94-31294. Wagner-Peyser Act; One-Stop Career Center System Local Grants  

  • [Federal Register Volume 59, Number 244 (Wednesday, December 21, 1994)]
    [Unknown Section]
    [Page 0]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 94-31294]
    
    
    [[Page Unknown]]
    
    [Federal Register: December 21, 1994]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
     
    
    Wagner-Peyser Act; One-Stop Career Center System Local Grants
    
    AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Labor.
    
    ACTION: Notice of availability of funds and solicitation for Grant 
    Application (SGA).
    
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    SUMMARY: All information required to submit a proposal is contained in 
    this announcement. The U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and 
    Training Administration (DOL/ETA) announces the availability of 
    competitive grants to award approximately $3.5 million for local 
    community One-Stop Career Center systems in order to implement several 
    ``learning laboratories.''
        The grants will allow these sites to serve as ``learning 
    laboratories'' to provide ``hands-on'' skill training and professional 
    development to others across the Country and/or serve as ``test sites'' 
    for One-Stop components or applications. It is anticipated that up to 
    10 awards to local communities, who have moved forward to transform the 
    fragment array of employment and training programs into a coordinated 
    information and service delivery system for individuals seeking first, 
    new or better jobs and for employers seeking to hire new workers, will 
    be made. The Department's intent is that these local sites will fit 
    into the broader national strategy for the One-Stop Career Center 
    system. Accordingly, the Department is seeking to fund local sites that 
    embody the same four broad outcomes of the national system--i.e., 
    universality, customer choice, integrated system and performance-
    driven/outcome-based measures--that guided selection of the recent One-
    Stop Career Center System State grant awards. These four outcomes are 
    described in detail later in the grant solicitation. The awards will be 
    made on a competitive basis and in the range of $250,000 to $500,000 
    per grant.
        The duration of the grants will be 15 months, from the date of 
    award. Funding for subsequent years is contingent upon the availability 
    of funds, the activity funded, and upon satisfactory performance in the 
    prior year.
    
    DATES: Application for grant awards will be accepted commencing January 
    3, 1995. The closing date for receipt of proposals at the Department of 
    Labor shall be March 6, 1995 at 2:00 p.m., Eastern time. Any proposal 
    not received at the designated place, date and time of delivery 
    specified will not be considered.
    
    ADDRESSES: Proposals shall be mailed to: Division of Acquisition and 
    Assistance, Attention: Ms. Reda Harrison. Reference: SGA/DAA 94-24, 
    U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, 200 
    Constitution Avenue, N.W., Room S-4203, Washington, D.C. 20210. 
    Proposals may also be hand delivered. Please review Part II, Section F 
    for instruction.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Reda Harrison, Division of Acquisition 
    and Assistance. Telephone (202) 219-8702.
    
    (Note: This is not a toll-free telephone number).
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Employment and Training Administration 
    announces the availability of funds for local community One-Stop Career 
    Center systems to implement ``learning laboratories.'' This 
    announcement consists of five parts: Part I. Background/Description, 
    Part II. Application Process, Part III. Evaluation Criteria for Award, 
    Part IV. Meetings and Part V. Reporting Requirements.
    
