[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 93 (Friday, May 14, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26624-26630]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-12090]



[[Page 26623]]

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Part IV





Department of Labor





_______________________________________________________________________



Office of the Secretary



_______________________________________________________________________



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

  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 93 / Friday, May 14, 1999 / Notices  

[[Page 26624]]



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 99-03).

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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 sixth and final year of the Solicitation for Grant Applications 
(SGA) first authorized under the Women in Apprenticeship and 
Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) Act of 1991. The major provisions of 
the WANTO legislation are to ``assist business in providing women with 
opportunities in apprenticeship and nontraditional occupations.'' 
Moreover, the WANTO grant program funds Community-Based Organizations 
(CBOs) to provide technical assistance (TA) to employers and labor 
unions (E/LUs) that will ``enable business to meet the challenge of 
Workforce 2000.''
    The Women's Bureau has co-administered WANTO with the DOL's Bureau 
of Apprenticeship and Training (BAT), with the WB having responsibility 
for implementing the grant process. Congress first appropriated funds 
for WANTO in Fiscal Year (FY) 1994. Since then, WANTO has been funded 
through JTPA (Title IV-D). FY 1999 will be the last WANTO solicitation, 
as the grant program will expire with JTPA on July 1, 2000. JTPA will 
be superseded by the Workforce Investment Act.
    For the final WANTO solicitation, the Department will competitively 
award grants to CBOs who best represent the best community-based 
organizations from the segment of CBOs actively involved in advocacy, 
technical assistance, and services to increase the participation of 
women in apprenticeship and nontraditional occupations (A/NTO). These 
CBOs must provide technical assistance (TA) to Employers and/or Labor 
Unions (E/LUs) to prepare them to successfully recruit, train, and 
retain women in apprenticeable and other nontraditional occupations. In 
addition, TA must include strategic planning with E/LUs for identifying 
sources of support services--child care, transportation, and necessary 
transitional costs--to ensure the successful transition of women to the 
workplace and/or the completion of training. With the combination of 
technical TA for E/LUs and their commitment for support services for 
women, the Department expects employers and labor unions ``to expand 
the employment and self-sufficiency options of women.''
    Further, the Department gives priority consideration to broadening 
the geographic scope of WANTO, CBO diversity, (including those 
concerned with the employment of women with physical and/or cognitive 
disabilities), and developing a more concentrated industrial mix of E/
LUs in growing industries. CBOs and E/LUs must be committed to 
increasing the participation of women in A/NTO in high wage jobs, 
including low income women residing in rural and urban Empowerment 
Zones (EZs) and Enterprise Communities (ECs) across the country. CBOs 
proposals must include a plan to track, not only the specific TA 
resources and tools used, but also the movement of women into (or out 
of) 
A/NTO among their grant related E/LUs. Such an interactive working 
relationship should promote CBOs and E/LUs working together to change 
workplace cultures and working practices to provide economic justice 
and equity for women in the workplace.
    Therefore, the DOL is seeking CBOs (including those concerned with 
employment transition of women with physical and/or cognitive 
disabilities) with the following experience:
    (1) Established and growing employer/labor union working 
relationships;
    (2) Proven service delivery to assist women to enter and remain in 
A/NTO as the major component of its employment and training activities, 
including outreach, orientation, mentoring, support groups, networks, 
workplace consultations (including troubleshooting and other worksite 
resolution practices), employee and supervisory workshops, seminars and 
other workplace specific strategic planning to increase the 
participation of women in A/NTO; and
    (3) Recognized leadership credentials in the A/NTO community that 
also promotes leadership in social and economic change for women and 
their families to economic self-sufficiency, as well as mentoring 
relationships with other CBOs working in A/NTO.
    As WANTO activities document the end of the millennium and, we 
begin to chart the next steps to increase women in A/NTO into the 21st 
Century, WANTO and related projects will provide a rich source of 
policy and program recommendations.
    With SGA 99-03, the Department will give priority consideration and 
25 bonus points to CBOs who respond with proposals that both (1) expand 
the geographic reach and influence of WANTO to areas previously not 
served, or have less than two WANTO grants in a State, especially those 
in underserved geographic areas of the Southeast, Southwest, Northwest, 
and Rocky Mountains, and (2) concentrate TA programs for E/LUs in a 
single industry or paid employment training group--especially one of 
the following: Manufacturing, Information Technology, Medical 
Technology, and registered apprenticeship and on-the-job trainees 
programs in Highway Construction, and Building Trades Construction.
    The above discussion summarizes the general focus of SGA 99-03; 
however, applicants are again urged to read the SGA in its entirety to 
ensure that their submission is fully responsive to SGA 99-03. WANTO 
grant awards are competitive and based only on how responsive an 
applicant's proposal is to the SGA and its evaluation criteria.
    This notice describes the background, the application process, 
statement of work, evaluation criteria, and reporting requirements for 
this Solicitation for Grant Applications (SGA 99-03). WB anticipates 
that a total amount of $1,000,000 will be available for the support of 
all Fiscal Year 1999. (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 two (2) copies of the 
Cost Proposal shall be submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor, 
Office of Procurement Services, Room N-5416, Reference SGA 99-03, 200 
Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210, not later than 4:45 
p.m. EST, August 6, 1999. 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 99-03, Room N-5416, 200 Constitution Avenue, 
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210.

