[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 120 (Wednesday, June 24, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30165-30174]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-14920]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009; Notice of 
Availability of Funds and Solicitation for Grant Applications for Green 
Capacity Building Grants

    Announcement Type: Notice of Solicitation for Grant Applications.
    Funding Opportunity Number: SGA/DFA PY-08-21.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 17.275.

DATES: Key Dates: The closing date for receipt of applications under 
this announcement is August 5, 2009. Applications must be received no 
later than 4 p.m. Eastern Time. A pre-recorded Webinar will be made 
available online at http://www.workforce3one.org to prospective 
applicants for this grant competition on July 10, 2009 by 3 p.m. 
Eastern Time, and will be available for viewing anytime after that date 
as well. While a review of this webinar is encouraged, it is not 
mandatory. Access information for the Webinar will be posted on the 
Employment and Training Administration (ETA) Web site listed above.

ADDRESSES: Mailed applications must be addressed to the U.S. Department 
of Labor, Employment & Training Administration, Division of Federal 
Assistance, Attention: B. Jai Johnson, Grants Officer, Reference SGA/
DFA PY 08-21, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room N4716, Washington, DC 
20210. For complete ``Application and Submission Information,'' please 
refer to Section IV.
SUMMARY: Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the 
Recovery Act), the Department of Labor (DOL or the Department) 
announces the availability of approximately $5 million in grant funds 
for projects that build the capacity of DOL-funded training programs to 
ensure that targeted groups are prepared to meet the needs of our 
country's expanding green industries. Only active DOL-funded grantees 
specified in Part III of this SGA are eligible to apply. Specifically, 
this SGA supports capacity building for organizations to provide 
training for entry-level positions leading to career pathways and/or 
additional training in the energy efficiency and renewable energy 
industries described in Section 171(e)(1)(B) of the Workforce 
Investment Act of 1998 (WIA). The Department expects to award between 
50 and 100 grants under this competition, providing awards ranging from 
$50,000 to $100,000.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

A. Recovery Act: Competitive Grants for Green Job Training

    This section of the SGA provides general background on the American 
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), the competitive 
grants funded through the Recovery Act to prepare workers for careers 
in the energy efficiency and renewable energy, and the occupations and 
industries on which these grants should focus. On February 17, 2009, 
President Barack Obama signed into law the American Recovery and 
Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) through which Congress intended 
to preserve and create jobs, promote the nation's economic recovery, 
and assist those most impacted by the recession. Among other funding 
directed toward the Department of Labor, the Recovery Act provides $750 
million for a program of competitive grants for worker training and 
placement in high growth and emerging industries. Of the $750 million 
allotted for competitive grants, the Recovery Act designates $500 
million for projects that prepare workers for careers in the energy 
efficiency and renewable energy industries described in Section 
171(e)(1)(B) of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). DOL intends to use 
a portion of the $500 million for providing technical assistance for 
this program of grants.
    The purpose of these green job training grants is to teach workers 
the skills required in emerging energy efficiency and renewable energy 
industries. These efforts will lead program participants to job 
placement while leveraging other Recovery Act investments intended to 
create jobs and promote economic growth. For additional information 
about the series of competitive grants for green job training, please 
refer to Training and Employment Notice (TEN) 44-08 available at http://www.doleta.gov/Recovery/legislation.cfm.

[[Page 30166]]

B. Green Industries and Occupations

    The Department will award grants to workforce development projects 
that focus on connecting target populations, including auto and auto-
related industry workers affected by significant automotive-related 
restructurings, to career pathways in green industries. Training 
programs will prepare individuals for careers in any of the seven 
energy efficiency and renewable energy industries defined in Section 
171(e)(1)(B)(ii) of the WIA, which include:
     The energy-efficient building, construction, and retrofit 
industries;
     The renewable electric power industry;
     The energy efficient and advanced drive train vehicle 
industry;
     The biofuels industry;
     The deconstruction and materials use industries;
     The energy efficiency assessment industry serving 
residential, commercial, or industrial industries; and
     Manufacturers that produce sustainable products using 
environmentally sustainable processes and materials.
    Additionally, the Department is interested in applicants 
contributing to our understanding of green industries and jobs that 
clean and enhance our environment. Initial research supported by the 
Department shows that there are ``growth, enhanced and emerging'' green 
occupations across a number of industries. Applicants may propose 
strategies that train for those occupations from among the following 
industries: Transportation; green construction; environmental 
protection; sustainable agriculture including healthy food production; 
forestry; and recycling and waste reduction (see O*NET report at http://www.onetcenter.org/reports/Green.html). The Department will consider 
proposals that focus on these occupations within these industries if 
applicants can offer supporting data demonstrating these are emerging 
industries which are producing jobs in their communities.
    For the purpose of the SGAs, the Department defines energy 
efficiency and renewable energy as follows. Section 203(b)(2) of the 
Energy Policy Act of 2005, Public Law 109-58, 119 Stat. 595, defines 
``renewable energy'' as ``electric energy generated from solar, wind, 
biomass, landfill gas, ocean (including tidal, wave, current, and 
thermal), geothermal, municipal solid waste, or new hydroelectric 
generation capacity achieved from increased efficiency or additions of 
new capacity at an existing hydroelectric project.'' ``Energy 
efficiency'' can be broadly defined as programs aimed at mitigating the 
use of energy, reducing harmful emissions, and decreasing overall 
energy consumption.
    The Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is 
working to develop a definition for green industries and jobs, which 
will be used to ensure that workforce development efforts identify and 
target these green jobs and their training needs. The Department has 
also supported occupational research that begins to define green jobs, 
review industries impacted by green investments and understand how new 
green technology and materials will affect occupational requirements. 
The Occupational Information Network (O*NET) project has drafted a 
research paper titled, Greening of the World of Work: Implications for 
O*NET-SOC and New and Emerging Occupations. This study reflects three 
general categories of occupations, based on different consequences of 
green economy activities and technologies: (1) Existing occupations 
expected to experience primarily an increase in employment demand; (2) 
existing occupations with significant change to the work and worker 
requirements; and (3) new and emerging green occupations. This research 
may be used as a starting point for identifying green industries and 
occupations and informing the development of training and job placement 
programs. For a copy of the O*NET report and a listing of the 
identified occupations go to http://www.onetcenter.org/reports/Green.html.

