[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 94 (Tuesday, May 16, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28401-28413]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4507]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION


Program: Cooperative Agreements for Work Incentives Planning and 
Assistance Projects; Program Announcement No. SSA-OESP-06-1

AGENCY: Social Security Administration.

ACTION: Announcement of the availability of fiscal year 2006 
cooperative agreement funds and request for applications.

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SUMMARY: The Social Security Administration (SSA) announces its 
intention to competitively award cooperative agreements to establish 
community-based work incentives planning and assistance projects in 
every State, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern 
Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 
(Throughout this announcement, the term ``'State''' will be used to 
refer to all U.S. States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, 
the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin 
Islands.)
    The purpose of these projects is to disseminate accurate 
information to beneficiaries with disabilities (including transition-
to-work aged youth) about work incentives programs and issues related 
to such programs, to enable them to make informed choices about working 
and whether or when to assign their Ticket to Work, as well as how 
available work incentives can facilitate their transition into the 
workforce. The ultimate goal of the work incentives planning and 
assistance projects is to assist SSA beneficiaries with disabilities 
succeed in their return to work efforts.

DATES: The closing date for receipt of cooperative agreement 
applications under this announcement is July 1, 2006. Prospective 
applicants are also asked to submit, preferably by May 30, 2006, an e-
mail, a fax, post card, or letter of intent that includes (1) the 
program announcement number (SSA-OESP-06-1) and title (Work Incentives 
Planning and Assistance Program); (2) the name of the agency or 
organization that is applying; and (3) the name, mailing address, e-
mail address, telephone number, and fax number for the organization's 
contact person. This notice of intent is not binding, and does

[[Page 28402]]

not enter into the review process of a subsequent application. The 
purpose of the notice of intent is to allow SSA staff to estimate the 
number of independent reviewers needed and to avoid potential conflicts 
of interest in the review. The notice of intent should be faxed to 
(410) 966-1278; mailed to Social Security Administration, Office of 
Employment Support Programs, Office of Employment Policy, 107 Altmeyer 
Building, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21235 or e-
mailed to [email protected].

FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Internet is the primary means 
recommended for obtaining information on the program content of this 
announcement. If an applicant has a question about this announcement, 
that question should be referred to the following Internet e-mail 
address: [email protected]. When sending in a question, applicants 
should include the program announcement number SSA-OESP-06-1 and the 
date of this announcement. In the rare instances when an organization 
may not have access to the Internet, an applicant with a question about 
the program content may contact: Jenny Deboy, Project Officer, or 
Regina Bowden, Team Leader, Social Security Administration, Office of 
Employment Support Programs, Office of Employment Policy, 107 Altmeyer 
Building, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21235. The 
telephone numbers are: Jenny Deboy, (410) 965-8658, or Regina Bowden, 
(410) 965-7145. The fax number is (410) 966-1278.
    To obtain an application kit, see the instructions under Part IV, 
Section A. For information regarding the application package where 
Internet access is not available, contact: Phyllis Y. Smith, Team 
Leader, or Gary Stammer, Grants Management Officer, Social Security 
Administration, Office of Acquisition and Grants, Grants Management 
Team, 7111 Security Boulevard, 1st Floor--Rear Entrance, Baltimore, 
Maryland 21244. The telephone numbers are Phyllis Y. Smith, (410) 965-
9518, or Gary Stammer, (410) 965-9501. The fax number is (410) 966-
9310.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Social Security Protection Act of 2004 
(Pub. L. 108-203) reauthorized funding through FY 2009 for the WIPA 
program, which was initially authorized by the Ticket to Work and Work 
Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 (Pub. L. 106-170), enacted on 
December 17, 1999. The WIPA Program is designed to provide work 
incentives planning, assistance, and outreach services to SSA's 
beneficiaries with disabilities nationwide, in all geographic areas and 
U.S. territories.
    SSA initially made announcements of cooperative agreement funds and 
requested applications for a 5-year period in FY 2000 and FY 2001. All 
currently funded Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach (BPAO) 
cooperative agreement awards will expire on September 29, 2006.
    This announcement is to request applications for awards, which will 
begin on September 30, 2006, to provide work incentives planning, 
assistance and outreach services to all SSA beneficiaries with 
disabilities seeking employment nationwide. All currently funded BPAO 
cooperative agreements will expire on September 29, 2006. Subject to 
the availability of funds, SSA anticipates minimum awards of $100,000 
for individual state WIPA projects (Minimum awards for territories 
remain at $50,000) and a maximum of $300,000 will be available to fund 
specific WIPA projects annually. Awardees are required to contribute a 
non-Federal match of project costs of at least 5% of the total project 
cost. The non-Federal share may be cash or in-kind (property or 
services). Awards made under this announcement may be renewed annually 
through FY 2009. Future funding will be contingent upon satisfactory 
progress in achieving the objectives of the project, the availability 
of fiscal year funds and the continued relevance of the project 
activity to the Social Security Administration. The total period of 
performance, if renewed annually, will be 3 years, September 30, 2006-
September 29, 2009.
    SSA will conduct pre-application seminars to provide interested 
WIPA applicants with guidance and technical assistance in preparing 
their applications. Information about where and when the seminars will 
be held will be on SSA's Web site at: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work/WIPARFA.html.

Table of Contents

I. Funding Opportunity Description
    A. Background
    B. Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Service Plan
    C. Community Work Incentives Coordinator Responsibilities and 
Competencies
    D. Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Services Defined
    E. Additional Conditions for Award of a Cooperative Agreement
II. Award Information
III. Eligibility Information
    A. Eligible Applicants
    B. Policies Regarding Potential Conflict of Interest in WIPA 
Service Delivery
    C. Cost Sharing or Matching
IV. Application and Submission Information
    A. Address To Request Application
    B. Content and Form of Application Submission
    C. Electronic Applications
    D. Mailed Applications
    E. Checklist for a Complete Application
    F. Guidelines for Application Submission
    G. Submission Dates and Times
    H. Intergovernmental Review
    I. Funding Restrictions
    J. Other Submission Requirements
V. Application Review Information
    A. Criteria
    B. Review and Selection Process
VI. Award Administration Information
    A. Award Notices
    B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
    C. Reporting
    D. MI Program Data To Be Collected and Reported
VII. Agency Contacts
VIII. Other Information

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Background

    Section 1149 of the Social Security Act, as added by section 121 of 
the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 
(TWWIIA), requires the Commissioner of Social Security (the 
Commissioner) to establish a community-based work incentives planning 
and assistance program for the purpose of disseminating accurate 
information to beneficiaries with disabilities on work incentives 
programs and issues related to such programs to assist them in their 
employment efforts. The Commissioner has established a competitive 
program of cooperative agreements to provide work incentives planning, 
assistance and outreach. This SSA program is called the Work Incentives 
Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Program, formerly referred to as the 
Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach (BPAO) Program. The WIPA 
program also provides information on the availability of protection and 
advocacy services to beneficiaries with disabilities, including 
beneficiaries participating in the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency 
Program established under section 1148, the Supplemental Security 
Income (SSI) program established under section 1619, and other programs 
that are designed to encourage beneficiaries with disabilities to seek, 
maintain and regain employment.
    The WIPA Program is an important part of SSA's employment strategy 
for beneficiaries with disabilities. One of SSA's goals in implementing 
TWWIIA is to help achieve a substantial increase in the number of 
beneficiaries with disabilities who return to work and achieve greater 
self-sufficiency.

[[Page 28403]]

    In support of this goal, SSA is seeking applications from any State 
or local government (excluding any State agency administering the State 
Medicaid program), public or private organization, or nonprofit or for-
profit organization (for-profit organizations may apply with the 
understanding that no cooperative agreement funds may be paid as profit 
to any cooperative agreement awardee), as well as Native American 
tribal organizations that the Commissioner determines is qualified to 
provide work incentives planning services. Applicants will emphasize 
the WIPA Program's efforts to provide Social Security beneficiaries 
receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or 
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) based on disability and/or blindness 
with work incentives planning, assistance and outreach services to 
assist them in their return to work efforts. Applicants are also 
strongly encouraged to partner with their local Department of Labor 
(DOL) One-Stop Career Center which serves as a ``port of entry'' for 
jobs for beneficiaries, as well as with other local partners that 
provide employment-related services to SSA beneficiaries with 
disabilities. Currently, DOL One-Stop Career Centers have many 
invaluable employment-related resources and supports that can help 
ensure a disabled beneficiary's success in seeking and maintaining 
employment.
    While SSA recognizes not every SSDI or SSI beneficiary with a 
disability will use work incentives planning and assistance services, 
awardees must make these services available to all eligible 
beneficiaries within a WIPA awardee's assigned geographic area.

