[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 9, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 995-1010]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-22454]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


Strengthening Labor Systems in Central America; Establishing 
Worker Rights Centers

AGENCY: Bureau of International Labor Affairs, Department of Labor.

Announcement Type: New. Notice of Availability of Funds and 
Solicitation for Cooperative Agreement Applications.
Funding Opportunity Number: SGA XX-XX.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: Not 
applicable.
Key Dates: The closing date for receipt of applications is February 
23, 2007. Applications must be received by 4:45 p.m. (Eastern Time) 
at the address below.


ADDRESSES: Application forms will not be mailed. They are published as 
part of this Federal Register notice and in the Federal Register, which 
may be obtained from your nearest U.S. Government office or public 
library or online at http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/index.html. Applications must be delivered to: U.S. Department 
of Labor, Procurement Services Center, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., 
Room N-5416, Attention: Lisa Harvey, Reference: SGA XX-XX, Washington, 
DC 20210.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: This notice contains all of the necessary 
information and forms needed to apply for grant funding. The U.S. 
Department of Labor (USDOL), Bureau of International Labor Affairs 
(ILAB), announces the availability of funds to be granted by 
cooperative agreement to one or more qualifying organizations. USDOL 
will award up to U.S. $4.5 million through one or more grants to an 
organization or organizations to improve labor law compliance in the 
Central American region (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, 
and Nicaragua) and the Dominican Republic by strengthening the capacity 
of local organizations to provide advice to workers about the scope and 
applicability of relevant labor laws, and when necessary, provide legal 
services explaining the procedural and documentation requirements to 
exercise those rights. Proposals must be regional in scope and respond 
to the entire Statement of Work as contained in Section III, but 
applicants will not be penalized for lacking previous experience with 
regional projects. For example, organizations with experience in only 
one country will be judged based on the success they achieved in that 
country and their proposal for how they plan to work successfully 
throughout the rest of the targeted region. Partnerships and 
Associations between more than one organization are also eligible and 
encouraged, in particular with qualified, regionally-based 
organizations in order to build local capacity, although in such a case 
a lead organization must be identified. The award of any subaward will 
be subject to USDOL policies and approval (see Section IV).

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Bureau of International Labor 
Affairs (ILAB), announces the availability of funds to be awarded by 
Cooperative Agreement (hereinafter referred to as ``grant'' or 
``Cooperative Agreement'') to one or more qualifying organizations to 
improve labor law compliance in the Central American region (Costa 
Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua) and the 
Dominican Republic by strengthening the capacity of local organizations 
to provide advice to workers about the scope and applicability of 
relevant labor laws, and when necessary, provide legal services 
explaining the procedural and documentation requirements to exercise 
those rights. ILAB is authorized to award and administer this program 
by the Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs 
Appropriations Act, 2006, Pub. L. 109-102, 119 Stat. 2172 (2005). 
Cooperative Agreements awarded under this initiative will be managed by 
ILAB's Office of Trade and Labor Affairs. The duration of the projects 
funded by this solicitation is four years. The start date of program 
activities will be negotiated upon award of the Cooperative Agreement.

Statement of Work

    USDOL is seeking qualified organizations that will implement, in 
partnership with USDOL, a regional project in Central America (Costa 
Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua) and the 
Dominican Republic to improve labor law compliance in these countries 
by strengthening the capacity of local organizations to provide advice 
to workers about the scope and applicability of relevant labor laws, 
and when necessary, provide legal services explaining the procedural 
and documentation requirements to exercise those rights.
    Applicants should submit proposals that are regional in scope and 
demonstrate the organization's capabilities to implement a project in 
accordance with the Statement of Work and the selection criteria. 
Proposals must provide for activities in all countries, and begin the 
first year at a minimum in El Salvador and Nicaragua. Applicants will 
not be penalized for lacking previous experience working on regional 
projects. For example, organizations with experience in only one 
country will be judged based on the success they achieved in that 
country and their proposal for working successfully throughout the rest 
of the targeted region. USDOL encourages applicants to be creative in 
proposing innovative and cost-effective interventions that will produce 
a demonstrable and sustainable impact.
    Funds will be provided by grant to qualifying organizations. The 
grant will be actively managed by USDOL/ILAB to assure achievement of 
the stated project objectives. The award of any sub-contract will be 
subject to USDOL policies and approval (see Section IV).

    Note: Selection of an organization as a grantee does not 
constitute approval of the grant application as submitted. Before 
the actual grant is awarded, USDOL may enter into negotiations about 
such items as program components, funding levels, and administrative 
systems in place to support grant implementation. If the 
negotiations do not result in an acceptable submission, the Grant 
Officer reserves the right to terminate the negotiation and decline 
to fund the application.

A. Background and Problem Statement

    The Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) between the 
United States and five Central American countries (Costa Rica, El 
Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua) and the Dominican Republic 
obligates each country to effectively enforce its labor laws. The 
countries also reaffirm their obligations as members of the 
International Labor Organization (ILO) and their commitments under the 
ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and its 
Follow-Up (1998).
    In the Department of State's FY 2006 budget, Congress provided 
funding for labor and environmental capacity building activities in 
support of CAFTA-DR. A portion of these funds were transferred to the 
Department of Labor to administer projects related to labor capacity 
building in CAFTA-DR countries.
    This project provides assistance to improve the effective 
enforcement of national labor laws by strengthening the capacity of 
local organizations to provide advice to workers about the scope and 
applicability of relevant labor laws, and when necessary, provide legal

[[Page 996]]

