[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 115 (Monday, June 16, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35704-35721]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-15114]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

[SGA 03-14]


Office of Disability Employment Policy; Center for Faith-Based 
and Community Initiatives; Intermediary Grants for Mentoring Youth With 
Disabilities

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 03-14).

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Disability 
Employment Policy (ODEP), in collaboration with DOL's Center for Faith-
Based and Community Initiatives (CFBCI or Center), announces the 
availability of approximately $450,000 to award three competitive 
grants funded up to $150,000 to eligible intermediary organizations 
that have demonstrated an ability to assist faith-based and community 
organizations, particularly smaller organizations, in promoting 
positive employment and transition outcomes for youth with disabilities 
through mentoring activities. The activities conducted must be 
consistent with effective practices and may include but are not limited 
to adult and peer mentoring, e-mentoring, tutoring, job-shadowing, 
service learning, leadership development, and youth development.
    In achieving the grant purposes, the intermediary is expected to 
sub-award a substantial portion of its award to eligible local faith-
based and community organizations. Grant funds may be used for 
activities that establish, implement, or support a mentoring program 
for youth with disabilities between the ages of 16 and 24, which may 
include:
    1. Hiring of mentoring coordinators and support staff;
    2. Recruitment, screening, and training of mentors;
    3. Recruitment and assessment of mentees;
    4. Reimbursement to schools, if appropriate, for the use of school 
materials or supplies to be used in carrying out the mentoring program;
    5. Purchase of materials or supplies to be used in carrying out the 
mentoring program;
    6. Dissemination of outreach materials; and
    7. Evaluation of the mentoring program using scientifically-based 
methods.
    These grants are for a one-year period at full funding and may be 
renewed for a period of up to four additional years depending upon the 
availability of funds and the efficacy of the project activities. See 
also Parts IV, IX.
    The results of this initiative will support ODEP's strategic goals 
of: (1) Promoting policies to increase demand for employees with 
disabilities; and (2) promoting policies to increase the capabilities 
of the workforce development system to provide meaningful and effective 
services to youth with disabilities.

DATES: Applications will be accepted commencing on June 16, 2003. The 
closing date for receipt of applications under this announcement is 
July 28, 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 
03-14, Room N-5416, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210. 
Telefascimile (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 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

[[Page 35705]]

notifications will also be published on the ODEP Homepage.

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 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. 1087; Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2001, Pub. L. 106-554, 29 U.S.C. 557b.

