[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 130 (Thursday, July 8, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41282-41299]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-15521]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Disability Employment Policy

[SGA 04-12]


Telework/Telecommuting Pilot Research

Solicitation for Cooperative Agreements

    Announcement Type: Notice of availability of funds; solicitation 
for Cooperative Agreement Applications for Telework/Telecommuting Pilot 
Research.
    Funding Opportunity Number: SGA 04-12.
    Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 17.720
    Key Date: Applications must be received by August 9, 2004.
    Executive Summary: The U.S. Department of Labor (``DOL'' or 
``Department''), Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), 
announces the availability of $2.5 million to fund up to three pilot 
research projects to investigate, develop, and validate strategies 
likely * * * to yield the largest number of telework positions for 
people with disabilities in cooperation with Federal and State 
agencies.'' See H. Conf. Rep. No. 108-401, 108th Cong., 1st Sess. 
(2003). Each cooperative agreement award will range from $600,000 to 
$830,000 and will be for a 36-month period of performance.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
    This notice contains all of the necessary information and forms 
needed to apply for the ODEP Cooperative Agreement.

I. Funding Opportunity Description and Authority

    In recent years, both the Executive branch and Congress have 
increasingly promoted telework to help achieve increased employment 
opportunities for people with disabilities. In response to these 
initiatives, the overall purpose of this research is to investigate, 
develop, and validate strategies likely to yield the largest number of 
telework positions for

[[Page 41283]]

people with disabilities in cooperation with Federal and State agencies 
and to expand understanding of the full dimensions of telework as an 
employment option for people with disabilities through rigorous 
investigation and implementation of research-based comprehensive 
telework models.


    Authorities:  H. Conf. Rep. No. 108-401, 108th Cong., 1st Sess. 
(2003); Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2004.