    Part I. Background/Description
    
        American workers confront an economy in continuous transition. 
    Young people and other first time job seekers must try to find their 
    place in a shifting labor market. Job holders find they must constantly 
    learn new skills. Fewer workers can except to be with a single firm 
    throughout their work life. Employers find it harder to find new 
    workers with up-to-date skills. There is a confusing patchwork of job 
    training/retraining and benefit programs which do not efficiently 
    address work force security and career requirements. There is a clear 
    need for a streamlined One-Stop Career Center system which puts 
    customers first by providing them with the information and access to 
    services they need to make sound career decisions.
        The Department is committed to improving the quality and delivery 
    of services to its ultimate customers--American workers and their 
    employers. The One-Stop Career Center system is the vehicle for 
    transforming this fragmented training and employment system into a 
    coordinated information and service delivery system for all Americans 
    seeking new jobs, better jobs or first jobs. An essential component 
    within the One-Stop system is an enhanced labor market information 
    system.
        In fiscal year 1994, the Employment and Training Administration 
    (ETA) is using the $50 million Congress appropriated under the Wagner-
    Peyser Act to begin implementation of a voluntary, national One-Step 
    Career Center system and for first year funding of the American Labor 
    Market Information System (ALMIS).
        ETA is using about $30 million of the funds to award grants to 
    develop and implement One-Stop Career Center systems in conjunction 
    with local communities. Of these funds, $26.4 million is being used for 
    awards to States, on a competitive basis, for planning/development and 
    for implementation of One-Stop Career Center systems, both of which 
    must be done in conjunction with local communities.
        Under this solicitation, ETA will award $3.5 million in grants to 
    up to 10 communities with local One-Stop Career Center systems. We 
    anticipate awarding grants in the $250,000 to $500,000 range depending 
    upon each State's proposal and the number of grants to be awarded. 
    These competitively awarded grants are available to local communities 
    that have already developed a local system and would like to serve as 
    ``learning laboratories'' for other States and local communities in 
    developing One-Stop Career Center systems. It is anticipated that these 
    local communities will serve as test sites for new One-Stop approaches 
    and innovations, and undertake a broad range of dissemination and 
    technical assistance activities.
    
    A. The One-Stop Career Center System Framework
    
        As envisioned, the One-Stop Career Center system will provide 
    universal access to basic high-quality services for at least DOL funded 
    programs. A guiding principle behind the One-Stop concept is that 
    individuals should have access, through One-Stop, to a broad range of 
    employment, training and education services. This implies at least one 
    physical location that provides comprehensive services to any 
    individual seeking such services.
        Beyond this, States and their local areas have a great deal of 
    flexibility to design the One-Stop system that best serves the 
    community, which may include many variations. For example, the One-Stop 
    Career Center system may be physically located in one comprehensive 
    site, in many sites, through electronic and technological access 
    points, or through a combination of these approaches.
        Designs may include on-site services for only selected programs in 
    the One-Stop Career Center while linking to other programs. Under this 
    scenario, any individual can receive information on possible 
    eligibility for services which may be accessed through another service 
    center--the so-called ``no wrong door.'' A design may provide full 
    access to every employment, training and education program in a single 
    One-Stop Career Center in the community which is linked with other 
    specialized centers and electronic and technological access points.
        Within this framework, the Department is supporting the development 
    of a nationwide system of One-Stop Career Centers through a program of 
    grant awards, beginning with fiscal year 1994. The Department believes 
    it is crucial to invest in developing a new National-State-Local One-
    Stop system, and to not just randomly fund different entities at State 
    and substate levels. The Department believes that all levels of 
    involvement are necessary if we are to build a system to respond to our 
    changing global economy. Accordingly, ETA is focusing its funding 
    strategy on awarding grants for statewide development and 
    implementation of One-Stop Career Center systems.
        However, the Department also recognizes that the One-Stop system 
    will be built on a community-by-community basis and that a number of 
    communities have already moved forward to implement innovative One-Stop 
    centers. The goals of this solicitation are to involve these local 
    communities in the building of the One-Stop system from the ``bottom 
    up'' and utilize their front-line leadership, innovation and 
    initiative. The Department is proposing to capitalize on these 
    innovative efforts by using them as learning laboratories for wide-
    spread system development. These local sites can offer lessons for the 
    rest of the system; provide technical assistance and guidance to States 
    and communities; and serve as test sites to guide design, development 
    and innovation throughout the system.
        In the interest of insuring that these local sites fit into the 
    broader national strategy, the local One-Stop design must be able to 
    achieve the same broad outcome objectives which guided the Department's 
    investment decisions for statewide One-Stop Career Center systems. The 
    broad outcome objectives that ETA believes should guide all State and 
    local One-Stop systems are described in Part II. In addressing these 
    outcomes in the application, applicants need to refer to Part II. G. 
    STATEMENT OF WORK/GRANT APPLICATION, Section 1. (a).
    
