[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 91 (Friday, May 11, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26836-26846]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-9117]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Disability Employment Policy

[SGA 07-09]


National Technical Assistance Center on Transition and Employment 
for Youth With Disabilities; Solicitation for Cooperative Agreement

    Announcement Type: New notice of Availability of Funds and 
Solicitation for Grant Application (SGA) for cooperative agreement.
    Funding Opportunity Number: SGA 07-09.
    Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 17.720.

DATES: Key Date: Applications must be received by June 25, 2007.

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Labor (``DOL'' or ``Department''), 
Office of Disability Employment Policy (``ODEP'''), announces the 
availability of up to $1.7 million to fund a cooperative agreement to 
establish the National Technical Assistance Center on Transition and 
Employment for Youth with Disabilities with a 24-month period of 
performance. In addition, this initiative may be funded for up to three 
(3) additional option years at approximately $1,000,000 per year, 
depending on performance, identified need and the availability of 
future funding.
    Over the last 10 years, a number of federal and state efforts to 
improve access to transition planning and services to improve 
education, employment, and community living outcomes for youth with 
disabilities have emerged. As a result, there has been some improvement 
in indicators relevant to the successful transition of youth with 
disabilities, including increases in graduation rates, increases in 
enrollment in postsecondary education, and increases in the number of 
youth entering the workforce. While this progress is encouraging, 
education and employment outcomes for youth with disabilities continue 
to lag substantially behind that of their peers without disabilities.
    To address this situation, ODEP is funding a national technical 
assistance center to build capacity within and across both generic and 
disability-specific youth service delivery systems to help youth with 
disabilities successfully transition from high school to post-secondary 
education and/or employment in high-demand career areas. Effectively 
addressing the complex and significant barriers to employment faced by 
youth with disabilities transitioning into the adult world requires the 
use of multiple strategies and the active involvement of many 
stakeholders, including Federal, State and local governments, non-
governmental organizations, and employers.
    This Center will conduct research, disseminate information, and 
provide technical assistance to a wide range of stakeholders on topics 
relevant to improving post-school outcomes for youth with disabilities 
including, but not limited to:
     Effective practices, such as the emerging use of 
individual learning or graduation plans, for aligning and improving the 
education and workforce development systems to better meet employer 
demand;
     Innovative service strategies which workforce development, 
and secondary and postsecondary programs and systems can utilize to 
better meet the needs of transitioning youth;
     Professional development strategies for practitioners who 
work with youth; and
     Effective models of multi-disciplinary interagency 
collaboration and systems coordination needed to support youth in 
achieving positive post-school outcomes through comprehensive service 
delivery consistent with the Guideposts for Success, see http://www.dol.gov/odep/categories/youth/. The Guideposts for Success serves 
as a conceptual framework on improving transition outcomes for youth 
with disabilities.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

1. Description and Purpose

    ODEP will award one cooperative agreement to establish a national 
technical assistance and research center. The center will: (1) Conduct 
research to identify, validate and document effective practices and 
policies; (2) disseminate information; (3) provide technical 
assistance; (4) encourage collaboration; and (5) work with states and 
localities on multiple strategies for improving the post-school 
outcomes or youth with disabilities. The overall purpose of this effort 
is to build the capacity of workforce development, economic 
development, and educational service delivery systems and their 
partners to work together strategically to ensure that youth with 
disabilities graduate from high school and enter employment and/or 
further post-secondary education and training with the skills needed to 
meet employer demand in the 21st century workplace, and to maximize 
their ability to be self-sufficient and to live independently.
    The Center's research related activities will improve systems 
capacity to provide comprehensive transition services utilizing 
research-based strategies consistent with the Guideposts for Success. 
It must include, but is not limited to, the following activities:
    (a) Conducting an analysis of all states currently implementing 
individual learning/graduation planning strategies for all youth to 
identify practices and strategies that support positive outcomes or 
create barriers for youth with disabilities.
    (b) Identifying effective practices for coordinating education, 
career preparation, youth development and leadership, health, and other 
employment-related support services that improve transition outcomes 
for youth with disabilities. The Center must consult with other 
appropriate technical assistance providers within the Departments of 
Labor, Education, Health and Human Services, and other Federal agencies 
in this effort.
    (c) Assessing the impact of implementing a comprehensive 
professional development strategy on both the job retention of youth 
service practitioners and youth service outcomes.
    (d) The identification of curricula, instructional approaches, 
programs, and policies that are potentially effective for improving 
both the academic and functional workplace skills of adolescents and 
young adults with disabilities.

[[Page 26837]]

    The Center's technical assistance and dissemination activities must 
include, but are not limited to, the following:
     Assisting interested national, state and local entities in 
the creation of a professional development system for youth service 
practitioners;
     Promoting youth-centered planning and youth development 
and leadership opportunities;
     Producing reports and documents on trends, patterns, and 
legislation relating to secondary and post-secondary transition 
interventions, strategies, and supports and other pertinent topics as 
requested by ODEP;
     Preparing and disseminating reports and documents in 
publications including peer-reviewed journals;
     Providing information to educate relevant stakeholders, 
including state and local policymakers, educators, systems personnel, 
as well as youth and families, about changes in policy and practice 
needed in order to increase employment opportunities and wages for 
young people with disabilities;
     Providing information to educate employers and the general 
public about the abilities of youth with disabilities to work in a wide 
variety of occupations and about the use of accommodations;
     Providing technical assistance, training, and information 
that integrates evidence-based effective practices for improving 
transition results for young people with disabilities enrolled in 
Workforce Investment Act (WIA)-funded youth programs;
     Providing technical assistance, training, and information 
to increase understanding by youth service providers about disability 
related employment issues such as health care, transportation, work 
incentive provisions, benefits planning, housing, etc.;
     Providing technical assistance, training, and information 
to ODEP's current and future grantees. This includes serving as a 
repository and dissemination center for the materials and effective 
practices developed by ODEP grantees; and
     Creating and maintaining a user-friendly Web site with 
relevant information and documents in a form that meets a government or 
industry-recognized standard for accessibility.
    The Center's collaboration activities must include, but are not 
limited to:
     Promoting high quality interagency collaboration and 
service coordination between and among Federal, State, and local 
agencies with a focus on identifying, developing, and implementing 
interagency service strategies that effectively maximize available 
resources; and
     Developing and maintaining relationships that encourage 
collaboration to foster integrated approaches to transition planning 
and services. Partners are not limited to, but may include the 
following entities:
    (1) State departments of Labor, Health, Education, Vocational 
Rehabilitation and Economic Development, Governors' Committees on 
Employment of People with Disabilities, State Councils for Independent 
Living, Mental Health Agencies, Mental Retardation and Developmental 
Disability Councils, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) 
Agencies;
    (2) Local WIA youth services providers, Job Corps representatives, 
foster care and juvenile justice agencies, public housing, health and 
transportation authorities, local One-Stop centers, community and 
faith-based organizations, and disability organizations, such as 
Centers for Independent Living;
    (3) Employers and their professional networks such as Business 
Leadership Networks (BLNs), Chambers of Commerce, and other employer 
trade association;
    (4) National education and youth development and leadership 
organizations;
    (5) Federal agencies including the Departments of Education, 
Transportation and Health and Human Services, The Social Security 
Administration, The Corporation for National and Community Service and 
other agencies that work to improve access to public accommodations, 
commercial facilities, information technology, telecommunications 
services, and housing; and
    (6) Other Federal technical assistance projects that provide 
information about transition, postsecondary education, employment, and 
independent living issues for young people with disabilities.
    Additionally the Center will work to ensure that youth with 
disabilities are thoughtfully included in the emerging practice of 
individual learning/graduation plans (ILPs) for all youth currently 
being implemented in at least 20 states by:
    (1) Conducting research during its first 6 months to analyze 
existing policies and practices and the impact they have on youth with 
disabilities;
    (2) Providing targeted technical assistance including professional 
development support and training to a minimum of three (3) 
competitively selected states currently implementing individual 
learning/graduation planning strategies to ensure that the policies 
being developed and the practices being implemented are responsive to 
and inclusive of the needs of youth with disabilities; and
    (3) Spending at least 6 months conducting a follow up evaluation of 
the impact of the targeted technical assistance described above. A goal 
of the effort will be to document emerging effective practices and 
increase the capacity of other localities implementing ILPs.
    A minimum of $600,000 is to be spent on the above three components 
of the work plan relating to individual learning/graduation plans. 
Staff time and project resources dedicated to provide technical 
assistance to ODEP-specified states will be negotiated with ODEP as 
part of the cooperative agreement within thirty (30) days of the date 
of the award.
    The remainder of the funding that is provided is to be spent on 
carrying out the general technical assistance functions described 
previously.

