[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 126 (Wednesday, July 1, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35955-35983]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-17401]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), Title IV-D, Demonstration 
Program: Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations

AGENCY: Women's Bureau, Department of Labor.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of Funds and Solicitation for Grant 
Applications (SGA 98-04).

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SUMMARY: All information required to submit a proposal is contained in 
this announcement. Applicants for grant funds should read this notice 
in its entirety and respond as directed. Grant proposals that are not 
completed as directed will be judged nonresponsive and will not be 
evaluated.
    The Women's Bureau (WB), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announces 
the fifth (5) year of the Solicitation for Grant Applications (SGAs) 
first authorized by the Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional 
Occupations (WANTO) Act under its grant provision to Community-Based 
Organizations (CBOs) to deliver Technical Assistance (TA) to private 
sector Employers and Labor Unions (E/LUs) to prepare them to increase 
the recruiting, training, promotion, and retention of women in 
apprenticeship and nontraditional occupations (A/NTOs) in their 
workplaces. WANTO is a competitive grant program funded through the Job 
Training Partnership Act (JTPA) Title IV-D. While the Women's Bureau 
has responsibility for implementing the competitive grant process, the 
WANTO Act is jointly administered by the Department of Labor's Bureau 
of Apprenticeship and Training (BAT)/Employment and Training 
Administration (ETA) and the Women's Bureau (WB).
    The Department expects to make up to eight (8) WANTO awards to 
experienced, private nonprofit CBOs from the funds allocated for FY 
1998. With the fifth year of WANTO grants, the Department will give 
priority consideration to proposals for technical assistance that 
leverage WANTO funds in Federally designated Empowerment Zones (EZ) and 
Enterprise Communities (EC) in both rural and urban areas. (See 
Appendix A for a listing of Urban EZ/EC cities and Appendix B for a 
listing of Rural EZ/EC areas and contacts.) The Department expects 
WANTO funded CBOs to assist employers and labor unions to make 
commitments to increase the participation of EZ/EC area women who are 
returning to work after welfare and related long-term work disruptions. 
The DOL is particularly concerned with obtaining the commitment of 
employers and labor unions who have jobs/careers in information 
technology, manufacturing, and apprenticeship in skilled construction 
building trades. Employers and labor unions will be encouraged to 
assist returning women to enter and remain in apprenticeship training 
and other nontraditional employment in these industries by (1) 
providing them with information on the realities of work and the 
company's promotion and employee development practices, (2) creating a 
firm-specific individual development plan, (3) providing for firm-
specific skill/job development to promote job advancement, and (4) 
providing for support services utilizing both firm and community 
resource networks. CBOs should note well that WANTO training is for 
employer or labor union firm/company-specific (demand) and is not to 
increase the general store (supply) of trained workers in 
apprenticeship and nontraditional occupations. Finally, each proposal 
MUST include a specific defined internal program evaluation design.
    In this time of economic prosperity and skill shortage, it is clear 
that CBOs'

[[Page 35956]]

