[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 150 (Monday, August 5, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50723-50736]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-19640]



[[Page 50723]]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Disability Employment Policy


Telework/Telecommuting Pilot Demonstration Grant for Adults with 
Significant Disabilities

AGENCY: Office of Disability Employment Policy, DOL.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds and Solicitation for Grant 
Applications (SGA) for Telework/Telecommuting Pilot Demonstrations (SGA 
02-16).

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Labor (``DOL'' or ``Department''), 
Office of Disability Employment Policy (``ODEP''), announces the 
availability of $1,000,000 to award one competitive grant to support 
the implementation and evaluation of three pilot demonstration projects 
involving DOL and two other Federal agencies over a period of 24 months 
designed to evaluate the extent to and the manner in which various 
home-based telework/telecommuting arrangements can enhance the 
employment of people with disabilities. This solicitation responds to 
an expression of Congressional intent in the Conference Report to 
ODEP's FY 2002 appropriation to set up these programs and to ``include 
in these pilots all appropriate positions, whether the work is 
performed in-house, contracted, or outsourced in the types of jobs 
which can be performed from home, such as customer service/call contact 
centers, and claims, loan or financial transaction processing 
operations.'' (H. Conf. Rep. No. 342, 107th Cong., 1st Sess. (2001)). 
Integral to the pilot projects will be tailored/individualized 
training, appropriate technology, and supportive mechanisms (e.g., 
reasonable accommodations, job coaching, shadowing, mentoring, 
customized employment, etc.).
    A critical element of this endeavor will be the generation of data 
and information on successful strategies and approaches to telework/
telecommuting, the difficulties and challenges that may be encountered, 
and mechanisms for addressing these challenges. This data will be used 
by DOL and other Federal entities in considering the development of 
telework/telecommuting options as an alternative to more traditional 
types of employment, particularly for people with significant 
disabilities.
    The funds for this solicitation will be used to develop, implement, 
and evaluate three discrete pilot demonstration projects. The first 
pilot will be conducted at the U.S. Department of Labor and will 
involve the Labor Department's current call center operation. The other 
two pilot projects must involve two other types of jobs that can be 
performed from home such as customer service, claims, loan, financial 
transaction or processing operations in two additional Federal 
agencies.
    These pilot demonstration projects will be staggered; each pilot 
will begin at a different time. Each pilot will run for a total of nine 
months--six months for a training/trial work period, and an additional 
three months for follow-up. The grantee funded under this solicitation 
must: (1) Identify positions appropriate for home-based work among the 
three Federal agencies included in the overall project; (2) equip and 
train qualified individuals with significant disabilities for these 
positions; and (3) report on the results of the telework/telecommuting 
pilot.

DATES: One ink-signed original, completed grant application plus two 
copies of the Technical Proposal and two copies of the Cost Proposal 
must be submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor, Procurement Services 
Center, Attention: Grant Officer Reference SGA 02-16, Room N-5416, 200 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210, not later than 4:45 
p.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time (EDST) September 4, 2002. Hand-
delivered applications must be received by the Procurement Services 
Center by that time.

