[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 133 (Wednesday, July 11, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36302-36312]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-17411]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

[SGA 01-09]


High School/High Tech Realignment Grants

AGENCY: Office of Disability Employment Policy, Department of Labor.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds and solicitation for grant 
applications.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Office on Disability 
Employment Policy (ODEP) announces the availability of $300,000 to 
award twenty competitive grants in the amount of $15,000 each. The 
purpose of this Solicitation for Grant Application (SGA) is to invite 
proposals from eligible candidates. Grants will be awarded for a one-
year period.
    The purpose of these grants is to fund the realignment of currently 
operating High School/High Tech (HS/HT) programs with the local areas' 
Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 youth programs (WIA Local 
Workforce Investment Boards and their Youth Councils, Job Corps 
Centers, Youth Opportunity Grant programs, WIA Formula-Funded Youth 
Programs, WIA Native American Programs or WIA Migrant Worker programs). 
The goal of these realignment grants is to develop strategies, 
relationships, joint funding and/or support through which HS/HT 
programs for youths with disabilities enter into a new or stronger 
partnerships with at least one of the WIA youth-focused programs 
mentioned above.
    The HS/HT program is designed to provide young people with 
disabilities an opportunity to explore educational opportunities 
leading to technology-related careers. It serves either in-school or 
out-of-school youth with disabilities in a one-year long program of 
corporate site visits, mentoring, job shadowing, guest speakers, after 
school activities and paid summer internships. In addition, the HS/HT 
program responds to all four of WIA's youth programming themes: 
employment preparation; educational achievement; support; and 
leadership.
    The purpose of this SGA is to help the existing HS/HT programs 
associated with ODEP to entered into a new or stronger partnership with 
local WIA operations or programs. This SGA is designed to demonstrate 
both the merits and techniques of bringing the High School/High Tech 
program into alignment and full partnership with WIA's youth-related 
programs.

DATES: One (1) ink-signed original, complete grant application plus 
three (3) copies of the Technical Proposal and three (2) copies of the 
Cost Proposal shall be submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor, 
Procurement Services Center, Attention Grant Officer, Reference SGA 01-
09, Room N-5416, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210, 
not later than 4:45 p.m. EST, August 10, 2001. Hand-delivered 
applications must be received by the Procurement Services Center by 
that time.

ADDRESSES: Grant applications must be hand delivered or mailed to U.S. 
Department of Labor, Procurement Services Center, Attention: Grant 
Officer, Reference SGA 01-09, Room N-5416, 200 Constitution Avenue, 
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210. Applicants must verify delivery to this 
office directly through their delivery service and as soon as possible.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Applications will not be mailed. The 
Federal Register may be obtained from your nearest government office or 
library. Questions concerning this solicitation may be sent to 
Cassandra Willis, at the following Internet address: [email protected].

Late Proposals

    The grant application package must be received at the designated 
place by the date and time specified or it will not be considered. Any 
application received at the Procurement Services Center after 4:45 p.m. 
ET, August 10, 2001, will not be considered unless it is received 
before the award is made and:
    1. It was sent by registered or certified mail not later than the 
fifth calendar August 10, 2001;
    2. It is determined by the Government that the late receipt was due 
solely to mishandling by the Government after receipt at the U.S. 
Department of Labor at the address indicated; or
    3. It was sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail Next Day 
Service-Post Office to Addressee, not later than 5:00 p.m. at the place 
of mailing two (2) working days, excluding weekends and Federal 
holidays, prior to August 10, 2001.
    The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of a 
late application sent by registered or certified mail is the U.S. 
Postal Service postmark on the envelope or wrapper and on the original 
receipt from the U.S. Postal Service. If the postmark is not legible, 
an application received after the above closing time and date shall be 
processed as if mailed late. ``Postmark'' means a printed, stamped or 
otherwise place impression (not a postage meter machine impression) 
that is readily identifiable without further action as having been 
applied and affixed by an employee of the U.S. Postal Service on the 
date of mailing. Therefore applicants should request the postal clerk 
place a legible hand cancellation ``bull's-eye'' postmark on both the 
receipt and the envelope or wrapper.
    The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of a 
late application sent by U.S. Postal Service 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 Service-Post Office to 
Addressee'' label and the postmark on the envelope or wrapper and on 
the original receipt from the U.S. Postal Service. ``Postmark'' has the 
same meaning as defined above. Therefore, applicants should request 
that the postal clerk place a legible hand cancellation ``bull's-eye'' 
postmark on both the receipt and the envelope or wrapper.
    The only acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt at 
the U.S. Department of Labor is the date/time stamp of the Procurement 
Services Center on the application wrapper or other documentary 
evidence or receipt maintained by that office. Applications sent by 
telegram or facsimile (FAX) will not be accepted.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Authority

    Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2001, Public Law 106-554,114 STAT 
2763A-10, 29 U.S.C. 557(b).

