[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 232 (Friday, December 3, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67883-67891]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-31409]


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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE


Availability of Funds for National Providers of Training and 
Technical Assistance to Corporation for National and Community Service 
Programs

AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds.

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SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service 
(Corporation) announces the availability of funds for organizations 
selected under this Notice to provide training and technical assistance 
to grantees and subgrantees supported by the Corporation in fiscal 
years 2000 and 2001 and up to two additional years depending upon need, 
quality of service and availability of funds. The maximum period of 
award is three years.
    Training and technical assistance will be in the following areas:
    1. National Service Program Management (up to $850,000).
    2. Leadership Development (up to $425,000).
    3. Training Design and Materials Development (up to $250,000).
    4. Evaluation (up to $1,000,000).
    5. Increasing Participation of Persons with Disabilities in 
National Service (up to $500,000).
    The award amounts are approximate and for the first year only and 
may change depending upon the availability of appropriations and the 
nature and scope of activities to be supported. An organization may 
apply to provide services in more than one category. A separate 
application is needed for each service category listed above.

    Note: This is a notice for selection of organizations to provide 
training and technical assistance. This is not a notice for program 
grant proposals.

DATES: Proposals must be received by the Corporation by 3:00 p.m. 
Eastern time on January 18, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit proposals to the Corporation for National and 
Community Service, 1201 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20525, 
Attention: Cathy Harrison, Room 9810.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Ekstrom or Margie Legowski at the 
Corporation for National and Community Service, telephone (202) 606-
5000, ext. 414, T.D.D. (202) 565-2799. This Notice is available on the 
Corporation's web site, http://www.nationalservice.org/research.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Corporation for National and Community Service was established 
in 1993 to engage Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service to 
their communities. The Corporation's national and community service 
programs provide opportunities for participants to serve full-time and 
part-time, with or without stipend, as individuals or as part of a 
team. AmeriCorps*State, National, VISTA, and National Civilian 
Community Corps programs engage thousands of Americans on a full, or 
part-time basis, at over 1,000 locations to help communities meet their 
toughest challenges. Learn and Serve America integrates service into 
the academic life or experiences of nearly one million youth from 
kindergarten through higher education in all 50 states. The National 
Senior Service Corps utilizes the skills, talents and experience of 
over 500,000 older Americans to help make communities stronger, safer, 
healthier and smarter.
    AmeriCorps*State and AmeriCorps*National programs, which involve 
over 40,000 Americans each year in results-driven community service, 
are grant programs managed by: (1) State commissions that select and 
oversee programs operated by local organizations; (2) national non-
profit organizations that act as parent organizations for operating 
sites across the country; (3) Indian tribes; or (4) U.S. Territories. 
Learn and Serve America grants provide service-learning opportunities 
for youth through grants to state education agencies, community-based 
organizations, and higher education institutions and organizations. The 
National Senior Service Corps operates through grants to nearly 1,300 
local organizations for the Retired and Senior Volunteer (RSVP), Foster 
Grandparent (FGP) and Senior Companion (SCP) programs to provide 
service to their communities. For additional information on the 
national service programs supported by the Corporation, go to http://
www.nationalservice.org.
    In addition, the Corporation supports the AmeriCorps*VISTA 
(Volunteers in Service to America) and AmeriCorps*NCCC (National 
Civilian

[[Page 67884]]

Community Corps) programs. More than 6,000 AmeriCorps*VISTA members 
develop grassroots programs, mobilize resources and build capacity for 
service across the nation. AmeriCorps*NCCC provides the opportunity for 
approximately 1,000 individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 to 
participate each year in ten-month residential programs located mainly 
on inactive military bases.
    See ``Glossary of Terms'' in Section VI for additional information.

II. Eligibility

    Public-sector agencies, non-profit organizations, institutions of 
higher education, Indian tribes, and for-profit companies are eligible 
to apply. Pursuant to the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, an 
organization described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(4), which engages in lobbying, is not 
eligible to apply. Organizations that operate or intend to operate 
Corporation-supported programs are eligible.
    We will consider proposals from single applicants, applicants in 
partnership and applicants proposing other approaches to meeting the 
requirement we consider to be responsive to this Notice.
    Organizations may apply to provide training and technical 
assistance in partnership with organizations seeking other Corporation 
funds. Based on previous training and technical assistance competitions 
and our estimate of potential applicants, we expect fewer than ten 
applications to be submitted in each area.

III. Period of Assistance and Other Conditions

A. Cooperative Agreements

    Awards made under this Notice will be in the form of cooperative 
agreements. Administration of cooperative agreements is controlled by 
Corporation regulations, 45 CFR Part 2541 (for agreements with state 
and local government agencies) and 45 CFR Part 2543 (for agreements 
with institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations and 
other non-governmental organizations). The awardee must comply with 
reporting requirements, including submitting quarterly financial 
reports and quarterly progress reports linking progress on deliverables 
to expenditures.

B. Use of Materials

    To ensure that materials generated for training and technical 
assistance purposes are available to the public and readily accessible 
to grantees and sub-grantees, the Corporation retains royalty-free, 
non-exclusive, and irrevocable licenses to obtain, use, reproduce, 
publish, or disseminate products, including data produced under the 
agreement, and to authorize others to do so. The awardee will agree to 
make products available to the national service field as identified by 
the Corporation at no cost or at the cost of reproduction. All 
materials developed for the Corporation will be produced consistent 
with Corporation editorial and publication guidelines.

