[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 52 (Friday, March 17, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14454-14466]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-6660]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), Title IV-D, Demonstration
Program: Diversity in Apprenticeship
AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, DOL.
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 (DOL), Employment and
Training Administration (ETA), announces a grant competition for a
demonstration program using Title IV-D funds of the Job Training
Partnership Act. ETA expects to award between three (3) and five (5)
grants to Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to provide technical
assistance to employers, labor unions, and/or labor organizations which
will encourage the voluntary promotion, recruitment, selection,
training, and retention of minorities, in apprenticeable occupations
with low minority ratios.
This notice describes the background, the application process,
Statement of Work, evaluation criteria and reporting requirements. ETA
anticipates that up to $750,000 will be available for the demonstration
funding. The Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training (BAT), will provide
the policy leadership in this project. BAT assists industry and
business by developing and improving apprenticeship and training
programs to provide skilled American workers in a globally competitive
market.
DATES: Applications for grant awards will be accepted commencing May 1,
1995 at 2:00 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: Charlotte Adams, Reference: SGA/DAA 95-004, Room
S4203, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Charlotte Adams, Division of Acquisition and Assistance, Telephone:
(202) 219-8702 (this is not a toll-free number).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This announcement consists of five parts:
Part I describes the background 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. Part III includes the
Statement of Work for the demonstration projects. Part IV identifies
and defines the evaluation criteria to be used in reviewing and
evaluating applications. Part V describes the reporting requirements.
Part I. Background
BAT carries out the objectives of the National Apprenticeship Act
of 1937, by assisting industry and business develop and improve
apprenticeship and training programs to provide skilled workers. BAT
registers apprentices and apprenticeship programs in 23 States, Guam,
and other Pacific Islands; it also provides technical assistance to
State Apprenticeship Councils (SACs) in the remaining 27 States,
District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
Since 1964, the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training has promoted
equal opportunity in apprenticeship for minorities. As of 1972,
apprenticeship program sponsors have been required to take affirmative
action in the recruitment and selection of apprentices to achieve the
same representation in apprenticeship as in local labor market areas.
Program sponsors (employers, or employers with unions) are not required
to attain specific goals and timetables, but they are expected to make
good faith efforts toward the attainment of their goals and timetables.
Despite the substantial increase in the percentage of minorities in
apprenticeship over the past 20 years, the degree of occupational
integration can be improved according to the General Accounting Office
study (GAO/HRD 92-45). For some sponsors, successful recruitment,
training, and retention of minorities may require technical assistance
from CBOs that have experience preparing minorities for apprenticeship.
The purpose of this project is to design and provide that technical
assistance to program sponsors such as employers/labor unions and
groups to improve the opportunities for minorities to enter
apprenticeship in high wage occupations that have a significantly lower
percentage of minority participation. Examples of such occupations
includes tool and die maker, machinist, line repairer, and machine
repairer. The project further aims to be a researched based, voluntary,
partnership approach to examining and resolving the issues.
A. Authorities
Part IV-D of the Job Training Partnership Act authorizes the use of
funds for pilot and demonstration projects. The Department relies on
applicants for grants to comply with all Federal and State laws in
setting up their programs.
B. Purpose of the Demonstration
This demonstration program intends that CBOs develop systematic
approaches for providing technical assistance to employers, labor
unions, and labor organizations to enhance minority representation in
occupations with low minority representation, 20% or less. Minorities
constitute about 20 percent of the civilian labor force. (See appendix
A. for a listing of major occupations and minority participation.)
Further, CBOs designing this project will strive to integrate
information, resources, and results with grantees of the ``Women in
Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations'' (WA-
[[Page 14455]] NTO) Act; the purpose of WA-NTO is to provide technical
assistance to employers and labor unions to encourage the employment of
women in apprenticeable occupations and other nontraditional
occupations. (See appendix B for WA-NTO grantees and locations.)
Part II. Application Process
A. Eligible Applicants
Community Based organizations (CBOs) are eligible applicants to
receive technical assistance grants.
Definitions: The term ``community based organization'' as defined
in section 4(5) of the Job Training Partnership Act (29 U.S.C.
1501(5)), means private nonprofit organizations which are
representative of communities or significant segments of communities
and which provide job training services. For this solicitation, the
significant segment of communities are the private nonprofit
organizations which are representative of organizations that have
demonstrated experience administering programs that are capable of
providing technical assistance (TA) for minorities for apprenticeship
and nontraditional occupations.
Employers, and/or Labor Unions (E/LUs) employee organizations are
eligible to be selected to receive TA provided by CBOs. If they wish to
receive technical assistance, employers and labor unions must submit a
technical assistance request sheet to the cognizant CBO. (see appendix
C.) CBOs are requested to solicit TA requests from appropriate
employers, labor unions/organizations.
Registered apprenticeship agency means the Bureau of Apprenticeship
and Training in the United States Department of Labor or a State
Apprenticeship Council recognized and approved by the Bureau of
Apprenticeship and Training as the appropriate body for State
registration or approval of local apprenticeship programs and
agreements for Federal purposes.