Part III. Background

    ODEP's mission is to provide leadership to increase employment 
opportunities for adults and youth with disabilities through expanded 
access to training, education, employment supports, assistive 
technology, integrated employment, entrepreneurial development, and 
small business opportunities. Through partnerships with both public and 
private sector employers and with regional and local agencies, ODEP 
also fosters the creation of employment opportunities by increasing 
awareness of the benefits of employing people with disabilities and 
disseminating information on effective employment strategies.
    The CFBCI seeks to create effective partnerships between faith-
based and community-based organizations and DOL at the Federal, state, 
and local levels. The purpose of these partnerships is to bring faith-
based and community organizations, which are often in closest touch 
with the people and problems that are the focus of Federal social 
policy efforts, into DOL's employment and training programs.
    The CFBCI coordinates a comprehensive departmental effort to 
incorporate faith-based and other community-based organizations into 
DOL programs and initiatives. CFBCI supports the creation of 
initiatives and programs within DOL that utilize the strengths of 
faith-based and community organizations to better address the needs of 
underprivileged populations. The Center directs national outreach 
efforts to educate faith-based and other community organizations about 
the opportunities for partnership with local One-Stop Career Centers, 
State and Local Workforce Investment Boards, State Workforce Agencies, 
and the U.S. Department of Labor. CFBCI also works in conjunction with 
DOL agencies to remove barriers to the participation of faith-based and 
community organizations in Federal programs, including, but not limited 
to, the reform of regulations, procurement and other internal policies 
and practices, and outreach activities.
    This SGA reflects a collaborative effort between ODEP and CFBCI 
born out of their commitment to promoting positive employment and 
transition outcomes for youth with disabilities through mentoring. 
There is solid evidence that effective mentoring programs can change 
the direction of the life of a youth with a disability, improve 
academic performance, and help the youth develop skills, knowledge, and 
motivation to successfully transition from high school to adult life. 
(Moccia, Schumaker, Hazel, Vernon, & Deshler, 1989; Rhodes, Grossman, & 
Resch, 2000). Accordingly, this grant program supports the objectives 
of both President Bush's New Freedom Initiative and the Leave No Child 
Behind Act of 2001, Pub. L.107-110.
    Mentoring is defined generally as a sustained, close, developmental 
relationship between an older, more experienced individual and a 
younger person with the goal of building character and promoting 
positive, healthy youth development. In mentoring arrangements, adults 
or experienced peers serve as advisors and role models, working with 
youth one-on one or in groups. Electronic mentoring, also called e-
mentoring, uses a combination of e-mail and face-to-face meetings to 
facilitate mentoring relationships between young people and adults. 
Mentoring relationships provide valuable support to youth, not only in 
offering academic and career guidance, but also in building leadership 
and interpersonal skills and problem-solving skills. Mentoring can also 
connect youth with important employer contacts, thereby opening doors 
for networking and future employment.
    The purpose of this grant program is to help build the capacity and 
knowledge of faith-based and community organizations to better meet the 
needs of young people with disabilities through mentoring. This will be 
accomplished through the funding of intermediary organizations that 
have demonstrated expertise in working with and providing technical 
assistance to local faith-based and community organizations in a 
variety of areas including, but not limited to: effectively operating 
and managing their programs; accessing governmental and private funding 
sources; developing and training staff; expanding the types and reach 
of services in their communities; and replicating promising and 
effective practices. The funded intermediary will also issue sub-awards 
to local faith-based and community organizations for start-up, 
operations, or expansion of mentoring programs for youth with 
disabilities as detailed previously in the Summary Section of this SGA.
    This SGA is for the Intermediary Grants for Mentoring Youth with 
Disabilities Initiative. This grant program is consistent with the 
objectives of the President's New Freedom Initiative.

Part IV. Funding Availability and Period of Performance

    ODEP anticipates awarding three competitive grants funded up to

[[Page 35706]]

$150,000 each year to eligible intermediary organizations that have 
demonstrated an ability to assist faith-based and community 
organizations, particularly smaller organizations, in promoting 
positive employment and transition outcomes for youth with disabilities 
through mentoring activities. The period of performance will be one 
year from the date of execution of the grant documents by DOL. ODEP may 
elect to extend these grants on a yearly basis for up to four 
additional years based on the availability of government funds and 
acceptable performance.

Part V. Eligible Applicants and Required Partnerships

    Eligible Applicants: Under this competition, eligible 
``intermediaries'' are defined as non-profit, community, and/or faith-
based organizations with existing connections within the community, and 
a demonstrated ability to connect smaller faith and community-based 
organizations and the people they serve to youth services funded under 
the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-220, 29 U.S.C. 
2801 et seq.) (WIA) and to other youth services available in their 
local communities. These intermediary organizations must possess strong 
financial and grant management skills, and the ability to mentor 
smaller organizations to increase their capacity to fully participate 
in the youth service delivery provider network.
    Partnerships: Applicants must establish strong linkages with the 
Local Workforce Investment Board (WIB) in the area to be served by the 
activities of the grant. The Local WIB can assist the intermediary in 
connecting to the One-Stop system and other community-based youth 
service providers receiving WIA funding. It is ODEP's belief that the 
intermediary and its sub-awardees can complement, augment, and 
supplement the services currently provided through WIA, and leverage 
WIA funded resources to assist them in carrying out some of their grant 
activities, e.g., recruitment of youth with disabilities.
    Grant recipients will broker partnerships with employers, the 
workforce development system, school systems, disability service 
providers, non-profit organizations, and other faith-based and 
community organizations to provide mentoring experiences for youth with 
disabilities. Among other partners, grantees will be required to 
collaborate with employer organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce 
and the state Business Leadership Network where one exists. In 
addition, grantees will be required to utilize broad strategies for 
recruiting adult and peer mentors, including outreach to other faith-
based and community organizations, employer organizations and 
employers, and 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. In 
addition, applicants are to work in partnership with other disability-
related public and private organizations. Partners may include:

    [sbull] State/local public agencies such as Special Education;
    [sbull] Vocational Rehabilitation;
    [sbull] State Councils for Independent Living;
    [sbull] Local Centers for Independent Living (CILs);
    [sbull] State mental health agencies, state mental retardation and 
Developmental Disability Councils;
    [sbull] Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) agencies; 
and
    [sbull] Private, non-profit organizations such as disability 
advocacy and provider organizations, as well as federally funded 
disability grant entities, including faith-based entities.

