[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 71 (Wednesday, April 13, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-8865]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: April 13, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
[SGA No. DAA 94-006]
Job Training Partnership Act: Microenterprise Grant 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, Employment and Training
Administration, under section 499 of the Job Training Partnership Act
(JTPA), announces the availability of funds to implement and enhance
community based microenterprise activities.
The grants will provide training, technical assistance, and support
to microenterprise owners or potential owners. It is anticipated that
up to six (6) awards, contingent upon resources being available for
this purpose, will be made in the range of $250,000 to $300,000 per
grant. Awards will be made on a competitive basis.
The duration of the grants will be for fifteen (15) months with the
possibility of a one-year option. In order to receive a grant award, an
applicant must include matching non-Federal contributions in an amount
equal to 100 percent of Federal funds to be provided. All the
information needed to submit a proposal is included in this
announcement.
dates: Application for grant wards will be accepted commencing April
13, 1994. The closing date for receipt of applications shall be June
13, 1994, at 2 p.m. (Eastern Time).
addresses: Applications shall be mailed to the Division of Acquisition
and Assistance, Attention: Brenda Banks, Reference: SGA/DAA 94-006,
Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, room
S-4302, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210.
for further information contact: Brenda Banks, Division of Acquisition
and Assistance. Telephone (202) 219-8702 (this is not a toll free
number).
supplementary information: The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL),
Employment and Training Administration (ETA) is soliciting proposals on
a competitive basis for grants for projects to implement and enhance
community-based microenterprise activities. For purposes of this
solicitation, the term ``microenterprise'' means a commercial
enterprise with five (5) or fewer employees, one (1) or more of whom
owns the enterprise, and each of the owners of the enterprise is
economically disadvantaged, as defined in section 4(8) of JTPA.
The intent of these grants is to provide effective business-related
training and provide technical assistance and support to owners or
potential owners of microenterprises. The grants are being awarded
pursuant to section 499 of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA).
This announcement consists of five parts: Part I--Background, Part
II--Application Process, Part III--Statement of Work, Part IV--
Evaluation Criteria, and Part V--Reporting Requirements.
Part I--Background
Pursuant to section 499 of JTPA, the Secretary of Labor awards
grants to States to implement and enhance community-based
microenterprise activities. Section 499 of JTPA also states that such
activities shall be for the benefit of economically disadvantaged
persons.
Accordingly, ETA intends to allocate approximately $1.5 million to
States to implement and enhance community-based microenterprise
activities. The statute specifies that such funds shall be used
(nothwithstanding the restrictions of section 141(q) of JTPA) to:
(1) Train program staff in such entrepreneurial activities as
business plan development, business management, resource inventory
design, and marketing approaches, and other activities necessary to
provide effective training to persons developing a microenterprise;
(2) Provide to owners or potential owners of a microenterprise
such technical assistance (including technical assistance with
respect to business planning, securing funding, marketing, and
production of marketing materials) and other assistance as may be
necessary to develop microenterprise activities; and
(3) Provide other microenterprise support (such as peer support
program and counseling).
Part II--Application Process
A. Eligible Applicants
Awards under this Solicitation will be made to ``States,'' as
defined in section 4(22) and section 499(g)(2) of JTPA. For the
purposes of this Solicitation, section 499(g)(2) entities shall
include:
1. Grantees designated under subsection (c) or (d) of section
401 of JTPA to provide services to Indian reservations or Alaska
Native villages, or a consortium of such grantees and the State; and
2. Grantees designated under section 402(c) of JTPA to provide
services to migrant seasonal farmworkers, or a consortium of such
grantees and the State.
A proposal shall be submitted by the Governor or, in the instance
of a grantee designated under section 401 or 402, by the grantee. In
the instance of a consortium between the State and section 401 and 402
grantees, a proposal shall be accomplished by a letter from the
Governor ratifying such an arrangement and specifying the agency
primarily responsible for the conduct of the project.
When the Governor submits a proposal on behalf of the State, he or
she shall designate the agency which shall be responsible for
conducting the project. No more than two proposals may be submitted per
eligible applicant.
A State may specify a political subdivision (county, city, town,
township, parish village, etc.) or economic division such as a Service
Delivery Area, an Enterprise Community or an Empowerment Zone as the
focus of training activity in its proposal.
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 shall contain the cost proposal, consisting of the following
items: Standard Form (SF) 424, ``Application for Federal Assistance''
(Appendix No. 1) and SF 424A, ``Budget'' (Appendix No. 2). Also, the
budget shall include on a separate page(s) a detailed enumeration of
how the matching requirement will be fulfilled. The individual signing
the SF 424 on behalf of the State shall represent the responsible
financial and administrative entity for the grant should that proposal
result in an award.
