[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 122 (Friday, June 25, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34271-34279]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-16226]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
Labor Participation in School-To-Work
AGENCIES: Employment and Training Administration, Department of Labor.
ACTION: Notice inviting proposals to develop, identify and disseminate
replicable models of labor participation in the development and
implementation of School-to-Work (STW) systems in sectors of the
economy that represent high skill, high wage employment opportunities.
The Departments are seeking innovative approaches to utilizing the
workplace for all learners. These awards will provide support to labor
organizations with national memberships to undertake outreach,
technical assistance and other activities
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to increase the number of work-based learning opportunities for
students.
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This notice contains all of the necessary information and forms
needed to apply for grant funding.
SUMMARY: The Departments of Labor and Education jointly invite
proposals for approximately 2-3 new awards in PY 1998 as authorized
under section 403 of the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994 (the
Act). These awards will provide support to national labor unions to
undertake outreach and technical assistance to their memberships. These
activities are intended to engage and build the capacity of their
affiliates and private sector partners to participate in activities
that will result in an increase in the number of work based learning
opportunities for students. As a result of the products developed and
activities and systems implemented, awardees will be required to
provide clear, quantifiable evidence of increased numbers of regional
and local unions engaged in STW activities, with supporting
documentation that clearly illustrates an increase in the number of
students engaged in work-based learning activities.
DATES: Applications for grant awards will be accepted commencing June
25, 1999. The closing date for receipt of applications is August 24,
1999 at 4 P.M. (eastern time) at the address below. Telefacsimile (FAX)
applications will not be honored.
ADDRESSES: Applications shall be mailed to: U.S. Department of Labor,
Employment and Training Administration, Division of Federal Assistance,
Attention: Ms. Denise Roach, Reference: SGA/DFA 99-016, 200
Constitution Avenue, N.W., Room S-4203, Washington, D.C., 20210.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions should be faxed to Denise
Roach, Grants Management Specialist, Division of Federal Assistance,
fax: (202) 219-8739 (this is not a toll free number). All inquiries
should include the SGA number (DFA 99-016) and a contact name, fax and
phone number. This solicitation will also be published on the Internet,
on the Employment and Training Administration's Home Page at http://
www.doleta.gov. Award notifications will also be published on this
Homepage.
Labor Participation in School-To-Work System Building
I. Purpose
Data and preliminary evidence suggest that strategic investments
directed at national organizations to develop and disseminate
information and provide technical assistance to their membership
nationwide is necessary if the entire STW system is to be brought to
scale and confidently sustained. Therefore, this solicitation is
inviting labor unions in collaboration with business, trade
associations, education and labor partners to identify STW practices
within their organizations, to expand upon those practices through
technical assistance and disseminate that information throughout their
network. It is further expected that these practices will be replicable
by their affiliated local organizations and information will be
disseminated beyond their organization to the greater labor community
and STW grantees.
II. Background
The School-to-Work Opportunities Act was signed into law by
President Clinton on May 4, 1994. Jointly administered by the
Departments of Labor and Education, this Act seeks to better prepare
all American youth for careers in high skill, high wage jobs and to
strengthen the linkages between school and work. Under the Act, venture
capital funds are provided to States and local communities to develop a
STW system for transitioning youth from school to college and careers.
STW grants are for a limited duration with the Federal investment
declining over time. These investments are intended to support the one-
time costs of States and local communities to enhance learning
experiences for all students. All fifty States including Puerto Rico
and the District of Columbia have received implementation awards. The
Act also provides a set-aside of funds for national activities to
support School-to-Work system building, outreach and research and
evaluation efforts. Section 403 of the Act, relating to training and
technical assistance, specifically directs the Secretaries to assist
STW partnerships ``* * * to increase their capacity to develop and
implement effective school-to-work opportunities programs.''
III. Statement of Work
Labor Participation in STW Systems. The School-to-Work
Opportunities Act stipulates the importance of participation by key
stakeholders at state and local levels, including labor. Labor unions
can play a pivotal role in accessing the workplace as a learning
environment for students. They have long standing relationships with
employers through collective bargaining agreements in communities
across the country. Many unions have played major roles in the
development of training for their membership through joint labor-
management funds. Many are working in collaboration with industry
groups in developing voluntary skill standards appropriate to their
respective industry.