services explaining the procedural and documentation requirements to 
exercise those rights. The project will work with local organizations 
to provide assistance to workers with these claims. These organizations 
will, as much as possible, consult with the Ministries of Labor to 
ensure correct understanding of the application of the laws, promote 
information sharing, and build a strategic partnership.
    This strategy addresses the concerns that are identified in the 
April 2005 ``White Paper'' of the Working Group of the Vice Ministers 
Responsible for Trade and Labor in the countries of Central America and 
the Dominican Republic. The White Paper--titled The Labor Dimension in 
Central America and the Dominican Republic--Building on Progress: 
Strengthening Compliance and Enhancing Capacity--contains 
recommendations to strengthen labor law compliance and improve the 
capacity of labor-related institutions in key areas.
    The White Paper provided a regional recommendation to ``enhance or 
establish offices where necessary of special advocates for worker 
rights who can further assist workers and employers on effective 
compliance with labor laws.'' It also highlighted the budgetary 
constraints faced by all of the Labor Ministries. This effort will help 
alleviate the burden on the Ministries by building sustainable 
alliances with key partners, freeing Ministry resources for more 
efficient use. The White Paper also highlighted the need for increasing 
public awareness about legal rights and responsibilities, and how to 
assert those rights. Current efforts are directed at general awareness 
raising; this project will provide specific guidance to workers on 
exercising those rights.
    Central American workers surveyed in December 2004 by the Costa 
Rican firm Demoscopia S.A., as part of the U.S. DOL funded Cumple y 
Gana project, demonstrated that although some workers are aware of some 
of their rights generally, they may not understand their precise 
application. In Nicaragua, people may know about the right to form a 
union, however, 68.6% thought that all workers in a workplace had to 
agree before one could be formed. In El Salvador, workers may have been 
familiar with some of their rights, but 75.4% believed only a written 
contract guarantees those rights. Further, while 97.7% of those 
surveyed in Guatemala correctly understood that a pregnant woman has 
the right to a paid leave before giving birth, a full 86.2.% believed a 
woman could not be fired during her pregnancy. These types of 
misperceptions of rights lead to un-actionable claims being presented 
to the Ministry of Labor or create unrealistic expectations about the 
role of government.
    Additionally, workers often do not understand the procedural and 
documentation requirements associated with filing a complaint and 
consequently do not adequately prepare required information prior to 
accessing the services of the Ministry of Labor. For example, 
Relacentro, a project funded by the U.S. DOL and implemented by the 
ILO, conducted diagnostics of the mediation and conciliation process in 
various Central American countries. In one country, workers who arrived 
at a certain office of the Ministry of Labor were required to bring a 
photocopy of their ID card, the ID itself was not sufficient. If they 
did not have a copy, the Ministry at the time of the diagnostic did not 
have a copier available to copy it for them. In addition, if workers 
were fired in written form, they needed to bring the written 
termination with them. If they were fired verbally, they needed to have 
a Labor Inspector visit the workplace to verify the termination.
    Workers who do not fully understand the requirements and processes 
are unable to properly exercise their rights and this results in an 
ineffective use of limited Ministry of Labor resources. This project 
builds on the significant work being done to raise workers' awareness 
about their rights, and takes it to the next level by assisting workers 
to exercise those rights effectively.

B. Target Population

     Workers with questions or concerns about their labor 
rights.
     Target organizations in urban centers that can build and 
sustain their capacity to assist workers who have questions or concerns 
about their labor rights.
    Labor Ministries will benefit due to the decrease in time spent 
with workers who have insufficient documentation/information for a 
claim or a claim that is not within the purview of the Ministry of 
Labor.
    Grantee(s) and/or subawardees are expected to work with the Labor 
Ministries as much as possible to share information on a regular basis, 
receive legal information from the Ministries, and share data on 
workers' main concerns. The project hopes to promote a productive 
strategic alliance between the local organizations and the Labor 
Ministries, each entity helping the other to better fulfill its role.

C. Objectives

    The Grantee(s) must implement, in partnership with USDOL, a project 
whose overarching objective is to improve labor law compliance in 
Central America (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, 
Nicaragua) and the Dominican Republic by strengthening the capacity of 
local organizations to provide advice to workers about the scope and 
applicability of relevant labor laws, and when necessary, provide legal 
services explaining the procedural and documentation requirements to 
exercise those rights.

D. Relationship to USDOL Program Strategy

    By helping to improve labor law compliance in Central America and 
the Dominican Republic, the proposed project supports achievement of 
USDOL's Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) goal (2k), 
``promote internationally recognized workers rights and labor 
standards, including those related to the elimination of exploitive 
child labor, in the global community.'' Activities with regard to the 
elimination of child labor are being funded separately through USDOL's 
Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Trafficking. Grantees are not 
expected to develop strategies specific to child labor; however, they 
are expected to coordinate with USDOL's child labor projects, where 
applicable.

E. Type of Work To Be Performed/Activities

    Applicants are responsible for developing a strategy for 
successfully achieving the above-stated objectives and addressing the 
problem(s) identified in the Background and Problem Statement (Section 
I.A.), developing and implementing the major tasks and activities to be 
accomplished as part of that strategy, tracking and reporting on 
progress in achieving the stated objectives, and providing any 
necessary services. The project strategy(s) must consider the diverse 
needs and environment of each country.
    In order to ensure achievement of the project objectives and 
respect the most efficient use of the Labor Ministries' time, the 
Grantee(s) will first coordinate with the USG and other projects 
beginning in the region to avoid any duplication of efforts and ensure 
input from Labor Ministries on project designs. In addition, the 
project must meet with key local stakeholders to further develop the 
project strategy and Work plan. This strategy must be

[[Page 997]]

implemented with local stakeholder guidance.
    The project is required to utilize existing training and public 
awareness materials produced by other USG funded projects, such as 
Cumple y Gana. USDOL will consider the production of new materials if 
the Grantee(s) can demonstrate that the existing materials are not 
sufficient or appropriate for the activity being carried out.
    An outline of illustrative activities includes:
i. Year One
     Hire staff and establish office capacity to implement and 
oversee the project in each country.
     Meet with relevant stakeholders in target communities and 
further define the project strategy and Work plan.
     Develop curriculum to train organizations on the scope and 
applicability of labor laws and regulations, legal requirements to 
substantiate claims, how to best provide service to workers, etc.
     While developing curriculum, coordinate with the Ministry 
of Labor to ensure materials accurately reflect laws and regulations. 
If possible, form a working group or otherwise institute regular 
meetings with local organization and appropriate Ministry of Labor 
staff.
     Design outreach campaign to make workers aware of 
organization's informational and legal services.
     Develop data tracking device for use by local 
organizations to track services provided, concerns raised, etc.
     Train local organization staff on labor laws and services 
to be provided to workers.
ii. Year Two
     Train local organization staff on laws and services.
     Implement outreach campaign to make workers aware of 
organization's services.
     Provide advice on labor issues and where relevant, legal 
services to workers.
     Collect information regarding types of complaints, most 
common errors/problems with complaints.
iii. Year Three
     Provide advice on labor issues and where relevant, legal 
services to workers.
     Collect information regarding types of complaints, most 
common errors/problems with complaints.
     Design outreach campaign, based on first 18 months of 
receiving workers' concerns, to inform workers regarding their most 
common concerns and correct the most common errors and/or 
misperceptions regarding their labor rights and how they are enforced.
     Begin awareness campaign to target these issues/errors.
     Replicate training on how to prepare claims and advise 
workers from a second round of local organizations.
iv. Year Four
     Conduct outreach campaign to inform workers about most 
common errors/problems in order to avoid errors, clarify 
misperceptions.
     Monitor impact of outreach campaign on the changes in 
workers' most common concerns, errors and misperceptions regarding 
their labor rights.
     Second round organizations provide services.
     Develop best practices and share on national and regional 
level.
    As much as possible, throughout the life of the project, the 
Grantee will share information with the Ministry of Labor and ensure 
accurate message delivery. In addition, wherever possible, the Grantee 
will share information with the Ministries of Labor about the USDOL 
Partnerships for Compliance Assistance Program (PCAP), through which 
partner organizations agree to develop and disseminate USDOL 
information about compliance and resources, as well as provide 
informational seminars and workshops on compliance. The nonprofit, 
third-party membership organizations that participate in PCAP help 
USDOL educate business owners and workers about available compliance 
assistance tools and resources.