2. Background

    The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) provides national 
leadership by developing and influencing disability-related employment 
policies and practices. A five-year strategic plan guides ODEP in 
achieving its mission by identifying long-term strategic and outcome 
goals as well as shorter-term intermediate and performance goals. In 
addition to measuring agency performance, as required by the Government 
Performance and Results Act (GPRA), the strategic plan sets forth a 
road map for prioritizing the formulation and dissemination of 
innovative employment policies and practices to service delivery 
systems and employers.
    ODEP's annual goal is to build knowledge and advance disability 
employment policy that affects and promotes systems change. The 
agency's long- and short-term goals focus efforts on initiatives that 
bring about this level of change. In short, ODEP develops policies and 
strategies that will:
     Enhance the capacity of service delivery systems to 
provide appropriate and effective services and supports to youth and 
adults with disabilities;
     Increase planning and coordination within service delivery 
systems to develop and improve systems, processes, and services;
     Improve individualization of services to better assist 
youth and adults with disabilities in seeking, obtaining, and retaining 
employment or self-employment;

[[Page 26838]]

     Increase employer access to supports and services to meet 
their employment needs;
     Increase the quality of competency-based training for 
service delivery systems;
     Increase the adoption of universal strategies for service 
provision; and
     Develop partnerships with and among critical stakeholders 
to effectively leverage available resources and facilitate 
implementation of practices and policies that increase employment and 
self-employment opportunities and the recruitment, retention, and 
promotion of youth and adults with disabilities.
    Three measures inform ODEP of its annual progress in meeting its 
three goals under the Government Performance and Results Act: (1) The 
number of policy-related documents; (2) the number of formal 
agreements; and (3) the number of effective practices. These 
performance results support achievement of the following intermediate 
outcome goals: Accessible employment resources; coordinated programs, 
processes, and services; and adoption of effective practices.
    Achievement of these intermediate outcome goals, in turn, supports 
achievement of the long-term service delivery systems outcome goals, 
which are marked by increases in these areas: Capacity of service 
delivery systems; planning and coordination within service delivery 
systems; and employer access to supports and services for recruitment, 
retention, and promotion.
    On February 1, 2001, in announcing the New Freedom Initiative 
(NFI), President George W. Bush explicitly recognized that in today's 
global economy America must be able to draw on the talents and 
creativity of all its citizens and that people with disabilities 
represent valuable largely untapped human capital. The NFI represents 
an important step towards ensuring that all Americans have the 
opportunity to learn and develop skills, engage in productive work, and 
choose where to live and participate in community life.
    Developing the talents, skills and capabilities of the workforce 
has always played an important part in our nation's economic strength. 
This is even more critical today because America is transitioning to a 
knowledge-based economy that places a premium on higher skills and 
education. Millions of new jobs have been created in industries that 
did not even exist a generation ago. In addition, two-thirds of the 
estimated 18 million new jobs that will be created over the next 10 
years will be in occupations that require some kind of post-secondary 
education. Therefore, it is more imperative now than at any time ever 
before that young Americans, including those with disabilities, stay in 
school, get a high school diploma or GED, and have some kind of 
education and job training beyond high school.
    The nature of what employers demand in the workplace of the 21st 
century is also changing. High school and college graduates must not 
only master basic academic skills, but in addition must master more 
advanced ``applied skills'' such as teamwork, critical thinking, and 
communication. According, however, to a recent survey of 461 employers 
conducted by the Conference Board, Corporate Voices for Working 
Families, the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, and the Society for 
Human Resources many new entrants to the workforce lack these important 
skills. These business leaders reported that while the three ``R's'' 
are still fundamental to every employee's ability to do the job, 
knowledge of applied skills is even more important. (Are They Really 
Ready to Work? Employers' Perspectives on the Basic Knowledge and 
Applied Skills of New Entrants to the 21st Century U.S. Workforce 
(2006)).
    The need to improve education and employment outcomes of youth with 
disabilities has been recognized as a national priority over the past 
several years. The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), which was signed 
into law by President Bush in 2002, ushered in sweeping changes in the 
American educational system as it relates to students with disabilities 
because it requires that schools be held accountable for their 
educational progress to the same extent they are held accountable for 
the educational results of students without disabilities. Further, when 
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was reauthorized in 
2004, it recognized the increasingly important relationship between 
education and employment. Thus, the transition planning requirements 
were expanded to include measurable postsecondary goals related to 
training, education, employment, and, where appropriate, independent 
living skills.
    In addition, The White House Task Force Report on Disadvantaged 
Youth (December 2003), recommended that an interagency group be created 
to help facilitate interagency collaboration at the state and local 
levels for federally funded youth programs to develop innovative 
approaches, enhance the quality of services delivered, improve cost-
effectiveness, and improve outcomes for the neediest youth. Over the 
past several years, in response to the Task Force Report, the 
Department of Labor has been collaborating with multiple Federal 
agencies to implement a coordinated shared Federal Youth Vision to more 
effectively and efficiently serve out-of-school and at-risk youth. The 
Shared Youth Vision Federal Partnership explicitly recognizes that 
youth with disabilities, along with high school drop-outs and those at 
risk of dropping out, court-involved youth or those at risk of 
involvement, youth in or aging out of foster care, children of 
incarcerated parents, and migrant, American Indian and Alaska Native 
youth, are included among our nation's neediest youth. In addition, the 
Vision partnership recognizes that these youth are an important part of 
the ``supply pipeline'' needed to fill job vacancies in the knowledge-
based economy.
    ODEP has also funded several systems change efforts which have 
focused on improving transition outcomes for youth with disabilities 
using the Guideposts for Success as a conceptual framework. The 
Guideposts, which include school-based preparatory experiences, career 
preparation and work-based learning experiences, youth development and 
leadership, connecting activities, and family involvement and supports, 
reflect key educational and career development interventions that 
research has indicated can make a positive difference in the lives of 
all youth, including youth with disabilities.
    Federal and state efforts to improve transition policies and 
practices for youth with disabilities over the past decade have 
resulted in some positive gains including increases in graduation 
rates, enrollment in postsecondary education, and in the number of 
youth entering the workforce (Office of Special Education Programs, 
Data Analysis System (DANS); Newman, 2005; Cameto and Levine, 2005). 
For example, national data indicate that there has been some 
improvement in the overall graduation rate of students with 
disabilities in the United States. Between the 1995-1996 and 1999-2000 
school years, the percentage of youth with disabilities graduating with 
regular diplomas, as reported by states, grew from 52.6% to 56.2%. 
During the same period, the percentage of students with disabilities 
reported as having dropped out of school declined from 34.1% to 29.4% 
(U.S. Department of Education, 2002).
    Nonetheless, significant challenges remain. National studies and 
reports have shown that, compared to their non-disabled peers, students 
with disabilities are less likely to receive a regular high school 
diploma; drop out