C. Time Frame

    The Corporation expects that activities assisted under the 
agreements awarded through this Notice will commence on or about 
February 2000, following the conclusion of the selection and award 
process. The Corporation will make awards covering a period not to 
exceed three years. Applications must include a proposed budget and 
proposed activities for the entire award period. If the Corporation 
approves an application and enters into a multi-year award agreement, 
at the outset it will provide funding only for the first year of the 
award period as funds are made available by Congress. The Corporation 
has no obligation to provide additional funding in subsequent years. 
Funding for the second and third years of an award period is contingent 
upon satisfactory performance, the availability of funds and any other 
criteria established in the award agreement.

D. Legal Authority

    Section 198 of the National and Community Service Act of 1990, as 
amended, 42 U.S.C. 12653, authorizes the Corporation to provide, 
directly or through contracts or cooperative agreements, training and 
technical assistance in support of activities under the national 
service laws.

IV. Scope of Training and Technical Assistance Activities to Be 
Supported

A. Tasks

    Providers selected under this Notice are to provide training 
services, training curriculum development and dissemination, materials 
development and ongoing technical assistance to Corporation grantees 
and their sub-grantees. The Corporation requires all selected providers 
to integrate all of the deliverables and principles listed below into 
their service delivery.
1. Training and Technical Assistance Delivery Process
a. Systems
    i. Using a template developed by the Corporation, track training 
and technical assistance requests, referrals and services provided.
    ii. Develop a system for referring grantees to local content area 
experts who can provide member and volunteer training. This system 
should include the development and use of a database of content area 
training specialists and peer experts by county, state and region.
b. Audience and Outreach
    i. Respond to ongoing requests for training and technical 
assistance from national service grantees, sub-grantees and Corporation 
staff.
    ii. With guidance from the Corporation's Department of Evaluation 
and Effective Practices, develop and implement a plan to promote 
services to grantees, sub-grantees and Corporation staff.
    iii. Develop and maintain a web-site of training and technical 
assistance resources and effective practices in a provider's area of 
specialization with links to national service sites, as directed by the 
Corporation.
    iv. Work with the national service grantees and sub-grantees who 
request assistance to identify and clarify their needs and determine an 
appropriate service response.
c. Training Delivery
    i. Prepare and deliver one and two-day customized training courses 
and training-of-trainer courses for 75-100 participants within each of 
the Corporation's five regions (referred to as ``clusters''). The 
provider must undertake an assessment which identifies participants' 
skill levels, training delivery preferences, and program stream needs 
and assets before designing each course. Courses must reflect the 
findings of the assessment and the broad range of content and skill 
areas stated in Section IV B of this Notice. (Note: this does not apply 
to the Leadership Development provider.)
    ii. Submit course outlines and descriptions to the Corporation for 
approval and inclusion in the Corporation's training and technical 
assistance resource guide which we will distribute to all national 
service grantees.
    iii. Coordinate scheduling and training delivery with the 
provider's training and technical assistance officer at the Corporation 
first and then with area managers, and staffs of the state commissions, 
the state education

[[Page 67885]]

agencies, and the Corporation state offices where training events are 
to be held.
    iv. Deliver training that is interactive, experiential, consistent 
with the principles of adult learning, and sensitive to program and 
audience diversity, skill level and learning style.
    v. Submit training event dates to the National Service Resource 
Center for posting on its national training calendar.
    vi. Ensure that all training and technical assistance is accessible 
to persons with disabilities as required by law to include the 
following:

--Notifying potential participants that reasonable accommodations will 
be provided upon request.
--Providing reasonable accommodations when requested to do so, 
including provision of sign language interpreters, special assistance, 
and documents in alternate formats.
--Using only accessible locations for training events.

    vii. Deliver training that enhances the capacity of grantees to 
function independently and effectively, which includes, but is not 
limited to, the following:

