[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 68 (Thursday, April 8, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18629-18652]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-7906]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Workforce Investment Act--Work Incentive Program To Enhance 
Service Delivery for Jobseekers With Disabilities Through the National 
One-Stop Delivery System, Fourth Round Solicitation for Grant 
Applications

    Announcement Type: New. Notice of solicitation for grant 
applications.
    Funding Opportunity Number: SGA/DFA-04-107.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 17.266.
    Key Dates: Deadline for Application Receipt--May 11, 2004.
    Executive Summary: The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Employment 
and Training Administration (ETA), announces the availability of 
approximately $14 million to be granted to qualifying applicants for 
the period of June 2004 to June 2006. The Work Incentive Grant Program 
provides grant funds to entities administering Workforce Investment Act 
Title I programs to augment the One-Stop delivery system to facilitate 
programmatic access and enhanced, streamlined service delivery for 
jobseekers with disabilities, including psychiatric and other hidden 
disabilities.

    Authority: Key provisions relating to the One-Stop delivery 
system and this Solicitation for Grant Applications are at sections 
121, 134(c), and 189(c) of the Workforce Investment Act [29 U.S.C. 
2841, 2864(c), 2939(c)]; the Wagner-Peyser Act [29 U.S.C. 49f(d) and 
(e)]; and Department of Labor Appropriations Act, 2003 [Pub. L. 108-
7]. Key regulations governing Workforce Investment Act programs are 
at 20 CFR parts 652 and 660-671 [65 FR 49294 (August 11, 2000)].

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    1. Overview of the One Stop Career Center System: Section 121 of 
the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) authorizes programs to serve the 
employment and training needs of Americans through the One-Stop Career 
Center system. This system was established through the 1998 passage of 
WIA as the key element in comprehensive reform of existing Federal job 
training programs, with amendments impacting service delivery under the 
adult, dislocated and youth programs, as well as the Wagner-Peyser Act, 
Adult Education and Literacy Act, and the Rehabilitation Act. 
Additional Federal programs are identified as required partners in the 
One-Stop Career Center system with the goal of giving all Americans 
access to comprehensive services, information and resources that can 
help them achieve their career goals. The intention of the One-Stop 
Career Center system is to establish a network of programs and 
providers in co-located and integrated settings that are accessible for 
individuals and businesses in each of the approximately 600 workforce 
investment areas established throughout the nation. WIA established 
state and local Workforce Investment Boards focused on strategic 
planning, policy development, and oversight of the workforce investment 
system, and accorded significant authority to the nation's Governors 
and local chief elected officials to implement innovative and 
comprehensive delivery systems. The vision, goals and objectives for 
workforce development under the WIA decentralized system are described 
in the state strategic plan required under section 112 of the 
legislation. This state strategic workforce investment plan--and the 
operational experience gained by all the partners to date in 
implementing the WIA-instituted reforms--help identify the important 
``unmet needs'' of employers and opportunities to expand access to One-
Stop Career Centers for employers and all population segments within 
the local labor market.
    2. ETA's Division of Disability and Workforce Programs (DDWP): DDWP 
develops and implements disability policy and program initiatives 
related to the workforce system, including cross-agency collaborations 
to address structural barriers to employment. Since the implementation 
of the WIA, ETA has directed funds and resources to improve workforce 
services for persons with disabilities, including those with 
psychiatric and other hidden disabilities. DDWP's major initiatives to 
embrace the population of jobseekers with disabilities are:
     Increasing the value and use of the One-Stop 
Career Center system through the Work Incentive Grants, by providing 
comprehensive informational and assistance services on multiple 
programs for which jobseekers with disabilities are eligible. Eighty-
eight grants have been awarded in three rounds since October 2000 to 
state and/or local workforce investment boards, and to public and 
nonprofit organizations working closely with these entities. The fourth 
round for this initiative is the subject of this SGA. The One-Stop 
Toolkit Web site at http://www.onestoptoolkit.org includes numerous 
training materials, strategies and products developed by grantees to 
assist their workforce investment systems in serving the disability 
community. Reviewing these materials will help you avoid proposing 
activities that duplicate products already available on the Toolkit.
     Enhancing comprehensive services and work 
incentive information for Social Security Administration (SSA) 
beneficiaries and other jobseekers with disabilities through an ETA/SSA 
jointly funded Disability Program Navigator Initiative in 14 states in 
which SSA is establishing employment support initiatives. Information 
on this initiative, and on SSA's Ticket to Work and Work Incentive 
Improvement Act

[[Page 18630]]

