[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 156 (Tuesday, August 13, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52748-52761]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-20463]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


International Labor Reporting Initiative

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

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds and solicitation for 
cooperative agreement applications (SGA 02-24).

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    This notice contains all of the necessary information and forms 
needed to apply for cooperative agreement funding.
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Bureau of International 
Labor Affairs (ILAB), will award funds for up to three cooperative 
agreements to an organization or organizations to develop and implement 
projects to assist ILAB, as mandated by its 2002 Congressional 
Appropriation, to build its permanent capacity to monitor and report 
regularly and in-depth to the Congress on the extent to which foreign 
countries with trade and investment agreements with the United States 
respect internationally recognized worker rights and promote core labor 
standards. USDOL is seeking applications from qualified organizations 
for the implementation of innovative, effective, and sustainable 
approaches to quality information gathering at the global, regional, or 
national level.

DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications is September 11, 
2002. Applications must be received by 4:45 p.m. Eastern Daylight 
Savings Time (EDST) at the address below. No exceptions to the mailing, 
delivery, 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.

ADDRESSES: Application forms will not be mailed. They are published in 
this Federal Register Notice, and in the Federal Register which may be 
obtained from your nearest U.S. Government office, public library or 
on-line at http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/index.html. 
Applications must be delivered to: U.S. Department of Labor, 
Procurement Services Center, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room N-5416, 
Attention: Lisa Harvey, Reference: SGA 02-24, Washington, D.C. 20210. 
Applications sent by e-mail, telegram, or facsimile (FAX) will not be 
accepted. Applications sent by other delivery services, such as Federal 
Express, UPS, etc., will be accepted; however, the applicant bears the 
responsibility for timely submission.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa Harvey: E-mail address: [email protected]. All applicants are advised that U.S. mail delivery in the 
Washington, DC area has been slow and erratic due to the recent 
concerns involving anthrax contamination. All applicants must take this 
into consideration when preparing to meet the application deadline. It 
is recommended that you confirm receipt of your application by 
contacting Lisa Harvey, U.S. Department of Labor, Procurement Services 
Center, telephone (202) 693-4570 (this it not a toll free number), 
prior to the closing deadline. All inquiries should reference SGA 02-
24. See Section III. C for further information.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ILAB is seeking innovative, reliable, and 
sustainable approaches to gathering valid and credible information and 
data on the extent to which foreign countries with trade and investment 
agreements with the United States effectively promote core labor 
standards as embodied in the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles 
and Rights at Work and respect internationally recognized worker rights 
as currently required under various U.S. laws.
    For the purposes of these cooperative agreements, core labor 
standards and their principles are those outlined in the International 
Labor Organization's 1998 Declaration of Principles and Rights at Work 
namely: (1) Freedom of Association and the effective recognition of the 
right to collective bargaining; (2) the elimination of all forms of 
forced or compulsory labor; (3) the effective abolition of child labor; 
and (4) the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and 
occupation.
    Internationally recognized worker rights, as defined by Section 507 
of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), include the: (A) The 
right of association; (B) the right to organize and bargain 
collectively; (C) a prohibition on the use of any form or forced or 
compulsory labor; (D) a minimum age for the employment of children; and 
(E) acceptable conditions of work with respect to minimum wages, hours 
of

[[Page 52749]]

work, and occupational safety and health.
    ILAB engages in a multitude of activities that demand a clear 
understanding of countries' national labor laws, systems of 
enforcement, and current labor practices in regards to international 
labor standards and acceptable conditions of work. ILAB uses this 
information in fulfilling its overall mission of participating in the 
development and implementation of U.S. Government economic, trade and 
immigration policy.
    The cooperative agreement(s) is to be actively managed by ILAB's 
Office of Foreign Relations to assure achievement of the stated 
objectives. Applicants are encouraged to be creative in proposing 
innovative and cost-effective interventions that will have a 
demonstrable impact on the gathering better quality, and sustainable 
information at the global, regional, or national levels. Applicants 
will be expected to complement and coordinate with, but not to 
duplicate, other existing ILAB efforts at labor monitoring, in 
particular the National Academy of Science's Committee on Monitoring 
International Labor Standards\1\. Further, applicants are encouraged to 
draw from and seek to build the capacity of national governments in 
this framework by cooperating with national institutions that are 
responsible for implementing labor laws such as the Labor Inspection 
Departments at Ministries of Labor. The project also looks for 
proposals that advance democratic institution building through civil 
society.
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    \1\ The website for the National Academy of Sciences project is: 
http://www.nas.edu/internationallabor.
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I. Background and Project Scope

