[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 211 (Tuesday, October 31, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64991-65007]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-27930]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Workforce Investment Act, Section 171(d), Demonstration Program: 
Incumbent/Dislocated Worker Skill Shortage II Demonstration Program

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of Funds and Solicitation for Grant 
Applications (SGA).

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    This notice contains all of the necessary information and forms 
needed to apply for grant funding.

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training 
Administration (ETA), announces a second demonstration program to test 
the ability of the workforce development system to create projects or 
industry-led consortia for the purpose of upgrading current workers, 
designing or adapting training curricula in skills shortage 
occupational areas, or in regionally important business/industry areas 
including manufacturing and machining, and specialized industrial areas 
such as plastics, telecommunications and the environment, and to 
recruit/retrain workers in these occupations.

DATES: The closing date for receipt of this application is January 16, 
2001. Applications must be received by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. No 
exceptions to the mailing and hand-delivery conditions

[[Page 64992]]

set forth in this notice will be granted. Applications that do not meet 
the conditions set forth in this notice will not be considered. 
Telefacsimile (FAX) applications will not be honored.

ADDRESSES: Applications must be mailed or hand-delivered to: U.S. 
Department of Labor; Employment and Training Administration, Division 
of Federal Assistance, Attention: Marian G. Floyd, Reference: SGA/DAA 
00-113, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room S-4203, Washington, D.C. 
20210.
    Hand-Delivered Proposals. Proposals should be mailed at least five 
(5) days prior to the closing date. However, if proposals are hand 
delivered, they must be received at the designated address by 4:00 
p.m., Eastern Time on Tuesday, January 16, 2001. All overnight mail 
will be considered to be hand-delivered and must be received at the 
designated place by the specified closing date and time. Telegraphed, 
e-mailed and/or faxed proposals will not be honored. Failure to adhere 
to the above instructions will be a basis for a determination of non 
responsiveness.
    Late Proposals. A proposal received at the office designated in the 
solicitation after the exact time specified for receipt will not be 
considered unless it is received before the award is made and was 
either:
     Sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail Next Day Service 
Post Office to Addressee, not later than 5:00 p.m. at the place of 
mailing two working days prior to the date specified for receipt of the 
proposals. The term ``working days'' exclude weekends and U.S. Federal 
holidays.
     Sent by U.S. Postal Service registered or certified mail 
not later than the fifth (5th) calendar day before the date specified 
for receipt of applications (e.g., an offer submitted in response to a 
solicitation requiring receipt of applications by the 20th of the month 
must be mailed by the 15th). The only acceptable evidence to establish 
the date of mailing of a late proposal sent by either U.S. Postal 
Service registered or certified mail is the U.S. postmark both 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 shall 
be processed as if 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 supplied and affixed by an employee of the U.S. Postal 
Service on the date of the mailing. Therefore, offerors should request 
the postal clerk to place a legible hand cancellation ``bull's eye'' 
postmark on both the receipt and the envelope or wrapper. Both 
postmarks must show a legible date, or the application shall be 
processed as though it had been mailed late.
    Withdrawal of Applications. Applications may be withdrawn by 
written notice or telegram (including a mail gram) received at any time 
before an award is made. 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fax questions to Marian G. Floyd, 
Division of Federal Assistance at (202) 219-8739 (this is not a toll-
free number). All inquiries sent via a fax should include the SGA/DAA 
00-113 and contact name, fax and phone number. This solicitation will 
also be published on the Internet on the Employment and Training 
Administration's (ETA) Home Page at http://www.doleta.gov. Award 
notifications will also be published on the ETA Home Page.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ETA is soliciting proposals on a competitive 
basis for the incumbent/dislocated workers' skill shortage II 
demonstration program. It is envisioned that the program will encompass 
the upgrading of current workers, designing or adapting training 
curricula in skills shortage occupational areas, or in regionally 
important business/industry areas including manufacturing and 
machining, and specialized industrial areas.
    This announcement consists of five (5) parts:
     Part I--Background.
     Part II--Eligible Applicants and the Application Process.
     Part III--Statement of Work.
     Part IV--Rating Criteria and Award Selection Process.
     Part V--Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation.