F. Expected Outcomes/Project Outputs

     Workers better able to exercise their rights.
     Less time lost with workers arriving unprepared at 
Ministries of Labor with insufficient documentation or justification 
for their claims.
     Local capacity and partner relationships developed with 
Ministry of Labor to facilitate access to Labor Ministry enforcement 
processes.
     Backlog diminished for intake personnel at Ministries of 
Labor

G. Conditions Precedent

    Applicants are requested to indicate in their technical proposal 
the proposed organizations with which they will work to implement their 
strategy, and to describe the merits of these organizations, and their 
relationship with the different stakeholders. Subaward agreements 
entered into after the Cooperative Agreement is signed, and not 
proposed in the application, must be awarded through a formal 
competitive bidding process, unless prior written approval is obtained 
from USDOL.

II. Award Information

    Type of Assistance instrument: Cooperative Agreement. USDOL's 
involvement in project implementation and oversight is outlined in 
Section VI.3. The duration of the project(s) funded by this 
solicitation is up to four (4) years. The start date of program 
activities will be negotiated upon awarding of the Cooperative 
Agreement, but will be no later than September 30, 2007.
    Up to U.S. $4.5 million will be awarded under this solicitation. 
USDOL may award more than one Cooperative Agreement to one, several, or 
a partnership or Association (see Section III) of more than one 
organization(s) that may apply to implement the program. A Grantee must 
obtain prior USDOL approval for any subawardee not proposed in the 
application. See Section IV (E) (3) for further information on 
subawards.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

    Any commercial, international, educational, or non-profit 
organization(s), including any faith-based, community-based, or public 
international organization(s) with experience effectively implementing 
projects in the relevant technical field(s) and working with foreign 
national government ministries, regional and local government entities, 
employers and employer organizations, workers and labor organizations, 
and non-governmental and community-based organizations is eligible for 
this grant(s). Neutral, non-religious criteria that neither favor nor 
disfavor religion will be employed in the selection of Cooperative 
Agreement recipients. Applications from foreign government and quasi-
government agencies will not be considered. An applicant must 
demonstrate a country presence, independently or through a relationship 
with another organization(s) with country presence, which gives it the 
ability to initiate program activities upon award of the Cooperative 
Agreement. See Section V (Institutional Qualifications/Past 
Performance).
    If it is deemed the most effective and efficient strategy for 
achieving the goals outlined in the Scope of Work, USDOL may award one 
or more Cooperative Agreements to a partnership of more than one 
organizations. If two or more applicants, who do not constitute a 
single legal entity (hereinafter referred

[[Page 998]]

to as ``Associations''), join in applying for an award, each member of 
the Association (hereinafter referred to as an ``Associate'') must be 
individually eligible for an award. All references to ``the Applicant'' 
refer to Associations as well as individual applicants. All Associates 
must sign, and agree to be bound jointly and severally by, the awarded 
Cooperative Agreement, and all must designate one Associate as the 
``Lead.'' Any such Association must submit to USDOL, as an attachment 
to the application, an Association agreement, reflecting an appropriate 
joint venture, partnership, or other contractual agreement and 
outlining the deliverables, activities, and corresponding timeline for 
which each Associate will be responsible. Copies of such agreements 
will not count toward the page limit.
    If any entity identified in the application as an Associate does 
not sign the Cooperative Agreement, the Lead must provide, within 60 
days of award, either a written subaward agreement with such entity, 
acceptable to USDOL, or an explanation as to why that entity will not 
be participating in the Cooperative Agreement. USDOL reserves the right 
to re-evaluate the award of the Cooperative Agreement in light of any 
such change in an entity's status, and may terminate the award if USDOL 
deems appropriate.
    For the purposes of this proposal and the Cooperative Agreement 
award, the Lead will be: (1) the primary point of contact with USDOL to 
receive and respond to all inquiries, communications and orders under 
the project; (2) the only entity with authority to withdraw or draw 
down funds through the HHS system; (3) responsible for submitting to 
USDOL all deliverables, including all technical and financial reports 
related to the project, regardless of which Associate performed the 
work; (4) the sole entity to request or agree to a revision or 
amendment of the award or the project document; and (5) responsible for 
working with USDOL to close out the project. Note, however, that each 
Associate is ultimately responsible for overall project performance, 
regardless of any assignment of specific tasks, but Associates may 
agree, among themselves only, to apportion the liability for such 
performance. Each Associate must comply with all applicable federal 
regulations, and is individually subject to audit.
    In accordance with 29 CFR Part 98, entities that are debarred or 
suspended from receiving Federal contracts or grants shall be excluded 
from Federal financial assistance and are ineligible to receive funding 
under this solicitation.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds

    This solicitation does not require applicants to share costs or 
provide matching funds. However, the leveraging of resources and in-
kind contributions is strongly encouraged and is a rating factor worth 
up to five (5) additional points see Section V (Leveraging of Grants 
Funds).

C. Dun and Bradstreet Number

    The organizational unit section of Block 8 of the SF-424 must 
contain the Dun and Bradstreet Number (DUNS) of the applicant. 
Beginning October 1, 2003, all applicants for Federal grant funding 
opportunities are required to include a DUNS number with their 
application. See OMB Notice of Final Policy Issuance, 68 FR 38402 (June 
27, 2003). Applicants' DUNS number is to be entered into Block 8 of SF-
424. The DUNS number is a nine-digit identification number that 
uniquely identifies business entities. There is no charge for obtaining 
a DUNS number. To obtain a DUNS number call 1-866-705-5711 or access 
the following Web site:http://www.dunandbradstreet.com/.
    Requests for exemption from the DUNS number requirement must be 
made to the Office of Management and Budget. If no DUNS number is 
provided without such an exemption then the grant application will be 
considered non-responsive.
    After receiving a DUNS number, all grant applications must also 
register as a vendor with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) 
through the following Web site: http:www.ccr.gov or by phone at 1-888-
227-2423. CCR registration should become active within 24 hours of 
completion. If grant applicants have questions regarding registration, 
please contact the CCR Assistance Center at 1-888-227-2423. After 
registration, grant applicants will receive a confirmation number. The 
Grantee listed as the Point of Contact will receive a Trader 
Partnership Identification Number (TPIN) via mail. The TPIN is, and 
should remain, a confidential password.

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Application Package

    This solicitation contains all of the necessary information and 
forms needed to apply for Cooperative Agreement funding. This 
solicitation is published as part of this Federal Register notice. 
Additional copies of the Federal Register may be obtained from your 
nearest U.S. Government office or public library or online at http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/index.html.