    ODEP anticipates awarding up to three cooperative agreements in the 
range of $600,000 to $830,000 for a 36-month period of performance. The 
competition for new awards focuses on research priorities identified as 
follows:
    1. Using telework as a return-to-work strategy specifically for 
people with disabilities receiving Federal and State Workers' 
Compensation.
    2. Using telework as an alternative strategy for increasing 
competitive employment for disabled veterans returning from tours of 
duty.
    3. To survey public (Federal and State agencies) and private 
employers to identify supporting conditions and strategies that are 
necessary to effectively implement and sustain telework for people with 
disabilities.
    This ODEP Cooperative Agreement anticipates substantial involvement 
between ODEP and the awardee during the performance of this project. 
Involvement will include collaboration or participation by ODEP in the 
overall direction of the project throughout the period of the award. 
ODEP will provide expertise and guidance in decisions involving the 
research focus, approaches/methodologies, strategies, allocation of 
resources, staffing, development of public information materials, 
analysis, and dissemination of research findings, including a final 
report.
    Applicants will be required to address a minimum of two of 
priorities identified above in their applications. In addition, 
applicants will be required to: (1) Collaborate with Federal and State 
agencies to identify positions that will yield the greatest number of 
telework opportunities for people with disabilities and ensure the 
recruitment of research participants so that each sample population is 
appropriate and of sufficient size; (2) identify the impact of telework 
on productivity, performance, and costs-benefits; (3) disseminate 
research findings to stakeholders using accessible formats; (4) 
evaluate the impact of the research findings on increasing employment 
opportunities for people with disabilities using telework strategies 
validated through the research. Finally, applicants will be required to 
cooperate with ODEP's External Evaluation Contractor in order to 
conduct an independent evaluation of project activities and outcomes.
    Applicants are requested to address the identified priorities by 
formulating research questions that are significant and relevant to the 
priorities previously identified. Proposals are expected to include 
clearly defined research designs including, but not limited to, 
surveys, quasi-experimental studies, observational research 
methodologies and others. After selection, depending upon the type of 
questions specified and research design proposed, ODEP reserves the 
right to modify or substitute questions or the research design, as 
appropriate. Investigators also will be required to develop outcome 
measures, instruments, and data analysis procedures so that study 
findings are reportable. Proposals will be evaluated on the basis of: 
(1) The significance of the proposed project; (2) the quality of the 
design of the research activities; (3) the quality of project 
personnel; (4) budget and resource capacity; (5) the quality of the 
management plan; and (6) the quality of data for project evaluation.
    The mission of the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) 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. ODEP fosters the creation of employment opportunities by 
building partnerships with both public and private sector employers, 
and with regional and local agencies to: (1) Increase their awareness 
and experience the benefits of employing people with disabilities, 
including significant disabilities; and (2) facilitate the use of 
effective strategies to accomplish this goal.
    Workers with disabilities are an important and insufficiently 
tapped resource for employers. As such, ODEP is committed to ensuring 
appropriate skills development and training opportunities, and 
supporting and encouraging the creative use of alternative employment 
strategies and employment supports for people with disabilities.
    In recent years, both the Executive branch and Congress have 
increasingly promoted telework to help achieve increased employment 
opportunities for people with disabilities. President George W. Bush 
believes that the ability to telework increases available employment 
options for individuals with disabilities, and his New Freedom 
Initiative directs that activities be undertaken to promote the 
expansion of telework options.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The President's New Freedom Initiative for People with 
Disabilities: The 2004 Progress Report, March, 2004. http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/newfreedom/newfreedom-report-2004.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the Conference Report to ODEP's Fiscal Year (FY) 2002 
appropriation, Congress expressed its intent to set up a program 
focusing on telework to ``include in these pilots all appropriate 
positions, whether the work is performed in-house, contracted, or 
outsourced in the types of jobs which can be performed from home, such 
as customer service/call contact centers, and claims, loan or financial 
transaction processing operations.'' [H. Conf. Rep. No. 107-342, 107th 
Cong., 1st Sess. (2001)]. Integral to the pilots were tailored/
individualized training, appropriate technology, and supportive 
mechanisms (e.g., reasonable accommodations, job coaching, mentoring, 
customized employment, etc.). Consistent with Congressional intent, 
ODEP funded one cooperative agreement to establish three pilot 
demonstration projects within Federal Government agencies to generate 
viable models, and replication in two other Federal agencies. For each 
participating agency, Federal contractors implemented the telework/
telecommuting employment models. Through its evaluation research 
component, the project generated data on both the benefits and the 
challenges encountered in creating home-based telework/telecommuting 
options for people with significant disabilities in Federal agencies. 
Final evaluation results from this project are expected by the end of 
this calendar year.
    House Conference Report No. 108-401, 108th Congress, 1st Session 
(2003), demonstrates Congressional intent to continue pilot research 
projects focusing on telework for people with disabilities. According 
to the report, ``The conferees have included $2,500,000 within the 
Office of Disability Employment Policy to continue the telework efforts 
already initiated by ODEP. This can include expansion of pilot programs 
already underway and/or initiation of new telework pilots. ODEP should 
proceed in an expeditious manner to create telework positions in 
cooperation with Federal and State agencies. Priority should be given 
to strategies judged likely to yield the largest number of telework 
positions for people with disabilities.'' House Conference Report, p. 
731.

[[Page 41284]]