Part I. Background

A. Authority

    Section 171(d) of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) (29 
U.S.C. 2916) authorizes the use of funds for demonstration projects 
from funds made available to the Secretary under Section 132(a)(2)(A) 
of WIA (29 U.S.C. 2862). In addition, the DOL FY 2000 Appropriations 
Act of November 17, 1999, authorizes dislocated worker demonstration 
projects that provide assistance to new entrants in the workforce and 
incumbent workers. Demonstration program grantees must comply with all 
applicable federal and state laws and regulations in setting up and 
carrying out their program.

B. Purpose

    The purpose of this demonstration program is to test the ability of 
the workforce development system to create projects or industry-led 
consortia for the purpose of upgrading current workers, designing or 
adapting training curricula in skills shortage occupational areas, or 
in regionally important business/industry areas including manufacturing 
and machining, and specialized industrial areas such as plastics, 
telecommunications and the environment, and to recruit/retrain workers 
in these occupations. The dislocated and/or incumbent workers who will 
be assisted by these efforts include specific groups such as 
agricultural workers, low skilled workers, and those needing assistance 
in overcoming barriers to employment. These barriers to employment may 
be caused by living in rural communities, having limited options for 
transportation to work, having inadequate or obsolete skills or having 
skills in declining occupations. The focus of these efforts will be on 
skills training in skills shortage occupations including welding and 
metals, new and growing occupations in technological fields such as 
information technology, telecommunications, and other fields in which 
technology skills are critical parts of the jobs emerging in their 
regional labor markets. Any consortia established as a result of this 
competition would also be expected to enhance the strategic planning 
efforts and policy efforts of local boards under the Workforce 
Investment Act in these areas.
    This $8.2 million dislocated and incumbent worker demonstration 
program will support the creation of projects to respond to employer-
identified skill shortages in regional labor markets with a focus on 
assisting the types of workers and types of occupational-industrial 
areas noted above. Such projects could encompass the creation of 
industry-led consortia which can design or adapt training curricula in 
skill shortage occupational areas or in key regional businesses. This 
program will build on two Departmental demonstration programs announced 
in June 2000--the $9.2 million comprehensive incumbent/dislocated 
worker retraining demonstration and the $10.3 million demonstration 
program for training in high skill jobs to meet critical labor 
shortages.

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Part II. Eligible Applicants and the Application Process

A. Eligible Applicants and Participants

    Any organization capable of fulfilling the terms and conditions of 
this solicitation may apply. Applicants should note that, prior to any 
selection as a grantee, ETA will review its agency records to assess 
the applicant organization's overall record in administering federal 
funds as provided in 20 CFR 667.170. Applicants also should know that 
this is a risk free federal program; therefore, all for profit 
organizations that apply will not be able to receive a fee if awarded a 
grant.
    All participants who receive services in projects funded under this 
demonstration program must be either:
    (a) Eligible dislocated workers as defined at Section 101(9) of the 
Workforce Investment Act. This section of the law may be viewed at 
http://usworkforce.org/asp/act.asp Proposed projects may target 
subgroups of the eligible population based on factors such as, but not 
limited to occupation, industry, nature of dislocation, and reason for 
unemployment; or
    (b) Incumbent workers. These are currently-employed workers whose 
employers have determined that the workers require training in order to 
help keep their firms competitive and the subject workers employed, 
avert layoffs, upgrade workers' skills, increase wages earned by 
employees and/or keep workers' skills competitive. Such training would 
support further job retention and career development for improved 
economic self-sufficiency for employed workers, especially those most 
vulnerable to job loss, and increase the capability of the employing 
firm(s) to access and retain skilled workers.

