[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 109 (Friday, June 6, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33989-34007]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-14351]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Disability Employment Policy

[SGA 03-09]


High School/High Tech State Development and Implementation Grants

AGENCY: Office of Disability Employment Policy, Department of Labor.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds; solicitation for grant 
applications (SGA).

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    This notice contains all of the necessary information and forms 
needed to apply for grant funding. (SGA 03-09).

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Disability 
Employment Policy (ODEP) announces the availability of $1.8 million to 
award up to eight competitive grants in the amount of approximately 
$225,000 to assist states in implementing the High School/High Tech 
(HS/HT) program on a statewide basis.
    This grant initiative involves one competitive Solicitation for 
Grant Application (SGA) that will be used to award both HS/HT 
Implementation Grants and HS/HT Development Grants:
    (1) HS/HT State Implementation Grants: Successful state applicants 
will demonstrate that all partners relevant to successful 
implementation of the HS/HT program in the state are in place (e.g., 
education, Workforce Investment Act, Development Disability Councils, 
etc.); and that the state has the capacity to implement the HS/HT 
design features discussed below throughout the state. In addition, 
successful applicants will be able to demonstrate a strong plan for 
sustainability of the HS/HT program when federal funding ceases. The 
Implementation Grants will be awarded for a one-year period of 
performance and funded at a level of $225,000. These grants may be 
renewed up to four times for an additional year of funding with the 
fourth and fifth years at reduced funding levels of 80% and 60% of 
third year funding levels, respectively, depending upon project 
performance and funding availability. See also Parts IV, IX.
    (2) HS/HT State Development Grants: These grants will be targeted 
to state applicants able to demonstrate their capacity to implement and 
sustain the HS/HT program as described above in relation to the 
Implementation Grants within a short time period if provided with 
appropriate technical assistance. The Development Grants will be 
awarded for a one-year period of performance and funded at $225,000, 
after which time grantees will be eligible to apply for Implementation 
Grant funding. Development Grants will not be renewable.
    The purpose of these grants is to assist states, working in 
partnership with the State Workforce Investment Board, in implementing 
a statewide HS/HT program, in integrating the HS/HT program into youth 
services funded under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) (Pub. L. 105-
220, 29 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.), and in ensuring sustainability of the HS/
HT program through state-level management and coordination. HS/HT is a 
career development program designed to provide high school aged youth 
with disabilities with an opportunity to explore careers or gain 
further education that may lead to technology-related careers. These 
programs, which have generally been locally directed and supported, 
serve both in-school and out-of-school youth with disabilities in a 
year round program of corporate site visits, mentoring, job shadowing, 
guest speakers, after school activities and summer internships.
    The application and evaluation/selection criteria for both types of 
grants are the same. The first applicants selected when evaluated 
pursuant to the criteria set forth in Parts VII and IX of this SGA will 
be awarded High School/ High Tech Implementation Grants. The next three 
applicants selected will receive HS/HT Development Grants. Revised 
scope of work and budget documents will be required from all 
Development Grantees within forty-five (45) days of the award to 
reflect the one-year period of performance.
    Eligibility: Eligible applicants for these grants include State 
Workforce Investment Boards; State Departments of Education; State 
Departments of Labor; State Developmental Disability Councils; State 
Departments of Vocational Rehabilitation; or State Committees 
affiliated with the National Governors' Committees for People with 
Disabilities, and other similar state agencies. ``State'' in this 
context includes the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, 
the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa. Consortia of state 
agencies and not-for-profit organizations (including community and 
faith-based organizations, independent living centers, etc.) and local 
HS/HT sites are also eligible applicants. Prior recipients of state-
level HS/HT grant funding are ineligible to receive additional funding 
under this solicitation.

DATES: Applications will be accepted commencing on June 6, 2003. The 
closing date for receipt of applications under this announcement is 
July 21, 2003. Applications must be received by 4:45 p.m. (ET) 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 be considered 
non-responsive.

ADDRESSES: Applications shall be mailed to: U.S. Department of Labor, 
Procurement Services Center, Attention: Cassandra Willis, Reference SGA 
03-09, Room N-5416, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210. 
Telefacsimile (FAX) applications will not be accepted. Applicants are 
advised that mail delivery in the Washington area may be delayed due to 
mail decontamination procedures.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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 DOL via the Federal Relay 
Service, (800) 877-8339. This announcement will also be published on 
the Internet on ODEP's online Home Page at: http://www2.dol.gov/odep. 
Award notifications will also be published on the ODEP Homepage.
    Solicitation Information Conference Call: A Solicitation 
Information Conference Call will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, June 19, 
2003. The purpose of this conference call is to provide interested 
parties an overview of this grant program and an opportunity to ask 
questions concerning this solicitation. Transcripts of the conference 
will be made available on request in accessible formats. Individuals 
who wish to participate in this conference call must register by 
contacting ODEP at (202) 693-7880, no later than 4:45 p.m. ET on 
Tuesday, June 16, 2003. Please ask to register for the HS/HT SGA 
Conference Call. Registrations should be made as soon as possible. At 
the time of registration, call-in information will be provided.