[[Page 26839]]

twice as often; and enroll in and complete postsecondary education 
programs at half the rate.
    According to recent reports from the National Longitudinal 
Transition Study-2 (NLTS-2) (2005) (see http://www.nlts2.org/) (Wagner, 
Marder, et al., 2003; Wagner, Newman, et al., 2005), a study of a 
nationally representative sample of adolescents with disabilities, 
students' grade-level equivalent performance on standardized 
achievement tests was on average 3.6 years behind grade level in 
reading and mathematics. Among those individuals who were no longer in 
school, about 28 percent had dropped out prior to receiving a diploma, 
a rate nearly twice that of their peers without disabilities. In the 
first years after high school, individuals with disabilities were much 
less likely to attend postsecondary education than were individuals 
without disabilities. In addition, about 21 percent of youth with 
disabilities were not engaged in their community either through 
postsecondary education, job training, or work in the first years after 
high school.
    In addition, up to two years after leaving high school, about 4 in 
10 youth with disabilities are employed as compared to 6 in 10 same-
age, out-of-school youth in the general population. (National Center 
for Education Statistics, 2000; NLTS-2) In addition, youth with 
disabilities are four times more likely to become involved in the 
juvenile justice system. (National Collaborative on Workforce and 
Disability for Youth, 2005)
    According to the NLTS-2, employment rates vary considerably across 
disability categories for students with disabilities who were enrolled 
in special education. Youth with learning disabilities, emotional 
disturbances, other health impairments, or speech impairments are the 
most likely to be employed in a 1-year period (50% to 60%). In 
contrast, 15% of youth with autism, approximately one-fourth of youth 
with multiple disabilities, deaf-blindness, or orthopedic impairments, 
and about one-third of youth with mental retardation or visual 
impairments are employed in a 1-year period. Moreover, the 2000 Census 
revealed that the overall employment rate of Americans with 
disabilities of working age in 2000 was only around 56 percent, a 
number which is far below the national average.
    The impending changes in our economy in conjunction with the 
aforementioned data on high school and college graduation rates 
underscore the need for our nation to continue to direct resources to 
address the complex and significant barriers to employment many youth 
with disabilities face in transitioning into the adult world. The 
research and technical assistance effort proposed herein will support 
this effort by increasing the capacity of multiple youth service 
delivery systems by expanding the knowledge base of existing effective 
practices for improving transition outcomes; identifying, investigating 
and validating models that promote systems change; and providing 
proactive support, training, and dissemination of other relevant useful 
information.
    The technical assistance to be provided will build upon ODEP's 
prior research and technical assistance efforts which focused on 
promoting increased understanding that:
     Addressing the transition needs of youth with disabilities 
requires meaningful collaboration and coordination;
     Providing effective services to youth with disabilities in 
the context of general youth service delivery is not difficult because, 
as articulated in the Guideposts for Success, the vast majority of what 
they need, are the same things all youth need; and
     Providing effective transition services for all youth, 
which support positive youth development, requires viewing what youth 
need holistically.
    The research and technical assistance also found that:
     Generic service providers may unknowingly already be 
serving significant numbers of youth with disabilities as they are 
overrepresented in all at-risk groups; and
     Generic youth serving delivery systems, such as programs 
supported by the WIA, bear a part of the responsibility of serving 
transitioning youth with disabilities.

3. Definitions

    Definitions for purposes of this solicitation include:
     Youth with disabilities: Refers to individuals with 
disabilities who are ages 14 to 24.
     Individual Graduation/Learning Plan: Refers to a plan that 
emphasizes academic and career development for all students as early as 
middle school and continues throughout high school. The plans, 
currently being implemented by many states, assist students in setting 
post-secondary education and employment goals based on their academic, 
career, and personal interests, as well as their strengths and 
weaknesses.

II. Award Information

    Estimated Available Funds: The full $1,700,000 for the initial 24 
month period of performance will be awarded in 2007.
    Period of Performance: 24 months from date of award with up to 
three (3) additional option years at approximately $1,000,000 per year, 
depending on performance, identified need, and the availability of 
future funding.
    The U.S. Department of Labor (``DOL'' or ``Department''), Office of 
Disability Employment Policy (``ODEP''), announces the availability of 
up to $1,700,000 to fund a national technical assistance and research 
cooperative agreement.