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II. Background

    Often the challenges that young people with disabilities face when 
obtaining jobs and careers in technology-related occupations is 
overlooked. As a result, youths with disabilities are seldom afforded 
post-secondary preparation and educational opportunities leading to 
internships and placements in technology-related careers. This is a 
significant loss of potential when we realize that: (1) People with 
disabilities have already demonstrated that they can be successful in 
these occupations; (2) technology jobs represent an ever increasing 
segment of the workforce; and (3) many current school-to-careers 
initiatives do not always include students with disabilities.
    WIA youth focused entities and programs (WIA Local Boards and their 
Youth Councils, Job Corps Centers, Youth Opportunity Grant programs, 
WIA Formula-Funded Youth Programs, WIA Native American Programs or WIA 
Migrant Worker programs), hold tremendous potential to support career 
development activities for young people with disabilities.
    HS/HT programs are now in operation in 60 communities across the 
nation. HS/HT graduates are twice as likely as other youth with 
disabilities to pursue post-secondary education. In some HS/HT 
programs, as many as 70 percent of their HS/HT graduates move on to 
post-secondary education. HS/HT clearly enhances expectations, 
education achievement and eventual employment outcomes for a population 
who, without this intervention, is far more likely to move onto the 
Social Security rolls than to find competitive employment in 
technology-related occupations. As a community-based program, the HS/HT 
Program works within community systems to help coordinate the delivery 
of education and transition services to students with disabilities. 
Locally-based High School/High Tech programs represent community-based 
partnerships of local stakeholders that include employers, educators, 
consumers, family members, and workforce system agencies, especially 
rehabilitation professionals. The HS/HT program offers local WIA 
programs a proven technique for developing improved systems and 
employment outcomes for young people with disabilities.
    The goals of HS/HT match WIA's youth programming themes of 
employment preparation, educational achievement, support, and 
leadership. The HS/HT model includes eight of the 10 WIA required youth 
programming elements:

1. Summer employment opportunities;
2. Work experience;
3. Occupational skills training;
4. Tutoring;
5. Support services;
6. Adult mentoring;
7. Comprehensive guidance; and
8. Leadership development (WIA, sec. 129(c)(2), 29 U.S.C. 2854(c)(2)).

Nonetheless, WIA and HS/HT programs have different areas of expertise. 
By linking these two programs, youth who are often under served and 
misunderstood will receive effective and appropriate services.
    Thus, the purpose of this SGA is to begin to bring these two 
resources together in a demonstration on how they can be mutually 
supportive. Under a separate Solicitation for Grant Application, a 
proposed WIA Disability Technical Assistance Consortium for Youth is to 
be funded. Among its responsibilities will be to provide technical 
assistance to both new and existing HS/HT sites, as well as to support 
bringing them into alignment with WIA youth programs. Ultimately, it is 
envisioned that the HS/HT Program will become one more model program 
helping WIA youth initiatives better serve youth with disabilities.

III. Purpose

    The U.S. Department of Labor's Office on Disability Employment 
Policy (ODEP), the sponsoring agency of this SGA, was formed under the 
authority of the DOL's FY '01 appropriations, and by a supporting 
Executive Order 13187 of January 10, 2001, transferring the assets of 
the former U.S. President's Committee on Employment of People with 
Disabilities (PCEPD) to the DOL. ODEP operates a number of programs 
that are designed to assist with the employment and training of persons 
with disabilities, including youth with disabilities.
    One of ODEP's key youth programs is the High School/High Tech (HS/
HT) program. The High School/High Tech programs work with community 
systems to coordinate the delivery of educational and transitional 
services to youths with disabilities. Local High School/High Tech 
programs represent partnerships of local, state and national 
stakeholders that include employers, educators, rehabilitation 
professionals, consumers, and parents.
    As a community-based, work-based, and school-based program, High 
School/High Tech is designed to provide opportunities for students with 
disabilities to explore careers in technology-related occupations. HS/
HT students across the nation learn first-hand what it's like to work 
in high tech environments. Site visits, mentoring, job/career 
shadowing, and paid summer internships all provide students with the 
opportunities to learn more about careers in science, engineering and 
technology-related fields. HS/HT students also work on developing 
career goals. In localities where a High School/High Tech program is in 
place, 20 percent to 70 percent of the program participants go on to 
post-secondary education. The national average for the population, 
without this intervention, is six percent to nine percent (9%) 
(American Council on Education, 1999).
    To learn about the structure and operations of the High School/High 
Tech Program, consult the HS/HT Program Web site: http://www.dol.gov/odep/public/programs/high.htm and the High School/High Tech Program 
Guide at: http://www.dol.gov/odep/public/programs/high.htm.