B. Content and Form of Application Submission

    Applicants must submit one (1) blue ink-signed original, complete 
application in English plus two (2) copies of the application to the 
U.S. Department of Labor, Procurement Services Center, 200 Constitution 
Avenue, NW., Room N-5416, Washington, DC 20210, no later than 4:45 p.m. 
Eastern Time on the established due date. To aid with review of 
applications, applicants may elect to submit three (3) additional paper 
copies of the application (five total). Applicants who do not provide 
additional copies will not be penalized.
    The application must consist of two (2) separate parts. Part I of 
the application must contain the Standard Form (SF) 424, ``Application 
for Federal Assistance'' and sections A-F of the Budget Information 
Form SF 424A (see Appendix A). These forms are also available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants. Part II must contain a technical 
proposal that demonstrates capabilities in accordance with the 
Statement of Work (Section III) and the selection criteria (Section V). 
The application should include the name, address, telephone and fax 
numbers, and e-mail address (if applicable) of a key contact person at 
the applicant's organization in case questions should arise.
    To be considered responsive to this solicitation, the application 
must consist of the above-mentioned separate sections, with Part II not 
to exceed 45 single-sided (8\1/2\'' x 11'' or A4), double-spaced, 12-
point font, typed pages. Major sections and sub-sections of the 
application should be divided and clearly identified (e.g., with tab 
dividers), and all pages must be numbered. Applicants are required to 
propose that a project address the project objectives identified in the 
Statement of Work in Section I. Any applications that do not conform to 
these standards may be deemed non-responsive to this solicitation and 
may not be evaluated. The application must include a table of contents 
and an abstract summarizing the application in not more than two (2) 
pages. Standard forms, attachments, resumes, exhibits, letters of 
support, and the abstract are not counted towards the page limit. If an 
applicant exceeds the stated page limit, the review panel has the 
discretion to deduct 10 points.

[[Page 999]]

    Upon completion of negotiations, the individual signing the SF 424 
on behalf of the applicant must be authorized to bind the applicant.

C. Submission Dates, Times, and Address

    The grant application package must be received at the designated 
place 45 days after publication, or it will not be considered. 
Applications sent by e-mail, telegram, or facsimile (FAX) will not be 
accepted. Applications sent by other delivery services, such as Federal 
Express, UPS, etc., will be accepted; the applicant, however, bears the 
responsibility for timely submission. Applications that do not meet the 
conditions set forth in this notice will not be honored. No exceptions 
to the mailing, delivery, and hand-delivery conditions set forth in 
this notice will be granted.
    Any application received at the Office of Procurement Services 
after 4:45 pm Eastern Time after 45 days of publication will not be 
considered unless it is received before the award is made and:
     It was sent by registered or certified mail no later than 
the fifth calendar day before the closing date; or
     It was sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail/Next Day 
Service from the post office to the addressee no later than 5 p.m. at 
the place of mailing two (2) working days (excluding weekends and 
Federal holidays), prior to the closing date; or
     It is determined by the USG that the late receipt was due 
solely to mishandling by the USG after receipt at the USDOL at the 
address indicated.
    The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of a 
late application sent by registered or certified mail is the U.S. 
Postal Service postmark on the envelope or wrapper and on the original 
receipt from the U.S. Postal Service. If the postmark is not legible, 
an application received after the above closing time and date shall be 
processed as if mailed late. ``Postmark'' means a printed, stamped, or 
otherwise placed impression (not a postage meter machine impression) 
that is readily identifiable without further action as having been 
applied and affixed by an employee of the U.S. Postal Service on the 
date of mailing. Therefore, applicants should request that the postal 
clerk place a legible hand cancellation ``bull's-eye'' postmark on both 
the receipt and the envelope or wrapper.
    The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of a 
late application sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail/Next Day 
Service from the post office to the addressee is the date entered by 
the Post Office receiving clerk on the ``Express Mail/ Next Day 
Service--Post Office to Addressee'' label and the postmark on the 
envelope or wrapper on the original receipt from the U.S. Postal 
Service. ``Postmark'' has the same meaning as defined above. Therefore, 
applicants should request that the postal clerk place a legible hand 
cancellation ``bull's-eye'' postmark on both the receipt and the 
envelope or wrapper.
    The only acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt at 
the USDOL is the date/time stamp of the Procurement Service Center on 
the application wrapper or other documentary evidence or receipt 
maintained by that office.
    All applicants are advised that U.S. mail delivery in the 
Washington DC area has been slow and erratic due to concerns involving 
anthrax contamination. Applicants must take this into consideration 
when preparing to meet the application deadline. It is recommended that 
you confirm receipt of your application with your delivery service from 
Lisa Harvey (see Section VII for contact information).
    Applicants may also apply online at www.grants.gov. Applicants 
submitting proposals online are requested to refrain from mailing a 
hard copy application as well. It is strongly recommended that 
applicants using www.grants.gov immediately initiate and complete the 
``Get Started'' registration steps at http://www.grants.gov/GetStarted. 
These steps may take multiple days to complete, and this time should be 
factored into plans for electronic submission in order to avoid facing 
unexpected delays that could result in the rejection of an application. 
If submitting electronically through www.grants.gov, applicants must 
save the application document as a .doc, .pdf, .txt or .xls file.
    Any application received on grants.gov after the deadline will be 
considered as non-responsive and will not be evaluated.

D. Intergovernmental Review

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

E. Funding Restrictions, Unallowable Activities, and Specific 
Prohibitions

    In addition to those specified under OMB Circular A-122, the 
following costs and activities are also unallowable or contain specific 
restrictions:
1. Pre-Award Costs
    Pre-award costs are not reimbursable.
2. Alternative Income-Generating Activities
    USDOL funds awarded under all USDOL Cooperative Agreements may not 
be used to provide micro-credits, revolving funds, or loan guarantees. 
Permissible costs related to alternative income-generating activities 
for workers may include, but are not limited to, vocational or skills 
training, incidental tools and equipment, guides, manuals, and market 
feasibility studies. USDOL reserves the right to negotiate the exact 
nature, form, or scope of alternative income-generating activities and 
to approve or disapprove these activities at any time after award of 
the Cooperative Agreement.
3. Subawards to Organizations, Groups, and/or Persons
    Grantees may procure sub-contracts or sub-grants with other 
organizations to fulfill the purpose and activities of the Cooperative 
Agreement award. Subawards may be included as a budget line item. 
Subawards must be awarded in accordance with 29 CFR 95.40-48 and are 
subject to audit, in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 
95.26(d). Subawards awarded after the Cooperative Agreement is signed, 
and not proposed in the application, must be awarded through a formal 
competitive bidding process, unless prior written approval is obtained 
from USDOL. In addition, all subawards are subject to the restrictions 
and prohibitions related to prostitution, inherently religious 
activities, and terrorism as outlined in this section (6-8). Detailed 
information on subawards should be provided during the project document 
review process. Copies of all subawards above $100,000 must be provided 
to USDOL prior to implementation of the contract.
4. Lobbying or Fund-Raising the U.S. Government With Federal Funds
    Under the Cooperative Agreements, no activity, including awareness 
raising and advocacy activities, may include fund-raising, or lobbying 
of any government entities (see OMB Circular A-122). Cooperative 
Agreement Applicants Classified Under The Internal Revenue Code as A 
501(c)(4) ENTITY (see 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(4)), may not engage in lobbying 
activities. According to the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, as 
codified at 2 U.S.C. 1611, an organization, as described in Section 
501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, that engages in 
lobbying activities directed toward the USG will not be eligible for 
the receipt of Federal funds constituting an award, grant, Cooperative 
Agreement, or loan.

