[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 118 (Tuesday, June 20, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32171-32179]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-15073]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Job Training Partnership Act, Title III, Demonstration Program:
Specialized/Targeted Dislocated Worker Services Project
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 (DOL), Employment and
Training Administration (ETA), announces a demonstration program to
provide specialized and/or targeted dislocated worker services 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 [[Page 32172]] for which
applications will be accepted for funding, how grantees are to be
selected, and the responsibilities of grantees. It is anticipated that
up to $2 million will be available for funding 8-10 demonstration
projects covered by this solicitation with no project being awarded
more than $400,000.
DATES: Applications for grant awards will be accepted commencing June
20, 1995. The closing date for receipt of applications will be August
26, 1995, at 2:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) at the address below.
ADDRESSES: Applications shall be mailed to: Division of Acquisition and
Assistance, Attention: Mr. Willie E. Harris, Reference: SGA/DAA 95-006,
Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room
S-4203, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Willie E. Harris, Division of Acquisition and Assistance,
Telephone: (202) 219-7300 (this is not a toll-free number).
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: This announcement consists of five parts.
Part I describes the authorities and purpose of the demonstration
program and identifies demonstration evaluation and oversight policy.
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 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
of up to three years in length. Under section 324, the Secretary is
required to conduct or provide for an evaluation of the success of each
demonstration program.
The Department relies on applicants for grants to comply with all
Federal and State laws in setting up their programs. For example, we
expect that grantees will comply with requirements for licensing and
that they would obtain necessary union concurrence when working within
a labor agreement.
B. Purpose of the Demonstration
As authorized under Title III of JTPA, the Dislocated Worker
Program provides a wide range of employment and training services to
eligible dislocated workers to help them find and qualify for new jobs.
While the overall population served by the program has received
significant assistance, program experience indicates that a need for
specialized services exists among those who face particular barriers to
employment. Projects funded through this solicitation are to provide
reemployment and retraining services--as described in Sections 314(c)
and 314(d) of JTPA--to dislocated workers who as members of a specific
target population may need and benefit from the receipt of specialized
services. Participants must be eligible under Section 301(a) of JTPA
and be members of the target population for which the project is
designed. For purposes of this demonstration, appropriate target
populations include those groups: (1) Who have experienced greater
adverse labor market outcomes, and/or (2) who need more or specialized
employment and training services, relative to the general dislocated
worker population served by JTPA in the local area(s) of proposed
demonstration project activity. Possible target populations could
include dislocated workers, veterans, handicapped workers, limited-
English speaking workers, displaced homemakers, or others with a
documented record of labor market outcomes or service needs as noted
above.
The purpose of this demonstration is to identify and test the
services and service mix necessary to ensure that the following
demonstration program goals are met for the target population: (1) At
least 70 percent of project participants will find employment within 90
days after leaving the project at an average wage of at least 90
percent of their previous wage (or for those who had no previous wage,
an average wage at least equivalent to the poverty level); and (2) at
least 70 percent of the project participants will rate the services
received as ``extremely'' or ``very valuable.''
C. Evaluation
Under a separate announcement, DOL will select and fund separate
evaluation contractors to: (1) Provide technical assistance to 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, and oversight group made up of federal, State and substate staff.
D. 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 II. Application Process--All Information Required to Submit a
Proposal is Contained in This Announcement
A. Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants for demonstration projects funded under this
announcement include States, Title III substate grantees, and other
organizations and institutions that can demonstrate the ability to
deliver the services proposed and to ensure the integrity of the funds
requested.
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. 1), and SF 424-A, ``Budget'' (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 administrative
costs and costs for one or more of the following categories: basic
readjustment services [Section 314(c)(1-14, 16-18) of JTPA], supportive
services [Section 314(c)(15)], and retraining services [Section 314(d)]
requested through this grant [Note: Other Title III cost categories not
mentioned are specifically excluded from grant expenditures, e.g. rapid
response assistance and needs-related payments]; an identification of
the amount of each budget line item which will be covered by other
funds (if applicable), 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 a justification for the average cost of service per
placement. This is to be computed by dividing the number of proposed
participants of the target population who will be employed within 90
days after leaving the project into the total funds requested, and is
to be compared to existing local dislocated worker program
costs. [[Page 32173]]
Grant funds may cover only those costs which are appropriate and
reasonable. Federal funds cannot be used to provide training which an
employer is in a position to, and would otherwise, provide, nor can
they be used to provide salaries for program participants.
