[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 211 (Friday, October 31, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58984-58991]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-28830]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
Job Training Partnership Act, Title III, Demonstration Program:
Labor Organization Adjustment Assistance
AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Notice of availability of funds and solicitation for grant
application (SGA).
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SUMMARY: All information required to submit a proposal is contained in
this announcement. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and
Training Administration (ETA), announces a demonstration program to
test the ability of labor organizations to develop innovative
approaches for providing accelerated skills development and/or
enhancement of job skills already possessed by affected workers to
increase their prospects of transitioning to new or related
occupational job opportunities. The program is 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 applicants 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. It is anticipated that up to $3 million will be available for
funding approximately 6 demonstration projects covered by this
solicitation with no project being awarded more than $500,000.
DATES: Applications for grant awards will be accepted commencing
October 31, 1997. The closing date for receipt of applications will be
January 7, 1998, at 2:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) at the address below.
ADDRESSES: Applications shall be mailed to: Division of Acquisition and
Assistance, Attention: Denise Roach, Reference: SGA/DAA 98-001,
Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room
S-4203, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Denise Roach, Division of Acquisition and Assistance, Telephone: (202)
219-8694 (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 evaluation and oversight policy.
Part II describes the application process and provides detailed
guidelines for use in applying for demonstration grants. 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 323(a)(b) of the Job Training Partnership Act authorizes
the use of funds reserved under part B of Title III for demonstration
programs. The Department requires that applicants for grants comply
with all Federal and State laws and regulations in setting up their
programs.
B. Purpose of the Demonstration
As authorized under Title III of JTPA, the Dislocated Worker
Program provides a wide range of employment and training services to
eligible dislocated workers to help them find and qualify for new jobs.
Many of these jobs will be in occupations different from workers' pre-
layoff occupations and require affected workers to learn new skills and
knowledge where the ``skills gap'' is substantial. In other instances
the ``skills gap'' could be minimal and require only enhancement of
workers' existing skills to increase their transferability to related
occupations. Strategies which maximize the utilization of workers'
current skills and/or reduce the length of training required for the
acquisition of new skills should not only expand but also facilitate a
more rapid transition to new employment opportunities.
This demonstration will test whether labor organizations as
institutions knowledgeable about and focused on the maintenance of
their members' skills and/or knowledgeable about emerging technologies
and occupations can be
[[Page 58985]]
successful providers of the above strategies either directly or by
playing the principal role in the design and implementation of
innovative approaches and strategies for meeting the skills needs of
this target population. Projects funded through this solicitation are
to provide reemployment and retraining services--as described in
sections 314(c) and 314(d) of JTPA--to dislocated workers who may need
and benefit from the receipt of these services. Participants must be
eligible under sections 301(a) (1) (A), (B), or (C) of JTPA AND be
members of the target population for which the project is designed. For
purposes of this demonstration, appropriate target populations include
those workers who have been represented through collective bargaining
by the demonstration project grantee labor organization or its
partnering labor organizations and who have been terminated or laid off
within 90 days of the closing date of this solicitation or within 150
days subsequent to the grant award. Up to 15 percent of the target
population may include represented workers who have been longer-term
unemployed for three (3) months or longer and whose lay-offs occurred
prior to the 90 day period indicated above.
The demonstration projects must ensure that the services and
service mix provided will achieve the following program goals: (1) At
least 74 percent of project participants will find employment within 90
days after leaving the project, (2) the post-program wage at 90 day
follow-up is at least 96 percent of the wage at dislocation on average,
and (3) at least 70 percent of the project participants will rate the
services received as ``extremely'' or ``very'' valuable.
C. Evaluation
Under a separate announcement, DOL will select and fund a separate
evaluation contractor to: (1) Provide technical assistance to grantees
in establishing appropriate data collection methods and processes; and
(2) conduct an independent process evaluation 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.
D. 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 II. Application Process--All Information Required To Submit a
Proposal is Contained in This Announcement
A. Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants for demonstration projects funded under this
announcement are labor organizations which: (1) Provide exclusive
representation to the target population to be served through collective
bargaining agreements in effect at the time of the effective date of
worker layoff or termination; and (2) that can demonstrate the ability
to deliver the services proposed and to ensure the integrity of the
funds requested.
Note: With respect to item 1, an eligible applicant may be a
labor organization which provides exclusive representation to a
portion of the target population and which is willing to administer
grant funds in partnership with other labor organizations that
provide exclusive representation to the other respective portions of
the target population to be served. In these circumstances, the
offeror must demonstrate through letters of support from the other
labor organization that the latter will participate in the grant
activities to be performed.
