition for Adjustment Assistance to EDA, a Firm should determine the extent to which a TAAC can provide the required Adjustment Assistance. EDA will provide Adjustment Assistance through TAACs whenever EDA determines that such assistance can be provided most effectively in this manner. Requests for Adjustment Assistance will normally be made through TAACs.

A TAAC generally provides Adjustment Assistance by providing assistance to a:

Firm in preparing its petition for eligibility certification; and

Certified Firm in diagnosing its strengths and weaknesses, and developing and implementing an Adjustment Proposal.

TAAC selection. (1) EDA invites currently funded TAACs to submit either new or amended applications, provided they have performed in a satisfactory manner and complied with previous or current conditions in their Cooperative Agreements with EDA and contingent upon availability of funds. Such TAACs shall submit an application on a form approved by OMB, as well as a proposed budget, narrative scope of work, and such other information as requested by EDA. Acceptance of an application or amended application for a Cooperative Agreement does not ensure funding by EDA.

EDA may invite new applications through a Federal Funding Opportunity (‘FFO’) announcement. An application will require a narrative scope of work, proposed budget and such other information as requested by EDA. Acceptance of an application does not ensure funding by EDA.

TAAC evaluation. (1) EDA generally evaluates currently funded TAACs based on:

Performance under Cooperative Agreements with EDA and compliance with the terms and conditions of such Cooperative Agreements;

Proposed scope of work, budget and application or amended application; and

Availability of funds.

EDA generally evaluates new TAACs based on:

Competence in administering business assistance programs;

Background and experience of staff;

Proposed scope of work, budget and application; and

Availability of funds.

TAAC award requirements. (1) EDA generally funds a TAAC for a three-year project period consisting of three separate funding periods of 12 months each.

There are no matching share requirements for Adjustment Assistance provided by the TAACs to Firms for certification or for administrative expenses of the TAACs.