[[Page 1000]]

5. Funds To Host Country Governments
    USDOL funds awarded under this solicitation are not intended to 
duplicate or substitute for host-country government efforts or 
resources. Therefore, in general, Grantees may not provide any of the 
funds obligated under the Cooperative Agreement to foreign government 
entities, ministries, officials, or political parties. However, 
subcontracts with foreign government agencies may be awarded to provide 
direct services or undertake project activities subject to applicable 
laws and only after a competitive procurement process has been 
conducted and no other entity in the country is able to provide these 
services. Grantees must receive prior USDOL approval before 
subcontracting to foreign government agencies for the provision of 
direct educational services.
6. Prostitution
    The USG is opposed to prostitution and related activities, which 
are inherently harmful and dehumanizing, and contribute to the 
phenomenon of trafficking in persons. U.S. non-governmental 
organizations, and their subawardees, cannot use USG funds to lobby 
for, promote or advocate the legalization or regulation of prostitution 
as a legitimate form of work. Foreign non-governmental organizations, 
and their subawardees, that receive USG funds cannot lobby for, promote 
or advocate the legalization or regulation of prostitution as a 
legitimate form of work; this includes organizations receiving both 
general and trafficking-related grants. It is the responsibility of the 
Grantee(s) to ensure its subawardees meet these criteria.
7. Inherently Religious Activities
    The USG is generally prohibited from providing direct financial 
assistance for inherently religious activities. Federal funds provided 
under a USDOL-awarded Cooperative Agreement may not be used for 
religious instruction, worship, prayer, proselytizing or other 
inherently religious activities. Neutral, non-religious criteria that 
neither favor nor disfavor religion must be employed by the Grantee in 
the selection of subawardees. This provision must be included in all 
subawards issued under the Cooperative Agreement.
8. Terrorism
    Applicants are reminded that U.S. Executive Orders and U.S. law 
prohibit transactions with, and the provision of resources and support 
to, individuals and organizations associated with terrorism. It is the 
legal responsibility of Grantees to ensure compliance with these 
Executive Orders and laws. This provision must be included in all 
subawards issued under the Cooperative Agreement.

V. Application Review Information

    USDOL will screen all applications to determine whether all 
required elements are present and clearly identifiable, including the 
technical proposal, cost proposal, recent audits, partnership 
agreements where applicable, the Curricula Vitae of key personnel, and 
personnel agreements. A Technical Panel will objectively rate each 
complete application against the criteria described in this 
announcement. The panel recommendations to the Grant Officer are 
advisory in nature. The Grant Officer may elect to select one or more 
Grantees on the basis of the initial proposal submission, or the Grant 
Officer may establish a competitive or technically acceptable range for 
the purpose of selecting qualified applicants. If deemed appropriate, 
following the Grant Officer's call for the preparation and receipt of 
final revisions of proposals, the evaluation process described above 
will be repeated to consider such revisions. The Grant Officer will 
make a final selection determination based on what is most advantageous 
to the USG, considering factors such as panel findings based on the 
criteria listed below and the best value to the government, cost, and 
other factors. The Grant Officer's determination for award under this 
solicitation is final.

A. The Review Process

    The criteria below will serve as the basis upon which submitted 
applications will be evaluated. Technical aspects of the application 
will constitute 100 points of the total evaluation. Up to five (5) 
additional points will be given for leveraging non-Federal resources.
    In order to assist USDOL in assessing the efficient and effective 
allocation of project funding, the Applicant must submit a project 
budget that clearly details the costs for performing all of the 
requirements presented in this solicitation, including producing all 
deliverables, reporting on implementation and progress, and monitoring 
progress. A sample budget is included with the ProDoc in Section II. 
The budget does not count against the page limit. Applicants are 
reminded to budget for compliance with the administrative requirements 
set forth (copies of all regulations referenced in this solicitation 
are available at no cost, on-line, at http://www.dol.gov). This 
includes the costs of performing activities such as travel to 
Washington, DC to meet with USDOL/ILAB, financial audit, project 
closeout, project evaluation, document preparation (e.g., progress 
reports, project document), and ensuring compliance with procurement 
and property standards. The Project Budget must identify administrative 
costs separately from programmatic costs. In addition to the costs 
identified previously, administrative costs include indirect costs from 
the costs pool and the cost of activities, materials (e.g., project 
car), and personnel (e.g., administrative assistants, office drivers) 
that support the management and administration of the project but do 
not provide direct services to project beneficiaries.
     Technical Approach--65 points
    The extent to which the application sets forth a clear and 
supportable course of action to improve labor law compliance in Central 
America (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua) 
and the Dominican Republic by strengthening the capacity of local 
organizations to provide advice to workers about the scope and 
applicability of relevant labor laws, and when necessary, provide legal 
services explaining the procedural and documentation requirements to 
exercise those rights.
    In developing the strategy, applicants are expected to take into 
consideration the following issues:
     The level of technical assistance that Central American 
Ministries of Labor have received in the past five (5) years and 
continue to receive from bilateral donors and international 
organizations;
     The need to ensure that the project strategy is consistent 
with any national strategy to increase labor law compliance.
     The need to sustain project improvements, including 
retaining the new knowledge and practices of project-trained local 
staff.
     The need to engage local stakeholders in the design and 
implementation of the project strategy.
     The need for ongoing information exchange with the 
Ministries of Labor.
Points
    Applicants will be evaluated on the clear identification and 
description of the specific strategy(s) the applicant proposes to use 
and the effectiveness and attainability of project objectives by the 
end of the grant period. Proposals should include work plans that are 
practical, manageable, and can achieve project results. Applicants must 
include an implementation plan that lists a schedule of activities and 
list of