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 be considered non-responsive, unless it is received before awards 
are made and it (a) is determined that its late receipt was caused by 
DOL error; (b) was sent by

[[Page 33990]]

U.S. Postal Service registered or certified mail not later than the 
fifth calendar day before the date specified for receipt of 
applications (e.g., an application submitted in response to a 
solicitation requiring receipt of applications by the 20th of the month 
must have been post marked by the 15th of that month); or (c) was sent 
by the U.S. Postal Service Express Mail Next Day Service to addressee 
not later than 5 p.m. at the place of mailing two working days prior to 
the date specified for receipt of applications. The term ``working 
days'' excludes weekends and 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 mail gram) 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 of the proposal.
    3. Hand-Delivered Proposals. It is preferred that applications be 
mailed at least five days prior to the closing date. To be considered 
for funding, hand-delivered applications must be received by 4:45 p.m., 
ET, at the specified address. Failure to adhere to the above 
instructions will be basis for a determination of non-responsiveness. 
Overnight express mail from carriers other than the U.S. Postal Service 
will be considered hand-delivered applications and must be received by 
the above specified date and time.

Part II. Authority

    Omnibus Appropriations Resolution, 2003, Pub. L. 108-7; 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2001, Pub. L. 106-554, 29 U.S.C. 557b.

Part III. Background

    HS/HT is a career development program for high school aged youth 
that started almost two decades ago in Los Angeles, California, to 
address concerns that not enough students, especially those with 
disabilities, were being prepared for careers in technology-focused 
industries. The Atlantic Richfield Company, with support from the Los 
Angeles Unified School District, designed America's first technology-
focused transition program for young people with disabilities.
    Shortly thereafter, in 1986, the President's Committee on 
Employment of People with Disabilities (PCEPD), whose mission was to 
facilitate the communication, coordination, and promotion of public and 
private efforts that enhance the employment of people with 
disabilities, adopted the program. Building upon the strength of the 
public/private partnership that began in Los Angeles, program leaders 
developed relationships with large and small businesses, education and 
non-profit organizations, and government agencies. These relationships 
helped HS/HT grow and expand across the country.
    The newly created Office of Disability Employment Policy at the 
United States Department of Labor assumed the role as the Federal 
agency responsible for continuing this program. In 2001, ODEP entered 
into a cooperative agreement with the National Collaborative on 
Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth) to provide technical 
assistance and support to HS/HT sites nationwide. During 2002, ODEP and 
NCWD/Youth undertook a substantial refinement of the HS/HT program 
standards to promote the expansion of this career development program.
    HS/HT is a network of state and locally operated programs designed 
to provide young people with all types of disabilities the opportunity 
to explore jobs or gain further education leading to technology-related 
careers. HS/HT is a community-based partnership with 70-plus programs 
currently operating across the country. The programs operate year-round 
in a variety of settings--schools, community organizations, businesses, 
and other locations. Current HS/HT operators include non-profits 
(Goodwill, Centers for Independent Living, United Cerebral Palsy 
Affiliates, etc.), community colleges, universities and school 
districts. Its stakeholders include employers, educators, consumers, 
family members, workforce system agencies, and rehabilitation 
professionals.
    The HS/HT program offers proven techniques for developing improved 
employment outcomes for young people with disabilities. The HS/HT 
program is premised on four design features, supported by experience 
and research, as to what youth with disabilities need to succeed in 
adulthood. These four design areas include preparatory experiences, 
connecting activities, work-based experiences, and leadership 
development. See the HS/HT Program Manual at http://www.ncwd-youth.info/resources&Publications/hshtmanual.html for further 
information. Graduates of HS/HT programs that employ these design 
features have demonstrated at least double the post-secondary 
educational achievements of similarly situated students with 
disabilities who do not have this opportunity. At some HS/HT sites, as 
many as 70 percent of HS/HT graduates move on to post-secondary 
education. HS/HT clearly enhances expectations, educational 
achievements, and eventual employment outcomes for a population who, 
without this intervention, may be far more likely to move onto the 
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability 
Insurance (SSDI) rolls than to find competitive employment in 
technology related occupations.
    Funding for HS/HT sites has traditionally been managed locally. In 
the past several years, however, ODEP has sought to move the leadership 
and funding towards a state-level model through its grant activities. 
In 2001, ODEP funded start-up HS/HT sites that began connecting HS/HT 
and WIA-assisted youth programs at the community level. In 2002, ODEP 
expanded upon that effort by funding grants to assist states in 
developing statewide HS/HT infrastructure and operations and further 
integrating HS/HT programs into the youth services provided under the 
One-Stop System.
    The 2003 HS/HT grants are the next step in this process and focus 
on both state-level implementation and long-term sustainability. HS/HT 
sites have traditionally worked with community systems to coordinate 
the delivery of educational and transitional services to youth with 
disabilities. The HS/HT Implementation and Development Grants to be 
awarded as a result of the current SGA are intended to:
    (1) Assist states in implementing a statewide HS/HT network working 
in partnership with the State Workforce Investment Board;
    (2) Integrate the HS/HT program into WIA-assisted youth services; 
and
    (3) Ensure sustainability of the HS/HT program through state-level 
management and coordination.
    (4) Bringing HS/HT to the state-level will to help ensure that 
resources within a state are maximized and coordinated for the benefit 
of all HS/HT sites in that state. HS/HT state directors will work with 
key stakeholders (workforce investment systems, colleges, developmental 
disability councils, governors' committees on the employment of people 
with disabilities, employers, educators, rehabilitation professionals, 
consumers, and parents) to institutionalize the program within the 
state. By linking HS/HT, WIA and additional resources at the state-
level, students with disabilities will have an

