[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 72 (Friday, April 13, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19223-19233]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-8652]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Workforce Investment Act, Section 171(d), Demonstration Program: 
Sectoral Employment Demonstration

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 demonstration program to inform 
partners in America's Workforce Network (AWN) about sectoral employment 
strategies that help local communities keep pace with economic changes 
and address change in ways that benefit both American workers and 
businesses. The program encompasses two types of grant awards to test 
the feasibility of the workforce development system to plan and 
undertake local/regional initiatives involving a particular industry 
sector in order to increase access to employment for targeted groups 
and to strengthen the economic competitiveness and performance of the 
sector's firms. The two types of grant awards will be: (1)

[[Page 19224]]

Sectoral Initiative Formation Grants, and (2) Sectoral Initiative 
Implementation Grants. The activities are expected to include: (1) 
Examining, designing, and implementing an array of improvements to the 
sector's human resource practices including, but not limited to, 
recruitment, career ladders, training, and mentoring and (2) 
identifying groups in the community in need of employment assistance.

DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday, May 18, 
2001. Applications must be received by 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Daylight 
Time) at the address below. Applications that do not meet the 
conditions set forth in this notice will not be honored. Telefacsimile 
(FAX) applications will not be honored.

ADDRESSES: Applications must be mailed to: U.S. Department of Labor; 
Employment and Training Administration, Division of Federal Assistance, 
200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Room S-4203, Washington, D.C. 20210, 
Attention: B. Jai Johnson, Reference: SGA/DFA 01-104.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions should be faxed to B. Jai 
Johnson, Division of Federal Assistance at (202) 693-2879. (This is not 
a toll-free number.) All inquiries should include the SGA/DFA 01-104 
and contact name, fax and phone numbers. 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.

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 Daylight Time, 
Friday, May 18, 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 applications 
will not be honored. Failure to adhere to the above instructions will 
be a basis for a determination of non-responsiveness.

Late Proposals

    Any proposal at the office designated in this solicitation after 
the exact time specified for receipt will not be considered, unless it 
is received before the awards are made and it 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 before the date specified for receipt of the 
proposals. The term ``working days'' excludes weekends and U.S. Federal 
holidays.
     Sent by registered or certified mail not later than the 
fifth calendar day before the date specified for receipt of 
applications (e.g., an application submitted in response to a 
solicitation requiring receipt of applications by the 20th of the month 
must have been mailed by the 15th of the month). 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ETA is soliciting proposals on a competitive 
basis for the Sectoral Employment Demonstration program. It is 
envisioned that the program will encompass two types of grant awards 
focusing on the initial development of sectoral initiatives including 
stakeholder group formation and strategic planning and on the 
implementation of selected sectoral interventions aimed at increasing 
employment and firm economic performance.
    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--Review Process and Evaluation Criteria.
     Part V--Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation.

Part I. Background

A. Authority

    Section 171(d) of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) 
(Public Law 105-220, 29 U.S.C. 2916) authorizes the use of funds for 
demonstration projects for dislocated workers 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 29, 1999, 
authorizes the use of dislocated worker demonstration funds to provide 
assistance to incumbent workers and new entrants in the workforce 
(Public Law 106-113, 113 Stat 1501, 1501A-217). 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 is to test the feasibility of the 
workforce development system to plan and undertake local/regional 
initiatives involving a particular industry sector in order to increase 
access to employment for designated target groups and to strengthen the 
economic competitiveness and performance of the sector's firms. 
Sectoral interventions require an in-depth knowledge of and extensive 
work with a particular industry as well as a substantial knowledge of 
and commitment to assisting targeted populations needing improved 
employment opportunities. The activities are expected to include: (1) 
Examining, designing, and implementing an array of improvements to the 
sector's human resource practices including, but not limited to, 
recruitment, career ladders, training, and mentoring and (2) 
identifying specific groups in the community in need of employment 
assistance. In undertaking this demonstration program, the Department 
wishes to examine whether reported successes with these types of 
interventions can be replicated with particular reference to increasing 
employment opportunities and industry performance and whether local 
Workforce Investment Boards (Local Boards) can become major catalysts 
in these activities. Local Board success in these endeavors would be in 
keeping with the roles envisioned under WIA for the Local Boards in 
such areas as developing employer linkages, coordinating with economic 
development, promoting private sector involvement in the workforce

