[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 212 (Thursday, November 3, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
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From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-27275]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 3, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

 

Job Training Partnership Act: Title III--Job Development Broker 
Program

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds and solicitation for grant 
application (SGA).

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training 
Administration (ETA), announces a demonstration program to identify job 
development brokers that will link specific job opportunities with the 
development of appropriate curricula and support mechanisms for 
eligible dislocated workers to be funded with Secretary's National 
Reserve funds appropriated through Title III of the Job Training 
Partnership Act (JTPA).
    This notice describes the process that eligible entities must use 
to apply for demonstration funds, the subject area for which 
applications will be accepted for funding, how grantees are to be 
selected, and the responsibilities of grantees. Up to $2 million will 
be made available for funding the approximately three to five 
demonstration projects covered by this solicitation.
    Everything needed to apply is contained in this announcement.

DATES: Applications for grant awards will be accepted commencing 
November 6, 1994. The closing date for receipt of applications will be 
December 16, 1994, at 2 p.m. (Eastern Time) at the address below.

ADDRESSES: Applications shall be mailed to U.S. Department of Labor, 
Employment and Training Administration, Division of Acquisition and 
Assistance, Attention: Ms. Brenda Banks, Reference: SGA/DAA 94-23, 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Room S-4203, Washington, DC 20210.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Brenda Banks, Division of Acquisition and Assistance, Telephone: 
(202) 219-7300 (This is not a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This announcement consists of five parts. 
Part I describes the authorities and purpose of the demonstration 
program, and identifies demonstration policy and topics. Part II 
describes the application process and provides detailed guidelines for 
use in applying for demonstration grants. There is no separate 
application package. Part III includes the statement of work for the 
demonstration projects. Part IV identifies and defines the selection 
criteria which will be used in reviewing and evaluating applications. 
Part V describes the reporting requirements.

Part I. Background

A. Authorities

    Section 324 of the Job Training Partnership Act authorizes the use 
of funds reserved under Part B of Title III for demonstration programs. 
The Secretary shall conduct or provide for an evaluation of the success 
of each demonstration program.

B. Purpose of the Demonstration

    Job Development Broker Demonstration Projects funded through this 
solicitation are to provide reemployment and retraining services--as 
described in sections 314(c) and 314(d) JTPA--to eligible dislocated 
workers. The goals of this retraining program are to:

--Expand the retraining resources available to dislocated workers being 
served under Title III of the Job Training Partnership Act; and
--Support the development of a job development marketplace where 
brokers with retraining and employment opportunities can compete to 
provide assistance to dislocated workers on the basis of performance 
and customer satisfaction.

    The purpose of this demonstration is to identify brokers that will 
link specific job opportunities with the development of appropriate 
curricula and support mechanisms so that eligible dislocated workers 
who successfully complete the program will get those jobs, at a cost 
that will be competitive with other program options available for the 
dislocated worker substate grantees and their customers.

C. Demonstration Policy

1. Awards
    DOL will select approximately three to five applicants, making 
awards up to $2.0 million in total, to conduct demonstrations for job 
development brokers. It is anticipated that individual grant awards 
will be approximately $300,000 to $500,000 each; however, in no case 
will an award exceed $750,000.
2. Evaluation
    Under a separate announcement, DOL will select and fund an 
evaluation contractor to: (1) Provide technical assistance to selected 
grantees in establishing appropriate data collection methods and 
processes; and (2) conduct an independent evaluation of the outcomes, 
impacts and benefits of the demonstration projects. Grantees will be 
expected to make available participant records and access to personnel, 
as specified by the evaluation contractor.
    In addition, DOL will establish, for each demonstration project 
site, an oversight group made up of federal, State and substate staff.
3. Eligible Participants
    Workers eligible for assistance under these demonstration grants 
are those eligible dislocated workers who are participants in Title III 
funded programs operated by State and substate grantees.
4. Allowable activities
    Grant funds awarded under this demonstration may be used to provide 
the services described in JTPA Section 314(c) and Section 314(d). The 
establishment of linkages with employers, development of appropriate 
training curricula, and negotiation of agreements with the Title III 
State and substate grantees will be critical parts of this 
demonstration, but they must be combined with delivery of services and 
placement of participants in unsubsidized employment.
5. Grant Period
    Projects must be completed not later than June 30, 1996. 
Applications must clearly describe project activities to be undertaken 
during the proposed grant period. Funding of project activity 
subsequent to the approved period of performance will be the 
responsibility of the applicant. Additional grant funds will not be 
available under this demonstration.
6. Cost Limitations
    Demonstration grants are not subject to the cost limitations for 
formula-funded Title III grants at Section 315 of the JTPA. However, 
any offeror proposing administrative costs higher than 15 percent of 
the budget and supportive services higher than 25 percent of the funds 
requested in the application shall provide a narrative justification.