C. Working With Other Recovery Act Programs

    The Recovery Act made funds available to a number of other Federal 
programs that will impact the creation and expansion of green jobs. DOL 
is partnering with other Federal agencies to support the creation of 
jobs by developing a pipeline of skilled workers in the energy 
efficiency and renewable energy industries. Where possible, ETA 
encourages applicants to connect their workforce development strategies 
to other Recovery Act funded projects that create jobs or impact the 
skill requirements of existing jobs. ETA recommends that applicants 
review other parts of the Recovery Act, with a focus on the activities 
funded through the Department of Energy (Energy), the Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development (HUD), the Department of Transportation (DOT), the 
Department of Education (Education) and others. For additional 
resources and information about our Federal partners, please see 
Section VIII, ``Additional Resources of Interest to Applicants.''

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Through this SGA, ETA will help individuals acquire the skills 
needed to enter and advance in green industries and occupations by 
building the capacity of active DOL-funded training programs to provide 
education and training in the key skills and competencies that are 
needed in these green industries and occupations.
    Specifically, this SGA supports capacity building for organizations 
to provide training for entry-level positions leading to career 
pathways and/or additional training in the energy efficiency and 
renewable energy industries, as well as other green occupations within 
the detailed list of industries specified in Supplementary Information: 
Part B of this SGA. Grantees may bolster the capacity of their training 
programs through the purchase of equipment, staff professional 
development, curriculum development and/or adaptation, partnership 
development, and where necessary, the hiring of additional staff. 
Organizations that have already begun the integration of energy 
efficiency and renewable energy industries and other green job-related 
skill training into their programs may apply for funds to enhance their 
current efforts. These awards do not require an increase in enrollment 
in the existing DOL-funded training program. These funds will help 
organizations in building the infrastructure necessary to provide on-
going training and job placement into green jobs after the grant funds 
have been expended.
    It is critical that grantees consult with key industry and other 
stakeholders about current and future workforce needs. Further, 
grantees should work with key partners (described in Section V.A.1) to 
determine the specific enhancements they should make to their training 
programs.
    Applicants are not limited in the strategies and approaches they 
may use to implement projects in this SGA, provided that the strategy 
is well developed, includes a strong partnership, and focuses on 
training to prepare workers for employment in the occupations and 
industries identified in Supplementary Information: Part B of this SGA, 
subject to funding restrictions described in this SGA and the grant 
agreement. Increasing the capacity of DOL grantees will enable them to 
provide training for green industries and

[[Page 30167]]

occupations through their existing DOL grants, and support green jobs-
related projects funded through the Recovery Act and from other 
sources.

II. Award Information

A. Award Amount

    Approximately $5 million is available to fund Green Capacity 
Building grants. The Department expects to award between 50 and 100 
grants under this competition, providing awards ranging from $50,000 to 
$100,000. This does not preclude funding a smaller or larger number of 
projects, based on the type and the number of quality submissions.

B. Period of Performance

    The period of grant performance will be up to 12 months from the 
date of execution of the grant documents. This performance period 
includes all necessary implementation and start-up activities. The 
Department intends for all grantees funded under this SGA to implement 
projects as soon as possible. Further, applicants should plan to fully 
expend grant funds during the period of performance, while ensuring 
full transparency and accountability for all expenditures.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

    DOL intends to build the green training capacity of our current 
grantees, therefore, eligible applicants are limited to the following 
DOL grantees who received funding through the SGA number indicated in 
the parentheses: Indian and Native American Program (SGA/DFA PY 07-04), 
National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP) (SGA/DFA PY 06-04), Prisoner 
Re-Entry Initiative (PRI) (SGA/DFA PY 08-03 & SGA/DFA PY 07-05), Senior 
Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) (SGA/DFA PY 07-02 & SGA/
DFA PY 05-06), Women in Apprenticeship and Non-Traditional Occupations 
(WANTO) (SGA/DFA PY 07-08 & SGA/DFA PY 06-01), Advancing Registered 
Apprenticeship into the 21st Century: Collaborating for Success (SGA/
DFA PY 08-11), YouthBuild (SGA/DFA PY 08-07 & SGA/DFA PY 06-08), and 
Young Offender Grants (SGA/DFA PY 08-09, SGA/DFA PY 06-10, & SGA/DFA PY 
06-14).
    Organizations with multiple DOL-funded training programs may only 
submit one application. That application should indicate which DOL-
funded program(s) will be enhanced through capacity building activities 
supported by this Solicitation.

B. Cost Sharing

    Cost sharing or matching funds are not required as a condition for 
application.

C. Other Eligibility Requirements

1. Participants Eligible to Receive Training
    Grantees must use these grants to enhance their capacity to serve 
individuals who meet the eligibility requirements of their programs who 
need training in green industries and occupations. Given the 
participants that they serve through their existing grants, grantees 
should give priority for training and other services provided through 
these grants to individuals in the following categories:
     Workers impacted by national energy and environmental 
policy;
     Individuals in need of updated training related to the 
energy efficiency and renewable energy industries;
     Veterans;
     Unemployed individuals;
     Individuals, including at-risk youth, seeking employment 
pathways out of poverty and into economic self-sufficiency; and
     Individuals with a criminal record.
    Other individuals, such as untapped labor pools and entry-level and 
incumbent workers that do not fit into the categories above, may also 
be served through these projects subject to the priority considerations 
given to the populations above and consistent with the populations to 
be served through the grantee's statements of work for their existing 
grant(s). For specific definitions for these target populations, 
applicants must refer to Section VI.B.
2. Veterans Priority
    The Jobs for Veterans Act (Pub. L. 107-288) provides priority of 
service to veterans and spouses of certain veterans for the receipt of 
employment, training, and placement services in any job training 
program directly funded, in whole or in part, by DOL. Grantees are 
required to provide priority of services for veterans and eligible 
spouses pursuant to 20 CFR part 1010, the regulations implementing 
priority of service for veterans and eligible spouses in Department of 
Labor job training programs under the Jobs for Veterans Act published 
at 73 FR 78132 on December 19, 2008. In circumstances where a grant 
recipient must choose between two equally qualified candidates for 
training, one of whom is a veteran, the Jobs for Veterans Act requires 
that grant recipients give the veteran priority of service by admitting 
him or her into the program. Please note that to obtain priority of 
service a veteran must meet the program's eligibility requirements. 
Grantees must comply with DOL guidance on veterans' priority. 
Currently, ETA Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 5-03 
(September 16, 2003) provides general guidance on the scope of the Job 
for Veterans Act and its effect on current employment and training 
programs. TEGL No. 5-03, along with additional guidance, is available 
at the ``Jobs for Veterans Priority of Service'' Web site: http://www.doleta.gov/programs/vets.
3. Grantee Training
    Grantees are required to participate in all ETA training activities 
related to orientation, financial management and reporting, performance 
reporting, product dissemination, and other technical assistance 
training as appropriate during the life of the grant. These trainings 
may occur via conference call, webinar, and in-person meetings. For 
budgeting purposes, grant recipients should allocate adequate staff 
time and travel resources to ensure participation at a two-day in-
person event.