[[Page 33991]]

increased opportunity to participate in meaningful school-to-career 
initiatives.

Part IV. Funding Availability and Period of Performance

    ODEP anticipates awarding approximately eight grants under this 
solicitation to be funded at a level of approximately $225,000. The HS/
HT Implementation awards will be for a one-year period of performance 
and may be renewed annually up to four additional years for a total of 
five years, depending upon the availability of funds and the efficacy 
of the grant activities as established by independent reviews conducted 
by the DOL or its designee. Proposals must include budgetary 
information for a five-year period. It is envisioned that if funding is 
continued for the full five years, the funding for years four and five 
will be at successively lower rates, with funding during year four at 
80 percent of the third year funds, and funding for year five at 60 
percent of the third year funds. The HS/HT Development Grants will be 
for a one-year period of performance and will not be renewed.
    Up to five Implementation Grants and up to three Development Grants 
will be awarded. It is expected that the funds used for this grant 
program will support the costs associated with the development, 
implementation, and evaluation of state-level HS/HT programs. The funds 
may be used to conduct a variety of activities to support and sustain 
state-level HS/HT operations such as staff training, strategic 
planning, partnership building, assessment, curriculum/materials 
development, career development, student-focused planning, program 
alignment, etc. Grant funds may be used to fund the creation of new HS/
HT sites as well as to support existing sites as part of the 
implementation of an overall statewide HS/HT system.

Part V. Eligible Applicants and Required Partnerships

    Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants include State Workforce 
Investment Boards; State Departments of Education; State Departments of 
Labor; State Developmental Disability Councils; State Departments of 
Vocational Rehabilitation; or State Committees affiliated with the 
National Governors' Committees for People with Disabilities, and other 
similar state agencies. ``State'' in this context includes the 50 
states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, 
Guam, and American Samoa. Consortia of state agencies and not-for-
profit organizations (including community and faith-based 
organizations, independent living centers, etc.) and local HS/HT sites 
are also eligible applicants. Prior recipients of state-level HS/HT 
grant funding are ineligible to receive additional funding under this 
solicitation.
    Indian and Native American Tribal entities, or consortia of Tribes, 
with the written approval of their tribal council, are also eligible to 
receive these grants. Grants to Indian and Native American tribal 
grantees must recognize principles of sovereignty and self-governance 
established under the Indian Self-Determination and Education 
Assistance Act, allowing for the government-to-government relationship 
between the Federal and Tribal Governments.
    Required Partnerships: In addition to the State Workforce 
Investment Board, which is a mandatory partner in these grant 
activities, each grantee must, at a minimum, demonstrate the 
involvement of members of three of the other above-mentioned state-
level groups in strategic planning and implementation activities. 
Tribal entities also must involve, at a minimum, members of three of 
the other groups mentioned above in strategic planning and 
implementation activities with the State Workforce Investment Board 
constituting a mandatory partner.

