[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 162 (Tuesday, August 21, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43906-43916]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-20985]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


Caribbean Labor Market Information System Project

AGENCY: Bureau of International Labor Affairs, Department of Labor.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds and solicitation for 
cooperative agreement applications (SGA 01-10).

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    This Notice Contains All of the Necessary Information and Forms 
Needed To Apply for Cooperative Agreement Funding.

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of International Labor 
Affairs (ILAB), will award funds through a cooperative agreement to one 
organization to support the development and implementation of a labor 
market information system in the English-speaking Caribbean and 
Suriname. The countries include Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados, 
the Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 
Suriname, Guyana, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and the 
Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis. ILAB is seeking applications 
from qualified organizations to facilitate the development of more 
effective employment and labor market policies in the region by 
generating reliable, timely, and internationally comparable labor 
market information. This is the second phase of an existing project 
begun in April 2000.

DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications is September 12, 
2001. Applications must be received by 4:45 p.m. (Eastern Daylight 
Savings Time) at the address below. No exceptions to the mailing and 
hand-delivery conditions set forth in this notice will be granted. 
Applications that do not meet the conditions set forth in this notice 
will not be honored. Telefacsimile (FAX) applications will not be 
accepted.

ADDRESSES: Application forms will not be mailed. They are published in 
the Federal Register, which may be obtained from your nearest U.S. 
Government office or many public libraries. Applications must be hand-
delivered or submitted by mail to: U.S. Department of Labor, 
Procurement Services Center, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room N5416, 
Attention:

[[Page 43907]]

Lisa Harvey, Reference: SGA 01-10, Washington, D.C. 20210.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions concerning this solicitation 
may be sent to Lisa Harvey at the following e-mail address: [email protected]. All inquires should reference SGA 01-10.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ILAB, U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL, 
Department, or Grantor), announces the availability of funds to be 
granted through a cooperative agreement to one qualifying organization 
for the purpose of achieving more reliable labor market information in 
the English-speaking Caribbean and Suriname in support of developing 
more effective employment and labor market policies in the region. The 
cooperative agreement is to be actively managed by the Office of 
Foreign Relations (OFR), ILAB, to assure achievement of the stated 
goal. Applicants are encouraged to be creative in proposing cost-
effective interventions that will have a demonstrable impact on 
improving the labor market information systems in the English-speaking 
Caribbean and Suriname.
    Definitions: (a) Social statistics include areas such as education, 
poverty, health and labor. (b) Social partners are government, trade 
unions and employer organizations. (c) Working culture refers to the 
development of an environment within an organization that supports the 
belief that labor market information is essential to policy 
formulation.

I. Background and Program Scope

A. USDOL Technical Assistance

    The OFR carries out a worldwide international technical assistance 
program to improve the welfare of workers through expanding economic 
opportunity and income security for workers, protecting the basic 
rights of workers, and reducing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS through 
workplace education. This SGA seeks one qualified organization to 
develop and implement a labor market information system project in the 
English-speaking Caribbean and Suriname in support of expanding 
economic opportunity and income security for workers.