    Note: All applications will be reviewed to determine 
completeness and conformity to the requirements of this 
announcement. Complete and conforming applications will then be 
forwarded to an independent panel of reviewers for evaluation. The 
results of this review and evaluation will assist the Commissioner 
in making award decisions. Although the results of this review and 
evaluation are a primary factor considered in making award 
decisions, the evaluated score is not the only factor used. In 
selecting eligible applicants to be funded, consideration may be 
given to issues such as experience, past performance, proposed 
costs, the need to achieve an equitable distribution of WIPA 
projects among geographic regions of the country, as well as, the 
need to achieve an equitable distribution of WIPA projects among 
disability and minority populations.

B. Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Service Plan

    In order to be considered for an award, WIPA applicants must 
provide a detailed written plan for how they will deliver the full 
range of work incentives planning and assistance services; have the 
resources, management, qualifications and experience necessary to 
successfully administer the project, as well as provide a written 
Quality Assurance (QA) plan that demonstrates the efficacy of the 
service delivery plan. Applicants should also provide supporting 
documentation regarding how they will work with the Department of Labor 
(DOL) One-Stop Career Centers; and a written assurance that they will 
work in collaboration with the Program Manager for Recruitment and 
Outreach (PMRO).

    Note: Additional information regarding how WIPA projects will 
work with the PMRO may be found at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work/WIPARFA.html.

    Applicants should address in their written plan:
     Their understanding of work incentives planning and 
assistance services as they relate to a beneficiary's return to work 
efforts, including other Federal, State, and local benefits programs 
(designed to assist beneficiaries with disabilities with employment) 
with which they have worked in the past;
     How they will develop and maintain their partnering 
efforts and relationship with other employment-related local 
organizations, including DOL One-Stops, to maximize a beneficiary's 
return to work efforts;
     Their ability to participate with the PMRO in conducting 
and coordinating outreach activities. [Note: Additional information 
regarding how WIPA projects will work with the PMRO may be found at 
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work/WIPARFA.html.] In view of the fact 
that the PMRO has primary responsibility for outreach, WIPA projects 
should designate no more than 10% of their project resources to other 
outreach efforts;
     Provide a list of specific resources, services and 
supports that will be involved in the project and their roles as they 
relate to work incentives and a beneficiary's return to work efforts;
     A detailed plan for monitoring beneficiary progress, case 
management and follow-up;
     A documented process for collecting beneficiary-related 
Management Information (MI) and assuring that a Quality Assurance (QA) 
plan is in place that evaluates the work incentives planning and 
assistance services provided; [Note: Applicants should document that 
they agree to collect Social Security Numbers (SSNs) of beneficiaries 
and include them in the SSA approved data collection system so that SSA 
may further evaluate the work incentives services provided.]
     Written procedures for addressing potential organizational 
conflict of interest in regards to the delivery of WIPA services and 
other programs or services offered by the organization; and,
     Written grievance procedures for beneficiaries and 
evidence of its compliance which will be submitted to SSA quarterly.
    Each applicant should address the proposed number of beneficiaries 
with disabilities it expects to serve.
    Awardees are encouraged to hire and staff their offices with 
individuals with disabilities who have used work incentives to 
successfully go to work. These individuals should conduct as many of 
the day-to-day operational functions as possible.
    Awardees must state how they will ensure equitable access and 
services for all beneficiary disability groups. This requirement may be 
met by partnering with other community-based organizations.
    In providing work incentives-related education and planning, WIPA 
projects must make concerted and aggressive efforts to address the 
needs of underserved individuals with disabilities from diverse ethnic 
and racial backgrounds (e.g., African Americans, Native Americans, 
Native Hawaiians or Other Pacific Islanders, Alaskan Natives, Asian-
Americans, and Hispanics). In particular, applicants should show how 
they will collaborate with PMRO to conduct outreach in ways that ensure 
interaction with diverse communities specific to their requested 
geographic area. Applicants who serve tribal lands and sovereign 
nations must also provide documentation of how they will ensure 
equitable access and services for Native-American and Alaskan-Native 
populations. Applicants must indicate if formal agreements with tribal 
governments or Section 121 VR Programs, etc. are in place.
    The applicants must also describe how they will address any special 
cultural requirements of populations (e.g., Native Americans) within 
the targeted geographic area, as well as non-English speaking 
populations and SSI beneficiaries as young as age 14.
    Applicants must have established strong working relationships with 
other agencies that are already providing services designed to enhance 
the employability, employment and career advancement of beneficiaries 
with disabilities, particularly, DOL One-Stop

[[Page 28404]]

Career Centers which provide employment support by assisting a 
beneficiary with interview techniques, resume writing, job coaching, 
and a variety of other support services that lead to employment. A full 
explanation of these collaborative efforts should be provided.
    In addition to DOL One-Stop Career Centers, awardees are encouraged 
to collaborate with other public and/or private organizations (e.g., 
SSA Field Offices, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), 
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Agencies, Employment Networks (ENs), 
Minority Commission, Public Schools, Department of Education, and 
Mental Health organizations), through interagency agreements or other 
mechanisms, to integrate and strengthen work incentives planning and 
assistance services with employment services available to beneficiaries 
with disabilities.
    Because of the life transitions that youth with disabilities 
experience, it is important to target specific services to this 
population. Each project must make WIPA services available to SSI 
beneficiaries as young as age 14 and state how they will target and 
serve transition-aged youth.
    Where applicable, applicants must indicate the ability to work 
closely with the SSA Youth Transition Process Demonstration (YTD) 
projects that are currently located in California, Colorado, Iowa, New 
York, Maryland and Mississippi. These six states were awarded grants in 
October 2003 to develop service delivery systems that demonstrate how 
communities can integrate services and resources to achieve positive 
transition results for youth from secondary education to either post-
secondary education and/or employment. The YTD projects work with youth 
ages 14-25 who receive SSI or SSDI benefit payments based on their own 
disability and/or blindness, or youth at risk of receiving such 
benefits. Additional information regarding the YTD projects may be 
found at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityresearch.
    Applicants must provide evidence of collaborative relationships 
with relevant agencies through references in regards to work incentives 
experience, letters of intent, memoranda of understanding, etc. 
Applicants should not request references, letters of intent or 
commitment from SSA field offices as SSA will assure field office 
cooperation.
    The WIPA awardees will collect data pertaining to work incentives 
planning, assistance, and outreach activities as described in Part IV, 
Section C, Reporting; and cooperate with SSA in providing the 
information needed to evaluate the quality of the services being 
provided and for an assessment of the success of the WIPA Program.
    Where applicable, applicants should indicate if they are 
participants of the Disability Program Navigator (DPN) initiative, a 
program established by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the 
Employment and Training Administration (ETA) of the Department of Labor 
(DOL). Participants in the DPN initiative must fully explain how, with 
WIPA personnel and DPN personnel working collaboratively, they will 
provide seamless services to beneficiaries seeking employment.