B. Allowable Activities

    Funds provided through this demonstration may be used only to 
provide services of the types described at Sections 134 (d)(2)(A-
D)(J)(ii)(K), (d)(3)(C), (d)(4)(D), (e)(2), and (e)(3) of WIA. These 
encompass basic cores, more intensive, and training activities along 
with supportive services. The latter may be provided when they are 
necessary to enable an individual who is eligible for training, but 
cannot afford to pay for such supportive services, to participate in 
the training program. Supportive services are defined in Section 
101(46) of WIA. (Use ETA's web site referenced above to view.)
    Grant funds may be used to reimburse employers for extraordinary 
costs associated with on-the-job training of program participants, in 
accordance with the provisions of 20 CFR 663.710. In addition to those 
provisions, prospective applicants should be aware that grant funds may 
not be used for the following purposes:
    (a) for training that an employer is in a position to provide and 
would have provided in the absence of the requested grant;
    (b) to pay salaries for program participants; and
    (c) for acquisition of production equipment.
    Applicants may budget limited amounts of grant funds to work with 
technical experts or consultants to provide advice and develop more 
complete project plans after a grant award, however, the level of 
details in the project plan may affect the amount of funding provided.
    Grant activities may include:
    (a) development, testing and initial application of curricula 
focused on intensive, short-term training to get participants into 
productive, high demand employment as quickly as possible;
    (b) working with employers to develop and apply worksite-based 
learning strategies that utilize cutting-edge technology and equipment;
    (c) development of employer-based training programs that will take 
advantage of opportunities created by employers' needs for workers with 
new skills;
    (d) development and initial application of contextual learning 
opportunities for participants to learn occupational theory in a 
classroom setting while applying that learning in an on-the-job 
setting;
    (e) use of curriculum and skills training programs that are 
designed to impart learning to meet employer-specified or industry 
specific skill standards or certification requirements;
    (f) convening of an Employer Advisory Board to identify skills gaps 
of job applicants and present workers which effect competitive 
production and to develop a strategy for retraining;
    (g) innovative linkage and collaboration between employers and the 
local Workforce Investment Board (WIB) and/or One-Stop/Career Center 
system to ensure a steady supply of targeted workers.
    The above are illustrative examples and are not intended to be an 
exhaustive listing of possible demonstration project designs or 
approaches which may achieve the purpose of this solicitation.

C. Coordination

    In order to maximize the use of public resources and avoid 
duplication of effort, applicants will coordinate the delivery of 
services under this demonstration with the delivery of services under 
other programs (public or private), available to all or part of the 
target group. Projects linking or collaborating with an existing WIA 
funded One-Stop/Career Center and/or local Workforce Investment Board 
located within a project area fulfill this requirement. The use of Pell 
Grants for eligible workers or the use of State training or education 
funds provided for dislocated workers or certain types of employers 
should also be addressed in the application. Where appropriate, 
partnerships should also include trade unions, manufacturing extension 
programs, economic development organizations, training institutions, 
and other local stakeholders. Any efforts proposed in isolation will 
not have the maximum impact on building capacity within that region or 
industry and are not likely to be funded.

D. Wages

    Proposals must provide assurance that all participating firms which 
employ successful training completers have committed to pay wages to 
these completers at the wage level set by any collective bargaining 
agreement which covers positions to be filled by the project 
participants, or, if no such agreement exists, at a level at least 
equal to meeting the lower living standard income level as defined in 
Section 101(24) of WIA.

E. Grant Awards

    It is anticipated that $8.2 million will be available to fund these 
projects. DOL anticipates awarding 6 to 12 grants, with an estimated 
range of $200,000 to $3 million per grant, with no individual grant 
exceeding $3 million.

F. Period of Performance

    The period of performance shall be 24 months from the date of 
execution by the Government.

G. Option To Extend

    DOL may elect to exercise its option to extend these grants for an 
additional one (1) or two (2) years of operation, based on the 
availability of demonstration funding under the Workforce Investment 
Act, successful program operation, and the determination that a 
grantee's initial program findings could further inform the workforce 
development system through refinement of the present demonstration.

H. Proposal Submission

    Applicants must submit four (4) copies of their proposal with 
original signatures. The proposal must consist of

