[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 7, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56347-56358]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-27963]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Disability Employment Grant Program Funded Under the Workforce 
Investment Act Title I

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration (ETA), 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, Employment and Training 
Administration (DOL/ETA), announces the availability of approximately 
$6 million in competitive grant funds for multi-state employment and 
training projects serving people with disabilities. This skill training 
grant program is funded using Workforce Investment Act Title I, section 
171 funds and targets projects providing multi-site training and other 
employment services to individuals with disabilities that result in 
long-term, unsubsidized employment.

DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications under this 
announcement is December 21, 2001 at 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) 
at the address below:

ADDRESSES: Applications must be mailed to the U.S. Department of Labor, 
Employment and Training Administration, Division of Federal Assistance, 
Attention: Jacquelyn Carter, SGA/DFA 02-100. 200 Constitution Avenue, 
NW, Room S-4203, Washington, DC 20210.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions should be faxed to Jacquelyn 
Carter at 202-693-2879 (this is not a toll-free number). All inquiries 
should include the SGA number DFA-02-100, and a contact name, fax, and 
telephone numbers. This solicitation is also being published on the 
Internet at ETA's home page at http://www.doleta.gov and at ETA's 
disAbility Online website at http://wdsc.doleta.gov/disability/ (click 
on ``Grantee Communication'' to access these forms). Award 
notifications will also be published on both the ETA home page and the 
disAbility Online website.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Authority

    Funds made available for this Solicitation for Grant Applications 
are authorized under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, section 171 
(b), (c) and (d). Approximately $6 million of the total funds available 
for this grant award are dislocated worker demonstration and pilot 
project funds.
    This announcement consists of five parts:

Part I--Application Process
Part II--Background and Purpose
Part III--Review Process, Evaluation Criteria and Statement of Work
Part IV--Government Requirements, and
Part V--Definitions

Part I--Application Process

A. Eligible Applicants

    Private non-profit entities, including faith-based organizations, 
are eligible to receive grant funds under this award. Non-profit 
disability organizations with national scope and the capacity to 
administer multi-state training and employment programs are encouraged 
to apply. Entities described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal 
Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activities are not eligible to 
receive funds under this SGA. The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 as 
amended, 2 U.S.C. 1611 prohibits the award of federal funds to 
501(c)(4) entities engaged in lobbying activities. Applicants are 
encouraged to include partnerships with community-based and faith-based 
organizations at the local level. Such partnerships should be clearly 
identified in the application.
    Applicants must operate or propose to operate in two or more 
states. Applicants should provide documentation of knowledge and/or 
experience in the following areas:
    --Overcoming barriers to employment experienced by individuals with 
disabilities;

[[Page 56348]]

    --ability to conduct training, placement, and follow-up services; 
and
    --management and accountability structure necessary to ensure the 
integrity of the funds requested (by meeting the standards for 
financial management and participant data systems as specified in 29 
CFR part 95). Only one proposal per applicant/organization(s) is 
permitted. If an applicant/organization submits two separate proposals, 
both proposals will be rejected.

B. Submission of Proposals

    Applicants must submit three (3) copies with original signatures. A 
proposal shall consist of two (2) separate and distinct sections: 
Section I--Financial Proposal and Budget Information Form; and Section 
II--Technical Proposal.
    Section I, the Financial Proposal shall contain the SF-424, 
``Application for Federal Assistance,''(Appendix A), and Budget 
Information Form (Appendix B). In addition, the budget shall include on 
a separate page a detailed cost analysis of each line item. 
Administrative costs cannot exceed 15 percent of total proposed costs. 
Administrative costs are those identified in 20 CFR 667.220. Approval 
of a budget by DOL is not the same as approval of actual costs. The 
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 17.261. Applicants 
shall indicate on the SF-424 the organization's IRS status, if 
applicable. According to the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 as 
amended, 2 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. The budget must include, on a separate page, a detailed breakout 
of each line item.
    Section II, the Technical Proposal, will demonstrate the 
applicant's capabilities in accordance with the Statement of Work in 
Part III of this solicitation. This must be organized to follow the 
evaluation criteria. No cost data or reference to costs shall be 
included in the Technical Proposal.
    In addition, the Technical Proposal shall be limited to 20 doubled-
spaced, single-side, 8.5 inch x 11 inch pages with 1 inch margins. 
Appendices shall not exceed 20 pages, and may include charts, graphs, 
staff resumes, composition of advisory boards, and other supporting 
documents. Text type shall be 12 point or larger. Applications not 
meeting these requirements will not be considered. The Technical 
Proposal must also contain participant, activity and outcome 
information, and must include the process the applicant will use for 
implementing the project and a timeline outlining the project 
activities.

