[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 65 (Friday, April 4, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16554-16564]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-8227]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Grants for Small Faith-Based and Community-Based Non-Profit 
Organizations SGA/DFA 03-105

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration (ETA), 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.

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SUMMARY: The Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S. 
Department of Labor (DOL) announces the availability of $250,000 to 
award grants to eligible ``grass-roots'' organizations with the ability 
to connect to the local One-Stop delivery system. The term 
``grassroots'' is defined under the Eligibility Criteria.
    The selected grantees will be expected to achieve the following 
objectives:
    [sbull] Apply the grant resources to meet defined community needs 
through provision of a variety of workforce services to specific 
populations and/or through the provision of particular supportive 
services not currently provided through the One-Stop delivery system;
    [sbull] Expand the access of faith-based and community-based 
organizations' clients and customers to the training, job and career 
services offered by the local One-Stops;
    [sbull] Thoroughly document the impact and outcomes of these grant 
investments through quarterly and annual reporting; and,
    [sbull] Establish methods and mechanisms to ensure sustainability 
of these partnerships and participation levels beyond the life of the 
grant.

DATES: Applications will be accepted commencing on April 4, 2003. The 
closing date for receipt of applications under this announcement is May 
9, 2003. Applications must be received by 4 p.m. (e.t.) 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.

ADDRESSES: Applications must be mailed to: U.S. Department of Labor, 
Employment and Training Administration, Division of Federal Assistance, 
Attention: Linda Forman, SGA/DFA 03-105, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., 
Room S-4203, Washington, DC 20210. Telefacsimile (FAX) applications 
will not be accepted. Applicants are advised that mail in the 
Washington area may be delayed due to mail decontamination procedures.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Forman, Grants Management 
Specialist, Division of Federal Assistance, Telephone (202) 693-3301 
(this is not a toll free-number). You must specifically ask for Linda 
Forman.

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Questions can also be faxed to Linda Forman, Telephone (202) 693-2879, 
please include the SGA/DFA 03-105, a contact name, fax and phone 
numbers. This announcement will be also published on the Employment and 
Training Administration (ETA) Web page at http://www.doleta.gov/usworkforce. This Web page will also provide responses to questions 
that are raised by applicants during the period of grant application 
preparation. Award notifications will also be announced on this Web 
page.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Part I. Delivery of Applications

    1. Late Applications. Any application received after the exact date 
and time specified for receipt at the office designated in this notice 
will not be considered, unless it is received before awards are made 
and it:
    [sbull] Was sent by U.S. Postal Service registered or certified 
mail not later than May 9, 2003; or
    [sbull] 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 before May 9, 2003. The term ``working 
days'' excludes weekends and U.S. Federal holidays. ``Post-marked'' 
means a printed, stamped or otherwise placed impression (exclusive of a 
postage meter machine impression) that is readily identifiable, without 
further action, as having been supplied or affixed on the date of 
mailing by an employee of the U.S. Postal Service.
    2. Withdrawal of Applications. Applications may be withdrawn by 
written notice or telegram (including mailgram) received at any time 
before an award is made. Applications may be withdrawn in person by the 
applicant or by an authorized representative thereof, if the 
representative's identity is made known and the representative signs a 
receipt for the proposal.
    3. Hand Delivered Proposals. It is preferred that applications be 
mailed at least five days before the closing date. To be considered for 
funding, hand-delivered applications must be received at the designated 
address by 4 p.m., (e.t.) May 9, 2003. 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-mailed 
and/or faxed proposals will not be honored. Failure to adhere to the 
above instructions will be a basis for determination of non-responsive.

Part II. Authorities

    These grants are made under the following authorities:
    [sbull] The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA or the Act) (Pub. 
L. 105-220, 29 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.)
    [sbull] The WIA final rule, 20 CFR parts 652, 660-671 (65 FR 49294 
(August 11, 2000));
    [sbull] Executive Order 13198; ``Rallying the Armies of 
Compassion'';
    [sbull] Training and Employment Guidance Letter 17-01 
(``Incorporating and Utilizing Grassroots, Community-Based 
Organizations Including Faith-Based Organizations in Workforce 
Investment Activities and Programs'');
    [sbull] Executive Order 13279; ``Equal Protection of the Laws for 
Faith-Based and Community Organizations.''

Part III. Background

    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. There are currently over 1,900 
comprehensive Centers and over 1,600 affiliated Centers across the 
United States.
    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 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.

