[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 174 (Tuesday, September 8, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55568-55570]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-19812]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0847]


Period of Public Comment for the FAA Aviation Maintenance 
Technical Workers Workforce Development Grant Program Is Open for 15 
Days

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Period of public comment for the FAA Aviation Maintenance 
Technical Workers Workforce Development Grant Program is open for 15 
days.

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SUMMARY: The FAA announces a Period of Public Comment for the Aviation 
Maintenance Technical Workers Workforce Development Grant Program and 
previews a forthcoming notice of funding opportunity.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted by September 23, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Please send written comments:
    By Electronic Docket: www.regulations.gov (Enter docket number into 
search field).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Assistance Listing Number: 20.112, 
www.beta.sam.gov.

    Note: This is not a request for proposals or offers.

Background

    On October 5, 2018, the President signed the FAA Reauthorization 
Act of 2018 (the Act) (Pub. L. 115-254). Section 625 of the Act 
addresses the projected shortage of aviation maintenance technical 
workers in the aviation industry by directing the establishment of an 
Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers Workforce Development Grant 
Program. Congress authorized the program through the end of Fiscal Year 
2023.

Authorizing Legislation

    FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-254, Section 625).

Funding

    Congress appropriated $5,000,000 of funding for the program in 
Fiscal Year 2020 budget and capped each approved project to be not more 
than $500,000 for any one grant in any one fiscal year.

Types of Projects

    The types of projects supported under the new Aviation Maintenance 
Technical Workers Workforce Development Grant Program are those that:
    (a) Establish new educational programs that teach technical skills 
used in aviation maintenance, including purchasing equipment, or 
improve existing such programs;
    (b) enhance aviation maintenance technical education or the 
aviation maintenance industry workforce;
    (c) establish scholarships or apprenticeships for individuals 
pursuing employment in the aviation maintenance industry;
    (d) support outreach about careers in the aviation maintenance 
industry to primary, secondary, and post-secondary school students or 
to communities under-represented in the industry;
    (e) support transition to careers in aviation maintenance, 
including for members of the Armed Forces; or
    (f) support educational opportunities related to aviation 
maintenance in economically disadvantaged geographic areas.

Eligible Applicants

    Section 625 of the Act identifies the following types of entities 
as eligible to apply for the Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers 
Workforce Development Grants:
    (a) Holders of a certificate issued under 14 CFR parts 21, 121, 
135, or 145, or labor organizations representing aviation maintenance 
workers;
    (b) accredited institutions of higher education (as defined in 20 
U.S.C. 1001), or high schools or secondary schools (as defined in 20 
U.S.C. 7801); or
    (c) state or local governmental entities.

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Information

Targeted Release Date

    The FAA anticipates releasing an initial Notice of Funding 
Opportunity (NOFO) on www.grants.gov on or about November 13, 2020. The 
FAA envisions thereafter releasing NOFOs each year for which funding 
has been appropriated. The FAA anticipates all NOFOs will remain open 
for 60 days.

Notice of Intent To Apply

    NOFOs may ask for applicants to email the FAA with their Intent to 
Apply for a grant within ten days of NOFO release. Submission of Intent 
to Apply will not be mandatory.

Unexpended Funds

    If all funds are not expended in an award cycle for each fiscal 
year, the FAA may make additional awards from a previous pool of 
applications.

Grants.Gov

    The FAA will release NOFOs on www.grants.gov and intends to accept 
only electronic applications. Potential applicants are encouraged to 
create accounts on www.grants.gov and can review samples of forms by 
following this link: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html.