technical assistance can convince employers and labor unions of the 
advantage of training and support services to develop their own 
skilled, stable, and competitive work force. It is equally clear that 
advances in high technology has moved the U.S. economy from the 
smokestack industrial age to the information age. Advances in high-tech 
and microelectronics have spurred the restructuring manufacturing 
industry and given rise to a variety of computer-based jobs/careers in 
service sector industries--e.g., public utilities, transportation, 
finance, real estate, business, professional and personal services, as 
well as the rise of the information technology industry. Such 
industries can provide the stable year-round jobs women returning to 
work need to begin building a self-sufficient future with good wages 
and benefits. Nonetheless, apprenticeship in the skilled building 
trades and highway construction can provide important career 
opportunities for women, particularly given the shortage of skilled 
workers. Therefore, the Department will give priority consideration to 
applications with an occupational/industrial focus that link, in the 
first instance, to the delivery of technical assistance to employers 
and unions in information technology, high-tech skilled manufacturing 
(including tool and die, technicians and machinists to customize, 
repair, and service products) and other nonconstruction industries, 
including utilities, telecommunications, transportation, computer-based 
business, professional and personal services, and in apprenticeship in 
the skilled building trades in construction. In the second instance, 
priority consideration will be given to the delivery of technical 
assistance to employers and labor unions linked to jobs with private 
contractors on State/Federal Department of Transportation highway and 
road projects, including construction. In all, the aim of the technical 
assistance is to promote the placement and training of EZ/EC area women 
returning to work after welfare and other long-term disruptions in 
project-committed employer and union workplaces.
    Proposals including ALL four (4) of the Department's priority 
interests (noted and summarized below) for CBO technical assistance to 
employers and labor unions will receive thirty (30) bonus points. To 
receive any bonus points, the proposal MUST focus on Empowerment Zones 
and Enterprise Communities where the CBO has a commitment to leverage 
WANTO activities in the EZ/EC areas, as noted in Appendices A and B. 
(1) Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities (EZ/EC), (2) 
Nonconstruction industrial and apprenticeship in the skilled building 
trades in construction and highway industries focuses, (3) employer and 
labor union commitment to placement and skill development to increase 
the participation of women returning to work after welfare and other 
long-term work disruptions, and (4) employer and labor union commitment 
for support services--particularly, child care, transportation, and 
transitional costs--for women returning to work from welfare and other 
long-term work disruptions.
    1. Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities (EZs/ECs) have been 
identified in both rural and urban areas and can be characterized as 
having high incidences of poverty. Further, these are areas where other 
public resources are now being leveraged to revitalize their economies, 
including incentives for job creation in private enterprise. The 
Department also wants to leverage WANTO funding in these areas of 
concentrated economic resources to support both employers and labor 
unions who want to help themselves by increasing the participation of 
women in apprenticeship and nontraditional occupations, particularly 
EZ/EC area women who are returning to work from welfare and other long-
term work disruptions. (See Appendices A and B for lists of EZ/EC areas 
and contact agencies.)
    2. Industry-Occupation focus should reflect non-construction 
industries, particularly in manufacturing and information technology. 
The Department's priority is to emphasize the wide diversity of 
apprenticeship and nontraditional occupations beyond the building 
trades. While the most often-cited high-pay nontraditional occupations 
are those of the skilled building trades, e.g., carpenters, plumbers, 
electricians, sheet metal workers or welders, etc.; in the construction 
industry, there is also a variety of high-pay nontraditional 
occupations arising from the advances of high technology in 
nonconstruction industries. Jobs in some industries have significant 
labor shortages and can support the entry and skill development needs 
of women returning to work from welfare and other long-term work 
disruptions. High-tech has restructured manufacturing, both improving 
and/or developing new manufacturing processes in fiber optics, 
chemicals, and petroleum. Such career opportunities have increased the 
need for technicians' skills in electronics and related computer-based 
skills and machinists skilled to customize, service, build, and repair 
precision machinery in manufacturing. Still other fast growing 
computer-based jobs are found in service sector industries, e.g., 
business/professional services (including record keeping, financial, 
and personal services), other high-tech and information technologies 
driven by the growth in telecommunications, utilities, transportation, 
and health care industries. Statistical projections continue to 
anticipate employment growth and labor shortages in nonconstruction 
occupations, particularly those requiring technical skills. Thus, the 
window of opportunity is open for women returning to work for employers 
and labor unions in these industries who want to build a stable, 
skilled, and competitive work force.
    3. Skill Development and Related Training is a necessary component 
to advancement to self-sufficiency for women returning to work from 
welfare and other long-term work disruptions. Not only must they work, 
but returning women also need a range of employment related skills, 
including readiness and job-specific skills to enter and remain in 
self-sufficient jobs and to move up the career ladder. Such training 
includes not only informal buddy or on-the-job mentoring by experienced 
workers, but also more structured work readiness and pre-apprenticeship 
programs linked to sponsored apprenticeship training programs. 
Therefore, it is important that proposed responses to this SGA show 
constructive strategies that promote both placement and training for 
women returning to work in the CBO's delivery of technical assistance 
to employer and labor union preparation to recruit, train, promote, and 
retain women in apprenticeship and other nontraditional occupations. 
Training is an area where community-wide resources and EZ/EC area 
leverages might provide advantages to WANTO technical assistance. 
Moreover, emphasis should be on both work and skills training during 
the workday, since many of the target women are single mothers with 
small children, that does not allow them much free time to obtain 
skills training after working hours.
    4. Support Services are a necessary service for most work families. 
Many women seeking to enter or sustain themselves in apprenticeship and 
other nontraditional employment are unable to enter and/or complete 
training programs or employment because of the lack of child care, 
transportation, and transitional costs. This is another area where the 
community-wide human

[[Page 35957]]

resources and social services of EZ/EC areas can supplement and/or 
support WANTO technical assistance to employers and labor unions in 
their efforts with the CBO to women returning to work after welfare and 
other long-term work disruptions to become economically viable again. 
Therefore, grant proposals also should discuss workplace strategies for 
technical assistance to employers and labor unions that also bring to 
the attention of employers and labor unions the need and how to develop 
cooperative strategies with community resources to provide for 
transitional costs (including fees/dues, tools, uniforms, and living 
costs), child care, and transportation.
    This notice describes the background, the application process, 
statement of work, evaluation criteria, and reporting requirements for 
this Solicitation for Grant Applications (SGA 98-04). WB anticipates 
that a total amount of $1,000,000 will be available for the support of 
all Fiscal Year 1998. (See Part II.C. for funding limitations per 
grant.)

DATES: One (1) ink-signed original, complete grant application plus 
five (5) copies of the Technical Proposal and three (3) copies of the 
Cost Proposal shall be submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor, 
Office of Procurement Services, Room N-5416, Reference SGA 98-04, 200 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210, not later than 4:45 
p.m. ET, August 17, 1998. Hand-delivered applications must be received 
by the Office of Procurement Services by that time.