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

    Because ODEP plans to make this award in the form of a cooperative 
agreement, DOL will have substantial involvement in the administration 
of the agreement. Such DOL involvement will consist of:
    (1) Approval of any sub-contract awarded by the grantee after the 
grant award;
    (2) Participation in site visits to project areas;
    (3) Providing advice and consultation to the Grantee on specific 
program criteria;
    (4) Providing the Grantee(s) with technical and programmatic 
support, including training in DOL monitoring and evaluation systems, 
and standard procedures regarding DOL management of cooperative 
agreements;
    (5) Reviewing, at reasonable times, all documents pertaining to the 
project, including status and technical progress reports, and financial 
reports. ODEP will provide the format for the reports;
    (6) Discussing administrative and technical issues pertaining to 
the project;
    (7) Approving all key personnel decisions, and sub-contractors or 
sub-awardees;
    (8) Approving all fact sheets, training materials, press releases 
and publicity-related materials regarding the project;
    (9) Approving all content for online resources developed through 
project activities, including clearing concepts

[[Page 26840]]

for material production and final document production; and
    (10) Drafting terms of reference for, and participating in project 
evaluations.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants are consortia made up of a minimum of three (3) 
entities which may include a combination of any of the following: 
Public/private non-profits or for-profit organizations including faith-
based organizations, and universities and colleges, with demonstrated 
appropriate experience and expertise in conducting research and 
providing technical assistance about issues important to increasing 
employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The expertise 
required should include, but not be limited to: Education and career 
planning for transitioning youth, including those with mental health 
needs; comprehensive transition services delivery; strategies for 
meeting employer demand and for systems change, professional 
development strategies for youth service providers; and personal 
assistance, transportation, health and other related employment support 
services. There must be a prime or lead member of the consortium who is 
responsible for overall grant management and serves as the fiscal 
agent. All applications must clearly identify the lead grant recipient 
and fiscal agent, as well as all other members of the consortium 
applying for the grant. In addition, the application must identify the 
relationship between all of the members of the consortium.
    According to section 18 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, an 
organization, as described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986, that engages in lobbying activities will not be eligible 
for the receipt of Federal funds constituting an award, grant, or loan. 
See 2 U.S.C. 1611; 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(4). Funding restrictions apply. See 
Section IV(5).

2. Cost Sharing

    Cost sharing, matching funds, and cost participation are not 
required under this SGA. However, leveraging of public and private 
resources to foster inclusive service delivery and achieve project 
sustainability is highly encouraged and included under evaluation 
criteria. See V(1)(b)(9).

3. Other Eligibility Requirements

    Legal rules pertaining to inherently religious activities by 
organizations that receive Federal Financial Assistance:
     Neutral, non-religious criteria that neither favor nor 
disfavor religion will be employed in the selection of grant recipients 
and must be employed by grantees or in the selection of sub-awardees.
     The government is generally prohibited from providing 
direct financial assistance for inherently religious activities.\1\
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    \1\ In this context, the term direct financial assistance means 
financial assistance that is provided directly by a government 
entity or an intermediate organization, as opposed to financial 
assistance that an organization receives as the result of the 
genuine and independent private choice of a beneficiary. In other 
contexts, the term ``direct'' financial assistance may be used to 
refer to financial assistance that an organization receives directly 
from the Federal government (also known as ``discretionary'' 
assistance), as opposed to assistance that it receives from a State 
or local government (also known as ``indirect'' or ``block'' grant 
assistance). The term ``direct''' has the former meaning throughout 
this SGA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, no organization or individual investigator/program 
director may submit more than two separate applications.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Addresses To Request Application Package

    This SGA contains all the information and forms needed to apply for 
this grant funding. Application announcements or forms will not be 
mailed. The Federal Register may be obtained from your nearest 
government office or library. In addition, a copy of this notice and 
the application requirements may be downloaded from ODEP's Web site at 
http://www.dol.gov/odep and at http://www.grants.gov. If additional 
copies of the standard forms are needed, they can also be downloaded 
from: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/grants_forms.html. All 
mailed applications must be addressed to: Department of Labor, 
Procurement Services Center, Attention: Cassandra Mitchell, Reference 
SGA 07-09, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room S-4307, Washington, DC 
20210, Phone Number: (202) 693-4570 (this is not a toll-free number). 
Applicants are encouraged to apply online at http://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 http://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 http://www.grants.gov it would be appreciated if the 
application submitted is saved as .doc, .pdf, or .txt files. Except as 
provided in Section IV.3., any application received after the deadline 
(hard copy or electronic) will be considered as non-responsive and will 
not be evaluated.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    General Requirements: Applicants must submit one (1) paper copy 
with an original signature, and two (2) additional paper copies of the 
signed proposal. To aid with the review of applications, DOL also 
requires applicants to submit an electronic copy of their proposal's 
Sections II (Executive Summary) and III (Project Narrative) on disc or 
compact disc (CD) using Microsoft Word. The application (not to exceed 
25 pages for Section III), must be double-spaced with standard one-inch 
margins (top, bottom, and sides) on 8\1/2\ x 11-inch paper, and must be 
presented on single-sided and numbered pages. A font size of at least 
twelve (12) pitch is required throughout. All text in the application 
narrative, including titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, and 
captions must be double-spaced (no more than three lines per vertical 
inch); and, if using a proportional computer font, must be in at least 
a 12-point font, and must have an average character density no greater 
than 18 characters per inch (if using a non-proportional font or a 
typewriter, must not be more than 12 characters per inch). Applications 
that fail to meet these requirements will be considered non-responsive.

Cooperative Agreement Mandatory Application Requirements

    The three required sections of the application are titled below and 
described thereafter:

    Section I--Project Financial Plan (No page limit).
    Section II--Executive Summary--Project Synopsis (Not to exceed 
two (2) pages).
    Section III--Project Narrative (Not to exceed 25 pages).

    The mandatory requirements for each section are set forth below. 
Applications that fail to meet the stated mandatory requirements for 
each section will be considered non-responsive.
    Section I. Project Financial Plan (Budget): The Project Financial 
Plan will not count against the application page limits. Section I of 
the application must include the following:
    (1) Completed ``SF-424--Application for Federal Assistance.''
    Please note that, beginning October 1, 2003, all applicants for 
Federal grant

[[Page 26841]]