Eligible Sub-Awardees and Allowable Activities

    For purposes of this announcement, the intermediary may issue sub-
awards to community or faith-based organizations that:
    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.
    Except as specifically provided, DOL/ODEP's acceptance of a 
proposal and an award of Federal funds to sponsor any programs(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 be conducted, 
as practical, to provide open and free competition. These circulars are 
applicable to awards made by the intermediary to sub-awardees under the 
terms of this grant solicitation. If a proposal identifies a specific 
entity to provide the services, the DOL/ODEP's award does not provide 
the justification or basis to sole-source the procurement, i.e., avoid 
competition.
    The ``$300,000 or less'' budget includes only that portion of an 
organization's budget allocated to providing social services. It does 
not include other portions of the budget such as salaries and expenses. 
For purposes of this announcement local affiliates of national social 
service organizations are not eligible for a sub-grant award.

Legal Rules That Apply to Faith-Based Organizations That Receive 
Government Funds

    The government is prohibited from directly funding religious 
activity.\1\ These grants may not be used for religious instruction, 
worship, prayer, proselytizing or other inherently religious practices. 
Neutral, secular criteria that neither favor nor disfavor religion must 
be employed in the selection of grant and sub-grant recipients.
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    \1\ The term ``direct'' funding is used to described 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.
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    Nonetheless, participation by faith-based organizations in this 
grant program is highly encouraged. Consistent with the Free Exercise 
Clause and the Free Speech Clause of the Constitution, faith-based 
organizations are eligible to compete for Federal financial assistance 
used to support social service programs and to participate fully in the 
social service programs supported with Federal financial assistance 
without impairing their independence, autonomy, expression, or 
religious character. See Equal Protection of the Laws for Faith-based 
and Community Organizations, Exec. Order No. 13279 (December 12, 2002).

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

[[Page 35707]]

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 15 
pages)

    Mandatory requirements for each section are provided below. 
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 must comply with the applicable OMB 
cost principles circulars, as identified in 29 CFR 95.27 and 29 CFR 
97.22(b).
    In addition, the budget must include on a separate page a detailed 
cost analysis of each line item. Justification for administrative costs 
must be provided. Approval of a budget by DOL is not the same as the 
approval of actual costs. The individual signing the SF 424 on behalf 
of the applicant must represent and be able to legally bind the 
responsible financial and administrative entity for a grant should that 
application result in an award. The applicant must also include the 
Assurances and Certifications Signature Page (Appendix C).
    [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) An overview of the applicant's plan for building the capacity 
and knowledge of faith-based and community organizations to better meet 
the needs of young people with disabilities through mentoring; and
    (6) An overview of the applicant's plan for sustaining grant 
activities being conducted by sub-awardees once Federal funding ceases.
    [sbull] Section III. Project Narrative (The Project Narrative plus 
attachments are limited to no more than fifteen (15) single-sided, 
numbered 8\1/2\ x 11 inch pages, double-spaced with standard one-inch 
margins (top, bottom, and sides)). All text in the application 
narrative, including titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, and 
captions, as well as all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs 
must be double-spaced (no more than three lines per vertical inch); 
and, if using a proportional computer font, use no smaller than a 12-
point font, and an average character density no greater than 18 
characters per inch (if using a non-proportional font or a typewriter, 
do not use more than 12 characters per inch). Applications that fail to 
meet these requirements will be considered non-responsive.


    Note: The Financial Plan, the Executive Summary, and the 
Appendices are not included in the fifteen (15)-page limit]. The 
substantive requirements for the project narrative are described 
below under Part VII--Statement of Work.

