[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 48 (Friday, March 12, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12354-12361]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-6107]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Women's Participation in Apprenticeship; Availability of Funds

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration (ETA), DOL.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds; solicitation for grant 
applications (SGA) providing women's participation in apprenticeship.

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SUMMARY: This notice contains all of the necessary information and 
forms needed to apply for grant funding. The U.S. Department of Labor 
(DOL), Employment and Training Administration (ETA), Bureau of 
Apprenticeship and Training (BAT), announces the availability of funds 
for four (4) categories of pilot demonstration projects seeking to 
identify and eliminate barriers to recruiting, retention, training, and 
placement of female apprentices in non traditional occupations. Funds 
will be provided to Community Based Organizations, employers, labor/
management organizations, employer associations, apprenticeship 
sponsors, educational entities, state and local governments, partners 
and stakeholders who propose to match (i.e., cash and/or other in-kind 
contributions), no less than one quarter of the amount of the awards.

DATES: Applications will be accepted commencing March 12, 1999. The 
closing date for receipt of applications is April 23, 1999 at 4 P.M. 
(Eastern Time) at the address below.

ADDRESSES: Applications shall be mailed to the U.S. Department of 
Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Division of Federal 
Assistance, Attention: Tracie A. Czwartacki, SGA/DFA 99-007, 200 
Constitution Avenue, NW, Room S-4203, Washington, D.C. 20210.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions should be faxed to Tracie 
Czwartacki, Grants Management Specialist, Division of Federal 
Assistance, Fax (202) 219-8739. This is not a toll-free number. All 
inquiries should include the SGA number (DFA 99-007) and a contact 
name, fax and phone number. This solicitation will also be published on 
the Internet on the Employment and Training Administration's Homepage 
at http://www.doleta.gov. Award notifications will also be published on 
this Homepage.

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Innovation in Apprenticeship for Women Solicitation

I. Background

    Women's participation in apprenticeship grew gradually during the 
early 1970's. Two major lawsuits filed against the Department of Labor 
in 1976 charged discrimination against women in the construction trades 
and in apprenticeship. These were resolved by consent decrees that 
established goals for women in apprenticeship for all industries and 
for the construction industry in particular. Federal regulations 
governing apprenticeships were revised in 1978 to require sponsors to 
adopt written affirmative action plans with goals and timetables, 
including a goal for female participation in apprenticeship programs. 
In spite of the Federal regulations, the number of women in high-
skilled/high wage occupations over the past twenty years has remained 
stagnant.
    The Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training (BAT) Diversity Team 
spent eighteen months examining the barriers which diminish the 
likelihood that women will know about apprenticeship opportunities, 
choose to apply, enter, and continue training in a registered 
apprenticeship program. As a result, the Bureau is seeking grantees 
that can address multiple barriers, such as preparatory training, child 
care, transportation and paid (hands-on) on-the-job training 
opportunities which may lead to registered apprenticeship.
    Welfare Reform and the new Workforce Investment Act give rise to a 
renewed crusade for removing barriers to female entrance into 
registered apprenticeship programs, job placement, and other training 
vehicles (i.e., pre-apprenticeship programs), which build a woman's 
capacity to competitively enter the job market.

II. Statement of Work

    In order to implement this multi-grant demonstration project, 
various innovations in eliminating barriers to recruiting, training, 
retention, counseling and placing women in high skilled occupations 
will be sought. The number of women in high skilled, high wage 
occupations over the past twenty years has remained stagnant. The 
Department plans to provide separate awards for each of the following 
four (4) categories to applicants who can demonstrate innovative 
approaches to eliminating barriers to women in non traditional 
occupations. The Department is seeking awards that will address 
multiple barriers, such as preparatory training, child care, 
transportation and paid (hands-on) on-the-job training opportunities 
which may lead to registered apprenticeship.

III. Project Categories, Eligibility, Funding and Number of Awards, 
Tasks To Be Performed

Category 1

A. Title--Best Practice Strategies for Eliminating Barriers to Female 
Entry into the ``Traditional Trades''
B. Eligible Applicants
--Apprenticeship Sponsors
C. Funding Availability and Number of Awards
--The Department expects to make up to four awards under this category 
with a maximum amount of $200,000. Awards cannot exceed $50,000 under 
this category.
D. Tasks To Be Performed
--These applicants will delineate how they propose to utilize their 
specific special best practice strategies for the elimination of 
barriers to recruitment, retention, and placement of women in non 
traditional occupations.

Category 2

A. Title--Partnerships That Include Addressing Multiple Barriers and 
Providing On-The-Job Training
B. Eligible Applicants
--Community Based Organizations, employers, labor/management 
organizations, employer associations, apprenticeship sponsors, 
educational entities, state and local governments. Applicants applying 
under this category must show clear delineation of the expansion of the 
service delivery area through urban/suburban areas.
C. Funding Availability and Number of Awards
--The Department expects to make up to two awards under this category 
with a maximum amount of $200,000. Awards cannot exceed $100,000 under 
this category.
D. Tasks To Be Performed
--These applicants will address multiple barriers such as early career 
counseling, preparatory training, high skill career exploration, child 
care, transportation, recruitment and retention. Proposals should 
include partnerships and linkages that will leverage services and, if 
possible, contain an on-the-job component. Priority will be given to 
those applicants who provide linkages with child care, transportation, 
and on-the-job experience.