(Training and Employment Notice No. 6-02), can be found at http://wdsc.doleta.gov/disability.
     Improving training and career opportunities and 
outcomes for jobseekers with disabilities through grants focused on 
innovative skill training and systems change. Twelve multi-site 
Disability Employment Grants totaling $5.5 million were awarded in 2002 
to showcase innovative training options within the One-Stop Career 
Center system for people with significant disabilities. DDWP also 
administers several Disability Information Technology (IT) Grants, 
awarded in June 2001 to improve employment opportunities for people 
with disabilities through intensive IT skills training and close 
working partnerships with the IT employer community.
    Please note that the Department of Labor's Office of Disability 
Employment Policy (ODEP) has also awarded a number of grants to the 
workforce system related to customized employment and youth services 
for persons with disabilities. Information on these grants can be 
obtained at http://dol/odep.gov.
    3. Problem Statement: People who have disabilities want and need to 
work. Employers need a qualified work force. Communities work best when 
their citizens are productive. Yet a distressingly low percentage of 
working age people with disabilities is employed. The Social Security 
Administration provides benefits to nearly 13 million people with 
disabilities at a cost of more than $100 billion annually; 48% of those 
under 60 have a mental disability. The rate of job entry or reentry 
into the workforce of SSA disability beneficiaries, including those 
with psychiatric disabilities, has historically been less than \1/2\ of 
1%. President Bush announced the New Freedom Initiative in February 
2001 to address this serious unemployment situation and to advance 
community integration of individuals with disabilities. Reasons for the 
low employment levels in this population include fragmented funding 
sources, differing criteria and priorities for these resources, 
misconceptions among jobseekers with disabilities about integrative 
support systems as well as about losing benefits if they become 
employed, fear of employing jobseekers with disabilities, a history of 
inflexible referral protocols, and inconsistent staff training across 
systems. Our Work Incentive Grant program confronts these issues.
    4. Objectives for Round IV of Work Incentive Grants: The Work 
Incentive Grant program is consistent with the objectives of the 
President's New Freedom Initiative, signed on February 1, 2001, to 
increase employment opportunities and promote the full participation of 
people with disabilities in all areas of society. These Fourth Round 
Work Incentive Grants will emphasize:
     Improving the One-Stop system for jobseekers 
with disabilities through implementing strategies for physical, 
communication and programmatic access to One-Stop services for persons 
with disabilities, including psychiatric disabilities, and facilitating 
coordination and collaboration of multiple agencies and providers that 
impact job seekers with disabilities;
     Enhancing comprehensive services through 
implementation of Disability Program Navigator strategies; and
     Increasing the number of people with 
disabilities served under WIA and employment outcomes for jobseekers 
with disabilities, including psychiatric and other hidden disabilities, 
accessing WIA Title I and Wagner-Peyser programs.

II. Award Information

    1. Type of assistance instrument: Two year grant.
    2. Amount of funds to be awarded: Through this fourth Work 
Incentive Grant Program SGA, ETA will award approximately $14 million 
in funds made available under the DOL Fiscal Year 2003 appropriation.
    3. Anticipated number of awards: Approximately 30 grants will be 
awarded under this SGA.
    4. Expected amounts of individual awards: We anticipate awarding 
grants of up to $600,000 to WIA Title I and Wagner-Peyser administering 
entities, including State or local Workforce Investment Boards. Grant 
awards will be limited to $600,000 for state-wide grants, $400,000 for 
proposals covering more than one workforce investment area, and 
$200,000 for a single workforce investment area.
    5. Anticipated start date and period of performance for awards: 
Work Incentive Grants will be funded for the period of June 2004 
through June 30, 2006. Funds must be expended by this date or will 
revert to the U.S. Treasury. ETA cannot provide a no-cost extension 
beyond June 30, 2006 since these funds are only available up to and 
including that date.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: Five types of applicants are eligible to 
apply for these grants:
     The state organizational entity that administers 
Workforce Investment Act Title I and Wagner-Peyser programs in 
partnership with its state level Workforce Investment Board;
     The state level Workforce Investment Board in 
partnership with its state organizational entity that administers WIA 
Title I and Wagner-Peyser programs;
     A local Workforce Investment Board in 
partnership with its One-Stop Career Center operators;
     Consortia of local Workforce Investment Boards 
in partnerships with their One-Stop Career Center operators; and
     Indian and Native American tribal entities, or 
consortia of tribes.
    It is important to note the following eligibility factors:
     The Grant Officer will take into account whether 
applicants have received a prior grant, or current grant funded in 
Round III, with the intent of providing preference to workforce 
investment areas that have not previously received a Work Incentive 
Grant. In general, additional grant funds will not be awarded to 
workforce investment areas under Round III WIGs since these grants are 
funded through June 2005.
     Fourteen (14) states have entered into 
cooperative agreements with ETA to implement the Disability Program 
Navigator initiative. Additional funds will be available to those 
states under the Interagency Agreement between ETA and SSA. In general, 
additional grant funds under this fourth WIG solicitation will not be 
awarded to state and/or local areas that are in the fourteen states. 
The fourteen (14) Navigator states are: Arizona, California, Colorado, 
Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, 
Oklahoma, South Carolina, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
     The grantee will be expected to perform both 
administrative and operational responsibilities for the grant; 
subcontracting out of these functions will not be allowed.
     The Department will give preference to states 
and local workforce area(s) that have not previously received a Work 
Incentive Grant. Please note that a complete list of prior and current 
Work Incentive Grants and Disability Program Navigator cooperative 
agreements is provided at ETA's disability Online Web site: http://wdsc.doleta.gov/disability/.
     ETA encourages state and local workforce area(s) 
that have previously received a Work Incentive Grant to focus their 
proposal during this fourth round WIG on implementing Disability 
Program Navigator positions. We expect that significant progress has 
already