ADDRESSES: Applicants who intend to submit a proposal must register 
immediately with the Grant Officer in order to receive any amendment to 
this solicitation that is issued. Please send registration to U.S. 
Department of Labor, Office of Procurement Services, Attention: Grant 
Officer, Reference SGA 98-04, Room N-5416, 200 Constitution Avenue, 
NW., Washington, DC 20210. Grant applications must be mailed to U.S. 
Department of Labor, Office of Procurement Services, Attention: Grant 
Officer, Reference SGA 98-04, Room N-5416, 200 Constitution Avenue, 
NW., Washington, DC 20210. Applicants are encouraged to verify delivery 
to this office directly through their delivery service and as soon as 
possible.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Applications will not be mailed. The 
Federal Register may be obtained from your nearest government office or 
library. Questions concerning this solicitation may be sent to Lisa 
Harvey at the following Internet address: [email protected].

Part I. Background

The Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) Act

    Pub. L. 102-530, signed October 27, 1992--
    The Act has three major activities that affect this SGA:
    1. Outreach to Employers and Labor Unions. DOL will promote the 
Act's program to employers and labor unions by informing them of the 
availability of technical assistance and keeping a data base of 
employers and community-based organizations with active grants.
    2. Technical Assistance. DOL will provide grants to community-based 
organizations to deliver technical assistance to employers and labor 
unions to prepare them to recruit, train, and employ women in 
apprenticeable and nontraditional occupations.
    3. Liaison Role of Department of Labor. DOL will serve as follows: 
(1) To act as a liaison between employers, labor, and the community-
based organizations providing technical assistance, and (2) 
coordinating, conducting regular assessment, and seeking input of 
employers and labor unions.

Women's Bureau

    Improving women's employment opportunities and related equity 
issues have been the driving force of the Bureau's activities and 
policies since its inception in 1920. Within the Department of Labor, 
the Director serves as the policy advisor to the Secretary on issues 
related to working women.
    The Bureau has a history of encouraging women to consider the wide 
array of apprenticeable and other occupations nontraditional to women 
as one way to obtain economic self-sufficiency for themselves and their 
families. Nontraditional occupations (NTOs) are occupations where women 
account for 25 percent or less of all persons employed in an 
occupational group. NTOs include the often-cited skilled trades in 
construction, as well as the emerging ``good'' or high-pay jobs in 
nonconstruction as the result of advances in high-tech and the 
pervasiveness of microelectronics. Nonetheless, the lack of a critical 
mass of women in good, high-pay jobs in both construction and 
nonconstruction results in continued occupational segregation and 
artificial employment barriers to women's success in apprenticeship and 
NTOs, particularly in the old established workplaces and occupations, 
particularly in construction trades. Studies point out that once hired, 
women in construction face problems (sexism, racism, homophobia, 
inadequate toilet facilities, health and safety, isolation from other 
women, etc.) that erode their retention in jobs. These problems are 
beyond the usual problems faced by all women and some men--sexual 
harassment, pay equity, balancing work and family responsibilities. 
(See, Laurie Wessman LeBreton, Sara Segal Loevy, and Lauren Sugerman, 
Building Equal Opportunity, and Breaking New Ground: Worksite 2000.)

The Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training

    The Women's Bureau co-administers WANTO with the Bureau of 
Apprenticeship and Training (BAT). BAT was established in 1937 as the 
national administrative agency in the Department of Labor to carry out 
the objectives of the National Apprenticeship Act (also known as the 
Fitzgerald Act), guided by the recommendations of the Federal Committee 
on Apprenticeship. BAT has the objective to stimulate and assist 
industry in the development, expansion, and improvement of 
apprenticeship and training programs designed to provide the skilled 
workers required by the American economy.
    Under the National Apprenticeship Act, the Bureau is responsible 
for providing service to existing apprenticeship programs and technical 
assistance to organizations who would like to establish an 
apprenticeship program. The Bureau works very closely with State 
Apprenticeship Councils (SAC) and the educational system to deliver 
support services at the national, State and local level. When 
apprentices finish their training, they receive certificates of 
completion of apprenticeship. These are issued by the State 
apprenticeship agencies, or in those States not having such an agency, 
by the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training in accordance with its 
recommended standards.
    BAT is committed to improving the access of women to apprenticeship 
training to increase their employment in jobs that have historically 
put men on the career ladder to successful working careers. As 
apprenticeship has been the building block for a skilled and stable 
work force, it is also a career path that can provide an economically 
stable family life in mainstream America.

Definitions

    Nontraditional Occupations (NTOs) are those where women account for 
less than 25 percent of all persons employed in a single occupational 
group.

[[Page 35958]]

