[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 9, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1235-1242]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-494]



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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Workforce Investment Act, Sections 127 and 167 Migrant and 
Seasonal Farmworker Youth Program

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, DOL.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of Funds and Solicitation for Grant 
Applications (SGA) for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker (MSFW) Youth 
Program under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).

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SUMMARY: All information required to submit a grant application is 
contained in this announcement. The U.S. Department of Labor (the 
Department), Employment and Training Administration (ETA), announces 
the availability of funds as authorized in section 127(b)(1)(A)(iii) of 
the Workforce Investment Act, to provide MSFW youth workforce 
investment activities.
    It is anticipated that up to $10,000,000 will be available for the 
grant year (commencing April 1, 2002) for funding up to 15 projects 
covered by this Solicitation. It is the Department's intent to fund 
grants in the 12 agricultural geographic areas of the United States. 
Grantees will be selected for a two-year designation period. The 
Department intends to provide non-competitive funding for the 
succeeding one-year period for grantees that perform satisfactorily 
during the first year, subject to availability of federal funds.

DATES: Applications will be accepted commencing on the date of 
publication. The closing date for receipt of applications under this 
announcement is February 15, 2002, at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time 
(EST). 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 considered.

ADDRESSES: Applications shall be mailed or hand-carried to the U.S. 
Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Division 
of Federal Assistance, Attention: Mrs. Serena Boyd, SGA/DFA 02-104, 200 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Room S-4203, Washington, DC 20210.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions should be faxed to (202) 
693-2879 (this is not a toll-free number) to the attention of Mrs. 
Serena Boyd. All inquiries should include the SGA number 02-104, and a 
contact name, fax, and telephone numbers. This Solicitation is also 
being published on the Internet at ETA's homepage at http://www.doleta.gov. Award notifications will also be published on the ETA 
homepage.

Part I. General Information

A. Background

    The purpose of the MSFW youth program is to provide an effective 
and comprehensive array of educational opportunities, employment 
skills, and life enhancement activities to at-risk MSFW youth that lead 
to academic success, economic stability and development into productive 
members of society.
    The MSFW Youth program is described at 20 CFR 669.600 through 
669.680. It is designed:
    (1) to strengthen the ability of eligible farmworker youth to 
obtain or retain unsubsidized employment, or
    (2) to stabilize their unsubsidized employment by providing related 
assistance, integrated and coordinated with other appropriate services.

B. MSFW Youth Participant Eligibility

    Eligible participants must be 14 to 21 years of age, and a 
farmworker or a dependent of farmworker parent(s) (or guardian(s)) as 
defined in section 167(h) of the Workforce Investment Act and at 20 CFR 
part 669.
    Eligible farmworkers are those economically disadvantaged persons 
who, for 12 consecutive months out of the 24 months preceding their 
application for services, have been primarily employed in agricultural 
labor that is characterized by chronic unemployment or underemployment. 
Complete eligibility requirements will be provided upon request.

C. Eligible Entities

    To be eligible for receipt of funds under this program, an 
organization must have:
    (1) Documented experience in providing services to migrant and 
seasonal farmworker youth;
    (2) a working familiarity with the geographic area to be served and 
be able to show its ability to work within the existing service 
environment;
    (3) the capacity to administer the program of activities and 
services proposed for MSFW youth; and
    (4) the appropriate legal status to enter into a grant agreement 
with the U.S. Department of Labor (e.g. a private non-profit 
corporation or a unit of State or local government).

D. Consultation With Governors and Local Boards

    Executive Order No. 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs,'' and the implementing regulations at 29 CFR part 17, are 
applicable to this program. Under these requirements, the applicant 
must provide a copy of the application for comment to the States that 
have established a consultation process under the Executive Order. 
Applications must be submitted to the State's Single Point of Contact 
(SPOC) no later than the deadline for submission of the application to 
the Department.
    For States that have not established a consultative process under 
Executive Order No. 12372, and have established a State Workforce 
Investment Board (State Board), the State Board will be the SPOC. For 
WIA implementation purposes, this consultation process fulfills the 
requirement of WIA section 167(e) concerning consultation with 
Governors and Local Boards. To strengthen the implementation of 
Executive Order No. 12372, the Department establishes the following 
time-frame for its treatment of comments from the State's SPOC on WIA 
section 167 applications:
    1. The SPOC must submit comments, if any, to the Department and to 
the applicant, no later than 30 days after the deadline date for 
submission of applications;
    2. The applicant's response to the SPOC comments, if any, must be 
submitted to the Department no later than 15 days after the post-marked 
date of the comments from the SPOC;
    3. The Department will notify the SPOC of its decision regarding 
the SPOC comments and applicant response; and
    4. The Department will implement that decision within 10 days after 
it has notified the SPOC.