ADDRESSES: Applications must be directed to the U.S. Department of 
Labor, Procurement Services Center, Attention: Grant Officer, Reference 
SGA 02-16, Room N-5416, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 
20210.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Application announcements or forms 
will not be mailed. The Federal Register may be obtained from your 
nearest government office or library. In addition, a copy of this 
notice and the application requirement may be downloaded from the 
Office of Disability Employment Policy's Web site at http://www2.dol.gov/odep. Questions concerning this solicitation should be 
directed to Cassandra Willis at phone (202) 693-4570 (this is not a 
toll-free number). Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may contact 
the Department via the Federal Relay Service, (800) 877-8339.
    Late Proposals: All applicants are advised that U.S. mail delivery 
in the Washington, DC area has been erratic due to concerns involving 
anthrax contamination. All applicants must take this into consideration 
when preparing to meet the application deadline. Therefore, it is 
recommended that you confirm receipt of your application(s) by 
contacting Cassandra Willis, U.S. Department of Labor, Procurement 
Services Center, at (202) 693-4570, prior to the closing deadline. 
Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may contact the Department via 
the Federal Relay Service, (800) 877-8339.
    Acceptable Methods of Submission: The grant application package 
must be received at the designated place by the date and time specified 
or it will not be considered. Any application received at the Office of 
Procurement Services Center after 4:45 p.m., EDST, September 4, 2002, 
will not be considered unless it is received before the award is made 
and:
    1. It was sent by registered or certified mail not later than the 
fifth calendar day before September 4, 2002; or 2. It 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, 
excluding weekends and Federal holidays, prior to September 4, 2002; 
and/or
    3. It is determined by the Government that the late receipt was due 
solely to mishandling by the Government after receipt at the U.S. 
Department of Labor at the address indicated.
    The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of a 
late application sent by registered or certified mail is the U.S. 
Postal Service postmark on the envelope or wrapper and on the original 
receipt from the U.S. Postal Service. If the postmark is not legible, 
an application received after the above closing time and date shall be 
processed as if mailed late. ``Postmark'' means a printed, stamped or 
otherwise placed impression (not a postage meter machine impression) 
that is readily identifiable without further action as having been 
applied and affixed by an employee of the U.S. Postal Service on the 
date of mailing. Therefore, applicants should request the postal clerk 
place a legible hand cancellation ``bull's-eye'' postmark on both the 
receipt and the envelope or wrapper.
    The only acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt at 
the U. S. Department of Labor is the date/time stamp of the Procurement 
Services Center on the application wrapper or other documentary 
evidence or receipt maintained by that office.
    Applications sent by other delivery services, such as Federal 
Express, UPS, etc., will also be accepted; however the Department does 
not accept dates or date stamps on such packages as evidence of timely 
mailing. Thus, the applicant bears the responsibility of timely 
submission.

[[Page 50724]]

    All applicants are advised that U.S. mail delivery in the 
Washington, DC area has been erratic due to concerns involving anthrax 
contamination. All applicants must take this into consideration when 
preparing to meet the application deadline. Therefore, it is 
recommended that you confirm receipt of your application by contacting 
Cassandra Willis, U.S. Department of Labor, Procurement Services 
Center, telephone (202) 693-4570 (this is not a toll-free number), 
prior to the closing deadline. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing 
may contact the Department via the Federal Relay Service, (800) 877-
8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Authority

    Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2001, Public Law 106-554, 114 
Stat. 2763; 29 U.S.C. 557b; DOL, HHS, Education and Related 
Appropriations Act, 2002, Public Law 107-116, 115 Stat. 2177.

