[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 191 (Monday, October 2, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58808-58817]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-25060]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Solicitation for Technical Assistance and Training Grants 
Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor

ACTION: Notice of Solicitation for Grant Applications (SGA) for 
training and capacity building of case management system staff of 
grantees for the National Farmworkers Jobs Program (NFJP); Capacity 
Building of Service Delivery Staff.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training 
Administration (ETA) announces a Solicitation for Grant Applications 
(SGA) to create staff development opportunities for National 
Farmworkers Jobs Program grantees.
    This notice contains all of the necessary information and forms 
needed to apply for grant funding.

DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications for grant awards 
shall be October 31, 2000 by 4 p.m. eastern standard time. No 
exceptions to the mailing and hand-delivery conditions will be granted. 
Applications that do not meet the conditions set forth in this notice 
will not be considered. Tele facsimile (FAX) applications will not be 
honored.

ADDRESSES: Applications shall be mailed or hand-delivered to: U.S. 
Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Division 
of Federal Assistance, Attention: Lorraine Saunders, 200 Constitution 
Avenue, NW, Room S-4203; Washington, DC 20210. Reference: SGA/DFA-00-
112.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fax questions to Lorraine Saunders, 
Division of Federal Assistance at (202) 219-8698, ext. 145. This is not 
a toll-free number. All inquiries sent via fax should include the SGA 
number (DFA-00-112) and a contact name, fax and phone number. This 
solicitation will also be published on the Internet on the Employment 
and Training Administration's Home Page at http://doleta.gov. Award 
notifications will also be published on this Homepage.

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Part I. Introduction

    The purpose of these funds is for training and staff development 
activities, of the service delivery system staff, that would not 
otherwise be performed by the NFJP grantee. Emphasis should be placed 
on the training needs of staff who work directly with WIA Sec. 167 
migrant and seasonal farm workers (MSFW), such as case management, 
outreach, intake, and other staff who interact directly with WIA 
Sec. 167 clients. This SGA encourages strategies to utilize grantee 
focused staff training approaches and discourages large conference type 
approaches. To the extent possible, training options are local focused 
and will use local resources.
    The proposal must consist of four (4) Sections covering the 
applicants understanding of the requirement: Proposed Training 
Module(s) and Strategy (Section 1), Expected outcomes (Section 2), 
Consortium Arrangement (Section 3), and Proposed Budget (Section 4). 
Any pertinent Attachments may be included in (Section 5), which is 
optional.
    For rating purposes, each of the first four sections is assigned a 
number of possible points, and the sum of the maximum possible points 
for the four sections total 100. The most heavily weighted criteria is 
Section 2, which covers the expected outcome.

Authority

    Section 167 (Sec. 669.110) of WIA authorizes the Department to 
provide funds for capacity enhancement as part of technical assistance 
activities provided to grantees. The MSFW program has an established 
record of support for grantee staff development and training funded 
from the discretionary budget allocated to the MSFW program.

Eligible Applicants

    DSFP has long supported a peer-to-peer approach in the delivery of 
training within the NFJP community. This SGA thus seeks to use grantee 
supported consortiums to ensure a grantee focused training strategy. 
The following organizations are eligible to apply:
    (1) Non-profit (501C-3) associations/organizations of NFJP 
grantees;
    (2) Consortiums of cooperating NFJP grantees serving a specific 
regional geographic area.

Funding

    The Department has reserved up to $500,000 nationally for this 
purpose. The final awards will attempt to include every NFJP service 
delivery area and it will promote capacity building of case management 
system through staff development.

Grant Duration and Period of Performance

    The Department anticipates that grants will be funded for one year 
with an option to extend for one additional year, as necessary. The 
period of performance is expected to commence during December, 2000.

Part II. Application Process and Guidelines

Submission of the Grant Application Package

    In accordance with the requirements above, applicants must also 
submit an original and three (3) copies of their proposal, with 
original signatures.
    Applications must be mailed no later than five (5) days prior to 
the closing date for the receipt of applications. However if 
applications are hand-delivered, they must be received at the 
designated place by 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time on October 31, 2000, the 
closing date for receipt of applications. All overnight mail will be 
considered to be hand-delivered and must be received at the designated 
place by the specified time and closing date. Telegraphed and/or faxed 
proposals will not be honored. Applications that fail to adhere to the 
above instructions will not be honored.