[[Page 26625]]

Grant applications must be mailed to U.S. Department of Labor, Office 
of Procurement Services, Attention: Grant Officer, Reference SGA 99-03, 
Room N-5416, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 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--Public Law 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 database 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; (2) coordinating, 
conducting regular assessment, and seeking input of employers and labor 
unions.
    The Women's Bureau has been the champion of the concerns of working 
women since its creation by Congress in 1920. For over 70 years, 
improving employment opportunities and related equity issues has been 
the driving force of the Bureau's policies and programs. From its 
national office and 10 regional offices, the Bureau conducts advocacy 
and outreach activities across the United States. The Bureau 
participates in meetings with international visitors and others who are 
concerned with the employment and related social issues of working 
women. Within the Department of Labor, the WB Director serves as the 
policy advisor to the Secretary, ensuring that women's voices are heard 
and that their priorities are represented in the public policy arena.
    The Bureau has a history of encouraging women to consider the wide 
array of apprenticeable and other nontraditional occupations (NTOs) as 
one way to obtain economic self-sufficiency for themselves and their 
families. NTOs can be characterized as the often-cited skilled building 
trades in construction, as well as the emerging ``good'' or high-pay 
jobs in nonconstruction industries as the pervasiveness of 
microelectronics fuels advances in high technology. One thing many of 
the high-pay jobs have in common is the lack of women employed in them.
    The lack of a critical mass of women in apprenticeship and other 
good, high-pay jobs has resulted in continued workplace occupational 
segregation that fuels pay inequities and other artificial employment 
barriers to women's success in the workplace, including apprenticeship 
and other nontraditional occupations. For example, 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. In other 
nonconstruction occupations, the lack of developmental work assignments 
and mentors results in women being confined by ``glass ceilings'' and 
``sticky'' floors. These artifical barriers are beyond the usual 
problems faced by all women and some men--child care, sexual 
harassment, pay equity, balancing work and family responsibilities. The 
WANTO grant program explores collaborative ways for employers and labor 
unions to provide opportunities for women in apprenticeship and other 
nontraditional occupations by developing a ``women-friendly'' 
environment.
    The Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training co-administers WANTO with 
the Women's Bureau. 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 services to existing apprenticeship programs and 
technical assistance to organizations who would like to establish a BAT 
registered apprenticeship program. BAT provides apprenticeship services 
in all States, and registers programs and apprentices in 23 States 
where there is no State Apprenticeship Agency or Council. In the 27 
States, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, 
programs are registered by State Apprenticeship Agencies or Councils 
which are recognized by the Secretary of Labor. Most State agencies 
receive policy guidance from apprenticeship councils composed of 
employers, labor groups, and public representatives.
    The BAT works very closely with State Apprenticeship Agencies/
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 BAT, 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.

Definitions

    Nontraditional Occupations (NTOs) are those where women account for 
less than 25 percent of all persons employed in a single occupational 
group.
    Pre-Apprenticeship Programs are for women (and others) to 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 BAT or the State Apprenticeship Council (SAC).
    Employers or groups of employers and unions design, organize, 
manage, and finance apprenticeship programs under the standards 
developed and registered with BAT or BAT-recognized State 
Apprenticeship Agencies. They also select apprentices who are trained 
to meet certain predetermined occupational standards.

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    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 promote women 
in apprenticeship and other nontraditional occupations, (2) community 
recognition of leadership in advocacy and service to promote economic 
equity, justice, and social change for women and their families, and 
(3) 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.
    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, 
Public Law 102-530, approved October 27, 1992.

B. Purpose of the Demonstration

    The purpose of the WANTO demonstration program is to assist 
business to provide apprenticeship and nontraditional opportunities for 
women. The Department will make grants to community-based organizations 
and 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 
technical assistance should result in an increase of women employed in 
jobs that pay a wage to support them and their families.