II. Background

    The mission of the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) is 
to provide leadership to increase employment opportunities for adults 
and youth with disabilities through expanded access to training, 
education, employment supports, assistive technology, integrated 
employment, entrepreneurial development and small business 
opportunities. ODEP fosters the creation of employment opportunities by 
building partnerships with both public and private sector employers, 
and with regional and local agencies to: (1) Increase their awareness 
and experience the benefits of employing people with disabilities, 
including significant disabilities; and (2) facilitate the use of 
effective strategies to accomplish this goal.
    Workers with significant disabilities are an important and 
insufficiently tapped resource for employers. As such, ODEP is 
committed to ensuring appropriate skills development and training 
opportunities, and supporting and encouraging the creative use of 
alternative employment strategies and employment supports for this 
population segment. Congress included $1,000,000 in FY 2002 for ODEP to 
explore the feasibility of developing and extending home-based 
telework/telecommuting options to people with significant disabilities 
through an evaluation of pilot demonstration projects. (H. Conf. Rep. 
No. 342, 107th Cong., 1st Sess. (2001)).
    In general, ``telework/telecommuting'' is a collective term for a 
wide variety of work arrangements. Teleworkers/telecommuters may be 
employees or independent contractors who may work full-time or part-
time. In addition teleworkers/telecommuters may work from home or a 
telecenter all of the time, or may alternate between the two. For the 
purposes of this solicitation, telework/telecommuting will refer to 
home-based settings only.
    As a general matter, telework/telecommuting provides opportunities 
for all employees and employers seeking alternative employment options. 
For employers, telework/telecommuting can be useful in solving business 
problems by decreasing certain overhead costs; satisfying fluctuating 
demands for additional office and parking space; and helping its 
employees balance work and family demands and thereby increase their 
loyalty, productivity, and retention. For certain employees, telework/
telecommuting is appealing because it can eliminate long commutes, and 
is flexible--allowing for balancing of work and home life, and reduced 
workplace distractions.
    For people with significant disabilities, telework/telecommuting 
sometimes presents the most viable opportunity to work, due to the lack 
of reliable and available employment supports such as transportation 
and personal assistance. While telework/telecommuting is not a complete 
solution to the employment barriers encountered by persons with 
significant disabilities, home-based work can be an effective way of 
bringing persons with severe or significant disabilities who have 
limited ability to leave their homes into the workforce.
    Effective telework/telecommuting policies are key to successful 
telework/ telecommuting arrangements for persons with and without 
disabilities. Accordingly, the best practices derived from this project 
are likely to have utility extending beyond the employment of people 
with disabilities to the population generally.

III. Purpose and Parameters

    The purpose of the grant award is to explore using telework/
telecommuting in innovative ways in Federal agencies to support high 
quality employment for people with significant disabilities. 
Specifically, it will provide DOL and other participating agencies with 
a means to assess the extent to which tailored/individualized training, 
appropriate technology, and supportive mechanisms (e.g., reasonable 
accommodations, job coaching, shadowing, mentoring, customized 
employment, etc.) can facilitate various telework/telecommuting 
arrangements for people with significant disabilities. Through its 
evaluation research component, the grant will also generate data on 
both the benefits and the challenges encountered in creating home-based 
telework/telecommuting options for people with significant 
disabilities.
    All forms necessary to prepare an application are included in this 
SGA. Additional forms can be obtained from the following OMB Web site 
address: www.whitehouse.gov/OMB/grants/forms.html. In responding to the 
SGA, the applicant must take into account the following parameters of 
this project:
     The award will support one grant that will be used to 
develop, implement, evaluate, and disseminate information that can 
increase critical knowledge of and provide data about ``best 
practices'' in a home-based telework/telecommuting environment for 
people with significant disabilities.
     The first pilot will be conducted at the U.S. Department 
of Labor and will involve the Labor Department's current call center 
operation. The other two pilot projects will involve two of the 
following: customer service, claims, loan, financial transaction or 
processing centers in two additional Federal agencies.
     For the purposes of this solicitation, ``telework/
telecommuting'' is defined as work performed in a home-based 
workstation.
     The grantee must: (1) Identify appropriate positions 
within the three Federal agencies included in the overall project; (2) 
equip and train qualified individuals with significant disabilities for 
these positions; and (3) report on the results of the telework/
telecommuting pilot.
     A person with a ``significant disability'' for purposes of 
this SGA is defined as an adult to whom one or more of the following 
applies: (1) Is a long-term user of a mobility aid (e.g., a cane or 
wheel chair); (2) Is unable, or needs assistance, to see, hear, or 
climb stairs; or (3) Is unable, or needs assistance, to get around 
inside the home, dress, eat, or prepare meals.
     During each nine-month pilot, the telework/telecommuting 
participants recruited as part of this solicitation will be employees 
of the applicant's organization. The applicant, therefore, may use 
grant funds to cover their employment costs (e.g., salaries, benefits, 
assistive technology, reasonable accommodations). Telework/
telecommuting participants are to be compensated at prevailing rates 
equal to that of other trainees or employees with similar training, 
experience, and skills, performing similar work and such rates shall be 
in accordance with applicable