B. Labor Market Information System--Phase One

    In phase one of the labor market information system project in the 
English-speaking Caribbean and Suriname, USDOL dedicated much of its 
efforts to help build and enhance the capacity for the production and 
use of labor market information at the national and regional levels. 
USDOL has successfully implemented intensive activities of technical 
support and training. This technical assistance consisted of training 
to enhance the institutional framework of Ministries of Labor and 
Central Statistical Offices in the English-speaking Caribbean and 
Suriname to support labor market information through an improved human 
resource base. Specific training activities included:
1. Direct Technical Assistance
    The Bureau of Labor Statistics provided current senior employees 
and recommended recent retirees to serve as technical experts in the 
areas of sample design and labor force data collection and analysis. 
They worked in the countries for one week periods of time providing 
direct technical assistance to Ministries of Labor and Central 
Statistical Offices to develop labor force surveys. The experts also 
attempted to facilitate a better level of communication between the 
Ministries of Labor and Central Statistical Offices in the countries.
2. Seminar on Linking Labor Market Information to Labor Market Policy
    The purpose of the meeting was to illustrate the link between labor 
market information and the needs of policymakers in government, trade 
unions, and employer organizations. The meeting was attended by high-
level officials from the Ministries of Labor, Central Statistical 
Offices, trade unions, and employer organizations throughout the 
region.
3. Bureau of Labor Statistics Seminar on Sampling and Data Processing
    The objective of the two-week training was to develop participants' 
capability to create sample frames for statistical surveys and process 
the survey data collected by utilizing statistical computing systems. 
The training was attended by labor market information staff from 
Ministries of Labor and Central Statistical Offices within the region.
4. Seminar on Labor Market Analysis
    The objective of the two-week training was to enhance the ability 
of the countries to use labor market information to analyze employment 
and labor market issues and formulate policies in response to the 
challenges of globalization facing the region. The training was 
attended by labor market information staff from the Ministries of Labor 
and Central Statistical Offices in the region and the social partners. 
The tripartite character of the training reinforced social dialogue and 
a better understanding from all parties on the importance of labor 
market information.
5. Bureau of Labor Statistics Seminars
    Technical staff from Ministries of Labor and Central Statistical 
Offices in the region attended USDOL's Bureau of Labor Statistics 
Seminars on Employment and Unemployment and Labor Market Information.
    During the implementation of phase one, ILAB partnered with various 
agencies within USDOL as well as international and regional 
organizations and experts to ensure that the necessary skills and 
knowledge were disseminated within a national and regional context. 
Applicants may review Phase One background information at the following 
website: http://www.dol.gov/dol/ilab/public/programs/ofr/procurement/main.htm

C. Regional Challenges

    National development strategies and programs in the Caribbean have 
increasingly stressed the role of employment policies and the need to 
strengthen the capability in the region to design and monitor such 
policies. Human resources are central to the development process of the 
Caribbean. With their small, but well-educated populations, human 
capital is considered the key to successful economic development. 
Highly skilled and semi-skilled human resources in the region however, 
are becoming increasingly mobile in the current international 
environment. The developments in the new global financial order and 
more open international trade regimes under the World Trade 
Organization (WTO) rules have further placed these small vulnerable 
economies and their labor markets under formidable pressure to adjust. 
The main challenge of these countries is to create new institutional 
capacities to deal with a rapidly changing environment. Due to this, 
there has been a growing need for social statistics, in particular 
labor statistics. As a result, labor market information has been 
identified as an essential tool to improve the functions of the labor 
market in the region.
    Furthermore, there is a need for comparability of labor statistics 
among countries in the Western Hemisphere. This need will become more 
urgent with the expansion of a free trade area throughout the 
Hemisphere.
    The Caribbean has made great efforts in the last decade to 
establish and sustain a capability for producing labor market 
statistics. The level of labor market information system development 
however, varies widely across the

[[Page 43908]]

region. The larger countries have created some of the basic building 
blocks to develop a concrete labor market information system and in 
some cases attempted to automate their systems, while the smaller 
countries have yet to establish the most basic elements of a labor 
market information system. Still, all the countries are faced with 
obstacles such as scarcity of funds, weakness of analysis and 
projections, and unavailability of consistent data collected from the 
field in their systems.
    All actors involved in the process of regionalization and 
globalization need credible and timely labor market information to 
successfully respond to the aforementioned issues. Labor market 
information systems in the region however, are relatively weak and 
therefore are unable to play this critical policy role.

II. Authority

    ILAB is authorized to award and administer this project by the 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2001, Pub. L. No. 106-554, 114 Stat. 
2763A-10 (2000).

III. Application Process

A. Eligible Applicants

    Any organization capable of successfully developing and 
implementing a labor market information system project in the English-
speaking Caribbean and Suriname in order to facilitate the development 
of more effective employment and labor market policies in the region is 
eligible to apply for this cooperative agreement award. The capability 
of an applicant to perform necessary aspects of this solicitation will 
be determined under Section V(B) Rating Criteria.
    Please Note That Eligible 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, 2 U.S.C. 1611 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.