Engagement of Faith-Based and Community Organizations Under the 
Workforce Investment Act

    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.
    In early 2002, the Department's Center for Faith-Based and 
Community Initiatives (CFBCI) and ETA developed and issued 
Solicitations for Grant Applications (SGAs) to engage intermediary and 
grass-roots organizations in our workforce system-building. These 
grants were designed to involve the faith-based and community-based 
organizations in service delivery, strengthen their existing 
partnership with the local One-Stop delivery system, while providing 
additional points of entry for customers into that system.
    These 2002 grants embodied the Department's principal strategy for 
implementing the Executive Order by creating new avenues through which 
qualified organizations can more fully participate under the Workforce 
Investment Act while applying their particular strengths and assets in 
service provision to our customers. These grants also proceeded from an 
ETA-CFBCI mutual premise: That the involvement of community-based 
organizations and faith-based organizations can both complement and 
supplement the efforts of local workforce investment systems in 
providing universal access and serving the training, job and career-
support needs of many of our citizens.
    Both ETA and CFBCI are committed to bringing new Intermediary and 
grass-roots organizations to workforce system-building through the 
issuance of a new solicitation in 2003. This new solicitation draws on 
``lessons learned'' in 2002 while introducing several ``promising 
practices'' introduced by other ETA grantees. The new solicitation also 
places significant emphasis on performance outcomes--documenting and 
quantifying the additional value the Intermediary and its sub-grantees 
bring to the One-Stop delivery system in the community.

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    Through this competition, 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. 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.
    Faith-based and community-based organizations present strong 
credentials for full partnership in our mutual system-building 
endeavors. Faith-based and community-based organizations are trusted 
institutions within our poorest neighborhoods. Faith-based and 
community-based organizations are home to a large number of volunteers 
who bring not only the transformational power of personal relationships 
to the provision of social service but also a sustained allegiance to 
the well-being and self-sufficiency of the participants they serve. 
Through their daily work and specific programs, these organizations 
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. Through 
this solicitation, ETA and CFBCI strive to leverage these programs, 
resources and committed staff into the workforce investment strategies 
already embodied in State and local strategic plans.

Application of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the 
United States Constitution

    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. Neutral, secular criteria 
that neither favor nor disfavor religion must be employed in their 
selection of sub-grantees. In addition, under the WIA and DOL 
regulations implementing the Workforce Investment Act, a recipient may 
not train a participant in religious activities, or permit participants 
to construct, operate, or maintain any part of a facility that is 
primarily used or devoted to religious 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.''

    * The term ``direct'' funding is used to describe funds that are 
provided ``directly'' by a governmental entity or an intermediate 
organization with the same duties as a governmental entity, as 
opposed to funds that an organization receives as the result of the 
genuine and independent private choice of a beneficiary. In other 
contexts, the term ``direct'' funding may be used to refer to those 
funds that an organization receives directly from the Federal 
government (also known as ``discretionary'' funding), as opposed to 
funding that it receives from a State or local government (also 
known as ``indirect'' or ``block grant'' funding). In this SGA, the 
term ``direct'' has the former meaning.

Part IV. Funding Availability and Period of Performance

    ETA has identified $250,000 from the FY 2002 appropriation for One-
Stop/America's Labor Market Information System. The agency expects to 
award 10-12 grants. The grant amount for each grass-roots organization 
is expected to range between $20,000 and $25,000. The period of 
performance is one year, beginning July 1, 2003 and ending on June 30, 
2004.

Part V. Eligible Applicants

    For purposes of this announcement, eligible grassroots 
organizations must be non-profits which:
    1. Have social services as a major part of their mission;
    2. Are headquartered in the local community to which they provide 
these services;
    3. Have a total annual operating budget of $300,000 or less, or
    4. Have 6 or fewer full-time equivalent employees.

    Note: For purposes of this announcement local affiliates of 
national social service organizations are not considered 
``grassroots'' and are not be eligible to apply.

Part VI. Government Requirements/Statement of Work

    Applicants must submit one copy with an original signature and two 
additional copies of their proposal. The Statement of Work must be 
limited to 5 pages. The only attachments permitted will be agreements 
with or letters of support from local Workforce Investment Boards and/
or local One-Stop operators. The application must be double-spaced, and 
on single-sided, numbered pages. A font size of at least twelve (12) 
pitch is required with one-inch margins (top, bottom and sides.)
    There are three required sections:

[sbull] Section I--Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424A)
[sbull] Section II--Budget Information (SF 424B)
[sbull] Section III--Statement of Work

Section I--Application for Federal Assistance

    The SF-424A is included in the announcement as Attachment A. It 
must be signed by a representative authorized by the governing body of 
the applicant to enter into grant agreement.

Section II--Budget Information

    The SF-424B is included in the announcement as Attachment B.

    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.

Section III--Statement of Work (Not To Exceed 5 Pages)

    The Statement of Work sets forth a strategic plan for the use of 
awarded funds and establishes measurable goals for increasing 
organizational participation in the One-Stop service delivery system to 
more fully serve the clientele and members of community-based and 
faith-based organizations. Below are the required elements of the 
Statement of Work and the rating criteria that reviewers will use to 
evaluate the proposal.
1. Organizational History and Description of Community Need (15 Points)
    [sbull] Describe the structure of the applicant's organization. 
Describe the history of the organization in meeting community needs 
including a brief listing of services provided.
    [sbull] Describe the overall community need, i.e., how will these 
resources allow your organization to address a need which the One-Stop 
Career Center is not fully addressing? (This description should include 
coverage of population(s) to be served and the

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services to be provided. Populations could include ex-offenders, 
immigrants, limited English-speaking, homeless and individuals with 
disabilities. Services can include soft-skills training, pre- and post-
job placement mentoring, translation services, and job coaching. Other 
populations and services can be identified.)