--Using transfer-of-skills methods and train-the-trainer models in 
delivering services following guidelines provided by the Corporation.
--Providing structured opportunities for peer-to-peer assistance during 
and after all on-request and scheduled training events.
--Developing and disseminating training event packets that include the 
training agenda, script, handouts and list of training event 
participants.
--Including community partners in all aspects of the training event.
--Submitting training event packets to the Corporation for National 
Service (2 copies) and the National Service Resource Center (hard copy 
and electronic form) within 30 days of a training event.
d. Peer Assistance
    i. Develop and manage a peer-to-peer system that uses staff of 
national service programs and others affiliated with national service 
programs and makes use of a full range of service delivery options, 
e.g., phone consultations, teleconferences, videoconferences and other 
electronic communication; materials' development and shipment; and site 
visits.
    ii. Create and use a database of skilled content area peers by 
state and cluster.
    iii. Document system's operation, including peer selection 
criteria, preparation process, and assignment procedure.
    iv. Require that the peer prepare an after-action report outlining 
the issues addressed, actions taken, results achieved and follow-up 
actions required. Reports must be submitted in a timely manner with 
copies provided to all interested parties, including state commission 
staff and Corporation program officers.
    v. Provide opportunities for peer assistance in scheduled and on-
request training events.
e. Effective Practices
    i. Research, identify, document and transmit effective tools and 
practices through all provider's training and technical assistance 
services.
    ii. Submit effective tools and practices in stipulated format to 
the National Service Resource Center and, if appropriate, to the 
National Service-Learning Clearinghouse and encourage grantee use of 
same.
    iii. Use technology as a creative and cost-effective tool for 
sharing effective practices with large numbers of grantees and 
subgrantees. Technology should be part of a training strategy that 
includes people to people contact.
    iv. Develop and implement a dissemination plan for all materials 
(e.g., publications, videotapes, etc.) produced under this agreement.
2. Evaluation
a. Evaluation Plan
    Develop and submit a plan for evaluating the impact of training and 
technical assistance services, particularly the impact of training 
events relative to each training event's objectives and the principles 
and deliverables of this Notice.
b. Evaluation Records
    i. Conduct an assessment after each training and technical 
assistance event using an assessment instrument approved by the 
Corporation.
    ii. Maintain records of these evaluations and provide them to the 
Corporation, or an authorized representative, upon request.
    iii. Submit aggregate evaluation summaries of training-and-
technical-assistance events' evaluations as part of the required 
quarterly report to the Corporation.
c. Independent Assessment
    The Corporation may conduct an independent assessment of each 
provider's performance.
3. Reporting Requirements
a. Quarterly Reports
    Submit a quarterly report that, at minimum, provides the 
information below. The provider will develop the capacity to submit 
this information electronically.
    i. A comparison of accomplishments with the goals and objectives 
for the reporting period.
    ii. An annotated version of the approved budget that compares 
actual costs with budgeted costs by line item, and explains 
differences. The explanation should include, as appropriate, an 
analysis of cost overruns and high-cost units and a description of 
service requests not anticipated in your original budget.
    iii. A description of the services provided to include:
    (1) number of requests received by topic area and service stream.
    (2) the activity conducted to address each request (e.g., training, 
on-site technical assistance, phone consultation and other electronic 
communication and materials development and shipment) and mode of 
delivery (e.g., staff member, consultant, peer assistant and/or other 
provider).
    (3) number of participants in each training and technical 
assistance event.
    (4) cost of each training event based on the direct costs to the 
provider.
    (5) average cost per delivery mode (e.g., on-site consultations, 
conference calls, training events, and peer-to-peer interventions).
    (6) client feedback on the services rendered (including the 
aggregate evaluation of each training event).
    (7) problems encountered in delivering services with 
recommendations for correcting them.
    (8) list of upcoming activities and events.
    (9) recommended training and technical assistance focus areas as 
suggested by analyses of service activity and trends.
    (10) discussion of developments that hindered, or may hinder, 
compliance with the cooperative agreement.
    (11) list of materials that have been submitted to the National 
Service Resource Center.
b. Communication With Training and Technical Assistance Staff
    With training and technical assistance officer, develop a plan for 
on-going communication with the Corporation regarding training and 
technical assistance activities and the needs of the field.
4. Other Requirements
a. Staff and Consultant Training
    Train provider staff and consultants in the background, approach, 
vocabulary, assets, needs and objectives

[[Page 67886]]

of the Corporation and each of its program streams (National Senior 
Service Corps, Learn and Serve America, and AmeriCorps) and sub-streams 
(the Foster Grandparent, Senior Companion, and Retired and Senior 
Volunteer Programs; Learn and Serve America K-12 School- and Community-
based Programs, Learn and Serve America Higher Education Programs; 
AmeriCorps*State and National Direct Programs, AmeriCorps*VISTA, and 
the AmeriCorps*National Civilian Community Corps).
b. Provider Meetings
    Participate in the planning and implementation of national provider 
meetings and training events as requested by the Corporation.
c. Collaboration With Others
    i. Collaborate in materials' development and training events 
organized by other providers or the Corporation, as requested.
    ii. Share best practices with other providers through the training 
and technical assistance listserv and other mechanisms (e.g., the 
National Service-Learning Clearinghouse and the National Service 
Resource Center).
d. Use of Technology
    Creatively and effectively use technology as a cost-effective 
strategy for reaching large numbers of grantees and subgrantees.
e. Accessible Materials
    Provide training and technical assistance materials that are 
accessible to persons with disabilities, by using accessible 
technology, providing materials in alternate formats upon request, 
captioning videos and not using solely a non-voice-over format, and 
when indicating a telephone number, including a non-voice telephone 
alternative such as TDD or e-mail.

B. Training and Technical Assistance Categories

    The Corporation will evaluate proposals in each of the five 
categories listed below. These categories were identified in 1999 
through an assessment of the training and technical assistance needs of 
the Corporation's grantees and subgrantees. The funding ranges listed 
are approximate and reflect resource availability for the first year 
only.
    1. National Service Program Management (up to $850,000).
    2. Leadership Development (up to $425,000).
    3. Training Design and Materials Development (up to $250,000).
    4. Evaluation (up to $1,000,000).
    5. Increasing Participation of Persons with Disabilities in 
National Service (up to $500,000).
    Specific requirements for each category follow:
1. National Service Program Management (up to $850,000)

Background

    National Service program directors handle a wide range of 
responsibilities including, but not limited to: (1) recruiting, 
training, and supervising their staff and the program's volunteers, 
participants, or students; (2) selecting and monitoring subgrantees; 
(3) training and managing subgrantee staff; (4) developing and 
maintaining sound financial and reporting systems; (5) effectively 
participating in ``cross-stream'' collaboration; (6) developing and 
maintaining community partnerships; (7) assessing subgrantees' and 
participants' assets and needs; and (8) measuring program impact. 
Levels of skill and expertise for all of these tasks vary from 
individual to individual--some program directors have been working in 
national service for years and others have just recently been hired. 
Resources vary from program to program and from state to state.