    Pre-Apprenticeship programs for women prepare them to keep pace 
with occupational skills training or entry-level employment in 
nontraditional occupations. The curriculum includes pre-vocational 
instruction in identification and use of tools, blueprint reading, 
basic shop skills, and safety procedures, as well as math skills, and 
physical conditioning.
    Apprenticeship is a formal paid training-work agreement where labor 
and management work together to promote learning on the job. (Some BAT 
registered apprenticeship programs are operated by employers 
independent of labor unions.) To support the ``hands on'' learning, 
there must be related theoretical instruction (often classroom). After 
successfully completing the BAT-registered program standards--usually 
three to five years--the apprentice is awarded a certificate of 
completion by either the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training (BAT) or 
the State Apprenticeship Council.
    Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) are as defined in Section 4(5) 
of the Job Training Partnership Act (29 U.S.C 1501(5)): Private 
nonprofit organizations which are representative of communities or 
significant segments of communities and which provide job training 
services. For this solicitation, communities or significant segments of 
communities are the private nonprofit organizations that have 
demonstrated at least three years experience in (1) the operation and 
delivery of employment and training related services to women, and (2) 
the development of policies, programs and technical assistance for 
employers and labor unions for the recruitment, selection, training, 
placing, retaining, and otherwise preparation of WOMEN to enter and 
remain in APPRENTICESHIP and other NONTRADITIONAL OCCUPATIONS (NTOs).
    Please Note That Eligible Applicants Must Not Be Classified Under 
The IRS Tax Code as A 501(c)(4) Entity.
A. Authorities
    The technical assistance grants were first authorized under the 
Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) Act, 
Pub. L. 102-530, approved October 27, 1992.
B. Purpose of the Demonstration
    The purpose of the WANTO demonstration program is to provide 
technical assistance to employers and labor unions to encourage and 
prepare them to increase the participation of women in apprenticeship 
and nontraditional occupations in their workplaces. Such activity will 
increase the total level of employment of women in good jobs that pay 
living wages.

Part II. Application Process

A. Eligible Applicants

    1. Private, Nonprofit, Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) are the 
only entities eligible for grant awards. Public bodies such as JTPA 
administrative entities, schools, and hospitals are not eligible for 
WANTO grants.
    Please Note That Eligible Applicants Must Not Be Classified Under 
The IRS Tax Code as A 501(c)(4) Entity.
    (a.) Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) are the eligible 
applicants to receive WANTO grants to provide technical assistance to 
private sector employers and labor unions that request assistance to 
prepare them/their workplaces to recruit, select, train, place, retain 
women in apprenticeship or other nontraditional occupations, including 
linking their apprenticeship program to pre-apprenticeship programs 
with specific employment. The Department is interested in leveraging 
WANTO technical assistance to private sector employers and labor unions 
in Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities (EZ/EC) as noted in 
Appendices A and B. The final goal would be to increase the 
participation of EZ/EC women returning to work after welfare or other 
long-term work disruptions in apprenticeship and nontraditional jobs/
career paths. CBOs should note well: CBOs should demonstrate their 
interaction with the community beyond direct services for a fee, e.g., 
CBO activities for social and economic change in their community to 
support women.
    (b.) Specific Technical Assistance provided by CBOs may include:
    (1) Developing outreach and orientation sessions to recruit women 
into the employers' apprenticeable occupations and nontraditional 
occupations;
    (2) Developing pre-apprenticeable occupations or nontraditional 
skills training to prepare women for apprenticeable occupations or 
nontraditional occupations;
    (3) Providing ongoing orientations for employers, unions, and 
workers on creating a successful environment for women in 
apprenticeable occupations or nontraditional occupations;
    (4) Setting up support groups and facilitating networks for women 
in nontraditional occupations on or off the job site to improve their 
retention;
    (5) Setting up a local computerized data base referral system to 
maintain a current list of tradeswomen who are available for work;
    (6) Serving as a liaison between tradeswomen and employers and 
tradeswomen and labor unions to address workplace issues related to 
gender; and
    (7) Conducting exit interviews with tradeswomen to evaluate their 
on-the-job experience and to assess the effectiveness of the program.
    (8) Developing cooperative projects that leverage WANTO technical 
assistance with EZ/EC area social and human services resources to 
support employers' and labor unions' integration of women returning to 
work after welfare or other long-term work disruptions.
    (c.) Employers and Labor Unions are eligible to request and receive 
technical assistance provided by community-based organizations with a 
WANTO grant. Such technical assistance includes all items listed under 
A.(b.)(1)-(8) above and including linking pre-apprenticeship with a 
commitment for employment and/or sponsored apprenticeship training, and 
any other technical assistance an employer or labor union may need to 
increase the participation of women returning to work to enter and 
remain in apprenticeship and other nontraditional occupations, 
particularly in the manufacturing and information technology 
industries.
    To be selected to receive technical assistance either through 
direct application with a CBO, or independent of a specific CBO, 
employers and labor unions must submit a request (as described below) 
and send it directly to the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of 
Procurement Services, Room N-5416, Attention: Lisa Harvey, 200 
Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210.
    (d.) All Employers and Labor Unions must provide a written 
commitment for technical assistance by answering the following:
    (1) A description of the need for assistance;
    (2) A description of the types of apprenticeable occupations or 
nontraditional occupations in which the employer or labor union would 
like to train or employ women;
    (3) Assurances that there are or will be suitable and appropriate 
employment available in the apprenticeable occupations or in the 
nontraditional occupations being targeted; and
    (4) Commitments that all reasonable efforts should be made to place 
women in apprenticeable occupations or nontraditional occupations as 
they develop skills.