C. Hand Delivered Proposals

    It is preferred that applications be mailed at least five days 
before the closing date (see ``Late Proposals'' section below). To be 
considered for funding, hand delivered proposals must be received at 
the address identified above by 4 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) December 
21, 2001. All overnight express mail will be considered to be hand 
delivered and must be received at the designated place by the specified 
time on the closing date. Grant applications transmitted by electronic 
mail, telegraph or facsimile will not be considered. Failure to adhere 
to the above instructions will be a basis for a determination of non 
responsiveness.

D. Late Proposals

    Any application received after the exact date and time specified 
for receipt at the office designated in this notice will not be 
considered, unless it is received before awards are made and it was 
sent by U.S. Postal Service 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/post marked by the 15th of that month); or was 
sent by the U.S. Postal Service Express Mail Next Day Service, Post 
Office to Addressee, not later than 5 p.m. at the place of mailing two 
working days prior to the deadline date specified for receipt of 
applications in this SGA. The term ``working days'' excludes weekends 
and Federal holidays.
    The ``post mark'' only acceptable evidence to establish the date of 
mailing of an application received after the deadline date for the 
receipt of proposals sent by the U.S. Postal Service and on the 
original receipt from the U.S. Postal Service. The term ``post marked'' 
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 or affixed on the date of 
mailing by an employee of the U.S. Postal Service.

E. Withdrawal of Applications

    Applications may be withdrawn by written notice or telegram 
(including 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.

F. Scope of Award

    DOL/ETA anticipates making awards that range from $300,000 to 
$500,000. Proposals with costs exceeding $500,000 will not be 
considered. WIA Title I Dislocated Worker funds are included in the 
total funds available. Therefore, some awards will be funded in whole, 
or in part, with WIA Title I Dislocated Worker funds based on the 
extent to which the proposal is targeted to disabled individuals who 
also qualify as a dislocated worker under Title I (see Definitions). 
Awards will be made on a competitive basis.

G. Period of Performance

    The initial period of performance will be twelve (12) months from 
the date of execution by the Government. The Department may elect to 
exercise its option to extend these grants for up to two additional 
option years for a total not to exceed 36 months based on (1) the 
availability of funds, (2) grantee performance including achieving a 
50% placement rate during the grant period, and (3) project needs. The 
Department reserves the right to impose additional requirements or 
refinements in program design if the project is extended for a second 
and/or third year grant period.

Part II. Background and Purpose

A. Background

    DOL/ETA has provided grant awards to non-profit organizations that 
provide employment and training services to persons with disabilities 
for the past twenty-five years. Disability Employment Grants totaling 
$6.8 million were awarded in 1998 to fifteen organizations for a three 
year grant period using Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) Title III 
and IV funds. During the FY 1999 grant period, Disability Employment 
Grants served more than 3,500 individuals with disabilities and placed 
1,500 in unsubsidized, competitive employment. The Disability 
Employment Grant program is now authorized under WIA at section 171 
(b), (c) and (d), 29 USC 2801(31).
    This initiative builds upon other ETA initiatives, including the 
Work Incentive Grants, which are designed to enhance service delivery 
throughout the National One-Stop delivery system for people with 
disabilities, and the Disability Information Technology (IT) 
Initiative,