Application Package

    Application packages will be accepted electronically on 
www.grants.gov up to 11:59 p.m. prevailing Eastern Time of the closing 
date. Late submissions will not be accepted or reviewed. The 
application package may consist of completed standard government 
Financial Assistance Application forms such as those listed below:

 Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424)
 Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A)
 Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B--Mandatory)
 SF-425 Federal Financial Report 4040-0014 and SF-425A Federal 
Financial Report Attachment
 Disclosure of Lobbying Activities and Certification (SF-LLL)

[[Page 55569]]

 Project/Performance Site Location(s), Key Contacts, and 
Project Abstract
 Project Abstract Summary
 ACH Vendor Payment Enrollment (SF-3881)

Proof of Eligibility

    Applicants will be required to upload proof of eligibility to apply 
for the grants such as copies of accreditations and certifications. The 
FAA reserves the right to validate proof of eligibility.

Award Floor and Ceiling

    The FAA may issue awards of between $25,000 and not more than 
$500,000 (the ceiling established in the Act) for any one grant in any 
one fiscal year.

Number of Awards

    This grant program is competitive. The FAA reserves the right to 
make grant awards depending on the quantity and quality of proposals 
received in response to the NOFO. The expectation is to fund a minimum 
of 10 proposals.

Period of Performance

    The FAA anticipates that the period of performance of each grant 
will be 12 to 18 months from the effective date of the grant award.

Funding Restrictions

     The FAA will not reimburse pre-award costs or application 
preparation costs under the proposed award.
     The FAA will not reimburse for facility construction or 
research activities.
     The FAA may cap the use of the grant funds for Indirect 
and Administrative Costs to 5% of the total award.

Matching Requirements

    The FAA Aviation Workforce Development Grant Programs enabling 
legislation does not require matching contributions in this program.

Partnerships

    Individual entities, teams, and new providers are eligible to apply 
for a grant. The FAA encourages applicants to partner with others as 
appropriate to: satisfy Congressional intent and meet the requirements 
of this selection criteria; reach and include students and educators in 
various geographic and economic areas; and to help the applicant 
provide additional opportunities, assistance, and resources to ensure 
success and sustainability.

Application Review Information

    FAA Subject Matter Experts will serve on teams to provide a 
Technical, and a Management and Fiscal Evaluation. The Technical 
Evaluation Team will review applications and rank proposals based upon 
merit criteria similar to the examples below. The Management and Fiscal 
Reviewers will review financial aspects of the proposal including the 
budget and supporting narrative, plans to administer and oversee 
activities, assessment processes and tools. Incorrect, missing 
documents/items, or incomplete applications will be grounds for 
rejecting the application. Applications should address each criterion. 
Late submissions will not be considered.

Examples of Potential Merit Criteria

Criterion 1

    The extent to which the applicant can encourage, increase interest, 
recruit students, and deliver programs to a diverse population 
including those in economically disadvantaged geographic areas and 
those under-represented in the aviation maintenance field. The 
applicant should demonstrate the following:
     Outreach and recruitment efforts to encourage aviation 
maintenance careers for students in primary, secondary and/or post-
secondary schools, or in communities under- represented in the 
industry, and facilitate the transition to careers in aviation 
maintenance to include members of the Armed Forces.
     The role of individuals, entities or organizations 
participating in the proposed activities; provide letters of commitment 
by each participant.
     The extent to which the applicant is prepared to create, 
adapt, or improve programs designed to generate and increase interest 
in aviation maintenance careers. Provide activities participants will 
undertake to prepare for and transition into aviation maintenance 
careers.
     An ability to provide education and training activities to 
enhance career awareness and understanding of the aviation maintenance 
industry. Include vocational and other programs presented in the past 
through various methods. Include the size and scope of the program 
anticipated.
     Plans to improve existing or establish new educational 
programs that teach appropriate technical skills and describe how the 
activities will serve to enhance and prepare the future aviation 
maintenance workforce. Include potential scholarship and/or 
apprenticeship opportunities to attract those who may pursue employment 
in the aviation maintenance industry.

Criterion 2

    Resources available to the applicant to carry out this project. The 
applicant should demonstrate the following:
     Ability to provide the necessary resources and facilities 
and carry out activities to support the program overall.
     Plans to provide maintenance career preparation and 
related activities using multiple methods.
     Other resources.