    Part II. Application Process--All Information Required To Submit a 
    Proposal Is Contained in This Announcement
    
    A. Eligible Applicants
    
        This competition is open to all local entities. For the purposes of 
    this solicitation, a ``local entity'' is any public agency or 
    consortium of agencies (both public and private) for a geographic area 
    which contains a local One-Stop Career Center system as described in 
    Part I. Only one local entity may make an application on behalf of a 
    geographic area, which shall not be smaller than a Service Delivery 
    Area (SDA). In the case of single SDA States, more than one sub-State 
    application may be submitted provided that the applications are from 
    distant geographic areas of the State. The application must be 
    transmitted by the Chief Elected Official(s) that represent(s) the 
    geographic area.
        The grant application must be reviewed by the appropriate State and 
    local officials who currently participate in this local One-Stop Career 
    Center system or who will be a participant as the local system becomes 
    part of a larger statewide system. At the State level, the Governor, or 
    the Governor's designated representative, must review, and have the 
    opportunity to comment on and indicate, by signature, that the 
    opportunity for review has been provided. Note that approval of the 
    application by the Governor is not required, except for States that 
    received one-stop implementation grants. Since these States have been 
    funded to implement a statewide one-stop system, the Governor or his/
    her designated representative must indicate support for the proposal as 
    being consistent with the statewide one-stop system. Appropriate State 
    agency heads (e.g., JTPA and Employment Security Officials) or the 
    State's Human Resource Council or similar body, if such body exists, 
    should also have the opportunity to review and comment on the grant 
    application and demonstrate by appropriate signature level that such 
    opportunity for review has been provided. Comments received from the 
    Governor or from State agencies should be included as an attachment to 
    the proposal. In addition, employee organizations representing affected 
    workers must be given the opportunity to review and comment on the 
    proposal.
        At the local level, participating program/agency heads must have 
    the opportunity to review the proposal. Evidence of this review 
    opportunity of the grant application by participating organization and/
    or agency heads, and PIC chairs must be included with the application. 
    Letters of support may be included as examples of evidence of 
    concurrence by both State and local entities who have reviewed the 
    application.
    
    B. Grant Awards
    
        The Department has allocated $3.5 million for these grants for up 
    to 10 grants. The funding period is 15 months from the date of award. 
    Funding for subsequent years may be available, contingent upon the 
    continued availability of funds, the activity funded, and upon 
    satisfactory performance in the prior year.
    
    C. Use of Funds
    
        Funds received under this grant are intended to support 
    implementation of specific new features of the local One-Stop system, 
    to evaluate the effectiveness of these new approaches, to offset the 
    expenses involved in providing technical assistance to other States and 
    localities, and in disseminating information. These funds may not be 
    used to support on-going, existing activities or new construction.
    
    D. Use of Proposals
    
        The Department will utilize the information contained in the 
    proposals submitted to further document progress and approaches of 
    State and local areas in building One-Stop and Labor Market Information 
    (LMI) systems. The data submitted will be analyzed and used for two 
    primary purposes: (1) To share innovations and successes with the 
    public; and (2) to bolster our request to Federal policymakers and 
    funders by utilizing the best facts available regarding the One-Stop 
    system.
    
    E. Closing Date
    
        The closing date for receipt of proposals at the Department of 
    Labor will be 2:00 p.m., Eastern time, March 6, 1995. Any proposal not 
    received at the designated place, date, and time of delivery specified 
    herein will not be considered.
    
    F. Application Procedures
    
    1. Submission of Proposal
        An original and three (3) copies of the application shall be 
    submitted. The application shall consist of two (2) separate parts:
        Part I shall contain the Standard Form (SF) 424, ``Application for 
    Federal Assistance,'' and Budget Information Sheets. All copies of the 
    SF 424 shall have original signatures. In addition, the budget shall 
    include--on a separate page(s)--a detailed cost break-out of each line 
    item on Budget Information Sheets. Assurances and Certifications shall 
    also be included in this part. Finally, this section should include 
    evidence of State-level review and any comments resulting therefrom, as 
    well as local responses thereto.
        Part II shall contain technical data that demonstrates the local 
    applicant's plan and capabilities in accordance with the contents of 
    the application detailed below. This part should address the review 
    questions in sequential order.
    