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which focuses on expanding opportunities for information technology 
training and improving access to employment in the information 
technology industry for people with disabilities. It is also supportive 
of President Bush's New Freedom Initiative by increasing workforce, 
employment, and educational opportunities for people with disabilities, 
as well as increasing access to assistive and universally designed 
technologies. This includes support of Executive Order 13217: 
Community-Based Alternatives for Individuals with Disabilities.
    For more information on ETA funded grants and other ETA initiatives 
addressing the employment of people with disabilities, visit ETA's 
disAbility Online web site at: http://wdsc.doleta.gov/disability/. 
    Several other grant initiatives totaling $10.3 million have been 
awarded from the Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment 
Policy (ODEP). These include Customized Employment Grants, Innovative 
Demonstration Programs for WIA-assisted Youth, High-School/High Tech 
Start-up and Realignment Grants, a WIA Disability Technical Assistance 
Consortia Grant and Disability Youth Consortia Grant. The Customized 
Employment Grants are distinct from ETA's Disability Employment Grants 
in that their focus centers on getting local Workforce Investment 
Boards to develop comprehensive, strategic, and cutting-edge models of 
service delivery for individuals with disabilities who have never been 
employed, whose experience is limited to subsidized employment, or who 
have traditionally been considered unemployable. Please go to: http://www.dol.gov/dol/odep/ for more information on the ODEP grants and other 
programs administered by ODEP.
    While the unemployment rate remains at less than 5 percent, the 
unemployment rate for working-age adults with disabilities has remained 
at approximately 70 percent for at least the past 12 years. Only 26 
percent of working age adults with significant disabilities have a job 
or a business compared to 82 percent of those without disabilities 
(U.S. Bureau of the Census, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 
1997), and among workers with college degrees only 52 percent of those 
with severe disabilities reported labor market activity compared to 90 
percent of those with no disability--a gap of 38 percentage points.
    Title IV of the Workforce Investment Act, which amends the 
Rehabilitation Act, included several findings relating to ethnic and 
racial minorities as traditionally under-served populations in the 
vocational rehabilitation system (29 U.S.C. 718). Ethnic and racial 
minorities tend to have disabling conditions at a disproportionately 
high rate. The rate of work-related disability for Native Americans is 
about one and one-half times that of the general population. African-
Americans are also one and one-half times more likely to be disabled 
than whites and twice as likely to be significantly disabled. According 
to the U.S. Census Bureau's 1994-1995 data, approximately 85.5 percent 
of African-Americans with severe disabilities and 75.4 percent of 
Hispanics with severe disabilities are not working. Among the reasons 
for the disproportionately high rate of unemployment are disparities in 
the services provided to minorities with disabilities, fewer 
educational opportunities, poor outreach to minority communities, and 
inadequate transportation and housing.

B. Purpose

    The primary purpose of this multi-state Disability Employment Grant 
award is to implement strategies to improve long term quality 
employment outcomes, and skills attainment that address the needs of 
people with disabilities, particularly those with severe disabilities. 
In this program, the quality of employment outcomes is more important 
than the number of placements. At the same time, grant entities will be 
held accountable for achieving minimum placement goals identified in 
this SGA.
    Of particular importance are skills and employment training that 
enable individuals to move to unsubsidized employment. Innovation, 
coordination, and partnerships, non-duplication of existing services, 
and leveraging of scarce resources are also important factors. In 
addition, DOL is interested in identifying successful project designs 
that can be shared and replicated as state workforce system changes 
proceed. Therefore, applications should represent strong linkages with 
adult, dislocated worker and youth programs operating under the WIA 
such as Job Corps, Youth Opportunity Grants, Migrant and Seasonal Farm 
Worker programs and Indian and Native American programs.
    DOL has identified the following priorities for the purposes of 
this SGA:
     Strategies for high quality, long term employment of 
racial and ethnic minorities with significant disabilities;
     Strategies for employment of SSI and SSDI beneficiaries;
     Strategies for community-based alternatives for 
individuals with disabilities that support Executive Order 13217;
     Innovative approaches utilizing technology, including 
assistive technology, innovative training and workplace strategies or 
other approaches (e.g., distance learning, telecommuting, and self 
employment and small business ownership) which result in significant 
employment outcomes;
     Program designs which incorporate integrated service 
delivery for people with disabilities in One-Stop Center WIA Title I 
programs;
     Strategies involving strong ties to, and commitment from, 
corporate and business entities; and
     Service delivery which emphasizes on-the-job training and 
internship approaches in corporate and business environments.
    Other areas that may be addressed in the application include: 
linkages with other public (national, state and local) and/or private 
delivery systems; linkages with disability consumer organizations 
(e.g., independent living centers), and with other entities that 
address significant employment barriers, and linkages with existing 
service strategies that build on and facilitate other systemic changes 
impacting individuals with disabilities (e.g., DOL Work Incentive Grant 
programs, Welfare-to-Work implementation, Medicaid Infrastructure 
Grants).