B. Submission of Applications

    One (1) ink-signed original, complete application plus two (2) 
copies, must be received by the U.S. Department of Labor, Procurement 
Services Center, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room N-5416, Washington, 
D.C. 20210, no later than 4:45 p.m. EDT, September 12, 2001.
    The application must consist of two (2) separate parts. Part I of 
the application must contain the Standard Form (SF) 424, ``Application 
for Federal Assistance'' (Appendix A) (The entry on SF 424 for the 
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number (CFDA) is 17.700) and 
sections A-F of the Budget Information Form SF 424A (Appendix B). Part 
II must contain a technical proposal that demonstrates capabilities in 
accordance with the Statement of Work and the selection criteria. The 
applicant is advised that the Proposal must be based on the example 
listed in the Review Criteria.
    To be considered responsive to this solicitation, the application 
must consist of the above-mentioned separate sections not to exceed 70 
single-sided (8\1/2\" x 11"), double-spaced, 10 to 12 pitch typed 
pages. Any Proposals That Do Not Conform to These Standards May Be 
Deemed Non-Responsive to This Solicitation and May Not Be Evaluated. 
Standard forms and attachments are not included in page limit.
    The individual signing the SF 424 on behalf of the applicant must 
be authorized to bind the applicant.
    Each proposal must include a table of contents and an abstract 
summarizing the proposal in not more than two (2) pages. The table of 
contents and abstract do not count against the page limitation of the 
technical proposal.

C. Acceptable Methods of Submission

    Applications may be hand-delivered or mailed. Hand-delivered 
applications must be received by the Procurement Services Center by the 
date and time specified. Any application received at the Procurement 
Services Center after 4:45 p.m. September 12, 2001 will not be 
considered unless it is received before an award is made and:
    a. It was sent by registered or certified mail no later than the 
fifth calendar day before September 12, 2001.
    b. 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 above address; or
    c. It was sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail Next Day 
Service-Post Office to Addressee, no later than 5:00 p.m. EDT at the 
place of mailing two working days, excluding weekends and Federal 
holidays, before September 12, 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 on 
the envelope or wrapper, an application received after the above 
closing time and date will not be considered. ``Postmark'' means a 
printed, stamped, or otherwise placed 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 must request that 
the postal clerk place legible hand cancellation bull's-eye postmark on 
both the receipt and the wrapper or envelope.
    The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of a 
late application sent by the U.S. Postal Service 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 must 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 of a 
hand-delivered application 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 of receipt maintained by that 
office.
    Applications sent by e-mail, telegram, or telefacsimile (FAX) will 
not be accepted.

D. Funding Levels

    Approximately $1 million is available for this project, to fund 
activities in thirteen (13) countries of the English-speaking Caribbean 
and Suriname.

E. Length of Grant Period

    The performance period for the cooperative agreement awarded under 
this SGA is three (3) years. Each applicant must reflect in its 
application the intention to begin operation no later than September 
30, 2001.

IV. Requirements

A. Statement of Work

    Applicants must propose work in all of the following areas in the 
English-speaking Caribbean and Suriname:
    1. Participate in design missions to develop a strategy for project 
implementation;
    2. Develop an institutional framework/plan by evaluating national 
classifications, labor force surveys,

[[Page 43909]]

productivity data, and occupational wages;
    3. Develop a program that aims to achieve more effective employment 
and training programs that are responsive to the new challenges of 
regional and hemispheric integration and globalization by generating 
reliable, timely and internationally comparable labor market 
information. To accomplish this, the following must be provided:
    a. A standard research methodology and set of critical labor market 
indicators that are consistent with international occupational 
classification system norms accepted by members of Caribbean Community 
(CARICOM) and utilized in phase one, as well as supportive of the 
current efforts within the Caribbean to adopt a set of acceptable 
indicators for the region. International, regional, and national 
specialists should be used in the development of the methodology and 
indicators to ensure a connection between international standards and 
regional and national standards;
    b. Based on the establishment of labor market indicators, a 
computerized data base utilizing the international and regional 
recognized occupational classification system is created to house, 
access, and analyze the labor market data in order to make labor market 
information more timely and accessible; and
    c. A labor market information database within six (6) countries 
that is linked to regional and global labor market databases and 
utilizing the international and regional recognized occupational 
classification system. This would include the development and 
implementation of software in each country, design the database 
avoiding duplication of previous international efforts, and input the 
data in the required format into the system.
    4. Conduct extensive training using regional experts and the 
expertise of the U.S.
    Bureau of Labor Statistics on the national and regional level to 
enhance the ability to utilize labor market information in support of 
labor market policy development, to adopt a set of standards and 
guidelines for labor market information, to provide technical 
assistance, and to engage the social partners in understanding the 
relevance of labor market information;
    5. Facilitate sustainability of the project;
    a. Develop a working culture within the government and the social 
partners to foster the belief that accurate and timely labor market 
information is fundamental to sound policy and workforce development;
    b. Ensure the labor market information professionals are trained in 
the proper techniques and given the necessary tools to collect, 
analyze, and disseminate labor market information to all partners; and
    c. Draw employers, trade unions, educational and training 
institutions and policy markers more closely into the production, use, 
and dissemination of labor market information by showing that it has a 
direct impact on their actions.
    6. Monitoring, reporting, and self-evaluation: regularly monitoring 
project outcomes and reporting to ILAB on project performance and 
conducting mid-term and final evaluations to ensure that the project 
objectives are met.