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two (2) distinct parts, Part I and Part II. Part I of the proposal, the 
financial application, shall contain the Standard Form SF-424, 
``Application for Federal Assistance'' (Appendix A) and the Budget 
Information Sheet (Appendix B). The Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog 
number is 17.246. Applicants shall indicate on the SF-424 the 
organization's IRS status, if applicable. According to the Lobbying 
Disclosure Act of 1995, section 18, an organization described in 
section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which engages in 
lobbying activities shall not be eligible for the receipt of federal 
funds constituting an award, grant, or loan. The individual signing the 
SF-424 on behalf of the applicant must represent the responsible 
financial and administrative entity for a grant should that application 
result in an award.
    The budget must include on separate pages detailed breakouts of 
each proposed budget line item found in the budget information sheet 
including detailed administrative costs. The Salaries line item shall 
be used to document the project staffing plan by providing a detailed 
listing of each staff position providing more than .05 FTE support to 
the project, by annual salary, number of months assigned to 
demonstration responsibilities, and FTE percentage to be charged to the 
grant. In addition, for the Contractual line item, each planned 
contract and the amount of the contract shall be listed. For each 
budget line item that includes funds or in-kind contributions from a 
source other than the requested grant funds, the source, the amount, 
and in-kind contributions, including any restrictions that may apply to 
these funds, shall be identified. Costs associated with the development 
of curriculum and other one-time costs should be noted separately in 
order for reviewers to identify costs associated with development and 
start-up as well as ongoing participant costs. In addition, the budget 
shall provide sufficient funds for four persons' trips to meetings in 
Washington, D.C. and other locations.
    Part II, the technical proposal, shall demonstrate the offerors's 
capabilities in accordance with the Statement of Work in Part III of 
this solicitation. The technical proposal shall be limited to thirty 
(30) double-spaced, single-side, 8.5-inch x 11-inch pages with 1-inch 
margins. An Executive Summary not to exceed two pages must be included 
and will be counted within the 30 page limits. Attachments shall not 
exceed twenty (20) pages including the required Appendices A-D listed 
at the end of this SGA. Text type shall be 11 point or larger. No cost 
data or reference to price shall be included in the technical proposal.

Part III. Statement of Work

    Each technical proposal must follow the format outlined here. As 
noted in Part IV, each criterion on which proposals will be rated 
relates to specific sections of this Part against which the criterion 
will be applied. Failure to provide the information requested in the 
specific section prescribed in this Part will result in a reduced 
rating of the evaluation criterion(a) to which that section applies. 
For every section, A through F, the application should include: (1) 
Information that responds to the requirements in this Part; (2) 
information that indicates adherence to the provisions described in 
Parts I and II of this solicitation; and (3) other information the 
offerors believe will address the rating criteria identified in Part 
IV.
    Information required under B and C below shall be provided 
separately for each labor market area where incumbent and dislocated 
workers will be served. To the extent that the project design differs 
for different geographic areas, information required under section D 
below shall be provided for each geographic area.

A. Project Purpose

    Describe the specific purpose or purposes of the proposed project.

B. Skill/Occupational/Industrial Shortage Areas

    Identify those skills/occupational/industrial shortage areas to be 
addressed by the project. Such areas must be one or more of those 
identified in Part I.B above. The identity and geographic locations of 
those firms which currently have these shortages and which will be 
targeted for assistance under this project must be provided. 
Corroborating evidence (footnote sources) also should be presented, 
based on local or regional data and information, of the current 
existence of the identified shortages in the given geographic area with 
respect to both job demand and the lack of qualified job applicants.

    Note: Information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 
available through a variety of web sites including BLS, O*NET and 
America's Labor Market Information System (ALMIS), should be 
considered as a key source of documentation. In addition, State 
Occupational Information Coordinating Committee (SOICC) and local 
WIB job training plans may also be considered. Other sources from 
the private sector such as Chamber of Commerce or local Technology 
Council surveys as well as university studies are also acceptable.

    For each firm to be served, an authorizing letter should be 
included in the proposal's attachments indicating: (1) The skill 
area(s) of the firm's current shortage, (2) the duration of the 
shortage, (3) the magnitude of the shortage as reflected in the current 
and, if applicable, projected number of: (a) Unfilled job openings and/
or (b) encumbered positions for which employees lack needed knowledge 
of the identified skill area, (4) plans for utilizing successful 
training completers, and (5) a commitment to adhere to the wage 
requirements for successful training completers as provided in Part 
II.D.

C. Targeted Workers

    Identify the targeted workers who will receive the training and 
other services to be provided through this project. Indicate the number 
to be trained for each firm identified in section B above and whether 
they will be incumbent workers of the firm and/or recruited dislocated 
workers. For incumbent workers, discuss the types of positions these 
employees currently occupy, and, if training is voluntary, the 
availability of a sufficient number of workers. For dislocated workers, 
provide evidence that sufficient numbers of dislocated workers with 
appropriate backgrounds will be available for training and placement 
with participating firms. Describe the process to be used in 
documenting the incumbent or dislocated workers' status of the project 
participants consistent with the requirements in Part II.A.