Part II shall contain a technical proposal that demonstrates the
applicant's capabilities in accordance with the Statement of Work
contained in this announcement. Applicants are strongly encouraged to
submit a technical proposal of less than thirty (30) pages in length
(exclusive of appendices) which sets forth the applicant's explanation
of how it proposes to accomplish the elements described in the
Statement of Work.
No cost data or reference to price shall be included in the
technical proposal. In order to assist applicants in preparing their
proposals and to facilitate the expeditious evaluation by the review
panel, proposals should be organized and presented in the same
sequential order as the Evaluation Criteria in Part IV of this
announcement.
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 June 13,
1994. All overnight mail will be considered to be hand-delivered and
must be received at the designated place by the specified 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 is received before award is made and it--
(1) Was 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) 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 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.
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 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 award.
F. Period of Performance
The period of performance will be fifteen (15) months from the date
of execution.
G. Funding
DOL has set aside up to $1.5 million to be disbursed, contingent
upon resources being available for this purpose. It is anticipated that
grant awards will be in the $250,000 to $300,000 range.
H. Option to Extend
Based on the availability of funds, effective program operation,
and the needs of the Department, the grant(s) may be extended for up to
one (1) additional year.
I. Matching Requirement
In order to receive a grant award, an applicant must include
matching non-Federal contributions in an amount equal to 100 percent of
Federal funds to be provided.
Part III--Statement of Work
The primary goal of this initiative is to assist economically
disadvantaged individuals in establishing and maintaining
microenterprises. Proposals must contain a clear statement of the need
for such a project, together with the identification of the proposed
service delivery strategy to accomplish the primary goal and to meet
this stated need. They should also enumerate sources of start-up
capital for new microenterprises, such as community-based credit
providers.
Proposals should detail new methods and techniques for the States
to focus on the entrepreneurial training needs of disadvantaged
individuals. The Department is aware that most States already possess
some organizational capacity and staffing to assist generally in the
formation and development of small business activity, most notably
through the Small Business Development Centers described in the next
segment.
An applicant should not attempt simply to add to this existing
State assistance. Rather, and applicant must demonstrate in its
proposal how the proposed training is necessary in assisting
economically disadvantaged individuals to establish and maintain
microenterprises.
A. Activities
The proposal should present a clear discussion of what activities
related to microenterprise and economic development are already
functioning within the State and how this new initiative will link
those activities and add a new dimension to them. Examples of such
activities include:
(1) Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities as authorized
by Title XIII of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993.
Their mission is to provide favorable Federal income tax treatment
and other incentives to encourage the conduct of trades or
businesses and general economic development within designated areas.
(2) Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) as authorized by
the Small Business Act of 1953 as amended. Their stated mission is
to provide management assistance to prospective and small business
owners through one-on-one counselling and specialized training
efforts.
(3) Economic Development Districts (EDD) as authorized by the
Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended. EDDs
serve as the structural entities for formulating and implementing
economic development plans and activities within boundaries.
These examples represent some of the types of existing activities
and resources that may be considered in developing a proposal under
this solicitation.
B. Resources
Applicants are strongly encouraged to be exhaustive in examining
available related resources and ongoing activities in order to maximize
the potential impact of a microenterprise. The resources that the State
will provide to meet the 100 percent matching requirement should be
discussed in some detail providing a clear understanding of what is to
be provided and what the relevance/linkage of these resources is to the
activities proposed and to successfully meeting the primary goal of the
project.
C. Services and Techniques
Applicants shall specify the services and techniques they propose
to provide to meet the goal of aiding economically disadvantaged
individuals with microenterprises. Examples of key services and
techniques that may be included in a proposal are:
(1) Recruitment and screening. This is an important element both
in identifying program staff to be trained as trainers and in
identifying and selecting individuals who show potential for owning
an microenterprise.
(2) Case management. This would involve assigning an individual
who provides guidance in all aspects of program participation and
other services to microenterprise owners.
(3) Follow-up. Enrollment in and successful completion of a
microenterprise training program may well be only the initial
challenges facing the entrepreneur. A structured follow-up program
involving such counseling and supportive services as deemed
appropriate is a critical aspect of the program.
(4) Mentoring. This could involve assigning a volunteer
businessperson from the community to serve in a one-on-one
relationship with the new entrepreneur. Such volunteer service may
not be considered for meeting the 100 percent matching requirement.
Part IV--Evaluation Criteria
Prospective applicants are advised that the selection of grantees
for award is to be made after careful evaluation of proposals by a
panel of specialists within DOL. The panelists will evaluate the
proposals in accordance with the elements set forth in the Statement of
Work. The panel results are advisory in nature and not binding on the
Grant Officer.
