[Federal Register: April 5, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 65)]
[Notices]
[Page 16824-16830]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05ap07-131]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
Workforce Investment Act--Small Grassroots Organizations
Connecting with the One-Stop Delivery System; Solicitation for Grant
Applications
Announcement Type: New--Notice of solicitation for grant
applications (SGA).
Funding Opportunity Number: SGA/DFA PY-06-11.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance CFDA Number: 17.261.
Key Dates: Applications are due by May 8, 2007.
SUMMARY: The Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S.
Department of Labor (DOL or the Department), announces the availability
of $3,000,000 in grant funds for eligible ``grassroots'' organizations
with the ability to connect to the local One-Stop Delivery System. The
term ``grassroots'' is defined under the Eligibility Criteria.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This solicitation provides background
information on the Small Grassroots Organizations Connecting with the
One-Stop Delivery System and critical elements required of projects
funded under the solicitation. It also describes the application
submission requirements, the process that eligible applicants must use
to apply for funds covered by this solicitation, and how grantees will
be selected. This announcement consists of eight parts.
Part I provides background information on the Workforce
Investment Act--Small Grassroots Organizations Connecting with the One-
Stop Delivery System funding opportunity.
Part II describes the size and nature of the anticipated
awards.
Part III describes the qualifications of an eligible
applicant.
Part IV provides information on the application and
submission process.
Part V explains the review process and rating criteria
that will be used to evaluate applications.
Part VI provides award administration information.
Part VII contains ETA contact information.
Part VIII contains other information for applicants.
Part I. Funding Opportunity Description
1. Background
The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) reformed numerous federal job
training programs with amendments impacting service delivery under
other laws including 29 U.S.C. 49 et seq. the Wagner-Peyser Act, Adult
Education and Family Literacy Act, 20 U.S.C. 9201 et seq., and the
Rehabilitation Act., 29 U.S.C. 701 et seq. WIA created a system of One-
Stop Career Centers across the country. The intention of the One-Stop
Career Center system is to establish a network of programs and
providers in co-located and integrated settings that are accessible for
individuals and businesses alike. There are currently over 1,800
comprehensive One-Stop Career Centers and over 1,400 affiliated One-
Stop Career Centers across the United States. A number of other Federal
programs are also identified as required partners in the One-Stop
Career Center system to provide a comprehensive set of services for all
Americans to access the information and resources available to help
achieve their career goals. The WIA also established state and local
Workforce Investment Boards focused on strategic planning, policy
development, and oversight of the workforce investment system, and
accorded significant authority to the nation's Governors and local
chief elected officials to further implement innovative and
comprehensive delivery systems. The vision, goals and objectives for
workforce investment under the WIA decentralized system are fully
described in the state strategic plan required under Section 112 of the
statute. This state strategic workforce investment plan and the
operational experience gained by all the partners to date in
implementing the WIA-instituted reforms help identify the important
``unmet needs'' and latent opportunities to expand access to One-Stop
Career Center systems by all the population segments within the local
labor market.
States are currently developing their Strategic Plans for years
three and four of the current five-year planning cycle. Plans from
states with new governors are due to the Department by June 30, 2007
and plans from the other states are due by May 1, 2007.
2. Administration Strategy
Engagement of Faith-Based and Community Organizations Under the
Workforce Investment Act
On January 29, 2001, President George W. Bush issued Executive
Order 13198, creating the Office for Faith-Based and Community
Initiatives in the White House and centers for faith-based and
community initiatives (CFBCI) in the federal Departments of Labor
(DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS), Housing and Urban Development
(HUD), Education (ED), and Justice (DOJ). President Bush charged the
departmental centers with identifying statutory, regulatory, and
bureaucratic barriers that stand in the way of the participation of
effective faith-based and community organizations in providing human
services, and to ensure, consistent with the law, that these
organizations have equal opportunity to compete for federal funding and
other support.
In early 2002, the CFBCI and ETA developed and issued an SGA to
engage States, intermediary and grassroots organizations in workforce
system-building. Further, ETA ensured that all solicitations were
designed to include faith-based and community organizations as
potential providers to deliver services and to strengthen their
partnerships with the One-Stop Career Center system, while providing
additional points of entry for customers into that system.
[[Page 16825]]
These solicitations proceeded from an ETA-CFBCI mutual premise that
the involvement of faith-based and community organizations can both
complement and supplement the efforts of local workforce investment
systems in reaching our citizens and meeting their training, job and
career-support needs. The 2002 grants realized from that initial
competition embodied the Department's principal strategy for
implementing the Executive Order by creating new avenues through which
qualified organizations could participate more fully under the WIA,
while applying their particular strengths and assets in providing
customer services.
