[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 212 (Thursday, November 3, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
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From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-27275]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: November 3, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
Job Training Partnership Act: Title III--Job Development Broker
Program
AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Notice of availability of funds and solicitation for grant
application (SGA).
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training
Administration (ETA), announces a demonstration program to identify job
development brokers that will link specific job opportunities with the
development of appropriate curricula and support mechanisms for
eligible dislocated workers to be funded with Secretary's National
Reserve funds appropriated through Title III of the Job Training
Partnership Act (JTPA).
This notice describes the process that eligible entities must use
to apply for demonstration funds, the subject area for which
applications will be accepted for funding, how grantees are to be
selected, and the responsibilities of grantees. Up to $2 million will
be made available for funding the approximately three to five
demonstration projects covered by this solicitation.
Everything needed to apply is contained in this announcement.
DATES: Applications for grant awards will be accepted commencing
November 6, 1994. The closing date for receipt of applications will be
December 16, 1994, at 2 p.m. (Eastern Time) at the address below.
ADDRESSES: Applications shall be mailed to U.S. Department of Labor,
Employment and Training Administration, Division of Acquisition and
Assistance, Attention: Ms. Brenda Banks, Reference: SGA/DAA 94-23,
Constitution Avenue, NW., Room S-4203, Washington, DC 20210.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Brenda Banks, Division of Acquisition and Assistance, Telephone:
(202) 219-7300 (This is not a toll-free number).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This announcement consists of five parts.
Part I describes the authorities and purpose of the demonstration
program, and identifies demonstration policy and topics. Part II
describes the application process and provides detailed guidelines for
use in applying for demonstration grants. There is no separate
application package. Part III includes the statement of work for the
demonstration projects. Part IV identifies and defines the selection
criteria which will be used in reviewing and evaluating applications.
Part V describes the reporting requirements.
Part I. Background
A. Authorities
Section 324 of the Job Training Partnership Act authorizes the use
of funds reserved under Part B of Title III for demonstration programs.
The Secretary shall conduct or provide for an evaluation of the success
of each demonstration program.
B. Purpose of the Demonstration
Job Development Broker Demonstration Projects funded through this
solicitation are to provide reemployment and retraining services--as
described in sections 314(c) and 314(d) JTPA--to eligible dislocated
workers. The goals of this retraining program are to:
--Expand the retraining resources available to dislocated workers being
served under Title III of the Job Training Partnership Act; and
--Support the development of a job development marketplace where
brokers with retraining and employment opportunities can compete to
provide assistance to dislocated workers on the basis of performance
and customer satisfaction.
The purpose of this demonstration is to identify brokers that will
link specific job opportunities with the development of appropriate
curricula and support mechanisms so that eligible dislocated workers
who successfully complete the program will get those jobs, at a cost
that will be competitive with other program options available for the
dislocated worker substate grantees and their customers.
C. Demonstration Policy
1. Awards
DOL will select approximately three to five applicants, making
awards up to $2.0 million in total, to conduct demonstrations for job
development brokers. It is anticipated that individual grant awards
will be approximately $300,000 to $500,000 each; however, in no case
will an award exceed $750,000.
2. Evaluation
Under a separate announcement, DOL will select and fund an
evaluation contractor to: (1) Provide technical assistance to selected
grantees in establishing appropriate data collection methods and
processes; and (2) conduct an independent evaluation of the outcomes,
impacts and benefits of the demonstration projects. Grantees will be
expected to make available participant records and access to personnel,
as specified by the evaluation contractor.
In addition, DOL will establish, for each demonstration project
site, an oversight group made up of federal, State and substate staff.
3. Eligible Participants
Workers eligible for assistance under these demonstration grants
are those eligible dislocated workers who are participants in Title III
funded programs operated by State and substate grantees.
4. Allowable activities
Grant funds awarded under this demonstration may be used to provide
the services described in JTPA Section 314(c) and Section 314(d). The
establishment of linkages with employers, development of appropriate
training curricula, and negotiation of agreements with the Title III
State and substate grantees will be critical parts of this
demonstration, but they must be combined with delivery of services and
placement of participants in unsubsidized employment.
5. Grant Period
Projects must be completed not later than June 30, 1996.
Applications must clearly describe project activities to be undertaken
during the proposed grant period. Funding of project activity
subsequent to the approved period of performance will be the
responsibility of the applicant. Additional grant funds will not be
available under this demonstration.