Rating Criteria

    [sbull] Does the description reflect a clear understanding of a 
community need? Does the description of need reflect an understanding 
of the resources provided by the One-Stop delivery system in the 
community?
2. Description of Partnerships and Linkages (20 Points)
    [sbull] Please describe your plans to work as partners with the 
One-Stop Delivery system to help the target population enter and 
succeed in the Workforce. If you have not previously worked with the 
One-Stop, please describe actions you have taken to develop the 
relationships as you developed this grant. If you have worked with the 
One-Stop, please describe what actions you have taken to further 
develop your relationship.
    [sbull] Please describe the relationships you have with other non-
profit organizations who provide similar or complementary services and 
how you will leverage pre-existing relationships and partnerships to 
help achieve your goals for the population you will service and how you 
will avoid duplication.

Rating Criteria

    [sbull] Does the narrative describe an approach and process by 
which the organization will successfully partner with the One-Stop 
delivery system to address the unmet need?
    [sbull] Does the applicant present evidence of discussions with the 
One-Stop delivery system (e.g., a signed letter from the Local Board or 
other One-Stop delivery system principals)?
    [sbull] Does the organization's history of collaboration with other 
non-profits in the community support the conclusion that these grant 
activities will be successful?
3. Presentation of Strategic Plan, Goals, and Timeline (50 Points)
    [sbull] The applicant should describe the methodology for providing 
services, including any training curriculum or other tools to be used. 
Describe the staff/volunteer positions that will be providing services 
under this grant.
    [sbull] The applicant must present a timeline of major, measurable 
tasks and activities to be undertaken. The timeline should include how 
many people will receive services and/or participate and complete 
classes detailed in the training curriculum.
    [sbull] The applicant should also describe specifically measurable 
outcomes and other goals, which will be achieved by these grant 
activities. Measurable outcomes can include how many individuals will 
enter employment or retain employment or complete an educational 
certificate because they have received services provided under this 
grant in conjunction with services provided by the One-Stop Career 
Centers and other partners.

Rating Criteria

    [sbull] Do the activities and tasks presented on the timeline 
appear to be achievable with the likelihood of project success given 
available resources?
    [sbull] Does the applicant provide tangible outcome measures and 
goals for success for both the organization and Department to gauge the 
impact of the activities on meeting the community need? Do these goals 
include tracking employment outcomes and/or retention outcomes for 
those served?
4. Description of Measurements of Success (15 Points)
    [sbull] Describe what mechanisms you will develop, in partnership 
with the One-Stop delivery system, to track your success in achieving 
promised goals and outcomes.
    [sbull] Describe any other methods you will use for evaluating your 
project's success.

Rating Criteria

    [sbull] Does this applicant reflect an understanding of what it 
would need to do in order to track progress and success?

Part VII. Review Process of the Evaluation Criteria

    The technical review panel will make careful evaluation of 
applications against the criteria. The review panel recommendations are 
advisory. The ETA grant officer will fully consider the panel 
recommendations and take into account geographic balance 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 may consider any information that comes to his or her 
attention. The grant officer reserves the right to award without 
negotiation.

Part VIII. Reporting

    Grantees will be required to submit quarterly financial and 
narrative progress reports. Financial reporting will be required 
quarterly using the on-line electronic reporting system for the 
Standard Form 269-Financial Status Report (FSR). A narrative progress 
report will be required quarterly.

Part IX. Resources for the Applicant

    The Department of Labor maintains a number of web-based resources 
that may be of assistance to applicants. The Web page for the 
Department's Center for Faith-Based & Community Initiatives (http://www.dol.gov/cfbci) is a valuable source of background on this 
initiative. America's Service Locator (www.servicelocator.org) provides 
a directory of our nation's One-Stop Career Centers. The National 
Association of Workforce Boards maintains a Web page (www.nawb.org/asp/wibdir.asp), which contains contact information for the State and local 
Workforce Investment boards. Applicants are encouraged to review 
``Understanding the Department of Labor Solicitation for Grant 
Applications and How to Write an Effective Proposal'' (http://www/
dol.gov/cfbci/sgabrochure.htm). ``Questions and Answers'' regarding 
this solicitation will be posted and updated on the Web 
(www.doleta.gov/usworkforce). For a basic understanding of the grants 
process and basic responsibilities of receiving Federal grant support, 
please see ``Guidance for Faith-Based and Community Organizations on 
Partnering with the Federal Government (www.fbci.gov).

    Signed in Washington, DC, this 1st day of April, 2003.
James W. Stockton,
Grant Officer.
Attachments:
Appendix A--SF-424
Appendix B--Budget Form
Appendix C--Survey of Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants

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[FR Doc. 03-8227 Filed 4-3-03; 8:45 am]
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