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. How to Obtain an Application Package

    This SGA contains all the information and links to forms needed to 
apply for this funding opportunity.

B. Content and Form of Application Submission

    The proposal will consist of three separate and distinct parts--(I) 
a cost proposal, (II) a technical proposal, and (III) attachments to 
the technical proposal. Applications that fail to adhere to the 
instructions in this section will be considered non-responsive and will 
not be reviewed. Please note that it is the applicant's responsibility 
to ensure that the amount of funds requested is consistent across all 
parts and sub-parts of the application.
    Part I. The Cost Proposal. The Cost Proposal must include the 
following four items:
     The Standard Form (SF) 424, ``Application for Federal 
Assistance'' (available at http://www07.grants.gov/agencies/forms_repository_information.jsp and http://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm). The SF 424 must clearly identify the applicant and be 
signed by an individual with authority to enter into a grant agreement. 
Upon confirmation of an award, the individual signing the SF 424 on 
behalf

[[Page 30168]]

of the applicant shall be considered the authorized representative of 
the applicant.
     Applicants must supply their D-U-N-S[supreg] Number on the 
SF 424. All applicants for Federal grant and funding opportunities are 
required to have a D-U-N-S[supreg] Number (Data Universal Numbering 
System). See Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Notice of Final 
Policy Issuance, 68 FR 38402, Jun. 27, 2003. The D-U-N-S[supreg] Number 
is a non-indicative, nine-digit number assigned to each business 
location in the D&B database having a unique, separate, and distinct 
operation, and is maintained solely by D&B. The D-U-N-S[supreg] Number 
is used by industries and organizations around the world as a global 
standard for business identification and tracking. If you do not have a 
D-U-N-S[supreg] Number, you can get one for free through the SBS site: 
http://smallbusiness.dnb.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Glossary?fLink=glossary&footerflag=y&storeId=10001&indicator=7.
     The SF 424A Budget Information Form (available at http://www07.grants.gov/agencies/forms_repository_information.jsp and http://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm). In preparing the Budget 
Information Form, the applicant must provide a concise narrative 
explanation to support the request, explained in detail below.
     Budget Narrative: The budget narrative must provide a 
description of costs associated with each line item on the SF-424A. In 
addition, the applicant should address precisely how the administrative 
costs support the project goals. The entire Federal grant amount 
requested should be included on both the SF 424 and SF 424A. Please 
note that applicants that fail to provide a SF 424, a SF 424A, a D-U-N-
S[supreg] Number, and a budget narrative will be removed from 
consideration prior to the technical review process.
     Applicants are also encouraged, but not required, to 
submit OMB Survey N. 1890-0014: Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity 
for Applicants, which can be found under the Grants.gov, Tips and 
Resources From Grantors, Department of Labor section at http://www07.grants.gov/applicants/tips_resources_from_grantors.jsp#13 
(also referred to as Faith Based EEO Survey PDF Form).
    Part II. The Technical Proposal. The Technical Proposal will 
demonstrate the applicant's capability to implement the grant project 
in accordance with the provisions of this solicitation. The guidelines 
for the content of the Technical Proposal are provided in Part V.A of 
this SGA. The Technical Proposal is limited to 12 double-spaced single-
sided pages with 12 point text font and 1 inch margins. Any materials 
beyond the 12-page limit will not be reviewed. Applicants should number 
the Technical Proposal beginning with page number 1. Applicants that do 
not provide Part II, the Technical Proposal of the application will be 
removed from consideration prior to the technical review process. 
Applications that do not meet these requirements will not be 
considered.
    Part III. Attachments to the Technical Proposal. In addition to the 
12-page Technical Proposal, the applicant must submit an Abstract, not 
to exceed one page, summarizing the proposed project including the 
applicant name, project title, a description of the area to be served, 
and the funding level requested. The one-page abstract does not count 
against the 12-page limit for the Technical Proposal. Additional 
materials such as resumes or general letters of support or commitment 
will not be read.
    Applications may be submitted electronically on Grants.gov or in 
hardcopy via mail or hand delivery. These processes are described in 
further detail in Section IV.C. Applicants submitting proposals in 
hardcopy must submit an original signed application (including the SF 
424) and one (1) ``copy-ready'' version free of bindings, staples or 
protruding tabs to ease in the reproduction of the proposal by DOL. 
Applicants submitting proposals in hardcopy are also required to 
provide an identical electronic copy of the proposal on compact disc 
(CD).