B. Contents
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, Part I, shall contain the SF-424,
``Application for Federal Assistance'' (Appendix No. 1), and SF 424-A,
``Budget'' (Appendix No. 2). The Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog
number is 17.246. An applicant shall indicate on the SF-424 the type of
organization for which it qualifies under the eligibility criteria in
Part II, section A. of this solicitation. 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 administrative
costs and costs for one or more of the following categories: basic
readjustment services (Section 314(c) (1-14, 16-18) of JTPA),
supportive services (Section 314(c)(15)), and retraining services
(Section 314(d)) requested through this grant Note: Other Title III
cost categories not mentioned are specifically excluded from grant
expenditures, e.g. rapid response assistance and needs-related
payments); an identification of the amount of each budget line item
which will be covered by other funds (if applicable), 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 a justification for the average
cost of service per placement. The latter is to be computed by dividing
the number of proposed participants of the target population who will
be employed within 90 days after leaving the project into the total
Federal funds requested.
Grant funds may cover only those costs which are appropriate and
reasonable. Federal funds cannot be used to provide training which an
employer is in a position to, and would otherwise, provide, nor can
they be used to provide salaries for program participants.
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. 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. Use of grant funds to purchase equipment with a unit cost of
$5,000 or more requires special review and approval from DOL prior to
purchase.
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 in Part III of
this solicitation. No Cost Data or Reference to price shall be included
in the technical proposal.
C. Submission
Grant applications will be evaluated carefully by a panel convened
by the Department after the closing date of this solicitation.
Incomplete or non-responsive proposals may be returned without
evaluation. An application will be reviewed based upon the overall
responsiveness of the application's content to the submission
requirements and to the selection criteria found in Part IV, taking
into consideration the extent to which funds are available.
[[Page 58986]]
D. Hand-Delivered Proposals
Proposals should be mailed at least five (5) days prior to the
closing date for the receipt of applications. However, if proposals are
hand-delivered, they shall be received at the designated place by 2
p.m., Eastern Time on the closing date for receipt of applications. 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.
E. Late Proposals
Any proposal received at the office designated in the solicitation
after the exact time specified for rreciept 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 30th of January
must have been mailed by the 25th); or
(2) Was sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail Next Day Service--
Post Office to Addressee, not later than 5:00 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 of 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.
F. 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.
G. Period of Performance
Grant awards will be made for a 17 month period. Project operators
must be prepared to deliver services within 60 days following award.
The delivery of services will be for a period of 12 months. Grantees
will be allowed up to 90 days subsequent to the termination of service
delivery for collecting follow-up information on individual completers
and the preparation of final project reports.
H. Funding
DOL has set aside up to $3 million to be disbursed for 6 projects,
contingent upon resources being available for this purpose. It is
expected that no project will be awarded more than $500,000. DOL may
elect to modify and add funds to a grant for an additional one (1) or
two (2) years of operation based on the availability of funds,
successful program operation, and the needs of the Department.
I. Page Count Limit
Applications are to be limited to thirty-five (35) double-spaced,
single side, 8.5 inch x 11 inch pages with one inch margins.
Attachments shall not exceed ten (10) pages. Text type shall be 11
point or larger. Applications that do not meet these requirements will
not be considered.
J. Cost Limitations
Demonstration grants are not subject to the cost limitations for
Title III grants at section 315 of the JTPA. However, any offeror
proposing administrative costs that exceed 15 percent of the budget
and/or supportive services that exceed 25 percent of the funds
requested in the application shall provide a narrative justification.
Part III. Statement of Work
Each application should follow the format outlined here. For every
section, A through F, the application should include: (1) Information
that responds to the requirements in this part; (2) information that
indicates adherence to the provisions described in Parts I and II of
this solicitation; and (3) other information the offeror believes will
address the selection criteria identified in Part IV.
A. Target Population
Described the dislocated worker target population, including the
size, location, and needs of this population relative to the services
being provided.
Indicate the beginning and end dates of the collective bargaining
agreement(s) under which the target population was covered at the time
of the workers' layoff or termination and the labor organization(s) and
company(ies) who were the parties to the agreement(s).
B. Components of the Labor Organization Adjustment Assistance
Demonstration
Describe the major elements of the demonstration project, including
how the project works in terms of the individual worker getting access
to the reemployment and retraining services which the individual needs.
Specifically:
How will new job openings and opportunities in demand
occupations for the project participants be identified and developed?
What services will be covered by the reemployment and
retraining program? Describe the mechanisms to be used to ensure
appropriate outreach and recruitment. Explain how these services are
relevant to the target population to be served. Explain how these
services will focus on utilizing a participant's current (pre-layoff)
skills for placement and/or retraining purposes.
Note: Such services must be authorized under sections 314(c) and
314(d) of JTPA and comply with applicable federal regulations at 20
CFR parts 627 and 631.
How will reemployment and retraining service needs of the
individual worker be determined? What will be the sequence of services
provided and the criteria/decision points used to determine the
appropriateness of specific services for individual participants? By
way of illustration, include a flowchart indicating the sequence of
services provided, the decision points which determine the services to
be provided to
[[Page 58987]]
a participant, and the expected duration of each service component.