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

    The Project Narrative, or Section III of the grant application 
represents the applicant's plans to address the previously documented 
unmet need to provide mentoring services to young people with 
disabilities in the community. ODEP expects that the intermediary and 
its sub-awardees will complement, augment, supplement, and leverage 
services currently provided through the WIA-assisted youth service 
delivery system in carrying out grant activities.
    The intermediary will assist the sub-awardees, as appropriate, in 
administrative tasks so that sub-awardees can focus primarily on 
providing mentoring services to their service population(s). ODEP 
expects that the intermediary's staff will provide mentoring and 
technical assistance to build the smaller organizations' capacity to be 
permanent contributors to the youth service provider network and to 
compete successfully for future Federal, state and local grants.
    The Project Narrative/Statement of Work must include and will be 
weighed as follows:
    1. The applicant's Performance History with Grants Management and 
Service to People with Disabilities (20 points);
    2. A description of the proposed plan and activities of the 
intermediary and its sub-awardees (45 points); and
    3. An enumeration of evaluation criteria, measure(s), outcomes and 
reporting and tracking mechanisms for both intermediary and sub-
awardees (35 points).
    Letters of Commitment: Applicants can include letters of support if 
they provide specific commitments. Such letters can increase an 
applicant's score under criterion 2 by showing that the commitments in 
the text of the proposal are serious. Form letters will not be 
considered.

1. Performance History With Grants Management and Service to People 
With Disabilities (20 points)

    The applicant must provide a statement of its performance history

[[Page 35708]]

with the management of resources under governmental grants-in-aid 
programs. DOL will evaluate applications based on the scope, strength, 
and ``record of achievement'' which will be demonstrated by responses 
to the following requirements:
    (1) Relevant history of the applicant in managing resources through 
grant awards from Federal Departments (particularly those from the 
Departments of Labor, Education, Housing and Urban Development, and 
Health and Human Services), state governments, or units of local 
governments;
    (2) Recent involvement of the intermediary as a partner or provider 
in the One-Stop delivery system for employment and training services. 
Describe any current working relationship with the local Workforce 
Investment Board(s) or steps taken to develop this relationship for the 
current grant application
    (3) Demonstrated history of networking with, educating, training, 
and mobilizing faith-based and community organizations and their 
members. (Note: Include past experience in developing other 
organizations' capacity for social service delivery, managing grants, 
conducting information campaigns, and providing technical assistance); 
and
    (4) Demonstrated experience in networking with and providing 
services to people with disabilities.
    In evaluating the quality of the applicant's performance history 
and management of resources, ODEP may consider the applicant's 
experience, knowledge and staff skills relevant to addressing the goals 
of this SGA in the context of ODEP's priorities.

2. Description of the Proposed Plan and Activities of the Intermediary 
and Its Sub-Awardees (45 points)

    This section of the narrative should provide the applicant's 
detailed strategy for increasing the capacity and capability of faith-
based and community organizations to provide effective mentoring 
services to young people with disabilities. The work plan must clearly 
illustrate how the project will be completed, and identify what 
services will be delivered. The narrative should explain the scope of 
the proposed project, and detail how the project will be carried out. 
The sections that should be included in the narrative for this section 
include:
    [sbull] A Timeline
    [sbull] A Description of the Mentoring Activities to be Conducted 
and the Respective Roles and Responsibilities of Community and Faith-
Based Organizations and the Grantee.
    [sbull] A Description of the Approach That Will Be Used for Seeking 
Applications From and Making Sub-awards to Community and Faith-Based 
Organizations.
    [sbull] A Strategy for Coordinating Grant Activities with WIA-
Assisted Youth Activities, the One-Stop Center(s), and Other Federal 
Disability-Related Grant Activities.
    [sbull] A Strategy for Conducting Outreach to Employers and to the 
Disability Community.
    [sbull] A Strategy for Leveraging Available Funding Sources to 
Support Grant Activities and Plan for Ensuring Sustainability Once 
Federal Funding Ceases.
    [sbull] A Plan for Working with Sub-awardees to Develop Outcome 
Measures and to Evaluate the Activities Supported by the Sub-awards 
Made with Federal Funds Under This Announcement.
The Timeline
    The applicant must provide a timeline for all discrete projects and 
activities to be undertaken.