E. Grant Duration and Period of Performance

    The Department anticipates that grants will be funded for two one-
year time periods--with funding in the second year contingent on 
satisfactory performance during the first year and the availability of 
funding in the second year. The period of performance for the first 
year is expected to commence April 1, 2002.

Part II. Application Process and Guidelines

A. Submission of the Grant Application Package

    Applicants must submit an original and three (3) copies of the 
complete application package for review.

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Applications must be mailed no later than five (5) days prior to the 
closing date for the receipt of applications. However, if applications 
are hand-delivered, they must be received at the designated place by 
4:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time on the closing date for receipt of 
applications. All overnight mail will be considered to be hand-
delivered and must be received by the specified time and closing date. 
Telegraphed, faxed and e-mailed proposals will not be honored. 
Applications that do not adhere to the above instructions will not be 
honored.

B. Late Applications

    Any applications received at the office designated in the 
solicitation after the exact time specified for receipt will not be 
considered unless it
    (1) Was sent by U.S. Postal Service registered or certified mail 
not later than the fifth calendar day before the closing date specified 
for receipt of applications (e.g. an offer submitted in response to a 
solicitation requiring a receipt of application by the 30th of January 
must have been mailed by the 25th); or
    (2) Was sent by 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 (2) working days prior to the date specified for receipt of 
application. The term ``working days'' excludes weekends and U.S. 
Federal holidays.
    The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of a late 
application sent by U.S. Postal Service registered or certified mail is 
the U.S. postmark on the envelope or wrapper and on the original 
receipt from the U.S. Postal Service. Both postmarks must show a 
legible date or the proposal will be processed as if it had been mailed 
late. ``Postmark'' means a printed, stamped, or otherwise placed 
impression (exclusive of a postage meter machine impression) that is 
readily identifiable without further action as having been applied or 
affixed by an employee of the U.S. Postal Service on the date of 
mailing. Therefore, applications should request the postal clerk to 
place a legible hand cancellation ``bulls eye'' postmark on both the 
receipt and the envelope or wrapper.
    The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of a 
late application sent by ``Express Mail Next Day Service-Post Office to 
Addressee'' is the date entered by the post office receiving clerk on 
the Express Mail Next Day Service-Post Office to Addressee label and 
the postmarks on both the envelope and wrapper and the original receipt 
from the U.S. Postal Service. ``Postmark'' has the same meaning as 
defined above. Therefore, an applicant should request the postal clerk 
to place a legible hand cancellation ``bull's eye'' postmark on both 
the receipt and the envelope or wrapper.

C. Withdrawal of Applications

    Applications may be withdrawn by written notice or telegram 
(including mailgram) received at any time before the award. 
Applications may be withdrawn in person by the applicant or by an 
authorized representative thereof, if the representative's identity is 
made known and representative signs a receipt for the proposal.

D. Grant Application Package

    The grant application package must consist of:
    (1) A Standard Form 424 (Application for Federal Assistance) found 
in OMB Circular A-102 and as an attachment to this Solicitation.
    (2) A Standard Form 424A (Budget) found in OMB Circular A-102 and 
as an attachment to this Solicitation. Costs in section B (Budget 
Categories), Item 6 (Object Cost Categories) should be budgeted by 
Administrative, Program, and Total. Administrative costs are to be 
included in column (1), program costs in column (2), and the total cost 
in column (5) of Form 424A. Budgets are required only for the first 
year of the two-year plan and designation period. Administrative costs 
are limited to 15 percent of the total grant award.
    (3) A certification, prepared within the last six months prior to 
the submission of this application, attesting to the adequacy of the 
entity's fiscal management and accounting systems to account for and 
safeguard Federal funds properly. The required certification must be 
obtained as follows:
    a. For incorporated organizations, from a Certified Public 
Accountant.
    b. For public agencies, by its Chief Fiscal Officer.
    (4) A statement describing the entity's legally constituted 
authority under which the organization functions. A nonprofit 
organization should submit a copy of its Charter or Articles of 
Incorporation, including proof of the organization's nonprofit status;
    (5) A copy of the current indirect cost rate agreement issued by 
the cognizant federal agency, if applicable.
    (6) The completed grant application as described below.