ETA and CFBCI continued with grant-making in 2003-2006 to enlist
new ``grassroots'' organizations into workforce system-building; the
new 2007 solicitation represents our continued commitment to bring
additional organizations to that task, drawing on ``lessons learned''
during the last five years of grant operation. This new solicitation
also incorporates several ``promising practices'' introduced by other
ETA grantees during the same period. These lessons include the
understanding that ``grassroots'' FBCOs provide personalized and
holistic support to individuals while increasing their skill levels or
seeking employment. FBCOs have close cultural connections to their
communities and can help historically underserved populations access
One-Stop services. The new solicitation also places significant
emphasis on performance outcomes and documenting and quantifying the
additional value services offered by the grassroots organization to the
One-Stop Career Center system. Through this competition, ETA seeks to
ensure that an important WIA tenet, the development of a talented
American workforce pool through universal access to the programs and
services offered under WIA, is further rooted in the customer-
responsive delivery systems already established by the Governors, local
elected officials and local Workforce Investment Boards. ETA also
reaffirms its continuing commitment to those customer-focused reforms
instituted by state and local governments, which help Americans access
the tools they need to manage their careers throughout their life with
information and high quality services, and to help U.S. companies find
skilled workers to remain competitive. Many faith-based and community
organizations offer unique services and support including networks for
full partnership in mutual system-building endeavors; they are trusted
institutions within many poor neighborhoods; and they provide access to
a large number of volunteers who bring the transformational power of
personal relationships to the provision of services, and a sustained
allegiance to the well-being and self-sufficiency of the participants
they serve. Through their daily work and specific programs, these
organizations share common purposes with government such as the
attainment of occupational skills, and the entry and retention of all
our citizens in good-paying jobs. Through this solicitation, ETA and
CFBCI strive to leverage the programs, resources and committed staff of
``grassroots'' faith-based and community organizations into the
workforce investment strategies already embodied in state and local
strategic plans.
3. Project Objectives
The selected grantees will be expected to achieve the following
objectives:
Help unemployed or underemployed individuals with barriers
to employment through (1) providing services that complement and
support those offered by the identified One Stop Career Center, such as
pre- and post-job placement mentoring, intensive case management, job
retention support, life skills training and employability skills
training; (2) connecting individuals with the existing training,
apprenticeship and job opportunities of the One-Stop Career Center or
other local affiliates of DOL's national business partners; and (3)
providing post-job placement services to increase job retention.
Expand the access of faith-based and community-based
organizations' clients and customers to the training, job and career
services offered by the local One-Stop Career Centers;
Leverage volunteer hours and in-kind donations to maximize
DOL's investment in grants to ``grassroots'' FBCOs;
Thoroughly document the impact and outcomes of these grant
investments through quarterly and final reporting; and
Establish methods and mechanisms to ensure sustainability
of these partnerships and participation levels beyond the life of the
grant.
Part II. Award Information
1. Award Amount and Other Information
ETA has identified $3,000,000 for this solicitation. The agency
expects to award approximately 40 grants. The grant amount for each
``grassroots'' organization will range between $50,000-$75,000.
2. Period of Performance
The period of performance will be 18 months from the date of grant
execution. This performance period shall include all necessary
implementation and start-up activities as well as participant follow-up
for performance outcomes and grant closeout activities. A timeline
clearly detailing these required grant activities and their expected
completion dates must be included in the grant application. If applied
for and with significant justification, ETA may elect to exercise its
option to award no-cost extensions to these grants for an additional
period at its own discretion, based on the success of the program and
other relevant factors. ETA reserves the right to provide additional
funding in future years based on availability of funds and grantee
performance (derived from the timely submission of required quarterly
reports and completion of a limited application).
3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates
Announcement of these awards is expected to occur by June 30, 2007.
Part III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
For purposes of this announcement, eligible ``grassroots''
organizations must be non-profit organizations that:
Have an Internal Revenue Service 501(c)(3) status at the
time of application submission.
Have social services as a major part of their mission.
Are headquartered in the local community to which they
provide these services.
Have a social services budget of $500,000 or less.
Please Note: A social services budget includes all costs related
to the provision of social services (including salaries and
expenses). These services include those provided by a non-profit
organization for the welfare of a person or community. Such services
can include, but are not limited to housing, workforce development,
employment readiness, education, child protection, food, clothing,
shelter and health care.