D. Demonstration Topic

    DOL is soliciting applications for demonstration projects to test 
the ability of brokers to market services that link specific job 
opportunities with appropriate training and support mechanisms so that 
eligible dislocated workers who successfully complete the program will 
get those jobs, at a cost which will be competitive with other program 
options available for Title III substate grantees and their 
participants.

Part II. Application Process

A. Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants under this demonstration include (1) employers 
and associations of employers, (2) unions and organizations 
representing workers, and (3) education and training institutions. 
Consideration will be given to awarding at least one grant in each of 
the three categories of eligible applicants. While matching funds will 
not be required, applicants will have to demonstrate the ability to 
market their services to dislocated worker program grantees that have 
training resources, including Title III formula-allotted funds to 
States and substate grantees, or Title III National Reserve Account 
funds.

B. Submission of Proposals

    An original and three (3) copies of the proposal shall be 
submitted. The proposal shall consist of two (2) separate and distinct 
parts--Part I, the Financial Proposal, and Part II, the Technical 
Proposal.
1. Financial Proposal
    The Financial Proposal shall contain the SF-424, ``Application for 
Federal Assistance'' (three ink signed originals) Appendix No., and SF 
424-A, ``Budget Information'' (Appendix No. 2). The Federal Domestic 
Assistance Catalog number is 17.246. The budget shall include on 
separate pages: a cost analysis of the budget, identifying in detail 
the amount of each budget line item attributable to each of the Title 
III cost categories at Section 314 of JTPA for funds requested through 
this grant; an identification of the amount of each budget line item 
which will be covered by other funds, and the sources of those funds 
(including other Title III funds, employer funds, in-kind resources 
secured and unsecured loans, grants, and other forms of assistance, 
public and private); and an analysis of the cost effectiveness in terms 
of unit costs for the delivery of services to individual dislocated 
workers in comparison with similar services available to dislocated 
workers through Title III, and in terms of the scope of the effort with 
regard to the projected number of placements available and the number 
of different dislocated worker program operators (States and substate 
grantees) which will be involved.
    Federal funds cannot be used to support training which an employer 
is in a position to, and would otherwise, provide.
    Federal funds may not be used for acquisition of production 
equipment. The only type of equipment that may be acquired with Federal 
funds is equipment necessary for the operation of the grant. Grant 
funds may cover only those costs which are appropriate and reasonable. 
In the instance of a purchase, the cost of the equipment is to be 
prorated over the projected life of the equipment to determine the cost 
to the grant. Awardee must receive prior approval from the Department 
of Labor/Employment and Training Administration's Property Officer for 
the purchase and/or lease of any property and/or equipment with a per 
unit acquisition cost of $5,000 or more, and a useful life of more than 
one year as defined in OMB Circulars A-102 and A-110. This includes the 
purchase of ADP equipment. The request must be directed through your 
Grant Officer's Technical Representative (GOTR) and must include a 
detailed description and cost of the items to be acquired.
    Applicants may budget limited amounts of grant funds to work with 
technical expert(s) to provide advice and develop more complete project 
plans.
2. Technical Proposal
    The technical proposal shall demonstrate the offeror's capabilities 
in accordance with the Statement of Work/Project Summary as described 
in Part III of this announcement. NO COST DATA OR REFERENCE TO PRICE 
SHALL BE INCLUDED IN THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL.
3. Page Count Limit
    Applications are to be limited to 30 single-side pages, single-
spaced. The technical proposal should include a 2 to 3 page executive 
summary.

C. Hand-Delivered Proposals

    Proposals should be mailed at least five (5) days prior to the 
closing date. However, if proposals are hand-delivered, they shall be 
received at the designated place by 2 p.m., Eastern Time by December 
16, 1994. All overnight mail will be considered to be hand-delivered 
and must be received at the designated place by the specified time and 
closing date. Telegraphed and/or faxed proposals will not be honored. 
Failure to adhere to the above instructions will be a basis for a 
determination of nonresponsiveness.