Part III. Review Process, Evaluation Criteria and Statement of Work

    A careful evaluation of applications will be made by a technical 
review panel who will evaluate the applications against the established 
criteria listed in this SGA. The panel results are advisory in nature 
and are not binding on the Grant Officer. The Grant Officer may 
consider any information that comes to his or her attention, and will 
make final award decisions based upon what is most advantageous to the 
Federal Government in terms of geographic mix, technical quality, 
justification and evidence of the ability to perform activities 
included in the management and design of the projects, and the 
applicant's past performance. The Government may elect to award the 
grant with or without discussions with the offeror. In situations 
without discussions, an award will be based on the applicant's 
signature on the SF-424, which constitutes a binding offer.
    Proposals will be evaluated against the following criteria:

A. Project Design--Activities and Outcomes

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(40 points)
B. Coordination and Linkages (20 points)
C. Disability Employment Grant Participants (20 points)
D. Management and Administration (20 points)

A. Project Design--Activities and Outcomes (40 points)

1. Purpose and Scope of the Project
    Describe the specific purpose or purposes of the proposed project. 
Explain how the proposed project will be applicable to disability 
issues of national scope. Describe the potential for replication in 
adult, dislocated worker, and WIA national programs under the WIA Title 
I. Explain the impact of the project on the One-Stop Center system.
    Describe how faith-based organizations will be included as partners 
in outreach and service delivery or whether there will be sub-grants or 
contracts with local faith-based entities.
    Project designs should include local community demonstration sites 
in two or more states and identification of successful employment and 
career strategies for specific or multiple types of disabling 
conditions. Projects should be designed to: test the effectiveness of 
project strategy in diverse state systems and potential for 
replication; build on a variety of National efforts involving 
individual state workforce development systems; and allow for analysis 
of different state/local service structures. Minimum cost per site 
shall be $75,000.
2. Training and Supportive Services
    The program design should describe core, intensive and training 
services to be provided from the time of participant selection through 
placement in unsubsidized employment and follow-up. The design should 
describe in detail the kinds of training that will be offered, the 
method by which the training will be provided, and whether training 
will culminate in certification.
    Design description should include a rationale for additional 
activities and services in terms of overall project design, overcoming 
employment barriers of planned participants, and achieving quality 
employment outcomes. Narratives should provide a clear understanding of 
services and supports needed for successful placement and job 
retention.
    The program design must provide information on planned activities, 
placement, and services to participants, including the number of 
planned participants to be served. Identify what types of core, 
intensive and training services will be provided to participants. 
Identify what other sources of funds will be leveraged for training or 
supportive services to participants as part of the overall project 
design but will not be funded by the ETA Disability Employment Grant 
(e.g. Individual Training Accounts, Youth Opportunity, Vocational 
Rehabilitation, or Adult Literacy funds) must also be identified.
    Project designs must include on-the-job training and internship or 
self-employment strategies. Project design must describe why these are 
effective strategies for the client group being served and how many 
participants are expected to receive specific services (e.g., how many 
will be in on-the-job training). Private sector employer commitment to 
on-the-job positions should be identified.
    The design description must also include strategies related to 
training in the information technology skills sector, such as software 
design, network applications, and service repair technicians. The 
description provided should be clear on the complexity of the training 
and expectations for higher salaried employment outcomes with longer 
range career potential. Please note, training on Microsoft WORD, Word 
Perfect, Lotus or other basic computer familiarity training is not 
sufficient to meet this criterion.
3. Employment Outcomes
    Available Jobs. Based on labor market information, project design 
should describe the types of jobs that are expected to be available to 
participants upon completion of training and placement services, 
including prevailing wage levels, career potential, and opportunities 
for advancement. Information on the number and type of jobs and the 
availability of qualified workers must also be included. The project 
design should also identify how and why job placement and retention for 
participant group will more likely occur as a result of the proposed 
project. Sources of labor market information should be identified, and 
may include the Bureau of Labor Statistics, O*NET, America's Career 
Kit, State Occupational Information Coordinating Committees. Other 
sources of information may include business and trade associations, 
employers, and other representatives of the local business community.
    Planned Placements. The project design must indicate how many 
placements in unsubsidized, competitive employment are expected to 
result from activities at each site. The quality of job placements in 
terms of entry wage or salary levels, long-term career potential, and 
the long-term growth of the occupations under consideration in the 
local area, must also be described. Information on participant flow 
from intake to assessment, to placement should be provided indicating 
clearly when placement will occur. Program design should also include a 
plan for post-placement follow-up at 90 days, 180 days, and 12 months.
    Planned outcome information should be provided, including site 
specific information on: (1) Number of terminees completing program; 
(2) number of placements in unsubsidized employment; (3) number of 
placements in full time employment (35 hours per week or more); and (4) 
the average hourly wage, and placements with durations of 180 days or 
more. This information should include planned employment outcomes for 
SSI/SSDI beneficiaries and the impact of the employment on their 
ability to leave SSI/SSDI benefit rolls.
    Applicants are requested to describe methods of ongoing assessment 
of ``customer satisfaction'' and how results will be used in project 
operation. The Department of Labor expects that applicants will achieve 
an entered employment rate of 50 percent. Continued project funding 
will take achievement of this goal into account. Grantees will be 
required to submit quarterly Activity and Placement Reports (APR) on 
the number of participants being served, activities and services 
provided, and placement outcomes (see Part IV. Government 
Requirements). Disability Employment Grant reporting requirements are 
provided under the ``Grantee Communications'' section of the disAbility 
Online web site at: http://wdsc.doleta.gov/disability/
    Special Wage Waivers Under Fair Labor Standards Act. Employment in 
jobs, and/or related training, approved for Special Minimum Wage 
Certificates under section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act 
(FLSA), as amended (29 U.S.C. 214) and its implementing regulations at 
29 CFR part 525 will not be considered as an allowable activity or 
outcome. Organizations receiving FLSA special wage certifications must 
provide assurances and verification that FLSA special wage training and 
placement are not incorporated within proposed project design. 
Employment outcomes should be at the prevailing wage and under no 
circumstances, below the applicable Federal or State minimum wage, 
whichever is higher.
    Because the information technology industry currently represents 
close to 50 percent of the nation's economic