If an applicant is an affiliate of a larger organization, to be
eligible, the applicant must be located in local community to which
they provide services, must have its own Federal tax identification
number, have direct control of its funds and operates independently
from the larger organization.
[[Page 16826]]
2. Matching Funds and Leveraged Resources
This solicitation does not require grantees to share costs or
provide matching funds; however, applicants are encouraged to leverage
resources whenever possible and the potential sustainability of the
project will be considered in the evaluation of proposals.
Please note: If the proposal includes integrating WIA or other
federal funds or includes other leveraged resources, these funds
should not be listed on the SF 424 or SF 424A Budget Information
Form, but should be described in the budget narrative and in Part II
of the proposal.
3. Veterans Priority
This program is subject to the provisions of the ``Jobs for
Veterans Act,'' Public Law 107-288, which provides priority of service
to veterans and spouses of certain veterans for the receipt of
employment, training, and placement services in any job training
program directly funded, in whole or in part, by the Department of
Labor. ETA Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 5-03
(September 16, 2003), available at http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=1512
, provides general guidance on the scope of the
veterans priority statute and its effect on current employment and
training programs.
4. Other Eligibility Requirements
Distribution Rights. Selected applicants must agree to give ETA the
right to use and distribute all materials developed with grant funds
such as training models, curriculum, technical assistance products,
etc. Materials developed with grant resources are in the public domain;
therefore, ETA has the right to use, reuse, modify, and distribute all
grant-funded materials and products to any interested party, including
broad distribution to the public workforce investment system via the
Internet or other means.
Legal rules pertaining to inherently religious activities by
organizations that receive Federal financial assistance. The government
is generally prohibited from providing direct Federal financial
assistance for inherently religious activities. See 29 CFR part 2;
subpart D. Grants under this solicitation may not be used for religious
instruction, worship, prayer, proselytizing, or other inherently
religious activities. (Neutral, non-religious criteria that neither
favor nor disfavor religion will be employed in the selection of grant
recipients and must be employed by grantees in the selection of sub-
recipients. ETA Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 01-
05 (July 6, 2005), available at http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2088
, provides guidance on amendments to DOL regulations
that permit the use, in defined circumstances, of Workforce Investment
Act (WIA) Title I financial assistance for training and employment of
WIA participants in religious activities.
Part IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Addresses To Request Application Package
This announcement includes all information and links to forms
needed to apply for this funding opportunity.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
The proposal must consist of two (2) separate and distinct parts,
Parts I and II. Applications that fail to adhere to the instructions in
this section will be considered non-responsive and may not be given
further consideration.
Part I of the proposal is the Cost Proposal and must include the
following three items:
The Standard Form (SF) 424, ``Application for Federal
Assistance'' (available at http://www.doleta.gov/sga/forms.cfm). The SF
424 must clearly identify the applicant and be signed by an individual
with authority to enter into a grant agreement. Upon confirmation of an
award, the individual signing the SF 424 on behalf of the applicant
shall be considered the authorized representative of the applicant.
All applicants for federal grant and funding opportunities are
required to have a Dun and Bradstreet (DUNS) number. See Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) Notice of Final Policy Issuance, 68 FR
38402 (June 27, 2003). Applicants must supply their DUNS number on the
SF 424. The DUNS number is a nine-digit identification number that
uniquely identifies business entities. Obtaining a DUNS number is easy
and there is no charge. To obtain a DUNS number, access this Web site:
http://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-5711.
The SF424A Budget Information Form, (available at http://www.doleta.gov/sga/forms.cfm
).
In preparing the Budget Information Form, the applicant
must provide a concise narrative explanation to support the request.
The budget narrative should break down the budget, and leveraged
resources by the project activities specified in the technical proposal
and should discuss precisely how the administrative cost support the
project goals.
Please Note: If the proposal includes integrating WIA or other
federal funds or includes other leveraged resources, these funds
should not be listed on the SF 424 or SF 424A Budget Information
Form, but should be described in the budget narrative. Applicants
that fail to provide a SF 424, SF 424A and/or a budget narrative
will be removed from consideration prior to the technical review
process. The amount of federal funding requested for the entire
period of performance should be shown together on the SF 424 and SF
424A Budget Information Form. Applicants are also encouraged, but
not required, to submit OMB Survey N. 1890-0014: Survey on Ensuring
Equal Opportunity for Applicants, which can be found at http://www.doleta.gov/sga/forms.cfm
.