B. Deliverables

    Unless otherwise indicated, the applicant must submit copies of all 
required reports to ILAB by the specified due dates. Other documents, 
such as project designs, are to be submitted by mutually agreed-upon 
deadlines.
    1. A project workplan, budget, project logical framework, and key 
personnel organizational chart is submitted to ILAB;
    2. A sustainability plan that illustrates how intended project 
outputs will continue beyond the scope of the project is submitted to 
ILAB;
    3. A labor market information institutional framework is submitted 
to ILAB;
    4. An evaluation of existing national occupational classifications, 
labor force surveys, productivity data, and occupational wages 
conducted in all countries is submitted to ILAB;
    5. A standard research methodology is created;
    6. A set of labor market indicators comparable with regional and 
international standards is designed;
    7. A computerized database is designed and implemented;
    8. A labor force survey is created and conducted and a survey 
report is produced;
    9. Software is developed and implemented to support the 
computerized database;
    10. Regional seminars with the Ministries of Labor, Central 
Statistical Offices, and social partners are conducted to adopt a set 
of core regional standards for labor statistics;
    11. A regional seminar is conducted for high level policy makers in 
the Ministries of Labor and Central Statistical Offices to illustrate 
the importance of labor market information to labor market policy;
    12. National seminars are conducted to implement labor market 
information institutional framework;
    13. National seminars are conducted on the results of the labor 
force surveys;
    14. Ministry of Labor and Central Statistical Office staff are 
trained in labor market information database and software;
    15. A network of individuals is established and trained in the area 
of labor market analysis so that they can disseminate this information 
to the relevant partners within their respective countries;
    16. A project director living full time in Port of Spain, Trinidad;
    17. An office in Port of Spain, Trinidad is established within 
three months of grant award and maintained. The project manager and 
project office need to be based in Port of Spain, Trinidad for the 
following reasons: First, the umbrella trade union group, the Caribbean 
Congress of Labour, and the umbrella employers' group, the Caribbean 
Employers' Confederation, are located in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Open 
lines of communication and easy access to them will be essential to the 
development of the tripartite partnership necessary for this project. 
Second, Port of Spain, Trinidad offers daily non stop and connecting 
flights to the participating countries as well as the daily flights to 
the United States. The ability to travel easily will enable the project 
manager to be accessible to the participants of the project in case 
issues arises with implementation. Finally, Port of Spain, Trinidad is 
more technologically advanced than the other cities in the region. The 
internet is widely utilized in the country and is less expensive than 
in the other countries. This will allow better communication with USDOL 
regarding project implementation.
    18. Periodic visits to countries to evaluate project progress are 
conducted and corrective actions are taken where necessary aftering 
consulting with ILAB;
    19. Trip Reports. Within ten (10) days of the conclusion of any 
trip, a two-page trip report (exclusive of contact information) is 
submitted to ILAB, including purpose of trip, places and dates, list of 
meetings, site visits, problems encountered, accomplishments, next 
steps, and an annex of names and contact information of persons met;
    20. Project Designs. The standard project document format 
established by ILAB will be used, and will include a background/
justification section, project strategy (objectives, outputs, 
activities,