Part VI. Format Requirements for Grant Application

    General Requirements: Applicants must submit one (1) paper copy 
with an original signature and two (2) additional paper copies of the 
signed proposal. To aid with the review of applications, DOL also 
encourages Applicants to submit an electronic copy of their proposal on 
a disc or CD using Microsoft Word. Applicants who do not provide an 
electronic copy will not be penalized. The Application Narrative must 
be double-spaced with standard margins on 8\1/2\ x 11 papers, and be 
presented on single-sided, numbered pages with the exception of format 
requirements for the Executive Summary. The Executive Summary must be 
limited to no more than two single-spaced, single-sided pages on 8\1/2\ 
x 11 papers with standard margins throughout. A font size of at least 
twelve (12) pitch is required throughout. Applications that fail to 
meet these requirements will be considered non-responsive.
    The three required sections of the application are:

Section I--Project Financial Plan
Section II--Executive Summary--Project Synopsis
Section III--Project Narrative (including Attachments, not to exceed 40 
pages)

    Mandatory requirements for each section are provided as follows in 
this application package. Applications that fail to meet the stated 
mandatory requirements of each section will be considered non-
responsive.

Mandatory Application Requirements

    [sbull] Section I. Project Financial Plan (Budget) (The Project 
Financial Plan will not count against the application page limits.) 
Section I of the application must include the following three required 
parts:
    (1) Completed ``SF 424--Application for Federal Assistance'' (See 
Appendix A of this SGA for required form.)
    (2) Completed ``SF 424A--Budget Information Form'' by line item for 
all costs required to implement the project design effectively. (See 
Appendix B of this SGA for required forms.)
    (3) Budget Narrative and Justification that provides sufficient 
information to support the reasonableness of the costs included in the 
budget in relation to the service strategy and planned outcomes.
    The application must include one SF-424 with the original 
signatures of the legal entity applying for grant funding and 2 
additional copies. Applicants shall indicate on the SF-424 the 
organization's IRS Status, if applicable. Under the Lobbying Disclosure 
Act of 1995, section 18 (29 U.S.C. 1611), an organization 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).) For item 10 of the SF-424, the Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number for the program is 17.720.
    The Budget Narrative and Justification must describe all costs 
associated with implementing the project that are to be covered with 
grant funds. Grantees must support the travel and associated costs with 
sending at least one representative to the annual ODEP Policy 
Conference for Grantees, to be held in Washington, DC at a time and 
place to be determined. Grantees must comply with the ``Uniform 
Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to 
State and Local Governments,'' (also known as the ``Common Rule'') 
codified at 29 CFR part 97, and ``Grants and Agreements with Institutes 
of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations 
(also known as OMB Circular A-110), codified at 29 CFR part 95 and must 
comply with the applicable OMB cost principles circulars, as identified 
in 29 CFR 95.27 and 29 CFR 97.22(b).

[[Page 33992]]

    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).
    [sbull] Section II. Executive Summary--Project Synopsis (The 
Executive Summary is limited to no more than two single-spaced, single-
sided pages on 8\1/2\ x 11 papers with standard margins throughout). 
Each application shall include a project synopsis that identifies the 
following:
    (1) The name of the applicant;
    (2) The type of organization the applicant represents, the 
additional consortium partners and the type of organization they 
represent;
    (3) The amount of funds requested;
    (4) The planned period of performance;
    (5) The extent to which Vocational Rehabilitation and the WIA-
assisted Youth Service System will be integrated or coordinated with 
the HS/HT system;
    (6) An overview of how the applicant will capitalize on and 
coordinate with existing HS/HT sites, if applicable;
    (7) An overview of the applicant's plan for expanding HS/HT 
statewide; and
    (8) An overview of the applicant's plan for sustaining the HS/HT 
program once Federal funding ceases.
    [sbull] Section III. Project Narrative (The Project Narrative plus 
attachments are limited to no more than forty (40) 8\1/2\ x 11 pages, 
double-spaced with standard one-inch margins (top, bottom, and sides), 
and be presented on single-sided, numbered pages). Note: The Financial 
Plan, the Executive Summary, and the Appendices are not included in the 
forty (40)--page limit]. The substantive requirements for the project 
narrative are described below under Part VII--Statement of Work.
    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). 
Applications that fail to meet these requirements will be considered 
non-responsive.

Part VII. Government Requirements/Statement of Work (Project Narrative)

    The Project Narrative, or Section III of the grant application, 
should provide complete information on how the applicant will address 
the following DOL strategic goal priorities to ensure a Prepared 
Workforce:
    (1) Increasing the availability of skills training, employment 
opportunities, and career advancement for persons with disabilities.
    (2) Increasing the number of youth making a successful transition 
to work or who enter further training or educational programs.
    Proposals will be rated based upon the quality of the applicant's 
response in addressing the four criteria described below in terms of a 
comprehensive strategic approach that incorporates the Department's 
priorities noted above. The four criteria (Statement of Need, 
Comprehensive Service Strategy, Sustainability, and Monitoring and 
Reporting) must be addressed and the applicant's accomplishments or 
status with regard to each item provided.
    The DOL, however, does not expect the applicant to incorporate 
every item listed as part of their strategy and proposal design. The 
DOL recognizes that the needs and requirements of each state may be 
different, and therefore, some of the options identified may be more 
relevant than others in a particular state.