C. Submission Process, Date, Times, and Addresses

    The closing date for receipt of applications under this 
announcement is August 5, 2009. Applications must be received at the 
address below no later than 4 p.m. Eastern Time. Applications sent by 
e-mail, telegram, or facsimile (FAX) will not be accepted. Applications 
that do not meet the conditions set forth in this notice will not be 
honored. No exceptions to the mailing and delivery requirements set 
forth in this notice will be granted.
    Mailed applications must be addressed to the U.S. Department of 
Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Division of Federal 
Assistance, Attention: B. Jai Johnson, Grant Officer, Reference SGA/
DFA, PY 08-21, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room N4716, Washington, DC 
20210. Applicants are advised that mail delivery in the Washington area 
may be delayed due to mail decontamination procedures. Hand-delivered 
proposals will be received at the above address. All applications 
through professional overnight delivery service will be considered to 
be hand-delivered and must be received at the designated place by the 
specified closing date and time.
    Applicants may apply online through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov); however, due to the expected increase in system 
activity resulting from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 
2009, applicants are encouraged to use an alternate method to submit 
grant applications during this heightened period of demand. While not 
mandatory, DOL encourages the submission of applications through 
professional overnight delivery service.
    Applications that are submitted through Grants.gov must be 
successfully submitted at http://www.grants.gov no later than 4 p.m. 
Eastern Time on August 5, 2009, and then subsequently validated by 
Grants.gov. The submission and validation process is described in more 
detail below. The process can be complicated and time-consuming. 
Applicants are strongly advised to initiate the process as soon as 
possible and to plan for time to resolve technical problems if 
necessary.
    It is strongly recommended that before the applicant begins to 
write the proposal, applicants should immediately initiate and complete 
the ``Get Registered'' registration steps at http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp. These steps may take multiple days or 
weeks to complete, and this time should be factored into plans for 
electronic submission in order to avoid unexpected delays that could 
result in the rejection of an application. It is strongly recommended 
that applicants use the ``Organization Registration Checklist'' at 
http://www.grants.gov/assets/Organization_Steps_Complete_Registration.pdf to ensure the registration process is complete.
    Within two business days of application submission, Grants.gov will 
send the applicant two email messages to provide the status of 
application progress through the system. The first email, almost 
immediate, will confirm receipt of the application by Grants.gov. The 
second email will indicate the application has either been successfully 
validated or has been rejected due to errors. Only applications that 
have been successfully submitted and successfully validated will be 
considered. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to ensure a 
timely submission; therefore sufficient time should be allotted for 
submission (two business days) and, if applicable, subsequent time to 
address

[[Page 30169]]

errors and receive validation upon resubmission (an additional two 
business days for each ensuing submission). It is important to note 
that if sufficient time is not allotted and a rejection notice is 
received after the due date and time, the application will not be 
considered.
    To ensure consideration, the components of the application must be 
saved as either .doc, .xls or .pdf files. If submitted in any other 
format, the applicant bears the risk that compatibility or other issues 
will prevent our ability to consider the application. ETA will attempt 
to open the document but will not take any additional measures in the 
event of issues with opening. In such cases, the non-conforming 
application will not be considered for funding.
    Applicants are strongly advised to utilize the tools and documents, 
including FAQs, that are available on the ``Applicant Resources'' page 
at http://www.grants.gov/applicants/app_help_reso.jsp#faqs. To 
receive updated information about critical issues, new tips for users 
and other time sensitive updates as information is available, 
applicants may subscribe to ``Grants.gov Updates'' at http://www.grants.gov/applicants/email_subscription_signup.jsp.
    If applicants encounter a problem with Grants.gov and do not find 
an answer in any of the other resources, call 1-800-518-4726 to speak 
to a Customer Support Representative or e-mail [email protected].
    Late Applications: For applications submitted on Grants.gov, only 
applications that have been successfully submitted no later than 4 p.m. 
Eastern Time on the closing date and successfully validated will be 
considered.
    Any application received after the exact date and time specified 
for receipt at the office designated in this notice will not be 
considered, unless it is received before awards are made, it was 
properly addressed, and it was: (a) Sent by U.S. Postal Service mail, 
postmarked not later than the fifth calendar day before the date 
specified for receipt of applications (e.g., an application required to 
be received by the 20th of the month must be postmarked by the 15th of 
that month); or (b) sent by professional overnight delivery service to 
the addressee not later than one working day prior to the date 
specified for receipt of applications. ``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. Therefore, applicants should 
request the postal clerk to place a legible hand cancellation ``bull's 
eye'' postmark on both the receipt and the package. Failure to adhere 
to the above instructions will be a basis for a determination of non-
responsiveness. Evidence of timely submission by a professional 
overnight delivery service must be demonstrated by equally reliable 
evidence created by the delivery service provider indicating the time 
and place of receipt.

D. Intergovernmental Review

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

E. Funding Restrictions

    Determinations of allowable costs will be made in accordance with 
the applicable Federal cost principles. Disallowed costs are those 
charges to a grant that the grantor agency or its representative 
determines not to be allowed in accordance with the applicable Federal 
cost principles or other conditions contained in the grant. Successful 
and unsuccessful applicants will not be entitled to reimbursement of 
pre-award costs.
1. Indirect Costs
    As specified in OMB Circular Cost Principles, indirect costs are 
those that have been incurred for common or joint objectives and cannot 
be readily identified with a particular final cost objective. In order 
to utilize grant funds for indirect costs incurred, the applicant must 
obtain an Indirect Cost Rate Agreement with its Federal cognizant 
agency either before or shortly after grant award.
2. Administrative Costs
    Under this SGA, an entity that receives a grant to carry out a 
project or program may not use more than 5 percent of the amount of the 
grant to pay administrative costs associated with the program or 
project. Administrative costs could be direct or indirect costs, and 
are defined at 20 CFR 667.220. Administrative costs do not need to be 
identified separately from program costs on the SF 424A Budget 
Information Form. They should be discussed in the budget narrative and 
tracked through the grantee's accounting system. To claim any 
administrative costs that are also indirect costs, the applicant must 
obtain an Indirect Cost Rate Agreement from its Federal cognizant 
agency.
3. Use of Funds for Supportive Services
    Grant funds may not be used for supportive services.
4. Salary and Bonus Limitations
    Under Public Law 109-234 and Public Law 111-8, Section 111, none of 
the funds appropriated in Public Law 111-5 or prior Acts under the 
heading ``Employment and Training'' that are available for expenditure 
on or after June 15, 2006, shall be used by a recipient or sub-
recipient of such funds to pay the salary and bonuses of an individual, 
either as direct costs or indirect costs, at a rate in excess of 
Executive Level II. These limitations also apply to grants funded under 
this SGA. The salary and bonus limitation does not apply to vendors 
providing goods and services as defined in OMB Circular A-133. See 
Training and Employment Guidance Letter number 5-06 for further 
clarification: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2262.
5. Intellectual Property Rights
    The Federal Government reserves a paid-up, nonexclusive and 
irrevocable license to reproduce, publish or otherwise use, and to 
authorize others to use for Federal purposes: (i) The copyright in all 
products developed under the grant, including a subgrant or contract 
under the grant or subgrant; and (ii) any rights of copyright to which 
the grantee, subgrantee or a contractor purchases ownership under an 
award (including but not limited to curricula, training models, 
technical assistance products, and any related materials). Such uses 
include, but are not limited to, the right to modify and distribute 
such products worldwide by any means, electronically or otherwise. 
Federal funds may not be used to pay any royalty or licensing fee 
associated with such copyrighted material, although they may be used to 
pay costs for obtaining a copy which are limited to the developer/
seller costs of copying and shipping. If revenues are generated through 
selling products developed with grant funds, including intellectual 
property, these revenues are program income. Program income is added to 
the grant and must be expended for allowable grant activities.
    If applicable, the following needs to be on all products developed 
in whole or in part with grant funds:

    ``This workforce solution was funded by a grant awarded by the 
U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. 
The solution was created by the grantee and does not necessarily 
reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The 
Department of Labor makes no

[[Page 30170]]

guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or 
implied, with respect to such information, including any information 
on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the 
information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, 
continued availability, or ownership. This solution is copyrighted 
by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization 
and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is 
permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the 
copyright owner.''