6. Cost Limitations
Demonstration grants are not subject to the cost limitations for
formula-funded Title III grants at Section 315 of the JTPA. However,
any offeror proposing administrative costs higher than 15 percent of
the budget and supportive services higher than 25 percent of the funds
requested in the application shall provide a narrative justification.
D. Demonstration Topic
DOL is soliciting applications for demonstration projects to test
the ability of brokers to market services that link specific job
opportunities with appropriate training and support mechanisms so that
eligible dislocated workers who successfully complete the program will
get those jobs, at a cost which will be competitive with other program
options available for Title III substate grantees and their
participants.
Part II. Application Process
A. Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants under this demonstration include (1) employers
and associations of employers, (2) unions and organizations
representing workers, and (3) education and training institutions.
Consideration will be given to awarding at least one grant in each of
the three categories of eligible applicants. While matching funds will
not be required, applicants will have to demonstrate the ability to
market their services to dislocated worker program grantees that have
training resources, including Title III formula-allotted funds to
States and substate grantees, or Title III National Reserve Account
funds.
B. Submission of Proposals
An original and three (3) copies of the proposal shall be
submitted. The proposal shall consist of two (2) separate and distinct
parts--Part I, the Financial Proposal, and Part II, the Technical
Proposal.
1. Financial Proposal
The Financial Proposal shall contain the SF-424, ``Application for
Federal Assistance'' (three ink signed originals) Appendix No., and SF
424-A, ``Budget Information'' (Appendix No. 2). The Federal Domestic
Assistance Catalog number is 17.246. The budget shall include on
separate pages: a cost analysis of the budget, identifying in detail
the amount of each budget line item attributable to each of the Title
III cost categories at Section 314 of JTPA for funds requested through
this grant; an identification of the amount of each budget line item
which will be covered by other funds, and the sources of those funds
(including other Title III funds, employer funds, in-kind resources
secured and unsecured loans, grants, and other forms of assistance,
public and private); and an analysis of the cost effectiveness in terms
of unit costs for the delivery of services to individual dislocated
workers in comparison with similar services available to dislocated
workers through Title III, and in terms of the scope of the effort with
regard to the projected number of placements available and the number
of different dislocated worker program operators (States and substate
grantees) which will be involved.
Federal funds cannot be used to support training which an employer
is in a position to, and would otherwise, provide.
Federal funds may not be used for acquisition of production
equipment. The only type of equipment that may be acquired with Federal
funds is equipment necessary for the operation of the grant. Grant
funds may cover only those costs which are appropriate and reasonable.
In the instance of a purchase, the cost of the equipment is to be
prorated over the projected life of the equipment to determine the cost
to the grant. Awardee must receive prior approval from the Department
of Labor/Employment and Training Administration's Property Officer for
the purchase and/or lease of any property and/or equipment with a per
unit acquisition cost of $5,000 or more, and a useful life of more than
one year as defined in OMB Circulars A-102 and A-110. This includes the
purchase of ADP equipment. The request must be directed through your
Grant Officer's Technical Representative (GOTR) and must include a
detailed description and cost of the items to be acquired.
Applicants may budget limited amounts of grant funds to work with
technical expert(s) to provide advice and develop more complete project
plans.
2. Technical Proposal
The technical proposal shall demonstrate the offeror's capabilities
in accordance with the Statement of Work/Project Summary as described
in Part III of this announcement. NO COST DATA OR REFERENCE TO PRICE
SHALL BE INCLUDED IN THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL.
3. Page Count Limit
Applications are to be limited to 30 single-side pages, single-
spaced. The technical proposal should include a 2 to 3 page executive
summary.
C. Hand-Delivered Proposals
Proposals should be mailed at least five (5) days prior to the
closing date. However, if proposals are hand-delivered, they shall be
received at the designated place by 2 p.m., Eastern Time by December
16, 1994. All overnight mail will be considered to be hand-delivered
and must be received at the designated place by the specified time and
closing date. Telegraphed and/or faxed proposals will not be honored.
Failure to adhere to the above instructions will be a basis for a
determination of nonresponsiveness.
D. Late Proposals
Any proposal received at the office designated in the solicitation
after the exact time specified for receipt will not be considered
unless it--
(1) Was sent by the U.S. Postal Service registered or certified
mail not later than the fifth calendar day before the date specified
for receipt of the application (e.g., an offer submitted in response to
a solicitation requiring receipt of applications by the 15th of the
month must have been mailed by the 10th); or
(2) Was sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail Next Day Service--
Post Office to Addressee, not later than 5 p.m. at the place of mailing
two working days prior to the date specified for receipt of proposals.