1. Statement of Need (15 points)

    The purpose of the Statement of Need criteria is to: Establish the 
overall status of disability issues relating to youth in the 
applicant's state; to identify strengths and deficiencies to be 
addressed by the applicant's proposal; to identify the overall scope of 
proposal objectives and design; and, to present the applicant's need 
for HS/HT grant resources. This criterion will be rated based upon the 
applicant's identified needs and proposed approach to addressing these 
needs in the context of the DOL's priorities.
    For proposals targeted to a specific Indian community or covering 
multiple Tribal entities that may cut across multiple States and/or 
local areas, describe the overall approach of the project, and identify 
the inadequacies and deficiencies of the service delivery to the 
applicable community, and how the project expects to address these.
    The narrative in this section should:
    (1) Describe the potential contribution of the proposed project to 
increasing the quality of transition services available in the state;
    (2) Describe the overall status and actions taken to-date within 
the State relating to implementation of the HS/HT program and the level 
of commitment of any existing HS/HT program to working with the 
applicant;
    (3) Describe the extent to which the proposed project involves the 
development or demonstration of promising new strategies;
    (4) Describe the number of young people with disabilities expected 
to be served in the proposed HS/HT program within the State and the 
importance or magnitude of the results that are likely to be attained 
by the proposed project;
    (5) Identify the percentage of young people with disabilities in 
the State including the percentage of people who are beneficiaries of 
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Social Security 
Income Program (SSI);
    (6) Identify the most recent state graduation rates for young 
people with disabilities in the State, as well as the overall 
graduation rate;
    (7) Describe any significant deficiencies in the State or local 
workforce investment system that present barriers to employment for 
young people with disabilities and explain what will be accomplished 
under this grant to address them;
    (8) Describe how the applicant will increase services, skill 
training, employment outcomes, educational and job retention, and 
career advancement for young people with disabilities and how the ODEP 
priorities identified above will be achieved; and
    (9) Identify additional State and/or local funds and resources that 
will be leveraged to support the overall objectives of the grant.
    In evaluating the quality of the proposal narrative, ODEP will 
consider the applicant's needs identified and proposed approaches to 
addressing the needs in the context of ODEP's priorities.

2. Comprehensive Service Strategy (30 points)

    The purpose of the Comprehensive Service Strategy criteria is to 
identify the approach proposed by the grantee to implement the HS/HT 
program on a statewide basis. In general, this requires extensive 
linkages and on-site knowledge of applicable resources that address 
multiple disability issues and barriers to education and employment 
that are commonly experienced by young persons with disabilities. 
Specifically, applicants must address staff capacity as well as their 
proposed design elements.

[[Page 33993]]