D. Late Proposals

    Any proposal received at the office designated in the solicitation 
after the exact time specified for receipt will not be considered 
unless it--
    (1) Was sent by the U.S. Postal Service registered or certified 
mail not later than the fifth calendar day before the date specified 
for receipt of the application (e.g., an offer submitted in response to 
a solicitation requiring receipt of applications by the 15th of the 
month must have been mailed by the 10th); or
    (2) Was sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail Next Day Service--
Post Office to Addressee, not later than 5 p.m. at the place of mailing 
two working days prior to the date specified for receipt of proposals. 
The term ``working days'' excludes weekends and U.S. Federal holidays.
    The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of a 
late proposal sent either by the U.S. Postal Service registered or 
certified mail is the U.S. postmark both on the envelope or wrapper and 
on the original receipt from the U.S. Postal Service. Both postmarks 
must show a legible date or the proposal shall be processed as if 
mailed late. ``Postmark'' 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 and 
affixed by employees to the U.S. Postal Service on the date of mailing. 
Therefore, applicants should request the postal clerk to place a 
legible hand cancellation ``bull's eye'' postmark on both the receipt 
and the envelope or wrapper.
    The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of a 
late proposal sent by ``Express Mail Next Day Service--Post Office to 
Addressee'' is the date entered by the post office receiving clerk on 
the ``Express Mail Next Day Service--Post Office to Addressee'' label 
and the postmark on both the envelope and wrapper and on the original 
receipt from the U.S. Postal Service. ``Postmark'' has the same meaning 
as defined above. Therefore, applicants should request the postal clerk 
to place a legible hand cancellation ``bull's eye'' postmark on both 
the receipt and the envelope or wrapper.

E. Withdrawal of Proposals

    Proposals may be withdrawn by written notice or telegram (including 
mailgram) received at any time before award. Proposals may be withdrawn 
in person or by an applicant or an authorized representative thereof, 
if the representative's identity is made known and the representative 
signs a receipt for the proposal before an award.

F. Period of Performance

    The period of performance will be from the date of grant execution 
through not later than June 30, 1996.

G. Funding

    DOL has set aside up to $2.0 million to be awarded, based on 
receipt of meritorious proposals consistent with the criteria 
identified in this announcement. It is expected that grant awards will 
be approximately $300,000 to $500,000 each. However, in no case shall 
an award exceed $750,000.

Part III. Statement of Work

    Each application must include in the appropriate section(s): (1) 
Information that indicates adherence to the provisions described in 
Part I of this announcement; (2) information that responds to the 
requirements in this part; and (3) other information the offeror 
believes will address the selection criteria identified in Part IV. 
Each application should follow the format outlined here:

A. Target Group

    A description of the qualifications or criteria for participation 
in the demonstration project, and the process to be used to identify 
and select participants to be served through this demonstration project 
from among the total number of eligible individuals served by the Title 
III program in the area covered by the demonstration application.

B. Components of the Job Development Broker Demonstration Program

    An identification of the major elements of the job development 
broker demonstration project and a description of how the project works 
in terms of enrolling eligible workers and placing them in agreed upon 
unsubsidized employment. Specifically, applicants must demonstrate:
    The availability of specific jobs or occupations for which training 
will be provided and the relevance of the training to the jobs into 
which participants will be placed;
    A commitment from the employers to hire dislocated workers who 
successfully complete the training into those jobs; and
    Agreements with dislocated workers programs under Title III of the 
Job Training Partnership Act that will identify eligible dislocated 
workers and refer them to the broker for service.

C. Administration and Management

    Identify the management structure for the project and demonstrate 
the means to ensure accountability for performance. Provide a 
description of the process and procedures to be used to obtain feedback 
from participants and other appropriate parties on the responsiveness 
and effectiveness of the services provided. The description should 
include an identification of the types of information to be obtained, 
the method(s) and frequency of data collection, and how the information 
will be used in implementing and managing the project. It is expected 
that grantees may employ focus groups and surveys, in addition to other 
methods, to collect feedback information.

D. Use of Existing Services and Resources

    An identification of the specific sources and amounts of other 
funds which will be used, in addition to funds provided through this 
grant, to implement the project.
    The application must include information on any other JTPA funds 
and non-JTPA resources committed to this project, including employer 
funds, secured and unsecured loans, grants, and other forms of 
assistance, public and private. The application shall also describe the 
relationship of this project to the ongoing assistance to dislocated 
workers through the formula-funded JTPA Title III program(s) in the 
service area.

E. Coordination and Linkages

    A description of the consultation with relevant parties in 
developing the project design and of the role of these parties in 
implementing the project, especially with regard to employer 
involvement in the development of appropriate training. Suggested 
consultation shall include: State JTPA Dislocated Worker Unit, Substate 
Title III grantee(s) and administrative entity(ies), as well as 
organized labor, employers, and organizations providing education, 
training and supportive services.

F. Participant Services

    A description of the services to be available and/or provided to 
participants. The services supported with funds under this grant must 
be allowable under Section 314 of the Act. This description should 
include a participant service flowchart indicating the sequence in the 
participant service process and the criteria/decision points which are 
used to determine the appropriateness of specific services for 
individual participants, and the support provided to ensure that each 
participant will receive the appropriate assistance from the point of 
enrollment until 90 days after placement.