    An understanding of workers' rights and conditions around the world 
is critical for the United States as it seeks to promote compliance 
with core labor standards through economic interactions with other 
countries. The United States' regional and global trade agreements 
provide the United States and its trading partners with unique 
opportunities in the global economy. But increased trade also presents 
a challenge in terms of the breadth of countries in which we need a 
better understanding of adherence with labor standards and treatment of 
workers. The United States' commitment to promote compliance with 
international labor standards and acceptable conditions of work 
requires a system to measure and understand what actual international 
labor standards and acceptable conditions of work are required by each 
country's labor laws, what enforcement compliance mechanisms are used, 
and their progress on adherence to them.
    ILAB has specific responsibility for USDOL's international 
activities. ILAB, in close cooperation with other government agencies, 
non-governmental organizations, and businesses, supports the promotion 
and implementation of internationally recognized labor standards. The 
goal of these shared activities is to create a prosperous international 
economy in which workers are allowed their basic democratic rights to 
organize, to safely work, and to achieve greater economic security. 
ILAB has been given the charge to develop a resource system for 
monitoring compliance with international labor standards and acceptable 
conditions of work.
    Successfully developing and implementing such a system is a complex 
process, requiring expertise, innovation, and objectivity. Approaches 
may vary but all should emphasize understanding, through some form of 
measurement, country-level compliance with international standards and 
acceptable conditions of work. Projects should also put an emphasis on 
sustainability through national-capacity building.

II. Authority

    USDOL is authorized to award and administer this project by the 
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and 
Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002, Pub. L. 107-116, 115 Stat. 
2177 (2002).

III. Application Process

A. Eligible Applicants

    Any commercial, international, or non-profit organization, which 
may include faith-based organizations, capable of successfully 
implementing a project to advance labor reporting is eligible for this 
cooperative agreement. An applicant may partner with one or more 
organizations to implement a project. In the case of co-applicants, a 
lead organization must be identified. The capability of an applicant or 
co-applicants to perform necessary aspects of this solicitation will be 
determined under Section V.B Rating Criteria.
    Please note that eligible cooperative agreement applicants must not 
be classified under the internal revenue code as a section 501(c)(4) 
entity. See 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(4). According to the Lobbying Disclosure 
Act of 1995, as amended 2 U.S.C. 1611, an organization, as described in 
section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, that engages in 
lobbying activities will not be eligible for the receipt of federal 
funds constituting an award, grant, or loan.

B. Submission of Applications

    One (1) ink-signed original, complete application plus two (2) 
copies of the proposal must be submitted to the U.S. Department of 
Labor, Procurement Services Center, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room 
N-5416, Washington, DC 20210, not later than 4:45 p.m. EDST, August 27, 
2002.
    The application must consist of two (2) separate parts. Part I of 
the application must contain the Standard Form (SF) 424, ``Application 
for Federal Assistance'' (Appendix A) (The entry on SF 424 for the 
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number (CFDA) is 17.700) and 
sections A-F of the Budget Information Form SF 424A (Appendix B). Part 
II must contain a technical proposal that demonstrates capabilities in 
accordance with the Statement of Work (Section IV. A) and the selection 
criteria (Section V. B).
    To be considered responsive to this solicitation, the application 
must consist of the above-mentioned separate sections not to exceed 40 
single-sided (8\1/2\"  x  11"), double-spaced, 10 to 12 pitch typed 
pages for which a response is submitted. Any applications that do not 
conform to these standards may be deemed non-responsive to this 
solicitation and may not be evaluated. Standard forms and attachments 
are not included in the page limit. The application must include a 
table of contents and an abstract summarizing the application in not 
more than two (2) pages. These pages are also not included in the page 
limits.
    Upon completion of negotiations, the individual signing the SF 424 
on behalf of the applicant must be authorized to bind the applicant.