    In general, ``telework/telecommuting'' is a collective term for a 
wide variety of work arrangements. For example, teleworkers/
telecommuters may be employees or independent contractors working full-
time or part-time. In addition, teleworkers/telecommuters may work from 
home or a telecenter all of the time, or may alternate between the two. 
For the ODEP telework study of FY 2002, the study defined telework/
telecommuting as home-based settings only. For the purposes of this 
solicitation, telework/telecommuting pilot research applicants will be 
required to specify the operational definition of the telework/
telecommuting model being researched.
    As a general matter, telework/telecommuting provides opportunities 
for employees and employers seeking alternative employment options. For 
employers, telework/telecommuting can be useful in decreasing certain 
overhead costs, satisfying fluctuating demands for additional office 
and parking space, and helping its employees balance work and family 
demands; and thereby increasing their loyalty, productivity, and 
likelihood of retention. For certain employees, telework/telecommuting 
is appealing because it eliminates long commutes, allows for balancing 
of work and home life, and reduces workplace distractions.
    For people with significant disabilities, telework/telecommuting 
sometimes provides the most viable opportunity to work, due to the lack 
of reliable and available employment supports, such as transportation 
and personal assistance. While telework/telecommuting is not a complete 
solution to the employment barriers encountered by persons with 
significant disabilities, telework/telecommuting can be an effective 
way of bringing persons with disabilities into the workforce.
    Effective telework/telecommuting policies are the key to successful 
telework/telecommuting arrangements for persons with and without 
disabilities. Accordingly, the best practices derived from these 
projects are likely to have utility extending beyond the employment of 
people with disabilities to the population generally.
    There is also a growing interest in the Federal and State agencies 
to find ways to lower the cost of workers' compensation. For example, 
the cost of Federal workplace injuries, when measured by workers' 
compensation losses, is more than $2 billion and 2 million lost 
production days annually. In FY 2003, the Federal workforce, of almost 
2.7 million, filed more than 168,000 injury claims. (Presidential 
Memorandum, January 9, 2004).
    On January 9, 2004, President George W. Bush announced the Safety, 
Health and Return-to-Employment (SHARE) Initiative directing Federal 
agencies to establish goals and track performance in four major areas. 
Federal agencies are charged with lowering workplace injury and illness 
case rates, lowering lost-time injury and illness case rates, timely 
reporting of injuries and illnesses and reducing lost days resulting 
from work injuries and illnesses. Because telework/telecommuting can 
provide a viable alternative for Federal and State employees to return 
to work, exploring ways and strategies to use telework/telecommuting as 
an option to accelerate the return to employment of Federal and State 
employees on workers' compensation through this pilot research project 
will support the SHARE Initiative. (Additional information about the 
SHARE Initiative can be located at: http://www.dol-esa.gov/share.)
    There is further interest in the Federal Government to support 
United States soldiers who are seriously wounded in combat in 
Afghanistan and Iraq in their successful transition to civilian life. 
According to published reports, there have been more than 12,000 
soldiers injured, with more than 200 soldiers classified as ``seriously 
wounded.'' Programs, such as the Department of Army and Veteran 
Affairs' recently established Disabled Soldier Support System (DS3), 
are designed to assist soldiers in navigating the return from war and 
maneuvering through the often complex systems of services and agencies, 
such as rehabilitation, housing, financial services, and employment. 
Many of these soldiers will need to be re-trained for new careers and 
employment opportunities. Telework/telecommuting, with the appropriate 
training, assistive technology, and employment supports, can 
potentially ease the transition to civilian life. ODEP is interested in 
research that tests telework/telecommuting models as an alternative 
strategy for increasing competitive employment for disabled veterans 
returning from tours of duty.
    A final research area of interest to the Federal Government is in 
filling the gap in the knowledge base regarding telework/telecommuting 
for people with disabilities from the employer's perspective, 
particularly related to Federal and State agency employers. In a 2001 
survey of over one thousand Federal managers and supervisors, Cornell 
University found that when asked whether office-based full-time 
positions that they currently supervised could be relocated to home-
based or other off-site facilities, approximately one-third of the 
white-collar supervisors reported that this was possible. Less than six 
percent of the blue-collar supervisors saw this as possible. 
Supervisors of employees with disabilities were more likely to say they 
would be able to make current positions either home-based or split 
between the home and office.
    When asked about the ability to develop full-time positions that 
could be performed from home or another off-site location, respondents 
indicated it would be easier to split such positions between home and 
off-site, rather than to develop positions full-time that would be 
dedicated to off-site employment. Supervisors of employees with 
disabilities viewed the development of these new positions as easier 
than those without experience with employees with disabilities.
    Approximately half of the white-collar supervisors indicated that 
it would be easy to accommodate an individual with a chronic illness or 
disability with the ability to work at home for one or two days each 
week or intermittently. Blue-collar supervisors were far less likely to 
say that this arrangement would be easy or even possible. Finally, 
respondents indicated that off-site technology support, with guidelines 
for performance assessment of off-site workers, and formal flex place 
agreements between off-site employees and supervisors, would be helpful 
to them as supervisors in creating or supporting home-based or off-
site/telecommuting employee position.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Bruyere, S., Erickson, E., & Horne, R. (2002) Disability 
Employment Policies and Practices in U.S. Federal Government 
Agencies: EEO/HR and Supervisor Perspectives. Report by the 
Presidential Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities. 
Ithaca, NY: Cornell University.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The need to conduct a national survey on telework/telecommuting as 
a means for increasing employment opportunities for people with 
disabilities is prompted by two issues: (1) The lack of comprehensive 
and credible information reflecting attributes hindering and supporting 
the implementation of telework in public and private work settings; and 
(2) The lack of national surveys dealing with quantitative aspects of 
telework for people with disabilities. Information in the existing 
literature is scant and describes experiences and future plans for 
telework pilots in limited geographical areas and work settings. There 
is a need to understand on the national, regional and local levels 
about those the circumstances and entities