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investment system, and developing workforce investment plans as part of 
a comprehensive workforce investment system focusing on individual 
employment goals and the needs of firms for skilled workers.
    DOL intends that this demonstration program inform partners in 
America's Workforce Network (AWN) about sectoral employment strategies 
that help local communities keep pace with economic changes and address 
change in ways that benefit both American workers and businesses. AWN 
is an umbrella partnership of federal, State, and local governments; 
the private sector; labor organizations; educational institutions; and 
community- and faith-based organizations that administer ETA-funded 
programs. Local and regional labor markets have changed dramatically 
over the past decade. DOL is looking for new ways to help prepare the 
21st century workforce. This demonstration program will encourage fresh 
approaches for AWN partners to use in equipping American workers with 
the skills and knowledge needed for fulfilling and rewarding careers 
and workers' employers with the skills needed to maintain their firms' 
economic competitiveness.

C. Types of Projects

    Two types of grant awards are under this solicitation. The first, 
Sectoral Initiative Formation Grants, are designed to allow for the 
initial development and planning of a local sectoral initiative 
including establishing a knowledge base of strategies and practices, 
the selection of a target industry, formation of a sectoral stakeholder 
group, an analysis of community and industry needs relevant to the 
targeted industry, and the development of a strategic plan for 
implementing a specific sectoral intervention. The second type of grant 
award, Sectoral Initiative Implementation Grants, are designed for the 
implementation of specific interventions focusing at targeted 
individuals, firms, and measured outcomes. These grant awards also 
allow for some initial planning development, but are designed for those 
applicants who have had some prior experience in the planning and/or 
implementation of sectoral practices.

D. Grant Awards

    DOL anticipates awarding $3.8 million for approximately 35 grants 
(for the two types of grants referenced above). Sectoral Initiative 
Formation Grants are not to exceed $75,000 per grant, and Sectoral 
Initiative Implementation Grants are not to exceed $150,000 per grant.

E. Period of Performance

    The period of performance will be 12 months for Sectoral Initiative 
Formation Grants and 15 months for Sectoral Initiative Implementation 
Grants, from the date of execution by the Government.

F. Option To Extend

    DOL may exercise the option to extend the Sectoral Initiative 
Formation Grants for 15 months for the purpose of allowing the 
implementation of sectoral initiatives planned for in the initial grant 
award. Such an option shall be in an amount not to exceed $100,000. The 
Department may exercise this option depending on the availability of 
funds, the successful completion of the initial grant, and the needs of 
the Department.

G. Allowable Activities

    Funds provided through this demonstration may be used to support 
staff and other costs necessary to undertake the activities and 
outcomes described in Part III below for the two types of grant awards 
under this solicitation.
    Successful awardees for the Sectoral Initiative Formation Grants 
will be expected to include in their budget at least $10,000 to cover 
the salary and fringe benefit costs of one or two key staff of the 
applicant. Participation of these staff will indicate a commitment by 
the Local Board to these activities and help ensure a continuation of 
these efforts from planning to implementation.
    Successful awardees for the Sectoral Initiative Implementation 
Grants, which require participant training as part of the services to 
be provided, will be expected to include in their budget, training and 
necessary supportive services costs, identified separately, which 
together constitutes 30-40% of grant funding. Some activities for which 
training costs could be applied 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 use 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; and/or
    (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.
    Prospective applicants should be aware that grant funds may not be 
used for the following purposes:
    (a) To pay stipends for program participants;
    (b) To pay salaries for program participants;
    (c) For acquisition of production equipment;
    (d) For acquisition of real estate or buildings.
    Applicants may budget limited amounts of funds to work with 
technical experts or consultants to provide advice and develop more 
complete project plans after a grant award.

H. Coordination

    In order to maximize the use of public resources and avoid 
duplication of effort, applicants shall 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 which link or collaborate with an existing WIA 
funded One-Stop Career Center, industry training initiatives, and 
similar activities within a project area fulfill this requirement.