Prior to this year, the two Departments through the National
School-to-Work Office, have made a number of investments to support
labor's involvement in aspects of emerging STW systems. A major
investment included the National School-to-Work's support of efforts
developed by the Human Resource Development Institute (HRDI), recently
renamed the Working for America Institute (WAI). WAI developed and
disseminated information about STW and labor's role in the development
and implementation of STW. It has highlighted labor's STW activities
and has helped to recruit labor representatives on State and local
partnerships.
In addition, the National School-to-Work Office has worked with
members of the building and construction trades, the Bureau of
Apprenticeship and Training at the U.S. Department of Labor and the
National Association of State and Territorial Apprenticeship Directors
to develop and expand upon linkages to registered apprenticeship
programs. Many local unions in collaboration with local educational
systems are introducing students to the trades in a variety of ways
prior to high school graduation.
However, it is evident that in order for STW to be sustained, a
broad range of work-based learning opportunities has to be created.
National approaches must be developed that will assist and promote STW
activities in communities across the country. During FY 1997, the
Departments made awards to four entities representing the following
industry and trade areas; manufacturing, retail, information technology
and utilities. These competitive awards provide support to industry
groups and trade associations to undertake outreach, technical
assistance and other activities to engage and to build the capacity of
employers to participate in STW systems. These investments are underway
and appear to represent a promising strategy for increasing employer
involvement in STW. For example, the Utility Business Education
Coalition, Inc. (UBEC), representing the utility industry, has
allocated much of its funding for technical assistance to be provided
to 50 communities in 28 states to support local school-to-work systems
and workforce development initiatives. UBEC is supporting local and
regional efforts to raise academic achievement while integrating
academic, technical
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and employability skills into curriculum for all students. Whereas, the
National Retail Institute, the world's largest retail trade association
has begun to replicate its Youth Opportunities in Retail program model
in 4 states. The manufacturing project led by the National Association
for Manufacturers are in the process of infusing industry skill
standards into the manufacturing curriculum at 12 high schools.
Finally, the Information Technology Association of America has selected
30 national sites as Centers of Excellence. These sites represent a
broad range of education partnerships that will identify and strengthen
innovative approaches to increase work-based learning opportunities for
students nationally.
The Departments are expecting to make similar industry specific
awards in PY 98 and are particularly interested in applications that
focus on high growth, high wage industries in communications,
transportation, business/finance, and health services.
As a result of these current and future investments, including a
more targeted approach to utilizing labor organizations, the
Departments expect to significantly increase the number of workplaces
offering STW activities and more specifically work-based learning
opportunities for all learners. These strategic investments are
necessary if the entire STW system is to be brought to scale and
sustained.
Required Areas of Effort
The successful applicants will assume the lead responsibility to
coordinate and provide technical support to build the capacity of their
organization to engage in STW activities. Information regarding the
following activities must be described in detail:
1. A description of at least 15 ongoing STW activities in a minimum
of 5 regional or local unions affiliated with the applicant. These
examples must be collaborative and include the education and business
communities. They must encompass a broad continuum of STW activities
that include mentoring, work-based learning, high academic standards
and curriculum collaboration in high wage, high skill occupations.
Applicants should describe how they will organize the task of
identifying and selecting effective STW activities, how effectiveness
will be assessed and how the critical common features of each will be
identified to inform the development of a replicable framework. In
addition, the applicant should describe how the information would be
presented and disseminated to its membership and STW grantees.
2. Develop a model framework for STW activities in a local union.
Based on identified STW practices from a sample of local unions
described above, the Departments are interested in the development of a
replicable framework that can be disseminated to the applicant's local
affiliates. At minimum, the framework should include a description of
STW activities, how these activities were developed and implemented and
the key stakeholders necessary for development and sustainability of
the effort. Collaboration with existing STW local partnerships,
workforce development councils or private industry councils should be
included in the framework. In addition, the Departments are looking for
how these STW activities fit in to a seamless system of education for
learners.
Post secondary education must be included in the design framework.
Effectiveness of the activities presented and how the needs of diverse
student populations are addressed are critical to the application.