F. Use of Funds for Wage Subsidies

    Grant funds awarded through this SGA shall not be used to subsidize 
the wages of program participants.
G. Other Submission Requirements
    Withdrawal of Applications: Applications may be withdrawn by 
written notice at any time before an award is made.

 V. Application Review Information

A. Evaluation Criteria

 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Criterion                             Points
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Capacity Building Rationale................................        20
2. Strategy and Project Work Plan.............................        65
 i. Organizational capacity--10
 ii. Proposed strategies--55
3. Outcomes and Deliverables..................................        15
                                                               ---------
    Total Points..............................................       100
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Applicants will be evaluated on the completeness and quality of 
their submission. A total of 100 points may be achieved in accordance 
with the criteria articulated below. This section identifies and 
describes the criteria that will be used to evaluate the grant 
proposals. These criteria and point values are:
1. Capacity Building Rationale (20 Points)
    The applicant must fully demonstrate that the proposed activities 
build capacity to deliver training and/or related services that are 
responsive to local or State green industry needs, and, if applicable 
are linked to overall green industry economic development efforts under 
way in the region, State, or community. Applicants should provide a 
complete description of the industries and occupations within those 
industries that the training will target, as well as the rationale for 
targeting industries and occupations, and outline the involvement of 
key organizations in informing capacity building activities.
    Applicants should also fully describe how key organizations such as 
the State and local workforce system, employers and industry-related 
organizations (e.g., trade associations, labor organizations, labor-
management organizations), educational institutions, regional, State, 
or local consortiums or organizations that focus on green industries 
and occupations, foundations, research laboratories, and other key 
stakeholders in green initiatives have informed the proposed capacity 
building activities. Please describe which entities have and will be 
involved in all aspects of the project and how they have informed and 
enriched the process. Please describe how they are part of your region, 
State, and/or local strategy for energy efficiency and/or renewable 
energy job creation, green job training, and green economic 
development. Proposals will be evaluated using the following criteria:
    i. Applicants must fully describe the specific industries and 
occupations on which their training will focus, including the specific 
knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required by the occupation.
    ii. Applicants must demonstrate evidence of region, State, and/or 
local green industry need for training and, if applicable, how the 
proposed project is linked to green economic development efforts; and,
    iii. Applicants must detail the role that key organizations have 
played or will play in determining the proposed enhancements and 
capacity building activities in your existing job training and 
placement programs.
2. Strategy and Project Work Plan (65 Points)
    In this section the applicant must fully describe the activities 
that it will undertake to build or enhance the capacity of its 
organization to provide skills training for the target industries and 
occupations through its existing job training and placement programs, 
and their capacity for implementing these activities. This will ensure 
that targeted groups are prepared to meet the needs of our country's 
expanding green jobs-related industries.
    Project activities leading to degrees and certificates must 
identify the degrees and certificates that participants will earn as a 
result of the proposed training, and the employer-, industry-, or 
State-defined standards associated with the degrees and certificates 
(See Section VI.B.3.ii for the definition of certificate).
i. Organizational Capacity (10 Points)
    Applicant should fully demonstrate that they have the ability to 
implement and manage the capacity building activities described in this 
proposal. This includes providing a complete description of the 
applicant organization and its qualifications for running a job 
training and placement program. Applicants should describe the relevant 
experience of key staff and continuity of leadership, their ability to 
comply with the grant's fiscal and administrative requirements, and 
their capacity to track and report on the grant's programmatic 
performance. Applicants must indicate the duration of the job training 
and placement activities that will be offered once the capacity 
building activities/strategies described in this application are 
completed. Proposals will be evaluated using the following criteria:
     The demonstration by the applicant that they have the 
capacity to accomplish the goals and outcomes of the project as 
demonstrated by the experience of the key staff and continuity of 
leadership;
     The demonstration by the applicant that they have the 
capacity to comply with the grant's fiscal and administrative 
requirements, and to track and report on the grant's programmatic 
performance.
ii. Proposed Capacity Building Strategies (55 Points)
    In this section, the applicant should provide a complete 
description of how it will modify all or a portion of its existing job 
training and placement programs to support skills training for the 
energy efficiency and renewable energy industries or within other green 
industries. ETA is interested in applicants describing any evidence-
based research that they considered in designing the strategy. Some 
potential activities include but are not limited to:
     Professional development opportunities in the energy 
efficiency and renewable energy industries for staff;
     Modifications to existing curriculum and/or teaching 
methodologies;
     The purchase of equipment that will contribute to 
continued training after the funding under this award is expended;
     Training provided for industry-recognized entry-level 
credentials for program participants;
     Strategies that support the development of clear pathway 
options and job placement for program participants into the energy 
efficiency and renewable energy industries or within other green 
industries; and
     Specific skills and competencies that will be integrated 
into the job-training program and how these support