Please Note: If awarded a grant, two representatives from each
grantee organization will be required to attend one orientation
conference in the Washington, DC. area. Grant funds may be used for
this travel.
Part II of the application is the Technical Proposal. The Technical
Proposal will demonstrate the applicant's capabilities to plan and
implement the WIA-Small Grassroots Organizations Connecting with the
One-Stop Delivery System grant project in accordance with the
provisions of this solicitation. It sets forth a strategic plan for the
use of awarded funds and establishes measurable goals for increasing
organizational participation in the One-Stop Career Center system to
serve more fully unemployed or underemployed individuals with barriers
to employment. See Part V Applicant Review Information for required
elements of the Technical Proposal. The Technical Proposal is limited
to eight (8) double-spaced, single-sided, 8.5 inch x 11 inch pages with
12 point text font and one-inch margins. Any pages over the eight page
limit will not be reviewed. Please note that applicants should not send
letters of commitment, intent or support separately to ETA because
incoming mail is tracked through a separate system and will not be
attached to the application for review. Except for the discussion of
any leveraged resources to address the evaluation criteria, no cost
data or reference to prices should be included in the Technical
Proposal. The following additional information is required and will not
count against the 8 page Technical Proposal limitation:
The applicant must submit an agreement with, or letter of
intent from the Workforce Investment Board/One-Stop Career Center
operator that
[[Page 16827]]
describes the One-Stop Center's firm commitment to entering a formal
referral partnership with the applicant. This formal partnership should
produce two-way client referrals from the One-Stop Center to the
applicant and from the applicant to the One-Stop Center on which the
applicant will be required to report. The letter must describe that the
One-Stop operator has acknowledged that the applicant organization is
complementing the services provided by the One-Stop Career Center. If
an agreement with the One-Stop Career Center operator is not included,
please provide an explanation of the efforts made to establish this
partnership, (the One-Stop operator role is described in section 121
(b) (1) of the Workforce Investment Act.)
A 1-2 page timeline outlining project activities,
including expected start-up, implementation, participant follow-up for
performance outcomes, grant closeout and other activities.
Please note That the agreements or letters of intent and
timeline are not included in the Technical Proposal eight-page
limit.
Applications may be submitted electronically on http://www.grants.gov or
in hard copy via U.S. mail, professional delivery service, or hand
delivery. These processes are described in further detail in Section IV
(3). Applicants submitting proposals in hard-copy must submit an
original signed application (including the SF 424) and one (1) ``copy-
ready'' version, meaning free of bindings, staples or protruding tabs
to ease in the reproduction of the proposal by DOL for project
reviewers. Applicants submitting proposals in hard-copy are also
requested, though not required, to provide an electronic copy of the
proposal on CD-ROM.
3. Submission Dates and Times
The closing date for receipt of applications under this
announcement is May 8, 2007. Applications must be received at the
address below, or electronically received at the Web site below, no
later than 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time), except as identified in the ``Late
Applications'' paragraph below. Applications sent by e-mail, telegram,
or facsimile (fax) will not be honored. No exceptions to the mailing
and delivery requirements set forth in this notice will be granted.
Mailed applications must be addressed to the U.S. Department of
Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Division of Federal
Assistance, Attention: Eric Luetkenhaus, Reference SGA/DFA PY 06-11,
200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room N-4716, Washington, DC 20210.
Applicants are advised that mail delivery in the Washington area may be
delayed due to mail decontamination procedures. Hand-delivered
proposals will be received at the above address.
Applicants may apply online at http://www.grants.gov by the
deadline specified above. Any application received after the deadline
will not be accepted. For applicants submitting electronic applications
via Grants.gov, please note that it may take several days to complete
the ``Get Started'' step to register with Grants.gov. It is strongly
recommended that these applicants immediately initiate the registration
in order to avoid unexpected delays that could result in the
disqualification of their application. If submitted electronically
through http://www.grants.gov, applicants should save application
documents as a .doc or .pdf file.