3. A strategic plan of how information will be disseminated to the
applicant's membership, and the greater labor community. Include what
formats will be utilized to distribute the design framework and STW
activities collected under #1. The successful applicant will also be
expected to actively disseminate the design framework including
targeted training sessions, electronic media, publications,
conferences, workshops, and other related means. In addition, the
applicant should describe the target audience and describe the products
to be developed.
4. A description of high skill, high wage opportunities available
for learners that includes options for education beyond secondary
school. The successful applicant will provide detailed information
concerning opportunities within their respective industries, including
present trends and future forecasts and the salary range expected for
occupations affected. In addition, the applicant shall describe the
range of work based learning opportunities available to students.
Include information concerning post secondary options for learners and
examples of successful articulation agreements with post secondary
institutions. This information should be designed for distribution to
students.
IV. Application Process
Eligible Applicants
National labor organizations representing employees in high skill,
high wage occupations that have the experience and the capacity to
build STW systems nationally. These applicants must demonstrate the
ability to enlist the support and active participation of employers
and/or trade associations related to the industry sector. In addition,
key STW stakeholders, such as representatives from the education and
labor communities, community-based organizations, parents and other
related organizations must be included. Potential applicants however,
should note the Departments' priority in seeking a labor organization
or consortium with a thorough knowledge of STW and experience working
with key STW stakeholders.
In preparing the proposal, please use the following headings and
respond to the information in each of the following categories.
1. Project Description. Summarize the scope of the project, outline
how its activities will relate to the four required areas of activity
as described in the previous section, and provide succinct and
measurable project objectives.
2. Operational Plan. Provide a detailed work plan that includes a
description of proposed activities matched to the objectives presented
in the Project Description, with accompanying time lines and
individuals responsible. Provide an organizational structure and clear
management plan detailing the staff and organizational resources
devoted to the project. The applicant should clearly and in detail show
how the proposed work will address each of the activities that are
described in the section entitled Required Areas of Effort. The time
lines should indicate what activities and related results are
anticipated for the 12-month funding period.
3. Results. The applicant should provide specific and quantifiable
outcomes that are anticipated from the proposed plan of activities. In
identifying outcomes, the offeror should also explain how it will
collect data, document results and use these results to inform its
ongoing work plan.
4. Capability. The applicant should demonstrate the capability of
the organization or consortium and the key staff assigned to undertake
the work plan, including examples of prior efforts that demonstrate
accomplishment in developing, implementing, managing and evaluating STW
related activities. The offeror should also show knowledge and
experience in working with trade associations, employers or employer
associations.
V. Application Submittal
Applicants must submit four (4) copies of their proposal, with
original
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signatures. The applications shall be divided into two distinct parts:
Part I--which contains Standard Form (SF) 424, Application for Federal
Assistance,'' (Appendix A) and Budget Information Sheet,'' (Appendix
B). All copies of the (SF) 424 MUST have original signatures of the
legal entity applying for grant funding. Applicants shall indicate on
the (SF) 424 the organization's IRS status, if applicable. According to
the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, Section 18, an organization
described in Section 501(c)4 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which
engages in lobbying activities shall not be eligible for the receipt of
federal funds constituting an award, grant, or loan. The Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance number is 17.249. In addition, the budget
shall include--on a separate page(s)--a detailed cost breakout of each
line item on the Budget Information Sheet. Part II shall contain the
program narrative that demonstrates the applicant's plan and
capabilities in accordance with the evaluation criteria contained in
this notice. Applicants MUST limit the program narrative section to no
more than 30 double-spaced pages, on one side only. This includes any
attachments. Applications that fail to meet the page limitation
requirement will not be considered.
VI. Late Applications
Any application received after the exact date and time specified
for receipt at the office designated in this notice will not be
considered, unless it is received before awards are made and it--(a)
was sent by registered or certified mail not later than the fifth
calendar day before the date specified for receipt of applications
(e.g., an application submitted in response to a solicitation requiring
receipt of applications by the 20th of the month must have been mailed/
postmarked by the 15th of that month); or (b) was sent by the U.S.
Postal Service Express Mail Next Day Service to addresses not later
than 5:00 P.M. at the place of mailing two working days prior to the
date specified for receipt of applications. The term ``working days''
excludes weekends and federal holidays. The term ``postmarked'' 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 or affixed on the date of mailing by an
employee of the U.S. Postal Service.