[[Page 43910]]

indicators), institutional framework, project implementation timetable, 
project management organizational chart, project budget, and project 
logical framework. The document will also include sections which cover 
coordination strategies, project management, and sustainability of 
project improvements involving government, employers' and workers' 
organizations, as well as other non-governmental organizations as 
appropriate;
    21. Technical Progress Reports. The grantee must furnish a typed 
technical report to ILAB on a quarterly basis by 30 March, 30 June, 30 
September, and 31 December of each year. The grantee must also furnish 
a separate financial report to ILAB on the same quarterly basis. The 
format for the technical progress report will be the standard format 
developed by ILAB and must contain the following information:
    a. For each project objective, an accurate account of activities 
carried out under that objective during the reporting period;
    b. An accounting of staff and any subcontractor hours expended;
    c. An accounting of travel performed under the cooperative 
agreement during the reporting period, including purpose of trip, 
persons or organizations contacted, and benefits derived;
    d. A description of current problems that may impede performance, 
and proposed corrective action;
    e. For each project objective, a discussion of the work to be 
performed during the balance of the cooperative agreement; and
    f. Aggregate amount of costs incurred during the reporting period.
    22. Evaluation Plan. An evaluation plan for all projects, to be 
developed in collaboration with ILAB, including beginning and ending 
dates for projects, planned and actual dates for mid-term reviews, and 
final end of project evaluations;
    23. Evaluation Reports. The grantee and the Grant Officer's 
Technical Representative (GOTR) will determine on a case-by-case basis 
whether mid-term evaluations will be conducted by an internal or 
external evaluation team. All final evaluations will be external in 
nature. The GOTR must approve the mid-term evaluation before further 
work is done. The grantee will respond to any comments and 
recommendation resulting from the review of the mid-term report; and
    24. Final Report. A detailed final report with executive summary on 
project activities and outcomes is delivered and accepted by ILAB. The 
format of this report will be determined by ILAB and it will be 
delivered in both electronic and hard copy media.

C. Production of Deliverables

1. Material Prepared and Purchased Under the Cooperative Agreement
    The grantee must submit to ILAB all media-related and educational 
materials developed under this grant for use in this project before 
they are reproduced, published, or used. The grantee must consult with 
ILAB to ensure that materials are compatible with ILAB materials 
relating to the program, i.e. public relations materials such as videos 
and a website. ILAB considers brochures, pamphlets, videotapes, slide-
tape shows, curricula, and any other training materials used in the 
program, education materials. ILAB will review materials for technical 
accuracy. ILAB will also review training curricula and purchased 
training materials for accuracy before they are used. The grantee must 
obtain prior approval from the Grant Officer for all materials 
developed or purchased under this grant.
    Provide ILAB material that you publish, print or reproduce. All 
material produced by the grantee must be provided to ILAB in a digital 
format for possible publication on the Internet by ILAB.
2. Printing and Duplication
    The grantee must comply with all duplicating and printing 
regulations issues by the Joint Commission on Printing under authority 
of 44 U.S.C. 103, 501, and 502. The term ``duplicating'' as used means 
material produced on single unit duplicating equipment not larger than 
11 by 17 inches and which have a maximum image of 10\3/4\  x  14\1/4\ 
inches using direct image plates not requiring the use of negatives. 
The term ``printing'' as used must be constructed to include and apply 
to the processes of composition, platemaking, presswork, binding, and 
microform.
    Under this grant, the grantee may duplicate up to a maximum of 
5,000 copies of one page or 25,000 copies in the aggregate of multiple 
pages.
    The grantee must not use funds under this grant to provide 
duplicating in excess of the quantities stated above nor provide 
printing without the written authorization of the Joint Committee on 
Printing. Such authorization must be requested and obtained from the 
Grant Officer through the Department Printing Officer. Nothing in this 
clause precludes the procurement of writing, editing, preparation of 
manuscript copy, or preparation of related illustrative materials.
3. Acknowledgement of USDOL Funding
    In all circumstances, the following must be displayed on printed 
materials:
    ``Preparation of this item was funded by the United States 
Department of Labor under Cooperative Agreement No. (insert the 
appropriate grant number).''
    When issuing statements, press releases, requests for proposals, 
bid solicitations, and other documents describing projects or programs 
funded in whole or in part with Federal money, all grantees receiving 
Federal funds must clearly state:
    a. The percentage of the total costs of the program or project 
which will be financed with Federal money;
    b. The dollar amount of Federal funds for the project or program; 
and
    c. The percentage and dollar amount of the total costs of the 
project or program that will be financed by non-governmental sources.
    In consultation with ILAB, identification of USDOL's role will be 
determined to be one of the following:
    a. The USDOL logo may be applied to USDOL-funded material prepared 
for world-wide distribution, including posters, videos, pamphlets, 
research documents, national survey results, impact evaluations, best 
practices reports, and other publications of global interest. The 
grantee will consult with USDOL on whether the logo should be used on 
any such items prior to final draft or final preparation for 
distribution. In no event will the USDOL logo be placed on any item 
until USDOL has given the grantee written permission to use the logo, 
after obtaining appropriate internal USDOL approval for use of the logo 
on the item.
    b. If the ILAB determines the logo is not appropriate and does not 
give written permission, the following notice must appear on the 
document:
    ``This document does not necessarily reflect the views or policies 
of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, 
commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. 
Government.''