and funding opportunities are required to include a Dun and Bradstreet 
(DUNS) number with their application. See OMB Notice of Final Policy 
Issuance, 68 FR 38402 (June 27, 2003). The DUNS number is a nine-digit 
identification number that uniquely identifies business entities. There 
is no charge for obtaining a DUNS number (although it may take 14-30 
days). To obtain a DUNS number, access the following Web site: http://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-5711. Requests for exemption 
from the DUNS number requirement must be made to OMB. The Dun and 
Bradstreet Number of the applicant should be entered in the 
``Organizational Unit'' section of block 5 of the SF-424. (See Appendix 
A of this SGA for required form.)
    (2) The SF-424 must contain the original signatures of the legal 
entity applying for cooperative agreement funding and two additional 
copies of the signed SF-424. The individual signing the SF-424 on 
behalf of the applicant must represent and be able to legally bind the 
responsible financial and administrative entity for a cooperative 
agreement should that application result in an award. Applicants shall 
indicate on the SF-424 the organization's Internal Revenue Service 
(IRS) status (e.g. 501(c)(3) organization), if applicable.
    (3) Completed SF-424 A--Budget Information Form by line item for 
all costs required to implement the project design effectively. (See 
Appendix B of this SGA for required forms.)
    (4) DOL Budget Narrative and Justification that provides sufficient 
information to support the reasonableness of the costs included in the 
budget in relation to the service strategy and planned outcomes, 
including continuous improvement activities.
    The DOL Budget Narrative and Justification must describe all costs 
associated with implementing the project that are to be covered with 
cooperative agreement funds. The budget must support the travel and 
associated costs of sending representatives to both a post-award 
conference and periodic meetings with ODEP staff in Washington, DC (at 
least once per quarter), at a time and place to be determined. In 
addition to other administrative requirements identified in section 
VI(2) of this SGA, the applicant must comply with the ``Uniform 
Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to 
State and Local Governments'' (also known as OMB Circular A-102), 
codified at 29 CFR part 97, or ``Grants and Agreements with 
Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit 
Organizations'' (also known as the ``Common Rule''' or OMB Circular A-
110), codified at 2 CFR part 215 and 29 CFR part 95.
    In addition, the budget submitted for review by DOL must include, 
on a separate page, a detailed cost analysis of each line item. The 
costs listed in the detailed cost analysis must comply with the 
applicable OMB cost principles circulars, as identified in 29 CFR 95.27 
and 29 CFR 97.22(b). Justification for administrative costs must be 
provided. Approval of a budget by DOL is not the same as the approval 
of actual costs. The applicant must also include the Assurances and 
Certifications Signature Page (Appendix C) and the Survey on Ensuring 
Equal Opportunity for Applicants (Appendix D).
    Section II. Executive Summary--Project Synopsis: The Executive 
Summary is limited to no more than two single-spaced, single-sided 
pages on 8\1/2\ x 11-inch paper with standard margins throughout. The 
project synopsis must identify the following:
    (1) The lead entity;
    (2) The list of consortium members, as appropriate; and
    (3) An overview of how the applicant will carry out the technical 
assistance and research activities described in Section 1 of this 
solicitation.
    Section III. Project Narrative: The DOL Cooperative Agreement 
Project Narrative is limited to no more than twenty-five (25), 8\1/2\ 
'' x '' 11 pages, double-spaced with standard one-inch margins (top, 
bottom, and sides), and must be presented on single-sided, numbered 
pages.

    Note: Any Appendices, including letters of cooperation and 
resumes are not included in this twenty-five-page limit.

    Applications must include a Project Narrative that addresses the 
work proposed to be accomplished under the cooperative agreement, and 
the evaluation/selection criteria in Part V(1) that will be used by 
reviewers in evaluating the application.
    Applicants must limit Section III to the equivalent of not more 
than 25 pages using the following standard. This page limit does not 
apply to Section I, the Project Financial Plan (Budget), Section II, 
the Executive Summary and the Appendices (the assurances and 
certifications, resumes, a bibliography or references, and the 
documentation of commitment/formal agreement/letters of support and 
other materials relevant to the application). A page is 8\1/2\ '' x 
11'' (on one side only) with one-inch margins (top, bottom, and sides). 
All text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, 
footnotes, quotations, and captions must be double-spaced (no more than 
three lines per vertical inch); and, if using a proportional computer 
font, use no smaller than a 12-point font, and an average character 
density no greater than 18 characters per inch (if using a non-
proportional font or a typewriter, do not use more than 12 characters 
per inch).
    The successful applicant will be a Technical Assistance and 
Research Consortium and will describe in their Project Narrative their 
innovative and comprehensive plan for accomplishing the technical 
assistance and research activities described in Part I(1), Description 
and Purpose, and Part I(2) Background.
    The Project Narrative must:
    (1) Identify members of the consortium (including the lead entity, 
a minimum of 3 consortium members is required) and provide 
documentation (such as letters of intent and memorandum of agreement 
which will be included in an Appendix) of a formal agreement of 
participation;
    (2) Demonstrate each of the consortium members' relevant experience 
and expertise; and
    (3) Identify how the applicant proposes to disseminate research 
findings and technical assistance products.
    Each Project Narrative must include:
    (1) A detailed 24 month management plan for project goals, 
objectives, and activities;
    (2) A detailed 24 month timeline for project activities, including 
producing and submitting a final report;
    (3) A detailed outline for an evaluation of the project (see 
Section V(1)(F) for more information);
    (4) A description of procedures and approaches that will be used to 
provide ongoing communication, collaboration with, and input from 
ODEP's Project Officer on all grant-related activities.
    (5) A detailed description of how the consortia will work with 
multiple Federal, State and local public and private entities to 
implement policy recommendations and strategies identified in carrying 
out project activities; and
    (6) A detailed description of measures that will be taken to ensure 
that elements of the project's technical assistance model will be 
sustained following the completion of project activities.
    The Project Narrative must describe the proposed staffing for the 
project and must identify and summarize the qualifications of the 
personnel who will

[[Page 26842]]

carry it out. In addition, the evaluation criteria listed in Section 
V(1)(c) include consideration of the qualifications, including relevant 
education, training and experience of key project personnel, as well as 
the qualifications, including relevant training and experience, of 
project consultants or subcontractors. Resumes must be included in the 
appendices. Key personnel include: Principle Investigator, Project 
Director, Project Coordinator, Project Manager, Research Analyst, and 
any other individual playing a substantial role in the project. Minimum 
qualifications should be commensurate with the role identified in the 
application. In addition, the applicant must specify in the 
application, the percentages of time to be dedicated by each key person 
on the project.
    For each staff person named in the application, please provide 
documentation of all internal and external time commitments. In 
instances where a staff person is committed on a federally supported 
project, please provide the project name, Federal office, program 
title, the project Federal award number, and the amount of committed 
time by each project year. This information (e.g., Staff: Jane Doe; 
Project Name: Succeeding in the General Curriculum; Federal office: 
Office of Special Education Programs; Program title: Field Initiated 
Research; Award number: H324C980624; Time commitments: Year 1-30%; Year 
2-25% and Year 3-40%) can be provided as an appendix to the 
application.
    In general, ODEP will not reduce time commitments on currently 
funded grants from the time proposed in the original application. 
Therefore, we will not consider for funding any application where key 
staff are bid above a time commitment level that staff have available 
to bid. Further, the time commitments stated in newly submitted 
applications will not be negotiated down to permit the applicant to 
receive a new grant award.
    The Project Narrative should also describe how the applicant plans 
to comply with the employment discrimination and equal employment 
opportunity requirements of the various laws listed in the assurances 
section.