IV. Statement of Work

    These grants are to assist operating existing High School/High Tech 
programs to re-align and enhance their program to achieve the following 
objectives:
    1. Develop model strategies, relationships, joint funding or 
support, and joint programming through which the HS/HT program for 
youths with disabilities enters into new or stronger partnerships with 
at least one WIA entity or program component (WIA Local Boards and 
their Youth Councils, Job Corps Centers, Youth Opportunity Grant 
programs, WIA Formula-Funded Youth Programs, WIA Native American 
Programs or WIA Migrant Worker programs);
    2. Demonstrate how the HS/HT model can provide the WIA program with 
a program model to improve the continuing (post-secondary) education 
and employment of young people with disabilities;
    3. Demonstrate how the HS/HT model can deliver WIA's youth program 
themes and meet the required elements for young people with 
disabilities;
    4. Serve at least 10 young people with disabilities for one year 
with the core elements of a HS/HT program (corporate site visits, 
mentioning, job shadowing, relevant guest speakers, after school 
activities and paid summer internships) in alignment with a WIA 
program;
    5. Cooperate with ODEP and its technical assistance consortium to 
provide information and advice to other WIA youth programs on how 
either the HS/HT model can be replicated in their communities or how 
existing HS/HT

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programs can be brought into alignment with local WIA programs; and
    6. Describe plans to report demographic characteristics of program 
participants, types of programming activities and program outcomes 
(post-secondary education and employment) of youth with disabilities 
served through HS/HT.

V. Funding Availability

    The period of performance will be 12 months from the date of 
execution by the Government.

VI. Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants are limited to the operators of existing High 
School/High Tech programs working in cooperation with the Office on 
Disability Employment Policy of the U.S. Department of Labor.
    Please note that eligible grant/cooperative agreement applicants 
must not be classified under the Internal Revenue Code as a Section 
501(c)(4) entity. See 26 U.S.C. 506(c)(4). According to Section 18 of 
the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, an organization, as described in 
Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, that engages in 
lobbying activities will not be eligible for the receipt of federal 
funds constituting an award, grant, or loan.

VII. Application Contents

    General Requirements--Two copies and an original of the proposal 
must be submitted, one of which must contain an original signature. 
Proposals may be submitted by the applicant only.
    The proposal shall consist of a Project Narrative which must be no 
more than 10 double-spaced, single sided, numbered pages. The Project 
Narrative must meet the statement of work outlined in Section II above.
    Applications must include a detailed financial plan which 
identifies by line item the budget plan designed to achieve the goals 
of this grant. The Financial Proposal must contain the SF-424, 
Application for Federal Assistance, (Appendix A) and Budget Information 
Sheet SF-424A (Appendix B).
    In addition, the budget must include on a separate page a detailed 
cost analysis of each line item. Justification for administrative costs 
must be provided. Approval of a budget by DOL is not the same as the 
approval of actual costs. 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 applicant must also include the Assurances and 
Certifications Signature Page (Appendix C).