[[Page 35959]]

B. Contents

    To be considered responsive to this SGA, each application must 
consist of, and follow the order of, the sections listed in Part III of 
this solicitation. The application must also include information which 
the applicant believes will address the selection criteria identified 
in Part IV. Technical proposals shall not exceed 20 single sided, 
double spaced, 10 to 12 pitch typed pages (not including attachments). 
Any Proposal That Does Not Conform to These Standards Shall be Deemed 
Nonresponsive to This SGA and Will Not be Evaluated.
1. Technical Proposal
    Each proposal shall include: (1) A two-page abstract summarizing 
the proposal, and (2) a complete description of the CBO's program for 
technical assistance, including information required in Part III and 
IV. No cost data or reference to price shall be included in the 
technical proposal.
2. Cost Proposal
    The cost proposal is a physically separate document and shall not 
be included in the twenty (20) page limit. The cost (business) proposal 
must be separate from the technical proposal. (If applicants do not 
have the current version of the standard grant forms listed below, they 
must download the forms from the following OMB website address: 
www.whitehouse.gov.wh/eop/omb/grants/). The transmittal letter and the 
grant assurances and certifications forms shall be attached to the 
business proposal, which shall consist of the following:
    a. Standard Form 424 ``Application for Federal Assistance,'' signed 
by an official from the applicant's organization who is authorized to 
enter the organization into a grant agreement with the Department of 
Labor. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number (CFDA) is 
17.700;
    b. Standard Budget Form 424A ``Budget Information Form,''; and
    c. Budget Narrative; provide a narrative explanation of the budget 
which describes all proposed costs and indicates how they are related 
to the operation of the project. Provide this information separately 
for the amount of requested Federal funding and the amount of proposed 
Non-Federal contribution. In an application which proposes to fund 
staff positions, the budget narrative must provide information which 
describes the number of proposed positions by title and by the amount 
of staff time and salary charged to Federal and Non-Federal funding 
resources. The Budget Narrative provides the detailed description of 
the costs reflected on the SF 424A.

C. Funding Levels

    The Department expects to have $1,000,000 to be disbursed through 
WANTO grants. The Department expects to make up to eight (8) awards to 
Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). The Women's Bureau expects awards 
to range from approximately $75,000 to $150,000, depending upon the 
scope of the proposal's demonstration and technical assistance 
activities to be delivered.

D. Length of Grant and Grant Awards

    The initial performance period for the grants awarded under this 
SGA shall be for fifteen (15) months with one (1) option to extend for 
up to three months as a no-cost extension to complete final reports. 
Each applicant shall reflect in their application the intention to 
begin operation no later than September 1998.

E. Submission

    One (1) ink-signed original, complete grant application (plus five 
(5) copies of the Technical Proposal and three (3) copies of the Cost 
Proposal must be submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of 
Procurement Services, Room N-5416, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20210, not later than 4:45 p.m. ET, August 17, 1998. 
Hand delivered applications must be received by the Office of 
Procurement Services by that time. Any application received at the 
Office of Procurement Services after 4:45 p.m. ET will not be 
considered unless it is received before an award is made and:
    1. It was sent by registered or certified mail not later than the 
fifth calendar day before August 17, 1998 (i.e., not later than August 
12, 1998);
    2. It is determined by the Government that the late receipt was due 
solely to mishandling by the Government after receipt at the U.S. 
Department of Labor at the above address; or
    3. It was sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail Next Day 
Service-Post Office to Addressee, not later than 5 p.m. ET at the place 
of mailing two working days, excluding weekends and Federal holidays, 
prior to August 17, 1998 (i.e., not later than 5 p.m. ET August 13, 
1998).
    The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of a 
late application sent by registered or certified mail is the U.S. 
Postal Service postmark on the envelope or wrapper and on the original 
receipt from the U.S. Postal Service. If the postmark is not legible, 
an application received after the above closing time and date shall be 
processed as if mailed late. ``Postmark'' means a printed, stamped or 
otherwise placed impression (not a postage meter machine impression) 
that is readily identifiable without further action as having been 
applied and affixed by an employee of the U.S. Postal Service on the 
date of mailing. Therefore, applicants shall request that the postal 
clerk place a legible hand cancellation bull's-eye postmark on both the 
receipt and the wrapper or envelope.
    The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of a 
late application sent by U.S. Postal Service 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 the envelope or wrapper and on the original 
receipt from the U.S. Postal Service. ``Postmark'' has the same meaning 
as defined above. Therefore, applicants shall request that the postal 
clerk 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 time of receipt at 
the U.S. Department of Labor is the date/time stamp of the Office of 
Procurement Services on the application wrapper or other documentary 
evidence of receipt maintained by that office. Applications sent by E-
mail, telegram, or facsimile (Fax) will not be accepted.

Part III. The Statement of Work--Key Features

A. Introduction and Priority

    All respondents to this SGA (98-04) are encouraged to carefully 
read and review the material discussed in the summary section above on 
this SGA. Applications that do not meet the minimum terms and 
conditions of this solicitation may be disqualified. The Department has 
priority interest in providing technical assistance to employers and 
labor unions in nonconstruction industries, particularly manufacturing 
and information technology, and in registered apprenticeships in the 
skilled building trades in construction, including highway 
construction, who are interested in supporting the placement and skill 
development of women returning to work after welfare or other long-term 
work disruptions residing in rural and urban EZ/EC communities noted in 
Appendices A and
    B. Grants will be awarded competitively to private, nonprofit 
Community-Based Organizations (CBOs)

[[Page 35960]]

with at least three (3) years of experience in providing employment and 
training programs and support services to increase the participation of 
women in apprenticeship and nontraditional occupations, particularly 
for women with employment barriers, including women returning to work 
after welfare and other work disruptions.