Late Applications: Any application received after the exact date
and time specified for receipt at the office designated in this notice
will not be considered, unless it is received before awards are made,
was properly addressed, and: (a) Was sent by U.S. Postal Service
registered or certified mail not later than the fifth calendar day
before the date specified for receipt of applications, (e.g., an
application required to be received by the 20th of the month must be
post marked by the 15th of that month) or (b) was sent by professional
overnight delivery service, or successfully submitted on Grants.gov to
DOL not later than one working day prior to the date specified for
receipt of grant applications. It is highly recommended that online
submissions be completed one working day prior to the date specified
for receipt of applications to ensure that the applicant still has the
option to submit by overnight delivery service in the event of any
electronic submission problems. ``Post marked'' means a printed,
stamped or otherwise placed impression (exclusive of a postage meter
machine impression) that is readily identifiable, without further
action, as having been supplied or affixed on the date of mailing by an
employee of the U.S. Postal Service. Therefore, applicants should
request the postal clerk to place a legible hand cancellation ``bull's
eye'' postmark on both the receipt and the package. Failure to adhere
to the above instructions will be a basis for a determination of non-
responsiveness. Evidence of timely submission by a professional
overnight delivery service must be demonstrated by equally reliable
evidence created by the delivery service provider indicating the time
and place of receipt.
4. Intergovernmental Review
This funding opportunity is not subject to Executive Order (EO)
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''
5. Funding Restrictions
Determinations of allowable costs will be made in accordance with
the applicable Federal cost principles, e.g., Non-Profit
Organizations--OMB Circular A-122 (2 CFR 230). Prospective grantees
should read and become familiar with this Circular. Disallowed costs
are those charges to a grant that the grantor agency or its
representative determines not to be allowed in accordance with the
applicable Federal Cost Principles or other conditions contained in the
grant.
Use of Stipends. The provision of stipends to training enrollees
for the purposes of wage replacement or supportive services, such as
transportation costs, for unemployed or employed workers, is not an
allowable cost under this solicitation.
Purchase of Vehicles. The purchase of vehicles is not an allowable
cost under this solicitation.
Indirect Costs. As specified in OMB Circular Cost Principles,
indirect costs are those that have been incurred for common or joint
objectives and cannot be readily identified with a particular cost
objective. In order to utilize grant funds for indirect costs incurred,
the applicant must obtain an Indirect Cost Rate Agreement with its
Federal cognizant agency either before or shortly after the grant
award.
Administrative Costs. Under this solicitation, ``Small Grassroots
Organizations Connecting with the One-Stop Delivery System'', an entity
that receives a grant to carry out a project or program may not use
more than 10 percent of the amount of the grant to pay administrative
costs associated with the program or project. Administrative costs
could be both direct and indirect costs, and are defined at 20 CFR
667.220. Administrative costs do not need to be identified separately
from program costs on the SF 424A Budget Information Form. They should
be discussed in the budget narrative and tracked through the grantee's
accounting system. To claim any administrative costs that are also
indirect costs, the applicant must obtain an indirect cost rate
agreement as described above.
6. Other Submission Requirements
Withdrawal of Applications. Applications may be withdrawn by
written notice or telegram (including Mailgram) received at any time
before
[[Page 16828]]
an award is made. Applications may be withdrawn in person by the
applicant or by an authorized representative thereof, if the
representative signs a receipt for the proposal.
Part V. Application Review Information
1. Evaluation Criteria
This section identifies and describes the criteria that will be
used to evaluate grant proposals from Grassroots Organizations as
defined in Section III (Eligibility Criteria). Below are the required
elements of the Technical Proposal and the rating criteria that
reviewers will use to evaluate the proposal under this SGA. A.
Organizational History and Description of Community Need (15 points);
B. Client Services, Partnerships with the One-Stop Career Center, and
Timeline (50 points); C. Description of Outcomes and Tracking
Methodology (30 points); D. Description of Sustainability (5 Points).
A. Organizational History and Description of Community Need (15 points)
1. Briefly, describe the history of how your organization has
provided social or workforce development services to meet community
needs, and include a brief listing of services provided. Please
describe the community need that this grant will address. Please
describe what populations you will serve. Populations can include but
are not limited to such groups as: ex-offenders, immigrants, limited
English-speakers, veterans, victims of violent crime, single working
mothers, homeless persons, individuals living in specific low-income
area and individuals with disabilities. (Census and other community
data can be useful for determining the population.) Please describe
what services your organization will provide to address the needs of
this population using this grant funding. Services must include such
activities as: pre- and post-job placement mentoring, intensive case
management, job retention support, life skills training, and
employability skills training and any other services as appropriate.
Services must include some form of job retention support.
Scoring of this criterion will be based on the following.
1. Does the applicant demonstrate that it has a history of
providing social and/or workforce development services to meet
community needs? Were the target populations for this grant described
adequately? Does the organization fully demonstrate that the services
they will provide such as pre- and post-job placement mentoring,
intensive case management, job retention support, life skills training,
and employability skills training services will address the community
need and the needs of the target population? (15 points)
B. Client Services, Partnership With the One-Stop and Timeline (50
points)
1. How Your Organization Will Serve Clients. The applicant must
describe how your organization will provide services under this grant,
including post-job placement services. Please include a description of
the specific program, curricula or method you will use. Describe the
staff/volunteer positions that will provide services under this grant.