Services Needed

    The provider in this category will deliver training and technical 
assistance specifically targeted to grantees and subgrantees on the 
``nuts and bolts'' of managing national service programs and 
supervising national service program staff. The means for delivering 
services is expected to include at a minimum, training for grantee and 
subgrantee program staff, peer exchange among program staff and others 
(e.g., commissioners, board members), coaching through telephone 
consultation, and on-line assistance through individual e-mail, 
participation in listservs and information provided by web page.
    The provider will work with the field to design, pilot and deliver 
basic and advanced curricula for inexperienced and experienced grantee 
and subgrantee program directors. Curricula will include, at a minimum, 
the following content areas: volunteer and participant recruitment, 
placement, retention and management (including requirements related to 
civil rights and placement); volunteer and participant development and 
training; recruitment, retention, training and supervision of staff 
(with particular attention to supervisory skills); program design, 
implementation and management; basic grant and subgrant management 
(including civil rights compliance); multi-site program management; 
crew-based program management; strategies for working with community 
partners to develop programs that meet community needs; impact and 
outcome measurement; effective use of computers for program managers; 
development of effective grantee networks; strategies for working with 
other national service program streams; strategies for dealing with 
staff turnover.
    The provider will also provide expert consultant services in a 
variety of program content areas including the environment, youth 
leadership, volunteer leadership, risk management and public safety.
    The Corporation expects that the provider will provide training 
within the context of events sponsored by the Corporation's 
headquarters and field offices, by other national providers, or by 
state commissions (among other venues). When working with service-
learning programs, the provider will be expected to collaborate with 
the Learn and Serve America Exchange.
    Specific tasks include, but are not limited to the following:
Training
    a. Design and deliver training in various settings and of various 
durations and levels of expertise. Such training may be organized by 
the provider in response to a request from a group of states or in the 
context of events organized by a single state commission or another 
provider or the Corporation.
    b. At minimum, the provider must conduct or provide five regional 
training sessions (one in each of the Corporation's five clusters) and 
50 state-based training sessions per year.
Technical Assistance
    a. Provide, arrange for, or connect a minimum of 450 programs to 
information, training, and technical assistance in program management 
and organizational development. Peer assistance from other Corporation-
funded programs is the preferred method of service delivery.
    b. Provide technical assistance on-site, on-line and by telephone 
in the form of one-time or multiple interventions as required. At 
minimum, the provider must conduct 75 on-site technical assistance 
visits per year. The provider will prepare an after-action report 
outlining the issues addressed, actions taken, results achieved and 
follow-up actions required. Reports must be submitted within 30 days of 
visit with copies provided to all

[[Page 67887]]