3. Submission Dates, Times and Addresses

    Applications will be accepted commencing May 11, 2007. The closing 
date for receipt of applications by DOL under this announcement is June 
25, 2007.
    Applications, including those hand-delivered, must be received by 
4:45 p.m. (EST) on the closing date at the address specified below. No 
exceptions to the mailing and hand-delivery conditions set forth in 
this notice will be granted. Applications that do not meet the 
conditions set forth in this notice will be considered non-responsive.
    Applications must be mailed or hand-delivered to: U.S. Department 
of Labor, Procurement Services Center, Attention: Cassandra Mitchell, 
Reference SGA 07-09, Room S-4307, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20210. Applications sent by e-mail or telefascimile 
(FAX) will not be accepted.
    Hand-Delivered Proposals: It is preferred that applications be 
mailed at least five (5) days prior to the closing date to ensure 
timely receipt. Hand-delivered applications will be considered for 
funding, but must be received by the above specified date and time. 
Overnight or express delivery from carriers other than the U.S. Postal 
Service will be considered hand-delivered applications. Failure to 
adhere to the above instructions will serve as a basis for a 
determination of non-responsiveness.
    Applicants are advised that mail in the Washington DC. area may be 
delayed due to mail decontamination procedures and may wish to take 
this information into consideration when preparing to meet the 
application deadline.
    Late Applications: Any application received by the designated 
office after the exact date and time specified will be considered non-
responsive, unless it is received before awards are made and it: (a) Is 
determined that its late receipt was caused by DOL error after timely 
delivery to the Department of Labor; (b) was sent by U.S. Postal 
Service registered or certified mail not later than the fifth calendar 
day before the date specified for receipt of applications (e.g., an 
application submitted in response to a solicitation requiring receipt 
of applications by the 20th of the month must have been postmarked by 
the 15th of that month); or (c) was sent by the U.S. Postal Service 
Express Mail Next Day Service to addressee not later than 5 p.m. at the 
place of mailing two (2) working days prior to the date specified for 
receipt of applications. The term ``working days'' excludes weekends 
and Federal holidays. ``Postmarked'' means a printed, stamped, or 
otherwise placed impression (exclusive of a postage meter machine 
impression) that is readily identifiable without further action as 
having been supplied or affixed on the date of mailing by an employee 
of the U.S. Postal Service.
    Withdrawal of Applications: An application that is timely submitted 
may be withdrawn by written notice or telegram (including mailgram) at 
any time before an award is made. Applications may be withdrawn in 
person by the applicant or by an authorized representative thereof, if 
the representative's identity is made known and the representative 
signs a receipt for the proposal.

4. Intergovernmental Review

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

5. Funding Restrictions

    (a) Funding Levels: The total funding available for this 
solicitation is $1,700,000. The Department of Labor reserves the right 
to negotiate the amounts to be awarded under this competition. Please 
be advised that requests exceeding the maximum stated amount will be 
considered non-responsive. Additionally, there will be no reimbursement 
of pre-award costs.
    (b) Period of Performance: The period of performance will be for 24 
months from the date of the award unless modified. It is expected that 
the successful applicant will begin program operations under this 
solicitation immediately upon receiving the ``Notice of Award.''
    (c) Option Year Funding: Up to three (3) additional option years 
may be available at approximately $1,000,000 per year, depending on 
performance, identified need and the availability of future funding.
    (d) Indirect Charges: If indirect charges are claimed in the 
proposed budget, the recipient must provide on a separate sheet, the 
following information:
    (1) Name and address of cognizant Federal audit agency;
    (2) Name, address and phone number (including area code) of the 
Government auditor;
    (3) Documentation from the cognizant agency indicating:
    (a) Current indirect cost rate and the base against which the rate 
should be applied;
    (b) Effective period (dates) for the rate; and
    (c) Date last rate was computed and negotiated.
    (4) If no government audit agency computed and authorized the rate 
claimed, a proposed rate with justification may be submitted providing 
a brief explanation of computation, who computed the rate and the date 
of the computation.

[[Page 26843]]

Successful applicants will be required to negotiate an acceptable and 
allowable rate within 90 days of grant award with the appropriate DOL 
Regional Office of Cost Determination or with the applicant's cognizant 
agency for indirect cost rates (See Office of Management and Budget Web 
site at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/attach.html). The 
recipient shall call the Office of Cost Determination at 202-693-4100 
for the initial contact.
    However, applications claiming an indirect cost rate greater than 
15% will not be considered.

V. Application Review Information

1. Evaluation Criteria

    A technical panel will review grant applications against the 
criteria listed below, on the basis of the maximum points indicated.
    (a) Significance of the Proposed Project (10 points)
    In determining the significance of the proposed research, the 
Department will consider the following factors:
    1. The potential contribution of the proposed project to increase 
knowledge or understanding of problems, issues, or effective strategies 
for providing comprehensive transition services and supports to youth 
with disabilities;
    2. The likelihood that the proposed project will result in systems 
change or improvement;
    3. The extent to which the proposed project is likely to build 
capacity to provide, improve, or expand services that address the needs 
of the target population as they relate to employment;
    4. The likely utility of the products (such as information, 
materials, processes, or techniques) that will result from the proposed 
project, including the potential for their being used effectively in a 
variety of other settings;
    5. The importance or magnitude of the results or outcomes likely to 
be attained by the proposed project; and
    6. The extent to which the proposed project builds upon prior work 
done by ODEP and its partners around youth in transition, including the 
Guideposts for Success and related policies and practices.
    (b) Project Design (25 points)
    In evaluating the quality of the proposed project design, the 
Department will consider the following factors:
    1. The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be 
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable;
    2. The extent to which the design of the proposed project includes 
a high-quality review of the relevant literature, a high-quality plan 
for project implementation, and the use of appropriate methodological 
tools to ensure successful achievement of project objectives;
    3. The extent to which the proposed project will effectively 
contribute to increased knowledge and understanding by building upon 
current theory, research, and effective practices;
    4. The extent to which the proposed project will be coordinated 
with similar or related Federal technical assistance, research, 
training, and information efforts;
    5. The extent to which the proposed project encourages involvement 
of youth with disabilities and their families, relevant experts, and 
organizations;
    6. The extent to which performance feedback and continuous 
improvement are integral to the design of the proposed project;
    7. The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed 
project are appropriate to the needs of the intended recipients or 
beneficiaries of those services;
    8. The adequacy of the documentation submitted in support of the 
proposed project to demonstrate the commitment of each entity or 
individual included in project implementation;
    9. The extent to which the proposed project leverages other public 
and private resources to foster inclusive service delivery and 
sustainability and provides other concrete evidence of sustainability, 
including appropriate letters of support included in the appendices; 
and
    10. The extent to which the design of the proposed project includes 
a comprehensive strategy for providing technical assistance and 
conducting research to identify and evaluate systems models that 
effectively integrate services for students with disabilities into 
individual learning/graduation plans and ensure that they benefit from 
these plans to the same extent as their peers without disabilities.
    (c) Organizational Capacity and Quality of Key Personnel (25 
points)
    Applications will be evaluated based on the extent to which the 
applicant demonstrates organizational capacity and quality of key 
personnel to implement the proposed project, including:
    1. Demonstrated experience with similar projects providing 
technical assistance and conducting research relating to youth in 
transition;
    2. Qualifications and experience of the applicant's key personnel 
and consultants;
    3. Commitment to developing and sustaining work across key 
stakeholders;
    4. Experience and commitment of any proposed consultants or 
subcontractors; and
    5. Appropriateness of the organization's structure to carry out the 
project.
    (d) Budget and Resource Capacity (10 points)
    In evaluating the capacity of the applicant to carry out the 
proposed project, ODEP will consider the following factors:
    1. The extent to which the budget is adequate to support the 
proposed project; and
    2. The extent to which the anticipated costs are reasonable in 
relation to the objectives, design, and potential significance of the 
proposed project.
    (e) Quality of the Management Plan (15 points)
    In evaluating the quality of the management plan for the proposed 
project, ODEP will consider the following factors:
    1. The extent to which the management plan for project 
implementation appears likely to achieve the objectives of the proposed 
project on time and within budget, and includes clearly defined staff 
responsibilities, time allocation to project activities, time lines, 
milestones for accomplishing project tasks, project deliverables and 
information on adequacy of other resources necessary for project 
implementation;
    2. The extent to which the management plan appears likely to result 
in sustainable activities beyond the period of direct Federal 
investment;
    3. The adequacy of mechanisms for ensuring high-quality products 
and services relating to the scope of work for the proposed project; 
and
    4. The extent to which the time commitments of the project director 
and/or principal investigator and other key project personnel are 
appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed 
project.
    (f). Quality of the Project Evaluation (15 points)
    In evaluating the quality of the project's evaluation design, ODEP 
will consider the following factors:
    1. The extent to which the methods of evaluation are thorough, 
feasible, and appropriate to the goals, objectives, context, and 
outcomes of the proposed project;
    2. The extent to which the design of the evaluation includes the 
use of objective performance measures and methods that will clearly 
document the project's intended outputs and outcomes and will produce 
measurable quantitative and qualitative data;