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law, but in no event less than the higher of the rate specified in 
section 6(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 
206(a)(1)) or the applicable State or local minimum wage law.
     Applicants must prepare an evaluation plan for the three 
pilot demonstration projects which is to include, at a minimum: (1) The 
number of individuals with disabilities participating in telework/
telecommuting positions; (2) the participants' attrition rates; (3) 
information on the performance of such individuals in comparison to 
people without significant disabilities performing similar jobs in the 
participating agency; and (4) the feasibility of employing more 
individuals with disabilities in home-based work in other Federal 
agency positions.
     The success of telework/telecommuting for people with 
significant disabilities will be measured in terms of growth (e.g., 
skills development, production, hiring level, etc.) and stability. 
Training will be a critical element in the pilot demonstrations 
inasmuch as it will be important that participants recruited for the 
pilot projects enhance their current skills level and develop 
additional skills and abilities to perform telework/telecommuting 
tasks. Accordingly, the applicant must describe the procedures and 
approach it will use to ensure that the particpants' training provides 
them with the specific skills needed for the target occupation, 
including the operation of relevant equipment, including assistive 
technology. The applicant must also discuss how it will assess and 
provide appropriate telework/telecommuting supports, needed 
accommodations, and training in self-management skills.
     In some cases, Federal agencies, such as DOL, contract for 
services such as call centers, claims processing, and application 
processing. Applicants should note that if the Federal agency that is 
to be a part of this demonstration uses a contractor for a job function 
which is potentially appropriate for home-based telework/telecommuting 
environment, the agency must agree to assist the applicant in working 
with the Federal contractor to identify appropriate positions for the 
pilot demonstration project.
     The applicant must describe the procedures and approaches 
it will use in cases where modifications (e.g., telephone lines, 
software, technology, etc.) may be required to facilitate the pilot 
demonstration projects (e.g., a contracted call center facility). Grant 
funds may be used for this purpose. This kind of facilitation may be 
accomplished in a number of ways, for example, by a subcontract with 
the contracted call center under which the call center purchases and 
installs all of the appropriate equipment, or by direct purchase and 
installation by the grantee with the consent of the call center 
contractor.

IV. Statement of Work

    The applicant must design and implement pilot demonstration 
projects that incorporate research-based best practices, or that 
develop and evaluate additional practices that are flexible, unique, 
and innovative.
    The successful applicant will develop and outline strategies to 
integrate specific job functions, ordinarily performed at a centrally 
located facility, into home-based work settings. Therefore, the 
applicant must include specific details concerning its personnel and 
support capacity for the pilot demonstration projects; the procedures 
and approaches for the recruitment, retention, and management of people 
with significant disabilities who prefer home-based telework/
telecommuting; the acquisition, installation, and maintenance of 
equipment that will be required; necessary security; job task training, 
quality assurance, supervision, and technical assistance and training 
for the Federal agency and contractor (if applicable) supporting the 
pilot demonstrations.
    The applicant must describe the methods and procedures for 
collecting, analyzing, and reporting data from the evaluation of the 
pilot demonstration projects. The applicant must describe the 
procedures and approaches for working with three Federal agencies (the 
Department of Labor and two other Federal agencies) in order to 
implement the various strategies proposed in relation to the specific 
employment situation in each agency (e.g., call center, claims 
processing, and/or application processing activity.) Additionally, the 
applicant must provide:
    (1) a detailed management plan for project goals, objectives, and 
activities;
    (2) a detailed timeline for phasing in the three pilot 
demonstration projects on a staggered basis; conducting evaluations of 
the pilots; and producing and submitting a final report;
    (3) a detailed outline for an evaluation research design which 
includes: (a) A justification of appropriate evaluation methodology; 
(b) a descriptions of the outcome measures expected to be used to 
evaluate the pilot demonstration projects and determine the 
effectiveness of each; and (c) an explanation of how the evaluation 
information and data collected on the pilot demonstration projects will 
be aggregated and analyzed for the purpose of providing useful 
information about the overall feasibility of home-based telework/
telecommuting for people with significant disabilities performing 
Federal sector jobs;
    (4) documentation (e.g., letter of intent, memorandum of agreement) 
which reflects that each Federal agency which is to be included in the 
pilot demonstration project is committed to participating and working 
cooperatively with the applicant; or alternatively, a description of 
the process the applicant will use to recruit, enlist, and secure 
cooperation with each Federal agency the applicant wishes to include in 
the projects;
    (5) a description detailing a plan for designing three distinct 
telework/ telecommuting pilots in different environments. The first 
pilot will be conducted at the U.S. Department of Labor and will 
involve the Labor Department's current call center operation. The other 
two pilot projects must involve two other types of jobs that can be 
performed from home such as customer service, claims, loan, financial 
transaction or processing operations in two additional Federal 
agencies.
    (6) a description of the procedures and approaches that will be 
used to integrate home-based telework/telecommuting into the existing 
infrastructure of any organizations currently providing contractual 
services within participating Federal agencies; and identify positions 
appropriate for home-based telework/telecommuting within the three 
Federal agencies included in the overall project; and address and 
resolve any problems and barriers;
    (7) a description of the procedures and approaches which the 
applicant will use to: (a) Recruit and retain pilot demonstration 
participants; (b) employ pilot demonstration participants for up to 
nine months; (c) replace participants who drop out of the project, to 
the extent that funds and time will allow; and (d) address and resolve 
any other problems and barriers;
    (8) a description of the procedures and approaches the applicant 
will use for: (a) The acquisition, installation, and maintenance of 
required equipment and implementation of necessary security measures; 
(b) job task training, quality assurance, and supervision; and (c) for 
providing technical assistance and training to the entity(ies) 
providing contractual services to the Federal government in jobs 
appropriate for home-based telework/telecommuting