D. Administrative Requirements

1. General
    Grantee organizations will be subject to applicable Federal laws 
(including provisions of appropriation law) and the applicable Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars. Determination of allowable 
costs will be made in accordance with applicable Federal cost 
principles. The grant awarded under

[[Page 43911]]

this SGA will be subject to the following administrative standards and 
provisions, if applicable:
    29 CFR part 95--Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and 
Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals and Other 
Non-Profit Organizations, and with Commercial Organizations, Foreign 
Governments, Organizations Under the Jurisdiction of Foreign 
Governments and International Organizations.
    29 CFR part 96--Federal Standards for Audit of Federally Funded 
Grants, Contracts and Agreement.
2. Subgrants/Contracts
    Subgrants and contracts must be awarded in accordance with 29 CFR 
95.40.
3. Key Personnel
    The applicant must list the individuals(s) who have been designated 
by the grantee as having primary responsibility for the conduct and 
completion of all work in the project it proposes. The grantee agrees 
to inform the GOTR whenever it appears impossible for these 
individual(s) to continue work on the project as planned. The grantee 
may nominate substitute personnel for approval of the GOTR; however, 
the grantee must obtain prior approval from the Grant Officer for all 
key personnel. If the Grant Officer determines not to approve the 
personnel change, he/she reserves the right to terminate the 
cooperative agreement.
4. Encumbrance of Cooperative Agreement Funds
    Cooperative agreement funds may not be encumbered/obligated by the 
grantee before or after the grant period of performance. Encumbrances/
obligations outstanding as of the end of the cooperative agreement 
period may be liquidated (paid out) after the end of the cooperative 
agreement period. Such encumbrances/obligations may involve only 
commitments for which a need existed during the cooperative agreement 
period and which are supported by approved contracts, purchase orders, 
requisitions, invoices, bills, or other evidence of liability 
consistent with the grantee's purchasing procedures and incurred within 
the grant period. All encumbrances/obligations incurred during the 
grant period must be liquidated within 90 days after the end of the 
grant period, if practicable.
5. Site Visits
    The grantor, through its authorized representatives, has the right, 
at all reasonable times, to make site visits to review project 
accomplishments and management control systems and to provide such 
technical assistance as may be required. If the grantor makes any site 
visit on the premises of the grantee or a subgrantee/contractor under 
this grant, the grantee must provide and must require its subgrantees/
contractors to provide all reasonable facilities and assistance for the 
safety and convenience of the Government representatives in the 
performance of their duties. All site visits and evaluations must be 
performed in such a manner as will not unduly delay the work.

V. Review and Selection of Applications for Grant Award

A. The Review Process

    USDOL will screen all applications to determine whether all 
required elements are present and clearly identifiable. Each complete 
application will be objectively rated by a technical panel against the 
criteria described in this announcement. The panel recommendations to 
the Grant Officer are advisory in nature. The Grant Office may elect to 
select a grantee on the basis of the initial proposal submission; or, 
the Grant Officer may establish a competitive or technically acceptable 
range for the purpose of selecting qualified applicants. If deemed 
appropriate, following the Grant Officer's call for the preparation and 
receipt of final revisions of proposals, the evaluation process 
described above will be repeated to consider such revisions. The Grant 
Officer will make a final selection determination based on what is most 
advantageous to the Government, considering factors such as: panel 
findings, geographic presence of the applicants, and the availability 
of funds. The Grant Officer's determination for award under this SGA is 
final.

    Note: Identification of an organization as a cooperative 
agreement recipient does not constitute approval of the grant 
application submitted. Before the actual cooperative agreement is 
awarded, the Grant Officer may enter into negotiations concerning 
such items as program components, funding levels, and administrative 
systems. If the negotiations do not result in an acceptable 
submission, the Grant Officer reserves the right to terminate the 
negotiation and decline to fund the proposal.