2. Partnership With the One-Stop Career Center. Please describe how
you plan to coordinate your services with the existing job training and
employment opportunities at the One-Stop Career Center to help the
target population you described above receive services, enter
employment, be retained in employment and see wage increases. Please
also include if you will be connecting your customers with specific
apprenticeship programs, business partners or training opportunities
offered by or through the One-Stop Career Center. If you have not
previously worked with a One-Stop Career Center, please describe
actions you have taken to develop a relationship with a One-Stop Career
Center. Information on the agreement with the Workforce Investment
Board/One-Stop Career Center operator can be found in Part IV (2) of
this solicitation.
3. Timeline. The applicant must attach a timeline of major,
measurable tasks and activities to be undertaken, including those tasks
that will be undertaken to create effective partnership with the One-
Stop Career Center. (The timeline must be limited to 2 pages and does
not count towards the 8 page limit.)
Scoring of this criterion will be based on the following.
1. Does the applicant adequately describe the methodology for
providing services such as pre- and post-job placement mentoring, and
employability skills training? Does the applicant adequately describe
post-job placement services? Does a description of the methodology
demonstrate that the organization will be successful in helping the
target population described? (15 points)
2. Does the applicant demonstrate its ability to connect its
clients with the services of the One-Stop Career Center and
successfully partner with the One-Stop? (10 points) Does the applicant
present evidence of a firm commitment from the One-Stop Career Center
system to create a formal referral partnership with the applicant as
described above (e.g., a signed letter of intent from the Local
Workforce Investment Board or other One-Stop delivery system
principals)? (10 points)
3. Does the applicant fully demonstrate that the activities and
tasks presented on the timeline are achievable given available
resources? (15 points)
C. Description of Outcomes and Tracking Methodology (30 points)
1. The applicant must identify how many participants will be served
by the grant funds. The applicant must also describe the measurable
outcomes that the program participants will achieve over the life of
this grant. Measurable outcomes must include how many participants will
be placed in post-secondary education or advanced training; number of
participants placed in a job; average hourly wages at the time of job
placement; and of the participants placed in a job since the beginning
of the grant, how many were continuously employed for 3 and 6 months
(retention). Outcomes can also include other goals submitted with the
grant application or additional goals developed for the program.
2. Describe what mechanisms you will develop, in partnership with
the One-Stop Career Center system, to track your success in achieving
proposed goals and outcomes, (i.e. performance measures). Describe any
other methods you will use for evaluating your project's success.
Scoring of this criterion will be based on the following.
1. Does the applicant provide tangible outcome measures and goals
that allow both the applicant and DOL to gauge the impact of the
activities on meeting the community need? Do these goals include
tracking employment outcomes and retention outcomes for those served?
Does the applicant fully demonstrate that the number of people they
plan to serve is reasonable? (15 points)
2. Does the applicant fully demonstrate that it developed, in
conjunction with the One-Stop, mechanisms to track the goals and
outcomes of the grant? (15 points)
D. Description of Sustainability (5 Points)
1. Describe how the applicant will work with the One-Stop and other
community partners to ensure a sustainable relationship after the
expiration of the grant. Describe efforts to leverage other federal,
state, local or private funds to support the project
[[Page 16829]]
during or after the expiration of the grant.
Scoring of this criterion will be based on the following.
2. Does the applicant demonstrate the potential to have a
commitment from the One-Stop Career Center and other community partners
to continue their relationship after the expiration of the grant? Does
the applicant fully describe a development plan that includes diverse
funding sources for the future? (5 points)
2. Review and Selection Process
A technical review panel will make a careful evaluation of
applications against the rating criteria. The ranked scores will serve
as the primary basis for selection of applications for funding, in
conjunction with other factors such as geographic balance, availability
of funds and what is most advantageous to the Government. The grant
officer reserves the right to award without negotiation. The criteria
in Part V, Section 1 will serve as the basis upon which submitted
applications will be evaluated. The panel results are advisory in
nature and not binding on the Grant Officer, and the Grant Officer may
consider any information that comes to his or her attention. Should a
grant be awarded without negotiations, the award will be based on the
applicant's signature on the SF 424, which constitutes a binding offer
as signed by the applicant (including electronic signature via E-
Authentication on http://www.grants.gov).