G. Outcomes

    A description of the project outcomes and of the specific measures, 
and planned achievement levels, that will be used to determine the 
success of the project. These outcomes and measures should include, but 
are not limited to:
     The number of participants projected: to be enrolled in 
services, to successfully complete services through the project, and to 
be placed into new jobs;
     Measurable effects of the services provided to project 
participants as indicated by gains in individuals' skills, 
competencies, or other outcomes;
     Average wages of participants prior to and at completion 
of project;
     Customer satisfaction with the project services, and of 
critical points in the service delivery process; and
     Other additional measurable, performance-based outcomes 
that are relevant to the project and which may be readily assessed 
during the period of performance of the project, such as cost 
effectiveness of service and comparison with other available service 
strategies, and acceptance and agreements with Title III grantees. 
[Note: An explanation of how such additional measures are relevant to 
the purpose of the demonstration program shall be included in the 
application.]
    The proposal shall also describe how outcomes achieved by 
individuals in the retraining program will be compared to outcomes 
achieved by individuals not receiving such assistance at the same Title 
III grantee.

H. Replicability

    Provide a description of the applicant's plans for continuing the 
project or how it might be replicated.

I. Definitions

    Unless otherwise indicated in this announcement, definitions of 
terms used herein shall be those definitions found in the Job Training 
Partnership Act, as amended, particularly at Section 4 and Section 301.

Part IV. Evaluation Criteria

    Prospective offerors are advised that the selection of grantee(s) 
for award is to be made after careful evaluation of proposals by a 
panel of specialists selected by DOL. Panelists will evaluate the 
proposals for acceptability with emphasis on the various factors 
enumerated below. The panel results are advisory in nature and not 
binding on the Grant Officer.
    Evaluations will be made on the basis of both what the proposed 
offeror intends to do during the grant period, and on the usefulness of 
the demonstration after the end of the grant period.

A. Technical Evaluation (Possible Total: 75 Points)

    Services and Target Group. The demonstrated relationship between 
the services to be provided and the jobs into which participants are to 
be placed, and the degree to which the services appear to meet the 
needs of the target population. The scope of the project in terms of 
the number of jobs available, the number of participants to be 
enrolled, and the number and geographic dispersion of Title III 
grantees to be served. The geographical area served by the project 
(substate area, multiple substate areas, regionwide, industrywide, or 
national). The mechanism that will ensure appropriate training and 
support for each participant from enrollment to 90 days following 
placement. (20 points)
    Job Development Broker Project Design. The completeness of the 
description of the retraining, including the jobs for which the 
training is being provided, a demonstration of employer involvement in 
the design, and the commitment by employers to hire participants who 
successfully complete the program. The extent to which the project is 
cost competitive with other service strategies available to Title III 
grantees and their participants. The agreements with Title III grantees 
for referral of qualified participants, and the procedures to establish 
additional agreements with other Title III grantees. The program 
specifications and planned outcomes that will be used to monitor and 
measure performance. (30 points)
    Coordination and Linkages; Utilization of Resources. The extent to 
which the proposal defines the roles and responsibilities of the 
applicant and its partners including representatives of the 
employer(s), the workers and the unions, the Title III grantees, the 
training providers and others. The number and scope of commitments with 
employers, and Title III grantees. The extent to which the project will 
be integrated with other resources and will leverage other resources to 
increase marketability. (15 points)
    Management and Continuity. The extent to which the management 
structure monitors performance and customer satisfaction and includes 
procedures for continuous quality improvement, and which reports that 
performance to the substate grantees for use in informing the customer 
about available service options. The viability of the project, if 
successful, to be continued and expanded, including a description of 
efforts to negotiate agreements with additional Title III grantees for 
referral of participants. (10 points)

B. Cost Evaluation (25 Points)

    The cost effectiveness of the project as indicated by the 
relationship of proposed costs to number of participants to be served, 
the range of services to be provided and the planned outcomes, as 
compared to other service strategies available for the Title III 
grantees. The extent to which the budget is justified, and which it 
supports the planned outcomes.
    Applicants are advised that discussions may be necessary in order 
to clarify any inconsistencies in their applications. Applications may 
be rejected where the information required is not provided in 
sufficient detail to permit adequate assessment of the proposal. The 
final decision on the award will be based on what is most advantageous 
to the Federal Government as determined by the ETA Grant Officer.

Part V. Reporting Requirements

    1. Dislocated Worker Special Project Reports as required.
    2. Standard Form 269, Financial Status Report Form.
    3. Quarterly Progress Reports.
    4. Final Project Report.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 28th day of October 1994.
Janice E. Perry,
Grant Officer.

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[FR Doc. 94-27275 Filed 11-2-94; 8:45 am]
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