        Note: Applications are not to exceed 30 pages in length 
    (excluding attachments), and should be typed with a font size no 
    smaller than 10cpi or 12pt print size, with 1 inch default margins 
    (i.e., for top, bottom, left, and right margins). One diskette, 5\1/
    4\'' or 3\1/2\'', labelled as to WordPerfect, AMI Pro, MS Word, 
    WordStar, or ASCII text format should also be submitted for Part II.
    
        A videotape depicting a customer ``walk-through'' which serves to 
    illustrate the service features available at the local site may also be 
    forwarded in support of the application. Production and/or submission 
    of any videotape, however, is elective.
        Applications should be sent to: Division of Acquisition and 
    Assistance, Attention: Ms. Reda Harrison. Reference: SGA/DAA 94-24, 
    U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, 200 
    Constitution Avenue, NW., Room S-4203, Washington, DC 20210.
    2. 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 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time by March 6, 
    1995. all overnight mail will be considered to be hand-delivered and 
    must be received at the designated place by the specified closing date.
    
        Note: 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.
    
    3. 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 is received before award is made and was either:
        (1) Sent by U.S. Postal Service registered or certified mail not 
    later than the fifth calendar day before the date specified for receipt 
    of application (e.g., an offer submitted in response to a solicitation 
    requiring receipt of applications by the 20th of the month must have 
    been mailed by the 15th); or
        (2) 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 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 of 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 or 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.
    4. Period of Performance
        The period of performance is 15-months from the date the grant is 
    executed. Awards are expected to be made in May 1995. The grants may be 
    extended for up to two additional years contingent upon availability of 
    funds and satisfactory performance.
    