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. USE OF GRANT FUNDS TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT WITH A UNIT COST OF
$5,000 OR MORE REQUIRES SPECIAL REVIEW AND APPROVAL FROM DOL PRIOR TO
PURCHASE.
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 in Part III of this solicitation. NO COST DATA OR REFERENCE TO
PRICE SHALL BE INCLUDED IN THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL.
C. Submission
Grant applications will be evaluated carefully by a panel convened
by the Department after 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, taking 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 nonresponsiveness.
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 30th of January
must have been mailed by the 25th); 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 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 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.
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 identify is made known and the representative
signs a receipt for the proposal before an award.
G. Period of Performance
Project operators must be prepared to deliver services within 90
days following award. The delivery of services will be a period of 12
months. Grantees will be allowed up to 90 days for final reports and
closeout. All projects must be completed not later than 18 months from
the date of award.
H. Funding
DOL plans to set aside up to $2 million to be disbursed for 8-10
projects, contingent upon resources being available for this purpose.
It is expected that no project will be awarded more than $400,000. No
additional funds will be available under this demonstration. The
project operator will be expected to seek continued support from funds
distributed by formula through the JTPA system.
I. Availability of Funds
The Government's obligation under these grants are contingent upon
the availability of appropriated funds from which payment for grant
purposes can be made. No legal liability on the part of the Government
for any payment may arise until funds are available to the Grant
Officer for these grants and until the Grantees receive notice of such
availability, to be confirmed in writing by the Grant Officer.
J. Page Count Limit
Applications are to be limited to 30 single-side pages 8.5 in. x
11 in., single-spaced, with a maximum of 15 pages of attachments.
K. 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 that exceed 15 percent of
the budget and/or supportive services that exceed 25 percent of the
funds requested in the application shall provide a narrative
justification.
Part III. Statement of Work
Each application should follow the format outlined here. For every
section, A through G, the application should include: (1) information
that responds to the requirements in this part; (2) information that
indicates adherence to the provisions described in Parts I and II of
this solicitation; and (3) other information the offeror believes will
[[Page 32174]] address the selection criteria identified in Part IV.
A. Target Population
Describe the dislocated worker target population, including the
size, location, and the documented needs of this population for
specialized services related to the population's labor market outcomes
and/or the availability of JTPA services in the local area(s) to be
served (as indicated in Part I.B.); the barriers to employment faced by
the target population; the number of target population members to be
served by specifically identified local area; and the criteria and
process for selecting those individuals to be served from among the
total number of eligible persons in each area.
B. Components of the Specialized/Targeted Dislocated Worker Service
Demonstration
Describe the major elements of the specialized/targeted dislocated
worker services demonstration project, including how the project works
in terms of the individual worker getting access to the reemployment
and retraining services which the individual needs. Specifically:
What specialized and other services will be covered by the
reemployment and retraining program? Describe mechanisms to ensure
appropriate outreach and recruitment? Explain how these services are
relevant to the target population to be served? [Note: Such services
must be authorized under Sections 314(c) and 314(d) of JTPA and comply
with applicable federal regulations at 20 CFR 627 and 631.]
How will the reemployment and retraining service needs of
the individual worker be determined? What will be the sequence of
services provided and the criteria/decision points used to determine
the appropriateness of specific services for individual participants?
[Note: Include in the description of service sequence a flowchart and
timelines.]
How will qualified providers of reemployment and
retraining services be determined?
Will workers be given the choice of optional providers of
services? If so, how will these options be developed, and how will the
worker be able to access this information?
How will the amount of funds to be used for an
individual's training be determined?
How will a participant's continuing participation in the
program be monitored? At what point(s) will termination occur?
How will new job openings and opportunities for the
project participants be identified and developed including
opportunities for jobs in nontraditional occupations?