Criterion 3

    Ability to design and disseminate program information. Include a 
plan to provide aviation maintenance workforce development programs to 
a diverse population including those in economically disadvantaged 
geographic areas and those under-represented in the aviation 
maintenance field, with a continuing education component. Include a 
plan to attract potential participants transitioning into the field. 
The applicant should demonstrate the following:
     Ability to conduct courses, seminars, workshops, 
vocational or other activities related to aviation maintenance careers.
     Facilities, equipment, and resources available to provide 
for: student recruitment; academic and career counseling and mentoring; 
and general information dissemination activities.
     Outreach plans to include students in primary, secondary, 
and post-secondary schools or communities under-represented in the 
industry and those transition from the Armed Forces.

Criterion 4

    Ability to effectively administer the proposed activities. The FAA 
is interested in a disciplined administrative and strategic project 
plan. Include an approach to efficiently control administrative 
expenses while effectively allocating resources between projects 
designed to optimize career awareness and prepare students to enter 
aviation maintenance careers. The applicant should demonstrate the 
following:
     Provide a plan describing how the applicant will organize 
and oversee individual activities and manage the various tasks.
     Describe how the applicant will evaluate activities and 
meet, develop, adapt or expand performance goals.
     Indicate the entity prepared to serve as the lead for 
administrative purposes and describe the responsibilities to be 
undertaken, should a team propose.
     Provide a proposed budget including necessary equipment to 
be

[[Page 55570]]

purchased to achieve program goals with a supporting narrative.

Industry Consultation

    Prior to selecting among competing applications, the Secretary 
shall consult with representatives from aircraft repair stations, 
design and production approval holders, air carriers, labor 
organizations, business aviation, general aviation, educational 
institutions, and other relevant aviation sectors. Therefore, the FAA 
is assuming this responsibility by providing stakeholders and the 
public an opportunity to review this preliminary plan to establish the 
Aviation Workforce Development Grant Programs.

Financial Review

    The FAA will perform an assessment of risk posed by the applicant 
prior to issuing awards. The assessment includes evaluating previous 
Federal grant experiences, financial stability, and potential for 
conflicts of interest. The applicant will be asked to submit a copy of 
its most recent Cognizant Auditing Agency Report and remedies to all 
findings. Any potential applicants with previous disbarments or 
suspensions will be disqualified.

Unique Identifier or System of Award

    The applicant is required to: (i) Be registered in www.SAM.gov 
before submitting its application; (ii) provide a valid unique entity 
identifier in its application; and (iii) continue to maintain an active 
SAM registration with current information at all times during which it 
has an active Federal award or an application or plan under 
consideration by a Federal awarding agency.
    The Federal awarding agency may not make a Federal award to an 
applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable unique 
identifier and SAM requirements. If an applicant has not fully complied 
with the requirements by the time of the Federal awarding agency is 
ready to make a Federal award, the Federal awarding agency may 
determine that the applicant is not sufficiently prepared or is not 
qualified to receive a Federal award.

Degree of Federal Involvement

    The FAA may conduct site visits of applicant institutions and 
facilities to observe curriculum delivery, and review relevant 
materials including books, records, activity plans, relevant documents, 
accounting procedures, processes, and related activities and resources. 
The FAA will require semi-annual progress reports and final reports.

Federal Assistance Program Law

    The FAA will adhere to all Guidelines for Federal Assistance 
Programs outlined in the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost 
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. To review the 2 
CFR 200, please visit: https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr200_main_02.tpl.

    Note:  This is not a request for proposals or offers.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Please visit our website at: www.faa.gov/go/awd or https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ang/grants/awd/.

    Issued in Washington DC, on September 2, 2020.
Patricia A Watts,
Grants Officer, Aviation Workforce Development Grant Programs, NextGen 
Grants Management Branch (ANG-A19).
[FR Doc. 2020-19812 Filed 9-4-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P