[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 74 (Wednesday, April 17, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18946-18954]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-9261]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

[SGA/DFA 02-107]


Grants for Intermediaries

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Department of Labor.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds and solicitation for grant 
applications (SGA). This notice contains all of the necessary 
information and forms needed to apply for grant funding.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S. 
Department of Labor (DOL) announces the availability of funds under 
three separate competitions to award grants (1) States, (2) 
intermediaries, and (3) small private non-profit organizations. Under 
these competitions, eligible ``intermediaries'' are defined as those 
non-profit, community, and/or faith-based organizations with 
connections to grassroots faith-based and community organizations with 
the ability to connect those organizations to the nation's workforce 
development system in more than one service area. The eligible 
intermediary does not have to be located in more than one jurisdiction 
as long as their reach extends beyond one jurisdiction, and the 
application addresses providing services in more than one jurisdiction.
    These awards have three important objectives:
     Increase the number of faith-based and community-based 
organizations serving as committed and active partners in the One-Stop 
delivery system
     Expand the access of faith-based and community-based 
organizations' clients and customers to the services offered by the 
nation's One-Stops
     Identify, document, showcase and replicate successful 
instances of faith- and community-based involvement in our system-
building.
    ETA has identified $14.9 million from the FY 2001 appropriation for 
One-Stop/America's Labor Market Information System and $500,000 from 
funds authorized under Section 171 of the Workforce Investment Act for 
these system-building objectives. A total of $5.0 million is available 
for this intermediary competition.

DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday, May 17, 
2002. Applications must be received by 4 p.m. (Eastern Standard 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 honored. 
Applicants are advised that the Department's receipt of mail has 
encountered delays because of mail screening procedures at local post 
offices.

ADDRESSES: Applications must be mailed to: U.S. Department of Labor, 
Employment and Training Administration, Division of Federal Assistance, 
Attention: Denise Roach, Reference: SGA/DFA 02-107, 200 Constitution 
Avenue, NW., Room S-4203, Washington, DC 20210.
    Hand Delivered Proposals. If proposals are hand delivered, they 
must be received at the designated address by 4 p.m., Eastern Time on 
Friday, May 17, 2002. All overnight mail will be considered to be hand 
delivered and must be received at the designated place by the specified 
closing date and time. Telegraphed, e-mail and/or fax proposals will 
not be honored. Failure to adhere to the above instructions will be a 
basis for determination of non-responsive.
    Late Proposals. A proposal received at the designated office after 
the exact time specified for receipt will not be considered unless it 
is received before the award is made and it:
     Was sent by U.S. Postal Service registered or certified 
mail not later than the fifth day (5th) calendar day before the closing 
date specified for receipt of applications (e.g. an offer submitted an 
response to a solicitation requiring receipt of application by the 20th 
of the month must be mailed by the 15th):
     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 working days prior to the deadline date specified for 
receipt of proposals in this SGA. The term ``working days'' excludes 
weekends and U.S. Federal holidays.
    The 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 registered or certified mail 
is the U.S. postmark on the envelope or wrapper affixed 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 place 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 employees of 
the U.S. Postal Service.
    Withdrawal of Applications. Applications may be withdrawn by 
written notice or telegram (including mailgram) received at any time 
before an award is made. Application may be withdrawn in person by the 
applicant or by an authorized representative thereof, if the 
representative's identify is made known and the representative signs a 
receipt for the proposal.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions should be faxed to Denise 
Roach, Grants Management Specialist, Division of Federal Assistance at 
(202) 693-2879 (This is not a toll free-number). All inquiries should 
include the SGA/DFA 02-107 and a contact name, fax and phone number. 
This solicitation will be also published on the Internet, on the 
Employment and Training Administration (ETA) home page at http://www.doleta.gov and www.usworkforce.org. Award notifications will also 
be announced on these two Web pages.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) 
established a comprehensive reform of existing Federal job training 
programs with amendments impacting service delivery under the Wagner-
Peyser Act, Adult Education and Literacy Act, and the Rehabilitation 
Act. A number of other Federal programs are also identified as required 
partners in the One-Stop delivery system to provide comprehensive 
services for all Americans to access the information and resources 
available that can help in the achievement of their career goals. The 
intention of the One-Stop system is to establish a network of programs 
and providers in co-located and integrated settings that are accessible 
for individuals and businesses alike in approximately 600 workforce 
investment areas established throughout the nation.
    WIA established State and Local Workforce Investment Boards focused 
on strategic planning, policy development, and oversight of the 
workforce investment system, and accorded significant authority to the 
nation's Governors and local chief elected officials to further 
implement innovative and comprehensive delivery systems. The vision, 
goals and objectives for workforce development under the WIA 
decentralized system are fully described in the State strategic plan 
required under section 112 of the legislation. This State strategic 
workforce investment plan--and the operational experience gained by all 
the