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growth, applicants should consider how they might initiate the 
development of new collaborative processes at the regional and local 
levels, thereby leveraging private sector, school, and local government 
resources in order to expand workplace opportunities for individuals 
with disabilities.

B. Coordination and Linkages (20 points)

    Descriptions must detail any linkages with State and Local 
Workforce Investment Boards, State/local One-Stop Career Center 
systems, Adult, Dislocated Worker and Youth programs authorized under 
the Workforce Investment Act, Job Corps Centers, Welfare-to-Work 
programs, Department of Education programs such as Vocational 
Rehabilitation, and training programs authorized under the U.S. 
Department of Housing and Urban Development and under the Department of 
Agriculture. Proposals must demonstrate a significant integration of 
services to people with disabilities in the One-Stop system, such as 
using Individual Training Accounts to support training objectives, 
joint funding of on-the-job training by One-Stop partner programs, 
including Vocational Rehabilitation, or other significant collaborative 
activities which leads to integrated services for people with 
disabilities in One-Stop Centers.
    Applicants should indicate the impact of the proposed project on 
system changes underway and how non-grant funds are being leveraged. 
Funds or resources to be contributed to the project by the applicant 
and/or partnership entities should also be identified. Applications 
should provide information on how the project adds value to the 
workforce system from a national perspective (e.g., fills a gap in 
policy or service delivery approach), and the potential for replication 
and dissemination to the workforce system at large.
    The design description should address the role of apprenticeship 
programs under the U.S. Department of Labor's Apprenticeship Training, 
Employment and Labor Services (ATELS), if applicable. It should also 
describe the role of the business community, including business 
advisory councils, State or Local Business Leadership Networks (BLNs) 
and labor organizations to the project if applicable, the extent to 
which they may provide internships or possible employment for 
successful participants, the extent to which they may serve as mentors, 
and their input into decisions on training and identification of trends 
and skill shortages. Applications demonstrate a strong commitment by 
the corporate and business sector to provide on-the-job training, 
internships, mentoring or other substantive contributions to the grant 
project.
    Other coordination efforts should address major employment 
obstacles such as insufficient medical coverage and/or other barriers 
to employment (e.g., transportation, personal assistance needs, and 
housing). Evidence should be presented demonstrating the cooperation of 
coordinating entities and the program design should include a 
reasonable method of assessing and reporting on the impact of that 
coordination. Consultation with and/or review by appropriate labor 
organizations is encouraged and should be documented.
    Applicants should describe linkages to DOL's Work Incentive Grant 
programs, new programs available through DOL's Office on Disability 
Employment Policy if applicable, and other work incentive programs 
(e.g., programs under Social Security's Ticket to Work and Work 
Incentives Improvement Act, and Medicaid Infrastructure Grants).