interested parties including commission staff and Corporation program 
officers.
    c. Organize and support a minimum of five (one per cluster) 
affinity groups (i.e., groups of programs defined by their common focus 
or needs).
    d. Collaborate with and broker services of other training and 
technical assistance providers (including the Learn and Serve America 
Exchange and the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse) to meet the 
needs of grantees and subgrantees.
    e. Provide expert assistance in support of Corporation-funded 
national service programs as requested.
    f. Develop training and technical assistance materials (e.g., 
resource lists, publications, training curricula, web-based documents, 
etc.) based on assessment of stream and substream needs and assets and 
that reflect effective practices in this training and technical 
assistance category. Prepare these materials in electronic format and 
submit them in prescribed format to the National Service Resource 
Center and to the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse, if 
appropriate.
2. Leadership Development (up to $425,000)
Background
    Leadership training for grantee and subgrantees is currently 
offered by the AmeriCorps Leaders and VISTA Leaders programs and by the 
National Service Leadership Institute (NSLI). NSLI and Leaders training 
events take place at various sites across the country. The provider 
hired under this category will work under the direction of the National 
Service Leadership Institute and in coordination with the AmeriCorps 
Leaders and AmeriCorps*VISTA Leaders programs in delivering the 
leadership training events available to national service program staff.
Services Needed
    Under the direction of the National Service Leadership Institute 
and Leaders programs, the provider selected in this category will 
provide curricula design assistance, training delivery, technical 
consultation and support for the ongoing development of leadership 
skills of participants in national service programs, including 75 
AmeriCorps Leaders and 75 VISTA Leaders. The provider must have the 
capability to provide logistical support for events ranging from 25-300 
participants including providing materials, coordinating training 
logistics, and arranging for travel and other support services.
    Specific tasks include, but are not limited to, the following:
Training
    a. Deliver a minimum of six scheduled leadership development events 
annually. Tasks will include coordination with National Service 
Leadership Institute staff around the curriculum, training materials 
and training team; coordination with host agency in identifying the 
training site and providing logistical support to the event; providing 
trainers and faculty; and providing lodging and per diem for 
participants. Each event is estimated to involve up to 35 participants.
    b. Deliver customized training in topics such as strategic 
leadership, change management and group facilitation or meeting 
management. Events will be one-three days in duration and based on 
existing National Service Leadership Institute curricula which can be 
customized to meet specific needs identified by staffs of state 
commissions, state offices, state education agencies or the 
Corporation. Events will be scheduled in association with a host 
agency. Tasks will include providing trainers, the training facility 
and logistical support to the event in coordination with the requesting 
organization. In FY2000, the provider is expected to deliver, at a 
minimum, 15 events of one-three days in duration.
    c. Deliver approximately eight leadership development workshops 
within the context of other special events or conferences. Such 
workshops will be on topics in the National Service Leadership 
Institute curriculum, generally be of a half day or less and will be 
tailored to the needs of the requesting organization.
    d. Under direction of the National Service Leadership Institute and 
in coordination with the directors of the various Leaders programs, 
provide trainers, materials, logistical support and follow-up for a 
total of three pre-service training (PST) events or in-service (IST) 
events each year for AmeriCorps, VISTA and NCCC Team Leaders. Fifty 
VISTA Leaders will participate for five days and 25 NCCC Leaders and 50 
AmeriCorps Leaders will participate for 14 days. Curricula for these 
events will be customized for each audience and will include such skill 
areas as problem solving, making individual and group decisions, 
resolving conflict, dealing with diversity, and facilitating small and 
large group meetings.
Technical Assistance
    a. Work with the National Service Leadership Institute to identify 
effective leadership development practices.
    b. Provide consultation and group facilitation experts for 
meetings. Generally, these meetings will be of one day or less. Ten 
such meetings will occur annually.
    c. Develop curriculum and training for special audiences or 
targeted events. The provider must be capable of obtaining and 
supporting consultants with specialized skills to work on events of 
high priority to grantees. These activities will require collaboration 
and the ability to work with diverse groups. For example, working with 
the National Service Leadership Institute, the provider will develop 
and deliver a leadership track at the National Senior Service Corps 
Conference scheduled for June 2000. Other activities and events may be 
identified and funded throughout the term of the agreement, as the need 
and resources permit.
    d. Provide on-line and telephone assistance as well as written 
resource materials to a minimum of 100 grantees or subgrantees.
    e. Develop training and technical assistance materials (e.g., 
resource lists, publications, training curricula, web-based documents, 
etc) based on assessment of stream and substream needs and that reflect 
effective practices in this training and technical assistance category. 
Prepare and submit these materials in prescribed, electronic format to 
the National Service Resource Center and, if appropriate, to the 
National Service-Learning Clearinghouse.
3. Training Design and Materials Development (up to $250,000)
Background
    It is important for this provider to know that most national 
service training takes place at the local and state levels and that 
every national service grantee is responsible for training someone--
subgrantees, members, volunteers, participants, teachers, or students, 
etc. Although some grantees are experienced in this area, many need 
help developing and implementing training plans and events that 
effectively meet the needs of their subgrantees or participants. In 
addition, most grantees handle training as one of many competing 
responsibilities and work with limited training funds.
Services Needed
    The provider in this category will work with grantees in all 
streams and substreams of Corporation-funded programs to develop 
effective training plans and provide direct assistance in organizing 
and delivering training events. Particular emphasis will be placed on 
identifying and lining up

[[Page 67888]]