[[Page 18947]]

partners to date in implementing the WIA-instituted reforms--help 
identify the important ``unmet needs'' and latent opportunities to 
expand access to One-Stop by all the population segments within the 
local labor market.
    Through these grants awards, ETA seeks to ensure that an important 
Workforce Investment Act tenet--universal access to the programs and 
services offered under WIA--is further rooted in the customer-
responsive delivery systems already established by the Governors, local 
elected officials and local Workforce Investment Boards. Through these 
grant competitions, ETA also reaffirms its continuing commitment to 
those customer-focused reforms instituted by State and local 
governments which help Americans access the tools they need to manage 
their careers through information and high quality services, and to 
help U.S. companies find skilled workers.
    On January 29, 2001, President George W. Bush issued Executive 
Order 13198, creating the Office for Faith-Based and Community 
Initiatives in the White House and centers in the departments of Labor, 
Health and Human Services (HHS), Housing and Urban Development (HUD), 
Education (ED), Justice (DOJ). President Bush charged the Cabinet 
centers with identifying statutory, regulatory, and bureaucratic 
barriers that stand in the way of effective faith-based and community 
initiatives, and to ensure, consistent with the law, that these 
organizations have equal opportunity to compete for federal funding and 
other support.
    These solicitations reflect the outcome of discussions between the 
Department's Center for Faith-Based and Community-Based Initiatives 
(CFBCI) and ETA to provide expanded opportunities for the Federal-
State-local partnerships under WIA to engage the faith-based and 
community-based organizations in service delivery, while providing 
additional points of entry for customers into the One-Stop system. 
These solicitations also reflect the Administration's interest in 
creating new avenues through which qualified grass-roots organizations 
can more fully participate under the Workforce Investment Act while 
bringing their particular strengths and talents in service provision to 
our customers.
    These solicitations also proceed from an ETA-CFBCI mutual premise: 
the involvement of community-based organizations and faith-based 
organizations can complement and supplement the efforts of local 
workforce development systems in providing universal access and serving 
the training-, job- and career-support needs of many of our customers. 
Success in the implementation of the Workforce Investment Act is 
clearly derived from the power of partnerships. Many community-based 
organizations have fully participated with distinction as direct 
recipients or as sub-recipients of Federal resources under the 
Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) , the Job Training 
Partnership Act (JTPA) and are currently doing so under WIA. These 
solicitations are designed to bring other community-based organizations 
to the decision-making and service delivery mechanisms under WIA.
    Faith-based and community-based organizations present credentials 
for full partnership in our mutual system-building endeavors. FBOs/CBOs 
are often trusted institutions within our poorest neighborhood, serving 
the very hardest-to-reach constituents in a cost-effective manner. 
FBOs/CBOs are home to a large number of volunteers who not only bring 
the transformational power of personal relationships to the provision 
of social service but a sustained allegiance to the well-being of their 
participants they serve. Through their daily work and specific 
programs, FBOs/CBOs strive to achieve some common purposes shared with 
government--reduction of welfare dependency, attainment of occupational 
skills, entry and retention of all our citizens in good-paying jobs. 
With appropriate planning, the FBO/CBO programs and resources can be 
leveraged into the workforce investment strategies already embodied in 
State and local strategic plans.
    These three solicitations represent an important element of an 
overall strategy for outreach to the people served by our nation's 
community-based organizations and faith-based organizations. A Training 
and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) will be issued in April 2002 to 
state workforce agencies, worker adjustment liaisons, workforce 
liaisons, and One-Stop Center system leads. The TEGL will request these 
principals to commit to a full engagement with faith-based and 
community-based organizations. The TEGL will encourage local workforce 
boards to appoint member(s) who are familiar with the FBOs/CBOs that 
provide job training, soft skills training and employment services in 
the labor market, and work in conjunction with the state workforce 
agency's faith-based liaison to share ideas and collect promising 
practices. The TEGL also will ask the state principals to collaborate 
with the local workforce investment areas in creating a campaign to 
educate the appropriate FBOs/CBOs about the workforce investment 
system, One-Stop Centers, available grants-in-aid, and to invite their 
participation.
    A total of $9.9 million is reserved for State grants. ETA expects 
to award 5 to 10 grants under this competition. The selected States 
under this competition will work toward increasing the number of 
community- and faith-based organizations as partners in the One-Stop 
delivery system. These states will seek to increase the access of those 
served by the community- and faith-based organizations to the many 
services offered by the One-Stops. The selected States will also share 
responsibility for identifying, showcasing and replicating successful 
instances of faith-based and community-based involvement.
    A total of $500,000 is reserved for faith-based and community-based 
organizations to provide authorized services to WIA participants. ETA 
expects to award approximately 20 to 25 grants under this competition.
    The provided services would supplement the services that local One-
Stop delivery systems currently provide. The recipient organizations 
receiving grant funds will partner with the local Workforce Investment 
Boards and One-Stop operators to carry out various services of direct 
benefit to customers. The sub-grantees could offer, for example, 
``soft-skills'' training such as communications, problem-solving, and 
time management which will allow the individual to function in an 
employment environment. Other sub-grantee activities can include GED 
tutoring of at-risk youth, after school programs for youth, day care 
for elders, job loss counseling, language translation services, 
``community audits'' (a resource guide to support services within the 
community), and ``cultural sensitivity'' training programs.
    These grants are made under the following authorities:
     The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA or the Act) 
(Pub. L. 105-220, 29 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.)
     WIA Final Rule, 20 CFR parts 652, 660-671 (65 FR 49294 
(August 11, 2000));
     Interim Final Rule implementing the nondiscrimination and 
equal opportunity provision (section 188) of WIA, 29 CFR part 37 (64 FR 
61692 (November 12, 1999));
     Planning Guidance and Instructions for Submission of the 
Strategic Five-Year State Plan for title I of the Workforce Investment 
Act of 1998 and the Wagner-Peyser Act (64 FR 9402 (February 25, 1999))