Part II. Eligible Applicants and the Application Process

A. Eligible Applicants and Participants

    Applicants eligible to apply for grant awards under this 
solicitation are limited to Local Workforce Investment Boards (Local 
Boards) as defined under section 117 of WIA. For this solicitation, 
eligible applicants may apply for only one of the two types of grant 
awards referenced in Part I-C above. Proposals received from the same 
applicant for both grant awards will not be considered. Prospective 
eligible applicants which have had minimal or no experience with sector 
initiatives should consider applications for the Sectoral Initiative 
Formation Grants, which are designed to lay the groundwork for the 
subsequent initiation of sectoral initiatives. In contrast, the 
Sectoral Initiative Implementation Grants require some previous 
applicant experience in this area.

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    All participants who receive services in projects funded under this 
demonstration program must be either:
    (a) Eligible dislocated workers. This is defined at section 101(9) 
of the Workforce Investment Act (29 U.S.C. 2801). The Workforce 
Investment Act 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, income, 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; or
     (c) New entrants. These are persons aged 18 years and over who 
have limited work histories and for whom the type of employment 
assistance and training envisioned under this demonstration will lead 
to self-sufficiency.


    Note: Except as specifically provided, DOL/ETA acceptance of a 
proposal and an award of federal funds to sponsor any program(s) 
does not provide a waiver of any grant requirements and/or 
procedures. For example, the OMB circulars require an entity's 
procurement procedures must require that all procurement 
transactions shall be conducted, as practical, to provide open and 
free competition. If a proposal identifies a specific entity to 
provide the services, the DOL/ETA's award does not provide the 
justification or basis to sole-source the procurement, i.e., avoid 
competition.

B. Proposal Submission

    Applicants must submit four (4) copies of their proposal with 
original signatures. The proposal must consist of 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 Form 
(Appendix B). The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 
17.255. Applicants shall indicate on the SF-424 the organization's IRS 
status, if applicable. According to the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 
1995, section 18 (25 U.S.C. 1611), 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.
1. Budget
    The budget must include on separate pages detailed breakouts of 
each proposed budget line item found in the Budget Information Form 
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 Full Time 
Employee (FTE) support to the project, by annual salary, number of 
months assigned to demonstration responsibilities, and the 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. The 
budget shall include sufficient funds for a one two-person trip to a 
DOL-sponsored grant orientation meeting in Washington, D.C. of 
approximately 3-4 days. In addition to the above, the detailed 
breakouts shall indicate the costs associated with each major activity 
identified in the technical proposal submitted.
    Since Sectoral Initiative Formation Grant awards are to assist in 
providing a knowledge base of sectoral initiatives to Local Boards and 
their partners, applications for those grants shall include in their 
budgets sufficient funds for three two-person trips each of 3-4 days 
duration to be taken in consultation with DOL should an award be 
granted. These trips are designed to permit first-hand observation of 
successful sectoral initiatives around the country and for discussions 
with counterpart staff on useful sectoral practices and strategies. 
(Note: It is expected that at least one of the two persons traveling on 
these learning visits is a key Local Board staff person.) Applicants 
for Sectoral Initiative Formation Grant awards will be expected to 
include in their detailed budget, at least $10,000 to cover the salary 
and fringe benefits costs of one or two key Local Board staff who will 
be working on the project. The detailed budget also shall indicate the 
name(s) of the key staff, titles, annual salary and fringe benefits 
costs, and the amount of time key staff will devote to the project 
during the project year.
    For Sectoral Initiative Implementation Grant awards, the detailed 
budget shall indicate costs for training and necessary supportive 
services indicated separately. Per Part I.G., training and supportive 
services combined constitute 30-40% of grant funding.
2. Technical Proposal
    Part II, the technical proposal, shall demonstrate the offeror's 
capabilities in accordance with the Statement of Work in Part III of 
this solicitation and shall clearly indicate the type of grant award 
for which the application is being made. The technical proposal shall 
be limited to twenty-five (25) 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 25 page 
limit. Include in the summary the target population(s) and target 
industry of focus and, if applying for the Implementation Grants, the 
types of key stakeholders currently working in your area on sectoral 
initiatives. Attachments shall not exceed ten (10) pages including the 
required Appendices A-C 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

    Applicants must submit the appropriate technical proposal for the 
type of grant award for which the application is made. Each technical 
proposal must follow the format outlined here. The evaluation criteria 
on which proposals will be rated relate to a specific section of this 
Part against which the criteria will be applied. For each section, 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 applicant believes will address the rating 
criteria identified in Part IV.