C. 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 after 4:45 
pm EDST September 11, 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 11, 2002;
    2. 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; or

[[Page 52750]]

    3. it was sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail Next Day 
Service-Post Office to Addressee, not later than 5:00 pm at the place 
of mailing two (2) working days, excluding weekends and Federal 
holidays, prior to September 11, 2002.
    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 that the postal 
clerk place a legible hand cancellation ``bull's eye'' postmark on both 
the receipt and the envelope or wrapper.
    The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of a 
late application sent by U.S. Postal Service 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 postmark on the envelope or wrapper and on 
the original receipt from the U.S. Postal Service. ``Postmark'' has the 
same meaning as defined above. Therefore, applicants should request 
that the postal clerk place a legible hand cancellation ``bull's-eye'' 
postmark on both the receipt and the envelope or wrapper.
    The only acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt 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 e-mail, telegram, or facsimile (FAX) will not 
be accepted. Applications sent by other delivery services, such as 
Federal Express, UPS, etc., will be accepted, however, the applicant 
bears the responsibility for timely submission. Because of delay in the 
receipt of mail in the Washington, DC area, it is recommended that you 
confirm receipt of your application by contacting Lisa Harvey, U.S. 
Department of Labor, Procurement Services Center, telephone (202) 693-
4570 (this is not a toll-free number), prior to the closing deadline. 
All inquires should reference SGA 02-24.

D. Funding Levels

    Approximately U.S. $3 million is budgeted for this project, to fund 
up to three projects, globally, regionally, or at the national level, 
with a particular emphasis on countries or areas where the United 
States has trade and investments interests such as the GSP, the African 
Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), or the Caribbean Basin Trade 
Partnership Act (CBTPA). Potential bilateral or regional agreements 
such as the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement or the Free Trade Area of 
the Americas (FTAA) may also be considered. A partnership of more than 
one organization may apply to implement the project. Applicants will 
submit one application and are encouraged to utilize local NGOs and 
Ministries of Labor to implement much of the project in order to 
institutionalize and sustain project improvements and reduce costs. The 
award of any sub-contract will be subject to USDOL approval.

E. Project Duration

    The duration of the project(s) funded by this SGA is up to three 
(3) years. The start date of project activities will be negotiated upon 
the awarding of the cooperative agreements.

IV. Requirements

A. Statement of Work

    In developing their proposals, potential cooperative agreement 
recipients should develop a strategy designed to elicit better 
information on national labor laws, their enforcement, and country 
practices in relation to the core labor standards of: 1. Freedom of 
Association and effective recognition of the right to collective 
bargaining; 2. The elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory 
labor; 3. The effective abolition of child labor; and 4. The 
elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation. 
In addition, ``acceptable conditions of work'' as defined by U.S. trade 
law (hours of work, minimum wage, and occupational safety and health) 
may also be included. Projects may address one, several, or all of the 
standards. Acknowledging the vast differences in economic development 
across countries, this project is not necessarily seeking comparative 
data, nor is it interested in the specificity of individual company 
level information. The strategy may also demonstrate how the applicant 
proposes to strengthen national capacity by involving Ministries of 
Labor, labor organizations, employer organizations, and/or NGOs in the 
implementation of the project. The applicant should draft a strategy 
demonstrating how it will define and meet the project objectives by the 
end of the grant period, and how the issue of sustainability will be 
integral to project implementation. Critical to sustainability will be 
the need to work cooperatively with stakeholders in the countries, 
including Ministries/Departments of Labor and Education, trade unions, 
employer organizations and U.S. Embassies.
    The organization or organizations awarded the cooperative 
agreement(s) (hereinafter referred to as the ``grantee'') may be 
required to work cooperatively with ILAB's current monitoring 
initiative through the National Academy of Sciences, the Committee on 
Monitoring International Labor Standards, and that project's resulting 
database.