B. Rating Criteria and Selection

    The technical panel will review grant applicants against the 
criteria listed below on the basis of 100 points with up to an 
additional 5 points available for non-federal or leveraged resources.
    The criteria are presented in the order of emphasis that they will 
receive.
1. Approach, Understanding of the Issue, and Budget Plan (40 Points)
    a. Overview. This section of the proposal must explain:
    (1) The applicant's proposed method for performing all the specific 
work requirements presented in this solicitation;
    (2) The expected outcomes over the period of performance for each 
of the tasks; and
    (3) The applicant's approach for producing all required 
deliverables.
    The applicant must describe in detail the proposed approach to 
address each requirement, including all methods to be utilized, and 
scheduling of personnel and staff. The applicant must also explain the 
rationale for using the particular approach proposed. In addition, this 
section of the proposal must demonstrate the applicant's thorough 
knowledge and understanding of labor market information systems and 
policies in the English-speaking Caribbean and Suriname and work that 
has been done in this area by various organizations based upon their 
previous experience working on these issues in the region.
    b. Workplan. The applicant must submit a workplan for the project 
that lists the immediate objectives, activities, and outputs during the 
life of the project, starting with the execution of the cooperative 
agreement and ending with the final report.
    c. Technical Sample. The applicant must create a regional workplan 
and thirteen national workplans. The applicant must address the 
following points in the regional and national workplans:
    (1) Describe the use of existing or potential infrastructure and 
the use of qualified personnel, including qualified local nationals to 
implement the project. The applicant must also include a project 
organization chart, demonstrating management structure, key personnel 
positions, and indicating proposed links with Government, business 
leaders, and trade unions. Applicants will not receive any points for 
actual communications with any person(s) or entities in the Caribbean 
region or for the creation of an infrastructure in the Caribbean region 
for this competitive grant process.
    (2) Develop a list of activities and explain how each relates to 
the overall objective of achieving more reliable and timely labor 
market information systems in the English-speaking Caribbean and 
Suriname and increasing their policy relevance.

[[Page 43912]]