[[Page 26844]]

    3. The extent to which the evaluation will provide Federal, State 
and local government entities with useful information about transition 
and systems change models suitable for replication or testing in other 
settings; and
    4. The extent to which the methods of evaluation provide measures 
that will inform ODEP's annual performance goals and measures and 
ODEP's long-term strategic goals.

2. Review and Selection Process

    A technical review panel will objectively rate each complete 
application against the criteria described in this SGA. The panel 
recommendations to the Grant Officer, including any point scores, are 
advisory in nature. The Grant Officer may elect to award grants either 
with or without discussion with the applicant. In situations where no 
discussion occurs, an award will be based on the signed SF-424 form 
(see Appendix A), which constitutes a binding offer.
    The Grant Officer may consider the availability of funds and any 
information that is available and will make final award decisions based 
on what is most advantageous to the government, considering factors 
such as the advisory recommendations from the grant technical 
evaluation panel and the geographic distribution of Federally funded 
grants.

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

    Announcement of this award is expected to occur within 30 days of 
award. The cooperative agreement will be awarded by no later than 
September 28, 2007.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

    The Notice of Award signed by the Grant Officer is the authorizing 
document and will be provided through postal mail and/or by electronic 
means to the authorized representative listed on the SF-424 Grant 
Application. Notice that an organization has been selected as a grant 
recipient does not constitute final approval of the grant application 
as submitted. Before the actual grant award, the Grant Officer and/or 
the Grant Officer's Technical Representative may enter into 
negotiations concerning such items as program components, funding 
levels, and administrative systems. If the negotiations do not result 
in an acceptable submittal, the Grant Officer reserves the right to 
terminate the negotiation and decline to fund the proposal.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    All grantees, including faith-based organizations, will be subject 
to applicable Federal laws (including provisions of appropriations 
law), regulations, and the applicable Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) Circulars. The grant awarded under this SGA will be subject to 
the following administrative standards and provisions, and requirements 
applicable to particular entities. The applicant must include 
assurances and certifications that it will comply with these laws in 
its grant application. The assurances and certifications are attached 
as Appendix C.
a. Regulations
    29 CFR parts 31 and 32--Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted 
Programs of the Department of Labor (respectively, effectuation of 
Title VI of Civil Rights Act of 1964, and on the Basis of Handicap in 
Programs and Activities Receiving or Benefiting from Federal Financial 
Assistance).
    29 CFR part 35--Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Age in Programs 
or Activities receiving Federal Financial Assistance from the 
Department of Labor.
    29 CFR part 36--Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education 
Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance.
    29 CFR part 93--New Restrictions on Lobbying.
    29 CFR part 95--Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and 
Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals and Other 
Non-Profit Organizations, and with Commercial Organizations, Foreign 
Governments, Organizations Under the Jurisdiction of Foreign 
Governments and International Organizations.
    29 CFR part 96--Federal Standards for Audit of Federally Funded 
Grants, Contracts and Agreements.
    29 CFR part 97--Uniform Administrative Regulations for Grants to 
States, Local Governments or Tribes.
    29 CFR part 98--Federal Standards for Government wide Debarment and 
Suspension (Nonprocurement) and Government wide Requirements for Drug-
Free Workplace (Grants).
    29 CFR part 99--Federal Standards for Audits of States, Local 
Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations.
    29 CFR part 2--General Participation in Department of Labor 
Programs by Faith-Based and Community Organizations; Equal Treatment of 
All Department of Labor Program Participants and Beneficiaries.
    Applicable cost principles under OMB Circulars A-21, A-87, A-122, 
or 48 CFR part 31.
b. Travel
    Any travel undertaken in performance of this cooperative agreement 
shall be subject to and in strict accordance with Federal travel 
regulations.
c. Acknowledgement of DOL Funding
    Printed Materials: In all circumstances, the following shall be 
displayed on printed materials prepared by the grantee while in receipt 
of DOL grant funding: ``Preparation of this item was funded by the 
United States Department of Labor under Grant No. [insert the 
appropriate Grant number].''
    All printed materials must also 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.''
    Public reference to grant: 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, which will be financed with Federal money;
     The dollar amount of Federal financial assistance 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.
    Use of DOL and ODEP Logo: In consultation with DOL/ODEP, the 
Grantee must acknowledge DOL's role as described. The DOL and/or ODEP 
logo may be applied to DOL-funded material prepared for world-wide 
distribution, including posters, videos, pamphlets, research documents, 
national survey results, impact evaluations, best practice reports, and 
other publications of global interest. The Grantee must consult with 
DOL 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 DOL 
and/or ODEP logo be placed on any item until DOL has given the grantee 
written permission to use the logo on the item.
    All documents must 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,

[[Page 26845]]

commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. 
Government.''
d. Intellectual Property
    Please be advised that DOL will reserve a royalty-free, 
nonexclusive, and irrevocable license to reproduce, publish, 
distribute, publicly display and perform, and create derivative works 
from, and to authorize others to use, for Federal Government purposes:
    (a) Any work developed under a grant, subgrant, or contract under a 
grant or subgrant; and
    (b) Any rights to which a grantee, subgrantee or a contractor 
purchases ownership with grant support.
    In addition, the grantee will agree to notify DOL of any pre-
existing copyrighted materials it intends to incorporate into materials 
developed under the grant, and, prior to such incorporation, the 
grantee will agree that it will acquire, on behalf of DOL, any 
necessary licenses to allow DOL to exercise the rights described in the 
paragraph above.
e. Approval of Key Personnel and Subcontractors
    The recipient shall notify the Grant Officer at least 14 calendar 
days in advance if any key personnel are to be removed or diverted from 
the cooperative agreement, shall supply written justification as part 
of this notice as to why these persons are to be removed or diverted, 
shall provide the names(s) of the proposed substitute or replacement, 
and shall include information on each new individual's qualifications 
such as education and work experience.