    Note well: Each Proposal Must Have a Specifically Defined 
Internal Evaluation Design.] (See Part II.A. Eligible Applicants, 
above.)

    Such experienced CBOs will deliver technical assistance to 
employers and labor unions to prepare them to recruit, train, promote, 
and retain women returning to work from welfare to enter and remain in 
apprenticeship and nontraditional occupations. The Department has 
priority interest in further focusing on developing cooperative 
projects in Federally designated Empowerment Zones and Enterprise 
Communities (EZs/ECs) where a number of public programs are being 
leveraged to revitalize their economies. Further, the Department has a 
priority interest in focusing WANTO technical assistance to employers 
and labor unions in nonconstruction industries, particularly in areas 
with potential for good, high-pay occupations with benefits for stable 
year-round work in nonconstruction industries, e.g., public utilities, 
telecommunications, high-tech manufacturing (including tool and die 
occupations), computer-based information technologies (including 
business and professional services), high-tech health industries, and 
private employers and contractors in State or Federal Department of 
Transportation highway and road projects and apprenticeship in the 
skilled building trades.
    Bonus Points: Thirty (30) bonus points will be added to the 
technical score of proposals that MUST focus on EZ/EC areas, as well as 
include the priorities discussed above in the Summary section of this 
SGA and noted below.
    1. Provide technical assistance in Empowerment Zones and Enterprise 
Communities;
    2. Provide technical assistance to employers and labor unions in 
nonconstruction industries, particularly in high-tech and skilled 
manufacturing and information technology;
    3. Provide commitment from employers and labor unions for matches 
with EZ/EC area women who are returning to work after welfare and other 
dependencies;
    4. Provide employers and labor unions with community-wide resources 
to assist employers and labor unions in providing support services--
child care, transportation, and transitional costs--so that women 
returning to work can enter and complete apprenticeship and other 
nontraditional training and employment;
    5. Provide employers and labor unions with strategies to allow 
labor force entry women to work and participate in developmental skill 
and related training, both informal on-the-job/buddy systems and more 
formal skill attainment.
    Other projects will receive consideration and be evaluated.

B. Key Features

    1. Wanto Project Proposal Submissions should provide for technical 
assistance between a Community-Based Organization (CBO) and requesting 
employers and labor unions, particularly nonconstruction industries. 
Such an entity can also provide for the linking of pre-apprenticeship 
programs to apprenticeship programs sponsored by employers and labor 
unions. All technical assistance grant activity has the goal to 
increase the employment of women in apprenticeship and other 
nontraditional occupations.
    Grant proposals must include a specific internal program evaluation 
design and process and must specify expected outcomes based on the 
CBO's past experience and expenditures for the following:

--The proposed number of employers and labor unions to be provided on-
site technical assistance, those to receive, and methodology for 
reaching proposed goals;
--The proposed number of women to be trained, placed, promoted, and/or 
retained in apprenticeship and other nontraditional employment and 
methodology for reaching proposed goals;
--Any other activities for which grant funds will be expended.

    2. CBOs that apply for funding to provide technical assistance must 
provide information on their experience and accomplishments in 
apprenticeship and nontraditional activities in the areas of: (1) 
Policy, (2) program development, (3) program operation, and (4) the 
provision of technical assistance to business, labor organizations, and 
other activities in the employment and training community related to 
increasing the participation of women in apprenticeship and 
nontraditional employment.
    a. List name, trade, and organizational position of tradeswomen and 
other women in nontraditional occupations on staff or on your 
organization's Board of Directors. Include the dates when tradeswomen 
served in active paid or unpaid positions in your organization.
    b. In addition, all applications must also include a management and 
staff loading plan. The management plan is to include a project 
organizational chart and accompanying narrative which differentiate 
between elements of the applicant's staff and subcontractors or 
consultants who will be retained. The staff loading plan must identify 
all key tasks and the hours required to complete each task. Labor 
estimates for each task must be broken down by individuals assigned to 
the task, including subcontractors and consultants. All key tasks must 
be charted to show time required to perform them by months or weeks.
    c. Proposed projects should include a discussion of support 
services to participants that include (1) transitional costs (which may 
include living expenses as well as fees, union dues, uniforms, etc.), 
(2) child care, and (3) transportation.
    d. Proposed projects should include outreach activities to improve 
apprenticeship and NTO opportunities for women in their own workplaces 
as well as women seeking to enter NTO career ladder employment and 
training.
    e. Proposed projects should clearly identify expected outcomes in 
terms of: (1) An employer or labor union workplace--number of welfare 
to work placements and type of training or technical assistance 
agreement, (2) number of apprenticeship training commitments and other 
work commitments by employer/labor organizations, (3) number of 
participants moving into higher level NTO employment, (4) number of 
women participants moving from pre-apprenticeship into a sponsored 
apprenticeship program, and (5) number of pre-apprenticeship women 
moving into permanent employment without participating in an 
apprenticeship program.
    f. Proposed project submissions should include a listing of all 
items for which grant funds will be expended. (Do not include any cost 
information for this item in the technical proposal, but expenditure 
items MUST be listed.)
    g. Proposed project submissions should include any leverage or co-
funding anticipated by this submission, particularly leverage with 
other specific EZ/EC programs (e.g., HUD or USDA) and interaction with 
overall EZ/EC program contacts listed with EZ/EC