[[Page 18631]]

been made under the prior WIG and that implementation of Navigators 
would be the most productive application of resources available under 
the fourth round WIG.
     Applications involving one or more local 
workforce investment areas must include letters of commitment from each 
local board covered under the proposal, or one letter signed by all 
participating local boards (commitment letter(s) are not counted 
against the page limits). Please note that letters from local boards 
are not required for state level proposals.
     Proposals for tribal entities should coordinate 
services and enhance a One-Stop system approach for jobseekers with 
disabilities in specific Indian communities or covering multiple tribal 
entities that may cut across multiple states and/or workforce 
investment areas. In such cases, letters of commitment from local 
boards are not required. Grants to Indian and Native American tribal 
grantees are treated differently because of sovereignty and self-
governance principles established under the Indian Self-Determination 
and Education Assistance Act allowing for the government-to-government 
relationship between the federal and tribal governments.
    2. Cost Sharing and Matching Funds: Identification of funds related 
to cost sharing, matching funding, or in-kind participation is not 
required from applicants for this grant opportunity and, therefore, 
specific dollar amounts associated with public or private contributions 
will not be considered in the review and decision of award by the Grant 
Officer. At the same time, ETA encourages applicants to leverage 
funding resources in the delivery of One-Stop Career Center services to 
job seekers with disabilities, as well as coordinate other activities 
across state and local disability or workforce initiatives, when 
applicable, as these are primary goals of the Work Incentive Grant 
program.
    3. Other Eligibility Criteria: ETA encourages applicants to develop 
partnerships with disability-related public and private organizations 
in the development and implementation plan. Such organizations may 
include: State Councils for Independent Living and local Centers for 
Independent Living; state mental health agencies, state mental 
retardation and Developmental Disability Councils; Temporary Assistance 
for Needy Families (TANF) agencies; and other private, non-profit 
organizations such as disability advocacy and providers and community-
based and faith-based organizations that provide services for people 
with disabilities.
    Except as specifically provided, DOL/ETA's acceptance of a proposal 
and an award of Federal funds to sponsor any program(s) does not 
provide a waiver of any grant requirement and/or procedures. For 
example, the OMB circulars stipulate that an entity's entire 
procurement procedures and transactions, including subcontracts, must 
provide for free and open competition. If a proposal identifies a 
specific entity to provide the services, the DOL/ETA's award does not 
provide the justification or basis to sole-source the procurement, 
i.e., avoid competition, unless the activity is regarded as the primary 
work of an official partner to the application. The official partner 
must therefore identify the work it intends to do within the grant 
application and attach a letter of agreement to this effect.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: This SGA contains all of 
the information and forms needed to apply for grant funding.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: A cover letter, the 
original proposal, plus three copies of the proposal must be submitted. 
In the original proposal, the SF 424 must be signed in blue ink. 
Applications must include two separate parts--Part I provides financial 
and budget information; Part II provides the statement of work.

Part I

    Part I of the application must contain the Standard Form (SF) 424, 
``Application for Federal Assistance'' and a fully completed Budget 
Information Form (see Appendix ). The SF 424 and the Budget Information 
forms are also available at http://wdsc.doleta.gov/sga/forms.asp. The 
SF 424 must clearly identify the applicant (i.e., the fiscal agent) and 
be signed with original signatures by the representative authorized by 
the governing body of the applicant to enter into the grant agreement. 
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 which engages in lobbying activities 
shall not be eligible for the receipt of Federal funds constituting an 
award, grant, or loan.
    Dun and Bradstreet Number. Beginning October 12, 2003, all 
applicants for Federal grant and funding opportunities are required to 
have a Dun and Bradstreet (DUNS) number. See OMB Notice of Final Policy 
Issuance, 68 FR 38402 (June 27, 2003). Applicants must supply their 
DUNS number in item 5 of the new SF-424 issued by OMB (Rev. 9-
2003). See Attachment A. The DUNS number is a nine-digit identification 
number that uniquely identifies business entities. Obtaining a DUNS 
number is easy and there is no charge. To obtain a DUNS number, access 
this Web site: www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-5711.
    Financial Narrative. The Budget Information Form must incorporate 
financial narrative information that describes all costs associated 
with implementing the activities to be covered with grant funds. 
Applicants should anticipate, for their travel budget, costs for three 
key staff to attend an annual policy and training meeting in 
Washington, DC, and one or two regional meetings.

Part II

    Part II--Technical Proposal contains an Executive Summary and the 
Statement of Work that provides narrative information on your plans for 
carrying out the objectives of the Work Incentive Grant. With the 
exception of the two-page single-spaced executive summary, the Part II 
Statement of Work narrative must not exceed 30 pages, double-spaced on 
single-sided, numbered pages with a 12-point font required throughout. 
Please note that letters of commitment from local boards, and official 
partnership agreements, do not count against the page limitations; 
however, general letters of support for the application will count 
against the page limit.
    The Executive Summary, or Abstract, summarizes the proposal and the 
primary objectives and scope of activities to be covered, including how 
activities address the Statement of Work criteria. Demonstrate that 
these activities are new and unique to the geographic area entailed. In 
addition, include the following information in the Executive Summary:
     The number of workforce investment areas in the 
state and the number of comprehensive One-Stop Career Centers in the 
state, and the workforce area(s) to be covered in the grant proposal.
     The extent to which physical, programmatic and 
communication access has been achieved in the One-Stop Career Center(s) 
for persons with disabilities and how the proposal will address 
deficiencies, if applicable.