A. Sectoral Initiative Formation Grants

    Describe the approaches that will be used to undertake the 
activities numbered 1-7 below during the first nine months of the 
grant's period of performance:
    1. Establishment of a broad coalition of stakeholders in a local 
labor market area that will finalize one industry sector selected for 
focus, identify the target group(s) to be served, provide ongoing 
community support, identify the programs and policies needed to

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improve employment access to the sector, identify industry and employer 
needs, and oversee the development of the demonstration activities. 
Provide evidence or a statement of intent indicating that the 
stakeholder coalition has/will include in its membership relevant 
employers, community-based organizations, community development 
corporations, economic development agencies, labor organizations, 
training institutions, employer/industry associations, and other local 
organizations in addition to key Local Board officials. Reference also 
shall be made to the collective nature of major decision making in the 
coalition.
    2. Development of a strategic plan to implement and fund a sector 
project at the conclusion of the period of performance of the grant. 
The plan is to address both the targeted industry's needs for enhanced 
economic performance and ways to increase employment opportunities for 
a designated target group(s) (note eligible participants listed in Part 
II.A.). Specific measured outcomes pertaining to these two broad areas 
should be identified. The plan shall include among its recommendations 
for action specific measures to be undertaken by the Local Board in 
conjunction with the sector stakeholders for implementing a subsequent 
sector initiative. (A copy of the completed plan shall be sent to DOL 
by the end of the ninth month of the grant's period of performance.)
    3. Analysis of labor market data including wages and benefits, 
vacancy and turnover problems in the industry sector selected, and data 
on the target group(s).
    4. Analysis of the impediments and opportunities for improved human 
resources utilization within the target industry sector, e.g., 
recruitment practices, career ladders, job classifications, work-based 
learning, skill certification, education and training benefits.
    5. Analysis of local area training capacity and providers.
    6. Contacts with ongoing projects in the target industry or similar 
sectors which could provide useful technical assistance in developing a 
final strategic plan for implementation.
    7. Other activities identified by the applicant which would support 
the development of a successful sectoral intervention.
    Provide a statement of intent that the Local Board during the last 
three months of the grant period of performance will: (1) engage with 
its stakeholder coalition in a series of community presentations of the 
strategic plan developed; and (2) work to implement the plan.

B. Sectoral Initiative Implementation Grants

    Describe briefly current local efforts by the applicant and key 
stakeholders to plan and/or implement a sectoral initiative(s), the 
timeframe involved, industry sector(s) chosen, target population(s) 
assisted, and results obtained. Indicate how the plan addresses 
specific measures to be undertaken by the Local Board for this 
initiative. Provide a brief description of the membership of the 
stakeholder coalition, its objectives, when formed, frequency of its 
meetings, and any other factors that demonstrate that the coalition is 
an active and functioning entity.
    Describe any needed efforts to complete and complement existing 
local stakeholder work already in progress to develop a strategic plan 
to implement a sectoral initiative including specific measures to be 
undertaken by the Local Board. (Note: this activity is optional 
depending on whether your local area requires some additional planning 
efforts.)
    Describe the strategy and efforts that will be made for the 
outreach and recruitment of individuals from the target population(s) 
that will be assisted in this sectoral initiative.
    Describe the workforce training to be provided to the target 
population(s) selected as a focus for this demonstration. Such training 
can include, but is not limited to, skill training, literacy training, 
and pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship offerings. Explain how the 
training proposed meets two broad goals: (1) Industry sector needs for 
training; and (2) an upgrading of skills of the target population 
leading to economic self-sufficiency. Indicate the nature of the 
supportive services to be provided and the eligibility criteria to be 
used in providing them.
    Describe the approaches to be undertaken for at least one of the 
activities numbered 1-5 below:
    1. Enterprise development training or other related workforce 
investment activities for creating new or enhanced employment 
opportunities in the target industry sector.
    2. Industry-based services designed to retain target sector 
employers in the local area, increase efficiency or enhance industry 
development, e.g., joint marketing strategies, access to new markets, 
technology modernization.
    3. Activities designed to increase the scale, industry partners, or 
regional reach of an existing sectoral project.
    4. Activities to redesign recruitment, wages, benefits, working 
conditions, retention, and other human resource policies of industry 
firms with a particular focus on improving access to the industry by 
low income workers.
    5. Activities designed to create new job classifications, career 
ladders, or other advancement opportunities for improving career 
mobility.
    Describe the specific measured outcomes that will be the focus of 
the above activities and relate them to the two broad areas of sectoral 
initiatives: (1) Improved economic performance of the targeted sector 
and (2) improved economic opportunities for the designated target 
population(s).