B. Deliverables

    This section is provided so that applicants may more accurately 
estimate the staffing budgetary requirements when preparing their 
proposal.
    Following the award of the cooperative agreement(s), grantees shall 
meet with ILAB at a Post-Award Meeting to discuss the project design, 
components, and outcomes; ensure complementation of projects without 
duplication; timelines and coordination; and final approval. At that 
meeting the grantees and the Department will discuss the specific 
deliverables. Subject to the nature of the project(s), the applicant 
will be required to submit copies of the following to USDOL by the 
specified due dates. Other documents, such as project designs and work 
plans, are to be submitted by mutually agreed-upon deadlines.
    1. Project Designs and Work Plan. The grantee(s) will submit a 
project document in a format that includes a background/justification 
section, project strategy (i.e., objectives, outputs, activities, 
indicators), project timetable, project management organizational 
chart, project budget, and method to systematically monitor project 
results. The document will also include sections that cover 
coordination strategies, project management, and sustainability of 
project improvements. The project design and corresponding work plan 
will be drawn, in part, from the proposal written in response to this 
solicitation.
    2. Progress Reports. The grantee(s) must furnish a typed quarterly 
report to USDOL, no later than 15 days from the last date of each 
quarter, i.e., 31 March, 30 June, 30 September and 31 December of each 
year. The grantee(s) must also furnish a separate financial report (SF

[[Page 52751]]

272) to USDOL on the same quarterly basis. The report shall contain the 
following information:
    a. An accurate account of activities carried out under project 
objectives during the reporting period as it relates to the work plan;
    b. Major trends in the project that note particular success with a 
particular activity or trends that indicate a need to re-adjust or 
expand the work plan;
    c. An accounting of staff, sub-contractor hours expended per task, 
broken down by individual;
    d. An accounting of travel performed under the grant during the 
reporting period, including purpose of trip, persons or organizations 
contacted, and benefits derived;
    e. A description of current problems that may impede performance, 
and proposed corrective action;
    f. For each task in the work plan, a discussion of the work to be 
performed during the balance of the grant;
    g. Lessons learned in project implementation;
    h. Future actions planned in support of each project objectives; 
and
    i. Aggregate amount of costs incurred during the reporting period, 
including estimated expenditures vs. budget.
    3. Monitoring and Evaluation. Applicants shall explain their 
proposed approach for monitoring, including beginning and ending dates 
for projects, as well as indicators and methods for project evaluation.
    4. Final Report with Executive Summary. The grantee shall submit to 
the USDOL a draft final report with executive summary sixty (60) days 
prior to grant expiration. The USDOL will review the report and provide 
comments to the grantee within thirty (30) days after it is received. 
The final report shall contain sections on the strategy, design, 
implementation, outcomes, and sustainability of the project including 
cost information. It shall also contain information on lessons learned 
and conclusions. It shall be accompanied by an executive summary not 
exceeding ten (10) pages in length and highlighting the above 
information. Two hard copies and an electronic version shall be 
submitted.