Late Applications

    Any application received at the office designated in the 
solicitation after the exact time specified for receipt will not be 
considered unless it
    (a) Was sent by U.S. Postal Service registered or certified mail 
not later than the fifth calendar day before the closing date specified 
for receipt of applications (e.g. an offer submitted in response to a 
solicitation requiring a receipt of application by the 30th of January 
must have been mailed by the 25th): or
    (b) Was sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail Next Day Service--
Post Office to Addressee, not later than 5 p.m. at the place of mailing 
two working days prior to the date specified for receipt of 
application. The term ``working days'' excludes weekends and U.S. 
Federal holidays.
    The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of a late 
application sent by U.S. Postal Service registered or certified mail is 
the U.S. postmark on the envelope or wrapper and on the original 
receipt from the U.S. Postal Service. Both postmarks must show a 
legible date or the proposal will be processed as if it had been mailed 
late. ``Postmark'' means a printed, stamped, or otherwise placed 
impression (exclusive of a postage meter machine impression) that is 
readily identifiable without further action as having been applied or 
affixed by an employee of the U.S. Postal Service on the date of 
mailing. Therefore, applicants should request the postal clerk to place 
a legible hand cancellation ``bulls eye'' postmark on both the receipt 
and the envelope or wrapper.
    The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of a 
late application sent by ``Express Mail Next Day Service--Post Office 
to Addressee'' is the date entered by the post office receiving clerk 
on the Express Mail Next Day--Post Office to Addressee label and the 
postmarks on both the envelope and the wrapper and the original receipt 
from the U.S. Postal Service. ``Postmark'' has the same meaning as 
defined above. Therefore, an applicant should request the postal clerk 
to place a legible hand cancellation ``bulls eye'' postmark on both the 
receipt and the envelope or wrapper.

Withdrawal of Applications

    Applications may be withdrawn by written notice or telegram 
(including mailgram) received at any time before award. Applications 
may be withdrawn in person by the applicant or by an authorized 
representative thereof, if the representative's identity is made known 
and the representative signs a receipt for the proposal.

Grant Application Package

    The grant application package must consist of:
    (1) The proposal shall contain the Standard Form (SF) 424, 
``Application for Federal Assistance'' (Appendix A). All copies of the 
(SF) 424 must have original signatures of the legal entity applying for 
grant funding. Applicants shall indicate on the (SF) 424 the 
organization's IRS status, if applicable. According to the Lobbying 
Disclosure Act of 1995, Section 18, an organization described in 
section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which engages in 
lobbying activities is not eligible for the receipt of federal funds 
constituting an award, grant, or loan.
    (2) A certification prepared within the last six months, attesting 
to the adequacy of the entity's fiscal management and accounting 
systems to account for and safeguard Federal funds properly. The 
Certification should be obtained as follows:
    (a) For incorporated organizations, a certification from a 
Certified Public Accountant; or
    (b) for a public agency, a certification by its Chief Financial 
Officer;

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    (3) A statement indicating the entity's legally constituted 
authority under which the organization functions. A nonprofit 
organization should submit a copy of its Charter or Articles of 
Incorporation, including proof of the organization's nonprofit status;
    (4) The applicant's employer identification number (EIN) issued by 
the Internal Revenue Service;
    (5) Applications from a Consortium of organizations must include a 
copy of the Consortium agreement and must identify the consortium which 
will act as the administrative entity for the project. The agreement 
must include stated arrangements for administrative and financial 
responsibility that are acceptable to the Grant Officer.
    (6) Budget Information Sheet with a narrative description of each 
line item. (Attached)
    (7) Copy of most current Indirect Cost Rate Agreement issued by the 
cognizant federal agency, if applicable.
    (8) the entity's application for grant funding as described below:

Format of the Grant Application Package

    The grant proposal text is limited to 30 double-spaced, single-
side, numbered 8\1/2\"  x  11" pages, in 12-point type and having 
margins measuring at least one inch (Page numbers may be placed within 
the margin space.) This includes attachments.
    To ensure full consideration, the application must follow the 
numerical sequence of the Sections 1 through 4 as listed below, and 
must include a table of contents. All attachments are to be included in 
Section 5. Credit may not be afforded in instances where items are not 
addressed in the proper section.