Category 3

A. Title--Rural Initiative for Assisting Women in Enhancing and 
Expanding Their Knowledge and Abilities of High Skilled Occupations 
Through Classroom Theory, Hands-On Training and Where Possible, Either 
Paid or Non Paid On-The-Job Work Experience
B. Eligible Applicants
--Community Based Organizations, employers, labor/management 
organizations, employer associations, apprenticeship sponsors, 
educational entities, state and local governments servicing rural 
areas.
C. Funding Availability and Number of Awards
--The Department expects to make up to three awards under this category 
with a maximum amount of $150,000. Awards cannot exceed $50,000 under 
this category.
D. Tasks To Be Performed
--These applicants will address the barriers for women in rural areas 
seeking high skill, high wage employment. Each application should 
address multiple barriers such as child care, transportation, career 
exploration, skill enhancement activities both on-the-job (if possible) 
and in the classroom. Priority will be given to those applicants who 
provide linkages with child care, transportation, and on-the-job 
experience.

Category 4

A. Title--Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community Initiative
B. Eligible Applicants
--Community Based Organizations, employers, labor/management 
organizations, employer associations, apprenticeship sponsors, 
educational entities, or state and local governments.
C. Funding Availability and Number of Awards
--The Department expects to make one award under this category with a 
maximum amount of $200,000. Award cannot exceed $200,000 under this 
category.
D. Tasks To Be Performed
--These applicants will provide career-based preparatory training in 
high skilled, high wage occupations and provide job opportunities for 
female out of school youth who are in an Empowerment Zone or Enterprise 
Community. The applicant will address multiple barriers, such as

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educational attainment, child care, transportation, life skills, skill 
enhancement and on-the-job work experience. Priority will be given to 
those applicants who have a pre-apprenticeship component or registered 
apprenticeship component. In addition, priority will be given to those 
who address career awareness issues for women, potential linkages 
between targeted youth and responsive classroom training opportunities 
that lead to skilled worker matriculation, and provide career based on-
the-job (OJT) employment with established industry employers and 
apprenticeship sponsors.

IV. Period of Performance

    The period of performance, for all categories, will be twelve (12) 
months from the date of execution.

V. Application Process

    The Department is reserving funds for four (4) award categories. 
Under this solicitation, applicants may only apply under one category. 
Each proposal must include a work plan or schedule which delineates the 
plans for coordinating and managing the proposed tasks. Applications 
that do not meet the requirements will not be considered.

VI. Application Submittal

    Applicants must submit four (4) copies of their proposal, with 
original signatures. The applications shall be divided into two 
distinct parts: Part I--which contains Standard Form (SF) 424, 
``Application for Federal Assistance,'' (Appendix A) and ``Budget 
Information Sheet,'' (Appendix B). All copies of the (SF) 424 MUST have 
original signatures of the legal entity applying for grant funding. 
Applicants shall indicate on the (SF) 424 the organization's IRS 
Status, if applicable. According to the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 
1995, Section 18, an organization described in Section 501(c) 4 of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which engages in lobbying activities 
shall not be eligible for the receipt of federal funds constituting an 
award, grant, or loan. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 
number is 17.249. In addition, the budget shall include--on a separate 
page(s)--a detailed cost break-out of each line item on the Budget 
Information Sheet. Clearly show the proposed in-kind contribution of no 
less than one quarter of the amount of the awards. Part II shall 
contain the program narrative that demonstrates the applicant's plan 
and capabilities in accordance with the evaluation criteria contained 
in this notice. Applicants must describe their plan in light of each of 
the Evaluation Criteria. Applicants MUST limit the program narrative 
section to no more than 15 double-spaced pages, on one side only. This 
includes any attachments. Applications that fail to meet the page 
limitation requirement will not be considered.

VII. Late Applications

    Any application received after the exact date and time specified 
for receipt at the office designated in this notice will not be 
considered, unless it is received before awards are made and it--(a) 
was sent by registered or certified mail not later than the fifth 
calendar day before the date specified for receipt of applications 
(e.g., an application submitted in response to a solicitation requiring 
receipt of applications by the 20th of the month must have been mailed/
post marked by the 15th of that month); or (b) was sent by the U.S. 
Postal Service Express Mail Next Day Service to addresses not later 
than 5:00 P.M. at the place of mailing two working days prior to the 
date specified for receipt of applications. The term ``working days'' 
excludes weekends and federal holidays. The term ``post marked'' means 
a printed, stamped or otherwise placed impression (exclusive of a 
postage meter machine impression) that is readily identifiable, without 
further action, as having been supplied or affixed on the date of 
mailing by an employee of the U.S. Postal Service.