[[Page 18632]]

     The core, intensive and training service levels 
for persons with disabilities compared to all participants in WIA Title 
I adult, dislocated worker, and youth programs, and labor exchange 
services under Wagner-Peyser, and activity levels planned under the 
proposal.
     The percentage of people with disabilities in 
the state and/or local area, including the percentage of people who are 
beneficiaries of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or 
Social Security Income Program (SSI).
     The most recent unemployment rate(s) in the 
workforce investment area(s) covering the project, including short and 
long-range employment projections.
     A description of primary industries in the 
workforce investment area(s), including new or emerging industries that 
are projected to expand and occupational skills in most demand.
     Partners, if any, who will be collaborating on 
proposal activities.
    The Statement of Work narrative represents your plan to meet the 
system-building objectives of this SGA to increase, enhance, and 
improve services for jobseekers with disabilities, including 
psychiatric disabilities, with verifiable training and employment 
outcomes, in the nation's workforce investment system.
    (i) Statement of Need;
    (ii) Workplan to Increase Comprehensive Services and Enhance One-
Stop Career Center Services: Choose (1) or (2).
    (1) Comprehensive One-Stop Career Center Strategies
    (2) Staff Capacity--Disability Program Navigator
    (iii) Annotated Project Timeline
    (iv) Improve Participation and Employment Outcomes for Persons with 
Disabilities
    (v) Plan to Sustain Activities Beyond WIG IV Funding
    The Work Incentive Grant program represents an important element of 
an overall strategy to improve employment and workforce participation 
of people with disabilities, including psychiatric disabilities, 
through access to the One-Stop Career Center system. Your proposal 
should seek to:
     Workplan 1: Increase comprehensive service 
delivery through increased outreach and coordination with organizations 
that serve jobseekers with disabilities, especially in States and local 
workforce areas that have not previously received a Work Incentive 
Grant and may not have adequate services in place.
     Or Workplan 2: Enhance One-Stop Career Center 
service delivery through expanded implementation of Disability Program 
Navigator positions, especially in states and local areas that have 
previously received a Work Incentive Grant. (As indicated above, 14 
states funded through Disability Program Navigator initiative will 
continue to receive funding support through their cooperative agreement 
rather than this fourth round WIG solicitation.)
     All applications: Improve the number of people 
with disabilities registered and participating in WIA Title I or 
Wagner-Peyser programs as well as improving their employment outcomes 
and career advancement and plan for sustainability.
    Part II consists of the following parts; which are described in 
detail in section V(1) Criteria.

                                           Part II: Statement of Work
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Categories                    Maximum pages, double spaced               Maximum points
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) Statement of Need....................  5 pages...........................  15 points.
(B) Workplan 1 or 2......................  10 pages..........................  40 points.
(C) Timeline.............................  5 pages...........................  15 points.
(D) Improve Participation and Employment   5 pages...........................  15 points.
 Outcomes.
(E) Plans to Sustain WIG Activities......  5 pages...........................  15 points.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    3. Submission Dates and Addresses:
    Dates: The closing date for receipt of applications is May 11th, 
2004. Applications must be received by 4 p.m. (eastern standard time) 
at the address below: Applications sent by e-mail, telegram, or 
telefacsimile (fax) will not be accepted. Applicants are advised that 
the Department's receipt of mail has encountered delays because of mail 
screening procedures at local post offices.
    Addresses: Applications must be mailed to: U.S. Department of 
Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Division of Federal 
Assistance, Attention: Eric Luetkenhaus, Reference: SGA/DFA 04-107, 200 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Room N-4438, Washington, DC 20210.
    Hand Delivered Proposals: If proposals are hand delivered, they 
must be received at the designated address by 4 p.m., eastern time on 
May 11th, 2004. All overnight mail will be considered to be hand 
delivered and must be received at the designated place by the specified 
closing date and time. Telegraphed, e-mail and/or fax proposals will 
not be honored. Failure to adhere to the above instructions will be a 
basis for determination of non-responsiveness.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This funding opportunity is not 
subject to Executive Order (EO) 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of 
Federal Programs.''
    5. Funding Restrictions: All proposed costs should be necessary and 
reasonable according to the Federal guidelines set forth in the 
``Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative 
Agreements to State and Local Governments'' codified at 29 CFR part 97, 
and ``Grants and Agreements with Institutes of Higher Education, 
Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations'' 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). There is no 
administrative cost limitation under the WIG funding authority and the 
nature of the WIG program assumes that the majority of applicable costs 
will be administrative in nature. The cost of procurement or 
implementation of software or hardware to assure assistive and 
accessible technologies in the One-Stop setting may account for up to 
40% of the budget if warranted by compelling need.
    6. Other Submission Requirements: Late Proposals. A proposal 
received at the designated office after the exact time specified for 
receipt will not be considered unless it is received before the award 
is made and it:
     Was sent by U.S. Postal Service registered or 
certified mail not later than the fifth day (5th) calendar day before 
the closing date specified for receipt of applications (e.g., an offer 
submitted in response to a solicitation requiring receipt of 
application by the 20th of the month must be mailed by the 15th); or

[[Page 18633]]

     Was sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail 
Next Day Service, Post Office to Addressee, not later than 5 p.m. at 
the place of mailing two working days prior to the deadline date 
specified for receipt of proposals in this SGA. The term ``working 
days'' excludes weekends and U.S. Federal holidays.
    The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of an 
application received after the deadline date for the receipt of 
proposals sent by the U.S. Postal Service registered or certified mail 
is the U.S. post mark on the envelope or wrapper affixed by the U.S. 
Postal Service and on the original receipt from the U.S. Postal 
Service. The term ``post mark'' means a printed, stamped, or otherwise 
placed impression (exclusive of a postage meter machine impression) 
that is identifiable without further action as having been supplied or 
affixed on the date of mailing by employees of the U.S. Postal Service.
    Withdrawal of Applications. Applications may be withdrawn by 
written notice or telegram (including mailgram) received at any time 
before an award is made. Application may be withdrawn in person by the 
applicant or by an authorized representative thereof, if the 
representative's identify is made known and the representative signs a 
receipt for the proposal.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Criteria: Applications will be reviewed based upon the following 
criteria:

A. Statement of Need (Not To Exceed 5 Double-Spaced Pages; Maximum of 
15 Points)

    Your Statement of Need will be evaluated on (1) the overall status 
of disability-related issues in the workforce investment areas covered 
by your proposal; (2) the One-Stop Career Center system's strengths and 
deficiencies that you and the One-Stop Career Center system will 
address; and (3) your past performance in supporting service delivery 
to people with disabilities. Please note: To learn about the ETA and 
ODEP grants in your state and local area, see http://wdsc.doleta.gov/disability/ and click on Grants and Contracts on the menu to the left. 
At this site you can view a map indicating the location of related 
grants awarded in your area. To learn about the work of previously 
awarded Work Incentive Grants, go to http://www.onestoptoolkit.org.
     Describe the level of expertise of the One-Stop 
system in the local area(s) addressed in the grant and the project 
plans for addressing inadequacies.
     Describe the overall status and actions taken 
to-date by the One-Stop delivery system to address services to people 
with disabilities, including levels of participation and outcomes in 
core, intensive and training services.
     For the state or local workforce area(s) related 
to your proposal, identify WIA Title I adult, dislocated worker, and 
youth program and Wagner-Peyser data covering the past two Program 
Years (PY) for the:
    (1) number and percent of people with disabilities participating or 
exiting the programs compared with that of all individuals served; and
    (2) number and percent of people with disabilities that entered 
employment compared with employment outcomes of all individuals exiting 
these programs.
     Identify whether a Work Incentive Grant award 
was received in the October 2000 or May 2002 award announcements along 
with accomplishments and reasons for application to this solicitation.
     Identify whether Disability Program Navigator(s) 
have been implemented in the state or local workforce investment 
area(s) under previous Work Incentive or other grants.
     Identify whether an Office of Disability 
Employment Policy grant has been received in the workforce investment 
area(s) and how activities will be coordinated with this project 
proposal.
     Identify the status of physical accessibility of 
state and/or local One-Stop Career Center facilities and plans for 
addressing deficiencies.
     Identify the status of programmatic 
accessibility and plans for addressing deficiencies.
     Identify the status of communication 
accessibility--including availability of assistive technology--in your 
One-Stop Career Centers and plans for addressing deficiencies.
     Describe significant deficiencies in the state 
or local workforce investment system that represent barriers to 
employment for people with disabilities and what will be accomplished 
under this grant to address them.
     Identify ETA, ODEP or other grants and resources 
in the state or local workforce area(s) which impact the delivery of 
such services as well as the unmet needs of job seekers with 
disabilities and can be used to enhance your project.
     Identify additional state and/or local funds and 
resources, if any, that will be used to support the overall objectives 
of the grant and will assist in addressing the identified issues of the 
grant project.

B. Workplan To Increase Comprehensive Services and Enhance One-Stop 
Career Center Services (Not To Exceed 10 Double-Spaced Pages; Maximum 
of 40 Points)

    The purpose of the Workplan criteria is to identify the approach 
proposed by the grantee to establish a welcoming and seamless One-Stop 
Career Center service delivery system for persons with disabilities, 
that addresses identified needs described under Section B (Statement of 
Need), and achieves Work Incentive Grant objectives. In general, 
achieving a seamless system requires extensive linkages and on-site 
knowledge of applicable resources that address multiple disability 
issues and barriers to employment that are commonly experienced by 
persons with disabilities. Disability issues are often very complex and 
the disability community is very diverse. These factors present 
significant challenges to the workforce system in providing effective 
services to individuals with disabilities. At the same time, the 
comprehensive nature of the One-Stop Career Center system establishes a 
workforce infrastructure that is uniquely positioned to provide the 
kind of seamless service delivery that the disability community has 
long been seeking. Some workforce investment areas have made great 
strides in achieving universal access for their customers with 
disabilities while others are at a more preliminary stage with minimal 
services or assistive technology available.
    Based upon the progress to-date achieved by the applicant and their 
One-Stop Career Center system, we request that you identify the primary 
approach of your proposal in terms of addressing Workplan (1) or (2) 
described below. Although you may select both options when such an 
approach will best address shortcomings in your current system, your 
Workplan description must provide your rational for selecting either 
(1) or (2) or both. As noted above, we are encouraging prior recipients 
of Work Incentive Grants to focus solely on Workplan (2): establishing 
Disability Program Navigator positions.
    (1) Workplan to Address Systemic One-Stop Career Center. This 
section addresses universal access and model One-Stop services for job 
seekers with disabilities, including psychiatric disabilities, in a way 
that is distinct from implementing Disability Program Navigator 
positions.
     Describe the activities you will implement to 
maintain and expand the service structure for individuals with

[[Page 18634]]