C. Community Work Incentives Coordinator Responsibilities and 
Competencies

1. Responsibilities
    The WIPA cooperative agreement awardees shall select individuals 
who will act as Community Work Incentives Coordinators (CWICs). The 
CWICs will provide work incentives planning and assistance directly to 
beneficiaries with disabilities to assist them in their employment 
efforts; and conduct outreach efforts in collaboration with SSA's 
Program Manager for Recruitment and Outreach (PMRO) contractor to 
beneficiaries with disabilities (and their families) who are 
potentially eligible to participate in Federal or State work incentives 
programs. As part of work incentives planning and assistance, CWICs 
will also screen and refer beneficiaries with disabilities to the 
appropriate Employment Networks (ENs) based on the beneficiary's 
expressed needs and types of impairments. CWICs are also required to 
work in cooperation with SSA's Area Work Incentives Coordinators 
(AWICs), Federal, State, local and private agencies and other nonprofit 
organizations that serve beneficiaries with disabilities seeking 
employment. CWICs will also provide general information on the adequacy 
of health benefits coverage that may be offered by an employer of a 
beneficiary with a disability; the extent to which other health 
benefits coverage may be available to that beneficiary in coordination 
with Medicare and/or Medicaid; and the availability of protection and 
advocacy services for beneficiaries with disabilities and how to access 
such services.
2. Competencies and Credentialing
    Applicants must ensure that CWICs have the skills required to 
competently provide work incentives planning and assistance services 
that assist beneficiaries in their employment efforts. WIPA awardees 
will be required to provide documentation to SSA that CWIC personnel 
meet the requirements below. SSA will use this documentation to 
credential CWIC personnel before they may begin providing beneficiary 
services.
    SSA prefers that CWICs have attained a bachelor's degree in a 
relevant field, or possess relevant experience. CWICs may possess a 
combination of education and experience if the experience provides the 
knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the 
duties of the position as shown below. Former beneficiaries may 
substitute up to two years of full-time work for the education 
requirement if they can demonstrate that they used SSA work incentives 
to successfully gain employment. All CWICs must demonstrate successful 
completion of required SSA sponsored work incentives training or shall 
complete said training within 3 months of hire.
    CWICs should bring the following knowledge, skills, and abilities 
to the position:
     Basic math skills, with an emphasis on problem solving;
     Deductive ability with analytical thinking and creative 
problem solving skills;
     Demonstrate competent interviewing and partnering skills;
     Demonstrated computer proficiency;
     Demonstrated ability at linking individual's with 
disabilities with employment opportunities;
     Ability to interpret Federal, State, and local laws, 
regulations, and administrative code about public benefits;
     Communication skills (written and verbal);
     Knowledge of terminology used to describe certain 
disabilities and awareness of cultural and political issues pertaining 
to various populations and to various disabilities; and
     Basic computer skills.
    CWICs are required to be proficient in the following knowledge, 
skills, and abilities:
     Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and 
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability programs;
     Knowledge of SSA and other Federal, State and local work 
incentives programs;
     Knowledge of all public benefits programs, basic 
operations and inter-relationships among the programs, specifically in 
terms of their impact upon employment;
     Translating technical information for lay individuals;

[[Page 28405]]

     Accessing information in a variety of ways (including the 
ability to be able to recognize when additional information is needed);
     How to access specific Employment Network (EN) 
information;
     Interpersonal skills (e.g., recognize and help people 
manage anger and conflict, enjoy working with individuals); Counseling 
and evaluation-related skills (ability to listen, evaluate 
alternatives, advise on potential course of action);
     Knowledge of SSA field office structure and how to work 
with various SSA work incentives specialists e.g., Area Work Incentives 
Coordinators (AWICs), Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS) Specialists, 
Work Incentives Liaisons (WILs); and
     Knowledge of ethics (e.g., confidentiality, conflict of 
interest).
     Ability to manage beneficiary case files and information 
electronically.
    The applicant must clearly explain how it will ensure all 
individuals hired as CWICs will possess or acquire the relevant 
knowledge, skills and abilities. SSA may contract with separate 
entities to provide technical assistance and training to awardees on an 
ongoing basis about SSA's programs and work incentives, Medicare and 
Medicaid, and other Federal work incentives programs.

    Note: Due to the fact that Community Work Incentives 
Coordinators (CWICs) will have access to confidential beneficiary 
information they may be subject to SSA conducted background checks 
and fingerprinting in accordance with SSA personnel suitability 
requirements. SSA will distribute the necessary forms and consents 
for completion upon award.

D. Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Services Defined

1. Work Incentives Planning Services
    Work incentives planning services requires an in-depth 
understanding of the beneficiary's current situation and how available 
work incentives can impact on a beneficiary's employment efforts. CWICs 
will establish written benefits analysis plans for beneficiaries with 
disabilities outlining their employment options and develop long-term 
supports that may be needed to ensure a beneficiary's success in 
regards to employment. CWICs will also, based upon a beneficiary's 
needs, make referrals to Employment Networks (ENs) or Vocational 
Rehabilitation (VR) when appropriate. CWICs will also provide periodic, 
follow-up planning services to ensure that the information, analysis, 
and guidance is updated as new conditions (with regard to the 
applicable programs or to the beneficiary's situation) arise.
    To provide work incentives planning services, CWICs will:
     Obtain and evaluate comprehensive information about a 
beneficiary with a disability on the following:

--Beneficiary's background information,
--Disabling Impairments/Conditions,
--Educational and vocational background,
--Employment and earnings,
--Resources,
--Federal, State and local benefits,
--Health insurance,
--Work expenses,
--Work Incentives, and
--Service(s) and supports;

     Assess the potential impacts of employment and other 
changes on a beneficiary's Federal, State and local benefits 
eligibility and overall financial well-being;
     Provide detailed information and assist the beneficiary in 
understanding and assessing the potential impacts of employment and/or 
other actions or changes on his/her life situation, and provide 
specific guidance regarding the effects of various work incentives;
     Develop a comprehensive framework of possible options 
available to a beneficiary and projected results for each as part of 
the career development and employment process; and
     Ensure confidentiality of all information provided.
2. Work Incentives Assistance Services
    Work incentives assistance involves the delivery of accurate 
information and direct supports for the purpose of assisting a 
beneficiary in determining the most advantageous work incentives to use 
in going or returning to work. Work incentives assistance also involves 
providing information and referral (specifically in terms of Ticket 
assignment to Employment Networks (ENs) and Vocational Rehabilitation 
(VR), as well as problem-solving services as needed. Work incentives 
assistance will generally build on previous planning services and 
include periodic updates of a beneficiary's specific information, 
reassessment of benefit(s) and overall impact, education and 
advisement, and additional services for monitoring and managing work 
incentives to ensure a beneficiary's success in their employment 
efforts.
    To provide work incentives assistance services, CWICs will:
     Emphasize employment through the use of work incentives 
planning, leading to greater self-sufficiency and employment for 
beneficiaries with disabilities;
     Refer beneficiaries to Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), 
Employment Networks (ENs), DOL One-Stop Career Centers, as well as 
other organizations that emphasize/provide seamless employment-related 
supports and ticket assignments.
     Assist beneficiaries with disabilities to resolve problems 
related to work efforts, higher education and work attainment or 
continuation of work;
     Provide ongoing, comprehensive work incentives monitoring 
and management assistance to beneficiaries who are employed or seeking 
employment; and
     Provide long-term work incentives management on a 
scheduled, continuous basis, allowing for the planning and provision of 
supports at regular checkpoints, as well as critical transition points 
in a beneficiary's receipt of benefits, improvement of medical 
condition, work attempts, training and employment;
     Provide ongoing direct assistance to a beneficiary in the 
development of a comprehensive, long-term work plan to guide the 
effective use of Federal, State and local work incentives. Specific 
components of the plan must address:

--Desired return to work and self-sufficiency outcomes,
--Related steps or activities necessary to achieve outcomes,
--Associated dates or timeframes,
--Building on initial work incentives planning efforts including 
information gathering, analysis and advisement, and
--Benefits/financial analysis (pre and post-employment);

     Provide intensive assistance to beneficiaries, their key 
stakeholders, and their support teams in making informed choices and 
establishing employment-related goals. Needed assistance may include, 
but is not limited to, the following:
--Explanations, descriptions, and written plans on how SSDI and SSI 
work incentives programs may lead to self-supporting employment by 
developing a Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS); the use of 
Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWEs); the use of a Subsidy; Ability 
to claim Unincurred Business Expenses; Continued Payments Under a 
Vocational Rehabilitation Program (also known as Section 301); as well 
as the possibility of reinstatement of benefits when necessary without 
filing a new application;
--Explanations, descriptions, and written plans on how the SSI 1619(a) 
and 1619(b) provisions and requirements may lead to self-supporting 
employment by allowing for continued medical assistance

[[Page 28406]]

coverage; earned income exclusion; student earned income exclusion; 
property essential to self-support; as well as the possibility of 
reinstatement of benefits when necessary without filing a new 
application;
--Explanations, descriptions, and written plans on how the SSDI trial 
work period (TWP) and extended period of eligibility (EPE) provisions 
may lead to self-supporting employment by allowing payment of benefits 
for a specified period of time dependent upon the amount of earnings;
--Advocating for work supports on behalf of a beneficiary with other 
agencies and programs, which requires in-person, telephone and/or 
written communication with the beneficiaries, other individuals and 
other involved parties, generally, over a period of several weeks to 
several months.