[[Page 41285]]

that have potential to successfully implement teleworking as a common 
pattern of work for people with disabilities. The anticipated survey is 
intended to provide an overview and a systematic analysis of the 
identified experiences and schemes along with factors hindering and 
supporting the implementation of telework in public and private work 
settings. Also, a systematic investigation on national basis is needed 
to develop models of telework/telecommuting schemes, identify the 
proportion of teleworkers in various occupations, the type of work 
(tasks), and the type of work arrangements that can potentially be 
carried out via telework. Additional critical areas warranting further 
research include benefits and barriers to telework related to 
characteristics such as productivity, costs, and attitudinal and 
behavioral aspects from the employer perspective. It is anticipated 
that the survey results and findings will identify the perceived risks 
and benefits of telework along with the obstacles and difficulties in 
implementation of related policy, including insights of what it takes 
to promote telework-related policy objectives in cultures of work 
organizations. Finally, this effort is expected to yield an 
authoritative report along with a tool kit that could be used by public 
and private organizations alike.

II. Award Information

    Estimated Available Funds: $2,500,000.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $600,000-$830,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: approximately $830,000.
    The U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL), Office of Disability 
Employment Policy, announces the availability of $2.5 million to fund 
up to three (3) cooperative agreement awards to conduct telework/
telecommuting research pilots. Each award will be in the range of 
$600,000 to $830,000 for a 36-month period of performance, beginning on 
the date of award. This cooperative agreement will include substantial 
involvement between ODEP and the awardee during the period of 
performance. ODEP will provide project oversight throughout the period 
of the award. ODEP also will be involved in decisions involving the 
research focus, approaches/methodologies, strategies, allocation of 
resources, staffing, development of public information materials, and 
analysis and dissemination of research findings.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants for this DOL Cooperative Agreement are public/
private non-profit or for profit organizations or consortia, including 
faith-based and community organizations, with appropriate capabilities, 
experience, and expertise.
    If the proposal includes multiple consortia members, there must be 
a prime or lead member who is the responsible fiscal and programmatic 
agent. All applications must: (1) Clearly identify the lead grant 
recipient and fiscal agent, as well as all other members of the 
consortium applying for this cooperative agreement award; (2) provide a 
clear description of each member's roles and responsibilities; and (3) 
provide a detailed plan for how the award money will be allocated among 
the consortium. As a DOL funded initiative, it is expected that the 
lead grant recipient for any such consortium shall have primary 
expertise in employment-related areas.
    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.

2. Cost Sharing

    Cost sharing, matching funds, and cost participation are not 
required under this SGA.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Addresses To Request Application Package

    This SGA contains all the information and forms needed to apply for 
this grant funding. Application announcements or forms will not be 
mailed. The Federal Register may be obtained from your nearest 
government office or library. In addition, a copy of this notice and 
the application requirements may be downloaded from ODEP's Web site at 
http://www.dol.gov/odep and at http://www.fedgrants.gov. If additional 
copies of the standard forms are needed, they can also be downloaded 
from: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/grants_forms.html.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    General Requirements: To be considered responsive, all applications 
must be received on time to: U.S. Department of Labor, Procurement 
Services Center, Attention: Cassandra Mitchell, Reference SGA 04-12, 
Room N-5416, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210. 
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 requests applicants to submit 
an electronic copy of their proposal's Sections II (Executive Summary) 
and III (Project Narrative) on disc or Compact Disc (CD) using 
Microsoft Word.] The application (not to exceed 50 pages for Section 
III), must be double-spaced with standard one-inch margins (top, 
bottom, and sides) on 8\1/2\ x 11-inch paper, and must be presented on 
single-sided and numbered pages. A font size of at least twelve (12) 
pitch is required throughout. 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, must be in at least a 12-point font, and 
must have an average character density no greater than 18 characters 
per inch (if using a non-proportional font or a typewriter, must not be 
more than 12 characters per inch). Applications that fail to meet these 
requirements will be considered non-responsive.
    DOL Cooperative Agreement Requirements: The three required sections 
of the application are:

Section I--Project Financial Plan (No page limit)
Section II--Executive Summary--Project Synopsis (2 pages)
Section III--Project Narrative (Not to exceed 50 pages)