C. Production of Deliverables

    1. Materials Prepared and Purchased Under the Cooperative 
Agreement. The grantee(s) must submit to USDOL all media-related and 
educational materials by it or it's sub-contract developed under this 
cooperative agreement(s), including relevant press releases, for use in 
this project(s) before they are reproduced, published, or used. The 
grantee(s) must consult with USDOL to ensure that materials are 
compatible with USDOL materials relating to the project, e.g., public 
relations material such as video and web site. USDOL considers 
brochures, pamphlets, videotapes, slide-tape shows, curricula, and any 
other training materials used in the project, educational materials. 
USDOL will review materials for technical accuracy. USDOL will also 
review training curricula and purchased training materials for accuracy 
before they are used. The grantee(s) must obtain prior approval from 
the Grant Officer for all materials developed or purchased under this 
cooperative agreement(s). All materials produced by grantee(s) must be 
provided to USDOL in a digital format for possible publication on the 
Internet by USDOL.
    2. Acknowledgment of USDOL Funding. In all circumstances, the 
following must be displayed on printed materials:
    ``Preparation of this item was funded by the United States 
Department of Labor under Cooperative Agreement No. [insert the 
appropriate cooperative agreement number].
    When issuing statements, press releases, requests for proposals, 
bid solicitations, and other documents describing projects or projects 
funded in whole or in part with Federal money, all grantees receiving 
Federal funds, including State and local governments and recipients of 
research grants, must clearly state:
    a. The percentage of the total costs of the project or project, 
which will be financed with Federal money;
    b. The dollar amount of Federal funds for the project or project; 
and
    c. The percentage and dollar amount of the total costs of the 
project or project that will be financed by non-governmental sources.
    In consultation with USDOL, identification of USDOL's role will be 
acknowledged in one of the following ways:
    a. The USDOL logo may be applied to USDOL-funded material prepared 
for world-wide distribution, including posters, videos, pamphlets, 
research documents, national survey results, impact evaluations, best 
practice reports, and other publications of global interest. The 
grantee(s) will consult with USDOL on whether the logo should be used 
on any such items prior to final draft or final preparation for 
distribution. In no event shall the USDOL logo be placed on any item 
until USDOL has given the grantee written permission to use the logo, 
after obtaining appropriate internal USDOL approval for use of the logo 
on the item.
    b. If the USDOL determines the logo is not appropriate and does not 
give written permission, the following notice must appear on the 
document:
    ``This document does not necessarily reflect the views or policies 
of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, 
commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. 
Government.''

D. Administrative Requirements

    1. General. Grantee organizations will be subject to applicable 
Federal laws (including provisions of appropriations law) and the 
applicable Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars. 
Determinations of allowable costs will be made in accordance with the 
applicable Federal cost principles, e.g., Non-Profit Organizations--OMB 
Circular A-122. The cooperative agreement(s) awarded under this SGA 
will be subject to the following administrative standards and 
provisions, if applicable:
    29 CFR Part 36--Federal Standards for Nondiscrimination on the 
Basis of Sex in Education Projects or Activities Receiving Federal 
Financial Assistance.
    29 CFR Part 93--New Restrictions on Lobbying.
    29 CFR Part 95--Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and 
Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals and Other 
Non-Profit Organizations, and with Commercial Organizations, Foreign 
Governments, Organizations Under the Jurisdiction of Foreign 
Governments and International Organizations.
    29 CFR Part 96--Federal Standards for Audit of Federally Funded 
Grants, Contracts and Agreements.
    29 CFR Part 98--Federal Standards for Government-wide Debarment and 
Suspension (Nonprocurement) and Government-wide Requirements for Drug-
Free Workplace (Grants).
    29 CRF Part 99--Federal Standards for Audits of States, Local 
Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations.
    2. Sub-contracts. Sub-contracts must be awarded in accordance with 
29 CFR 95.40-48. In compliance with Executive Orders 12876 as amended, 
13230, 12928, 13021 as amended, the grantee(s) is strongly encouraged 
to provide sub-contracting opportunities to Historically Black Colleges 
and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Tribal Colleges and 
Universities and faith based organizations.
    3. Key Personnel. The applicant must list the individual(s) who has 
been designated as having primary responsibility for the conduct and 
completion of all work in project(s) it proposes. The grantee(s) agrees 
to