[[Page 30171]]

growth in green energy career pathways for project participants.
    Proposals will be evaluated using the following criteria:
     Applicants should provide a complete description of their 
capacity building activities including (1) professional development 
opportunities in the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries 
or within other green industries provided to key staff; (2) key 
equipment that will build the capacity of the organization to provide 
training in the key industries and occupations; and (3) curriculum and/
or teaching methodology modifications based on input from partners 
identified in Section V.A.1;
     Applicant shall provide a description of the industry 
recognized credentials (if applicable) to be awarded and how training 
for these credentials will be provided to program participants;
     Applicant shall demonstrate that the skills and 
competencies integrated into existing training programs are related to 
the proposed industry or occupation targeted.
     Applicants should provide a complete description of their 
strategy to sustain the core training and placement activities in their 
project after grant funds are expended.
     Applicants should provide a timeline that outlines a 
schedule for the key capacity building activities that will take place 
during the period of performance.
3. Outcomes and Deliverables (15 Points)
    Applicants must demonstrate a results-oriented approach to managing 
and operating their project by fully describing the proposed outcome 
data measures that impact the success of the project, as well as the 
products and deliverables that will be produced as a result of the 
grant activities. In this section, applicants should identify specific 
outcomes that will occur as a direct result of grant-funded activities 
and how appropriate outcomes will be tracked. Points will be awarded 
based on the criteria below.
    The applicant should list outcomes for capacity building 
activities, and the projected date the product(s) will be completed. 
Outcomes for capacity building activities include, but are not limited, 
to:
     Curriculum, course materials or competency models and 
career ladders developed or updated with grant funds;
     The number of instructors projected to participate in 
capacity building activities;
     The number of individuals projected to be trained by these 
instructors; and
     The estimated number of other individuals (besides these 
students and instructors) projected to participate and/or benefit from 
capacity building activities. For example, the number of individuals 
who will use equipment purchased through this grant.
    If applicable, applicants must provide a list of expected 
deliverables that will be developed with grant funds during the grant's 
period of performance that is consistent with the project activities 
that includes a brief description of the deliverable (such as updated 
curriculum and outreach materials), the anticipated completion date, 
and an estimated timeframe and method for electronic delivery to ETA. 
Electronic delivery may include email for smaller documents, DVDs or 
other electronic media for transmission of larger files.

B. Review and Selection Process

    Applications for grants under this solicitation will be accepted 
after the publication of this announcement until the closing date. A 
technical review panel will make careful evaluation of applications 
against the criteria. These criteria are based on the policy goals, 
priorities, and emphases set forth in this SGA. Up to 100 points may be 
awarded to an application, based on the required information described 
in Section V.A. The ranked scores will serve as the primary basis for 
selection of applications for funding, in conjunction with other 
factors such as urban, rural, and geographic balance; representation 
across eligible grant programs; and which proposals are most 
advantageous to the government. The panel results are advisory in 
nature and not binding on the Grant Officer, and the Grant Officer may 
consider any information that comes to his/her attention. The 
government may elect to award the grant(s) with or without discussions 
with the applicants. Should a grant be awarded without discussions, the 
award will be based on the applicant's signature on the SF 424, which 
constitutes a binding offer by the applicant including electronic 
signature via E-Authentication on http://www.grants.gov.

VI. Award Administration Information

A. Award Notices

    All award notifications will be posted on the ETA Homepage (http://www.doleta.gov). Applicants selected for award will be contacted 
directly before the grant's execution and non-selected applicants will 
be notified by mail. Selection of an organization as a grantee does not 
constitute approval of the grant application as submitted. Before the 
actual grant is awarded, ETA 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.

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

1. Administrative Program Requirements
    All grantees will be subject to all applicable Federal laws, 
regulations, and the applicable OMB Circulars. The grant(s) awarded 
under this SGA will be subject to the following administrative 
standards and provisions:
    i. Non-Profit Organizations--OMB Circulars A-122 (Cost Principles) 
and 29 CFR part 95 (Administrative Requirements).
    ii. Educational Institutions--OMB Circulars A-21 (Cost Principles) 
and 29 CFR part 95 (Administrative Requirements).
    iii. State and Local Governments--OMB Circulars A-87 (Cost 
Principles) and 29 CFR part 97 (Administrative Requirements).
    iv. Profit Making Commercial Firms--Federal Acquisition Regulation 
(FAR)--48 CFR part 31 (Cost Principles), and 29 CFR part 95 
(Administrative Requirements).
    v. All entities must comply with 29 CFR parts 93 and 98, and, where 
applicable, 29 CFR parts 96 and 99.
    vi. 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.
    vii. 29 CFR part 31--Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted 
Programs of the Department of Labor--Effectuation of Title VI of the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964.
    viii. 29 CFR part 32--Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap in 
Programs and Activities Receiving or Benefiting from Federal Financial 
Assistance.
    ix. 29 CFR part 33--Enforcement of Nondiscrimination on the Basis 
of Handicap in Programs or Activities Conducted by the Department of 
Labor.
    x. 29 CFR part 35-- Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Age in 
Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance from the 
Department of Labor.

[[Page 30172]]