    G. Statement of Work/Grant Application
    
        1. Description of the Local One-Stop Career Center System--The 
    grant application must provide a detailed description of the current 
    delivery system for employment and training programs. Written 
    materials, such as brochures and other promotional material, should be 
    included as supporting documentation. Any local agreements among 
    participating agencies, State and local, must also be included.
        (a) In completing this section the grant application should 
    specifically address the extent to which the local One-Stop Career 
    Center system achieves the following four broad outcome objectives:
        (i) Universality. The application should include a description of 
    the geographic area (including major industries/employers, 
    demographics, size, relationship to the labor market) being served. 
    Applicants must also address the following:
        (A) The specific, basic services available to all customers to 
    include, as a minimum: customer-oriented information on careers, labor 
    markets, jobs and the availability and quality of education and 
    training programs; testing and assessment; job openings; hiring 
    requirements and referrals; assistance with job search skills; and 
    initial eligibility information on programs available within the 
    community;
        (B) The approach to ensuring that these services are available to 
    all individuals (e.g., areas with large migrant/English as a Second 
    Language (ESL) populations, severely economically depressed areas/
    enterprise zones); and
        (C) Any other additional or customized services not listed above 
    that are available.
        (ii) Customer Choice. Applications must describe:
        (A) The extent to which choice in location of One-Stop services is 
    available or whether other alternatives, such as kiosks and toll-free 
    lines provide some degree of customer choice for these areas; and
        (B) How customers are provided information on the quality of 
    education and training services, particularly in consideration of the 
    current capacity of qualitative data.
        (iii) Integration. Applications must describe:
        (A) The programs which are integrated through the One-Stop system, 
    e.g., Dislocated Worker programs, Employment Service programs, Veterans 
    Employment Service programs, Title II of JTPA, Senior Community Service 
    Employment program under Title V of the Older Worker Act, and 
    Unemployment Insurance programs.
        Additional DOL-funded programs are also encouraged to be included, 
    e.g., Migrant Seasonal Farm Workers, Homeless Training, Native American 
    programs, School-to-Work Opportunities programs, Job Corps, and Bureau 
    of Apprenticeship and Training programs;
        (B) How these programs are integrated--e.g., exclusively delivered 
    through One-Stop; delivered through One-Stop and also elsewhere; not 
    delivered through One-Stop but accessible; information provided only, 
    including a description of these services; and
        (C) The local body that coordinates these programs and services, 
    including the membership of this body, its functions and 
    responsibilities for the local One-Stop system and any other functions, 
    and its relationship, if any, to the State governing and advisory 
    entities.
        (iv) Performance-Driven Outcome-Based Measures. Grant applications 
    must describe:
        (A) The measures used to assess the performance of the One-Stop 
    Career Center system and how these measures are used to improve 
    performance;
        (B) Specific examples of actual and planned improvements that 
    emanated from the performance measurement system;
        (C) The specific outcomes for customers that have been achieved by 
    the local One-Stop system;
        (D) A description of any performance incentives or consequences/
    sanction for nonperformance; and
        (E) Provide copies of any customer feedback mechanisms (surveys, 
    etc.) used to measure customer satisfaction with the services received.
        (b) The grant application must also include in its description of 
    the local One-Stop system, the products and services available through 
    the local labor market information network. More specifically, the 
    grant application should:
        (i) Identify the level and sources of funding resources and other 
    support for the LMI program;
        (ii) The level of detail and currency of information available on 
    job opportunities in the local area, both now and in the future, the 
    skill requirements of these jobs, and the wage rates;
        (iii) The extent to which both quantitative and qualitative 
    information is available on education and training providers in the 
    area; and,
        (iv) The methods that are used to make the information widely 
    available to individuals throughout the community; including use of 
    technology through kiosks or other innovative delivery techniques.
        (c) The grant application must also address specifically what 
    training has been provided to enable staff to operate in a One-Stop 
    environment; how training needs were assessed, including the role of 
    front-line workers; how the value of the training was assessed; and 
    plans for continuing/future training.
        2. Proposal to serve as a local learning laboratory. The grant 
    application must contain a proposal for how the local One-Stop Career 
    Center system will serve as a ``learning laboratory'' for the 
    development of a national One-Stop Career Center system. This section 
    of the grant application should provide detail on:
        (a) The capabilities of the local One-Stop Career Center staff to 
    provide technical assistance and to test innovations;
        (b) Unique features of the local system that provide the rationale 
    for designating this local system a ``learning laboratory'' for the 
    nation;
        (c) A plan for delivering technical assistance, including the 
    target audience, materials to be developed and methods for 
    dissemination and marketing of services available;
        (d) A plan for tracking and evaluating the effectiveness of the 
    local One-Stop system in serving as a ``learning laboratory;'' and
        (e) The vision of how this local system fits into the broader 
    statewide and, ultimately, national One-Stop Career Center system.
        3. Proposal to Serve as a Local One-Stop ``test site.'' The grant 
    application may contain a proposal to serve as a test site. It is 
    important that a local entity be able to test various features or 
    components of the One-Stop system in order to determine its workability 
    and replication. Proposals must address the ability and willingness of 
    the local site to be a test site and their capabilities in each area 
    proposed.
        In this connection, applicants should be aware that ETA has an 
    interest in ensuring that there is a diversity among sites in the 
    approaches tested as part of this learning laboratory effort. Among the 
    features ETA would like to test and is particularly interested in 
    seeing operational in a local One-Stop Career Center system are:
        (a) Methodologies for assessing customer satisfaction and their use 
    as a tool for continuous improvement;
        (b) Implementing integrated services across programs, e.g. a case 
    management approach, and integration of service functions to increase 
    quality;
        (c) Becoming the first LMI showcase for the use of technology to 
    deliver career information, job search assistance, assessment, 
    education and training provider information, job opportunities and 
    associated skill requirements;
        (d) Testing successful approaches to working with employers, 
    including direct filing of job orders; direct access to the applicant 
    pool; direct access to other program, career, or labor market 
    information; employer connection to the job bank or talent bank; and 
    other methods of serving employers.
        (e) Providing intensive front-line staff development that includes 
    emphasis on customer service and on delivery of services for multiple 
    programs with divergent eligibility requirements (perhaps in 
    conjunction with other capacity building initiatives);
        (f) Operating a local One-Stop system in a local area that is also 
    serving as an Economic Dislocation and Worker Adjustment Assistance 
    (EDWAA) pioneer site; and
        (g) Linking several initiatives or demonstration activities at the 
    local level, in such areas as School-to-Work, JOBS, and others which 
    would involve pooling funding from two or more initiatives or 
    demonstration projects.
        ETA expects that only one local learning site will be funded to 
    test a particular feature or component rather than a single site 
    including all the approaches outlined above. ETA may not fund all of 
    the ideas listed, and, in addition, encourages applicants to propose 
    their own ideas for One-Stop (consistent with the design principles) 
    that need special testing and additional resources, which would benefit 
    the entire system.
        4. Resource Requirements. The grant application must include, in 
    addition to completion of the Budget Information form, a break-down of 
    costs, including both federal and non-federal resources, that are 
    proposed for:
        (a) Planned improvements in access and method of delivery of 
    services;
        (b) Additional programs/services that will be integrated into the 
    local One-Stop system;
        (c) Software enhancements to improve case management and/or 
    delivery of services, including labor market information;
        (d) Hiring additional staff;
        (e) Specialized staff training;
        (f) Hardware acquisitions, including the type and purposes;
        (g) Reconfiguration and upgrading of space to enhance the office 
    environment so that it is more ``user friendly'' and attractive to 
    customers;
        (h) System enhancement to upgrade the labor market information 
    system, broken down by major cost category (for example, staff 
    training, software development, hardware acquisition, improvement in 
    facilities);
        (i) Testing and evaluating innovations in One-Stop system delivery; 
    and
        (j) Marketing/dissemination and for serving as a local 
    demonstration site, broken down by staff costs, materials and other 
    resources.
    