effective local and peer trainers for members.
    When working with service-learning programs, the provider will be 
expected to collaborate with the Learn and Serve America Exchange.
Technical Assistance
    a. Provide technical assistance to state commissions, state 
education agency staff and other Corporation-funded programs in the 
following areas:
    (1) assessing trainees' needs and developing a systematic training 
plan;
    (2) designing effective training events (i.e., assessing trainee 
needs and assets, setting training objectives and outcomes, identifying 
trainers, managing event logistics, developing training materials, 
preparing trainers prior to the event, and evaluating training events); 
(3) planning and facilitating large and small group meetings; (4) 
identifying local training resources (e.g., trainers, training space, 
etc.); (5) using peer trainers effectively; (6) evaluating training 
events. The provider should budget for at least 12 consultancies of 
this type per year.
    b. Provide telephone and on-line technical assistance to a minimum 
of 120 grantees or subgrantees.
    c. Develop and maintain a network of geographically-dispersed 
expert resource people that includes staff from Corporation-funded 
programs.
    d. Develop technical assistance materials (e.g., resource lists, 
publications, assessment tools, model curricula, web-based documents, 
etc.) based on assessment of stream and substream needs and that 
reflect effective practices in this training and technical assistance 
category. Prepare these materials in a prescribed, electronic format 
and submit to the National Service Resource Center and, if appropriate, 
to the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse.
4. Evaluation (up to $1,000,000)
Background
    Programs funded by the Corporation must support and participate in 
program evaluation activities to meet grant requirements. The 
Corporation also encourages grantees to incorporate evaluation into 
program management and to view it as an effective tool to improve 
services, optimize results, and demonstrate the value of national 
service efforts. Although some grantees are experienced in evaluation, 
others have limited skills, knowledge, or resources in this area. The 
provider hired under this category will work with grantees to build 
their evaluation capacities.
Services Needed
    The provider will deliver outcome evaluation related training and 
technical assistance to grantees and subgrantees in all streams and 
substreams of service, including AmeriCorps*State and National 
programs, AmeriCorps*VISTA, AmeriCorps*NCCC, Learn and Serve America K-
12 and Higher Education, and the National Senior Service Corps. The 
primary means for delivering services is expected to be training for 
grantee and subgrantee staff at workshops or on-site, peer exchanges, 
development of materials, coaching through telephone consultation, 
presentations, publication of a newsletter, and maintenance of a 
resource library and web site for dissemination of training materials. 
The provider will be expected to work in collaboration with the Learn 
and Serve America Exchange when working with service-learning programs.
    Specific tasks include, but are not limited to:
Training
    a. Develop and disseminate training materials, evaluation tools, 
and literature, and maintain a resource library.
    b. Plan and deliver a minimum of 40 training-of-trainer workshops 
on request during FY2000. The provider may organize such training 
events in response to requests from grantees, subgrantees or the 
Corporation. Workshops will be on evaluation topics tailored to the 
needs of the requesting organization and may vary in duration and 
complexity. In general, workshops will be at least one-half day or one 
day in duration.
    c. Plan and deliver at least five (one for each cluster) regional 
workshops on basic and advanced evaluation topics addressing particular 
content areas or initiatives to a cross-stream audience. Workshops may 
vary between one-half and two days in duration.
Technical Assistance
    a. Provide on-line or telephone assistance to a minimum of 450 
grantees and subgrantees in all streams and substreams of service to 
build internal evaluation capacity that includes all of the following 
elements of the outcome evaluation process:
    i. outcome-oriented objectives for community service and service-
learning.
    ii. capacity building, service-learning, and participant 
development.
    iii. development and implementation of evaluation plans, including 
the use of data collection tools and strategies to gather quantitative 
and qualitative data.
    iv. data analysis procedures.
    v. methods to report progress on intermediate outcomes and the 
long-term impact of service delivery that meet internal, programmatic 
needs for self-assessment, continuous improvement, or strategic 
planning, and satisfy the information needs of multiple stakeholders.
    b. Develop the capacity of a minimum of 50 grantees and subgrantees 
to conduct or participate in program evaluations that assess the long-
term impact of service on beneficiaries, participants, institutions, 
and communities (allowing for varying levels of complexity). Examples 
include determining impact on the following: academic performance and 
literacy; social and personal development; educational attitudes or 
attainment; civic responsibility; community organizations; public 
safety; environmental restoration; community infrastructure (i.e., 
physical, informational, or institutional).
    c. Provide on-site technical assistance to approximately 80 new or 
targeted grantees and subgrantees. On-site technical assistance will be 
at least two days in duration and must include a needs assessment prior 
to the visit and follow-up after the visit. With all forms of technical 
assistance delivered, the provider will submit after-visit or 
consultation reports, outlining the issues addressed, actions taken, 
results achieved, and follow-up actions required. Reports will be 
submitted to the Corporation within 30 days of the event or visit.
    d. Develop and implement a peer exchange strategy or strategies for 
a minimum of 50 grantees and subgrantees who provide similar services, 
work with special needs populations, or form part of large-scale 
initiatives in order to develop, share, and utilize evaluation plans 
and data collection instruments that measure outcomes for 
beneficiaries, members, institutions, and communities.
    e. Develop and maintain a network of geographically-dispersed 
expert resource people, including staff from Corporation-funded 
programs, that will assist all streams of service to sustain evaluation 
capacity and efforts at and across various organizational levels (i.e., 
grantee, subgrantee, etc.).
5. Increasing Participation of Persons With Disabilities in National 
Service (up to $500,000)
Background
    We are committed to increasing the participation and retention of 
persons with disabilities in national service.

[[Page 67889]]

    It is important to note that at the time of publication of this 
announcement, disability funds can only be used to provide training and 
technical assistance services to competitively-selected 
AmeriCorps*State and National Direct programs. Services are not 
currently available to state formula or other national service 
programs.
Services Needed
    The provider will work with the Corporation's Equal Opportunity 
Office to develop and implement strategies to increase participation of 
people with disabilities in AmeriCorps state competitive and national 
direct programs by providing information on: (1) compliance with 
applicable federal laws, (2) reasonable accommodation, recruitment and 
retention of people with disabilities, and (3) national and community 
service. The provider selected in this category must have expertise 
across disabilities or a strategy for developing or accessing such 
expertise.
    Specific tasks include, but are not limited to, the following:
Training
    a. Work in close collaboration with state commissions and national 
direct grantees in the implementation of at least five cluster-based 
training workshops of 50-75 participants each. Workshops should enhance 
disability awareness, enhance staff skills to develop and support teams 
that include people with disabilities, enhance the competence of state 
commissions and parent organizations of national grantees to assess and 
select effective disability trainers and training.
    b. Design and deliver customized training on disability issues and 
strategies for at least 15 state commissions or parent organizations of 
national direct programs.
    c. Design and deliver ten program-specific training events or on-
site technical assistance.
    d. Develop and disseminate disability-related training materials.
Technical Assistance
    a. Assist the Corporation in the design and delivery of a National 
Conference on Disability and National Service to be held in January 
2001. This meeting will be attended by approximately 500 persons, 
including commission staff, disability coordinators from national 
direct grantees, representatives from disability organizations, and 
representatives from all Corporation-funded programs.
    b. Develop and implement a strategy for outreach to national 
disability organizations in order to make such organizations aware of 
opportunities that exist for people with disabilities to participate in 
national service. The Corporation anticipates that as a result of such 
outreach disability organizations and their constituents will become 
more knowledgeable about national service and will actively consider 
their service options.
    c. Develop annually, in coordination with identified Corporation, 
national direct parent organization, and commission executive 
directors, a disability-focused training-and-technical-assistance plan 
for each state commission and national direct parent organization.
    d. Develop materials, including information on effective practices, 
that are suitable for electronic or print publication.