C. Disability Employment Program Participants (20 points)

1. Target Population
    Participants for the proposed project must be individuals with 
disabilities (i.e., physical, sensory, emotional, or mental functional 
impairments) as defined in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities 
Act at 42 U.S.C. 12102. The characteristics of the client population to 
which the proposal is targeted should be described as applicable in 
terms of: (1) Specific type(s) of disability, (e.g., psychiatric 
disorders, neurologic disorders); (2) specific subgroup of disabled 
population, (e.g., minority, youth, older workers); (3) why the project 
design will result in quality career and/or employment outcomes; and 
(4) what innovative and coordinated approaches will be used to serve 
the target population. It is anticipated that a significant percentage 
of the population will require the use of assistive technology in both 
training and in the workplace.
    National attention has been made in recent years to the lack of 
services available to ethnic and racial minorities and the fact they 
experience disability in disproportionately greater numbers. Therefore, 
applicants are encouraged to design proposals to provide 50 percent or 
more of grant services to this group of people. Likewise, it is also 
known that less than 1 percent of SSI and SSDI beneficiaries are able 
to get off benefits and achieve self-sustaining employment in the 
workplace. Reliance on public supports is devastating personally to 
those limited to public resources for their livelihood and is also 
detrimental from a public fiscal policy perspective. Applicants are 
encouraged to include strategies that direct grant resources to 
training and employment services for SSI and/or SSDI participants.
    Proposals must also provide the following planning information on 
the participants to be served in project design, in total and by 
project site:
     The number of participants,
     The age range of participants (e.g., under 22, 23-50, 51-
65),
     The number of participants who receive Supplemental 
Security Income and/or Social Security Disability Income (SSI/SSDI),
     The number and percent of participants that will be 
qualified as dislocated workers.
    Describe any innovations in the proposed project, including (but 
not limited to) innovations relating to the target population, delivery 
of services, training methods, job development, or job retention 
strategies. Describe new directions or approaches to address 
significant unemployment levels of people with disabilities. Explain 
how the proposed project:
    (1) Will be applicable to disability issues of national scope;
    (2) Is similar to or differs from the applicant's prior and current 
activities; and
    (3) Does not duplicate existing employment and training programs.
    Applicants may also provide other information about participants 
considered important such as educational level, and number of people of 
minority or ethnic diversity.
2. Outreach and Recruitment
    Describe how outreach and recruitment addresses the overall design 
of the project. Outreach and recruitment may address public service 
announcements, use of media, use of community-based organizations, and 
other service groups. Identify how workforce development systems, 
disability consumer organizations, and the business community will be 
used in the recruitment process. Describe how the target population 
will be recruited for participation at each site.
3. Eligibility
    Describe the eligibility process for project participants, 
including the process for determining whether a participant is an 
individual with a

[[Page 56352]]

disability and those with a significant disability (see Definitions).
4. Assessment
    Describe the process for evaluating participants' skills and 
education levels, career interests, accommodation requirements, 
training and services, and other barriers and needs. Narrative should 
identify whether assessment will be conducted by the awardee or another 
service provider. (Applicants should indicate whether and how the Test 
of Adult Basic Education (TABE) or an alternative assessment tool will 
be used to assess reading, mathematical skills, and other employment 
readiness skills to participate in this project, as applicable. 
Applicants should include how the project will address the remedial or 
preparatory training needs of the participants and how the project will 
address possible learning disabilities. Please note, the implementation 
of these assessments may require reasonable accommodation and use of 
Assistive Technology).

D. Management and Administration (20 points)

1. Management Structure
    Describe the management structure for the proposed project. 
Applicants must provide a staffing plan showing each position and the 
percentage of time assigned to the project. Provide an organizational 
chart showing the relationship between the management and operational 
components of the project and the overall organization. Include staff 
and operations projected for the project. Include resumes of current 
key staff. For each of the key staff not identified at the time of 
application, provide a job description or the qualifications sought for 
the position. Specific information on staff and organizational 
structure may be provided in the Appendix.
    2. Program Integrity and Public Accountability
    Describe the mechanisms to be used to ensure financial and program 
accountability in record keeping and reporting. The design must 
demonstrate oversight of project implementation and progress 
benchmarks. Describe how the project will keep records of activities 
and satisfy the administrative requirements set out under 29 CFR parts 
95--99, as applicable.
    The design must include a comprehensive discussion describing in 
detail the types of information to be collected, methods and frequency 
of collections, and ways information will be used to implement and 
manage the program. The following must be covered:
    (1) Program data collection and reporting systems to determine the 
achievement of project outcomes;
    (2) Financial management systems to ensure fiscal accountability in 
accordance with statutory, regulatory, and contractual requirements;
    (3) Communication processes and technology that will be utilized; 
and
    (4) Administrative process for each project site.
3. Project Management
    Awardee will be responsible for management and oversight of all 
activities under the grant. Identify the information on project 
performance and financial management to be collected on a short-term 
basis by project staff. Describe the process of on-site monitoring of 
each project site, including employer site visits, if applicable. 
Describe the processes and procedures to be used to obtain feedback 
from participants, employers, and any other appropriate parties on the 
responsiveness and effectiveness of the services provided.
4. Grievance Procedures
    Describe the procedure to be used for grievances and complaints 
from participants, contractors, and other interested parties, 
consistent with requirements at 20 CFR part 667, subpart F.
5. Previous Project Management Experience
    Provide objective evidence of the grant applicant's ability to 
manage this project, ensure the integrity of the grant funds, and 
deliver the proposed performance. Indicate the grant applicant's past 
management experience, particularly regarding oversight and operating 
functions including financial management and relevant audit or grant 
reviews of the organization. Provide references and/or contact persons 
of former or current funding organizations.
    If applicant was a grantee of the U.S. Department of Labor's 
Disability Employment Grant program in prior years, then the applicant 
must include its participant outcomes and program performance from the 
previous period(s).