E. Format of the Grant Application

    The grant application is limited to 50 numbered pages, double-
spaced, using type no smaller than 11 point. The page number limitation 
does not include letters of support or the required attachments. 
Proposals may be fastened using a binder clip. Please do not use 3-ring 
binders, or otherwise bind your proposal package. To ensure full 
consideration, the application must follow the numerical sequence of 
the sections 1 through 5 as presented in II E of this solicitation 
immediately below. The application must include a table of contents. To 
ensure your application is considered fully, be sure to respond 
completely to each section. All attachments should be included at the 
end under a section 6 heading.

F. Contents of the Grant Application

    Specific Rating Criteria for section 1 [15 points]--This factor 
rates the applicant's understanding of the proposed service area and 
its experience within the service environment described. Ratings will 
be based on factors such as the reasonableness of matching the proposed 
service area to the scope of the program and the amount of funds sought 
and the applicant's ability to work within the service environment, as 
evidenced by the existence of appropriate and documented linkages--
especially those related to other MSFW program activities.
Section 1--Knowledge of the Area To Be Served and Capacity To Operate 
Within the Existing Service Environment
    (A) Geography:
    (1) Identify the geographic boundary of the proposed service area 
(or areas). An explanation should be provided, wherever there are 
service areas that are not contiguous. Include a map.
    (2) Describe your organization's capacity to operate in the 
proposed service area.
    (B) Community Resources:
    (1) Describe the communities where migrant and seasonal farmworker 
youth, who would be served by the proposed project, reside and where 
they travel for work purposes. The description must include a 
discussion of the educational, social, cultural, workforce, community 
programs and services and other relevant opportunities available for 
youth. Be sure to explain how these community services are responding 
to the needs of MSFW youth.
    (2) Describe how your organization works with the community 
resources described above.
    (C) NFJP Relationship: Describe the relationship between the grant 
applicant and the NFJP grantees operating the area under your proposal. 
Specifically, where the applicant is not the current NFJP grantee in 
the proposed service area, describe the arrangements that