    (3) Explain how appropriate information, education, and 
communication materials will be developed.
    (4) Demonstrate how it would systematically report on project 
performance to measure the achievement of the project objective(s).
    (5) Demonstrate how it would build local capacity to ensure that 
project efforts to improve the labor market information systems are 
sustained after completion of the project.
    (6) Develop a budget for the project. NOTE: Applicants will not be 
evaluated on the size of the budget, but on the efficient allocation of 
resources and the priorities the applicant assigns to various 
expenditures.
    d. Budget Plan. This section of the proposal must contain the 
applicant's budget plan for the project proposal explaining the costs 
for performing all of the requirements presented in this solicitation 
and for producing all required reports and other deliverables presented 
in this solicitation. Costs must include labor, equipment, travel, and 
other related costs.
    e. Management Plan. This section also must include a management and 
staff loading plan. The management plan must include the following:
    (1) A project organization chart and accompanying narrative which 
differentiates between elements of the applicant's staff and 
subcontractors or consultants who will be retained;
    (2) A description of the functional relationship between elements 
of the project's organization; and
    (3) The identity of the individual responsible for project 
management and the lines of authority between this individual and other 
elements of the project.
    f. Staff Loading Plan. The staff loading plan must identify all key 
tasks and the person-days required to complete each task. Labor 
estimates for each task must be broken down by individuals assigned to 
the task, including subcontractors and consultants. All key tasks must 
be charted to show time required to perform them by months and weeks.
    (1) Information provided on the experience and education background 
of personnel must indicate the following:
    (a) The educational background and experience of all staff to be 
assigned to the project.
    (b) The identity of key staff assigned to the project. ``Key 
staff'' are personnel who are essential to the successful operation of 
the project and completion of the proposed work and, therefore, may not 
be replaced or have their hours reduced without the approval of the 
Grant Officer.
    (c) The special capabilities of staff that demonstrate prior 
experience in organizing, managing, and performing similar efforts.
    (d) The current employment status of staff and availability for 
this project. The applicant must also indicate whether the proposed 
work will be performed by persons currently employed or is work 
dependent upon planned recruitment or subcontracting.
    This section will be evaluated in accordance with applicable 
Federal laws and regulations. The budget must comply with Federal cost 
principles (which can be found in the applicable OMB Circulars).
2. Experience and Qualifications of the Organization (35 Points)
    a. The organization applying for the award must have experience in 
working directly with government Ministries, specifically the 
Ministries of Labor and Ministries of Finance, employers' 
organizations, and trade unionists in each of the countries of the 
English-speaking Caribbean and Suriname.
    1. The capability of the organization may be demonstrated by one or 
more staff members assigned to oversee the project with experience in 
labor market information systems.
    b. The organization applying for the award must have an 
understanding and working knowledge of global initiatives to develop 
and apply a set of internationally recognized labor market indicators.
    c. The organization applying for the award must have an established 
office or must show that it is able to establish an office within three 
months of award as mentioned in deliverable number 17 in Port of Spain, 
Trinidad to facilitate project implementation.
    d. The organization applying for the award must have unrestricted 
access to a network of labor market information technical experts based 
in the Caribbean region and worldwide.
    e. The organization applying for the award must have an 
understanding of USDOL's previous efforts to strengthen the labor 
market information systems of the countries of the region.
    f. The proposal must include information regarding its previous 
grants, contract, or cooperative agreements. This information must 
include:
    (1) The organization for whom work was done;
    (2) A contact person in that organization with his/her current 
phone number;
    (3) The dollar value of the grant, contract or cooperative 
agreement for the project(s);
    (4) The time frame and professional effort involved in the 
project(s);
    (5) A brief summary of the work performed; and
    (6) A brief summary of accomplishments.
3. Experience and Qualifications of Key Personnel (25 Points)
    This section of the proposal must include sufficient information 
for judging the quality and the competence of key staff proposed to be 
assigned to the project proposed to assure that they meet the required 
qualifications. Successful performance of the proposed work depends 
heavily on the qualifications of the individuals committed to the 
project. Accordingly, in our evaluation of the applicant's proposal, we 
will place considerable emphasis on the applicant's commitment of key 
personnel qualified for the work involved in accomplishing the assigned 
tasks.
    The following information must be furnished:
    a. The applicant must designate a Program Director to oversee the 
project and other key personnel to perform the requirements for the 
program. The Program Director must have a minimum of three (3) years of 
professional and technical experience with the development of labor 
market information systems and labor market policy in the English-
speaking Caribbean region. The Program Director must also have an 
established relationship with employers' organizations and trade unions 
in the region. The Program Director will be required to live full time 
in Port of Spain, Trinidad to implement the program.
    b. An organizational chart showing the applicant's proposed 
organizational structure for performing task requirements for the 
project proposed, along with a description of the roles and 
responsibilities of all key personnel proposed for the project.
    c. A resume for each key personnel to be assigned to the program. 
At a minimum, each resume must include: the individual's current 
employment status and previous work experience, including position 
title, duties performed, dates in position, employing organizations and 
educational background. Duties must be clearly defined in terms of role 
performed, i.e. manager, team leader, consultant, etc. Resumes must be 
included as attachments and will not be counted again in the page 
limitation.
    d. The current employment status of key personnel proposed for work 
under the cooperative agreement, i.e., whether

[[Page 43913]]

personnel are currently employed by the organization or whether their 
employment depends upon planned recruitment or subcontracting. Note 
that the key management and professional technical staff members 
comprising the applicant's proposed team must be individuals who have 
prior experience with organizations working in similar efforts, and 
must be fully qualified to perform work specified in the Statement of 
Work. Where subcontractors or outside assistance is proposed, 
organizational control must be clearly delineated to ensure 
responsiveness to the needs of the USDOL.
4. Leveraging of Federal Funding (5 Points)
    We will give up to five (5) additional rating points to proposals 
which include non-Federal resources that expand the dollar amount, size 
and scope of the proposal. The applicant may include any leveraging or 
co-funding anticipated. To be eligible for additional points in the 
criterion, the applicant must list the source(s) of funds, the nature 
and activities anticipated with these funds under this cooperative 
agreement, and any partnerships, linkages or coordination of 
activities, or cooperative funding.

    Signed at Washington, D.C., this 15th day of August, 2001.
Lawrence J. Kuss,
Grant Officer.
BILLING CODE 4510-28-P

[[Page 43914]]

Appendix A: SF 424--Application Form
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN21AU01.000


[[Page 43915]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN21AU01.001


[[Page 43916]]



Appendix B: SF 424A--Budget Information Form
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN21AU01.002

[FR Doc. 01-20985 Filed 8-20-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-28-C