Part IV. Government Requirements

A. Reporting Requirements

    Applicants receiving awards under this solicitation will be 
required to submit financial, program, and participant reports on a 
quarterly and annual basis. Grantees will be required to submit: (1) 
Activity and Placement Report (APR) on the number of participants being 
served, activities and services provided, and placement outcomes; and 
(2) Participant Characteristics Report (PCR) on age, race, type of 
disability, etc., of participants enrolled in the grantee's program. 
Narrative information on the grant program should be submitted 
quarterly with the APR. The narrative may include information on the 
status of project implementation, participant success stories during 
the reporting period, conferences or job fairs planned or held, 
meetings with employers related to placements, or other information of 
interest about the grant project. In addition to the APR and PCR, 
grantees are required to submit a Financial Status Report (FSR), SF 
269. Report submissions to the ETA are quarterly for the APR and FSR, 
and annually for the PCR following the end of the Fiscal Year. The APR, 
PCR and FSR forms and related instructions can be downloaded from ETA's 
disAbility Online website at: http://wdsc.doleta.gov/disability (click 
on ``Grantee Communication'' to access these forms). Reports are due to 
ETA no later than 30 days after the last day of the report period.

B. Use of Federal Funds

    Federal funds cannot be used to support activities that would be 
provided in the absence of these funds. Grant funds may cover only 
those costs that are appropriate and reasonable. Federal grant funds 
may only be used to acquire equipment that is necessary for the 
operation of the grant. 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, and 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.
    Grantees must comply with all applicable Federal statutes, 
regulations, administrative requirements and OMB Circulars. For 
example, OMB Circular A-122, which applies to nonprofit organizations, 
requires prior approval for certain capital expenditures to be 
allowable as direct costs.