VII. Reporting and Monitoring

    ODEP is responsible for ensuring effective implementation of this 
cooperative agreement, in accordance with the provisions of this 
announcement and the terms of the cooperative agreement award document. 
Applicants should assume that ODEP staff will conduct on-site project 
reviews periodically. Reviews will focus on timely project 
implementation, performance in meeting the cooperative agreement's 
objectives, tasks and responsibilities, expenditures of cooperative 
agreement funds on allowable activities, and administration of project 
activities. Projects may be subject to other additional reviews, at the 
discretion of the ODEP.
    The selected applicant must submit on a quarterly basis, beginning 
ninety (90) days from the award of the grant, financial and activity 
reports under this program as prescribed by OMB Circular A-110, 
codified at 2 CFR part 215 and 29 CFR part 95. Specifically the 
following reports will be required:
    1. Quarterly report: The quarterly report is estimated to take five 
(5) hours to complete. The form for the quarterly report will be 
provided by ODEP. The Department will work with the grantee to help 
refine the requirements of the report, which, among other things, will 
include measures of ongoing analysis for continuous improvement. This 
report will be filed using an on-line reporting system. The form will 
be submitted within thirty (30) days of the close of the quarter.
    2. Standard Form 269, Financial Status Report Form: This form is to 
be completed and submitted on a quarterly basis using the on-line 
electronic reporting system unless ODEP provides different 
instructions.
    3. Final Project Report: The Final Project Report is to include an 
assessment of project performance and outcomes achieved. It is 
estimated that this report will take twenty (20) hours to complete. 
This report will be submitted in hard copy and on electronic disk using 
a format and following instructions, to be provided by ODEP. A draft of 
the final report is due to ODEP sixty (60) days before the end of the 
period of performance of the cooperative agreement. The final report is 
due to ODEP and the DOL Grants Office ten (10) days before the end of 
the period of performance of the cooperative agreement.
    The Department will arrange for an evaluation of the outcomes, 
impacts, accomplishments, and benefits of each funded project. The 
grantee must agree to cooperate with this evaluation and must make 
available records on all parts of project activity, including available 
data on service delivery models being studied, and provide access to 
personnel, as specified by the evaluator(s), under the direction of 
ODEP. This evaluation is separate from the ongoing evaluation for 
continuous improvement required of the grantee for project 
implementation.
    Technical assistance efforts will be coordinated with ODEP's other 
technical assistance efforts, including, if applicable, ODEP's National 
Center on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Y). The Grantee must 
also agree to work with ODEP in its various technical assistance 
efforts in order to freely share with others what is learned about 
transitioning youth with disabilities. The grantee must agree to 
collaborate with other research institutes, centers, studies, and 
evaluations that are supported by the DOL and other relevant Federal 
agencies, as appropriate. Finally, the grantees must agree to actively 
utilize the programs sponsored by the ODEP, including the Job 
Accommodation Network (http://www.jan.wvu.edu), and the Employer 
Assistance and Recruiting Network (http://www.earnworks.com).
    The successful applicant will be required to prepare a strategic 
plan for achieving the goals of the cooperative agreement for the 
initial 24 month period of performance and submit it to ODEP within 45 
days of award for approval.

VIII. Agency Contacts

    Any questions regarding this SGA should be directed to Cassandra 
Mitchell, e-mail address: [email protected], tel: 202-693-4570 
(note that this is not a toll-free number). To obtain further 
information about the Office of Disability Employment Policy of the 
U.S. Department of Labor, visit the DOL Web site of the Office of 
Disability Employment Policy at http://www.dol.gov/odep.

IX. Appendices

    The appendices are as follows:
    Appendix A. Application for Federal Assistance, Form SF-424.
    Appendix B. Budget Information Sheet, Form SF-424A.
    Appendix C. Assurances and Certifications Signature Page.
    (Appendices D and E are not applicable).
    Appendix F. Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants.
    Detailed information and document locations:
     Appendix A. Application for Federal Assistance, Form SF-
424 (OMB No. 4040-0004).
     Appendix B. Budget Information Sheet, Form SF-424A (OMB 
No. 0348-0044). Both forms SF-424 and 424A can be obtained at the 
following Web address: http://apply.grants.gov/agency/FormLinks?family=7.
     Appendix F. Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for 
Applicants (OMB No. 1890-0014).
     The Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants 
form can be obtained at the following Web address: http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/surveyeo.pdf.
    (If you are viewing this in an electronic format and are receiving 
``page not found'', please cut and paste the URL into your browser 
window)
    Appendix C. Assurances and Certifications Signature Page.
    Certifications and Assurances
    Assurances and Certifications Signature Page

[[Page 26846]]

    The Department of Labor will not award a grant or agreement where 
the grantee/recipient has failed to accept the assurances and 
certifications contained in this section. By signing and returning this 
signature page, the grantee/recipient is providing the certifications 
set forth below:
    A. Certification Regarding Lobbying, Debarment, Suspension, Other 
Responsibility Matters--Primary Covered Transactions and Certifications 
Regarding Drug-Free/Tobacco-Free Workplace.
    B. Certification of Release of Information,
    C. Assurances--Non-Construction Programs,
    D. Applicant is not a 501(c)(4) organization.
    Applicant Name and Legal Address:
    If there is any reason why one of the assurances or certifications 
listed cannot be signed, please explain. Applicant need only submit and 
return this signature page with the grant application. All other 
instruction shall be kept on file by the applicant.

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Signature of Authorized Certifying Official

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Title

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Applicant Organization

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Date Submitted

    Please Note: This signature page and any pertinent attachments 
which may be required by these assurances and certifications shall 
be attached to the applicant's cost proposal.


    Signed at Washington, DC, this 7th day of May 2007.
Lisa Harvey,
Grant Officer.
 [FR Doc. E7-9117 Filed 5-10-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-FK-P