V. Application Guidelines

A. Proposal Content and Submission

    Applicants are requested to submit one unbound, original proposal 
and two copies. Proposals may not be submitted by facsimile. Proposals 
must include the following:
1. Cover Page
    The cover page must include the name, address, phone number, fax 
number, e-mail address and world wide web site URL (if available) of 
the applicant organization and contact person; a 25-50 word summary of 
proposed training and technical assistance activities; and, the total 
funding amount requested for the first year.
2. Outline
    A one-two page outline of all proposed training and technical 
assistance activities and materials.
3. Training and Technical Assistance Delivery Plan
    A bulleted narrative of no more than 20 double-spaced, single-
sided, typed pages in no smaller than 12-point font that includes:
a. Proposed Strategy
    The applicant's proposed strategy and rationale for providing 
training and technical assistance to a diverse multi-stream national 
service audience for one year. The applicant should include the 
specific deliverables and requirements outlined in Section IV of this 
Notice as well as the following details (as appropriate) for each 
proposed training and technical assistance activity, product, and 
event: Type, learning objectives, desired learning outcomes, estimated 
audience size, number, frequency, content, skill level, and proposed 
needs assessment strategy.
b. Work Plan
    A detailed one-year work plan and timeline for completing all 
training and technical assistance activities. The work plan should 
include all deliverables and the tasks leading to them.
c. Evaluation Plan
    A plan for regularly evaluating performance and reporting findings 
and proposed improvements to the Corporation.
4. Course Outlines and Descriptions
    A 75-100 word sample course description and a course outline for 
each of two courses in the provider's content area. One course should 
be a basic two-day introductory level training course for 75-100 
inexperienced grantees and the other should be a two-day advanced level 
training course for 75-100 experienced grantees. Course outlines should 
include desired learning objectives and outcomes and the activities 
that will lead to them.
5. Description of Organizational Capacity
a. Organizational Chart
    An organizational chart that clearly shows the place of the 
training and technical assistance provider in the parent organization's 
structure.
b. Narrative
    A narrative of no more than three double-spaced, single-sided, 
typed pages in no smaller than 12-point font which describes:
    i. The organization's capacity to provide training and technical 
assistance services to five clusters nationwide, including descriptions 
of recent work similar to that being proposed.
    ii. the organization's knowledge of and experience with each stream 
of national service.
    iii. references that can be contacted related to that work.
    iv. staff strengths and backgrounds (lists and resumes, along with 
anticipated rates of pay of proposed staff and expert consultants shall 
be included in an appendix; this information is not subject to the page 
limits that are otherwise applicable).
6. Budget
    A detailed, line-item budget with hours and costs organized by 
personnel, task and sub-task and related to the activities and 
deliverables outlined in the introductory narrative and work

[[Page 67890]]

plan. Costs in proposed budgets must consist solely of costs allowable 
under applicable cost principles found in OMB Circulars. Applicants 
should be mindful that a demonstrated commitment to providing services 
in the most cost-effective manner possible will be a major 
consideration in the evaluation of proposals. (Provider match is not 
required.) The budget should indicate:
a. Hours
    Staff and expert-consultant hours and pay rates being proposed by 
task and sub-task.
b. Direct Costs
    Types and quantities of other direct costs being proposed by task 
and subtask (for example, amounts of travel; volume of other task-
related resources, such as communications, postage, etc.).
7. Budget Narrative
    Provide a budget narrative that is organized to parallel all items 
in the line-item budget and that includes the explanation and cost 
basis for all cost estimates that appear in the line-item budget. The 
narrative should clearly show the following:
a. Explanation
    How each cost was derived, using equations to reflect all factors 
considered.
b. Unit Cost
    The anticipated unit cost (with derivation) of the various 
deliverables (such as training events and technical assistance 
interventions).

B. Selection Criteria

    To ensure fairness to all applicants, the Corporation reserves the 
right to take remedial action, up to and including disqualification, in 
the event a proposal fails to comply with the requirements relating to 
page limits, line spacing, and font size. The Corporation will assess 
applications based on the criteria listed below.
1. Quality (30%)
    The Corporation will consider the quality of the proposed 
activities based on:
a. Understanding of the Corporation's Programs
    Evidence of the applicant's understanding of the goals of the 
Corporation, effective principles of adult learning, the goals of all 
of the Corporation's program streams (see Section VI. ``Glossary''), 
and the Corporation's training and technical assistance requirements 
and principles as outlined in this Notice.
b. Soundness of Proposed Strategy
    Evidence of the educational soundness, audience appropriateness, 
strategic nature (i.e., broad reaching), effectiveness and creativity 
of applicant's approach.
2. Organizational and Personnel Capacity (30%)
    The Corporation will consider the organizational capacity of the 
applicant to deliver the proposed services based on:
a. Experience
    Evidence of organizational experience in delivering research-based 
high-quality training and technical assistance, particularly in the 
area under consideration, in a flexible, responsive, collaborative and 
creative manner; experience or knowledge of national or community 
service.
b. Staff
    Evidence of training or experience in the providers' content area 
and in providing training and technical assistance to adults.
c. Grant Experience
    Demonstrated ability to manage a federal grant or apply sound 
fiscal management principles to grants and cost accounting.
d. Capacity
    Demonstrated ability to provide training and technical assistance 
services nationwide.
3. Evaluation (10%)
    The Corporation will consider how the applicant:
a. Scope of Plan
    Proposes to assess the effectiveness and need for its services and 
products delivered under the award.
b. Continuous Improvement
    Plans to use assessments of its services and products to modify and 
improve subsequent services and products.
4. Budget (30%)
    The Corporation will consider the budget based on:
a. Cost-Effectiveness
    Cost of each proposed training and technical assistance activity in 
relation to the scope and depth of the services proposed (i.e., the 
number of states, programs and individuals the proposed activities are 
intended to reach).
b. Scope
    Scope of the proposed training and technical assistance activity 
(e.g., the number of states, programs and individuals the proposed 
activities are intended to reach).
a. Clarity
    The clarity and thoroughness of the budget and budget narrative 
(see specifications under ``Budget Narrative'').