Part IV. Review Process and Evaluation Criteria

    A careful evaluation of applications will be made by a technical 
review panel who will evaluate the applications against the criteria 
listed in this SGA. The panel results will be advisory in nature and 
not binding on the Grant Officer. The Government may elect to award the 
grant with or without discussions with the offeror. In situations 
without discussion, an award will be based on the offeror's signature 
on the 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 geographical mix, technical quality, 
and other factors.

Evaluation Criteria

A. Goals and Methods (30 points)

    1. The project is aimed at addressing an important workforce 
development (and economic development) concern or concerns in the 
target area by engaging local stakeholders in an effective strategic 
planning exercise.
    2. The project design describes how the information gathered will 
be sufficiently detailed and wide-ranging, timely, and relevant to the 
project's strategic goals.
    3. The project design is aimed at producing a comprehensive 
approach to an industry sector initiative and adequately addresses the 
improvement of the targeted industry sector's human resources practices 
and utilization as well as the improvement of the employment 
opportunities for the targeted population(s) to be served.

B. Collaboration/Community Involvement (25 points)

    1. The collaboration on which the project is built is consistent 
with the goals of the project. (For example, the

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collaboration includes stakeholders within an entire labor market area, 
regardless of Local Board boundaries.)
    2. The collaboration on which the project is built has strong ties 
to the employer community and the Local Board.
    3. The collaboration on which the project is built is broadly 
representative of the affected stakeholders. (In particular, the 
collaboration reaches beyond the traditional workforce investment 
community to involve other community actors such as economic 
development organizations, community development corporations (CDC's), 
community-based organizations (CBO's), employer organizations/industry 
associations, labor organizations, neighborhood organizations, and so 
on).
    4. The design and governance of the project ensure that all 
stakeholders have a real voice in the conduct of the project and in the 
strategic decisions that flow from it. The project design ensures that 
citizens of the affected community are more involved in and have voice 
in the conduct of the project.

C. Commitment (15 points)

    1. The participating community demonstrates a serious commitment to 
strategic planning.
    2. The participating community demonstrates particular commitment 
to this project through its contribution of resources as required by 
this solicitation for the type of grant for which application is made.

D. Potential Use and Value of Results (15 points)

    1. The project process, structure and outcomes offer lessons, 
tools, or other products that will assist other communities throughout 
the country to understand and use the information in creating workforce 
development initiatives.
    2. The project design has the ability to broaden the role and 
responsibility of the Local Board consistent with state and local plans 
including the strength and scope of partnerships.

E. Cost Effectiveness (15 points)

    The proposed budget is reasonable in relation to the activities 
planned. The extent to which non-grant resources will assist in 
achieving the project's objectives can be determined.

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 federal 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, expenditure of grant funds on 
allowable activities, collaboration with other organizations as 
required, and methods for assessment of the responsiveness and 
effectiveness of the activities being undertaken. 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 are 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 due at the end of the grant period of performance. This 
report will be submitted in hard copy and on electronic disk using a 
format and instructions provided by the Department. A draft of the 
final report is due to the Department 45 days before the end of the 
grant's period of performance.

C. Evaluation

    DOL will arrange for or conduct an independent evaluation to 
determine the extent to which the demonstration projects funded by this 
solicitation were undertaken as planned, the nature of the results 
achieved, and those factors which facilitated or impeded the success of 
the 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 4th day of April, 2001.
Laura A. Cesario,
Grant Officer, Division of Federal Assistance.

Appendices

Appendix A--Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)
Appendix B--Budget Information Form
Appendix C--Application Checklist
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[FR Doc. 01-8652 Filed 4-12-01; 8:45 am]
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