disabilities who are accessing the workforce investment system. Include 
capacity building of the Employment Service component of the One-Stop 
system.
     Identify plans to address accessibility needs of 
your One-Stop Career Centers and plans to procure and implement 
accessible technologies, including video interpreting services for 
clients who are deaf, and how these activities will meet current system 
deficiencies.
     Describe plans to improve access to One-Stop 
Career Center services for customers with disabilities involving: (1) 
Inclusion in core, intensive and training services; (2) referral 
processes for Vocational Rehabilitation services or other agency 
programs; (3) joint funding of training and supportive services with 
Vocational Rehabilitation or other available resources; and (4) plans 
for establishing common intake or other administrative procedures that 
reduce duplication.
     Identify plans to implement assessment tools or 
procedures to help identify individuals with learning disabilities in 
the One-Stop delivery system and plans for implementing additional 
tools, if applicable.
     Describe plans for outreach, marketing, 
training, or on-going coordination and collaboration to the disability 
community and organizations that represent or work with people with 
disabilities. These entities, programs or systems may include but are 
not limited to: State and local Independent Living Center (CIL) 
systems, mental health departments, mental retardation/developmental 
disability agencies, State Councils on Developmental Disabilities, 
State Vocational Rehabilitation, and other local provider or advocate 
organizations, Regional Disability Business and Technical Assistance 
Centers (DBTAC's) and State Governors Committees on Employment of 
People with Disabilities, Learning Disabilities and Training 
Dissemination hub centers established under grants from the U.S. 
Department of Education's Office of Vocational and Adult Education, 
faith-based organizations and other community-based organizations, 
Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach specialists funded by SSA, 
Medicaid and Medicare system, including infrastructure grants and 
Medicaid buy-in provisions, Employment Networks (EN) established under 
the Ticket to Work and Work Incentive Improvement Act (TWWIIA).
     Identify whether you are an EN under the Ticket 
to Work program and whether you plan to become an EN as part of your 
grant activities.
     Describe specific state or local area provisions 
regarding Medicaid and/or Medicare coverage, the current transportation 
infrastructure, and how individuals with disabilities will access 
training, employment, housing, food stamps and other supportive 
services;
     Describe other plans, as applicable, under your 
proposal that will address or facilitate other improvements to your 
state or local One-Stop Career Center system.
    (2) Workplan to Implement Disability Program Navigator Positions. 
These criteria build upon the joint ETA/SSA Disability Program 
Navigator (DPN) initiative underway and provide for additional states 
or local areas to establish similar positions through the WIG program.
    The ETA/SSA position description (PD) for the Navigator is attached 
(Attachment D) to this SGA for guidance on establishing Disability 
Program Navigator positions in the One-Stop Career Center system. The 
PD is neither prescriptive nor all-inclusive; rather, it provides 
examples of the roles and functions of such a position depending upon 
the needs of the One-Stop and the skills and talents of the individual 
Navigator. We encourage you to consider hiring people with disabilities 
for the Navigator position(s) since, in general, they are intimately 
familiar with barriers to employment that others with disabilities 
face.
    Navigators established under this grant will be expected to 
participate in training and technical assistance activities provided 
under ETA's Disability Program Navigator initiative that is currently 
functioning in 14 states. We will also expect that Navigator activities 
will be coordinated throughout a state, to the extent there is more 
than one Navigator, funded under this or other WIG or Disability 
Program Navigator grants (this may not be known at time of proposal and 
we will facilitate coordination when applicable subsequent to grant 
award).
    Plans to implement Disability Program Navigator positions must 
identify:
     Administrative support;
     The hiring process;
     Management and supervision responsibility;
     Workforce investment area(s) that will include 
Navigators;
     One-Stop Career Center(s) to which Navigators 
will be assigned; and
     Anticipated role the Disability Program 
Navigator(s) will fill in the workforce investment area(s) over the 
course of the grant (as it relates to the attached Navigator PD).
    State level proposals focused on implementing Disability Program 
Navigator positions should identify a state project lead to work 
closely with ETA and the University of Iowa's Law, Health Policy and 
Disability Center and their Rehabilitation Research and Training Center 
(RRTC) that provides training and technical assistance to this national 
initiative. Proposals involving single or multiple workforce areas will 
also be expected to coordinate their implementation with ETA and the 
RRTC, and work with a state Navigator project lead if s/he has been 
established under this or other ETA grant awards.

C. Annotated Project Timeline: (Not To Exceed 5 Pages; Maximum of 15 
Points)

    You must complete and annotate a Project Timeline related to your 
activities proposed in the applicable Workplan section above. A model 
``timeline'' is attached (Attachment C). Please provide additional 
timeline information as applicable. Provide:
     Goals, objectives, responsibilities, 
implementation strategies and time frames, expected outcomes, and 
evaluation indicators for assuring your successful completion of 
critical activities.
     Project organizational chart that identifies key 
management staff and their responsibilities, with a matrix of 
organizational responsibilities of key partner organizations, if 
applicable.

D. Improve Participation and Employment Outcomes for Persons With 
Disabilities (Not To exceed Five Double-Spaced Pages; Maximum of 15 
Points)

    These criteria seek to identify: (1) How you will increase 
services, skill training, employment outcomes, job retention and career 
advancement for persons with disabilities utilizing WIA Title I and 
Wagner-Peyser services and programs to achieve the Government 
Performance and Results Act (GPRA) goals for the Work Incentive Grant 
program; (2) how you will coordinate services and training with other 
programs or resources for which these individuals may be eligible and 
that may impact successful employment outcomes; and (3) how you will 
work to sustain programs and achievements beyond the period of 
performance.

    Please note: Employment with special wage provisions authorized 
under section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (29 U.S.C. 214) 
is not considered a positive employment outcome for the purpose of 
Work Incentive Grants.