VIII. Hand Delivered Proposals

    It is preferred that applications be mailed at least five days 
prior to the closing date. To be considered for funding, hand delivered 
applications must be received by 4:00 P.M. (Eastern Time), on the 
closing date at the specified address.
    Telegraphed and/Faxed applications will not be honored. Failure to 
adhere to the above instructions will be a basis for a determination of 
nonresponsiveness. Overnight express mail from carriers other than the 
U.S. Postal Service will be considered hand-delivered applications and 
must be received by the above specified date and time.

IX. Review Process

    A careful evaluation of applications will be made by a technical 
review panel who will evaluate the applications against the criteria 
listed below. The panel results are advisory in nature and not binding 
on the Grant Officer. The Government may elect to award the grant with 
or without discussions with the offeror. In situations without 
discussions, an award will be based on the offeror's signature on the 
(SF) 424, which constitutes a binding offer. Awards will be those in 
the best interest of the Government.

Criteria for Evaluation

Category One-Evaluation Criteria
> Plan, Coordinate, and Manage the Project
    The offerors are expected to delineate how they propose to plan, 
manage, and coordinate the project under the direction of BAT, and with 
preliminary guidance from the Diversity Team (15 points);
> Clear Delineation of Best Practice Strategies
    The offerors are expected to indicate their specific best practice 
strategies to be utilized in reducing and eliminating barriers to 
recruitment, retention, training, and placement of women in non 
traditional occupations (65 points);
> In-Kind Contribution
    The offerors are expected to indicate how they propose to match 25% 
of the grant award, or provide an in-kind contribution which has a 
value equal to or greater than 25% of the grant award (10 points);
> Work Plan and/or Schedule
    The degree to which the offerors have delineated milestones and/or 
target dates for implementing the project (10 points).
Category Two--Evaluation Criteria
> Plan, Coordinate, and Manage the Project
    The offerors are expected to delineate how they propose to plan, 
manage, and coordinate the project under the direction of BAT, and with 
preliminary guidance from the Diversity Team (15 points);
> Approach, Partnership and Linkages Proposed To Address Barriers, and 
On-The-Job Experience Opportunities
    The offerors are expected to indicate how they propose to address 
multiple barriers to female participation in apprenticeship. Also, they 
should delineate how they will leverage child care and/or 
transportation services from their partnerships and linkages, and if 
possible, provide an on-the-job training component (65 points);
> In-Kind Contribution
    The offerors are expected to indicate how they propose to match 25% 
of the grant award, or provide an in-kind contribution which has a 
value equal to

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or greater than 25% of the grant award (10 points);
> Work Plan and/or Schedule
    The degree to which the offerors have delineated milestones and/or 
target dates for implementing the project (10 points).
Category Three--Evaluation Criteria
> Plan, Coordinate, and Manage the Project
    The offerors are expected to delineate how they propose to plan, 
manage, and coordinate the project under the direction of BAT, and with 
preliminary guidance from the Diversity Team (15 points);
> Approach, Partnership and Linkages Proposed To Address Barriers, in 
Rural Areas, to Female Participation in Apprenticeship, and On-The-Job 
Experience Opportunities
    The offerors are expected to indicate how they propose to address 
multiple barriers in rural areas, to female participation in 
apprenticeship. Also, they should delineate how they will leverage 
child care and/or transportation services from their partners and 
linkages, and provide, if possible, on-the-job experience opportunities 
(65 points);
> In-Kind Contribution
    The offerors are expected to indicate how they propose to match 25% 
of the grant award, or provide an in-kind contribution which has a 
value equal to or greater than 25% of the grant award (10 points);
> Work Plan and/or Schedule
    The degree to which the offerors have delineated milestones and/or 
target dates for implementing the project (10 points).
Category Four--Evaluation Criteria
> Plan, Coordinate, and Manage the Project
    The successful offeror is expected to delineate how they propose to 
plan, manage, and coordinate the project under the direction of BAT, 
and with preliminary guidance from the Diversity Team (15 points);
> Career--Based Preparatory Training/Empowerment Zone and Enterprise 
Community
    The offeror is expected to indicate how they propose to address 
multiple barriers, such as educational attainment, child care, 
transportation, life skills, skill enhancement and on-the-job 
experience for female out-of-school youth who are seeking training 
opportunities in high skilled, high wage occupations, but are living in 
an Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community (65 points);
> In-Kind Contribution
    The offeror is expected to indicate how they propose to match 25% 
of the grant award, or provide an in-kind contribution which has a 
value equal to or greater than 25% of the grant award (10 points);
> Work Plan and/or Schedule
    The degree to which the offeror has delineated milestones and/or 
target dates for implementing the project (10 points).
    The grants will be awarded based on applicant response to the above 
mentioned criteria and what is otherwise most advantageous to the 
Department.

X. Reporting Requirements

     Quarterly Progress and Financial Reports
     Final Report
     Each awardee will receive a briefing from a BAT Diversity 
Team representative on the teams' assessment of barriers to female 
participation in apprenticeship.

    Signed in Washington, DC, this 8th day of March 1999.
Laura Cesario,
Grant Officer.

BILLING CODE 4510-30-P

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Appendix A: (SF) 424--Application Form
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[FR Doc. 99-6107 Filed 3-11-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-C