    xi. 29 CFR part 36--Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in 
Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial 
Assistance.
    The following administrative standards and provisions may be 
applicable
    i. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Public Law 
111-5, 123 Stat. 115, Division A, Title VIII (February 17, 2009).
    ii. The Green Jobs Act of 2007, Public Law 110-140, 121 Stat. 1748 
(codified at 29 U.S.C. 2916).
    iii. The Workforce Investment Act of 1998, Public Law 105-220, 112 
Stat. 939 (codified as amended at 29 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.) and 20 CFR 
part 667 (General Fiscal and Administrative Rules;
    iv. 29 CFR part 29 & 30--Apprenticeship & Equal Employment 
Opportunity in Apprenticeship and Training;
    v. 29 CFR part 37--Implementation of the Nondiscrimination and 
Equal Opportunity Provisions of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998:
     The Department notes that the Religious Freedom 
Restoration Act (RFRA), 42 U.S.C. sec. 2000bb, applies to all Federal 
law and its implementation. If your organization is a faith-based 
organization that makes hiring decisions on the basis of religious 
belief, it may be entitled to receive Federal financial assistance 
under Title I of the Workforce Investment Act and maintain that hiring 
practice even though Section 188 of the Workforce Investment Act 
contains a general ban on religious discrimination in employment. If 
you are awarded a grant, you will be provided with information on how 
to request such an exemption.
    vi. Ensuring the Health and Safety of Participants Under WIA 
Section 181(a)(4)--Health and safety standards established under 
Federal and State law otherwise applicable to working conditions of 
employees are equally applicable to working conditions of participants 
engaged in training and other activities. Applicants that are awarded 
grants through this SGA are reminded that these health and safety 
standards apply to participants in these grants.
    In accordance with Section 18 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 
1995 (Pub. L. 104-65) (2 U.S.C. 1611) non-profit entities incorporated 
under Internal Revenue Service Code section 501(c)(4) that engage in 
lobbying activities are not eligible to receive Federal funds and 
grants.
    Except as specifically provided in this SGA, ETA's acceptance of a 
proposal and an award of Federal funds to sponsor any program(s) does 
not provide a waiver of any grant requirements and/or procedures. For 
example, the OMB Circulars require that an entity's procurement 
procedures must ensure that all procurement transactions are conducted, 
as much as practical, to provide open and free competition. If a 
proposal identifies a specific entity to provide services, the ETA's 
award does not provide the justification or basis to sole source the 
procurement, i.e., avoid competition, unless the activity is regarded 
as the primary work of an official partner to the application.
2. Special Program Requirements
    i. Evaluation: To measure the impact of grants funded under the 
SGA, ETA intends to fund one or more independent evaluations. By 
accepting funding, grantees must agree to participate in such an 
evaluation, should they be selected to participate. Grantees must agree 
to make records on participants, employers, and funding available and 
to provide access to program personnel and participants, as specified 
by the evaluator(s) under the direction of ETA, including after the 
expiration date of the grant.
    ii. Definition of Certificate: A certificate is awarded in 
recognition of an individual's attainment of measurable technical or 
occupational skills necessary to gain employment or advance within an 
occupation. These technical or occupational skills are based on 
standards developed or endorsed by employers. Certificates awarded by 
workforce investment boards are not included in this definition. Work 
readiness certificates are also not included in this definition. A 
certificate is awarded in recognition of an individual's attainment of 
technical or occupational skills by:
     A State educational agency or a State agency responsible 
for administering vocational and technical education within a State.
     An institution of higher education described in Section 
102 of the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1002) that is qualified to 
participate in the student financial assistance programs authorized by 
Title IV of that Act. This includes community colleges, proprietary 
schools, and all other institutions of higher education that are 
eligible to participate in Federal student financial aid programs.
     A professional, industry, or employer organization (e.g., 
National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence certification, 
National Institute for Metalworking Skills, Inc., Machining Level I 
credential) or a product manufacturer or developer (e.g., Microsoft 
Certified Database Administrator, Certified Novell Engineer, Sun 
Certified Java Programmer) using a valid and reliable assessment of an 
individual's knowledge, skills, and abilities.
     A registered apprenticeship program.
     A public regulatory agency, upon an individual's 
fulfillment of educational, work experience, or skill requirements that 
are legally necessary for an individual to use an occupational or 
professional title or to practice an occupation or profession (e.g., 
FAA aviation mechanic certification, State certified asbestos 
inspector).
     A program that has been approved by the Department of 
Veterans Affairs to offer education benefits to veterans and other 
eligible persons.
     Job Corps centers that issue certificates.
     Institutions of higher education which is formally 
controlled, or has been formally sanctioned, or chartered, by the 
governing body of an Indian tribe or tribes.
    iii. Definitions of Populations and Other Key Terms 
    Organizations submitting an application in response to this SGA 
should use the following definitions for any of the following 
populations and/or other key terms that are specifically identified in 
this SGA:
     High school drop-outs: For the purposes of this SGA, ETA 
defines ``high school drop-out'' as an individual who is no longer 
attending any secondary school and who has not received a secondary 
school diploma or its recognized equivalent.
     Individuals in need of updated training related to the 
energy efficiency and renewable energy industries: For the purposes of 
this SGA, this term refers to individuals who are currently employed; 
or were terminated or laid-off or have received a notice of termination 
or lay-off from employment; or were self-employed but are now 
unemployed; and can benefit from training that will help them enter or 
advance in the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries 
identified in WIA section 171(e)(1)(B)(ii), and/or will enable them to 
acquire or enhance skills needed to enter occupations within one or 
more of the ``growth, enhanced, and emerging'' green industries 
referenced in Supplementary Information: Part B of this SGA.
     Individuals, including at-risk youth, seeking employment 
pathways out of poverty and into economic self-sufficiency: For the 
purposes of this SGA, ETA defines this term as individuals who reside 
in high poverty

[[Page 30173]]

areas (which are areas where the poverty rate is 15% or greater), have 
no or low incomes, and who can benefit from skill training that will 
help them enter or advance in the energy efficiency and renewable 
energy industries identified in WIA section 171(e)(1)(B)(ii), and/or 
will enable them to acquire or enhance skills needed to enter 
occupations within one or more of the ``growth, enhanced, and 
emerging'' green industries referenced in Supplementary Information: 
Part B of this SGA.
     Individuals with a criminal record: For the purposes of 
this SGA, ETA defines this term as an individual who is or has been 
subject to any stage of the juvenile or criminal justice process, for 
whom services under this Act may be beneficial; or who requires 
assistance in overcoming artificial barriers to employment resulting 
from a record of arrest or conviction. ETA includes individuals with a 
juvenile or criminal record in the definition for this term.
     Unemployed individuals: For the purposes of this SGA, ETA 
defines ``unemployed individual'' as an individual who is without a job 
and who wants and is available to work.
     Veterans: For the purposes of this solicitation, ETA 
follows the WIA definition of veteran under 29 U.S.C. 2801(49)(A), 
which defines the term ``veteran'' as ``an individual who served in the 
active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or 
released from such service under conditions other than dishonorable.'' 
Active military service includes full-time duty (other than full-time 
duty for training purposes) in Reserve components ordered to active 
duty, or in National Guard units called to Federal Service by the 
President.
     Workers impacted by national energy and environmental 
policy: For the purposes of this SGA, ETA defines this term as 
individuals who: (1) Are currently employed in an occupation in the 
utilities; transportation and warehousing; manufacturing; construction; 
mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction; or other sectors that 
have been adversely affected by national energy and environmental 
policies; and have received a notice of termination or lay-off from 
employment; or (2) were employed in an occupation in the utilities; 
transportation and warehousing; manufacturing; construction; mining, 
quarrying, and oil and gas extraction; or other sectors that have been 
adversely affected by national energy and environmental policies; and 
are now unemployed.
     National labor-management organization: A national labor-
management organization is a nonprofit entity, such as a training fund, 
training trust fund, or an education trust fund, with joint 
participation of employers and labor organizations on its executive 
board or comparable governing body. This entity must have a formalized 
agreement between the employer(s) and labor organization(s) to operate 
a joint labor management training program(s) in multiple sites across 
the country through the state, local, or regional networks affiliated 
with the nonprofit entity.
3. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Pub. L. 111-5) 
Provisions
    Prospective applicants are advised that, if they receive an award, 
they must comply with all requirements of the American Recovery and 
Reinvestment Act of 2009 [Pub. L. 111-5]. Applicants are advised to 
review the Act and implementing OMB guidance in the development of 
their proposals. Requirements include, but are not limited to:
     Adherence to all grant clauses and conditions as they 
relate to Recovery Act activity.
     Prohibition on expenditure of funds for activities at any 
casino or other gambling establishment, aquarium, zoo, golf course or 
swimming pool.
     Compliance with the requirements to obtain a D-U-N-
S[supreg] Number and register with the Central Contractor Registry 
(CCR). ETA will issue additional guidance related to this requirement 
shortly.
     Submission of required reports in accordance with Section 
1512 of the Recovery Act. These reports will be due quarterly within 10 
days of the end of the reporting period and are in addition to the ETA 
required reports addressed in Section VI of this SGA. ETA will issue 
additional guidance related to these reports and their submission 
requirements shortly.
    Implementing OMB guidance may be found at http://www.recovery.gov.