[[Page 1001]]

deliverables that would be completed by the Grantee each quarter. The 
strategy must include a sustainability plan outlining clearly how the 
project activities will be sustained when the project has been 
completed. (15 points)
    Applicants must demonstrate familiarity with the major issues 
related to the components being addressed (e.g., labor laws, providing 
assistance to workers, conducting training, building networks, outreach 
and informational campaigns), key problems and/or needs in the relevant 
country/area, the specific problem(s) and/or need(s) that will be 
addressed by this project(s), and relevant constraints. Applicants will 
be evaluated on the thorough and accurate assessment of the 
implementing environment and the problems that exist and clear 
identification of the specific problem(s) the applicant proposes to 
address. (10 points)
    Applicants must provide a monitoring and evaluation plan for 
measuring project performance that includes challenging but realistic 
targets and measurable, verifiable project indicators that measure 
achievement of project objectives and performance in project 
implementation. The plan should show how the information and data will 
be collected and what systems will be put in place for self-assessment, 
monitoring, and continuous improvement. (5 points)
    Applicants must provide a description of the proposed approach to 
expending funds in the most cost-effective method possible in order to 
achieve the project objectives. Applicants must submit an Outputs-based 
Budget, a sample of which is provided in Annex 1. Applicants must refer 
to the submitted budget in explaining how the budgeted funds will be 
utilized cost-effectively. In order to assist USDOL in assessing the 
efficient and effective allocation of project funding, the applicant 
must submit, at minimum, supporting budget information indicating how 
the applicant arrived at estimating the costs of the following items/
activities: salaries and benefits for all key personnel; 2-3 key 
activities proposed by the applicant under its project design; and 
meeting all USDOL close-out requirements. Applicants will be evaluated 
based on the clear identification of all project costs and efficient 
and effective allocation of funding. The project budget should clearly 
demonstrate that the total amount and distribution of funds is 
sufficient to cover the cost of all major project activities identified 
by the Applicant in its proposal, management of the project, monitoring 
and evaluation, and project close-out and that the distribution of 
funds maximizes the provision of goods and/or services to project 
beneficiaries. Higher ratings may be given to applicants with low 
administrative costs and with a budget breakdown that provides a larger 
amount of resources to project activities. The Grant Officer reserves 
the right to negotiate administrative cost levels prior to award. 
Indirect cost charges should be based on allowable, allocable, and 
reasonable costs based on the applicable cost principles included in 
the OMB Circular A-122 and Indirect Charges Instructions included in 
Annex 2. This section will be evaluated in accordance with applicable 
Federal laws and regulations. Applicants should submit output-based 
budgets. A sample of an output-based budget format is included in Annex 
1. The budget must comply with Federal cost principles (which can be 
found in the applicable OMB Circulars) and with ILAB budget 
requirements contained in the application instructions in Section VI of 
this solicitation. Applicants must also be required to include an 
indirect cost certification, the SF 424, SF 424A, and the Equal 
Employment Opportunity survey. (15 points)
    Applicants must demonstrate the use of existing expertise from the 
recipient country in order to reduce costs and further develop local 
capacity. The proposal should identify organizations to carry out the 
work in each country. Local organizations will be rated on:
     Experience providing training and/or services to workers.
     Experience working with Labor Ministries, unions, and 
employer associations.
     Experience working on labor issues of the country.
     Ability to implement activities in a timely fashion.
    Applicants are requested to provide in their technical proposal 
proposed organizations and the merits of those organizations, 
experience in the areas outlined above, and their relationship with the 
different stakeholders. (15 points)
    Applicants are requested to submit a schedule of quarterly 
deliverables that will serve to determine the level of performance of 
the contractor. The identification of deliverables that are presented 
in the proposal should be objective, verifiable, and demonstrate 
progress in achieving project objectives. (5 points)
     Institutional Qualifications/Past Performance--20 points
    Applicants will be evaluated on their prior experience of all 
organizations, including both prime and sub-awardees, in designing and 
implementing activities in developing countries, especially in Central 
America, related to labor law compliance.
    Applicants must include information as an attachment (that will not 
count towards the page limit) regarding previous grants or contracts 
including: (a) the organization for which the work was done; (b) a 
contact person in that organization with his/her current phone number; 
(c) the dollar value of the grant or contract for the project(s); (d) 
the time frame and professional effort, either directly by key 
personnel, by consultants, or under contractual arrangements involved 
in the project(s); (e) a brief summary of the work performed; and (f) a 
brief summary of accomplishments. (10 points)
    Applicants will be evaluated on their demonstration of strong 
financial management and internal control systems. If the applicant is 
a U.S.-based, non-profit organization already subject to the single 
audit requirements, the applicant's most recent single audit, as 
submitted to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse, must accompany the 
application as an attachment. In addition, applications must show that 
they have complied with report submission timeframes established in OMB 
Circular A-133. If an applicant is not in compliance with the 
requirements for completing their single audit, the application will be 
considered nonresponsive and will be rejected. If the applicant is a 
for-profit or foreign-based organization, a copy of its most current 
independent financial audit must accompany the application as an 
attachment. Applicants must also submit a copy of the most recent 
single audit report for all proposed U.S.-based, non-profit partners, 
Associates and sub-awardees that are subject to the Single Audit Act. 
If the proposed Associate(s) or partner(s) is a for-profit or foreign-
based organization, a copy of its most current independent financial 
audit should accompany the application as an attachment. If the audit 
submitted by the applicant reflects any adverse opinions, the 
application will not be further considered by the technical review 
panel and will be rejected. USDOL reserves the right to ask further 
questions on any audit report submitted as part of an application. 
USDOL also reserves the right to place special conditions on Grantees 
if concerns are raised in their audit reports. In order to expedite the 
screening of applications and to ensure that the appropriate audits are 
attached to the proposals, the applicant must provide a cover sheet to 
the audit attachments listing all proposed partners and sub-awardees. 
These attachments will not count

[[Page 1002]]

toward the application page limit. (10 points)
     Experience of Personnel/Management Plan--15 points
    Applicants will be evaluated on their inclusion of key personnel 
with prior experience directly related to the proposed work, including 
technical and language qualifications, professional competence, 
relevant academic background, and demonstrated experience. Applicants 
must submit a r[eacute]sum[eacute] for each key personnel proposed, 
which includes the individual's current employment status and previous 
work experience, including position title, duties performed, salary 
history, dates in position, employing organizations, and educational 
background. Duties must be clearly defined in terms of role performed 
(i.e., manager, team leader, consultant). R[eacute]sum[eacute]s must be 
included as attachments, which do not count against the page 
limitation. Management and professional technical staff members 
comprising the applicant's proposed team must be individuals who have 
prior experience with organizations working in similar efforts, and who 
are fully qualified to perform the work specified in the Scope of Work. 
(10 points)
    Successful performance of the proposed work depends heavily on the 
management of the project. Accordingly, in its evaluation of each 
application, USDOL will place emphasis on the applicant's management 
approach involved in accomplishing the assigned tasks. This section of 
the application must include sufficient information to judge management 
and staffing plans. Where subawards, or outside assistance are 
proposed, organizational lines of authority and responsibility should 
be clearly delineated to ensure responsiveness to the needs of USDOL. 
(5 points)
     Leveraging of Grant Funding--5 points
    USDOL will award up to five (5) additional rating points to 
applications that include non-Federal resources that significantly 
expand the size and scope of project-related activities. These programs 
must not be financed by the project, but can complement and enhance 
project objectives. To be eligible for the additional points, the 
applicant must list the resource(s), the nature, and possible 
activities anticipated and any partnerships, linkages, or coordination 
of activities, cooperative funding, etc., including the specific value 
of such contributions.
     Suggested Outline for Technical Proposal
    This outline is provided as a guideline. Organizations may elect a 
format of their choosing, subject to the requirements of this 
announcement.