     Provide ongoing follow-up assistance to beneficiaries who 
have previously received work incentives planning and/or other types of 
work incentives assistance services, and assist them and other involved 
parties to:

--Update information,
--Refer to Employment Networks (ENs) or Vocational Rehabilitation, when 
necessary,
--Reassess impact of employment and other changes on benefits and work 
incentives, and
--Provide additional guidance on work incentives options, issues and 
management strategies.

     Assist beneficiaries to update work incentives management 
plans throughout their employment efforts;
     Collaborate with SSA's Program Manager for Recruitment and 
Outreach (PMRO) to conduct outreach to beneficiaries with disabilities 
about the use of work incentives to work.
3. Support to PMRO Work Incentives Education/Ticket Marketing/
Recruitment
    The WIPA awardees will be required to provide local CWIC support to 
the PMRO in order to provide community-based Work Incentives 
Educational Seminars for beneficiaries with disabilities to learn about 
available work incentives. These local Work Incentives Education/Ticket 
Marketing/Recruitment meetings are intended to provide accessible, 
scenario based learning opportunities for beneficiaries with 
disabilities to understand the availability and use of work incentives 
to assist them in their return to work efforts. In addition, Vocational 
Rehabilitation (VR), Employment Networks (ENs) and other employers will 
also be invited to participate to introduce their services at the end 
of these meetings so that beneficiaries who want to work will be 
informed about available employment support services and opportunities 
in the community.
    The PMRO has primary responsibility for outreach. In support of 
PMRO activities, WIPAs should designate a maximum of 10% of their staff 
time to ticket marketing/recruiting efforts under the direction of the 
PMRO.

    Note: Additional information regarding how WIPA projects will 
work with the PMRO may be found at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work/WIPARFA.html.

    The WIPA should make staff resources available at least one day per 
week to assist the PMRO to:
     Identify accessible local venues for holding meetings, 
preference should be given to DOL One-Stop Career Centers;
     Conduct regular (at least weekly) work incentives 
education and Ticket to Work recruitment sessions in collaboration with 
the PMRO, SSA staff, the local Workforce Investment Board s Disability 
Program Navigators, local Employment Networks (ENs), Vocational 
Rehabilitation (VR), employers and other potential partners.
     At the weekly sessions present with the assistance of 
local SSA staff (if available) a 60-90 minute scenario-based work 
incentives overview to be provided (in accessible formats) by the PMRO.
4. Additional Work Incentives Outreach Services
    Work incentives outreach activities are educational efforts to 
inform beneficiaries of available work incentives, as well as the 
services and supports available to enable them to access and benefit 
from those work incentives in terms of working. In view of the fact 
that the PMRO has primary responsibility for outreach, WIPA's should 
designate no more than 10% of their project resources for other local 
outreach efforts; excluding those resources allocated to the PMRO Work 
Incentives Educational Seminars. WIPA's will be provided such things as 
marketing materials, developed by the PMRO. Each project will support 
the PMRO in doing outreach, participate with them, and coordinate any 
outreach activities through them. Outreach activities should be 
targeted directly to SSDI and SSI beneficiaries with disabilities, 
their families, to advocacy groups, service provider agencies, and 
employers that have regular contact with them. Outreach activities 
should be directed toward and sensitive to the needs of individuals 
from diverse ethnic backgrounds, persons with English as their second 
language, as well as non-English speaking persons, individuals residing 
in highly urban or rural areas, and other traditionally underserved 
groups.
    To conduct ongoing local outreach, CWICs will:
     Prepare and disseminate information explaining the Ticket 
to Work Program and other Federal, State or local work incentives 
programs and their interrelationships; and
     Work in cooperation with the Program Manager Recruiting 
and Outreach (PMRO) contractor to market the Ticket to Work Program, as 
well as other Federal, State, and private agencies and nonprofit 
organizations that serve beneficiaries with disabilities, such as DOL 
One-Stop Career Centers and with other agencies and organizations that 
focus on vocational rehabilitation and work-related training and 
counseling.
    To assist SSA in assessing the scope and usefulness of outreach and 
information provided under this program, each project is required to 
demonstrate a collaborative effort among other community-based 
organizations experienced in providing services to people with 
disabilities, particularly DOL One-Stop Career Centers. Applicants 
should provide proof that the assigned Project Director possesses work 
incentives management experience and has knowledge on all of SSA's work 
incentives available to beneficiaries with disabilities.
    In addition, projects will conduct regular work incentives 
education and Ticket to Work outreach sessions in collaboration with 
the PMRO, SSA staff, the local Workforce Investment Board's Disability 
Program Navigators, Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), local Employment 
Networks (ENs) and other potential partners. Projects will also need to 
coordinate joint outreach services with the SSA Area Work Incentives 
Coordinator (AWIC) to include attendance at quarterly Training and 
Technical Assistance meetings with the AWIC.
5. Costs
    Federal cooperative agreement funds may be used for allowable costs 
incurred by WIPA awardees in conducting direct work incentives planning 
and assistance services to SSA's beneficiaries with disabilities. These 
costs could include administrative and overall project management 
costs, within the

[[Page 28407]]

limitations discussed in Section II, Award Information. Federal 
cooperative agreement funds are not intended to cover costs that are 
reimbursable under an existing public or private program, such as 
social services, rehabilitation services, or education. No SSDI or SSI 
beneficiary can be charged for any service delivered under a WIPA 
project cooperative agreement, including the preparation of a PASS. 
Work incentives planning and assistance services are intended to be 
free and must be made accessible to all SSA beneficiaries with 
disabilities in the project's geographical area.

E. Additional Conditions for Award of a Cooperative Agreement

    Upon award, the WIPA cooperative agreement awardees shall:
    1. Employ CWICs and require them to complete an approved initial 
four day training session within 3 months of award. SSA, or its 
designated technical assistance and training contractor, will provide 
technical assistance and training to WIPA projects about SSA's programs 
and work incentives (e.g., TWP, EPE, IRWE, PASS, 1619(a) and (b), and 
Medicaid buy-in provisions/Balanced Budget Act; Medicare and Medicaid; 
and on other Federal work incentives programs.
    CWICs will be trained on how to screen and refer beneficiaries with 
disabilities to the appropriate ENs based on the beneficiary's 
expressed needs and types of impairments.
    WIPA awardees must provide training and technical assistance to 
their CWICs about applicable State and local programs and the effects 
that these programs have on other programs' eligibility and benefits.
    2. Ensure that CWICs are provided periodic refresher, update and 
new hire training sessions, as needed, and take part in the evaluation 
of training activities and the evaluation of ongoing training needs 
evaluation by SSA or its designated contractor.
    3. Ensure that CWICs have completed work incentives training within 
3 months of award, develop a local outreach strategy and begin to 
implement outreach, in collaboration with PMRO, within 3 months of 
award.
    4. Obtain approval from SSA of management information system data 
collection elements and procedures with SSA to assure compatibility 
with the national data base collection program (within 60 days after 
award); [Note: Applicants should document that they agree to collect 
Social Security Numbers (SSNs) of beneficiaries and include them in the 
SSA approved data collection system so that SSA may further evaluate 
the work incentives services provided.]
    5. Develop and submit quarterly program progress reports that 
contain management information to SSA's Office of Acquisition and 
Grants (OAG) and SSA's Office of Employment Support Programs;
    6. Develop and submit bi-annual financial reports to SSA, OAG;
    7. Provide to SSA for approval and prior to implementation a 
detailed description of any and all planned changes to the project 
design;
    8. Cooperate with SSA in scheduling and conducting site visits, and 
allow SSA immediate access to WIPA facilities, personnel, and SSA 
beneficiaries upon request;
    9. Develop and maintain a collaborative working relationship with 
the local servicing SSA field offices;
    10. Implement an ongoing management and quality assurance process 
set by SSA.