[[Page 52752]]

inform the (Grants Officer's Technical Representative) GOTR whenever it 
appears impossible for one or more of these individual(s) to continue 
work on the project as planned. The grantee(s) may nominate substitute 
personnel for approval of the GOTR; however, the grantee(s) must obtain 
prior approval from the Grant Officer for all key personnel. If the 
Grant Officer determines not to approve the personnel change, he/she 
reserves the right to terminate the cooperative agreement.
    4. Encumbrance of Cooperative Agreement Funds. Cooperative 
agreement funds may not be encumbered/obligated by the grantee(s) 
before or after the cooperative agreement period of performance. 
Encumbrances/obligations outstanding as of the end of the cooperative 
agreement period may be liquidated (paid out) after the end of the 
cooperative agreement period. Such encumbrances/obligations may involve 
only commitments for which a need existed during the cooperative 
agreement period and which are supported by approved contracts, 
purchase orders, requisitions, invoices, bills, or other evidence of 
liability consistent with the grantee(s)'s purchasing procedures and 
incurred within the cooperative agreement period. All encumbrances/
obligations incurred during the cooperative agreement period must be 
liquidated within 90 days after the end of the cooperative agreement 
period, if practicable.
    5. Site Visits. USDOL, through its authorized representatives, has 
the right, at all reasonable times, to make site visits to review 
project accomplishments and management control systems and to provide 
such technical assistance as may be required. If USDOL makes any site 
visit on the premises of the grantee(s) or a sub-contractor(s) under 
this cooperative agreement(s), the grantee(s) must provide and must 
require its sub-contractors to provide all reasonable facilities and 
assistance for the safety and convenience of the Government 
representatives in the performance of their duties. All site visits and 
evaluations must be performed in such a manner as will not unduly delay 
the work.

V. Review and Selection of Applications for Cooperative Agreement 
Award

A. The Review Process

    USDOL will screen all applications to determine whether all 
required elements are present and clearly identifiable. A technical 
panel will objectively rate each complete application against the 
criteria described in this announcement. The panel recommendations to 
the Grant Officer are advisory in nature. The Grant Officer may elect 
to select one or more grantee on the basis of the initial proposal 
submission; or, the Grant Officer may establish a competitive or 
technically acceptable range for the purpose of selecting qualified 
applicants. If deemed appropriate, following the Grant Officer's call 
for the preparation and receipt of final revisions of proposals, the 
evaluation process described above will be repeated to consider such 
revisions. The Grant Officer will make a final selection determination 
based on what is most advantageous to the Government, considering 
factors such as panel findings, geographic presence of the applicants, 
the availability of funds, the best value to the Government, and other 
factors. The Grant Officer's determination for award under this SGA 02-
24 is final.
    Notice: Selection of an organization as a cooperative agreement 
recipient does not constitute approval of the cooperative agreement 
application as submitted. Before a actual cooperative agreement is 
awarded, the Grant Officer will enter into negotiations concerning such 
items as project components, funding levels, and administrative 
systems. If the negotiations do not result in an acceptable submission, 
the Grant Officer reserves the right to terminate the negotiation and 
decline to fund the proposal.

B. Rating Criteria and Selection

    The technical panel will review applicants against the criteria 
listed below on the basis of 100 points with up to additional five 
points available for non-federal or leveraged resources.
    The criteria are presented in the order of emphasis that they will 
receive.
    1. Approach, Understanding of the Issue, and Budget Plan (50 
points).
    a. Overview. This section of the proposal must explain the strategy 
employed by the applicant to achieve results that:
    (1) Collect systematic, sustainable information and or data on how 
countries comply with one or more of the core labor standards of: 1. 
Freedom of Association and effective recognition of the right to 
collective bargaining; 2. The elimination of all forms of forced or 
compulsory labor; 3. The effective abolition of child labor; and 4. The 
elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation. 
In addition, `acceptable conditions of work' as defined by U.S. trade 
law may also be included;
    (2) Develop national institutional capacity to simultaneously 
strengthen adherence to core labor standards and to provide regular, 
reliable reporting on progress made toward improved compliance;
    (3) Complement and coordinate, not duplicate or replicate, ongoing 
ILAB efforts on labor monitoring, namely the National Academy of 
Sciences Committee on Monitoring International Labor Standards; and
    (4) Produce other expected outcomes over the period of performance 
for each of the tasks as defined by the applicant.
    The applicant must describe in detail the proposed approach, 
including all tasks and methods to be utilized to implement the 
project. Also, the applicant must explain the rationale for using this 
approach. In addition, this section of the proposal must demonstrate 
the applicant's thorough knowledge and understanding of the core labor 
standards in the workplace, potential solutions to measuring and 
monitoring progress toward compliance with them, ability to work with 
the tripartite partners and NGOs, and any organizational experience in 
the field of labor monitoring related to the country or countries that 
are the focus of this initiative.
    b. Logical Framework. The strategy should include an outline of the 
objectives, activities and indicators envisioned for implementation of 
the project.
    c. Implementation Plan. The applicant must submit an implementation 
plan for the entire project, preferably with a visual such as a Gantt 
chart. The implementation plan should outline the approach that will be 
used to implement the project. The plan should list the activities 
envisioned for the life of the project as well as scheduling of 
activities by objective starting with the execution of the cooperative 
agreement and ending with the final report. In describing the 
implementation plan, the applicant must address the following points:
    (1) Describe the use of existing or potential infrastructure and 
use of qualified personnel, including qualified nationals, to implement 
the project in the proposed countries or regions. The applicant also 
must include a project organizational chart, demonstrating management 
structure, key personnel positions and indicating proposed links with 
the relevant Government ministries, employer organizations, trade 
unions and other significant local actors.