Apprenticeship includes a formal paid training-work agreement where
labor and management work together to promote learning on the job; to
support the hands on learning there must be related theoretical
instruction (often classroom). After completing the program standards
successfully--usually three to five years--the apprentice is awarded a
certificate of completion by either the BAT or SAC agency.
B. Contents
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, Part I, shall
contain the SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance'' (Appendix
No. D), and SF 424-A, ``Budget'' (Appendix No. E). The Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance number is 17.201. 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 major
cost categories for funds requested through this grant; and
identification of the amount of each budget line item which will be
covered by other funds, and the sources of those funds (including
employer funds, in-kind resources, secured and unsecured loans, grants,
and other forms of assistance, public and private); and a justification
for the average cost of technical service per person.
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. 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.
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 in Part
III of this solicitation. No cost data or reference to price shall be
included in the technical proposal.
C. Submission
A DOL/ETA panel will evaluate grant applications after the closing
date of this solicitation. Incomplete or non-responsive proposals may
be returned without evaluation. An application will be reviewed based
upon the overall responsiveness of the application's content to the
submission requirements and to the selection criteria found in Part IV,
talking into consideration the extent to which funds are available.
D. Hand-Delivered Proposals
Proposals should be mailed at least five (5) days prior to the
closing date for the receipt of applications. However, if proposals are
hand-delivered, they shall be received at the designated place by 2
p.m., Eastern Time on the closing date for receipt of applications. 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 non-responsiveness.
E. 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 5th of May must
have been mailed by the 1st of May); or
(2) Was sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail Next Day Service--
Post Office to Addresses, 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 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
Addresses'' 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
[[Page 14456]] both the receipt and the envelope or wrapper.
F. 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 a grant award is executed.
G. Period of Performance
The period of performance will be 18 months, from the date of
notice of grant approval.
H. Funding
DOL has set aside up to $750,000 to be disbursed, contingent upon
resources being available for this purpose. ETA expects that grant
awards will range from $150,000 to $250,000, with no award in excess of
$250,000 each.
I. Grant Period and Option to Extend
Projects are to include 18 months of performance, with the option
to extend for up to three months as a no cost extension to complete
final reports. Applications must clearly describe project activities to
be undertaken and goals to be achieved during the grant period.
J. Page Count Limit
Technical proposals are to be limited to approximately 15 single-
side pages, single-spaced, size 10 font. (not including attachments).
Part III. State of Work
Each application must include in the appropriate section (s): (1)
Information that responds to the requirements in this part; and (2)
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
The CBOs primary target groups are the employers, labor unions, and
labor organizations, who would sponsor minorities in apprenticeship
opportunities. Related to the primary group are those groups which may
affect the recruitment, selection, training, and completion of
apprenticeships. The secondary target includes minorities and/or
minority organization who have an interest in a high skilled high wage
apprenticeship opportunity. The potential opportunities may be defined
by (a) employment growth as noted in appendix table F1. Employment,
Projected Change in Employment 1992-2005, and Median Weekly Earnings
for Occupations With at Least 250 Registered Apprentices on September
30, 1994. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics; (b) distribution of
registered apprentices by occupations, sex, race/ethnicity, appendix A;
and (c) Distribution of 1994 Cohort Apprentices by State, Sex, Race/
Ethnicity, appendix F2. To enhance the geographical distribution and
impact, the project encourages integrating with locations where the WA-
NTO grantees are operating; it further encourages working relationships
with relevant Administration initiatives such as ``One Stop Career
Center Pilots'' operating in nine States, Job Corp, Job Service, School
to Work, and Vocational Education projects.
B. Components of the Program
The design and components of the demonstration project must support
the project purpose; CBOs would be expected to function as a
professional consultant, working with employers to jointly assess the
sponsor's recruitment, selection, and retention approaches and results
to determine issues and problems. These joint assessments and findings
will spotlight what areas involving pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship,
and post-apprenticeship that need addressing. CBOs should identify and
provide a general description of: (1) Design, (b) processes, and (c)
components of technical assistance, which may include as appropriate,
but not limited to:
(1) Assessments instruments, measures, and approaches suitable for
determining base line measures and user needs;
(2) Outreach and orientation strategies and services to recruit
minorities into the employers' apprenticeable occupations;
(3) Outreach and recruitment strategies to ensure the participation
of employers and/or labor unions labor organizations for apprenticeship
and nontraditional occupations opportunities for minorities;
(4) Support groups to facilitate developing new networks for
employers and labor unions/organization for minorities interested high
skilled apprenticeable occupations;
(5) Local computerized data base referral system for employer/labor
unions information; this can include current lists of minority
tradepersons who are available mentoring young minorities, companies
with high skilled occupations, and linkups with schools/groups
preparing students for high tech high skilled occupations.
(6) Models and systems for programs which have been successful
providing apprenticeship training and technical assistance for
minorities in high skilled occupations; and
(7) Innovative technical assistance i.e., information brokering
such as linkages to supporting projects i.e., Job Corp, WA-NTO, School
to Work, One Stop Career Centers, which the CBOs deem necessary and
helpful to meet the project's purpose.