    The mandatory requirements for each section are set forth below. 
Applications that fail to meet the stated mandatory requirements for 
each section will be considered non-responsive.
    Mandatory Application Requirements:
     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.'' 
Please note that, beginning October 1, 2003, all applicants for federal 
grant and funding opportunities are required to include a Dun and 
Bradstreet (DUNS) number with their application. See OMB Notice of 
Final Policy Issuance, 68 FR 38402 (June 27, 2003). The DUNS number is 
a nine-digit identification number that uniquely identifies business 
entities. There is no charge for obtaining a DUNS

[[Page 41286]]

number (although it may take 14-30 days). To obtain a DUNS number, 
access the following Web site: http://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 
1-866-705-5711. Requests for exemption from the DUNS number requirement 
must be made to OMB. The Dun and Bradstreet Number of the applicant 
should be entered in the ``Organizational Unit'' section of block 5 of 
the SF 424. (See Appendix A of this SGA for required form.)
    (2) Completed SF-424 A--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) DOL 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, 
including continuous improvement activities.
    The DOL Cooperative Agreement application must include one SF-424 
with the original signatures of the legal entity applying for 
Cooperative Agreement funding and two additional copies. 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 Cooperative Agreement should that application result in an 
award. Applicants shall indicate on the SF-424 the organization's 
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Status, if applicable.
    The DOL Budget Narrative and Justification must describe all costs 
associated with implementing the project that are to be covered with 
Cooperative Agreement funds. The applicant must support the travel and 
associated costs of sending at least one representative to periodic 
meetings with DOL staff in Washington, DC (at least once per quarter) 
and to the annual ODEP Policy Conference for its grantees, to be held 
in Washington, DC, at a time and place to be determined. [The applicant 
must comply with the ``Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants 
and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments,'' (also 
known as OMB Circular A-102''), codified at 29 CFR part 97, or ``Grants 
and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and 
Other Non-Profit Organizations' (also known as the ``Common Rule'' or 
OMB Circular A-110), codified at 29 CFR part 95.
    In addition, the budget submitted for review by DOL must include, 
on a separate page, a detailed cost analysis of each line item. The 
costs listed in the detailed cost analysis must comply with the 
applicable OMB cost principles circulars, as identified in 29 CFR 95.27 
and 29 CFR 97.22(b). Justification for administrative costs must be 
provided. Approval of a budget by DOL is not the same as the approval 
of actual costs. The applicant must also include the Assurances and 
Certifications Signature Page (Appendix C) and the Survey on Ensuring 
Equal Opportunity for Applicants (Appendix D).
     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-inch paper with standard margins throughout. 
Each application shall include a project synopsis that identifies the 
following:
    (1) The applicant;
    (2) The planned period of performance;
    (3) The list of partners, as appropriate; and,
    (4) An overview of how the applicant will conduct the research, 
analyze the data and present the findings.
     Section III. Project Narrative: The DOL Cooperative 
Agreement Project Narrative is limited to no more than fifty (50), 8\1/
2\ x 11 pages, double-spaced with standard one-inch margins (top, 
bottom, and sides), and must be presented on single-sided, numbered 
pages. [Note: The Financial Plan, the Executive Summary, and the 
Appendices, including letters of cooperation, resumes, etc., are not 
included in this fifty-page limit].
    3. Submission Dates, Times, and Addresses
    Applications will be accepted commencing July 8, 2004. The closing 
date for receipt of applications by DOL under this announcement is 
August 9, 2004.
    Applications, including those hand-delivered, must be received by 
4:45 p.m. (ET) at the address specified 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.
    Applications must be mailed or hand-delivered to: U.S. Department 
of Labor, Procurement Services Center, Attention: Cassandra Mitchell, 
Reference SGA 04-12, Room N-5416, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20210. Telefascimile (FAX) applications will not be 
accepted.
    Hand-Delivered Proposals. It is preferred that applications be 
mailed at least five (5) days prior to the closing date. Hand-delivered 
applications will be considered for funding, but must be at DOL by the 
above specified date and time. Overnight or express delivery from 
carriers other than the U.S. Postal Service will be considered hand-
delivered applications. Failure to adhere to the above instructions 
will serve as a basis for a determination of non-responsiveness.
    Applicants are advised that mail in the Washington area may be 
delayed due to mail decontamination procedures and may wish to take 
this information into consideration when preparing to meet the 
application deadline.
    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 after timely delivery to the Department of Labor; (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 (2) working days 
prior to the date specified for receipt of applications. The term 
``working days'' excludes weekends and Federal holidays. ``Postmarked'' 
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.
    Withdrawal of Applications. An application that is timely submitted 
may be withdrawn by written notice or telegram (including mailgram) 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.