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Part V. Definitions

    For the purpose of this demonstration project, WIA Title I 
definitions apply. The following definitions are provided for 
information or clarification of specified terms used in this SGA:
    Assistive Technology--The term ``assistive technology'' means 
technology designed to be utilized in an assistive technology device or 
assistive technology service. (29 USCA 3002(a)(2), the Assistive 
Technology Act of 1998).
    Assistive Technology Device--The term ``assistive technology 
device'' means any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether 
acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to 
increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals 
with disabilities.
    Assistive Technology Service--The term ``assistive technology 
service'' means any service that directly assists an individual with a 
disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive 
technology device. Such term includes--
    (A) The evaluation of the assistive technology needs of an 
individual with a disability, including a functional evaluation of the 
impact of the provision of appropriate assistive technology and 
appropriate services to the individual in the customary environment of 
the individual;
    (B) Services consisting of purchasing, leasing, or otherwise 
providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices by 
individuals with disabilities;
    (C) Services consisting of selecting, designing, fitting, 
customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, or replacing 
assistive technology devices;
    (D) Coordination and use of necessary therapies, interventions, or 
services with assistive technology devices, such as therapies, 
interventions, or services associated with education and rehabilitation 
plans and programs;
    (E) Training or technical assistance for an individual with 
disabilities, or, where appropriate, the family members, guardians, 
advocates, or authorized representatives of such an individual; and
    (F) Training or technical assistance for professionals (including 
individuals providing education and rehabilitation services), 
employers, or other individuals who provide services to, employ, or are 
otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of 
individuals with disabilities.
    Disability--See definition in section 3 of the Americans with 
Disabilities Act, (42 U.S.C. 12102(2)), and the requirements at 28 CFR 
35.104.
    Dislocated Worker--See definition in the Workforce Investment Act 
of 1998 section 101(9) which states that the term ``dislocated worker'' 
means any individual who--
    (A)(i) Has been terminated or laid off, or who has received a 
notice of termination or layoff, from an employment;
    (ii)(I) Is eligible for or has exhausted entitlement to 
unemployment compensation; or
    (II) Has been employed for a duration sufficient to demonstrate, to 
the appropriate entity at a one-stop center referred to in section 
134(c), attachment to the workforce, but is not eligible for 
unemployment compensation due to insufficient earnings or having 
performed services for an employer that were not covered under a State 
unemployment compensation law; and
    (iii) Is unlikely to return to a previous industry or occupation;
    (B)(i) Has been terminated or laid off, or has received a notice of 
termination or layoff, from employment as a result of any permanent 
closure of, or any substantial layoff of, a plan, facility, or 
enterprise;
    (ii) Is employed at a facility at which the employer has made a 
general announcement that such a facility will close within 180 days; 
or
    (iii) For purposes of eligibility to receive services other than 
training services described in section 134(d)(4), intensive services 
described in section 134(d)(3), or supportive services, is employed at 
a facility at which the employer has made a general announcement that 
such a facility will close;
    (C) Was self-employed (including employment as a farmer, a rancher, 
or a fisherman) but is unemployed as a result of general economic 
conditions in the community in which the individual resides or because 
of natural disaster; or
    (D) Is a displaced homemaker.
    Displaced homemaker--The term ``displaced homemaker'' means an 
individual who has been providing unpaid services to family member in 
the home and who (A) has been dependent on the income of a family 
member but is no longer supported by that income; (B) is unemployed or 
underemployed and is experiencing difficulty in obtaining or upgrading 
employment.
    Individual with a Disability--See definition in the Workforce 
Investment Act section 101(17) (29 U.S.C. 2801(17)) which states: (A) 
In general.--The term ``individual with a disability'' means an 
individual with any disability as defined in section 3 of the Americans 
with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102)). (B) Individuals with 
disabilities.--The term ``individuals with disabilities'' means more 
than one individual with a disability.
    Individual with a Significant Disability--See definition pursuant 
to WIA Title IV, section 403, which amends section 6(21) of the 
Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. 705(21).
    On-the-Job Training (OJT)--Training provided by an employer that is 
provided to a paid participant while engaged in productive work in a 
job that--
    (A) Provides knowledge or skills essential to the full and adequate 
performance of the job;
    (B) Provides reimbursement to the employer of up to 50 percent of 
the wage rate of the participant, for the extraordinary costs of 
providing the training and additional supervision related to the 
training; and
    (C) Is limited in duration as appropriate to the occupation for 
which the participant is being trained, taking into account the content 
of the training, the prior work experience of the participant, and the 
service strategy of the participant, as appropriate (WIA section 
101(31), 29 U.S.C. 2801(31)).
    Unsubsidized/Competitive Employment--Non-grant or unsupported 
employment that includes, entry into the Armed Forces (including entry 
onto active duty from Reserve and National Guard units), entry into 
employment in a registered apprenticeship program, self-employment, 
etc. Employment performed on a full-time or part-time basis in an 
integrated setting in which wages/salaries are at or above the minimum 
wage. Employment with special wage provisions authorized under section 
14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (29 U.S.C. 214 and its 
implementing regulations at 29 CFR part 525) are not considered 
unsubsidized nor competitive for the purpose of this grant.
    Work Experience (WE)--A planned, structured learning experience 
that takes place in a workplace for a limited period of time. Work 
experience may be paid or unpaid, as appropriate. A work experience 
workplace may be in the private for-profit sector, the non-profit 
sector, or the public sector. Labor standards apply in any work 
experience where an employee/employer relationship as defined by the 
Fair Labor Standards Act, exists (See 20 CFR 663.200(b)).


[[Page 56354]]


    Signed at Washington, DC, this 2nd day of November 2001.
Lorraine H. Saunders,
Grant Officer, Office of Grants and Contract Management, Division of 
Federal Assistance.

Attachments

    1. Appendix A--``Application for Federal Assistance'' (Standard 
Form 424)
    2. Appendix B--Budget Information Form

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[FR Doc. 01-27963 Filed 11-6-01; 8:45 am]
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