Part II. Application Process

A. Eligible Grant Applicants

    Please note well that eligible grant applicants must not be 
classified under the IRS Tax Code as a 501(c)(4) entity.
    1. Private, Nonprofit, Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) that 
represent and provide advocacy, training, and placement of women in 
apprenticeship and other nontraditional occupations (A/NTO) are the 
only entities eligible for grant awards.
    2. Applicant CBOs' proposals must document their experience and 
expertise in A/NTO services and TA delivery in the following areas:
    a. Established and growing employer/labor union working 
relationships with A/NTO community sources for exploring new working 
relations;
    b. Provided services to assist women to enter and remain in A/NTO 
as the major component of their employment and training activities, 
including outreach, orientation, mentoring, support groups, networks, 
workplace consultations (including troubleshooting and other worksite 
problem resolutions and changes in employer and workplace practices), 
employee and supervisory workshops, seminars and other workplace 
specific strategic planning to increase the participation of women in 
A/NTO; and
    c. Documented leadership in the 
A/NTO community to promote leadership for economic equity, justice, and 
social change for women and their families that also support economic 
self-sufficiency.
    3. In addition, Grant Applicant CBOs' proposals must document their 
presence and effectiveness in the broader community beyond A/NTO 
services for a fee, to include advocacy for economic and social justice 
that promotes equity for women and their families.
    4. Grant Applicant CBOs' proposals must include a management and 
staff loading plan.
    a. The management plan should include the CBO's organizational 
chart and accompanying narrative that differentiate between elements of 
the Applicant's staff, subcontractors, or consultants, who will be 
retained.
    b. 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, with subcontractors 
and consultants. All key tasks must be charted to show time required to 
perform them by months or weeks.
    c. CBOs' proposals must list the name, trade, and organizational 
position of tradeswomen and other women in nontraditional occupations 
on staff or on their organization's Board of Directors. Include the 
dates when tradeswomen served in active paid or unpaid positions in 
your organization.
    d. CBOs' proposal 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.)
    e. CBOs' proposal 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.
    5. Public bodies such as JTPA administrative entities, public 
schools, colleges, and hospitals are not eligible for WANTO grants.

B. Employers and Labor Unions Are Eligible for TA

    1. Private Sector Employers and Labor Unions are eligible to 
request and receive TA provided by CBOs with a WANTO grant. The goal of 
WANTO is to assist businesses to provide opportunities for women in A/
NTO in the private economy.
    a. Employers and Labor Unions may request that the Department of 
Labor match them with a CBO.
    b. TA Requests from Employers and Labor Unions may be delivered 
with a specific Applicant CBO's proposal, or independent of a specific 
CBO.
    c. Regardless of the method, all employers and labor unions must 
provide the information described in item 2. below either to their 
chosen CBO or 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.
    2. All Employers and Labor Unions must provide a written commitment 
for technical assistance by responding to the following:
    a. A description of the need for assistance;
    b. 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;
    c. Assurances that there are or will be suitable and appropriate 
employment available in the apprenticeable occupations or in the 
nontraditional occupations being targeted; and
    d. Commitments that all reasonable efforts should be made to place 
women in apprenticeable occupations or nontraditional occupations as 
they develop skills.

C. 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

[[Page 26627]]

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 although the technical proposal must include the 
items--publications, seminars, E/LU consultations, troubleshooting, 
etc.--for which grant funds are to be spent.
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/omb/grants/). The transmittal letter and the grant 
assurances and certification 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.

D. Funding Levels

    The Department expects to have $1,000,000 to be disbursed through 
WANTO grants. The Department expects to make up to fifteen (15) awards 
to Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). The Women's Bureau expects 
awards to range from approximately $50,000 to $75,000, depending upon 
the number of employer/labor union written commitments included with 
the proposal--between five (5) and ten (10)--and the design, size, and 
scope of the technical assistance proposed for this demonstration and 
reflected in the E/LU technical assistance requests.

E. Length of Grant and Grant Awards

    The initial performance period for the grants awarded under this 
SGA shall be for twelve (12) 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 1999.

F. Submission

    One (1) ink-signed original, complete grant application (plus five 
(5) copies of the Technical Proposal and two (2) 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. EST, August 6, 1999. 
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. EST 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 6, 1999 (i.e., not later than August 
1, 1999);
    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 5:00 p.m. EST at the 
place of mailing two working days, excluding weekends and Federal 
holidays, prior to August 6, 1999 (i.e., not later than 5:00 p.m. EST 
August 4, 1999).
    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. Technical Assistance

    1. CBOs are to provide technical assistance (TA) that may include a 
broad range of activities to prepare employers and labor unions (E/LUs) 
to provide opportunities for women in apprenticeship and other 
nontraditional occupations (A/NTO). CBOs should encourage E/LUs to work 
with them to assess their workplaces and develop strategic plans for 
changes in the workplace and in work practices that support women. 
Requests may include linkages of pre-apprenticeship programs to a 
commitment for employment and/or sponsored apprenticeship training. 
Such TA should result in jobs that pay a living wage that will support 
women and their families. Support services are of major importance to 
sustaining women to enter and complete training and entry employment. 
Child care, transportation, and related transitional costs--union fees, 
tools, and uniforms--are the support services most often cited as 
necessary for women.
    a. Applicant CBOs should respond with a program designed to build 
on established working relationships with employers and labor unions 
and to develop new working relationships to