[[Page 52753]]

    (2) Develop a list of activities and explain how each relates to 
the overall development objective of measuring compliance with the 
described standard(s).
    (3) Explain the strategy for researching and measuring progress on 
the compliance with the standards.
    (4) Demonstrate how the applicant will strengthen national 
institutions and policies related to the core labor standards.
    (5) Demonstrate how the applicant will systematically report on 
project performance to measure the achievement of the project 
objective(s).
    d. Management and Staff Loading Plan. This section must also 
include a management and staff plan. The management plan should include 
the following:
    (1) A project organization chart and accompanying narrative which 
differentiates between elements of the applicant's staff and sub-
contractors or consultants who will be retained;
    (2) A description of the functional relationship between elements 
of the project's organization; and
    (3) The identity of the individual responsible for project 
management and the lines of authority between this individual and other 
elements of the project.
    The staff loading plan must identify all key tasks and the person-
days required to complete each task. Labor estimates for each task must 
be broken down by individuals assigned to the task, including sub-
contractors and consultants. All key tasks must be charted to show time 
required to perform them by months or weeks.
    This section will be evaluated in accordance with applicable 
Federal laws and regulations. The budget must comply with Federal cost 
principles (which can be found in the applicable OMB Circulars) and 
with ILAB budget requirements contained in the application instructions 
in Section III of this solicitation.
    e. Budget Plan. The applicant must develop a proposed budget for 
implementation of the project. This section of the application must 
explain the costs for performing all of the requirements presented in 
this solicitation and for producing all required reports and other 
deliverables presented in this solicitation; costs must include labor, 
training, material production and dissemination, equipment, travel and 
other related costs. The budget plan will be evaluated solely for the 
purpose of determining the efficient and effective allocation of 
funding for proposed project implementation. Preference may be given to 
applicants with low administrative costs. Administrative costs shall be 
reflected separately on the budget plan from project costs.
    2. Experience and Qualifications of the Applicant (25 points).
    The evaluation criteria in this category are as follows:
    a. The applicant, including any partners, must demonstrate a 
thorough understanding of and experience with the application of the 
core labor standards, as described above, and potential ways to measure 
country progress on their implementation; research capabilities; 
working directly with government Ministries, employers organizations, 
trade unionists and other local organizations, e.g., NGOs or community 
or faith-based groups. The applicant must submit a signed letter of 
agreement between its partners or co-applicants verifying the intention 
of the parties to work together to implement the project.
    b. The capability of the applicant(s) for the labor reporting 
project may be demonstrated by one or more staff member assigned to 
oversee the project with experience in the following area:
    (1) Core Labor Standards and their application;
    (2) In-depth social science research capacity; and
    (3) Coordination with the Ministries of Labor and Education, 
Employer Organizations, non-governmental organizations and Trade Union 
officials.
    c. The applicant(s) must also demonstrate either that it has an 
international system of operations either by affiliates or by agreement 
in the regions or that it has an effective system of operations in each 
designated country. These contacts must enable the applicant(s) to 
demonstrate that it can perform in the proposed regions or countries.
    3. Experience and Qualifications of Key Personnel (25 points). This 
section of the application must include sufficient information for 
judging the quality and the competence of key staff proposed to be 
assigned to the project(s) proposed to assure that they meet the 
required qualifications. Successful performance of the proposed work 
depends heavily on the qualifications of the individuals committed to 
the project. Accordingly, in its evaluation of the applicant's 
proposal, USDOL will place emphasis on the applicant's commitment of 
key personnel qualified for the work involved in accomplishing the 
assigned tasks. Information provided on the experience and educational 
background of personnel must indicate the following:
    a. The identity of key personnel assigned to the project. ``Key 
personnel'' are staff who are essential to the successful operation of 
the project and completion of the proposed work and, therefore, may not 
be replaced or have their hours reduced without the approval of the 
Grant Officer.
    b. The educational background and experience of all staff to be 
assigned to the project.
    c. The special capabilities of staff that demonstrate prior 
experience in organizing, managing and performing similar efforts.
    d. The current employment status of staff and availability for this 
project. The applicant must also indicate whether the proposed work 
will be performed by persons currently employed or is dependent upon 
planned recruitment or sub-contracting.
    Note that management and professional technical staff members 
comprising the applicant's proposed team should be individuals who have 
prior experience with organizations working in similar efforts, and are 
fully qualified to perform work specified in the Statement of Work. 
Where sub-contractors or outside assistance is proposed, organizational 
control should be clearly delineated to ensure responsiveness to the 
needs of USDOL. Key personnel must sign letters of agreement to serve 
on the project, and indicate availability to commence work within three 
weeks of grant award.
    The following information must be furnished:
    a. The applicant must designate a Project Director to oversee the 
project(s) and other key personnel to perform the requirements for the 
International Labor Reporting Project. The Project Director must have a 
minimum of three years of professional experience in a field related to 
this initiative.
    b. The applicant should specify other personnel proposed to carry 
out the requirements of this solicitation.
    c. An organization chart showing the applicant's proposed 
organizational structure for performing task requirements for the 
project(s) proposed, along with a description of the roles and 
responsibilities of all key personnel proposed for this project(s). The 
chart should also differentiate between elements of the applicant's 
staff and sub-contractors or consultants who will be retained.
    d. The applicant must identify all key tasks and the person-days 
required to complete each task. Labor estimates for each task must be 
broken down by individuals assigned to the task, including sub-
contractors and consultants. All key tasks must be