VII. Hand Delivered Proposals
It is preferred that applications be mailed at least five days
prior to the closing date. To be considered for funding, hand-delivered
applications must be received by 4:00 P.M. (Eastern Time), on the
closing date at the specified address.
TELEGRAPHED AND/FAXED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE HONORED. Failure to
adhere to the above instructions will be a basis for a determination of
nonresponsiveness. Overnight express mail from carriers other than the
U.S. Postal Service will be considered hand delivered applications and
must be received by the above specified date and time.
VIII. Funding Availability and Period of Performance
The Departments expect to make 2 to 3 awards with a total
investment of approximately $900,000. The period of performance will be
for 12 months from the date the grant is awarded. The Departments may
at their option, provide additional funding for another 12 months
depending upon fund availability and performance of the offeror.
Estimated Range of Awards. The Departments expect the total award
amounts to range from approximately $250,000 to $450,000, for the total
12-month period.
IX. Review Process
A careful evaluation of applications will be made by a technical
review panel who will evaluate the applications against the criteria
listed below. The panel results are advisory in nature and not binding
on the Grant Officer. The Government may elect to award the grant with
or without discussions with the offeror. In situations without
discussions, an award will be based on the offeror's signature on the
(SF) 424, which constitutes a binding offer. Awards will be those in
the best interest of the Government.
The criteria used to rate all proposals submitted are:
1. The extent to which the applicant outlines a clear and detailed
plan of operation (40 points).
Is the plan specific as to the activities proposed and how
these activities will result in the identification of STW practices and
the creation of a replicable design framework in local and regional
union affiliates that represent workers in high skill, high wage
occupations?
Do the activities directly relate to the 4 areas of
required effort?
How will the proposed activities lead to sustainability of
the federal investment to engage employers and unions in STW systems?
Does the applicant describe strategies to provide
opportunities for all students, including learners with disabilities?
Does the applicant provide a detailed work plan including
goals, objectives, timelines, person responsible and expected outcomes
or products?
Does the plan have clear numerical goals for increasing
the number of local unions who will begin to be engaged in STW and for
increasing the number of work-based learning positions for students?
2. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the capability
and capacity to meet the requirements of the solicitation (30 points).
Does the applicant represent membership in high growth
sectors of the economy?
Does the industry sector represented by the applicant
offer paid work-based learning opportunities for STW learners?
Does the industry sector represented by the applicant
offer high skill, high wage career opportunities for STW learners?
Does the organization provide examples and documentation
of prior related accomplishments in developing and implementing
training initiatives for its membership?
Does the applicant demonstrate the capacity to perform the
range of required activities on a national scale including a
comprehensive dissemination strategy that reaches the applicant's
membership, key partners and the greater labor community?
3. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the willingness
and ability to engage and convene other organizations that are critical
to the success of creating workbased learning opportunities for STW
learners. (30 points)
Does the applicant demonstrate a history of working with
employers on workforce development and training programs for its
membership?
Does the applicant propose specific activities that are
likely to result in strategic alliances with trade associations,
education entities, employers and employer associations representing
the specified industry?
Does the applicant demonstrate a history of collaborating
with a variety of partners at the national, state and community levels?
Does the applicant present a strategy for informing STW
grantees of its' activities and findings?
The grants will be awarded based on applicant response to the above
mentioned criteria and that which is
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otherwise advantageous to the Departments.
X. Reporting Requirements
The Departments are interested in insuring that grantees share
lessons learned and products developed. To facilitate exchange of
information, the Departments may occasionally convene grantees for
meetings of approximately one-day duration. Grantees will also be asked
to submit periodic progress reports in a format to be determined and on
a quarterly-basis. After awards are made, identification of STW
activities and the design framework are to be submitted to the National
School-to-Work Office for approval before commencing activities related
to this proposal. Conference plans and all products including
publications shall be submitted for review to the National School-to-
Work Office to ensure alignment and collaboration with ongoing national
activities.
Signed in Washington, D.C., this 22nd day of June, 1999.
Laura Cesario,
Grant Officer.
APPENDIX A: (SF)424--Application Form
APPENDIX B: Budget Information Form
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[FR Doc. 99-16226 Filed 6-24-99; 8:45 am]
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