i. Executive Summary
ii. Program Description
iii. Goal and Objectives
iv. Background
v. Technical Approach and Implementation Timetable (Proposed 
Intervention)
vi. Monitoring and Evaluation Plan
vii. Experience of Personnel
viii. Identification of Deliverables and Quarterly Schedule of their 
submission to determine contractor performance
ix. Staffing Pattern and Project Management Organizational Chart
x. Leveraging of non-Federal Resources
xi. Budget
xii. Attachments:
     Summaries of other relevant organizational experiences
     R[eacute]sum[eacute]s of key personnel and signed letters 
of commitment to the project
     Audit reports

    Successful proposals submitted in response to this solicitation 
will be incorporated into the text of the grant with the selected 
applicant(s).

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

    The Grant Officer will notify applicants of designation results as 
follows:
    Designation Letter: The designation letter signed by the Grant 
Officer will serve as official notice of an organization's designation. 
The designation letter will be accompanied by a Cooperative Agreement 
and ILAB's Management Procedures and Guidelines (MPG).
    Non-Designation Letter: Any organization not designated will be 
notified formally of the non-designation and given the basic reasons 
for the determination. Notification of designation by a person or 
entity other than the Grant Officer is not valid.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

A. General
    Grantees are subject to applicable U.S. Federal laws (including 
provisions of appropriations law) and regulations, Executive Orders, 
applicable OMB Circulars, and USDOL policies. If during project 
implementation a Grantee is found in violation of USG laws and 
regulations, the terms of the Cooperative Agreement awarded under this 
solicitation may be modified by USDOL, costs may be disallowed and 
recovered, the Cooperative Agreement may be terminated, and USDOL may 
take other action permitted by law. Determinations of allowable costs 
will be made in accordance with the applicable U.S. Federal cost 
principles.
B. Audits
    After award, Grantees must also submit an annual independent audit 
regardless of grant amount.
    i. For U.S. based non-profit organizations expending $500,000 or 
more in a year in Federal awards: a ``single'' or ``program specific'' 
audit conducted under the provisions of OMB Circular A-133 is required.
    ii. For all other organizations (including foreign-based and 
private for-profit grantees): an audit conducted in accordance with the 
U.S. Government Accountability Office's (GAO) ``Government Auditing 
Standards'' is required. The audit must address the following:
    (a) Compliance with the Department's regulations and the provisions 
of the Cooperative Agreement; and
    (b) Reliability of the organization's financial and performance 
reports.
    Costs for audits or attestation engagements should be included in 
direct or indirect costs, whichever is appropriate.

    Please Note: USDOL generally allows the costs to be allocated 
based on the following (applicable to U.S. based agencies only): (1) 
A-133 ``single audit'' costs as part of the indirect cost rate/pool 
for organizations with more than one Federal source of funding. 
Organizations with only one Federal source could charge the A-133 
single audit cost as direct costs; (2) A-133 ``compliance 
supplement'' costs--as direct costs for Federal sources only through 
a cost allocation methodology approved by the Federal cognizant 
agency; or (3) A-133 program specific audits as direct costs. Any 
deviations from the above must be explained and justified in the 
application.

C. Administrative Standards and Provisions
    The Cooperative Agreements awarded under this solicitation are 
subject to the following administrative standards and provisions, and 
any other applicable standards that come into effect during the term of 
the Cooperative Agreement, if applicable to a particular Grantee:
    i. 29 CFR Part 2 Subpart D--Equal Treatment in Department of Labor 
Programs for religious Organizations; Protection of Religious Liberty 
of Department of Labor Social Service Providers and Beneficiaries.
    ii. 29 CFR Part 31--Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted 
Programs of the Department of

[[Page 1003]]