A Description of the Mentoring Activities To Be Conducted and the 
Respective Roles and Responsibilities of Community and Faith-Based 
Organizations and the Grantee

    This section of the narrative should provide the following 
information:
    (1) A description of how the applicant will work with community and 
faith-based partner organizations in carrying out grant-related 
mentoring activities, including those activities that will be solicited 
through sub-awards. The specific functions/roles and responsibilities 
of these partner organizations within the grant design should be 
included as well as an explanation of the types of administrative and 
management functions which will be performed by the grantee.
    (2) The young people expected to be served by the mentoring 
program, how they will be recruited, and the benefits or results 
expected;
    (3) The method that will be used to recruit, screen, and train 
prospective mentors and to match mentors with mentees;
    (4) An explanation of how technology will be used in carrying out 
grant activities; and
    (5) A listing of key positions required to carry out the project as 
proposed, the key individuals proposed to fill the positions, and a 
detailed description of the kind of work these individuals will perform 
within the project. The application should provide evidence of the 
staffs' skill, knowledge, and experience in carrying out these types of 
activities, and describe their relevant training.

A Description of the Approach That Will Be Used for Seeking 
Applications From and Making Sub-Awards to Community and Faith-Based 
Organizations

    In this section, the applicant should provide a description of the 
outreach activities it will engage in to identify potential faith and 
community-based organizations to act as partners in carrying out grant 
activities and the methodology that will be used for making sub-awards.

Strategy for Coordinating Grant Activities with WIA-Assisted Youth 
Activities, the One-Stop Center(s), and Other Federal Disability-
Related Grant Activities

    In this section, the applicant should explain how grant activities 
will be coordinated with the local One-Stop Center and other WIA-
assisted youth activities in the target area(s) and with other 
disability related grant initiatives from DOL, the Department of 
Education (ED), the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), the 
Social Security Administration (SSA), the Department of Housing & Urban 
Development (HUD), and other Federal partners.

Strategy for Conducting Outreach to Employers and to the Disability 
Community

    In this section, the applicant should identify the strategy that 
will be used in developing relationships with and the support of area 
employers and the disability community, and explain how the views and 
perspectives of these partners were taken into account in developing 
this grant proposal.

Plan for Working With Sub-Awardees To Develop Outcome Measures and To 
Evaluate the Activities Supported by the Sub-Awards Made With Federal 
Funds Under This Announcement

    In this section, the applicant should describe how it will work 
with sub-awardees to develop outcome measures and to evaluate grant-
related activities conducted as a result of sub-awards.

Strategy for Leveraging Available Funding Sources To Support Grant 
Activities and Plan for Ensuring Sustainability Once Federal Funding 
Ceases

    In this section of the narrative, the applicant should identify 
additional

[[Page 35709]]

Federal, state, and/or local funds and resources that will be used to 
support the overall objectives of the grant, and articulate a plan for 
ensuring the sustainability of grant activities being performed by sub-
awardees once Federal funding ceases. ODEP will evaluate the proposed 
plan and activities against the following criteria:
    (a) The extent to which the outreach and identification of 
organizations eligible for sub-grant awards appears appropriate, 
reasonable and achievable within the initial months of the grant 
period;
    (b) The extent to which the application process that will be used 
in making sub-awards is straightforward, fiscally responsible, and not 
overly burdensome;
    (c) The extent to which the proposed plan is likely to produce 
positive transition outcomes for young people with disabilities;
    (d) The extent to which partnerships with outside entities and 
funding from additional Federal, state and/or local resources will be 
effectively leveraged and utilized in carrying out grant activities;
    (e) The demonstrated capability of the applicant to effectively 
implement the proposed project;
    (f) The quality of the plan for ensuring sustainability of grant 
activities being performed by sub-awardees once Federal funding ceases;
    (g) The extent to which employers and the education, workforce, and 
disability communities have actively participated or will participate 
in the design and implementation of the proposed project;
    (h) The qualifications, including relevant training and experiences 
of key project personnel;
    (i) The quality of the plan to recruit mentors and mentees;
    (j) The quality of the training that will be provided to mentors; 
and
    (k) The quality of the mechanism that will be used to match youth 
with mentors.