Part VI. Award Administrative Information
1. Award Notices
All award notifications will be posted on the ETA homepage at
http://www.doleta.gov.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements--Administrative
Program Requirements
All grantees will be subject to all applicable Federal laws
(including provisions in appropriations law), regulations, and the
applicable Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars. The
applicants selected under the SGA will be subject to the following
administrative standards and provisions, if applicable:
The Workforce Investment Act of 1998, U.S.C. 2801 et seq.
Workforce Investment Act Regulation codified at (20 CFR
pts. 660-671).
Exec. Order No. 13198, Agency responsibilities with
respect to Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, 66 FR 8497 (Jan. 31,
2001).
Training and Employment Guidance Letter 17-01,
Incorporating and Utilizing Grassroots, Community-Based Organizations
Including Faith-Based Organizations in Workforce Investment Activities
and Programs (2002).
Exec. Order No. 13279, Equal Protection of the Laws for
Faith-Based and Community Organizations, 67 FR 77141 (Dec. 16, 2002).
New equal treatment regulations (29 CFR Part 2, Subpart D)
and (ETA Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 01-05 (July
6, 2005), available at http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2088
).
Workforce Investment Act (WIA) nondiscrimination and
programmatic regulations (29 CFR 37.6(f); 20 CFR 667.266 and 667.275).
Non-Profit Organizations--Office of Management and Budget
(OMB Circulars A-122 (Cost Principles) and 29 CFR Part 95
(Administrative Requirements).
All entities must comply with 29 CFR Parts 93 and 98, and
where applicable, 29 CFR Parts 96 and 99.
In accordance with Section 18 of the Lobbying Disclosure
Act of 1995, Public Law 104-65 (2 U.S.C. 1611) non-profit entities
incorporated under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(4) that engage
in lobbying activities will not be eligible for the receipt of Federal
funds and grants.
29 CFR Part 2, subpart D--Equal Treatment in Department of
Labor Programs for Religious Organizations; Protection of Religious
Liberty of Department of Labor Social Service Providers and
Beneficiaries.
29 CFR part 30--Equal Employment Opportunity in
Apprenticeship and Training.
29 CFR part 31--Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted
Programs of the Department of Labor--Effectuation of Title VI of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964.
29 CFR part 32--Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap
in Programs and Activities Receiving or Benefiting from Federal
Financial Assistance.
29 CFR part 33--Enforcement of Nondiscrimination on the
Basis of Handicap in Programs or Activities Conducted by the Department
of Labor.
29 CFR part 35--Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Age in
Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance from the
Department of Labor.
29 CFR part 36--Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in
Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial
Assistance.
29 CFR part 37--Implementation of the Nondiscrimination
and Equal Opportunity Provisions of the Workforce Investment Act of
1998 (WIA).
Note: Except as specifically provided in this notice, ETA's
acceptance of a proposal and award of Federal funds to sponsor any
program(s) does not provide a waiver of any grant requirement and/or
procedure. For example, the OMB Circulars require that an entity's
procurement procedures must ensure that all procurement transactions
are conducted, as much as practical, to provide open and free
competition. If a proposal identifies a specific entity to provide
services, the ETA's award does not provide the justifications or
basis to sole-source the procurement, i.e., avoid open and free
competition, unless the activity is regarded as the primary work of
an official partner to the application.
Evaluation Requirements
DOL may require that the program or project participate in an
evaluation of overall ``Small Grassroots Organizations Connecting with
the One-Stop Delivery System'' performance. To measure the impact of
grants funded under this SGA, DOL may arrange for or conduct an
independent evaluation of the outcomes and benefits of the projects.
Grantees must agree to make records on participants, employers, and
funding available and to provide access to program operating personnel
and to participants, as specified by the evaluator(s) under the
direction of ETA, including after the expiration date of the grant.
Reporting Requirements
As a condition of participation in the ``Small Grassroots
Organizations Connecting with the One-Stop Delivery System'' project,
successful applicants will be required to submit performance
information as well as Quarterly Financial Reports, Progress Reports
and Final Reports.
Performance Requirements
``Small Grassroots Organization Connecting with the One-Stop
Delivery System'' grantees are required to report outcomes for the DOL
common performance measures, which measure entry into employment,
retention in employment, and earnings. Additional information on ETA's
common measures policy can be found in Training Employment Guidance
Letter No. 17-05, Common Measures Policy for the Employment and
Training Administration's (ETA) Performance Accountability System and
Related Performance Issues.