    A. Staff Capacity--The applicant must identify how it will ensure 
that trained staff with comprehensive knowledge of diverse disabilities 
will be available to provide grant related services. Accordingly, the 
application should:
    (1) Describe the specific experience of the applicant(s) in serving 
young people with disabilities, in providing technology-related 
training, in addressing specific barriers to employment, in achieving 
expected outcomes in the delivery of such services/programs, and in 
implementing and administering project plans similar to that in the 
proposed grant project;
    (2) Document that the State Director has the comprehensive 
knowledge and experience to expand HS/HT at a state-level. A resume or 
position description of the state director must be included in the 
Appendices to the application;
    (3) List and describe key positions required to carry out the 
project as proposed, the key personnel proposed to fill the positions, 
and a detailed description of the kind of work these individuals will 
perform within the project; and
    (4) Provide evidence of the staff's skill, knowledge and experience 
in carrying out these types of activities, and describe their relevant 
training. Resumes must be included in the Appendices to the 
application.
    B. Proposed Design--The application must address the proposed 
design for a state-based HS/HT infrastructure. The application must 
also identify the plan for developing and locating HS/HT program sites 
and the basis for that distribution plan [i.e. as linked with Local 
Workforce Investment Boards, etc.]. Finally, the application must 
address incorporation of the HS/HT Manual and its four design features, 
and should:
    (1) Describe the roles of the partners set forth in the 
Sustainability Section of Part VII within the state's HS/HT operations. 
Explain how the partners will integrate and leverage resources to 
advance the HS/HT model;
    (2) Identify the locations of HS/HT program sites based on the 
number and distribution of students with disabilities in the state;
    (3) Describe the strategy that will be used to integrate and 
maintain existing HS/HT sites in the state, and to develop and increase 
the number of HS/HT sites in the state;
    (4) Explain how technology will be used in carrying out grant 
activities;
    (5) Identify and explain the benefits or results expected from the 
grant activities proposed;
    (6) Discuss how the applicant will establish leadership from, or a 
working relationship with, a State Workforce Investment Board, the 
State Department of Labor, State Department of Education, State 
Vocational Rehabilitation, a WIA youth-related entity, and other 
community partners (e.g., area disability organizations, state 
committees on employment of people with disabilities, faith-based and 
community organizations, Centers for Independent Living, interested 
employers) in the establishment and operation of a state-level HS/HT 
program. The State Workforce Investment Board is a mandatory partner 
for this grant. At least three categories of the above listed 
organizations must also be represented in and be a part of the state-
level leadership team;
    (7) Describe the strategy for gaining the support of people with 
disabilities and their families;
    (8) Describe the outreach and marketing strategy to the disability 
community and organizations that represent or work with people with 
disabilities;
    (9) Describe specific approaches for developing relationships with 
disability organizations representing youth with disabilities such as 
Centers for Independent Living, the state's Youth Leadership Forum, and 
state members of the National Youth Leadership Network;
    (10) Describe specific approaches for developing relationships with 
and the support of area employers that establish employment 
opportunities for individuals with disabilities, including any 
commitments by employers to hire these individuals;
    (11) Describe linkages with Business Leadership Networks (BLNs) 
(that have been established in approximately 30 states) if applicable; 
and
    (12) Describe linkages with state/local public agencies such as 
Special Education; Vocational Rehabilitation; State Councils for 
Independent Living; local Centers for Independent Living (CILs); state 
mental health agencies, state mental retardation and Developmental 
Disability Councils; Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) 
agencies; and private, non-profit organizations such as disability 
advocacy and provider organizations, as well as federally-funded 
disability grant recipients, including community and faith-based 
organizations.
    In evaluating the quality of the proposed project design, ODEP will 
also consider the following factors:
    (a) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be 
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable;
    (b) 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 and the quality of the 
applicant's plans for recruiting and retaining the target population;
    (c) The extent to which the design of the proposed project provides 
procedures and approaches for collaboration and coordination with key 
agencies and organizations and identification of critical roles;
    (d) The extent to which the applicant encourages involvement of 
people with disabilities and their families, experts and organizations, 
and other relevant stakeholders in project activities;
    (e) The extent to which performance feedback and continuous 
improvement are integral to the design of the proposed project; and
    (f) The extent to which the management plan for project 
implementation is likely to achieve the objectives of the proposed 
project on time and within budget.

3. Sustainability (30 points)

    The purpose of the sustainability criteria is to identify 
strategies for ensuring that activities funded under the grant will 
continue once Federal funding ceases. Resources and partnerships are an 
integral element of the project, as they support and strengthen the 
quality of the technical skills training provided and contribute 
materially toward sustainability. Sustainability must be an objective 
built into the project design, the strategic planning and ongoing 
operation of the project. Projects funded under this SGA must leverage 
a combination of federal, state, and local public sector resources, as 
well as private and local non-profit sector resources for purposes of 
sustainability.
    In evaluating the quality of the plan for sustainability, ODEP 
considers the following factors to be of particular importance:
    (a) The extent to which the proposed project is designed to build 
capacity and yield results that will extend beyond the period of this 
grant;
    (b) The likelihood of the applicant successfully securing state 
ownership and participation in these projects when these grant funds 
cease (a letter from the Governor must be included or, if this is not 
feasible, a letter from the head of an appropriate state agency may be 
substituted); and
    (c) The extent to which partnerships with outside entities 
(including public and private disability and community