[[Page 50726]]

which are to be included in the pilot demonstrations;
    (9) a detailed description of procedures and materials that would 
enable others to replicate the successful strategies developed; and
    (10) a description of procedures and approaches which will be used 
to provide ongoing communication and collaboration with, and input from 
ODEP's Project Officer on all grant-related activities.
    Utilizing grant funds, the applicant must support the travel cost 
associated with sending at least one representative for two days to the 
annual ODEP Grantees' training conference, to be held in Washington, 
DC.

V. Funding Availability and Period of Performance

    The period of performance will be 24 months from the date of the 
execution of the award unless extended by the Government. The amount of 
the grant awarded will be $1,000,000. It is expected that the costs 
associated with each individual pilot will vary, as the job functions/
tasks and technology required to perform home-based teleworking/
telecommuting within a participating agency will be different. The 
funds used for this SGA will support the costs associated with the 
development and implementation of the three Federal pilot demonstration 
projects, one of which is to be at DOL, to determine whether, and to 
what extent, home-based telework/telecommuting represents viable 
employment alternative for people with significant disabilities and for 
Federal agencies. To this end, the applicant may use the available 
funds to conduct a variety of activities to support these pilots such 
as recruitment, retention, training, acquiring needed technology and 
equipment, making modifications, planning, management activities, and 
evaluations. To the extent possible, the applicant should provide 
specific cost estimates and justifications for costs in its 
application. With the agreement of the grantee, the Department also may 
elect to change, modify, and/or supplement this grant during this 
period based on the Department's needs.

VI. Eligible Applicants

    Applications will be accepted from both for profit and non-profit 
organizations. States and other governmental entities are ineligible. 
Applicants must have demonstrated experience in employment and 
disability research, and have demonstrated experience and capacity for 
providing services related to telework/telecommuting or technology 
generally for people with disabilities. According to section 18 of the 
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, an organization, as described in 
section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, that engages in 
lobbying activities will not be eligible for the receipt of Federal 
funds constituting an award, grant, or loan. [See 2 U.S.C. 1611; 26 
U.S.C. 501(c)(4).]