[[Page 18948]]

     Final Unified Plan Planning Guidance (65 FR 2464 (January 
14, 2000))
     Executive Order 13198; ``Rallying the Armies of 
Compassion''
     ``Report on a Unlevel Playing Field: Barriers to 
Participation by Faith-Based and Community Organization in Federal 
Service Programs''

Period of Performance

    The period of performance is one year.

Application Guidelines

Eligible Applicants

    For purposes of this competition, ``intermediaries'' are defined as 
those non-profit, community, and/or faith-based organizations with 
connections to grassroots faith-based and community organizations with 
the ability to connect those organizations to the nation's workforce 
development system in more than one service area. The eligible 
intermediary does not have to be located in more than one jurisdiction 
as long as their reach extends beyond one jurisdiction, and the 
application addresses providing services in more than one jurisdiction.

    Note: Except as specifically provided, DOL/ETA acceptance of a 
proposal and an award of federal funds to sponsor any program(s) 
does not provide a waiver of any grant requirement and/or 
procedures. For example, the OMB circulars require that an entity's 
procurement procedures must require that all procurement 
transactions must 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.

Eligible Sub-grantees and Allowable Activities

    For purposes of this announcement, the intermediary may issue a 
sub-grant to a grassroots organization which
    (a) is headquartered in the local community to which it provides 
services; and,
    (i) Has a social services budget of $300,000 or less, or
    (ii) Has 6 or fewer full-time equivalent employees.
    The ``$300,000 or less'' budget includes only that portion of an 
organization's budget allocated to providing social services. It does 
not include other portions of the budget such as salaries and expenses. 
For purposes of this announcement local affiliates of national 
organizations are not considered ``grassroots'' and would not be 
eligible for a sub-grant award.
    The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the United 
States Constitution prohibits the government from directly funding 
religious activity. These grants may not be used for instruction in 
religion or sacred literature, worship, prayer, proselytizing or other 
inherently religious practices. The services provided under these 
grants must be secular and non-ideological. Grant or sub-grant 
recipients, therefore, may not and will not be defined by reference to 
religion. Neutral, secular criteria that neither favor nor disfavor 
religion must be employed in their selection. In addition, under the 
WIA and DOL regulations implementing the Workforce Investment Act, a 
recipient may not employ or train a participant in sectarian 
activities, or permit participants to construct, operate, or maintain 
any part of a facility that is primarily used or devoted to sectarian 
instruction or worship. Under WIA, no individual shall be excluded from 
participation in, denied the benefits of, subjected to discrimination 
under, or denied employment in the administration of or in connection 
with, any such program or activity because of race, color, religion, 
sex (except as otherwise permitted under title IX of the Education 
Amendments of 1972), national origin, age, disability, or political 
affiliation or belief.