4. Intergovernmental Review

    This funding opportunity is not subject to Executive Order 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''

5. Funding Restrictions

A. Funding Levels
    The total funding available for this solicitation is $2.5 million. 
Up to three

[[Page 41287]]

(3) awards in the range of $600,000 to $830,000 each will be made. The 
Department of Labor reserves the right to negotiate the amounts to be 
awarded under this competition. Please be advised that requests 
exceeding $830,000 will be considered non-responsive. Additionally, 
there will be no reimbursement of pre-award costs.
B. Period of Performance
    The period of performance will be for 36 months from date of the 
award unless modified. It is expected that the successful applicant 
will begin program operations under this solicitation immediately upon 
receiving the ``Notice of Award.''
C. Option Year Funding
    Not applicable.
D. Limitation on Indirect Costs
    Indirect costs claimed by the applicant must be based on a 
federally approved rate. A copy of the negotiated approved, and signed 
indirect cost agreement must be submitted with the application. If the 
applicant does not presently have an approved indirect cost rate, a 
proposed rate with justification may be submitted. The successful 
applicant will be required to negotiate an acceptable and allowable 
rate with the appropriate DOL Regional Office of Cost Determination 
within 90 days of the cooperative agreement award.

V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

    In response to Executive branch and Congressional initiatives, the 
main thrust of this effort is to generate knowledge and understanding 
of the impact of telework/telecommuting arrangements and identify 
evidence-based approaches and strategies that would enhance the 
employment of people with disabilities in Federal and State agencies. 
Hence, each proposal must ensure that each project has sufficient 
sample size and methodological rigor to generate robust findings.
    Applicants will be required to address a minimum of two (2) of the 
following priorities in their applications.
    1. Using telework as a return-to-work strategy specifically for 
people with disabilities receiving Federal and State Workers' 
Compensation.
    2. Using telework as an alternative strategy for increasing 
competitive employment for disabled veterans returning from tours of 
duty.
    3. To survey public (Federal and State agencies) and private 
employers in order to identify supporting conditions and strategies 
that are necessary to effectively implement and sustain telework for 
people with disabilities.
    In addition, applicants will be required to: (1) Collaborate with 
Federal and State agencies to identify positions that will yield the 
greatest number of telework opportunities for people with disabilities 
and ensure the recruitment of research participants so that each sample 
population is appropriate and of sufficient size; (2) identify the 
impact of telework on productivity, performance, and costs-benefits; 
(3) disseminate research findings to stakeholders, using accessible 
formats; (4) evaluate impact of the research findings on increasing 
employment opportunities for people with disabilities using telework 
strategies validated through the research. Finally, applicants will be 
required to cooperate with ODEP's External Evaluation Contractor in 
order to conduct an independent evaluation of project activities and 
outcomes.
    Applicants are requested to address the identified priorities by 
formulating research questions that are significant and relevant to the 
stated priorities. Proposals are expected to include clearly defined 
research designs, including but not limited to, surveys, quasi-
experimental studies, observational research methodologies and others. 
After selection, depending upon the type of questions specified and 
research design proposed, ODEP reserves the right to modify or 
substitute as appropriate. Also, investigators will be required to 
develop outcome measures, instruments, and data analysis procedures so 
that study findings are reportable.
    In review of applications, proposals will be evaluated under the 
following evaluation criteria and maximum possible point scores.
A. Significance of the Proposed Project (10 Points)
    In determining the significance of the proposed project, DOL 
considers the following factors:
    i. The potential contribution of the proposed research to increase 
knowledge or understanding of the stated problems, issues, or effective 
strategies;
    ii. The extent to which the research activities proposed reflect a 
coherent, sustained approach to research in the field, including a 
substantial addition to the existing literature;
    iii. The extent to which the proposed research is likely to yield 
findings that may be used by other appropriate agencies and 
organizations;
    iv. The extent to which the proposed project involves the 
development or demonstration of promising new strategies that build 
upon, or are alternatives to, existing strategies;
    v. The extent to which the plans for dissemination and reporting of 
results and findings are of sufficient quality, intensity, and 
accessible to individuals with disability;
    vi. The extent to which collaboration with Federal and State 
agencies, people with disabilities, other relevant stakeholders, and 
ODEP's external evaluation contractor is likely to be effective in 
achieving the proposed activities.
B. Quality of the Research Design (25 Points)
    In evaluating the quality of the proposed research design, the 
Department considers the following factors:
    i. The extent to which the methodology of each proposed research 
activity is meritorious, including a comprehensive and informed review 
of the current literature, appropriateness of the sample population and 
size;
    ii. The extent to which the proposal provides a comprehensive 
description of a research plan that outlines specific elements of the 
anticipated research;
    iii. The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be 
achieved by the proposed research project are clearly specified and 
measurable;
    iv. The extent to which the design of the proposed project 
incorporates measures adequate to facilitate external evaluation by 
ODEP's external evaluation contractor;
    v. The extent to which the design of the proposed project is 
appropriate to, and will successfully address the needs of the target 
population and other identified needs;
    vi. The adequacy of the documentation submitted in support of the 
proposed research design to demonstrate the commitment of each 
applicant and affiliated partners and the quality of the plan that the 
applicant will use to recruit, enlist, and secure cooperation of other 
experts.
C. Quality of Project Personnel (15 Points)
    The Project Narrative must describe the proposed staffing of the 
project and must identify and summarize the qualifications of the 
personnel who will carry it out. In addition, the Department considers 
the qualifications, including relevant education, training and 
experience of key project personnel, as well as the qualifications, 
including relevant training and experience of project consultants or 
subcontractors. Resumes must be included in the