(8) A modest evaluation, based on objectives and measures, after
completion.
In addition, CBOs should identify relevant research or experience
that supports effectiveness of their design and components.
C. Administration Management and Continuity
Identify the management structure, 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. The grantees may
employ focus groups and surveys, in addition to other methods, to
collect information necessary to design the appropriate technical
assistance.
D. Use of Existing Services and Resources
To leverage related resources, identify specific sources and
amounts of other funds which will be used, in addition to funds
provided through this grant.
E. Coordination and Linkages
A description of the consultation with relevant partners in
developing project design and implementation. Working relationships
with grantees from the WA-NTO project, One Stop Career Center, School
to Work, and related complementary projects and pilots would strengthen
the proposal.
F. Participant Services
A description of the services to be available and/or provided to
workers who are project participants. From the joint assessment, a
program design flow chart would be helpful to determine what kinds of
TA/or related services would be provided to the employers,
[[Page 14457]] labor union/organization, which affects minorities entry
into high skilled occupation.
G. Outcomes
Provide a description of the project outcomes, measures of
outcomes, 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:
(1) A system or model that identifies employers, labor unions/
organizations, minorities, and relevant partners (schools,
organizations, etc.) working successfully with minorities/groups to
recruit, select, train, and complete in skilled high paying
apprenticeship opportunities;
(2) A model which describes what kinds of technical assistance are
best related to successful recruitment, selection, and completion of
minorities in high paying apprenticeship opportunities within a labor
market area;
(3) Findings and/or evidence that employers, labor unions, labor
organizations found the CBO provided technical assistance helpful and
to an extent may be incorporated into the respective sponsors'
policies, procedures, and information network.
(4) Other measurable performance based outcomes relevant to the
purpose of the project, and agreed to by the project director and
grantee.
H. Replicability
Include a description of how the demonstration project could be
replicated in other geographic regions.
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.
J. Allowable Activities
Grant funds awarded under this demonstration may be used to fund
staff salaries, benefits, and non-personal services normally identified
with consulting services such as travel, communication, facilities
costs, printing, etc., as defined on the budget submission.
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 selected by DOL. Panelists will evaluate the proposals based on
the various factors enumerated below.
Evaluations will be made on the basis of 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. Special consideration
will be given to applicants who demonstrate coordination efforts
between employer(s) and workers to oversee the implementation.
The Department relies on CBO grant applicants to comply with all
Federal and State laws in setting up their programs. No grant funds
will be awarded for CBO capacity building that is not directly related
to the delivery of services to complete a technical assistance request.
A. Technical Evaluation (80%)
CBOs should address the following requirements:
1. Describe your organization's staff experience, services provided
(type and for whom), and funding for those services; (15%)
2. Describe your organization's experience in assessing minority
employment and training issues with employers, labor unions/
organizations: include assessment instruments, measures, and general
approaches; (15%)
3. Describe your organization's experience in building upon
research and previous experiences to determine feasible creative
options in using technical assistance to address sensitive employment
and training issues; (15%)
4. Describe your experiences in working with federal/state and
public sector employment and training initiatives and programs in
general and specifically with minorities; include leveraging related
project resources. (15%).
5. Describe your management structure and accountability systems/
processes to assure the project is well planned, executive, and
reviewed/evaluated. (10%)
6. Describe briefly, if selected, describe how the funds would be
allocated in designing the project and components. (10%).
B. Cost Evaluation (20%)
CBOs must include a discussion of the cost of the projects versus
the expected benefits and outcomes of the project. Major benefits would
include employers, labor unions/organizations reviewing present
procedures and willing to developing new approaches based upon the
experience of this TA demonstration project. Also include brief
justification of the budget. Discussions may be necessary with the
applicants to clarify any inconsistencies in their applications.
C. Selection
ETA will consider geographic diversity and occupational impact in
making grant awards to CBO's. ETA will make only one grant per CBO with
or without multiple service providers or sub-contractors. 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
A. Short descriptive quarterly report, due 30 days following the
reporting quarter; format will be agreed to by grantees/grant officer.
B. Standard Form 269, Financial Status Report Form;
C. Final Project Report, including project assessment,
approximately 5 pages, within 45 days of project completion.
Signed at Washington, DC, the 13th day of March 1995.
Janice E. Perry,
Grant Officer, Division of Acquisition and Assistance.
Appendices
A. Distribution of Registered Apprentices by Occupation, Sex and
Race/Ethnicity as of September 30, 1994
B. Women in Apprenticeship and Non-Traditional Occupations (WA-NTO)
Grantees
C. Technical Assistance Request Form
D. Application for Federal Assistance (S.F. 424)
E. Budget Form (Standard Form 424-A)
F1. Total Apprentices, 1992 Employment, Protected Change in
Employment 1992-2005, and Median Weekly Earnings for Occupations
with at Least 250 Registered Apprentices on September 30, 1994
F2. Distribution of 1994 Cohort Sex and Race/Ethnicity Apprentice
Groups Across States
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[FR Doc. 95-6660 Filed 3-16-95; 8:45 am]
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