C. Reporting

    The grantee is required to provide the reports and documents listed 
below:
1. Quarterly Financial Reports
    A Quarterly Financial Status Report (SF 9130) is required until 
such time as all funds have been expended or the grant period has 
expired. Quarterly reports are due 45 days after the end of each 
calendar year quarter, including the last calendar quarter of the grant 
period. Grantees must use ETA's On-Line Electronic Reporting System. A 
Closeout Financial Status Report is due 90 days after the end of the 
grant period.
2. Quarterly Performance Reports
    The grantee must submit a quarterly progress report within 45 days 
after the end of each calendar year quarter. In order to submit these 
quarterly reports, grantees will be expected to track participant-level 
data regarding the individuals that are involved in training and other 
services provided through the grant and report on participant status in 
a variety of fields and outcome categories, as well as provide 
narrative information on the status of the grant. The last quarterly 
progress report that grantees submit will serve as the grant's Final 
Performance Report. This report should provide both quarterly and 
cumulative information on the grant's activities. It must summarize 
project activities, employment outcomes and other deliverables, and 
related results of the project, and should thoroughly document the 
training or labor market information approaches utilized by the 
grantee. DOL will provide grantees with formal guidance regarding data 
and other information that is required to be collected and reported on 
either a regular basis or special request basis. Grantees must agree to 
meet DOL reporting requirements.
3. Record Retention
    Applicants should be aware of Federal guidelines on record 
retention, which require grantees to maintain all records pertaining to 
grant activities for a period of not less than three years from the 
time of final grant close-out.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For further information regarding this SGA, please contact Denise 
Roach, Grants Management Specialist, Division of Federal Assistance, at 
(202) 693-3820 (This is not a toll-free number). Applicants should e-
mail all technical questions to [email protected] and must 
specifically reference SGA/DFA PY 08-21, and along with question(s), 
include a contact name, fax and phone number.
    This announcement is being made available on the ETA Web site at 
http://www.doleta.gov/grants and at http://www.grants.gov.

VIII. Additional Resources of Interest to Applicants

A. Other Web-Based Resources

    DOL maintains a number of Web-based resources that may be of 
assistance to applicants. America's Service Locator (http://www.servicelocator.org) provides a directory of our nation's One Stop 
Career Centers.

[[Page 30174]]

B. Industry Competency Models

    ETA supports an Industry Competency Model Initiative to promote an 
understanding of the skill sets and competencies that are essential to 
an educated and skilled workforce. A competency model is a collection 
of competencies that taken together define successful performance in a 
particular work setting. Competency models serve as a starting point 
for the design and implementation of workforce and talent development 
programs. To learn about the industry-validated models visit the 
Competency Model Clearinghouse (CMC) at http://www.careeronestop.org/CompetencyModel. The CMC site also provides tools to build or customize 
industry models, as well as tools to build career ladders and/or career 
lattices.

C. Federal Collaboration

    DOL encourages other Federal partners to recommend or require, 
where appropriate, that organizations receiving Recovery Act funding 
list jobs created with their State public labor exchange. The 
Department is developing specific strategies to link job listings, 
training opportunities and placement among programs funded by 
Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Energy, and Education. 
Where the grantee is not the public workforce system, they are strongly 
encouraged to work with the local One Stop Career Centers to make these 
connections.

D. Links to Federal Recovery Sites

    For specific information on a range of Federal agency Recovery Act 
activities and funding opportunities, please access the following Web 
sites:
     Department of Education: http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/index.html.
     Department of Energy: http://www.doe.gov/recovery.
     Department of Housing and Urban Development: http://www.hud.gov/recovery.
     Department of Transportation: http://www.dot.gov/recovery/.
     Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov/recovery.

E. Promising Training Approaches

    ETA encourages applicants to research promising training approaches 
in order to inform their proposals. The following list of Web sites 
provides a starting place for this research, but by no means should be 
considered a complete list:
     ETA's home site (http://www.doleta.gov) and the ETA 
Research Publication Database (wdr.doleta.gov/research/keyword.cfm)
     ETA's knowledge sharing site (http://www.workforce3one.org), including the ``workforce solutions'' section 
that contains over 6,000 additional resources applicants may find 
valuable in developing workforce strategies and solutions
     The National Governors Association Center for Best 
Practices (http://www.nga.org)
     The National Association of State Workforce Agencies 
(http://www.workforceatm.org)
     The National Association of Workforce Boards (http://www.nawb.org)

IX. Other Information

    OMB Information Collection No. 1225-0086.
    Expires September 30, 2009.
    According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are 
required to respond to a collection of information unless such 
collection displays a valid OMB control number. Public reporting burden 
for this collection of information is estimated to average 20 hours per 
response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing 
data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing 
and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding 
the burden estimated or any other aspect of this collection of 
information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the OMB 
Desk Officer for ETA, Department of Labor, in the Office of Management 
and Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503. Please do not return the 
completed application to the OMB. Send it to the sponsoring agency as 
specified in this solicitation.
    This information is being collected for the purpose of awarding a 
grant. The information collected through this SGA will be used by DOL 
to ensure that grants are awarded to the applicant best suited to 
perform the functions of the grant. Submission of this information is 
required in order for the applicant to be considered for award of this 
grant. Unless otherwise specifically noted in this announcement, 
information submitted in the respondent's application is not considered 
to be confidential.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 19th day of June, 2009.
B. Jai Johnson,
Grant Officer, Employment and Training Administration.
[FR Doc. E9-14920 Filed 6-23-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-FN-P