[[Page 52754]]

charted to show time required to perform them by months or weeks.
    e. A resume for each of the key personnel to be assigned to the 
project. At a minimum, each resume must include: the individual's 
current employment status and previous work experience, including 
position title, duties performed, dates in position, employing 
organizations and educational background. Duties must be clearly 
defined in terms of role performed, e.g., manager, team leader, 
consultant, etc. (Resumes must be included as attachments, which do not 
count against the page limitation).
    5. Leveraging of Funding (5 points). USDOL will give up to five (5) 
additional rating points to applications that include non-Federal 
resources that significantly expand the dollar amount, size and scope 
of the proposal. These programs will not be financed by the project but 
can complement and enhance project objectives. The applicant may 
include any leveraging or co-funding anticipated. To be eligible for 
additional points under this criterion, the applicant must list the 
source(s) of funds, the nature, and activities anticipated with these 
funds under this cooperative agreement, and any partnerships, linkages 
or coordination of activities, and/or cooperative funding.
    This stated commitment will be incorporated into the text of the 
cooperative agreement with the selected applicant(s).

    Signed at Washington, DC, this seventh day of August, 2002.
Lawrence J. Kuss,
Grant Officer.

Attachments:

Appendix A: SF 424--Application Form

Appendix B: Budget Information Sheet

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[FR Doc. 02-20463 Filed 8-12-02; 8:45 am]
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