        Note: Budget form: Local Learning Laboratory Budget Detail is 
    being provided as a supplement to the ``Budget Information Sheet.''
    
        5. Contacts. The proposal must include the designated Program 
    Official and Fiscal Agent responsible for this grant. Also, the process 
    for sub-allocating funds among the participating agencies should be 
    identified.
    
    Part III. Evaluation Criteria for Award
    
        Grant applicants are advised that there will be a two-stage review 
    process used to evaluate applications. Prior to the formal review, 
    applications will be reviewed to insure that all the information 
    requested in this grant application is provided and complete.
        Completed applications will be reviewed by a regional rating panel 
    in a different region. The results of this review will be forwarded to 
    the National Office for further review of the top-rated applications. 
    Each panelist will review the applications according to the rating 
    criteria listed below. The panels' recommendations are advisory in 
    nature to the Grant Officer. Final selection is based on overall 
    quality, geographic location, diversity in approach, diversity in sites 
    as to composition of the local labor market and what is in the best 
    interests of the government.
    
    A. Criteria for Evaluating Grant Applications
    
        1. The extent to which the local One-Stop Career Center system 
    embodies the 4 broad outcomes of universality, customer choice, 
    integration and performance-driven outcome-based measures. (35 Points)
        In evaluating this criterion, factors under consideration include:
        (a) The ability of the local entity to function effectively as a 
    ``learning lab'' without diminishing the quality and quantity of 
    services provided;
        (b) The number of programs included and the degree of integration 
    of program services;
        (c) The services offered to all customers and how the local level 
    will ensure these services are of the highest quality;
        (d) Evidence of access by all population groups in the area;
        (e) The extent of choice in receiving services and in training/
    service providers;
        (f) The type, quality and methods for assessing information of 
    jobs, wages, skill requirements and education/training opportunities in 
    the local level;
        (g) Whether the local One-Stop system includes active participation 
    of appropriate local officials, such as training providers, educators, 
    labor, business and community officials; and
        (h) Whether the methods to measure performance provide a sound 
    basis for continuous improvement and evaluating the effectiveness and 
    efficiency of services delivered.
        2. The extent to which the current local One-Stop system adds value 
    to the development of the national One-Stop Career Center system (30 
    Points)
        In evaluating this criterion, factors under consideration include:
        (a) the degree to which the current system supports the State's 
    plan and vision;
        (b) The uniqueness or innovation in delivery of services to 
    customers;
        (c) The extent to which the local system can demonstrate that it 
    provides good customer service, operates efficiently and provides 
    services that are of high quality;
        (d) The potential for replication; and
        (e) The degree of innovation and potential value for replication of 
    specific approaches that are proposed for testing, the soundness of the 
    plan for testing and for evaluating the success of such tests.
        3. The quality, feasibility and soundness of the applicant's plan 
    for serving as a ``test site'' and/or local learning laboratory. (35 
    Points)
        In evaluating this criterion, consideration will be given to such 
    factors as:
        (a) The staff capacity to deliver technical assistance;
        (b) The approach to marketing/dissemination of information; and
        (c) The plan for serving as a local demonstration site for visitors 
    from other local areas and State agencies.
        (d) The quality and innovation of the proposal to test or 
    demonstrate a One-Stop component together with capacity for serving as 
    this particular test site.
    