What information will be available to the worker to
identify and evaluate alternative employment opportunities? How will
this information be developed? How will the worker be able to access
this information?
C. Administration and Management
Identify the management structure for the project and demonstrate
the means to ensure accountability for funds as well as 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. Specific references should be made to collecting
information needed to determine: (1) The achievement of project
outcomes as indicated in section F (including 90 day follow-ups of
participants to determine demonstration program goal achievement) and
(2) the reporting of participants, outcomes, and expenditures. It is
expected that grantees may employ focus groups and surveys, in addition
to other methods, to collect feedback information.
Indicate the applicant's past experience in the management of
projects similar to that being proposed, particularly regarding
oversight and operating functions including financial management.
D. Use of Existing Services and Resources
A description of the relationship of the proposed project to the
ongoing assistance to dislocated workers through the formula-funded
JTPA Title III program in the service area and other existing public
and private resources. This description must include written comments
from the local Title III substate grantee regarding those procedures to
be used to ensure non-duplication of services that are available to
project participants through the formula-funded Title III program.
E. Coordinated and Linkages
Describe the consultation with relevant parties in developing the
project design and the role of these parties in implementing the
project. Suggested consultation shall include: State JTPA Dislocated
Worker Unit, Substate Title III grantee(s) and administrative
entity(ies), and local organizations in the project service area(s)
providing education, training and supportive services.
F. Outcomes
Identify project outcomes and 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 to be enrolled in services,
those successfully completing services through the project, and those
to be placed into new jobs;
The number of participants not successfully completing
their specific service plans, and the reasons for the non-completion;
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, and at critical
points in the service delivery; and
Other additional measurable, performance-based outcomes
that are relevant to the proposed intervention and which may be readily
assessed during the period of performance of the project.
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 must also describe how outcomes achieved by
individuals served by the project are to be related to the
demonstration program goals identified in Part I, section B.
G. Replicability
Describe the information to be provided on project activities that
will allow other parties to replicate the proposed project.
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 for
acceptability based on the various factors enumerated below. The panel
results are advisory in nature and not binding on the Grant Officer.
A. Technical Evaluation (80 Points)
Services and Target Group. (35 points) The responsiveness of the
services to be provided, including the [[Page 32175]] degree to which
the services appear to meet the documented specialized needs of the
target population. The demonstrated relationship between the services
to be provided and the jobs into which participants are to be placed.
The scope of the project in terms of the number of participants to be
served. (Relates to information requested in Part III, sections A, B,
and F.)
Management Structure. (15 points) The extent to which the
management structure ensures accountability for performance, monitors
customer satisfaction, and includes procedures for continuous quality
improvement. The ability of the management structure to determine the
extent to which the planned project outcomes and demonstration program
goals have been met by the project. (Relates to information requested
in Part III, section C.)
Coordination and Linkages; Utilization of Resources. (10 points)
The extent to which the project will be integrated with other existing
public and private resources and is supported by appropriate State and
local organizations. (Related to information requested in Part III,
sections D and E.)
Demonstrated Experience. (10 points) Experience in the oversight
and operation of projects requiring management capabilities and
experience similar to the proposed project. (Relates to information
requested in Part III, section C.)
Replacability. (10 points) The completeness of the information to
be provided on project activities that will allow others to replicate
the project. The likelihood that the approach may be applicable to a
broad range of dislocated worker programs across the country. (Relates
to information requested in Part III, section G.)
B. Cost Evaluation (20 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 Title III grantees.
The extent to which the budget is justified and 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 requires 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
Applicants selected as grantees will be required to provide the
following reports:
A. Dislocated Worker Special Project Reports as required by the
grant award documents.
B. Standard Form 269, Financial Status Report Form, on a quarterly
basis.
C. Quarterly Progress Reports.
D. Final Project Report including an assessment of project
performance.
Signed at Washington, DC, this 15th day of June 1995.
Janice E. Perry,
Grant Officer, Division of Acquisition and Assistance.
Appendices
No. 1--Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424)
No. 2--Budget Form--Non Construction Programs (Standard Form 424-A)
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[FR Doc. 95-15073 Filed 6-19-95; 8:45 am]
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