The term ``working days'' excludes weekends and U.S. Federal holidays.
The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of a
late proposal sent either by the U.S. Postal Service registered or
certified mail is the U.S. postmark both on the envelope or wrapper and
on the original receipt from the U.S. Postal Service. Both postmarks
must show a legible date or the proposal shall be processed as if
mailed late. ``Postmark'' 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 and
affixed by employees to the U.S. Postal Service on the date of mailing.
Therefore, applicants should request the postal clerk to place a
legible hand cancellation ``bull's eye'' postmark on both the receipt
and the envelope or wrapper.
The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of a
late proposal sent by ``Express Mail Next Day Service--Post Office to
Addressee'' is the date entered by the post office receiving clerk on
the ``Express Mail Next Day Service--Post Office to Addressee'' label
and the postmark on both the envelope and wrapper and on the original
receipt from the U.S. Postal Service. ``Postmark'' has the same meaning
as defined above. Therefore, applicants should request the postal clerk
to place a legible hand cancellation ``bull's eye'' postmark on both
the receipt and the envelope or wrapper.
E. Withdrawal of Proposals
Proposals may be withdrawn by written notice or telegram (including
mailgram) received at any time before award. Proposals may be withdrawn
in person or by an applicant or an authorized representative thereof,
if the representative's identity is made known and the representative
signs a receipt for the proposal before an award.
F. Period of Performance
The period of performance will be from the date of grant execution
through not later than June 30, 1996.
G. Funding
DOL has set aside up to $2.0 million to be awarded, based on
receipt of meritorious proposals consistent with the criteria
identified in this announcement. It is expected that grant awards will
be approximately $300,000 to $500,000 each. However, in no case shall
an award exceed $750,000.
Part III. Statement of Work
Each application must include in the appropriate section(s): (1)
Information that indicates adherence to the provisions described in
Part I of this announcement; (2) information that responds to the
requirements in this part; and (3) other information the offeror
believes will address the selection criteria identified in Part IV.
Each application should follow the format outlined here:
A. Target Group
A description of the qualifications or criteria for participation
in the demonstration project, and the process to be used to identify
and select participants to be served through this demonstration project
from among the total number of eligible individuals served by the Title
III program in the area covered by the demonstration application.
B. Components of the Job Development Broker Demonstration Program
An identification of the major elements of the job development
broker demonstration project and a description of how the project works
in terms of enrolling eligible workers and placing them in agreed upon
unsubsidized employment. Specifically, applicants must demonstrate:
The availability of specific jobs or occupations for which training
will be provided and the relevance of the training to the jobs into
which participants will be placed;
A commitment from the employers to hire dislocated workers who
successfully complete the training into those jobs; and
Agreements with dislocated workers programs under Title III of the
Job Training Partnership Act that will identify eligible dislocated
workers and refer them to the broker for service.
C. Administration and Management
Identify the management structure for the project and demonstrate
the means to ensure accountability for performance. Provide a
description of the process and procedures to be used to obtain feedback
from participants and other appropriate parties on the responsiveness
and effectiveness of the services provided. The description should
include an identification of the types of information to be obtained,
the method(s) and frequency of data collection, and how the information
will be used in implementing and managing the project. It is expected
that grantees may employ focus groups and surveys, in addition to other
methods, to collect feedback information.
D. Use of Existing Services and Resources
An identification of the specific sources and amounts of other
funds which will be used, in addition to funds provided through this
grant, to implement the project.
The application must include information on any other JTPA funds
and non-JTPA resources committed to this project, including employer
funds, secured and unsecured loans, grants, and other forms of
assistance, public and private. The application shall also describe the
relationship of this project to the ongoing assistance to dislocated
workers through the formula-funded JTPA Title III program(s) in the
service area.
E. Coordination and Linkages
A description of the consultation with relevant parties in
developing the project design and of the role of these parties in
implementing the project, especially with regard to employer
involvement in the development of appropriate training. Suggested
consultation shall include: State JTPA Dislocated Worker Unit, Substate
Title III grantee(s) and administrative entity(ies), as well as
organized labor, employers, and organizations providing education,
training and supportive services.
F. Participant Services
A description of the services to be available and/or provided to
participants. The services supported with funds under this grant must
be allowable under Section 314 of the Act. This description should
include a participant service flowchart indicating the sequence in the
participant service process and the criteria/decision points which are
used to determine the appropriateness of specific services for
individual participants, and the support provided to ensure that each
participant will receive the appropriate assistance from the point of
enrollment until 90 days after placement.