    Part IV. Meetings
    
        ETA plans to hold one meeting with the local communities that 
    receive grants during the first several months of the 15-month grant 
    period. This meeting will be used to share approaches, coordinate 
    strategies, share information and identify issues. A second meeting is 
    planned for the last 3 months of the grant period. The purpose of this 
    meeting will be to review progress and lessons learned during the grant 
    period.
    
    Part V. Reporting Requirements
    
        A. Quarterly financial reports as required by the grant award 
    documents;
        B. Quarterly narrative progress reports;
        C. A narrative progress report at the conclusion of the grant 
    period; and
        D. Sites will be expected to provide such additional information as 
    is needed so that these sites can be used as learning laboratories that 
    will help inform implementation efforts in other communities and 
    States.
    
    Appendices
    
    A. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance
    B. Budget Information Sheet
    C. Supplemental: Local Learning Laboratory Budget Detail Sheet
    
        Signed at Washington, D.C., this 15th day of December, 1994.
    Janice E. Perry,
    Grant Officer, Division of Acquisition and Assistance.
    
    BILLING CODE 4510-30-M
    
    TN21DE94.003
    
    
    TN21DE94.004
    
    
    TN21DE94.005
    
    
    TN21DE94.006
    
    
    BILLING CODE 4510-30-C
    
    SGA/DAA 94-24, Local Learning Laboratory Budget Detail Sheet
    
    Applicant:-------------------------------------------------------------
    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Category                              Year 1         
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Federal               
                                                       funds     Non-Federal
                                                     requested      funds   
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Service Delivery Budget:                                                
        Reflects planned improvements in access                             
         and method of delivery of services to                              
         benefit the customer.                                              
    Program/Service Integration Budget:                                     
        Reflects additional programs/services to                            
         be integrated into the local One-Stop                              
         system.                                                            
    Hardware Budget:                                                        
        Reflects hardware acquisitions for                                  
         programmatic, direct customer service,                             
         and labor market information purposes.                             
    Software Budget:                                                        
        Reflects software enhancements to improve                           
         case management and/or delivery of                                 
         services (including conveyance of labor                            
         market information).                                               
    Space and Premises Budget:                                              
        Reflects reconfiguration and upgrading of                           
         space to create an office environment                              
         more ``user friendly'' and attractive to                           
         customers.                                                         
    Testing and Evaluation Budget:                                          
        Reflects testing and evaluating                                     
         innovations in One-Stop system delivery.                           
    Marketing/Dissemination Budget:                                         
        Reflects staff and material costs for                               
         marketing/dissemination activities.                                
    Training Budget:                                                        
        Specialized staff training to achieve                               
         system delivery, integration, technology                           
         (hardware and software), testing and                               
         evaluation, marketing/dissemination                                
         activities.                                                        
                                                   -------------------------
          Total...................................                          
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    [FR Doc. 94-31294 Filed 12-20-94; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4510-30-M
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
12/21/1994
Department:
Labor Department
Entry Type:
Uncategorized Document
Action:
Notice of availability of funds and solicitation for Grant Application (SGA).
Document Number:
94-31294
Dates:
Application for grant awards will be accepted commencing January 3, 1995. The closing date for receipt of proposals at the Department of Labor shall be March 6, 1995 at 2:00 p.m., Eastern time. Any proposal not received at the designated place, date and time of delivery specified will not be considered.
Pages:
0-0 (1 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Federal Register: December 21, 1994