3. Review Process and Evaluation Criteria, Measure(s), Outcomes and 
Reporting/Tracking Mechanisms for Both Intermediary and Sub-awardees 
(35 points)

    This section of the narrative should summarize the intermediary's 
evaluation criteria to thoughtfully examine progress towards project 
goals and objectives.
    Through this grant ODEP and CFBCI seek the following objectives:
    [sbull] A positive measurable impact on transition outcomes of 
young people with disabilities in those target areas who receive grant-
related mentoring services.
    [sbull] A significant increase in the number of faith-based and 
community organizations capable of providing quality mentoring services 
to young people with disabilities and capable of effectively sustaining 
mentoring programs for youth with disabilities through a variety of 
funding sources (e.g., Federal; state; local governments, private 
charitable organizations and foundations); and
    The narrative should specifically and carefully define how the 
intermediary and its sub-awardees will determine success consistent 
with the above objectives for all the proposed activities. The 
narrative should identify an overall goal as to the number of mentees 
to be served under the grant, and should identify the positive 
transition outcomes expected. Positive transition outcomes may include 
placement and retention in employment, completion of educational 
certification, graduation, skills attainment, enrollment in post-
secondary education, etc. In addition, the applicant should provide an 
explanation as to how the applicant will work with its sub-awardees to 
establish interim goals necessary to meet the aforementioned goal and 
objectives. This section of the narrative should also address the 
``methods of evaluation'' that will be used by the intermediary to 
determine the success of the technical assistance efforts provided to 
the intermediary's sub-awardees (including program development) as well 
as the success of the mentoring efforts. In addition, this section of 
the narrative should outline the strategy for documenting and reporting 
the activities undertaken during the life of the grant for ODEP and 
CFBCI's future use in working with other intermediaries.
    ODEP will evaluate the narrative against the following criteria to 
determine whether the goals and objectives, and the plans and 
procedures proposed for achieving them, are innovative, worthwhile, and 
realistic.
    (a) Do the objectives reflect the measurable outcomes of the 
proposed work? (Note: The objectives must be tangible, specific, 
concrete, measurable, and achievable over the life of the grant.)
    (b) Are the methods and activities to achieve the objectives 
adequately described? (Note: These should be consistent with the 
timeline required in criterion 2, and present the order and the date of 
completion (month or quarter) for the accomplishment of the 
intermediary and sub-awardees' tasks.)
    (c) How will the planned work lead to the outcomes anticipated 
during the life of the grant? Are the tasks that will be accomplished 
with the available resources thoroughly and cogently outlined? (Note: 
Early in the planning process, applicants should list the tasks that 
will have to be completed to meet the goals of the project. They can 
then break these into smaller tasks and lay them out in a schedule over 
the grant time period. This will provide a chance to consider what 
personnel, materials, and other resources will be needed to carry out 
the tasks.)
    (d) Is there evidence presented that the accomplishments and 
structures established during the period of grant performance can be 
sustained beyond the life of the grant?

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. The Department staff, or their designees may 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 providers 
in the local area, and project management and administration in 
achieving project objectives.
    Reporting: Grantees will be required to submit quarterly financial 
and narrative progress reports 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

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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 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 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).

Part IX. Review Process and Evaluation Criteria

    All applications will be reviewed for compliance with the 
requirements of this notice. ODEP, CFBCI and other Federal agency staff 
are expected to serve on the technical panel(s) that will review all 
applications against the criteria listed below. ODEP also may utilize 
representatives from faith-based and community organizations and others 
with policy expertise with faith-based and community initiatives that 
have no relation to grant applicants to broaden the perspective of 
review panels. The panel recommendations are advisory in nature and not 
binding on the Grant Officer. The grant officer will fully consider the 
panel recommendations, but take into account other factors to ensure 
the most advantageous award of these funds to accomplish the system-
building purposes outlined in the Summary and Statement of Work. The 
grant officer may consider any information that comes to his or her 
attention and 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 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
Availability of funds.

X. Administration Provisions

A. Administrative Standards and Provisions

    Grantees are strongly encouraged to read these regulations before 
submitting a proposal. The grants 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 Costs

    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.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 10th 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. 03-15114 Filed 6-13-03; 8:45 am]
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