A. Ability to Conduct and Monitor the Microenterprise Activities (45
Points)
(1) The proposal must describe in specific terms the service
delivery strategy that the applicant would utilize to implement its
ideas. The applicant must clearly state, particularly when
discussing staff training for implementation of proposed
microenterprise activities, how this activity will create a new
capacity for the State to conduct such training. The proposal must
provide assurances that resources under this grant will not be used
to substitute for an ongoing commitment to maintain an economic
development capacity. (30 points)
(2) The application must also contain a clear statement of the
need for such a project, including the degree to which the service
delivery strategy will assist in meeting that need. (15 points)
This overall discussion will be the measure for determining the
ability to conduct and monitor such activities.
B. Evidence of State Commitment, As Shown Through Existing or Proposed
Related Programs and Support (25 Points)
This section must include a detailed discussion of the coordination
and linkages between programs and community organizations, as well as a
discussion of the organizational capacity which the State intends to
devote to this project. The emphasis under this criterion will be on
programmatic resources which might enhance the training aspects of a
project. As noted earlier, it is recognized that most applicants have
some form of economic development capacity already in place.
C. Evidence of Linkage(s) to Private, Community-Based Credit and
Technical Assistance Providers (10 Points)
Discussion of what financial resources are available to provide new
microenterprises with start-up capital, such as a consortium of banks
which have pledged to assist in this process.
D. Size of Non-Federal Matching Fund Contributions (10 Points)
In order to receive a grant award, an applicant, at a minimum, must
include matching non-Federal contributions in an amount equal to 100
percent of Federal funds to be provided. Applicants who propose to
provide the minimum amount for matching non-Federal contributions will
receive five (5) points under this criteria. If the non-Federal
contributions are greater than 100 percent of the Federal funds to be
provided, applicants may receive up to an additional five (5) points
under this criteria.
The cost proposal must contain a detailed discussion of the size,
nature, and quality of the non-Federal match. Proposals not presenting
a detailed discussion of the non-Federal match or not meeting the
statutory requirement of a 100-percent match will be considered
nonresponsive.
E. Cost (10 points)
The cost effectiveness of the project as indicated by cost per
participant and cost per activity in relation to services provided and
outcomes anticipated.
Offerors are advised that discussions may be necessary in order to
clarify any inconsistencies in their applications. The panel's
evaluations are only advisory to the Grant Officer. The final decisions
for grant award will be made by the ETA Grant Officer, after
considering the panelists' scoring decisions. The Grant Officer's
decisions will be based on what he or she determines is most
advantageous to the Federal Government.
Part V--Reporting Requirements
The Grantee is required to provide reports and documents listed
below:
A. Quarterly Financial Reports
The grantee shall submit to the Grant Officer's Technical
Representative (GOTR), within 30 days following the end of each
quarter, three (3) copies of a quarterly Financial Status Report (SF
269), until such time as all funds have been expended or the period of
availability has expired.
B. Quarterly Progress Reports
The grantee shall submit to the GOTR within 30 days following the
end of each quarter, three (3) copies of a quarterly progress report
which provides a detailed account of services provided during each
quarter of grant performance. Reports shall include the following in
brief narrative form:
(1) A description of overall progress of work activities
accomplished during the reported period.
(2) An indication of current problems, if any, which may delay
performance and any proposed corrective action.
(3) Program status and financial data/information relative to
expenditure rate versus budget, anticipated staff changes, etc.
C. Final Report
Each grantee shall submit, for the initial grant period for which
funds are received, a final report that includes at a minimum a
description of:
(1) The programs that have been established and developed with
such funds, including a description of the persons participating and
the microenterprise developed;
(2) The quantitative and qualitative benefits of such programs;
(3) The contributions of such programs to economic self-
sufficiency and economic development;
(4) The types of services provided and an assessment of how well
they worked in assisting participants to establish their own
microenterprises;
(5) The characteristics of the individual participants served;
(6) Measures of pre- and post-program income (e.g., wage rates,
business income, total income, etc.); and
(7) The key lessons learned, including significant impediments,
barriers or other problems experienced, and the measures used to
address and/or overcome them.
This final report is due in draft no later than 45 days prior to
the conclusion of the initial grant period. Three (3) copies of this
report shall be due no later than the conclusion of the grant period.
In the event the Government exercises its option to extend the grant,
the grantee shall submit the final report at the conclusion of the
option year.
Signed at Washington, DC, this 7th day of April.
Janice E. Perry,
Grant Officer, Division of Acquisition and Assistance.
Appendices
A. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance
B. SF-424A, Budget
BILLING CODE 4510-34-M
TN13AP94.002
TN13AP94.003
[FR Doc. 94-8865 Filed 4-12-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-C