VIII. Evaluation Criteria/Selection

A. Evaluation Criteria

    The application should include appropriate information of the type 
described below:
1. Significance of the Proposed Project (15 Points)
    In evaluation the significance of the proposed project, the 
Department will consider the following factors.
    1. The current relationship, if any with your area's WIA program.
    2. The numbers of young persons with disabilities served in your 
HS/HT program, their outcomes (post-secondary education and 
employment), and the program's potential for serving more students.
    3. Related issues that affect the realignment of your HS/HT program 
with your local WIA program.
2. Quality of the Project Design (30 Points)
    In evaluation the quality of the proposed project, the Department 
will consider the following factors.
    a. The technical plan for creating a new or greater alignment 
between your HS/HT program and your area's WIA program through 
partnership formation, joint funding arrangements, and/or joint 
programming opportunities. This should include a plan for providing 
your WIA program with a presentation on how your HS/HT program can help 
them meet your shared objective of improving the continuing (post-
secondary) education and employment of young people with disabilities 
in technology-related occupations. This discussion should also cover a 
review on how the HS/HT model can deliver WIA's youth program themes 
and elements to young people with disabilities; and how it will 
increase your program's capacity to serve more students with 
disabilities.
    b. The plan for tracking the demographic characteristics of program 
participants, types of programming activities conducted as well as HS/
HT participant outcomes. These include:
    1. numbers of youths with disabilities placed in competitive 
employment, including paid internships;
    2. numbers of youths with disabilities who continue with post 
secondary education; and,
    3. comparative data on local youths with disabilities not served in 
the HS/HT program.
3. Collaboration and Coordination (20 Points)
    In evaluating the collaboration and coordination of the proposed 
project, the Department will consider the following factors.
    a. Statement(s) of support and leadership from one or more of your 
area's WIA system elements (WIA Local Board, including its Youth 
Council, a Job Corps Center, a Youth Opportunity Grant program, a WIA 
Formula Funded Youth Program, a WIA Native American or a WIA Migrant 
Worker program).
    b. Support from key community organizations, especially special 
education and vocational rehabilitation.
    c. Support from area employers, people with disabilities and family 
members.
4. Innovations and Model Services (20 Points)
    In evaluation the innovations and model services of the proposed 
project, the Department will consider the following factors:
    a. Recommendations for strategies to cooperate in a technical 
assistance effort providing information and advice to other HS/HT and 
WIA program operators.
    d. Strategy for meeting the needs of youth with disabilities from 
diverse cultures and/or ethic groups. (Note: the NAACP, National Urban 
League, La Raza, and ASPIRA all operate at least one model HS/HT 
program dedicated to serving minority youths with disabilities).
5. Demonstrated Capability of the Organization(s) (15 Points)
    In evaluation the capability of the organization(s) involved in the 
proposed project, the Department will consider the following factors:
    a. The names and qualifications of staff and related technical 
experts to support the objectives of this SGA.
    b. Examples of prior successes in serving youths with disabilities 
and already existing relationships with local WIA programs.

B. Selection Criteria

    Except as specifically provided, acceptance of a proposal and an 
award of federal funds to sponsor any program(s) is not a waiver of any 
grant requirement and/or procedures. Grantees must comply with all 
applicable Federal statutes, regulations, administrative requirements 
and OMB Circulars. For example, the OMB circulars require, and an 
entity's procurement procedures must require that all procurement 
transaction shall be conducted, as practical, to provide open

[[Page 36305]]

and free competition. If a proposal identifies a specific entity to 
provide the services, the award does not provide the justification or 
basis to sole-source the procurement, i.e., avoid competition.
    A panel will objectively rate each complete application against the 
criteria described in this SGA. The panel recommendations to the Grant 
Officer are advisory in nature. The Grant Officer may elect to award 
grants either with or without discussion with the applicant. In 
situations where no discussion occurs, an award will be based on the 
signed SF 424 form (see Appendix A), which constitutes a binding offer. 
The Grant Officer may consider the availability of funds and any 
information that is available and will make final award decisions based 
on what is most advantageous to the government, considering factors 
such as:
    A. Findings of the grant technical evaluation panel; and,
    B. Geographic distribution of the competitive applications.

IX. Reporting

    Grantees are required to provide typed reports to DOL/ODEP or its 
designee on the status of their program alignment on a quarterly basis 
by March 30, June 30, September 30, and December 31, for a one year 
period. It is estimated that the quarterly report will take two hours 
to complete.

X. Administration Provisions

A. Administrative Standards and Provisions

    Grantees are strongly encouraged to read these regulations before 
submitting a proposal. The grant awarded under this SGA shall be 
subject to the following:

29 CFR Part 95--Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and 
Cooperative Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, etc.
29 CFR Part 96--Federal Standards for Audit of Federally Funded Grants, 
Contracts, and Agreements.
29 CFR Part 97--Uniform Administrative Requirement for Grants and 
Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments.

B. Allowable Cost

    Determinations of allowable costs shall be made in accordance with 
the following applicable Federal cost principles:

State and Local Government--OMB Circular A-87
Nonprofit Organizations--OMB Circular A-122
Profit-making Commercial Firms--48 CFR Part 31

C. Grant Assurances

    The applicant must include the attached assurances and 
certifications.
    Profit will not be considered an allowable cost in any case.

    Signed at Washington, D.C. this 6th day of July, 2001.
Lawrence J. Kuss,
Grant Officer.
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Appendix A. Application for Federal Assistance, Form SF 424
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Appendix B. Budget Information Sheet, Form SF 424A
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Appendix C. Assurances and Certifications Signature Page
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[FR Doc. 01-17411 Filed 7-10-01; 8:45 am]
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