SBA WBC Modernization Initiative FY26 - Georgia

The U.S. Small Business Administration, through its Office of Women's Business Ownership, is inviting proposals for the Women's Business Centers Modernization and Alignment initiative in Georgia under Funding Opportunity No. SB-OEDWB-26-003. The SBA has supported small businesses since 1953 and administers the Women's Business Center program to provide training, counseling, technical assistance, and other entrepreneurial development services. This initiative is intended to modernize the WBC delivery structure through a Lead Center Model supported by a network of Service Centers. The selected Lead Center must reside in Georgia and will be responsible for coordinating an integrated statewide approach that provides comprehensive coverage, expands services into rural and other hard-to-reach areas, improves performance consistency, strengthens service delivery, and reduces administrative costs. The SBA expects to make one cooperative agreement award for Georgia using a population-based funding formula. The stated funding amount for Georgia is $766,218 for the initial 12-month budget and performance period. The project may continue for up to 60 months, consisting of the 12-month base period and as many as four additional 12-month option periods, but continuation is solely at SBA discretion and depends on continuing program authority, availability of funds, satisfactory performance, and compliance. The project is scheduled to start September 30, 2026. Federal and matching funds must be used solely for authorized project purposes, separately accounted for, and meet Federal allowability, allocability, and reasonableness requirements. Award or matching funds may not be used to make sub-grants. Subcontracting is permitted, but no more than 49 percent of award funds may be spent on subcontracts, and project administration or day-to-day management may not be contracted to another party. Construction and foreign travel are not allowable, and Federal funds may not be used for out-of-state or out-of-region conferences. A non-Federal match is required. During the base period and first option year, an Initial Phase WBC must provide a non-Federal match equal to or greater than 50 percent of Federal funds expended, with at least half of that required match provided in cash. The NOFO describes this as a 1:2 matching ratio. For the subsequent three years, the stated matching ratio is 1:1. The recipient must certify that matching resources have been obtained and expended on the WBC project and maintain records supporting cash contributions, in-kind contributions, program income, and expenditures. SBA may withhold payment if the required match has not been obtained and appropriately certified. Eligible applicants are private nonprofit organizations certified under section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code that have experience providing technical and entrepreneurial development services to small business concerns. Applicants must remain organized and incorporated in the United States and in good standing in their state or territory of incorporation, provide services to entrepreneurs and technical assistance to small businesses, and have an established organizational infrastructure and financial management system meeting 2 CFR 200.302. Faith-based organizations may compete if they satisfy the same eligibility requirements. Each organization may submit only one proposal. Among the expressly ineligible organizations are those with certain delinquent Federal debts, suspension or debarment, unresolved material Single Audit deficiencies, specified recent WBC termination or nonrenewal histories, bankruptcy within the preceding five years, prohibited pass-through arrangements, or specified recent Federal felony convictions involving the organization or its officers or agents. Applications must include a Project Abstract, Technical Proposal, Budget Narrative and budget materials, certifications, forms and assurances, and required attachments and exhibits. The Project Abstract is limited to two double-spaced pages. The Technical Proposal narrative is limited to ten double-spaced pages using the prescribed formatting and must address project design, statewide geographic coverage, the Lead Center and Service Center network, service delivery, applicant capability and network management, organizational structure, data collection and program evaluation, and financial and administrative capacity. Required budget materials include the SF-424, SF-424A, and Budget Detail Worksheet, with detailed justification of personnel, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, contracts, other costs, and applicable indirect costs. Other required or applicable documentation includes proof of good standing, the IRS 501(c) designation letter, financial-system certification, resumes, position descriptions, organizational materials, cost policy documentation, and audit documentation. SBA will initially screen applications for eligibility and completeness. Eligible applications will be evaluated by review teams, with a maximum score of 100 points. The stated evaluation categories are Project Description, 50 points; Applicant Capability, 25 points; Data Collection and Program Evaluation, 20 points; and Applicant Budget, 5 points. SBA will consider collaboration and integration between the Lead Center and existing Georgia WBCs and will evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of proposed grant spending, with emphasis on maximizing funds to achieve greater outcomes. Applicants meeting the minimum scoring threshold may undergo a risk assessment addressing financial stability, management systems, and prior performance. The Lead Center will also be responsible for performance monitoring and reporting, including key metrics such as Unique Clients Served, New Business Starts, Capital Infusion, and Jobs Supported, with applicable data uploaded to SBA's system of record. Applications must be submitted electronically no later than September 13, 2026, at 11:59:59 PM Eastern Time. Applicants need a Unique Entity Identifier, active System for Award Management registration, a Grants.gov account and organizational profile, and appropriate Authorized Organization Representative authority. SBA strongly recommends submission at least 24 to 48 hours before the deadline because late applications generally will not be considered. Awarded applicants will receive written notification and instructions for accessing and signing their award through GrantSolutions. General program and budget questions may be directed to OWBO at OWBO@sba.gov. Grants.gov technical assistance is available at Support@Grants.gov or 1-866-577-0771. The source does not establish a recurring annual application cycle or provide a future application round.

Maximize grant funds toward measurable outcomes and address every scored criterion thoroughly. Demonstrate comprehensive statewide coverage and an actionable Lead Center-Service Center network. Show collaboration and integration with existing Georgia WBCs. Establish measurable first-year performance targets and explain data collection and Nexus reporting capabilities. Ensure budget forms, narrative, matching funds, and cost details align. Lower indirect costs receive preference when other factors are equal. Submit through Grants.gov at least 24-48 hours before the deadline to allow time to resolve technical problems.