II. Award Information

    Legislative authority for this cooperative agreement program is in 
section 1149 of the Social Security Act (the Act), as established by 
section 121 of Public Law 106-170 and subsequent reauthorization in 
section 407 of Public Law 108-203. The regulatory requirements that 
govern the administration of SSA awards are in the Code of Federal 
Regulations, Title 20, parts 435 and 437 (as published in the May 27, 
2003 Federal Register at 68 FR 28710 and 28727). Applicants are urged 
to review the requirements in the applicable regulations.
    All awards made under this program are in the form of cooperative 
agreements. A cooperative agreement anticipates substantial involvement 
between SSA and the awardee during the performance of the project. 
Involvement shall include SSA collaboration or participation in the 
management of the activity as determined at the time of the award. For 
example, SSA will be involved in decisions involving project design and 
scope, hiring of personnel, service delivery priorities, deployment of 
resources, release of public information materials, quality assurance, 
and coordination of activities with other offices.
    Actual funding availability during this period is subject to annual 
appropriation by Congress. SSA anticipates that the award under this 
announcement will be made by September 30, 2006.
    SSA will award cooperative agreements to qualified entities based 
on the number of beneficiaries with disabilities receiving SSDI and /or 
SSI benefits who reside in the geographic area to be served.
    Subject to the availability of funds, SSA anticipates that a 
minimum of $100,000 for individual state WIPA projects (Minimum awards 
for territories remains at $50,000) and a maximum of $300,000 will be 
available to fund specific WIPA projects annually. Attached is a chart 
which depicts state-by-state beneficiary populations.
    SSA may suspend or terminate any cooperative agreement in whole or 
in part at any time before the date of expiration, whenever it 
determines that the awardee has failed to comply with the terms and 
conditions of the cooperative agreement. SSA will promptly notify the 
awardee in writing of the determination and the reasons for suspension 
or termination, and the effective date of the suspension or 
termination.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

    A cooperative agreement may be awarded to any State or local 
government (excluding any State administering the State Medicaid 
program), public or private organization, or nonprofit or for-profit 
organization (for profit organizations may apply with the understanding 
that no cooperative agreement funds may be paid as profit to any 
awardee), as well as Native American tribal organizations that the 
Commissioner determines is qualified to provide work incentives 
planning, assistance and outreach services to all SSDI and SSI 
beneficiaries with disabilities, within the targeted geographic area. 
Partners may include; but are not limited to, Centers for Independent 
Living established under title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 
protection and advocacy organizations, Native American tribal entities, 
client assistance programs established in accordance with section 112 
of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, State Developmental Disabilities 
Councils established in accordance with section 124 of the 
Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, and State 
agencies administering the State program funded under part A of title 
IV of the Act. The Commissioner may also award a cooperative agreement 
to a State or local Workforce Investment Board, a Department of Labor 
(DOL) One-Stop Career Center System established under the Workforce 
Improvement Act of 1998, or a State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) 
agency.

    Note: SSA will not further consider applications for independent 
panel review

[[Page 28408]]

that do not meet the organizational eligibility criteria as noted 
above.


    Note: For-profit organizations may apply with the understanding 
that no cooperative agreement funds may be profit to an awardee of a 
cooperative agreement. Profit is considered as any amount in excess 
of the allowable costs of the cooperative agreement awardee. A for-
profit organization is a cooperation or other legal entity that is 
organized or operated for the profit or benefit of its shareholders 
or other owners and must be distinguishable or legally separable 
from that of an individual acting on his/her own behalf. 
Applications will not be further considered for independent panel 
review that do not meet all eligibility criteria at the time of 
submission of applications.

    Cooperative agreements may not be awarded to:
     Any individual;
     Social Security Administration Field Offices;
     Any State agency administering the State Medicaid program 
under title XIX of the Act;
     Any organization described in section 501(c)(4) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1968 that engages in lobbying (in accordance 
with section 18 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, 2 U.S.C. 1611)

B. Policies Regarding Potential Conflict of Interest in WIPA Service 
Delivery

    All applicants applying for a cooperative agreement must fully 
document how they will ensure there will be no conflict of interest 
between providing work incentives planning and assistance services and 
delivering employment network-related services or protection and 
advocacy-related services to beneficiaries with disabilities in their 
employment efforts. In particular, they must demonstrate how issues 
will be resolved when a complaint or issue is against a Community Work 
Incentives Coordinator (CWIC) or WIPA organization. Also, State 
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies and other organizations that 
are, or will apply to be a WIPA project, under SSA's Ticket to Work and 
Self-Sufficiency Program, must fully explain how they will resolve 
potential conflict of interest issues in the event it also receives a 
cooperative agreement to provide work incentives planning and 
assistance services. This is especially important in the areas of 
providing beneficiaries complete information regarding other 
organizations from which they may choose to receive employment 
services.

    Note: SSA will not accept for further consider applications for 
independent panel review that do not include documented policies and 
procedures regarding the resolution of potential conflict of 
interest issues as noted above.

C. Cost Sharing or Matching

    Awardees of SSA cooperative agreements are required to contribute a 
non-Federal match of at least 5 percent toward the total cost of each 
project. The total cost of the project is the sum of the Federal share 
(up to 95 percent) and the non-Federal share (at least 5 percent). The 
non-Federal share may be cash or in-kind (property or services) 
contributions.

    Note: SSA will not accept for further consideration applications 
for independent panel review that do not document their agreement to 
cost sharing/matching as noted above.

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Address To Request Application

    It is required that an electronic application be submitted through 
http://www.grants.gov for Funding Opportunity Number SSA-OESP-06-1. The 
http://www.grants.gov, ``Get Started'' webpage is available to help 
explain the registration and application submission process. In 
addition, new Federal grant applicants may find the Grants.gov 
Registration Brochure on the above noted Web site to be helpful.
    If you experience problems with the steps related to registering to 
do business with the Federal government or application submission, your 
first point of contact is the Grants.gov support staff at 
[email protected], 1-800-518-4726. If your difficulties are not 
resolved, you may also contact the SSA Grants Management Team for 
assistance: Gary Stammer, 410-965-9501; Dave Allshouse, 410-965-9262; 
Audrey Adams, 410-965-9469; Mary Biddle, 410-965-9503; Ann Dwayer, 410-
965-9534; Phyllis Y. Smith, 410-965-9518.
    If extenuating circumstances prevent you from submitting an 
application through http://www.grants.gov, please contact the SSA 
Grants Management Team for possible prior approval to download, 
complete and submit an application by mail. Please fax inquiries 
regarding the application process to the Grants Management Team at 410-
966-9310 or mail to: Social Security Administration, Office of 
Acquisition and Grants, Grants Management Team, Attention: SSA-OESP-06-
1, 1st Floor--Rear Entrance, 7111 Security Blvd., Baltimore, Md. 21244. 
To ensure receipt of the proper application package, please include 
program announcement number SSA-OESP-06-1 and the date of this 
announcement.

B. Content and Form of Application Submission

    Prospective applicants are asked to submit, preferably by May 30, 
2006, an e-mail, a fax, post card, or letter of intent that includes:
    (a) The program announcement number (SSA-OESP-06-1) and title, Work 
Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Program;
    (b) The name of the agency or organization that is applying; and
    (c) The name, mailing address, e-mail address, telephone number, 
and fax number for the organization's contact person.
    The notice of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not 
enter into the review process of a subsequent application. The purpose 
of the notice of intent is to allow SSA staff to estimate the number of 
independent reviewers needed and to avoid potential conflicts of 
interest in the review. The notice of intent should be faxed to (410) 
966-1278; mailed to Social Security Administration, Office of 
Employment Support Programs, Office of Beneficiary Outreach and 
Employment Support, 107 Altmeyer Building, 6401 Security Boulevard, 
Baltimore, Maryland 21235-6401; or e-mailed to [email protected] or 
[email protected].

C. Electronic Applications

    When submitting an application electronically http://www.grants.gov 
automatically ensures a complete application is submitted.