D. Services

    Describe the strategy and service components to be applied in 
addressing the skill/occupational/ industrial shortages identified in 
section B above. (Note: the services to be provided must be consistent 
with the provisions of Part II.B.) Insert a brief chart of the 
sequencing of the services to be provided. Include in this discussion 
detail regarding the service components identified below and any 
additional components proposed:
     Recruitment/outreach--depending on which type(s) of 
workers will be assisted by this project, indicate how incumbent 
workers will be recruited within the participating firms and/or how 
dislocated workers in the local/regional area(s) served will be 
recruited. Briefly describe any recruitment materials to be developed.
     Training--its general content, duration, and methods of 
instruction. Indicate whether the curriculum to be used is ready for 
use, will need to be adapted from an existing version, or will

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be developed. If applicable, briefly discuss the development process to 
be utilized. Discuss the appropriateness of the curriculum in 
addressing the identified shortages in section B above with particular 
reference to any pertinent skill or industrial standards. Discuss the 
suitability of the training in regard to the backgrounds and experience 
of the targeted workers described in section C above.
     Supportive services--describe each and the circumstances 
under which they would be provided.
     Placement--describe the process to be used once training 
is completed for placing dislocated workers into the skill shortage 
jobs identified in participating firms and how a firm's incumbent 
workers will be placed in either new jobs or their new skills will be 
utilized in their existing positions.
     Post-placement services--if applicable, describe such 
services and the circumstances under which they would be provided.
    With reference to the service components to be utilized, describe 
the coordination of services to be undertaken. This description must 
include the requirements referenced in Part II.C. In addition, if 
applicable, describe any parallel efforts by participating firms to 
address their skill shortages in conjunction with the training being 
provided.

E. Performance Goals, Measures, and Outcomes

    Describe the performance goals to be met by this project, the 
justification of the goals set, and the performance measures to be used 
in assessing the attainment of those goals in regard to the following 
outcomes:
     The reduction of identified shortages in participating 
firms as a result of the training/services provided
     The effect of reduced shortages on one or more dimensions 
of the participating firms' performance, e.g., productivity, sales, 
profitability, on time deliveries
     The effect on participating workers including skill gains, 
utilization of the new skills learned, wages, wage gains, and job 
satisfaction.

    Note: in setting goals for wages, the wages for training 
completers must meet the requirements of Part II.D.

    Projects may also include other performance goals and measures for 
other outcomes as applicable.

F. Staffing and Organization

    Describe staffing for the project including the numbers and types 
of positions and associated full-time equivalents (FTE's), along with 
very brief (2-3 sentences) descriptions of duties. Include all 
positions for the project whether funded by federal grant funds or by 
other sources. This staffing description must be directly related to 
the proposal budget submitted in the financial application. Provide a 
project organizational chart identifying the positions and their 
relationships to each other. Include an explanation of this staffing in 
relation to the project's purpose, services, and performance goals.
    Include, if applicable, a description of any industry-led 
consortium/Employer Advisory Board (existing or specially formed for 
this project) that will provide guidance to this project. Describe the 
consortium's role in this effort and its membership.
    Describe the connection between this project and the local 
Workforce Investment Board(s) in the local areas in which the firms to 
be served are located with particular reference to: (1) The 
coordination of services to be provided worker participants (see Part 
II.C.) and (2) if applicable, the relationship of the industry-led 
consortium/Employer Advisory Board with the local WIB(s) in regard to 
strategy planning and policy efforts (see Part I.B.). Include as an 
attachment a letter(s) from the local WIB(s) indicating its commitments 
to working with this project, if funded.

Part IV. Rating Criteria and Award Selection Process

    A careful evaluation of applications will be made by a technical 
review panel who will evaluate the applications against the criteria 
listed in the SGA. The panel results will be advisory in nature and not 
binding on the Grant Officer. The Government may elect to award grants 
with or without discussions with the offerors. In situations without 
discussions, an award will be based on the offerors's signature on the 
Standard Form SF-424, which constitutes a binding offer. The Grant 
Officer will make final award decisions based upon what is most 
advantageous to the Federal Government in terms of technical quality, 
responsiveness to this solicitation (including goals of the Department 
to be accomplished by this solicitation), geographical balance, and 
other factors.
    Panelists shall evaluate proposals for acceptability based upon 
overall responsiveness in accordance with the factors below.