    Proposed GPRA goals for PY 2004 and PY 2005 for Work Incentive 
Grants are:
     Eight percent (8%) of participants served in 
adult, dislocated worker, and

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youth programs will be persons with disabilities in workforce 
investment areas that receive Work Incentive Grants. (6.5% of total 
participants were persons with disabilities in PY 2001)
     Seventy percent (70%) of participants with 
disabilities that exit the WIA adult, dislocated worker and adult youth 
programs in workforce areas receiving grants will enter employment (65% 
of WIA exiters with disabilities entered employment during April 1, 
2001-March 31, 2002)
     A measure of efficiency will be calculated. 
Total costs of the grant will be divided by the total participants in 
the workforce investment areas funded under the grant.
    Please remember that Work Incentive Grant funds are not to be used 
for direct training of participants; therefore, intensive and training 
funds must be made available through WIA program and/or other mandated 
(or non-mandated) partner resources in order to meet participant 
employment goals and objectives. If you do blend resources across 
funding streams, it is accepted practice under WIA to report 
participant services and outcomes for each program involved.
    Provide the following levels of planned services under state 
Wagner-Peyser (e.g., Job Service, Employment Service, Labor Exchange), 
state or local WIA Title I adult, dislocated worker and youth programs, 
and planned levels of services and outcomes under the proposed grant 
for participants in these programs (planned goals do not have to be at 
the level of national GPRA goals; however, state and local workforce 
area(s) should be working towards these goals):

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Wagner-Peyser/Labor exchange           Wagner-Peyser/Labor exchange
                                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Served (registered)                     Entered employment
        State or local WIA        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Total No.
                                   Total No.    No. with    Percent with    entered     No. with    Percent with
                                     served   disabilities  disabilities  employment  disabilities  disabilities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   .........  ............  ............  ..........  ............  ............
----------------------------------
                                   .........  ............  ............  ..........  ............  ............
----------------------------------
                                   .........  ............  ............  ..........  ............  ............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Adult, dislocated worker, and youth     Adult, dislocated worker, and youth
                                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Served (registered)                     Entered employment
        State or local WIA        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Total No.
                                   Total No.    No. with    Percent with    entered     No. with    Percent with
                                     served   disabilities  disabilities  employment  disabilities  disabilities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   .........  ............  ............  ..........  ............  ............
----------------------------------
                                   .........  ............  ............  ..........  ............  ............
----------------------------------
                                   .........  ............  ............  ..........  ............  ............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Your narrative must include the following information for this 
criterion.
     Describe your strategy for increasing the number 
and percent of people with disabilities served, trained and placed into 
unsubsidized employment through WIA Title I and Wagner-Peyser programs. 
Your state or local workforce area(s) may already be serving and 
achieving employment levels for persons with disabilities that are at 
or above the GPRA goals identified. If that is the case, please 
identify actions to be taken to sustain these levels of performance.
     Identify how joint funding of training or 
employment services may be leveraged across available programs to which 
job seekers with disabilities may be eligible, including Vocational 
Rehabilitation services.
     Identify how your planned activities to train 
and place individuals with disabilities will meet employer skill 
shortage needs, including how available federal and state tax 
incentives will be utilized or marketed to improve employment outcomes.
     Identify the extent to which planned training 
for customers with disabilities will be provided through the state or 
local community college system.
     Within demand industries and occupations in the 
labor market to be served, describe a plan for identifying growth 
occupations with positive earnings trajectories and their education and 
training requirements and how job seekers with disabilities will be 
included.
     Describe how public supports needed by people 
with disabilities may be affected by their employment or training and 
state or local conditions, and then describe your proposed actions to 
sustain benefits and services following successful job placement. For 
example, does the state or local area have provisions to continue 
supported or Section 8A housing (The Housing Act of 1992, Title IV), 
where applicable, for individuals who enter unsubsidized employment?
     Provide the following information concerning 
developing or providing skill training and employment opportunities for 
individuals with disabilities within the local workforce investment 
area:

--Plans for using on-the-job training opportunities;
--Approaches for mentoring adults and youth through faith-based and 
community-based organizations, employers, and Independent Living 
Centers, among others;
--Strategies to foster entrepreneurial and self-employment options;
--Strategies to increase employment outcomes through individualized or 
customized job development;

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--Plans for Individual Development Accounts and other asset building 
programs for control of training funds, Vocational Rehabilitation 
funds, Individual Training Accounts, and other funds to which these 
individuals may have access (e.g., Medicaid personal assistance 
services);
--Strategies to incorporate apprenticeship into planned career 
opportunities;
--Strategies to deploy Plans for Achieving Self-Support (PASS), tickets 
under the SSA Ticket to Work program, or other SSA work incentives when 
providing services for beneficiaries of SSDI and SSI programs;
--Strategies to sustain projects and achievements beyond the period of 
performance; and
--Approaches for developing employer relationships such as linkages 
with Business Leadership Networks (BLNs) in achieving employment 
outcomes for people with disabilities.

E. Plans To Sustain the Activities Beyond WIG IV Funding (Not To Exceed 
5 Double-Spaced Pages; Maximum of 15 Points)

    Identify state or local workforce plans to sustain activities or 
accomplishments to be achieved under your proposal. What approaches do 
you envision to achieve permanent, systemic change? What approach is 
planned to assure increased coordination of services of mandated and 
non-mandated partner programs that impact successful employment of job 
seekers with disabilities following the end of the grant? If Navigators 
are planned under your proposal, how will these positions continue to 
be supported at the end of the grant? We would like to make sure that 
state and local workforce areas are looking beyond the end of this 
grant as part of institutionalizing the goals and objectives of the 
Work Incentive Grant program to increase, enhance and improve services 
and outcomes for people with disabilities accessing the workforce 
program.
    2. Review and Selection Process:
     Technical review panels will evaluate each 
application against the rating criteria listed in this SGA. Priority 
will be given to applicants from states in which a work incentive grant 
has yet to be awarded.
     The Department may elect to award grants either 
with or without discussions with the offeror. In situations without 
discussions, an award will be based on the offeror's signature on the 
SF 424, which constitutes a binding offer.
     The panel recommendations are advisory and not 
binding on the Grant Officer. The ETA grant officer will fully consider 
the panel recommendations but take into account geographic dispersion, 
program balance, diversity, the availability of funds, and other 
factors to ensure the most advantageous award of these funds to 
accomplish the system-building purposes outlined in this SGA. Please 
note that Disability Program Navigator initiative states may be 
expanded through cooperative agreements established in June 2003 rather 
than through awards under this Work Incentive Grant solicitation.