[[Page 41288]]

appendices. Key personnel include positions such as: Principle 
Investigator, Project Director, Project Coordinator, Project Manager, 
Research Analyst, etc. Minimum qualifications should be commensurate 
with the role identified in the application. In addition, the applicant 
must specify the percentages of time dedicated by each key person on 
the project in their application.
D. Budget and Resource Capacity (10 Points)
    In evaluating the capacity of the applicant to carry out the 
proposed project, DOL considers the following factors:
    i. The applicant's demonstrated experience and expertise in 
conducting research on telework, employment and disability issues;
    ii. The extent to which the budget is adequate to support the 
proposed research project; and
    iii. The extent to which the anticipated costs are reasonable in 
relation to the objectives, design, and potential significance of the 
proposed project.
E. Quality of the Management Plan (25 Points)
    In evaluating the quality of the management plan for the proposed 
project, DOL considers the following factors:
    i. The extent to which the management plan for project 
implementation appears likely to achieve the objectives of the proposed 
project on time and within budget, and includes clearly defined staff 
responsibilities, time allocation to project activities, time lines, 
milestones for accomplishing project tasks, and project deliverables;
    ii. The adequacy of mechanisms for ensuring the dissemination of 
high-quality products, including the reporting of research findings for 
the proposed project; and
    iii. The extent to which the time commitments of the principal 
investigator and other key project personnel are appropriate and 
adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed project.
F. Quality of Data for Project Evaluation (15 Points)
    In evaluating the quality of data to be generated, in order to 
assess the impact of the research findings, DOL considers the following 
factors:
    i. The extent to which the research methods include the use of 
objective performance measures that are clearly related to the intended 
outcomes of the project and will produce quantitative and qualitative 
evaluative and reportable data;
    ii. The extent to which the evaluation will provide information to 
the Federal and State governments and other employers about effective 
telework/telecommuting strategies suitable for replication or testing 
in other settings.

2. Reviews and Selection Process

    Applications will be reviewed for compliance with the requirements 
of this notice. A careful evaluation of applications will be made by a 
technical review panel, which will evaluate the applications against 
the rating criteria listed in this Solicitation for Grant Announcement. 
The panel results are advisory in nature and not binding on the Grant 
Officer. DOL may elect to award grants with or without discussion 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 Grant Officer may consider any information that is available 
and will make final award decisions based on what is most advantageous 
to the Government, considering such factors as:
     Panel findings; and,
     Availability of funds.

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

    Not applicable.

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices. All awards will be posted on ODEP's Web site at 
http://www2.dol.gov/odep. Successful and unsuccessful applicants will 
be notified of the results.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements. All awardees 
will be subject to applicable Federal laws, regulations, and OMB 
circulars. Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the following 
regulations before submitting a proposal. The Cooperative Agreement 
awarded under this SGA shall be subject to the following as applicable:
     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;
     29 CFR Part 96--Audit Requirements for Grants, Contracts, 
and Other Agreements.