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and faith-based organizations) and funding from additional Federal, 
State, and/or local resources will be effectively leveraged and 
utilized in continuing HS/HT activities after the expiration of the 
grant.
    Accordingly, in the Sustainability section, the applicant should 
enumerate resources, describe any specific existing contractual 
commitments, and provide concrete evidence of sustainability beyond the 
duration of this grant.
    Grantees are expected to use this grant as seed money to develop 
other public and private resources to ensure sustainability of grant 
activities following completion of the funding period. Grant monies may 
be used to fund the creation of new HS/HT sites as well as to support 
existing sites as part of the development of an overall statewide HS/HT 
system.
    ODEP considers detailed commitments for specific new activities to 
be more important than promises of in-kind supports in demonstrating 
sustained support for the project. Grants recently received from 
another agency can be discussed in the proposal, but the applicant 
should be precise in delineating which activities precede this grant 
and which will occur because of this grant. In addition, the applicant 
should detail how public sector commitments can contribute to the 
sustainability of this project following completion of the grant. 
Examples of the types of public and private sector commitments 
envisioned include the following:
    [sbull] The school system commits to offering credit for HS/HT 
training activities;
    [sbull] The school system commits to incorporating HS/HT into their 
Individual Education Plans;
    [sbull] The vocational rehabilitation office commits to funding 
assistive technology and transportation services for students enrolled 
in the program;
    [sbull] A community college commits to providing technology 
training for HS/HT students;
    [sbull] State-level elected officials commit to work towards state 
codification of HS/HT;
    [sbull] An employer commits to providing technology-based summer 
internships;
    [sbull] State and Local Workforce Investment Boards commit to 
paying internship costs;
    [sbull] A university commits to providing scholarships for HS/HT 
students.
    [sbull] A Developmental Disability Council commits to funding a new 
HS/HT site; and
    [sbull] An independent living center commits a staff person to work 
full time on HS/HT.
    Letters of Commitment. Applicants may include letters of support if 
they provide specific commitments regarding the application to this 
solicitation. Such letters can increase an applicant's score by showing 
that the commitments in the text of the proposal are grounded with 
actual commitments. Form letters will be considered non-responsive. 
Applicants are encouraged to have letters of support from all existing 
HS/HT programs in their states.
    Letter from the Governor. A letter from the Governor or 
functionally equivalent entity reflecting support of state-level 
implementation of the HS/HT program will be viewed favorably. If a 
letter from the Governor is not feasible, the application must include 
a letter from the head of an appropriate state agency.

4. Management and Outcomes (25 points)

    The purpose of the Management and Outcomes criteria is to determine 
whether the applicant has developed an adequate management plan to 
effectively carry out the objectives and scope of the proposed project 
on time and within budget, to describe the predicted outcomes resulting 
from activities funded under this SGA, and to identify the methods of 
evaluation that will be used by the grantee to determine success.
    Applicants must provide a detailed management plan that identifies 
the critical activities; time frames and responsibilities for 
effectively implementing the project, including the evaluation process, 
for assuring successful implementation of grant objectives. A 
description of the plan to report the demographic characteristics of 
students, types of programming activities and program outcomes (post-
secondary education and employment) of youth with disabilities served 
through the HS/HT program in the applicant's state; and to compare 
their performances with students with and without disabilities not 
enrolled in the program should also be provided.
    In addition, applicants should outline the strategy for documenting 
and reporting the activities undertaken during the life of the grant 
for ODEP's future use in working with other grantees and 
constituencies.
    In evaluating the management and outcomes criteria, ODEP also 
considers the following factors to be of particular importance:
    (a) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be 
achieved are clearly specified and measurable;
    (b) The extent to which the design of the proposed project features 
innovative methods for developing new sites and/or strengthening 
existing sites;
    (c) The extent to which the proposal incorporates the strategic 
plan in Part VII, Statement of Work;
    (d) The extent to which the proposed budget and narrative 
justification are adequate to support the proposed project;
    (e) The extent to which performance feedback and continuous 
improvement are integral to the design of the proposed project;
    (f) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are thorough, 
feasible, and appropriate to the goals, objectives, context, and 
outcomes of the proposed project;
    (g) The extent to which the methods of evaluation provide for 
examining the effectiveness of project implementation strategies;
    (h) 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;
    (i) The extent to which the evaluation will provide information to 
other programs about effective strategies suitable for replication or 
testing in other settings;
    (j) The extent to which the methods of evaluation measure in both 
quantitative and qualitative terms, program results and satisfaction of 
people with disabilities;
    (k) The extent to which the management plan for project 
implementation is likely to achieve the objectives of the proposed 
project on time and within budget;
    (l) The adequacy of mechanisms for ensuring high-quality products 
and services from the proposed project; and
    (m) The extent to which the time commitments of the state director 
and/or principal investigator and other key project personnel are 
appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed 
project.