VII. Application Contents

    General Requirements--Two copies and an original of the proposal 
must be submitted, one of which must contain an original signature. 
Proposals must be submitted by the applicant only. There are three 
required sections of the application. Requirements for each section are 
provided in this application package.

Part I--Executive Summary

    The Executive Summary may not be more than two single-spaced pages 
in length giving a clear summary of the project narrative.

Part II--Project Narrative--(Appendices--Letters of Commitment/Support, 
Resumes, etc.)

    Applicants must include a narrative that addresses the Statement of 
Work in Part IV of the notice and the evaluation/selection criteria in 
Part VIII that will be used by reviewers in evaluating the application. 
You must limit Part II to the equivalent of no more than 75 pages using 
the following standard. This page limit does not apply to Part I the 
Executive Summary; Part III the Project Financial Plan (Budget); and, 
the Appendices (the assurances and certifications, resumes, a 
bibliography or references, and the documentation of commitment/letters 
of support).
    A page is 8.5'' x 11'' (on one side only) with one-inch margins 
(top, bottom, and sides). All text in the application narrative, 
including titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, and captions, as 
well as all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs must be double-
spaced (no more than three lines per vertical inch); and, if using a 
proportional computer font, use no smaller than a 12-point font, and an 
average character density no greater than 18 characters per inch (if 
using a non-proportional font or a typewriter, do not use more than 12 
characters per inch.)

Part III--Project Financial Plan (Budget)

    Applications must include a detailed financial plan, which 
identifies by line item the budget plan designed to achieve the goals 
of this grant. The Financial Plan must contain the SF-424, Application 
for Federal Assistance, (Appendix A) and a Budget Information Sheet SF-
424A (Appendix B).
    In addition, the budget must include, on a separate page, a 
detailed cost analysis of each line item. Justification for 
administrative costs must be provided. Approval of a budget by DOL is 
not the same as the approval of actual costs. The individual signing 
the SF-424 on behalf of the applicant must represent and be able to 
legally bind the responsible financial and administrative entity for a 
grant should that application result in an award. The applicant must 
also include the Assurances and Certifications Signature Page (Appendix 
C).

VIII. Evaluation Criteria/Selection

A. Evaluation Criteria

    The application must include appropriate information of the type 
described below.
1. Significance of the Proposed Project (25 points)
    In determining the significance of the proposed project, the 
Department considers the following factors:
    a. The potential contribution of the proposed project to increase 
knowledge or understanding of problems, issues, or effective strategies 
for providing home-based telework/telecommuting options to people with 
significant disabilities as an alternative to traditional types of 
employment;
    b. The extent to which the proposed project is likely to yield 
findings that may be used by other appropriate agencies and 
organizations;
    c. The extent to which the proposed project involves the 
development or demonstration of promising new strategies that build 
upon, or are alternatives to, existing strategies;
    d. The likely utility of the products (such as information, 
materials, processes, or techniques) that will result from the proposed 
project, including their potential for being used effectively in a 
variety of other settings;
    e. The extent to which the promising practices of the proposed 
project are to be disseminated in ways that will enable others to use 
the information or strategies;
    f. The potential replicability (national significance) of the 
proposed project or strategies, including, as appropriate, the 
potential for implementation in a variety of settings; and
    g. The importance or magnitude of the results that are likely to be 
attained by the proposed project.

[[Page 50727]]