D. Mailed Applications

    Applications that are not submitted by July 1, 2006 are considered 
late applications. SSA will not waive or extend the deadline for any 
application unless the deadline is waived or extended for all 
applications. SSA will notify each late applicant that its application 
will not be considered. Applicants that do not have not have access to 
the internet should contact the Office of Acquisitions and Grants 
Management Team for further details on how to complete an application.
    All applications that meet the deadline of July 1, 2006 will be 
screened to determine completeness and conformity to the requirements 
of this announcement. Complete and conforming applications will then be 
evaluated.
     Length: The program narrative portion of the application 
may not exceed 50 double-spaced pages (or 25 single-spaced pages) on 
one side of the paper only, using standard (8\1/2\'' x 11'') size 
paper, and 12-point font.

[[Page 28409]]

Attachments that support the program narrative count towards the 50-
page limit; resumes and letters of support do not count within the 50-
page limit.

E. Checklist for a Complete Application

    The checklist below is a guide to ensure that the application 
package has been properly prepared.
     An original, signed and dated application plus at least 
two copies (if submitting paper application as opposed to an electronic 
application.) If submitting paper application, seven additional copies 
are optional but will expedite processing.

    Note: When submitting an application electronically http://www.grants.gov automatically ensures a complete application is 
submitted.

     The project narrative portion of the application, which 
includes the applicant's detailed service delivery plan, may not exceed 
fifty double-spaced pages (twenty-five single-spaced pages) on one side 
of the paper only, using standard (8\1/2\'' x 11'') size paper, and 12-
point font. Attachments that support the program narrative count 
towards the 50-page limit; resumes and letters of support do not count 
in the 50-page limit.
     Attachments/Appendices, when included, should be used only 
to provide supporting documentation. Please do not include books or 
videotapes as they are not easily reproduced and are therefore 
inaccessible to reviewers.
     A complete application, which consists of the following 
items in this order:
    (1) Part I (Face page)--Application for Federal Assistance;
    (2) Table of Contents;
    (3) Brief Project Summary or Synopsis (not to exceed one page);
    (4) Part II--Budget Information, Sections A through G;
    (5) Budget Justification (in Section B Budget Categories, explain 
how amounts were computed), including subcontract organization budgets;
    (6) Part III--Application Narrative and Appendices; [Note: Project 
Narrative should include the required detailed service delivery plan.]
    (7) Part IV--Assurances;
    (8) Additional Assurances and Certifications--regarding Lobbying 
and regarding Drug-Free Workplace; and

F. Guidelines for Application Submission

    All applications for this cooperative agreement project must be 
submitted on the prescribed forms. The application shall be executed by 
an individual authorized to act for the applicant organization and to 
assume for the applicant organization the obligations imposed by the 
terms and conditions of the cooperative agreement award. Submission 
through Grants.gov generates signatures in all required fields. It is 
important that only an authorized representative submit the 
application.
    In item 12 of the Face Sheet (SF 424), the applicant must clearly 
indicate the application submitted is in response to this announcement 
(SSA-OESP-06-1). The applicant also is encouraged to select a short 
descriptive project title.
    Prospective applicants are asked to submit, preferably by May 30, 
2006, an e-mail, fax, post card, or letter of intent that includes (1) 
the program announcement number (SSA-OESP-06-1) and title (Work 
Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Program); (2) the name of the 
agency or organization that is applying; and (3) the name, mailing 
address, e-mail address, telephone number, and fax number for the 
organization's contact person. The notice of intent is not required, is 
not binding, and does not enter into the review process of a subsequent 
application. The purpose of the notice of intent is to allow SSA staff 
to estimate the number of independent reviewers needed and to avoid 
potential conflicts of interest in the review. The notice of intent 
should be faxed to (410) 966-1278; mailed to Social Security 
Administration, Office of Employment Support Programs, Division of 
Employment Policy, 107 Altmeyer Building, 6401 Security Boulevard, 
Baltimore, Maryland 21235-6401; or e-mailed to [email protected] or 
[email protected].

G. Submission Dates and Times

    All applications must be submitted by the closing date of July 1, 
2006. When authorized by the SSA Grants Management Team, applications 
may be mailed or hand-delivered to: Grants Management Team, Office of 
Acquisition and Grants, OAG, Social Security Administration, Attention: 
SSA-OESP-06-1, 1st Floor--Rear Entrance, 7111 Security Blvd., 
Baltimore, MD 21244. Hand-delivered applications are accepted between 
the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. An application 
will be considered as meeting the deadline if it is either:
     Received from Grants.gov on or before the deadline date; 
or
     When a mailed application has been authorized by the 
Grants Management Team, received at the above address on or before the 
deadline date; or
     When a mailed application has been authorized by the 
Grants Management Team, mailed through the U.S. Postal Service or sent 
by commercial carrier on or before the deadline date and received in 
time to be considered during the competitive review and evaluation 
process. Packages must be postmarked by July 1, 2006. Applicants are 
cautioned to request a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark or to 
obtain a legibly dated receipt from a commercial carrier as evidence of 
timely mailing. Private-metered postmarks are not acceptable as proof 
of timely mailing.

H. Intergovernmental Review

    The applicant organization is to check with your State's Single 
Point of Contact (SPOC) to find out about and comply with your State's 
process under Executive Order 12372. SPOCs are listed in the Office of 
Management and Budget's home page at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.

I. Funding Restrictions

    Construction expenses: SSA programs do not have construction 
authority but may support limited alteration and renovation costs. 
Amounts included under this category must be fully explained under 
Section F of the application.

J. Other Submission Requirements

    Application packages are provided at http://www.grants.gov. If 
extenuating circumstances prevent you from submitting an application 
through http://www.grants.gov please contact the SSA Grants Management 
Team (at the Office of Acquisitions and Grants (OAG), Social Security 
Administration, Grants Management Team, Attention: SSA-OESP-06-1, 1st 
Floor--Rear Entrance, 7111 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21244) for 
possible prior approval to download, complete and submit an application 
package by mail.
    All applicants for Federal grants and cooperative agreements on or 
after October 1, 2003 are required to provide a Dun and Bradstreet 
(D&B) Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number. The DUNS number is 
required whether an applicant is submitting a paper application or 
using the government-wide electronic portal (Grants.gov). Organizations 
should verify that they have a DUNS number or take the steps needed to 
obtain one as soon as possible. Organizations can receive a DUNS number 
at no cost by

[[Page 28410]]

calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS number request line at 1-866-705-
5711.

V. Application Review Information

A. Criteria

    Upon receipt, all applications will be reviewed to determine 
completeness and conformity to the requirements of this announcement. 
If an applicant is determined to be ineligible or the application is 
incomplete or nonconforming to the requirements of this announcement, 
the application will be returned to the applicant and will no longer be 
considered for award. Applications that are complete and conform to the 
requirements of this announcement will then be forwarded to an 
independent panel of reviewers for evaluation.