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have been or will be made to coordinate the delivery of services and 
avoid duplication of services.
    (D) One-Stop Coordination: Provide an itemization of Workforce 
program linkages. Specifically include the name of each entity with 
whom a linkage has been established, the relationship of each entity to 
the applicant, the specific service to be provided by the established 
linkage and an explanation of how the linkage will support the proposed 
program. Please indicate if documentary evidence of the linkage is 
provided as an attachment.
    Specific Rating Criteria for section 2 [15 points]--This factor 
rates the applicant's knowledge and understanding of the needs, 
problems, and demographic characteristics of the target group. Ratings 
are based on the degree to which the narrative shows how the applicant 
organization has developed its capacity to understand the MSFW youth 
population within the proposed service area.
Section 2--The Problems of Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Youth
    Provide a socio-economic analysis of the migrant and seasonal 
farmworker youth in the area you propose to serve, made as follows:
    (A) Describe the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of 
migrant and seasonal farmworker youth in the service area, and identify 
the sources (which may include experiences or knowledge developed by 
your agency) you rely upon;
    (B) Describe the needs and problems of farmworker youth you have 
identified for serving, and show how you have made the identification; 
and
    (C) Describe the farmworker youth that you propose to serve.
    Specific Rating Criteria for section 3 [50 points]--Applications 
will be rated according to how well the proposed program of services is 
shown to respond to the identified MSFW Youth needs. You must show how 
your service delivery system will respond by offering services to the 
MSFW Youth in the area that are appropriate to the needs you have 
identified for them. Up to 15 points may be earned under part (C).
Section 3--Proposed Program Activities and Services
    Noting any differences between the first and second years, provide 
a detailed description of the proposed program activities:
    (A) State two or more goals for the proposed MSFW Youth program.
    (B) Provide a detailed description of the proposed program of 
activities and services. The description must address each of the 
following program elements:
    (1) Core services, including outreach, recruitment and eligibility 
determination;
    (2) Intensive services (Preliminary information from two of the 
migrant youth demonstration grants is showing there are broad benefits 
to be gleaned from parental participation in the development of their 
child's individual service strategy. Include a description of your 
plans for parental participation);
    (3) Training services;
    (4) Life skill activities which may include self and interpersonal 
skills development;
    (5) Community service projects;
    (6) Small business development, technical assistance and training 
in conjunction with entrepreneurial training;
    (7) Supportive services and other related assistance services, 
described in 20 CFR 669.430; and
    (8) Other proposed activities and services, if any, that conform to 
the use of funds for youth activities described in 20 CFR part 664.
    (C) Provide an analysis that shows how the proposed program of 
services and activities is responsive to the needs of MSFW Youth 
described in part (C) of section 2. Provide an explanation how the 
proposed program will lead to the fulfillment the goals proposed in 
part (A) of section 3.
    Specific Rating Criteria for section 4 [10 points]--Based on the 
applicant's previous relevant program experience and performance, 
applicants will be rated according to their relative capacity to 
provide effectively workforce investment activities for MSFW youth.
Section 4--Capacity To Operate a Workforce Investment Program for MSFW 
Youth
    (A) Provide the published mission or principal goals/objectives of 
the applicant organization and explain how service to MSFW youth 
promotes the organization's mission.
    (B) Describe the applicant organization's experience providing 
services to youth, to MSFWs and to MSFW youth.
    (C) Describe the programs operated by the applicant organization 
during the last two years, presented in tabular form. Each entry on the 
table must include:
    (1) Funding source (Name of Agency/Organization, Address, 
Telephone, and Contact Person);
    (2) Program Information (Type of Program, Grant/Contract/Agreement 
Number, Principle Activities, Period of Performance and Funding 
Amount);
    (3) Customers (Number of participants served, percent of MSFW 
participant, percent of MSFW youth (age 14-21) served);
    (4) Performance standards and outcomes achieved; and
    (5) Outcomes achieved specifically for farmworker youth (ages 14-
21).
    (D) Provide a description of the proposed implementation schedule, 
which clearly shows exactly when the proposed program will be fully 
operational.
    Specific Rating Criteria for section 5 [10 points]--This factor 
rates the applicant's managerial experience and the potential for 
efficient and effective administration of the proposed program and 
budget.
Section 5--Applicant's Administrative and Management Capability:
    (A) Provide a chart depicting the applicant's overall organization 
structure, including the organizational design of the proposed youth 
program. The chart must clearly show how the proposed program will be 
supported by the organizational structure. It must include both 
staffing patterns and office locations. In addition, the chart must 
show which parts of the proposed MSFW youth program structure are in 
place and which parts would be established if the proposal were funded.
    (B) Describe the applicant's administrative and program management 
processes which include the fiscal management systems and the program 
management systems (including management information system). Program 
management must describe the applicant's systems for participant 
tracking, follow-up, program monitoring and oversight, and the 
provision of training and technical assistance for those individuals 
who work directly with participants.
    (C) Provide a proposed budget and describe in narrative form how 
the proposed cost categories and amounts were determined. The 
description should explain and justify the costs budgeted for the first 
year only. Be sure to include in your description how you believe the 
budgeted cost supports the proposed program of activities and services 
and the staffing pattern.
Section 6--Attachments
    All attachments referenced in the proposal are to be included under 
a section 6 heading of your proposal. The first page should itemize the 
attachments.

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Part III--Review Process of Grant Application Panel Review

    The Grant Officer will select potential grantees utilizing all 
information available to him/her. A review panel will rate each 
proposal using the specific criteria cited above. Panel results are 
advisory in nature and are not binding on the Grant Officer. The Grant 
Officer will give appropriate consideration to an entity in any service 
area for which the entity has been designated as a WIA section 167 MSFW 
program grantee (20 CFR 669.630). Further, the Grant Officer will make 
selections that promote a geographic distribution of funds where 
merited (20 CFR 669.650). The Grant Officer may, at his/her discretion, 
request an applicant to submit additional or clarifying information if 
deemed necessary to make a selection. However, selections may be made 
without further contact with the applicants.
Responsibility Review
    Prior to awarding a grant to any applicant, the Department will 
conduct a responsibility review. The responsibility review is an 
analysis of available information and records to determine if an 
applicant has established a satisfactory history of accounting for 
Federal funds and property. The responsibility review is independent of 
the competitive process. Applicants failing to meet the requirements of 
this section may be disqualified for designation as a grantee without 
respect to their standing in the competitive process. An applicant that 
is not selected as a result of the Grant Officer's responsibility 
review will be advised of its appeal rights. The responsibility tests 
that will be considered are required by the WIA regulations at 20 CFR 
667.170.
Notification of Non Selection
    Any applicant that is not selected as a potential grantee, or that 
has its grant application denied in whole or in part by the Department 
for receipt of funds, will be notified in writing by the Grant Officer 
and will be advised of all appeal rights.
Notification of Selection
    Applicants that are selected will be notified in writing by the 
Grant Officer. Formal designation as a grantee will be contingent on 
the successful negotiation of a grant agreement for the first year of 
operation.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 3rd day of January 2002.
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. 02-494 Filed 1-8-02; 8:45 am]
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