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cities and areas listed in Appendices A and B.
    h. Proposed project submissions should include copies of the CBO's 
budget and major funding sources for the past three (3) years, 
including foundation and government grants and other types of funding.
    In addition to the grant's final report, proposed project 
submissions should include plans for a ``how-to-do-it'' project 
replication manual, including awareness/outreach material, technical 
assistance and curriculum manual(s) and all other materials developed 
as a result of the grant activities. All grant materials should be 
submitted with ``hard copy'' and electronic (computer-based) copy.
    j. The proposed project submission should include any activities to 
encourage and promote the continuation or expansion of grant activities 
beyond the grant's period of program performance.

Part IV. Evaluation Criteria and Selection

    Applicants are advised that selection for a grant award is to be 
made after careful evaluation of technical applications by a panel. 
Each panelist will evaluate applications against the various criteria 
on the basis of 100 points. The scores will then serve as the primary 
basis to select applications for a potential award. Clarification may 
be requested of grant applicants if the situation so warrants it. 
Please see Part III, Sections A and B for additional information on the 
elements against which proposals will be reviewed. After proposals are 
fully evaluated for responsiveness to Technical Evaluation Criteria 
1.a.-1.c., the distribution of bonus points will be determined. Only 
those proposals whose technical score falls within the technically 
acceptable range will be eligible to receive bonus points.

1. Technical Evaluation Criteria--Points

    a. Capabilities and Qualifications of CBO and Staff (NTO 
experience, education, and work with the community for social and/or 
economic change to support women): 50 points.
    b. Established Linkages and Relationship with Employers, Labor 
Unions, EZ/EC Communities and Welfare to Work Social Agencies: 25 
points.
    c. Quality and Scope of WANTO Project: 25 points. (Must include a 
specific internal program evaluation design. Such as, proposed number 
of employers, labor unions for on-site technical assistance, number of 
women affected and served by the WANTO project and placed in 
apprenticeship or nontraditional employment; proposed career ladder and 
technical assistance strategies to promote the increase in women in 
apprenticeship and nontraditional occupations for employers and labor 
unions; proposed job placement outcomes.)

2. Bonus Points

    a. Priority Focus: 30 points. (See Part III.A. Statement of Work--
Key Features, Bonus Points.)

3. Cost Criteria

    Proposals will be scored, based on their costs in relation to other 
proposals submitted in response to this SGA.

4. Total Score

    Technical quality of proposals will be weighted three (3) times the 
estimated price in ranking proposals, for purposes of selections for 
awards. Proposals received will be evaluated by a review panel based on 
the criteria immediately above, in Technical Evaluation Criteria 1 and 
2. The panel's recommendations will be advisory, and final awards will 
be made based on the best interests of the Government, including but 
not limited to such factors as technical quality, geographic balance, 
occupational/industrial impact, and diversity in service providers.
    The Department wishes to make it clear that it is not simply the 
best written proposals that will be chosen, but rather those which 
demonstrate the greatest experience and commitment to assisting 
employers and labor organizations to successfully develop successful 
strategies to increase the participation of women in higher-paying 
apprenticeship and nontraditional occupations and to expand the 
employment and self-sufficiency options of women returning to work 
after welfare and other work and family disruptions. In addition, the 
Department considers geographic and race-ethnic diversity in the array 
of award-winning proposals important considerations in making the final 
awards.
    The submission of the same proposal from any prior year WANTO 
competition does not guarantee an award under this solicitation. 
Although the Government reserves the right to award on the basis of the 
initial proposal submission, the Government may establish a competitive 
range or technically acceptable range based upon proposal evaluation, 
for the purpose of selecting qualified applicants. The panel's 
conclusions are advisory in nature and not binding on the Grant 
Officer. The Government reserves the right to ask for clarification or 
hold discussions, but is not obligated to do so. The Grant Officer's 
determination for award under this SGA 98-04 is the final agency 
action.

Part V

A. Deliverables

    (This section is provided only so that grantees may more accurately 
estimate the staffing budgetary requirements when preparing their 
proposal. Applicants are to exclude from their cost proposal the cost 
of any requested travel to Washington, DC.)
    1. No later than four (4) weeks after an award, the grantees and 
partners shall meet with the Women's Bureau and the Bureau of 
Apprenticeship and Training at the Post-Award Conference to discuss the 
demonstration project and related components and technical assistance 
activities, time lines, technical assistance outcomes, assessment for 
comment, and final approval. The grantees and partners and the 
Department will discuss and make decisions on the following program 
activities:
    a. The proposed technical assistance commitments for employment, 
apprenticeship and related nontraditional occupation activities and 
responsibilities; the number of partnerships with EZ/EC communities, 
employers and labor unions to be served.
    b. The methodology the proposed partnership will use to support/
change management and employee attitudes to promote female workers in 
nontraditional occupations.
    c. The types of systemic change anticipated by technical assistance 
strategies anticipated to be incorporated into ongoing employer 
recruitment, hiring, training, and promotion of women in apprenticeship 
and apprenticeable nontraditional occupations.
    d. The occupational, industrial, and geographical impact 
anticipated.
    e. The supportive services to be provided to employers and women 
after successful placement into employment, apprenticeship, or other 
supporting nontraditional occupations.
    f. The plan for the development and maintenance of a relationship 
with the State level of the Federal Bureau of Apprenticeship and 
Training and the State Apprenticeship Council.
    The Women's Bureau and the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training 
will provide further input orally and in writing, if necessary, within 
ten (10) working days after the Post-Award Conference.
    1. No later than ten (10) weeks after an award, the grantee(s) and 
the