How will qualified providers of reemployment and
retraining services be determined if they are used?
How will a participant's continuing participation in the
program be monitored? At what point(s) will termination occur?
What information will be available to the worker to
identify and evaluate alternative employment opportunities? How will
this information be developed? How will the worker be able to access
this information?
How will the components described in this subpart relate
to the demonstration purpose of testing innovative approaches for
maximizing the utilization of workers' current skills for entry into
new or related demand occupations?
C. Administration and Management
Identify the management structure for the project and describe the
means to ensure accountability for funds as well as 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. Specific references should be made to collecting
information needed to determine: (1) The achievement of project
outcomes as indicated in section E (including 90 day follow-ups of
participants to determine demonstration program goal achievement) and
(2) the reporting of participants, outcomes, and expenditures. Indicate
what methods, e.g., surveys, focus groups, will be used to collect
feedback information.
Describe the applicant's past experience in the management of
projects similar to that being proposed.
D. Use of Existing Services and Resources
Identify specific sources and amounts of other funds, if any, which
will be used in addition to funds provided through this grant to
implement the project. Include: (1) Information on any non-JTPA
resources committed to this project, including employer funds, secured
and unsecured loans, grants, and other forms of assistance, public and
private; and (2) a description of the relationship of the proposed
project to the ongoing assistance to dislocated workers through the
formula-funded JTPA Title III-A program in the service area and those
procedures to be used to ensure non-duplication of services between the
formula-funded Title III-A program and the project. Describe any other
coordination of resources and agencies that may be undertaken.
E. Outcomes
Identify project outcomes and 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 to be enrolled in services,
those successfully completing services through the project, and those
to be placed into new jobs including (to be separately identified)
those obtaining new jobs utilizing a high degree of their previous job
skills;
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, and at critical
points in the service delivery; and
Other additional measurable, performance-based outcomes
that are relevant to the proposed intervention and which may be readily
assessed during the period of performance of the project.
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 must also describe how outcomes achieved by
individuals served by the project are to be related to the numerical
demonstration program goals identified in Part I, section B.
F. Replicability
Describe the information to be provided on project activities that
will allow other parties to replicate the proposed project. Discuss the
applicability of the project to other dislocated worker programs.
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 selected by DOL. Panelists will evaluate the proposals for
acceptability based 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 (80 Points)
Services and Target Group (35 Points)
The responsiveness of the services to be provided, including the
degree to which the services appear to meet the needs of the target
population. The extent to which the services to be provided focus on
and are innovative in utilizing participants' current (pre-layoff)
skills. The demonstrated relationship between the services to be
provided and the jobs into which participants are to be placed. The
scope of the project in terms of the number of participants to be
served. (Relates to information requested in Part III, sections A, B,
and E.)
Management Structure (15 Points)
The extent to which the management structure ensures accountability
for performance, monitors customer satisfaction, and includes
procedures for continuous quality improvement. The ability of the
management structure to determine the extent to which the planned
project outcomes and demonstration program goals have been met by the
project. (Relates to information requested in Part III, section C.)
Coordination and Linkages; Utilization of Resources (10 points)
The extent to which the project will use other existing public and
private resources including employer and union-funded assistance, avoid
duplication of services with the formula-funded Title III-A program,
and coordinate its services with other appropriate State and local
organizations. (Relates to information requested in Part III, section
D.)
Demonstrated Experience (10 points)
Experience in the oversight and operation of projects requiring
management capabilities and experience similar to the proposed project.
(Relates to information requested in Part III, section C.)
Replicability (10 points)
The completeness of the information to be provided on project
activities that will allow others to replicate the project. The
likelihood that the approach may be applicable to a broad range of
dislocated worker programs across the country. (Relates to information
requested in Part III, section F.)
[[Page 58988]]
B. Cost Evaluation (20 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 Title III grantees.
The extent to which the budget is justified and 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
Applicants selected as grantees will be required to provide the
following reports:
A. Monthly and Quarterly Progress Reports
B. Standard Form 269, Financial Status Report Form, on a quarterly
basis.
C. Final Project Report including an assessment of project
performance.
Signed at Washington, DC, this 24th day of October, 1997.
Janice E. Perry,
Grant Officer, Employment and Training Administration.
Appendices
No. 1--Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424)
No. 2--Budget Form--Non Construction Programs (Standard Form 424-A
BILLING CODE 4510-30-M
[[Page 58989]]
Attachment No. 1--Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form
424)
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN31OC97.000
[[Page 58990]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN31OC97.001
[[Page 58991]]
Attachment No. 2--Budget Form--Non Construction Programs (Standard
Form 424A)
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN31OC97.002
[FR Doc. 97-28830 Filed 10-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-C