2. Quality of the Project Design (20 points)
    In evaluating the quality of the proposed project design, the 
Department considers the following factors:
    a. The adequacy of the documentation submitted in support of the 
proposed project to demonstrate the commitment of each Federal agency 
which is be included in the pilot demonstration or alternatively the 
quality of the plan that the applicant will use to recruit, enlist, and 
secure cooperation of Federal agencies which the applicant wishes to 
include in the projects;
    b. The extent to which the proposal provides a description 
detailing a plan for designing three distinct pilot programs, in three 
different telework/telecommuting environments, with DOL and two 
additional Federal agencies.
    c. The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be 
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable;
    d. The extent to which the proposal incorporates the 9 key 
activities identified in Part IV, the Statement of Work;
    e. The extent to which the design of the proposed project is 
appropriate to, and will successfully address the needs of the target 
population and other identified needs;
    f. The extent to which the design of the proposed project can 
identify barriers and challenges associated with providing home-based 
telework/telecommuting options to persons with disabilities;
    g. The extent to which the proposed project is designed to build 
capacity and yield results that will extend beyond the period of this 
grant;
    h. The extent to which the design of the proposed project reflects 
a review of disability related literature, up-to-date knowledge of 
research and effective practices relating to planning and implementing 
telework/telecommuting options, and the use of appropriate 
methodological tools to ensure successful achievement of project 
objectives;
    i. The extent to which the applicant encourages involvement of 
people with significant disabilities most likely to benefit from home-
based telework/telecommuting options, and relevant experts, and 
organizations in project activities; and
    j. The extent to which performance feedback and continuous 
improvement are integral to the design of the proposed project.
    k. The extent to which the design of the proposed project 
incorporates measures adequate to ensure that the current employees of 
a Federal contractor or Federal agency involved in the pilot project do 
not suffer a loss of wages, are not displaced, and are not deprived of 
any rights conferred as a result of a collective bargaining agreement 
or an existing contract for their services or as a result of grant 
activities.
3. Quality of Project Personnel (15 points)
    The Project Narrative must describe the proposed staffing of the 
project and must identify and summarize the qualifications of the 
personnel who will carry it out. The Project Narrative should also 
describe how the applicant plans to comply with the employment 
discrimination and equal employment opportunity requirements of the 
various laws listed in the assurances section.
    In addition, the Department considers the qualifications, including 
relevant education, training and experience of key project personnel as 
well as the qualifications, including relevant training and experience 
of project consultants or subcontractors. Resumes must be included in 
the Appendices.
4. Budget and Resource Capacity (10 points)
    In evaluating the capacity of the applicant to carry out the 
proposed project, the Department considers the following factors:
    a. The applicant's demonstrated experience in employment and 
disability research, and in providing services related to telework/
telecommuting or technology generally for people with disabilities;
    b. The extent to which the budget is adequate to support the 
proposed project; and
    c. The extent to which the anticipated costs are reasonable in 
relation to the objectives, design, and potential significance of the 
proposed project.
5. Quality of the Management Plan (10 points)
    In evaluating the quality of the management plan for the proposed 
project, the Department considers the following factors:
    a. The extent to which the management plan for project 
implementation appears likely to achieve the objectives of the proposed 
project on time and within budget, and includes clearly defined staff 
responsibilities, time allocation to project activities, time lines, 
milestones for accomplishing project tasks, and project deliverables;
    b. The adequacy of mechanisms for ensuring high-quality products 
and services relating to the scope of work for the proposed project; 
and
    c. The extent to which the time commitments of the project director 
and principal investigator and other key project personnel are 
appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed 
project.
6. Quality of the Project Evaluation (20 points)
    In evaluating the quality of the project's evaluation design, the 
Department considers the following factors:
    a. The extent to which the methods of evaluation are thorough, 
feasible, and appropriate to the goals, objectives, context, and 
outcomes of the proposed project;
    b. The extent to which the methods of evaluation include the use of 
objective performance measures that are clearly related to the intended 
outcomes of the project and will produce quantitative and qualitative 
data;
    c. The extent to which the evaluation will provide information to 
the Federal government and other employers about effective telework/
telecommuting strategies suitable for replication or testing in other 
settings; and
    d. The extent to which the methods of evaluation measure in both 
quantitative and qualitative terms program results and satisfaction of 
adults with disabilities.