B. Review and Selection Process

    The results of this review and evaluation will assist the 
Commissioner of Social Security in making the award decision. Although 
the results of this review and evaluation are a primary factor 
considered in making the decisions, the evaluated score is not the only 
factor used. In selecting eligible applicants to be funded, 
consideration will be given to issues such as experience, past 
performance, proposed costs, the need to achieve an equitable 
distribution of WIPA projects among geographic regions of the country, 
as well as the need to achieve an equitable distribution of WIPA 
projects among disability and minority populations.
    There are four categories of criteria used to score applications: 
Relevance/adequacy of project design and scope; resources and 
management; quality assurance, and collaboration/partnerships. The 
total points possible for an application are 100. Following are the 
evaluation criteria that SSA will use in reviewing all applications 
(relative weights are shown in parentheses):
1. Relevance/Adequacy of Project Design and Scope (50 Points)
    The adequacy of the project design and scope will be evaluated 
based on the following criteria in descending order of priority:
     The applicant's description of the project operations, 
including the project's documented knowledge of work incentives as they 
relate to employment and how the project will provide services to 
beneficiaries with disabilities regarding employment (e.g., identify 
how project will notify potential beneficiaries about the availability 
of work incentives planning and assistance services, location(s) for 
providing services, ability to travel to the beneficiary, etc.) and the 
quality of the project design;
     Applicant's evidence that their project design and scope 
will successfully assist beneficiaries with disabilities obtain, regain 
or maintain gainful employment;
     The applicant's clear and concise statement of the project 
goals and objectives; and process(es) for collecting SSA required 
management information; specification of data sources; including how 
they will interact with the SSA approved national data base;
     The applicant's description of how the project will 
address provision of work incentives planning, assistance and outreach 
to populations with special cultural or language requirements specific 
to their geographic area;
     The applicant's plan for providing work incentives 
planning, assistance and outreach to transition-to-work-aged SSI youth;
     The applicant's identification of problems that may arise 
and how they will be resolved; e.g., how dropouts and inadequate 
numbers of beneficiary participants will be handled.
     If appropriate in the applicant's State or Region, a plan 
for providing seamless employment services to individuals seeking to 
enter the workforce through the SSA DOL/ETA Disability Program 
Navigator (DPN) initiative and existing Employment Networks (ENs). 
[Note: Applicants in a State or Region that do not have a DPN or EN 
need not address this issue in their application and may receive all 
available points for this criteria. Evaluation panels will not use this 
sub-criteria in the application evaluation for those States or Regions 
where it is not applicable.]
     If appropriate in the applicant's State, a plan for 
providing work incentives planning, assistance and outreach to States 
involved in the Youth Transition Process Demonstration; [Note: 
Applicants in a State or Region that do not have a YTD need not address 
this issue in their application and may receive all available points 
for this criteria. Evaluation panels will not use this sub-criteria in 
the application evaluation for those States or Regions where it is not 
applicable.]
2. Resources and Management (20 Points)
    Resources and management will be evaluated based on the following:
     The applicant's documentation that the Project Directors 
and CWICs have the necessary experience to successfully implement the 
program requirements described in this RFA; (Specifically, projects 
successfully involving return-to-work initiatives for SSDI and SSI 
beneficiaries with disabilities.)
     The applicant's description and adequacy of the proposed 
infrastructure and organization of the project, including the existence 
of the necessary administrative resources to effectively carry out the 
program requirements;
     The applicant's plan for providing personnel who meet the 
qualification criteria cited in this RFA under Section I as evidenced 
by training and experience which indicates that they have the skills 
required to competently provide work incentives planning and assistance 
services;
     The applicant's plan for providing staff members who are 
individuals with disabilities to conduct the day-to-day operational 
functions;
     The applicant's evidence of sufficient resources, 
including personnel, time, funds, and facilities that will be available 
to support beneficiaries with disabilities obtain, maintain or regain 
employment under this program. The applicant's evidence of adequate 
facilities should include accessibility to public transportation, 
elevators, and ramps.
3. Quality Assurance (20 Points)
    The applicant's quality assurance plan will be evaluated based on 
the following:
     The applicant's plan for ensuring ongoing training needs 
(refresher and update training) of CWICs and other personnel, as 
appropriate, to ensure that personnel maintain knowledge, skills, and 
abilities as required to perform their job duties;
     The applicant's plan for using management information data 
and caseload reviews to improve processes such as beneficiary case-
management and follow-up services and to ensure that all work 
incentives information given to beneficiaries is accurate and 
applicable. The applicant's plan must include how it intends to track 
the progress and outcomes of beneficiaries based on services provided 
by the CWIC. SSA is interested in identifying beneficiary outcomes 
under the WIPA Program to determine the extent to which beneficiaries 
with disabilities achieve their employment, financial, and health care 
goals. Therefore, SSA is requiring that cooperative agreement awardees 
collect beneficiary specific data regarding the employment status, 
benefit status, and income of beneficiaries before and after providing 
services under these cooperative agreements;
     The applicant's evidence of existing case management and 
monitoring

[[Page 28411]]

systems and techniques, including a management information system;
     The applicant's detailed quality assurance plan and how 
well it complies with the requirements of this RFA in terms of data 
collection, reporting, and ensuring that only accurate information is 
provided to beneficiaries with disabilities and others interested 
parties, as appropriate.
4. Collaboration/Partnerships (10 Points)
    The applicant s collaborative activities and partnerships will be 
evaluated based on the following:
     Evidence of the applicant s working relationship with the 
local DOL One-Stop Career Center;
     Applicant s evidence of other collaborative activities 
with relevant agencies, (e.g., Vocational Rehabilitation, Centers for 
Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Dept. of Education, Minority 
Commission, Workforce Centers, Employment Networks, Mental Health 
organizations) in providing work incentives planning and assistance 
services; and extent to which the applicant partnered in collaborative 
efforts with these organizations, including letters of intent or 
written assurances from cited organizations;
     The applicant s plan to work in collaboration/cooperation 
with the PMRO. [Note: Additional information regarding how WIPA 
projects will work with the PMRO may be found at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work/WIPARFA.html.]

VI. Award Administration Information

A. Award Notices

    A cooperative agreement award will be issued within the constraints 
of available Federal funds and at the discretion of SSA. The official 
award document is the ``Notice of Cooperative Agreement Award.'' It 
will provide the amount of the award, the purpose of the award, the 
term of the agreement, the total project period for which support is 
contemplated, the amount of financial participation required, and any 
special terms and conditions of the cooperative agreement. The Notice 
of Cooperative Agreement Award signed by the Grants Officer is the 
authorizing document. These awards will be issued via e-mail.

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    No administrative or national policy requirements have been 
identified by SSA for the WIPA Program.

C. Reporting

    Entities must provide all collected data and report the results to 
SSA's Office of Acquisition and Grants, Grants Management Team (OAG, 
GMT), as described below.
    The entities awarded a cooperative agreement under this notice 
shall submit quarterly progress reports to OAG, GMT. SSA expects that 
the project will need a period of time to begin providing services and 
collecting management information. Therefore, the first quarterly 
program report shall include a description of the project, a status of 
data collection operations, actions that were taken, planned actions, 
and a description of how the project is addressing the needs of 
individuals with disabilities from diverse ethnic and racial 
communities, both in work incentives planning and in carrying out 
outreach activities.
    Subsequent quarterly program reports shall provide: A status of the 
project, any problems or proposed changes in the project (e.g., 
requests for technical assistance from contractor, interagency 
agreement change); specific information (baseline data/program 
statistics) required by SSA, including that listed above; a description 
of how the project is addressing the needs of individuals with 
disabilities from diverse ethnic and racial communities, both in work 
incentives planning and outreach activities; quality assurance 
measures, goals achieved, collaboration activities, outcomes achieved 
by beneficiaries served/success stories involving employment, actions 
that were taken, and planned actions. The quarterly program reports 
shall be submitted to SSA, OAG, within 30 days after the end of the 
quarter. Financial status reports shall be submitted bi-annually, 
within 30 days after the end of the six month period.
    SSA personnel (SSA Project Officer and/or other staff) expect to 
visit projects at least once in each year of the cooperative agreement. 
The SSA Project Officer shall review site operations, collect 
management information, assess the quality assurance plan and goal 
achievement, and evaluate how projects are finding ways to make work 
incentives planning and assistance activities more effective in 
achieving SSA's program goals.
    Staff members shall attend an initial orientation meeting that will 
include an orientation session by SSA and subsequent scheduled 
conferences at SSA headquarters or alternate sites chosen by SSA. Those 
meetings will provide the awardee of the cooperative agreement with the 
opportunity to exchange information with SSA and other awardees.