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: All award notifications will be posted on the ETA 
Homepage at http://www.doleta.gov. Grant awards will be made no later 
than June 30, 2004.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: Grantees must 
comply with the following provisions:
     29 CFR parts 30, 31, 32, 33 and 36--Equal 
Employment Opportunity in Apprenticeship and Training; 
Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs of the Department of 
Labor-Effectuation of the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; 
Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap in Programs or Activities 
Conducted by the Department of Labor; and Nondiscrimination on the 
Basis of Sex in Education Programs Receiving or Benefiting from Federal 
Financial Assistance;
     29 CFR part 37--Implementation of the 
Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Provisions of the Workforce 
Investment Act of 1988 (WIA);
     29 CFR part 93--Lobbying;
     29 CFR part 95--Uniform Administrative 
Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher 
Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations, and with 
Commercial Organizations;
     29 CFR PART 96--Audit Requirements for Grants, 
Contracts and Other Agreements;
     29 CFR part 97--Uniform Administrative 
Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local 
Governments;
     29 CFR part 98--Governmentwide Debarment and 
Suspension (Non-Procurement) and Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-
Free Workplace;
     29 CFR part 99--Audit of States, Local 
Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations.
    In accordance with section 18 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 
1995, Public Law 104-65 (2 U.S.C. 1611) non-profit entities 
incorporated under Internal Revenue Service Code section 501(c)(4) that 
engage in lobbying activities are not eligible to receive Federal funds 
and grants. Further, this program is subject to the provisions of the 
``Jobs for Veterans Act,'' Public Law 107-288, which provides priority 
of service to veterans and spouses of certain veterans for the receipt 
of employment, training, and placement services in any job training 
program directly funded, in whole or in part, by the Department of 
Labor. Please note that, to obtain priority of service, a veteran must 
meet the program's eligibility requirements. ETA Training and 
Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 5-03 (September 16, 2003) 
provides general guidance on the scope of the veterans priority statute 
and its effect on current employment and training programs. DOL 
anticipates updating this guidance at the time of WIA reauthorization 
and issuing individual guidance on each affected employment and 
training program.
    3. Reporting, Monitoring and Technical Assistance: We require two 
types of progress reports during each quarter, or three month period, 
during the period of performance: quarterly narrative progress and 
financial reports. Disability Program Navigator positions may require 
an additional progress report. Quarterly reports are due within 30 days 
following the end of each quarter (ending on September 30, December 31, 
March 31, and June 30) from the date of grant award. It is likely that 
grant funds will be awarded by early June 2004 and the first quarterly 
reports will be due 30 days following September 30, 2004. Between 
reporting dates, the grantee shall also immediately inform the assigned 
ETA Federal Project Officer of significant developments and/or problems 
affecting the grantee's ability to accomplish the Workplan. At the end 
of the grant, the grantee must also prepare and submit a final report 
summarizing all accomplishments under the grant. The format of all 
reports and submission instructions will be provided following grant 
award.
    ETA is responsible for ensuring effective implementation of each 
competitive grant project through active technical assistance and on-
site project monitoring. This monitoring will focus on timely project 
implementation in accordance with the Workplan and Timeline, the 
appropriate expenditure of grant funds, integration and coordination 
with other service providers in the local area, and the effectiveness 
of project management in achieving project goals. Finally, on-site

[[Page 18637]]

monitoring will examine the fruitfulness of efforts to build 
sustainability.
    We will provide extensive technical assistance over the duration of 
the Round IV Work Incentive Grant through ETA's contract with the 
University of Iowa's Law, Health Policy and Disability Center and their 
Research Rehabilitation and Training Center on Workforce Investment and 
Employment Policy for Persons with Disabilities. Technical assistance 
and training will include extensive information sharing across grantees 
as well as numerous topical phone conferences. The selected grantees 
will also share responsibility for identifying, showcasing and 
replicating successful instances of involvement in the One-Stop system 
by partners and organizations assisting jobseekers with disabilities.

VII. Agency Contacts

    Questions should be faxed to Eric Luetkenhaus, Grant Officer, 
Division of Federal Assistance at (202) 693-2705 (This is not a toll 
free number). All inquiries should include the SGA/DFA 04-107 and a 
contact name, fax and phone number. For more information contact Mr. 
Luetkenhaus at 202-693-3109 (This is not a toll free number). This 
solicitation will be also published on the Internet, on ETA's 
disability online home page at http://wdsc.doleta.gov/disability/, and 
the ETA home page at http://www.doleta.gov. Award notifications will 
also be published on the ETA home page.

    Signed in Washington, DC, this 2nd of April, 2004.
Eric D. Luetkenhaus,
Grant Officer, Employment and Training Administration.

Attachments

1. (SF) 424: Application Form
2. Budget Information Form
3. OMB No. 1890-0014: Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for 
Applicants
4. Project Timeline Format
5. Disability Program Navigator Position Description--7 pages

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[FR Doc. 04-7906 Filed 4-7-04; 8:45 am]
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