Application Process

    The application must clearly identify the applicant (or the fiscal 
agent), the grant recipient (and/or fiscal agent), and its capacity to 
administer this project. Applicants must submit one copy with an 
original signature and two additional copies of their proposal. The 
proposal must include the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424A) 
signed by the representative authorized by the governing body of the 
applicant to enter into grant agreement.
    This application must be double-spaced, and on single-sided, 
numbered pages. A font size of at least twelve (12) pitch is required 
throughout.
    There are four required sections: Application for Federal 
Assistance (SF 424A), Intermediary Description and Project Timeline, 
Statement of Work, and Budget Information (SF 424B). ETA will not 
consider applications that fail to provide complete information in 
these four sections.
Section I--Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424A) (See Appendix 
``A'')
Section II--Intermediary Description and Project Timeline (2 to 3 
pages)
    Format requirements for Section II are limited to no more than two 
to three pages. This section should include:
     The geographic area to be addressed through this grant 
(enumeration of State, multiple States, or identifiable subset of local 
workforce investment areas within State(s).
     The names of the local investment workforce areas in the 
State(s) proposed to be served through the activities of this grant. (A 
State-by-State listing of local workforce areas may be found at http://www.nawb.org/asp/wibdir.asp)
     The constituent members (as appropriate) of this 
intermediary.
     The primary mission of these constituent members 
irrespective of participation in the grant proposal, and what political 
and geographic jurisdictions (e.g., cities, counties, subsections of 
cities/counties) they serve.
     Written confirmation from the applicant that it will 
cooperate with all entities receiving funding under the Workforce 
Investment Act and (as appropriate) and with all other recipients of 
community-based and faith-based investments under the ETA/OFCBI grant 
strategy outlined in this announcement.
     A general timeline for all discrete projects and 
activities to be undertaken under the Statement of Work.
Section III--Statement of Work (not to exceed 12 to 15 pages)
    The Statement of Work represents the applicant's plans to meet the 
system-building objectives through assisting grass-roots organizations 
in developing grant management expertise and skills to allow a fuller 
participation in the nation's workforce development system. The 
Department expects that the intermediary will accomplish these 
objectives through a series of sub-grants to qualified grass-roots 
organizations. The intermediary will manage the grants, removing the 
administrative burden from the smaller organization. The intermediary's 
staff will provide mentoring and technical assistance to build the 
smaller organizations' capacity.
    The Statement of Work will include:
    (1) Prior grants management experience (as described on 
``Performance History with Grants Management'' in the ``Review Process 
and Evaluation Criteria'').
    (2) Description of the proposed program (as described in ``Project 
Plan'' in the ``Review Process and Evaluation Criteria'').

[[Page 18949]]

Section IV--Budget Information (SF-424B) (See Appendix ``B'')

    Note: Administrative Costs: Pursuant to 20 CFR 667.210(b), 
grantees are advised that there is a 10% limitation on 
administrative costs on funds administered under this grant. The 
Grant Officer may, however, approve additional administrative costs, 
up to a maximum of 15% of the total award amount, for that grantee 
providing adequate justification. In no event, may administrative 
costs exceed 15% of the total award amount. The cost of 
administration shall include those disciplines enumerated in 20 CFR 
667.220(b) and (c).