Labor-- Effectuation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
    iii. 29 CFR Part 32--Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap in 
Programs and Activities Receiving or Benefiting from Federal Financial 
Assistance.
    iv. 29 CFR Part 33--Enforcement of Nondiscrimination on the Basis 
of Handicap in Programs or Activities Conducted by the Department of 
Labor.
    v. 29 CFR Part 35--Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Age in 
Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance from the 
Department of Labor.
    vi. 29 CFR Part 36--Federal Standards for Nondiscrimination on the 
Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal 
Financial Assistance.
    vii. 29 CFR Part 93--New Restrictions on Lobbying.
    viii. 29 CFR Part 95--Uniform Administrative Requirements for 
Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals 
and other Non-Profit Organizations, and with Commercial Organizations, 
Foreign Governments, Organizations Under the Jurisdiction of Foreign 
Governments and International Organizations.
    ix. 29 CFR Part 96--Federal Standards for Audit of Federally Funded 
Grants, Contracts and Agreements.
    x. 29 CFR Part 98--Federal Standards for Government-wide Debarment 
and Suspension (Nonprocurement) and Government-wide Requirements for 
Drug-Free Workplace (Grants).
    xi. 29 CFR Part 99--Federal Standards for Audits of States, Local 
Governments, and NonProfit Organizations.
    Copies of all regulations referenced in this solicitation are 
available at no cost, on-line, at http://www.dol.gov.
D. Key Personnel
    As noted in Section V, the applicant must list all key personnel 
candidates. After the Cooperative Agreement has been awarded and 
throughout the life of the project, the Grantee agrees to inform the 
Grant Officer's Technical Representative (GOTR) whenever it appears 
impossible for key personnel to continue work on the project as 
planned. The Grantee must nominate, through the submission of a formal 
project revision, new personnel; however, the Grantee must obtain 
approval from the Grant Officer before all changes to key personnel are 
formalized. If the Grant Officer is unable to approve the key personnel 
change, she or he reserves the right to terminate the Cooperative 
Agreement or disallow costs.
E. Encumbrance of Grant Funds
    Grant funds may not be encumbered/obligated by the Grantee(s) 
before or after the period of performance. Encumbrances/obligations 
outstanding as of the end of the grant period may be liquidated (paid 
out) after the end of the grant period. Such encumbrances/obligations 
may involve only commitments for which a need existed during the grant 
period and which are supported by approved contracts, purchase orders, 
requisitions, invoices, bills, or other evidence of liability 
consistent with the Grantee's purchasing procedures and incurred within 
the grant period. All encumbrances/ obligations incurred during the 
grant period must be liquidated within 90 days after the end of the 
grant period, if practicable.
F. Acknowledgement on Printed Materials
    In all circumstances, the following shall be displayed on printed 
materials: Preparation of this item was funded by the United States 
Department of Labor under Grant No. [insert the appropriate grant 
number]'' In addition, the Grantee is required to include a disclaimer 
in publications and materials that have been directly funded by USDOL 
as follows: This (* * *) does not necessarily reflect the views or 
policies of the United States Department of Labor, nor does the mention 
of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement 
by the United States Government. This acknowledgement and disclaimer 
must be included in documents (reports and other materials) produced, 
edited and published for distribution beyond the Grantee and USDOL 
(i.e., to other donors, organizations, or the general public).
    When issuing statements, press releases, requests for proposals, 
bid solicitations, and other documents describing projects or programs 
funded in whole or in part with Federal money, all Grantees receiving 
Federal funds must clearly state:
     The percentage of the total costs of the program or 
project that will be financed with Federal money;
     The dollar amount of Federal funds for the project or 
program; and
     The percentage and dollar amount of the total costs of the 
project or program that will be financed by non-governmental sources.
G. Use of the USDOL Logo
    In consultation with ILAB, the Grantee(s) will acknowledge USDOL's 
role in one of the following ways:
     The USDOL logo may be applied to USDOL-funded material 
prepared for public distribution, including posters, videos, pamphlets, 
research documents, national survey results, impact evaluations, best 
practice reports, and other publications of public interest. The 
Grantee(s) must consult with USDOL on whether the logo may be used on 
any such items prior to final draft or final preparation for 
distribution. In no event shall the USDOL logo be placed on any item 
until USDOL has given the Grantee written permission to use the logo on 
the item.
     All documents should include the following notice: ``This 
document does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. 
Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial 
products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.''
H. Privacy and Freedom of Information
    Any information submitted in response to this solicitation will be 
subject to the provisions of the Privacy Act and the Freedom of 
Information Act, as appropriate.
I. Site Visits
    USDOL, through its authorized representatives, has the right, at 
all reasonable times, to make site visits to review project 
accomplishments and management control systems and to provide such 
technical assistance as may be required. If USDOL makes any site visit 
on the premises of the Grantee or a subawardee(s) under this grant, the 
Grantee must provide and must require its subawardee(s) to provide all 
reasonable facilities and assistance for the safety and convenience of 
the Government representatives in the performance of their duties. All 
site visits and evaluations will be performed so as not to unduly delay 
the work.

3. Reporting and Deliverables

    Guidance on USDOL procedures and management requirements will be 
provided to Grantees in the Management Procedure Guidelines with the 
Cooperative Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, a Grantee must 
submit copies of all required reports and deliverables to USDOL by the 
specified due dates. Exact timeframes for the completion of 
deliverables will be addressed in the Cooperative Agreement and the 
MPGs. Specific deliverables are outlined below.
A. Required Deliverables
    Following the award of the grant, the Grantee(s) shall collaborate 
with USDOL/ILAB to:

[[Page 1004]]

     Develop a Project Document (including a project budget) 
that will set the technical parameters and provide guidance to the 
project. It must include all information and be prepared according to 
the standardized format outlined by USDOL. While the applicant's 
original proposal will serve as the basis of the Project Document, in 
every case USDOL has found it advantageous to visit the field and reach 
consensus on the project strategy with host country counterparts in 
order to further inform the project design. USDOL may choose to 
participate on these field visits. USDOL must receive a draft of the 
Project Document 45 days after returning from travel to the relevant 
area(s). The Project Document must be finalized no later than 30 days 
after receipt of USDOL comments on the draft.
     Establish a Work plan identifying major project 
activities, deadlines for their completion, and person(s) responsible 
for completing these activities (within 60 days after the Project 
Document is finalized).
     Set project indicators, including indicators that support 
ILAB's GPRA goal: ``Improve living standards and conditions of work for 
workers in developing and transition countries.'' (within 90 days of 
finalizing the Project Document).
     Create a Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) to establish 
the data needed to measure achievement of project indicators and the 
methods for collection and reporting. It should include all information 
and be prepared according to the standardized format outlined by USDOL 
(within 90 days of finalizing the Project Document).
B. Required Reporting
     The Grantee(s) must submit financial reports on a 
quarterly basis. The first reporting period ends on the last day of the 
fiscal quarter (December 31, March 31, June 30, or September 30) during 
which the grant was signed. The Grantee(s) must use Standard Form (SF) 
269A, Financial Status Report, to report the status of the funds, at 
the project level, during the grant period. A final SF269A must be 
submitted no later than 90 days following completion of the grant 
period. If the Grantee(s) uses the U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services Payment Management System (HHS PMS), it shall also send USDOL 
copies of the PSC 272 that it submits to HHS, on the same schedule. 
Otherwise, the Grantee(s) must submit Standard Form (SF) 272, Federal 
Cash Transactions Report, on the same schedule as the SF269A. Financial 
reports are due within 30 days of the end of the reporting period 
(i.e., by April 30, July 30, October 30, and January 30).
Technical Reporting Requirements
     After signing the agreement, the Grantee(s) must submit 
progress reports to USDOL/ILAB at the end of each fiscal quarter. The 
first reporting period ends on the last day of the fiscal quarter 
(December 31, March 31, June 30, or September 30) during which the 
Grant was signed. Between reporting dates, the Grantee(s) must also 
immediately inform USDOL/ILAB of significant developments and/or 
problems affecting the organization's ability to accomplish work. The 
Grantee(s) must submit two types of progress reports according to the 
standardized format used by USDOL/ILAB.

VII. Agency Contacts

    All inquiries regarding this solicitation should be directed to: 
Ms. Lisa Harvey, U.S. Department of Labor, Procurement Services Center, 
200 Constitution Ave, NW., Room N-5416, Washington DC 20210; telephone 
(202) 693-4570 (this is not a toll-free number) or e-mail: 
[email protected].
    Successful proposals submitted in response to this SGA will be 
incorporated into the text of the grant with the selected applicant(s).

Lisa Harvey,
Grant Officer.
BILLING CODE 4510-28-P
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN09JA07.013


[[Page 1005]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN09JA07.014


[[Page 1006]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN09JA07.015


[[Page 1007]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN09JA07.016


[[Page 1008]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN09JA07.017


[[Page 1009]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN09JA07.018


[[Page 1010]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN09JA07.019

[FR Doc. E6-22454 Filed 1-8-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-28-C