[[Page 35962]]

Women's Bureau will confirm the ``plan of action'' or detailed time 
line for program implementation.
    2. No later than twelve (12) weeks after an award, the grantee(s) 
shall have begun the provision of technical assistance to employers and 
labor unions to recruit, select, train, place, retain, and other areas 
of preparation to promote the increase of women in apprenticeable 
occupations and other nontraditional training for women, characterized 
by employment growth and above average earnings.
    3. No later than sixteen (16) weeks after an award, the first 
quarterly progress report of work done under this grant will be due. 
Thereafter, quarterly reports will be due twenty (20) working days 
after the end of each of the remaining quarters.
    Quarterly progress reports must include:
    a. A description of overall progress on work performed during the 
reporting period--(a) the number of employers and labor unions provided 
on-site, off-site (conferences, workshops, seminars, training, etc., 
(b) number of women trained (on and off the workplace), placed in 
apprenticeship or other nontraditional employment. Describe: (1) Any 
linkages of pre-apprenticeship (on and off a workplace) with sponsored 
apprenticeship: Number of women effected or participating in programs; 
include name and address of workplace/company and person responsible 
for the operation, (2) number of employers and labor unions receiving 
technical assistance--name, address, size of the workplace, including 
proportion of women, include brief profiles of employers and labor 
organizations, (3) describe any systemic workplace and policy changes--
actual or in process, including the hiring and promotion of women 
already in the workplace, career ladders or other training activities, 
(4) public presentations, (5) media articles or appearances, (6) 
publications disseminated, and (7) publications developed.
    b. An indication of any current problems which may impede the 
performance of the grant and the proposed corrective action.
    c. A discussion of work to be performed during the next reporting 
period.
    Between scheduled reporting dates the grantee(s) also shall 
immediately inform the Grant Officer's Technical Representative (GOTR) 
of significant developments affecting the grantee's ability to 
accomplish the work.
    5. No later than sixty-four (64) weeks after an award, the 
grantee(s) shall submit three (3) copies of the draft Final Report, an 
integrated draft analysis of the process and results of the technical 
assistance activities during the year. The Women's Bureau and the 
Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training will provide written comments on 
the draft Report within twenty (20) working days if substantive 
problems are identified. The grantee's response to these comments shall 
be incorporated into the Final Report.
    6. The Final Report shall cover findings, final performance data, 
outcome results and assessment, and employer or labor organization 
plans for follow-up of participants. The Final Report shall provide all 
information to replicate the project including copies of curriculums, 
technical assistance materials developed for the project and technical 
assistance--videos, posters, notices, etc., as well as any plans for 
replication and dissemination of information. An Executive Summary of 
the findings and recommendations shall be included in the Final Report, 
completely separate or separately combined with the Final Report.
    No later than sixty-four (64) weeks after an award, the grantee(s) 
shall (1) submit one (1) diskette (IBM compatible, WordPerfect 6.1), 
one (1) camera-ready copy of the Final Report, and five (5) copies of 
the camera-ready Final Report, bound in a professional manner, and not 
a collection of loose leaf sheets, and (2) computer-based, electronic 
files for each of the other products--e.g., manual(s), curriculums, 
``how-to-do-it'' handbooks, videos, etc.--paid for with grant funds, 
along with five (5) copies of the final camera-ready products.

B. Administrative Provisions

    The grant awarded under this SGA shall be subject to the following 
administrative standards and provisions:

29 CFR Part 97--Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and 
Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments;
29 CFR Part 96--Federal Standards for Audit of Federally Funded Grants, 
Contracts and Agreements;
29 CFR Part 95--Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and 
Cooperative Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, etc.

C. Certifications and Assurances

    If the applicant is awarded a grant, they are required to operate 
the program in accordance with the following Certifications and 
Assurances. An original signed and dated signature page providing the 
following Certifications and Assurances must accompany the Cost 
Proposal. Each can be downloaded from the OMB website address 
www.whitehouse.gov/wh/eop/omb/grants/.

D. Allowable Costs

    Determinations of allowable costs shall be made in accordance with 
the following applicable Federal cost principles:
    a. State and Local Governments--OMB Circular A-87.
    b. Educational Institutions--OMB Circular A-21.
    c. Nonprofit Organizations--OMB Circular S-122.
    d. Profit-making Commercial Firms--48 CFR Part 31.

    Signed at Washington, DC., on June 24, 1998.
Lawrence J. Kuss,
Grant Officer.
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[FR Doc. 98-17401 Filed 6-30-98; 8:45 am]
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