[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 7, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 17050]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-8531]


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SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION


Request for Proposal for the Drug-Free Workplace Demonstration 
Program

AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration.

ACTION: Request for Proposal.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) plans to issue 
request for proposal (RFP) no. SBDC-99-0001 to invite applications from 
eligible intermediaries in accordance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act 
of 1998 (Act). The authorizing legislation is the Small Business Act, 
Section 21(c)(3)(T) and Section 27, 15 U.S.C. 648(c)(3)(T) and 654, 
(Title IX of Pub. L. 105-277).
    The Act permits the SBA to make grants to eligible intermediaries 
for the purpose of providing financial and technical assistance to 
small businesses seeking to establish drug-free workplace programs. In 
establishing these DFWP programs, as contemplated by the Act, eligible 
intermediaries should provide outreach to the small business community 
and provide additional voluntary education for parents. Outreach must 
include educating small businesses on the benefits of a drug-free 
workplace and encouraging small business employers and employees to 
participate in drug-free workplace programs. Education for parents must 
include teaching them how to keep their children drug-free.
    All applicants must meet the definition of ``Eligible 
Intermediary'' as defined in the Act. Any applicants not meeting the 
definition will be considered non-responsive and their proposals will 
not be technically evaluated. The Act defines ``Eligible Intermediary'' 
as an organization that:
    1. has at least two years of experience in carrying out drug-free 
workplace programs;
    2. has a drug-free workplace policy in effect;
    3. is located in a State, the District of Columbia, or a territory 
of the United States; and
    4. has as its purpose the development of comprehensive drug-free 
workplace programs, or supplying drug-free workplace services, or 
providing other forms of assistance and services to small businesses.
    SBA is looking for applications that include innovative and 
creative approaches to address the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1998. The 
grants should be viewed as an opportunity to develop a community-wide 
collaborative effort in which a plan for a system of action aimed at 
reducing drug abuse in small businesses can serve as a national 
demonstration model.
    SBA will select successful applicants through a competitive 
process. Evaluation criteria will be included in the RFP. The 
successful applicants will receive a 12-month grant award to provide 
financial and technical assistance to small businesses seeking to 
implement drug-free workplace programs.

DATES: SBA will mail the RFP to interested parties between mid and late 
April 1999. The closing date will be 30 days later. SBA Headquarters 
must receive the applications/proposals by the date and time that will 
be specified in the RFP.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joan Bready, Office of Small Business 
Development Centers, SBA, at (202) 205-7384 or Mina Wales, Office of 
Procurement and Grants Management, SBA, at (202) 205-7080.

    Dated: April 1, 1999.
Johnnie Albertson,
Associate Administrator, Small Business Development Centers.
[FR Doc. 99-8531 Filed 4-6-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8025-01-P