[[Page 26628]]

provide TA to, at least five (5), but no more than ten (10), private 
sector E/LUs. The TA and working relationships should promote an 
increase in the participation of women in apprenticeship and other A/
NTO in the recipient E/LU workplace.
    b. CBO proposal should include 
E/LUs selected from the following five (5) industry and paid employment 
training groups--manufacturing, information technology, medical 
technology, registered apprenticeship and on-the-job training programs 
in highway and the building trades construction industries.
    c. Similarly, the Department is also interested in leveraging WANTO 
technical assistance to private sector employers and labor unions in 
Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities (EZ/EC) 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.

B. Support Services

    1. CBO proposal should include a plan for support services for 
women when the TA results in women moving into apprenticeship or other 
paid training or other NTO employment or E/LU-supported job referral 
commitments.
    a. Support service plans should include cooperative E/LU programs 
along with services available from the workplace and/or employee's 
community.
    b. Support services strategic planning for support services should 
include, at least, child care, transportation, and women's transitional 
costs.

C. Broaden Geographic Coverage

    1. The Department is also seeking to broaden the geographic 
coverage of WANTO CBOs to areas unserved by previous WANTO grants or in 
States with less than two previous WANTO grantees, particularly in the 
Southeast, Southwest, Northwest and Rocky Mountain areas.
    a. Therefore, the Department will also consider (1) proposals from 
established CBOs that also include less experienced CBOs in unserved 
geographic areas to provide TA to build the organizational and TA 
capacity of the less experienced CBOs to provide TA to increase women 
in A/NTO and/or;
    b. (2) Joint proposals of several CBOs who have bundled their 
strengthens together to form one grant application. The proposal will 
provide TA in unserved States that propose to build their regional 
capacity to provide TA to employers and labor unions to promote women 
in A/NTO.

D. Leverage of WANTO Funding and Continuance

    1. The 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.
    2. 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.

E. Bonus Points

    1. Priority consideration and 25 bonus points will be added to the 
numerical rating of proposals from CBOs that include TA both in (a) 
geographic areas unserved by WANTO grants in States with less than two 
WANTO grants from previous years and to provide TA for (b) E/LUs from a 
single industry or paid employment training group.
    a. The broadened geographic areas include, CBOs from areas unserved 
by WANTO CBOs, especially the Southeast, Southwest, Northwest, and 
Rocky Mountain States, will receive priority consideration.
    b. The single industry and/or paid employment training program, 
including apprenticeship, can be selected from the following: 
manufacturing, information technology, medical technology, and 
registered apprenticeship and paid employment training in highway and 
the building trades construction industries.
    c. CBOs concerned with the employment of women with physical and/or 
cognitive disabilities that have programs to promote women in the 
industries of concern to this SGA and mentioned above in b.

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 1a.-1c., 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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Points
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    1. Technical Evaluation Criteria
------------------------------------------------------------------------
a. Capabilities and Qualifications of CBO and Staff (A/NTO            50
 experience, education, and leadership in the community to
 foster social and/or economic justice for equity for women
 and their families moving to self-sufficiency)..............
b. Established program and E/LU Linkages; the written                 25
 commitment and/or potential for five (5) to ten (10) new
 working relationships with E/LUs; and other EZ/EC
 Communities and Welfare to Work Social Agencies.............
c. Quality and Scope of WANTO Project (as discussed/described         25
 throughout the SGA 99-03 including workplace assessment and
 technical assistance strategies for E/LU changes in the
 workplace culture and work practices to promote the increase
 in women in apprenticeship and nontraditional occupations;
 proposed A/NTO outcomes, leverage and continuance TA).......
--------------------------------------------------------------
                            2. Bonus Points
------------------------------------------------------------------------
a. Priority Focus (See Part III, A. Statement of Work--Key            30
 Features, E. Bonus Points)..................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            3. Cost Criteria
------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Proposals will be scored, based on their costs in relation to other
proposals submitted in response to this SGA.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
[[Page 26629]]

 
                             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 99-03 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, D.C.)
    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 and 
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 grantees and 
the Women's Bureau will confirm the ``plan of action'' and 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 
onsite, 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 affected 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 their 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

[[Page 26630]]

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, 
separately or combined with the Final Report--at the opening. 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.
    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.

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/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 Government--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, D.C. on May 6, 1999.
Lawrence J. Kuss,
Grant Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-12090 Filed 5-13-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-23-P