Review Process and Evaluation Criteria

    Through this grant (and the other allocation of Federal resources 
outlined in the Summary), ETA and OFCBI seek:
     A verifiable increase in the participation of community-
based organizations and faith-based organizations participating in the 
nation's decentralized One-Stop delivery system.
     A verifiable increase in the number of community service 
points from which customers and clients of faith-based and community-
based organizations gain access to the information products and 
services provided through the system.
     An increase in the number of total individuals assisted by 
the publicly-funded workforce development system, with corresponding 
improvements in service delivery, grantee and service provider 
performance, and customer satisfaction.
    ETA, CFBCI and other Federal agency staff are expected to serve on 
the technical panel(s) which will review all applications against the 
criteria listed below. The panel recommendations are advisory. The ETA 
grant officer will fully consider the panel recommendations but take 
into account geographic balance and other factors to ensure the most 
advantageous award of these funds to accomplish the system-building 
purposes outlined in the Summary and Statement of Work. The grant 
officer reserves the right to award without further negotiation.
Section V--Criteria

Performance History With Grants Management (25 points)

    The applicant must provide a statement of its performance history 
with management of resources under governmental grants-in-aid programs. 
The Department will be evaluating applications based on the scope, 
strength, and ``record of achievement:'' which will be demonstrated by 
responses to the following requirements:
    Provide the names of the local investment workforce areas in the 
State(s) proposed to be served through the activities of this grant. (A 
State-by-State listing of local workforce areas may be found at http://www.nawb.org/asp/wibdir.asp). Identify the constituent members (as 
appropriate) of this intermediary. Describe the primary mission of 
these constituent members irrespective of participation in the grant 
proposal, and what political and geographic jurisdictions (e.g., 
cities, counties, subsections of cities/counties) they serve.
(5 points)
    Describe:
    Relevant history of the intermediary in managing resources through 
grant awards from Federal Departments (particularly those from the 
Departments of Labor, Education, Housing and Urban Development, and 
Health and Human Services), State governments or units of local 
governments.
    Applicant's history of working with small organizations. (Be sure 
to include past experience in developing other organization's capacity 
for social service delivery, competing for grants, and managing 
grants.)
    Information campaigns used and technical assistance provided to 
other organizations to develop their capacity.
    Discuss any recent involvement of the intermediary as a partner or 
provider in the One-Stop Stop delivery system for employment and 
training services. Describe any current relationship with the State 
Workforce Investment Board(s) and/or local Workforce Investment Boards.
(20 points)

Project Plan (75 points)

    The Project Plan provides the applicant's ``road-map'' for building 
infrastructure and a set of working relationships with smaller grass-
roots organizations. The Department will be evaluating the scope and 
quality of the Project Plan against several criteria. Both outreach and 
the management of the sub-grant process are critical to the project 
plan. The narrative, therefore, should offer the applicant's strategies 
that meet the requirements listed below.
    Describe the steps the intermediary will undertake to take 
advantage of the partnership and participation opportunities offered by 
WIA.
(15 points)
    Describe the methodology for identification of grassroots 
organizations that will be eligible for sub-grant awards. Describe the 
outreach strategies that will support this identification. Define the 
criteria and methodology for awarding sub-grants to the identified 
grassroots FBOs/CBOs. (The sub-grant award schedule should be 
consistent with the project timeline contained in Section II).
(15 points)
    Outline the plans for the intermediary's sub-grant management, 
technical assistance and mentoring. Describe the capacity-building 
efforts to be undertaken through these resources to establish (or 
strengthen) the existing administrative potential of grassroots 
organizations to receive future grants or sub-grants from State and 
local workforce investment principals.
(30 points)
    Describe ``methods of evaluation'' to determine the success of the 
mentoring and technical assistance efforts with its sub-grantees. 
Summarize the documentation strategies for the activities undertaken 
during the life of the grant for ETA and CFBCI use in working with 
other intermediaries.
(15 points)

Reporting Requirement

    The grantee must submit quarterly narrative progress and financial 
reports. The grantee must also prepare and submit a final report 
summarizing all accomplishments under the grant. The format of all 
reports and submission instructions will be contained in the grant 
document.

    Signed in Washington, DC, this 10th of April, 2002.
James W. Stockton,
Grant Officer.

Appendix A: (SF) 424--Application Form

      

Appendix B: Budget Information Form

BILLING CODE 4510-30-C

[[Page 18950]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN17AP02.035


[[Page 18951]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN17AP02.036


[[Page 18952]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN17AP02.037


[[Page 18953]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN17AP02.038


[[Page 18954]]


[FR Doc. 02-9261 Filed 4-16-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-C