B. Selection Criteria

    Acceptance of a proposal and an award of Federal funds to sponsor 
any program(s) is not a waiver of any grant requirement and/or 
procedures. The selected applicant must comply with all applicable 
Federal statutes, regulations, administrative requirements and OMB 
circulars. For example, the OMB circulars require, and an entity's 
procurement procedures must require, that all procurement transactions 
shall be conducted, as practical, to provide open and free competition. 
If a proposal identifies a specific entity to provide the services, the 
award does not provide the justification or basis to sole-source the 
procurement, i.e., avoid competition.
    A panel will objectively rate each complete application against the 
criteria described in this SGA. The panel recommendations to the Grant 
Officer are advisory in nature. The Grant Officer may elect to award 
grants either with or without discussion with the applicant. In 
situations where no discussion occurs, an award will be based on the 
signed SF-424 form (see Appendix A), which constitutes a binding offer. 
The Grant Officer may consider the availability of funds and any

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information that is available and will make final award decisions based 
on what is most advantageous to the government, considering factors 
such as:
    (1) The findings of the grant technical evaluation panel; and
    (2) The geographic distribution of the sites of the three 
demonstration projects.

IX. Reporting

    The selected applicant must submit on a quarterly basis, beginning 
ninety days from the award of the grant, financial and participation 
reports under this program as prescribed by OMB Circulars A-110 
codified at 29 CFR part 95. Specifically the following reports will be 
required:
    1. Quarterly report: The quarterly report is estimated to take five 
hours to complete. The form for the Quarterly Report will be provided 
by ODEP. The Department will work with the grantee to help refine the 
requirements of the report, which, among other things, will include 
measures of ongoing analysis for continuous improvement;
    2. Standard Form 269: Financial Status Report Form: This form is to 
be completed on a quarterly basis.
    3. Final Project Report: The Final Project Report is to include an 
assessment of project performance and outcomes achieved. It is 
estimated that this report will take twenty hours to complete. This 
report will be submitted in hard copy and on electronic disk using a 
format and following instructions, which will be provided by the 
Department. A draft of the final report is due to the Department thirty 
days before the termination of the grant. The final report is due to 
DOL 60 days following the termination of the grant.
    The Department will arrange for an independent evaluation of 
outcomes, impacts, and benefits of the project. The selected applicant 
must make records and data available to external evaluation personnel, 
as specified by the Department.

X. Administration Provisions

A. Administrative Standards and Provisions

    Applicants are strongly encouraged to read these regulations before 
submitting a proposal. The grant awarded under this SGA shall be 
subject to the following as applicable:
    (1) 29 CFR part 95--Grants and Agreements With Institutions of 
Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations, and 
With Commercial Organizations, Foreign Governments, Organizations Under 
the Jurisdiction of Foreign Governments, and International 
Organizations
    (2) 29 CFR part 96--Audit Requirements for Grants, Contracts, and 
Other Agreements.

B. Allowable Cost

    Determinations of allowable costs are made in accordance with the 
following applicable Federal cost principles:
    (1) Nonprofit Organizations--OMB Circular A-122
    (2) Profit-making Commercial Firms--48 CFR part 31
    Profit will not be considered an allowable cost in any case.

C. Grant Non-Discrimination Assurances

    As a condition of the award, the applicant must certify that it 
will comply fully with the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity 
provisions of the following laws:
    29 CFR part 31--Nondiscrimination in Federally-assisted programs of 
the Department of Labor, effectuation of Title VI of the Civil Rights 
Act of 1964.
    29 CFR part 32--Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in 
Programs and Activities Receiving or Benefiting from Federal 
Assistance. (Implementing section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, 29 
U.S.C. 794)
    29 CFR part 36--Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education 
Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance. 
(Implementing title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. 
1681 et seq.)
    The applicant must include assurances and certifications that it 
will comply with these laws in its grant application. The assurances 
and certifications are attached as Appendix C.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 30th day of July, 2002.
Lawrence J. Kuss,
Grant Officer.
APPENDIX A. Application for Federal Assistance, Form SF 424
APPENDIX B. Budget Information Sheet, Form SF 424A
APPENDIX C. Assurances and Certifications Signature Page

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[FR Doc. 02-19640 Filed 8-2-02; 8:45 am]
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