Part VIII. Monitoring and Reporting

    Monitoring: ODEP is responsible for ensuring the effective 
implementation of each competitive grant project in accordance with the 
provisions of this announcement and the terms of the grant award 
document. Applicants should assume that ODEP staff, or their designees 
will conduct on-site project reviews periodically. Reviews will focus 
on timely project implementation, performance in meeting the grant's 
programmatic goals and objectives, expenditure of grant funds on 
allowable activities, integration and coordination with other resources 
and service

[[Page 33995]]

providers in the local area, and project management and administration 
in achieving project objectives. HS/HT Implementation and Development 
Grants may be subject to other additional reviews at the discretion of 
ODEP.
    Reporting: Grantees will be required to submit quarterly financial 
and narrative progress reports under the HS/HT Grant program as 
prescribed by OMB Circular A-102 and A-110, as codified by 29 CFR parts 
97 and 95 respectively.
    (1) A Quarterly Report will be required within thirty (30) days of 
the end of each quarter beginning ninety days from the award of the 
grant and is estimated to take five hours to prepare on average. The 
form for the Quarterly Report will be provided by ODEP. ODEP will work 
with the grantee to help refine the requirements of the report, which 
will, among other things, include measures of ongoing analysis for 
continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.
    (2) Financial reporting will be required quarterly using the on-
line electronic reporting system for the Standard Form 269--Financial 
Status Report (FSR).
    (3) A Final Project Report, including an assessment of project 
performance and outcomes achieved will be required and is estimated to 
take twenty hours to complete. This report will be submitted in hard 
copy and on electronic disk using a format and following instructions 
that will be provided by ODEP. A draft of the final report is due to 
the ODEP thirty (30) days before the termination of the grant. The 
final report is due to ODEP sixty (60) days following the termination 
of the grant.
    ODEP's evaluation of the HS/HT program encompasses a process 
evaluation that includes extensive information pertaining to 
achievements under the grant (e.g., training provided to staff, 
coordination with disability entities, etc.), as well as summary 
information pertaining to HS/HT implementation and the numbers of 
people with disabilities registered, receiving services, and employed 
through the One-Stop system, among other areas.
    ODEP may arrange for and conduct an independent evaluation of the 
outcomes, impacts, and accomplishments of each funded project. Grantees 
must agree to make available records on all parts of project activity, 
including participant post secondary and employment data, and to 
provide access to personnel, as specified by the evaluator(s), under 
the direction of ODEP. This independent evaluation is separate from the 
ongoing evaluation for continuous improvement required of the grantee 
for project implementation.
    Grantees must also agree to work with ODEP in its various technical 
assistance efforts in order to freely share with others what is 
learned. Grantees must agree to collaborate with other research 
institutes, centers, studies, and evaluations that are supported by DOL 
and other relevant Federal agencies, as appropriate. Finally, Grantees 
must agree to actively utilize the programs sponsored by the ODEP, 
including the Job Accommodation Network, (http://www.jan.wvu.edu), and 
the Employer Assistance Referral Network (http://www.earnworks.com).
    The DOL has established priorities for FY 2003 as noted in the 
introduction of Part VII--Government Requirements/Statement of Work. 
HS/HT Grantees will be expected to support these priorities.

Part IX. Review Process and Evaluation Criteria

    All applications will be reviewed for compliance with the 
requirements of this notice. A careful evaluation of applications will 
be made by a technical review panel, which will evaluate the 
applications against the rating criteria listed in this SGA. The panel 
results are advisory in nature and not binding on the Grant Officer. 
The DOL may elect to award grants either with or without discussion 
with the applicant. In situations without discussions, an award will be 
based on the applicant's signature on the SF 424, which constitutes a 
binding offer. The Grant Officer may consider any information that is 
available and will make final award decisions based on what is most 
advantageous to the Government, considering factors such as:
    Panel findings; Geographic distribution of the competitive 
applications and the currently existing state grants (Connecticut, 
Georgia); and Availability of funds.

X. Administration Provisions

A. Administrative Standards and Provisions

    Grantees 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:
    [sbull] 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;
    [sbull] 29 CFR Part 96-- Audit Requirements for Grants, Contracts, 
and Other Agreements.
    [sbull] 29 CFR Part 97--Uniform Administrative Requirement for 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments.

B. Allowable Cost

    Determinations of allowable costs shall be made in accordance with 
the following applicable Federal cost principles:
    [sbull] State and Local Government--OMB Circular A-87.
    [sbull] Nonprofit Organizations--OMB Circular A-122.
    [sbull] Profit-Making Commercial Firms--48 CFR part 31.
    Profit will not be considered an allowable cost in any case.

C. Grant 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:
    [sbull] 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.
    [sbull] 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).
    [sbull] 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.).
    [sbull] 29 CFR Part 37--Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity 
Provisions of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), (Implementing 
Section 188 of the Workforce Investment Act, 29 U.S.C. 2938).
    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.


[[Page 33996]]


    Signed at Washington, DC, this 3rd day of June, 2003.
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

Appendix D. Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity

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[FR Doc. 03-14351 Filed 6-5-03; 8:45 am]
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