VI. Glossary of Terms

Clusters

    The Corporation's field offices are organized into five regions 
(``clusters'') as follows:
Atlantic
    Connecticut, Maine, Maryland/Delaware, Massachusetts, New 
Hampshire/Vermont, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico/
Virgin Islands, Rhode Island.
North Central
    Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North/South 
Dakota, Ohio, Wisconsin.
Pacific
    Alaska, California, Hawaii/Guam/American Samoa, Idaho, Montana, 
Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.
Southwest
    Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, New 
Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas.
Southern
    Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, 
South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia/District of Columbia, West 
Virginia.

Cluster-Based Training

    Training events planned in conjunction with the Corporation's 
regional training and technical assistance officer and the commissions, 
state offices, state education agencies or national direct and higher 
education grantees in a particular region. First priority for 
participation in cluster-based training events is usually given to the 
grantees and subgrantees within that particular region.

Grantees

    Entities funded directly by the Corporation. These include and are 
not limited to: state commissions; state education agencies; Tribes and 
U.S. Territories; national direct parent organizations; institutions, 
consortia and organizations of higher education;

[[Page 67891]]

local governments; and non-profit organizations. Many grantees also 
subgrant a significant portion of their funds to others (e.g., a state 
commission conducts a competition and review process and funds 
AmeriCorps programs throughout a state; a state education agency (SEA) 
conducts a competition and review process and funds school systems 
throughout a state). None of the 1300 Senior Corps grantees are 
permitted by regulation to subgrant.

Learn and Serve America National Service-Learning Clearinghouse

    The Learn and Serve America National Service-Learning Clearinghouse 
is a collaborative effort among twelve national partner organizations 
to collect and disseminate information on service-learning for national 
service grantees and the general public engaged in service-learning. 
Housed at the University of Minnesota, the Clearinghouse maintains and 
operates a web site and service-learning listservs, a library of print 
and media materials related to service-learning, and a toll-free 
information and referral service. Providers will be required to submit 
copies of service-learning related training materials and training 
scripts to the Learn and Serve America National Service-Learning 
Clearinghouse.

Learn and Serve America Training and Technical Assistance Exchange

    The Learn and Serve America Training and Technical Assistance 
Exchange, led by the National Youth Leadership Council, supports 
service-learning programs in schools, institutions of higher education, 
and community organizations through peer-based training and technical 
assistance. The Exchange links programs with local peer mentors, refers 
programs to regional trainers, and informs programs of regional 
service-learning events and initiatives. When providing training and 
technical assistance to Learn and Serve America grantees or 
subgrantees, providers will be required to coordinate with the 
Exchange.

National Service Resource Center (NSRC)

    Currently managed by ETR Associates, Inc., Santa Cruz, California, 
the National Service Resource Center (NSRC) serves as a repository of 
information on all aspects of national service. The NSRC manages most 
of the Corporation's listservs and its web site includes a calendar of 
training events and links to all current providers. The NSRC also has a 
lending library. Training and technical assistance publications are 
posted or distributed by the NSRC. Providers will be required to submit 
copies of their training materials and training scripts to the National 
Service Resource Center.

Stream of Service

    Refers to the Corporation's three main programs: AmeriCorps, Learn 
and Serve America and National Senior Service Corps. Cross-stream 
activities, therefore, refer to activities conducted or attended by 
representatives from more than one program stream.

Subgrantees

    Many Corporation grantees competitively award a significant portion 
of their funds to other entities known as subgrantees. State 
commissions, for example, subgrant to local non-profit organizations. 
Senior Corps programs do not subgrant (see ``Grantees'').

Substream of Service

    Refers to the categories within each of the above streams and 
includes the following:
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps*State
AmeriCorps*National
AmeriCorps*VISTA
AmeriCorps*National Civilian Community Corps
Learn and Serve America
Learn and Serve America K-12 School-Based and Community-Based Programs
Learn and Serve America Higher Education programs
National Senior Service Corps
Foster Grandparent Program
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
Senior Companion Program

Training and Technical Assistance Listserv

    Currently managed by the National Service Resource Center, the 
training and technical assistance listserv is one of the ways providers 
share best practices with one another. Providers also share effective 
practices through the National Service Resource Center and the National 
Service-Learning Clearinghouse.

(CFDA No. 94.009 Training and Technical Assistance)

    Dated: November 29, 1999.
William Bentley,
Director, Department of Evaluation and Effective Practices, Corporation 
for National and Community Service.
[FR Doc. 99-31409 Filed 12-2-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6050-28-U