Contents of the Grant Application

    All grant proposals accepted for consideration must be prepared in 
accordance with the requirements set forth below.
Section 1. Proposed Training Module(s) and Strategy
    The applicant must describe the proposed area of service and the 
training strategy/approach in response to the staff training needs 
within the identified area. The design proposed must be one that will 
bring a local focus on training NFJP case management system staff.
    Address identified needs: The proposal must identify specific 
challenges and staff training needs to be addressed.
    Incorporate a Design Characteristics: Training strategies/
approaches must respond to the identified needs and should be designed 
to incorporate at least one of the following characteristics for 
purposes of regional application.
     Ease of portability.
     Ease of replicability.
     Flexibility (use of optional learning styles).
     Credentialing development through an accredited 
institution.
    Rating basis for Part II, Section 1: 25 points. Scoring will be 
based on the strength of the design and strategies proposed to:
     Respond to the identified training needs;
     Incorporate at least one design characteristic
     Meet the training needs of the identified geographic area; 
and, sbull The capacity of its delivery approach/design to successfully 
implement the training.
Section 2. Expected Outcomes
    This section should describe the expected outcomes and benefits to 
be gained by the participating program staff and how the proposal is 
designed to deliver those outcomes. The proposed training strategy and 
design must include at least two knowledge and skills area. Training 
may include, but is not limited to, any of the following and other 
areas as identified by the proposer and relevant to the delivery of the 
NFJP.
     Developing staff knowledge and skills for managing of 
clients' Individual Service Strategies (e.g. developing interviewing 
skills, building trust, making objective assessments through evaluation 
and testing, etc.);
     The case management process and needed associated skills. 
(e.g. developing and monitoring appropriate training activities, 
determining appropriate referrals and other intervention point);
     WIA One-Stop System Partnerships (including cross 
training, client advocacy skills, building community support for the 
NFJP program and farmworkers);
     Building resources for NFJP grantee case management 
systems.
     Other identified training needs such as credentialed 
training (relevant to NFJP), use of technology.
    Rating basis for Part II, Section 2: 60 points. This section will 
be scored based on how capacity of participating staff would be 
enhanced via the proposed training and training method, and capacity of 
the training modules to be a replicable, potable, comprehensive and 
consistent approach to capacity enhancement of skills for staff in the 
identified service area.
Section 3. Consortium Arrangement
    For purposes of this proposal, an acceptable consortium arrangement 
shall consist of three or more signatory eligible applicants, supported 
by a Consortium Working Agreement between all the cooperating parties 
under the proposed design. The agreement must designate one of the 
consortium's members as the responsible administrative entity under the 
grant. Please:
     Identify each state service area and the respective NFJP 
grantee included in the composition of the regional area proposed to be 
served under this proposal (a state area may be included in only one 
proposed regional service area/consortium agreement);
     Identify by number and job title (e.g.: 3 case managers), 
the estimated staff which will participate in the proposed training 
(cumulative for the regional area included in this proposal);
    Rating basis for Part II, Section 3: 10 points. The scoring will be 
based on the demonstrated capacity of the agreements to sustain the 
training strategy.
Section 4. Budget
    Please submit a proposed budget for costs associated with the 
proposed training strategy. Administrative costs for purposes of the 
project are limited to 10% of total costs. Include a narrative 
explanation for how proposed costs are determined.
    Rating basis for Part II, Section 4: 5 points. The scoring will be 
based on the demonstrated reasonableness of the budget request relative 
to the proposed training and area to be served.
Section 5: Attachments
    All attachments referenced in the proposal are to be included in 
this section of the proposal. The first page in this section should 
itemize the included attachments.

Part III. Review Process of Grant Application

Panel Review

    The Grant Officer will select potential grantees utilizing all 
information available to him/her. A technical review panel will rate 
each proposal using the specified criteria cited above. Panel results 
are advisory in nature and are not binding on the Grant Officer.
    The Grant Officer may, at his or her discretion, request an 
applicant to submit additional or clarifying information if deemed 
necessary to make a selection. However, selections may be made without 
further contact with the applicants.

[[Page 58811]]

Responsibility Review

    Prior to awarding a grant to any applicant, the Department will 
conduct a responsibility review. The responsibility review is an 
analysis of available information and records to determine if an 
applicant has established a satisfactory history of accounting for 
Federal funds and property. The responsibility review is independent of 
the competitive process. Applicants failing to meet the requirements of 
this action may be disqualified for designation as a grantee without 
respect to their standing in the competitive process. An applicant that 
is not selected as a result of the Grant Officer's responsibility 
review will be advised of its appeal rights.

Notification of Non Selection

    Any applicant that is not selected as a potential grantee, or that 
has its grant application denied in whole or in part by the Department 
for receipt of funds, will be notified in writing by the Grant Officer 
and will be advised of all appeal rights.

Notification of Selection

    Applicants that are selected will be notified in writing by the 
Grant Officer. Formal designation as a grantee will be contingent on 
the successful negotiation of a grant agreement for the first year of 
operation

Part IV. Reporting Requirements

Activity Reporting

    Grantees must provide a quarterly narrative statement describing 
the staff training and technical assistance activities obtained under 
the grant. Copies of all training modules and actual training 
curriculum delivered are to accompany each quarterly report.

Financial Reporting

    Standard Form 269 or financial report is due to be reported 45 days 
following close of the grant activity.

Cost Flexibility and Limitations

    (a) These grant funds are discretionary WIA Sec. 167 funds 
earmarked for staff training and technical assistance and serving as a 
supplement to the grantee's on-going staff training activities. The 
administrative cost limitation applicable to the WIA Sec. 167 
employment and training grants also apply to these grants.
    (b) Grant funds may be used for per diem and lodging costs as 
otherwise appropriate. Transportation will not be covered under these 
grants.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on this 25th day of September 2000.
Lorraine H. Saunders,
Grant/Contracting Officer/DOL/ETA.
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[FR Doc. 00-25060 Filed 9-29-00; 8:45 am]
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