A. Documented Shortages and Available Workers (25 points)

    Documentation is presented from those firms targeted for assistance 
attesting to their specific skill/occupational/industrial shortages in 
those shortage areas identified in the grant program purpose and the 
number of jobs affected. Sufficient corroborating information is 
provided demonstrating that the shortages identified by the firms also 
exist more generally in the local/ regional areas where the target 
firms are located. Credible information is presented to demonstrate 
that there are incumbent and dislocated workers who are available to 
participate in training in sufficient numbers and with appropriate 
backgrounds to alleviate the shortages identified in participating 
firms. (Relates to information requested in Part III, sections B and 
C.)

B. Service Provision (25 points)

    The services planned are appropriate, suitable, and responsive to: 
(1) The need for reducing the shortages identified through the 
successful recruitment, training, support, and placement of incumbent 
and dislocated workers and (2) the backgrounds and experience of those 
workers who are to be served. A high degree of coordination with other 
public and private programs will occur in order to maximize the use of 
other public services and resources and to avoid duplicative efforts. 
(Relates to information requested in Part III, section D.)

C. Performance Goals and Measures (15 points)

    The justifications cited for the performance goals proposed show a 
clear and logical relationship between the goals and the solicitation's 
identified outcomes and any other outcomes proposed. The proposed 
performance measures to determine the extent to which the performance 
goals will be met are also appropriate for the task. (Relates to 
information requested in Part III, section E.)

D. Project Management (15 points)

    The proposed staffing with regard to the number, types of 
positions, duties, associated full-time equivalents (FTE's), and staff 
relationships are clearly presented. The explanation provided of the 
staffing in regard to the project's purpose, services, and performance 
goals shows a clear, logical, and reasonable relationship. There is an 
explicit commitment by the local WIB(s) to participate in this project. 
(Relates to information requested in Part III, section F.)

E. Cost-Effectiveness (20 points)

    The cost effectiveness of the project is reasonable and optimal as 
indicated by the relationship of proposed costs to the

[[Page 64996]]

number of participants to be served, the range of services to be 
provided, and the planned performance goals. (Relates to information 
requested in Part II, section H (on the financial application) and Part 
III, sections C, D, and E.)

Part V. Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation

A. Monitoring

    The Department shall be responsible for ensuring effective 
implementation of each competitive grant project in accordance with the 
Act, the Regulations, the provisions of this announcement and the 
negotiated grant agreement. Applicants should assume that at least one 
on-site project review will be conducted by Department staff, or their 
designees. This review will focus on the project's performance in 
meeting the grant's programmatic goals and participant outcomes, 
complying with the targeting requirements regarding participants who 
are served, expenditure of grant funds on allowable activities, 
collaboration with other organizations as required, and methods for 
assessment of the responsiveness and effectiveness of the services 
being provided. Grants may be subject to additional reviews at the 
discretion of the Department.

B. Reporting

    DOL will arrange for or provide technical assistance to grantees in 
establishing appropriate reporting and data collection methods and 
processes taking into account the applicant's project management plan. 
An effort will be made to accommodate and provide assistance to 
grantees to be able to complete all reporting electronically. 
Applicants selected as grantees will be required to provide the 
following reports:
    1. Monthly progress reports, during initial start-up and 
implementation of the project, and Quarterly Progress Reports 
thereafter.
    2. Standard Form 269, Financial Status Report Form, on a quarterly 
basis.
    3. Final Project Report including an assessment of project 
performance. This report will be submitted in hard copy and on 
electronic disk utilizing a format and instructions to be provided by 
the Department. A draft of the final report is due to the Department 45 
days prior to the termination of the grant.

C. Evaluation

    DOL will arrange for or conduct an independent evaluation of the 
outcomes, impacts, and benefits of the demonstration projects. Grantees 
must agree to make available records on participants and employers as 
well as project financial and management data and to provide access to 
personnel, as specified by the evaluator(s) under the direction of the 
Department.

    Signed at Washington, D.C., this 25th day of October 2000.
Laura A. Cesario,
Grant Officer, Division of Federal Assistance.

Appendices

Appendix A--Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)
Appendix B--Budget Information
Appendix C--Checklist
Appendix D--Implementation Benchmarks and Time Line
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[FR Doc. 00-27930 Filed 10-30-00; 8:45 am]
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