G. Outcomes
A description of the project outcomes and of the specific measures,
and planned achievement levels, that will be used to determine the
success of the project. These outcomes and measures should include, but
are not limited to:
The number of participants projected: to be enrolled in
services, to successfully complete services through the project, and to
be placed into new jobs;
Measurable effects of the services provided to project
participants as indicated by gains in individuals' skills,
competencies, or other outcomes;
Average wages of participants prior to and at completion
of project;
Customer satisfaction with the project services, and of
critical points in the service delivery process; and
Other additional measurable, performance-based outcomes
that are relevant to the project and which may be readily assessed
during the period of performance of the project, such as cost
effectiveness of service and comparison with other available service
strategies, and acceptance and agreements with Title III grantees.
[Note: An explanation of how such additional measures are relevant to
the purpose of the demonstration program shall be included in the
application.]
The proposal shall also describe how outcomes achieved by
individuals in the retraining program will be compared to outcomes
achieved by individuals not receiving such assistance at the same Title
III grantee.
H. Replicability
Provide a description of the applicant's plans for continuing the
project or how it might be replicated.
I. Definitions
Unless otherwise indicated in this announcement, definitions of
terms used herein shall be those definitions found in the Job Training
Partnership Act, as amended, particularly at Section 4 and Section 301.
Part IV. Evaluation Criteria
Prospective offerors are advised that the selection of grantee(s)
for award is to be made after careful evaluation of proposals by a
panel of specialists selected by DOL. Panelists will evaluate the
proposals for acceptability with emphasis on the various factors
enumerated below. The panel results are advisory in nature and not
binding on the Grant Officer.
Evaluations will be made on the basis of both what the proposed
offeror intends to do during the grant period, and on the usefulness of
the demonstration after the end of the grant period.
A. Technical Evaluation (Possible Total: 75 Points)
Services and Target Group. The demonstrated relationship between
the services to be provided and the jobs into which participants are to
be placed, and the degree to which the services appear to meet the
needs of the target population. The scope of the project in terms of
the number of jobs available, the number of participants to be
enrolled, and the number and geographic dispersion of Title III
grantees to be served. The geographical area served by the project
(substate area, multiple substate areas, regionwide, industrywide, or
national). The mechanism that will ensure appropriate training and
support for each participant from enrollment to 90 days following
placement. (20 points)
Job Development Broker Project Design. The completeness of the
description of the retraining, including the jobs for which the
training is being provided, a demonstration of employer involvement in
the design, and the commitment by employers to hire participants who
successfully complete the program. The extent to which the project is
cost competitive with other service strategies available to Title III
grantees and their participants. The agreements with Title III grantees
for referral of qualified participants, and the procedures to establish
additional agreements with other Title III grantees. The program
specifications and planned outcomes that will be used to monitor and
measure performance. (30 points)
Coordination and Linkages; Utilization of Resources. The extent to
which the proposal defines the roles and responsibilities of the
applicant and its partners including representatives of the
employer(s), the workers and the unions, the Title III grantees, the
training providers and others. The number and scope of commitments with
employers, and Title III grantees. The extent to which the project will
be integrated with other resources and will leverage other resources to
increase marketability. (15 points)
Management and Continuity. The extent to which the management
structure monitors performance and customer satisfaction and includes
procedures for continuous quality improvement, and which reports that
performance to the substate grantees for use in informing the customer
about available service options. The viability of the project, if
successful, to be continued and expanded, including a description of
efforts to negotiate agreements with additional Title III grantees for
referral of participants. (10 points)
B. Cost Evaluation (25 Points)
The cost effectiveness of the project as indicated by the
relationship of proposed costs to number of participants to be served,
the range of services to be provided and the planned outcomes, as
compared to other service strategies available for the Title III
grantees. The extent to which the budget is justified, and which it
supports the planned outcomes.
Applicants are advised that discussions may be necessary in order
to clarify any inconsistencies in their applications. Applications may
be rejected where the information required is not provided in
sufficient detail to permit adequate assessment of the proposal. The
final decision on the award will be based on what is most advantageous
to the Federal Government as determined by the ETA Grant Officer.
Part V. Reporting Requirements
1. Dislocated Worker Special Project Reports as required.
2. Standard Form 269, Financial Status Report Form.
3. Quarterly Progress Reports.
4. Final Project Report.
Signed at Washington, DC, this 28th day of October 1994.
Janice E. Perry,
Grant Officer.
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[FR Doc. 94-27275 Filed 11-2-94; 8:45 am]
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