D. MI Program Data To Be Collected and Reported

    Common data elements will be collected through a national on-line 
database. The awardees and SSA will use the management information (MI) 
data to manage the project and to determine what additional resources 
or other approaches may be needed to improve the process. The data will 
also be valuable to SSA in its analysis of and future planning for the 
SSDI and SSI programs. SSA is interested in identifying participant 
outcomes under the WIPA Program to determine the extent to which 
participants achieve their employment, financial, and health care 
goals. Therefore, SSA is requiring that cooperative agreement awardees 
collect data regarding the employment status, benefit status, and 
income of beneficiaries before and after providing services in order to 
help ensure that SSA beneficiaries with disabilities are gaining 
effective supports and follow-up services needed to move towards 
gainful employment.
    Data to be collected will include information about:
    Beneficiaries' demographic characteristics, including Social 
Security Numbers (SSNs); Beneficiaries' income support characteristics 
(including earnings and SSA and non-SSA benefits);
    Beneficiaries' non-income support characteristics (including access 
to public and private health care);
    Beneficiaries' work goals and strategies;
    Beneficiaries' use of SSA's work incentives and;
    Isolated outreach activities for evaluation purposes;
    Employment outcomes.
    The projects will collect, analyze, and summarize the specific data 
elements listed below:
    A. Beneficiary information:
    1. Beneficiary/recipient name (Last, First, Middle)
    2. Date of birth
    3. Gender
    4. Special language or other consideration
    5. Mailing address
    6. Telephone number
    7. Social Security Number (SSN)
    8. Representative payee (RP) name (if applicable)
    9. RP address
    10. Current level of education
    11. Whether pursuing education currently and at what level (e.g., 
post secondary, continuing adult education, special education, 
vocational education)

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    12. Proposed educational goals
    13. Primary diagnosis
    14. Secondary diagnosis (if applicable)
    15. Employer health care coverage at outset (if working)
    16. Other health care coverage
    B. Employment Information and Outcomes: (current and proposed 
goals--when applicable.)
    1. Self-employed or employee
    2. Type of work
    3. Beginning date
    4. Hours per week
    5. Monthly gross earned income
    6. Monthly net earned income
    7. Work-related expenses
    C. Program Manager for Recruitment and Outreach (PMRO) Activities:
    1. Dates, times, location and attendance information on work 
incentives education seminars and other Ticket to Work Marketing 
sessions conducted in collaboration with the PMRO;
    2. Beneficiaries' income support characteristics (including 
earnings and SSA and non-SSA benefits);
    3. Beneficiaries' non-income support characteristics (including 
access to public and private health care);
    4. Beneficiaries' identified work goals and strategies for 
attaining successful employment outcomes (For example, will a 
beneficiary need to seek additional training or education in order to 
attain an identified employment outcome?);
    5. Other local outreach activities conducted by the project for 
further evaluation purposes;
    D. Benefits: (current and expected changes if employment goals are 
reached)
    1. SSDI
    2. SSI
    3. Concurrent (SSDI and SSI)
    4. Medicare
    5. Medicaid
    6. Private Health Insurance
    7. Subsidized housing or other rental subsidies
    8. Food Stamps
    9. General Assistance
    10. Workers Compensation benefits
    11. Unemployment Insurance benefits
    12. Other Federal, State, or local supports, including TANF 
(specify)
    E. Incentives to be used:
    1. Trial-work period (TWP)
    2. Extended period of eligibility (EPE)
    3. Impairment-related work expenses (IRWE)
    4. Plan for achieving self-support (PASS)
    5. 1619(a)
    6. Continuing Medicaid (1619(b))
    7. Medicaid buy-in provisions/Balanced Budget Act
    8. Blind Work Expense
    9. Student Earned Income Exclusion
    10. Subsidy Development
    11. Extended Medicare
    12. Property Essential to Self-Support
    13. Earned Income Exclusion
    14. SGA limits (unsuccessful work attempt, subsidy, unincurred 
business expenses, etc.)
    F. Services to be used:
    1. Vocational Rehabilitation services
    2. Para-transit services
    3. Protection and Advocacy services
    4. Work-related training/counseling program
    5. USDOL/ETA One-Stop Career Center services
    6. Transitioning youth services (from school to post-secondary 
education or to work)
    7. Employment Network services
    8. Services for beneficiaries with visual impairments (i.e. service 
animals)
    9. Employer Assistance and Referral Network (EARN)
    10. Other Advocacy-related Services
    G. Monthly Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) 
activities performed:
    1. Number of SSDI/SSI beneficiaries (over age 18) requesting 
assistance (initial and repeat requests)
    2. Number of SSDI/SSI beneficiaries (ages 14 to 18) requesting 
assistance (initial and repeat requests)
    3. Number of new work incentives plans prepared
    4. Number of updated work incentives plans prepared
    5. Number of presentations given at forums, conferences, meetings, 
etc.
    6. Number of work incentives education and Ticket to Work marketing 
sessions conducted in collaboration with the PMRO.
    7. Number of follow-up contacts with beneficiaries
    8. Number of times exhibited at forums, conferences, meetings, etc.
    9. Number of contacts with Area Work Incentives Coordinators 
(AWICs)
    Additional information such as the time spent per beneficiary/
recipient, beneficiary's waiting time for a response, an appointment 
and for services, the reason for service request, the level of service 
provided, and any anticipated or verified employment status change of 
the beneficiary will also be reported by awardee. All data elements are 
to be collected through an SSA approved national online database, in 
order to allow for analysis of project efficacy and the comparability 
of the data across project sites.
    The application requirements in Part IV are the minimum amount of 
required project information. Projects will be responsible for 
collecting management information (MI), producing regular reports, and 
producing a final report which analyzes the successes and/or failures 
of the methodology used to provide work incentives planning and 
assistance services to SSDI and SSI beneficiaries.

    Note: Reporting guidelines are outlined in Section VI (Award 
Administration Information) Part 2: Reporting; and, Part 3: 
Management Information Program Data to be Collected and Reported.

    All projects must adhere to SSA's Privacy and Confidentiality 
Regulations (20 CFR part 401) for maintaining records of individuals, 
as well as provide specific safeguards surrounding beneficiary 
information sharing, paper/computer records/data, and other issues 
potentially arising from providing work incentives planning and 
assistance services to SSDI and SSI beneficiaries with disabilities. 
Beneficiary data should be accessible only to project personnel via 
locked file cabinets, computer password protections, etc.

VII. Agency Contacts

    Send questions about this announcement to the following Internet e-
mail addresses: [email protected] or [email protected]. When 
sending in a question, reference program announcement number SSA-OESP-
06-1 and the date of this announcement.
    For information regarding the application submission process, you 
may also contact: Phyllis Y. Smith or Gary Stammer, Grants Management 
Team, Office of Acquisition and Grants, Social Security Administration, 
1st Floor--Rear Entrance, 7111 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21244. The 
telephone numbers are: Phyllis Y. Smith, (410) 965-9518, or Gary 
Stammer, (410) 965-9501. The fax number is (410) 966-9310.

VIII. Other Information

Process Evaluation

    SSA plans to conduct a formal independent process evaluation of the 
WIPA Program, as well as individual projects, beginning in FY2007 to 
further assess the overall efficacy of the program in terms of 
assisting beneficiaries with disabilities return to work. The purpose 
of a process evaluation is for SSA and the awardees to assess how the 
WIPA Program functions and how the process (es) might be improved to 
provide more efficient and effective work incentives services, as 
required under section 1149 of the Act. The process evaluation will 
require both data collection and qualitative observational evaluation

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through site visits and/or project reporting.

Participant Experience

    The goal of these cooperative agreements is the provision of 
services to enhance beneficiary awareness and understanding of SSA work 
incentives and thereby enhance a beneficiaries' ability to make 
informed choices regarding work. The goal is not to provide employment 
services however, employment is ultimately the key for many 
beneficiaries with disabilities in terms of gaining greater self-
sufficiency.
    Projects shall submit periodic reports to SSA, OAG. Data and 
information that are used in preparing the reports can be used, for 
example, to improve the efficiency of the project's operations, use of 
staff, and linkages between the project and the programs for which work 
incentives planning is needed to better meet the needs of target 
populations. In addition, the evaluation results will be disseminated 
to other projects to promote learning, program refinements, and 
facilitate partnership and achievement of project objectives. Timely 
comprehensive MI data also allows for cost accounting, which helps 
improve the efficiency of service approaches and may inform future 
policy decisions.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This notice contains reporting requirements. The information is 
collected by the Grants.gov Apply facility. However, in rare 
circumstances, the information may be collected using form SSA-96-BK, 
Federal Assistance Application, which has the Office of Management and 
Budget clearance number 0960-0184.

    Dated: May 8, 2006.
Martin H. Gerry,
Deputy Commissioner for Disability and Income Security Programs.
[FR Doc. 06-4507 Filed 5-15-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P