Allowable Costs

    Determinations of allowable costs shall be made in accordance with 
the following applicable federal cost principles:
     Nonprofit Organizations--OMB Circular A-122
     Profit-Making Commercial Firms `` 48 CFR Part 31
    Profit will not be considered an allowable cost in any case.

Cooperative Agreement Assurances

    As a condition of the award, the applicant must certify that it 
will comply fully with the following nondiscrimination and equal 
opportunity regulations:
     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;
     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);
     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.); and
     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 Cooperative Agreement application. 
The assurances and certifications are attached as Appendix C.

3. Reporting and Monitoring

    ODEP is responsible for ensuring the effective implementation of 
this Cooperative Agreement, in accordance with the provisions of this 
announcement and the terms of the Cooperative Agreement award document. 
Applicants should assume that ODEP staff will conduct on-site project 
reviews periodically. Reviews will focus on timely project 
implementation, performance in meeting the Cooperative Agreement's 
objectives, tasks and responsibilities, expenditures of Cooperative 
Agreement funds on allowable activities, and administration of project 
activities. Projects may be subject to other additional reviews, at the 
discretion of the ODEP staff or their announced designees.
    The DOL Cooperative Agreement awardee, under this competition, will 
be required to submit to DOL quarterly

[[Page 41289]]

financial and narrative program progress reports for each quarter 
funded. The awardee will be required to submit periodic financial and 
participation reports. Specifically, the following reports will be 
required:
    A. Quarterly reports: The quarterly report is estimated to take ten 
hours to complete. The form for the Quarterly Report will be provided 
by the ODEP. The ODEP will work with the awardee to help refine the 
requirements of the report, which will, among other things, include 
measures of ongoing analysis for continuous improvement and customer 
satisfaction. Quarterly reports will be due 30 days after the close of 
the quarters of each Federal fiscal year. This report will be filed 
using an on-line reporting system.
    B. Standard Form 269: Financial Status Report Form (FSR) will be 
completed on a quarterly basis, using the on-line electronic reporting 
system.
    C. Final Project Report: The final report will include an 
assessment of project performance and outcomes achieved. The final 
report is estimated to take twenty (20) hours to complete. This report 
will be submitted in hard copy and on electronic disk complying with 
format and instructions provided by the ODEP. An outline of the final 
report is due to ODEP forty-five (45) days before termination of the 
Cooperative Agreement with a draft of the final report due to ODEP 
thirty (30) days before the termination of the Cooperative Agreement. 
The final report is due to ODEP no more than thirty (30) days after the 
termination of the Cooperative Agreement.
    The awardee must agree to cooperate with independent evaluations to 
be conducted by ODEP. ODEP or its designee will arrange for and conduct 
this independent evaluation of the outcomes, impact, and 
accomplishments of the project. The awardee must agree to make 
available records on all parts of project activity, including 
participant related data, and to provide access to personnel, as 
specified by the evaluator(s), under the direction of the ODEP. This 
independent evaluation is separate from any proposed ongoing evaluation 
for continuous improvement commissioned by the awardee.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For information on this DOL Cooperative Agreement and related items 
contact Cassandra Mitchell, 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 Cassandra Mitchell, via the Federal Relay Service, 
(800) 877-8339. Applications, announcements, or forms will not be 
mailed. The Federal Register may be obtained from your nearest 
government office or library. This announcement and the award 
notifications will also be published on the Internet on the ODEP's 
online Home Page at: http://www.dol.gov/odep and at http://www.fedgrants.gov.

    Signed at Washington, DC this 25th day of June, 2004.
Johnny A. Arnold, II,
Acting DOL Grants Officer.

Appendices:
Appendix A: Application for Federal Assistance SF 424
Appendix B: Budget Information Sheet SF 424A
Appendix C: Assurances and Certifications Signature Page
Appendix D: Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants

BILLING CODE 4510-CX-P

[[Page 41290]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN08JY04.000


[[Page 41291]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN08JY04.001


[[Page 41292]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN08JY04.002


[[Page 41293]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN08JY04.003


[[Page 41294]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN08JY04.004


[[Page 41295]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN08JY04.005


[[Page 41296]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN08JY04.006


[[Page 41297]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN08JY04.007


[[Page 41298]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN08JY04.008


[[Page 41299]]


[FR Doc. 04-15521 Filed 7-7-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-CX-P