Quarterly Financial Reports
A Quarterly Financial Status Report (SF 269) is required until such
time as
[[Page 16830]]
all funds have been expended or the grant period has expired. Quarterly
financial reports are due 30 days after the end of each calendar year
quarter. Grantees must use ETA's Online Electronic Reporting System.
Quarterly Progress Reports
The grantee must submit a quarterly data and narrative progress
report to the designated Federal Project Officer within 30 days after
the end of each calendar year quarter. Copies are to be submitted
electronically providing a detailed account of activities undertaken
during that quarter. The Department may require additional data
elements to be collected and reported on either a regular basis or
special request basis. Grantees must agree to meet the Department's
reporting requirements. Reports must include the following information
for the grassroots grantees.
The number of participants served per quarter (new/intake
and total).
The number of One-Stop Career Center clients referred to
the grantee.
Number of grantee participants referred to the One-Stop.
The total number of volunteer hours committed to the grant
program.
Number of participants placed in post-secondary education
or advanced training.
Number of participants placed in a job.
Average hourly wages at the time of job placement.
Of the participants placed in a job since the beginning of
the grant, how many were continuously employed for 3 months.
Of the participants placed in a job since the beginning of
the grant, how many were continuously employed for 6 months.
Other goals submitted with the grant application or
additional goals developed for the program.
Demographic information.
Final Report
A draft final report must be submitted no later than 60 days prior
to the expiration date of the grant. This report must summarize project
activities, employment outcomes, and related results of the project,
and should thoroughly document the project solution approach. After
responding to ETA's questions and comments on the draft report, three
copies of the final report must be submitted no later than the grant
expiration date. Grantees must agree to use a designated format
specified by the Department to prepare the final report.
Part VII. Agency Contacts
Any technical questions regarding this SGA should be faxed to Linda
Forman at DOL, Fax number (202) 693-2705 (not a toll-free number). You
must specifically address your fax to the attention of Linda Forman and
should include the following: SGA/DFA PY 06-11, a contact name, fax,
and telephone number.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Forman, at (202) 693-3416 (not a
toll-free number). This announcement is also being made available on
http://www.grants.gov.
Part VIII. Other Information
OMB Information Collection No. 1205-0458
Expires September 30, 2009
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are
required to respond to a collection of information unless such
collection displays a valid OMB control number. Public reporting burden
for this collection of information is estimated to average 20 hours per
response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing
data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing
and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding
the burden estimated or any other aspect of this collection of
information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the
U.S. Department of Labor, attention: OMB Desk Officer for ETA, Office
of Management and Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503. PLEASE DO
NOT RETURN YOUR COMPLETED APPLICATION TO THE OMB. SEND IT TO THE
ADDRESS PROVIDED IN PART IV (3) OF THIS SOLICITATION. This information
is being collected for the purpose of awarding a grant. The information
collected through this ``Solicitation for Grant Applications'' will be
used by the Department of Labor to ensure that grants are awarded to
the applicant best suited to perform the functions of the grant.
Submission of this information is required in order for the applicant
to be considered for award of this grant. Unless otherwise specifically
noted in this announcement, information submitted in the respondent's
application is not considered to be confidential.
Resources
DOL maintains a number of Web-based resources that may be of
assistance to applicants. The Web page for the Department's Center for
Faith-Based & Community Initiatives (http://www.dol.gov/cfbci) is a
valuable source of background on this initiative. America's Service
Locator (http://www.servicelocator.org) provides a directory of our nation's
One-Stop Career Centers. ETA maintains a Web page http://www.servicelocator.org/wibcontacts
), which contains contact information
for the state and local Workforce Investment Boards. Applicants are
encouraged to review ``Understanding the Department of Labor
Solicitation for Grant Applications and How to Write an Effective
Proposal'', which can be found at (http://www/dol.gov/cfbci/sgabrochure.htm
). Applicants may also wish to review the current two-
year Workforce Investment Act plan for the state in which they are
located. Access to these plans may be found at http://www.doleta.gov.gov/usworkforce/WIA/planstatus.cfm.
For a basic
understanding of the grants process and basic responsibilities of
receiving Federal grant support, please see ``Guidance for Faith-Based
and Community Organizations on Partnering with the Federal
Government'', found at (http://www.fbci.gov).
Signed at Washington, DC, this 30th day of March 2007.
Eric D. Luetkenhaus,
Grant Officer, Employment and Training Administration.
[FR Doc. E7-6306 Filed 4-4-07; 8:45 am]
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