[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 135 (Friday, July 15, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-17272]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: July 15, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
Wagner-Peyser Act: One-Stop Career Center System Grants
AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of Funds and Solicitation for Grant
Applications (SGA).
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SUMMARY: All Information required to submit a proposal is contained in
this announcement. The U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and
Training Administration (DOL/ETA) is announcing available grants for
the planning/development and implementation of One-Stop Career Center
Systems. The One-Stop Career Center System is the organizing vehicle
for transforming the current fragmented array of employment and
training programs into a coordinated information and service delivery
system for individuals seeking first, new or better jobs and for
employers seeking to hire new workers.
In advancing this purpose, DOL/ETA seeks to provide a framework
within which States, in conjunction with local entities, have the
flexibility to design a One-Stop Career Center System which is
customized to the particular needs of the local labor market and the
State, but is also part of a larger State and national system. As
envisioned, this system is characterized by its emphasis on serving its
customers. It should meet the needs of all customers by providing a
common core of information and services which are standard and
universal at any access point which calls itself a ``one-stop.'' It
should be easy to locate and use, be information-rich and offer
customers choice in where and how to get services. This system must be
focused on constant improvement by gauging customer satisfaction with
services and using the information to improve the system.
With this solicitation, the Department is focusing on creating a
system, not merely a collection of networked individual programs.
Federal, State and local entities need to agree on how to work in a way
that builds on the strengths of each, recognizes the necessary role of
each and explores the creation of new approaches and collaboratives to
serve the customer. This system should be flexible, comprised of
entities that are learning organizations with staff capable of leading
and changing. This flexible system is also ``high-tech''--where
technology is used to give and expand high-quality services to
customers in a variety of manners and media.
In the Department's fiscal year 1994 budget, Congress appropriated
$50 million for One-Stop Career Centers under current Wagner-Peyser Act
authority. These funds became available for obligation and expenditure
effective July 1, 1994. Of the funds, $26 million will be used for
funding the planning, development and implementation of One-Stop Career
Center systems. Of the remaining amount, $20.5 million has been
targeted for first year funding of a comprehensive national Labor
Market Information System. The balance, $3.5 million, will be awarded
to local communities under a separate SGA for local site system
development and to serve as ``learning laboratories'' for other
communities.
Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis approximately 15 to
20 States for planning and development and approximately 4 to 6 States
for implementation of One-Stop Career Center systems. Planning and
development grants are for a one-year period. Implementation grants are
for a three-year period. Grant funds for the second and third years are
contingent upon satisfactory performance in the previous year and
availability of funds.
DATES: The closing date for receipt of proposals at the Department of
Labor will be 2 p.m., Eastern Time, September 15, 1994. Any proposal
not received at the designated place, date and time of delivery
specified will not be considered.
ADDRESSES: Proposals shall be mailed to: U.S. Department of Labor,
Employment and Training Administration, Division of Acquisition and
Assistance, Attention: Charlotte A. Adams, Reference: SGA/DAA 94-20,
200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room S-4203, Washington, DC 20210.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charlotte A. Adams, Division of
Acquisition and Assistance, Telephone (202) 219-8702 (this is not a
toll-free number).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Employment and Training Administration
(ETA) announces the availability of funds to support the planning/
development and implementation of One-Stop Career Center Systems. This
announcement consists of five parts: Part I--Background/Description,
Part II--Application Process, Part III--Evaluation Criteria for Award,
Part IV--Meetings and Part V--Reporting Requirements.
Part I--Background/Description
American workers confront an economy in continuous transition.
Young people and other first time job seekers must try to find their
place in a shifting labor market. Job holders find they must constantly
learn new skills. Fewer workers can expect to be with a single firm
throughout their work life. Employers find it harder to find new
workers with up-to-date skills.
There is a confusing patchwork of job training, retraining and
benefit programs which do not efficiently address workforce security
and career requirements. There is a clear need for a streamlined One-
Stop Career Center system which puts customers first by providing them
with the information and access to services they need to make sound
career decisions.
The Department is committed to improving the quality and delivery
of services to its ultimate customers--American workers and their
employers. The One-Stop Career Center system is the vehicle for
transforming this fragmented training and employment system into a
coordinated information and service delivery system for all Americans
seeking new jobs, better jobs, or first jobs. An essential component
within the One-Stop system is an enhanced labor market information
system.
In fiscal year 1994, the Employment and Training Administration
(ETA) is using the $50 million Congress appropriated under the Wagner-
Peyser Act to bring implementation of a voluntary, national One-Stop
Career Center system and for first year funding of the American Labor
Market Information System.
ETA plans to use $26 million of the funds to award grants to
develop and implement One-Stop Career Center systems in conjunction
with local communities. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis
to approximately 15 to 20 States for planning/development and to
approximately 4 to 6 States for implementation of One-Stop Career
Center systems.
ETA will also issue a separate solicitation (for approximately $3.5
million) to award grants to local communities for local One-Stop Career
Center systems. These competitively awarded grants will be available to
local communities that have already developed a local system and which
would like to serve as ``learning laboratories'' for other States and
local communities in developing One-Stop Career Center systems. It is
anticipated that these local communities will be able to make
enhancements to their systems and undertake a broad range of
dissemination and technical assistance activities.
An additional $8 million (approximately) of the remaining $20.5
million will also be distributed to the States that receive One-Stop
implementation grants to support labor market information needs. Those
States selected for implementation grants will be provided with this
additional funding for technology upgrades to support the State's LMI
data collection--analysis and information distribution system.
The remaining $12.5 million (approximately) in LMI funds will be
spent to begin the building of America's Labor Market Information
System in every State. Some funds will be available to every State
regardless of whether the State pursues One-Stop grant funding. States
will use these funds to meet specific LMI needs as designated by the
States. Funds will also be provided to individual States for
demonstration projects, to support evaluation of existing LMI products
and the development of new ones, and to underwrite the expansion of job
and talent banks. More detailed plans for use of these funds will be
issued separately.
The One-Stop Career Center System Framework
As envisioned, the One-Stop Career Center System will provide
universal access to basic high-quality services for at least DOL funded
programs. A guiding principle behind the One-Stop concept is that
individuals should have access, through a One-Stop, to a broad range of
employment, training and education services. This implies at least one
physical location that provides comprehensive services to any
individual seeking such services.
Beyond this, there is a great deal of flexibility afforded at State
and local levels to design the One-Stop system that best serves the
community, and there are many stages of development. For example, the
One-Stop Career Center system may be physically located in one
comprehensive site, in many sites, through electronic and technological
access points, or through a combination of these approaches.
Designs may include on-site services for only selected programs in
the One-Stop Career Center while linking to other programs. Under this
scenario, any individual can receive information on possible
eligibility for services which may be accessed through another service
center--the so-called ``no wrong door.'' A design may provide full
access to every employment and training and education program in a
single One-Stop Career Center in the community which is linked with
other specialized centers and electronic and technological access
points.
The goal of this solicitation is to accelerate the creation of a
comprehensive, streamlined system of One-Stop Career Centers that will,
at a minimum, provide a standard set of high quality services
universally by investing in innovations already underway in the States
and communities. The federal design leaves the conduct of One-Stop
Career Center system operations as flexible as possible under the
direction of State and local partners, while maintaining accountability
and keeping it part of a nationwide system which is characterized by a
high standard of quality. States, working in conjunction with
localities, will specify the flow of funds in their proposals, allowing
them to adapt the best systems to fit their needs.
In awarding grants for development and implementation of One-Stop
Career Center systems, ETA's intent is to support promising State and
local efforts toward program integration, improved access and enhanced
quality of services to workers and employers consistent with broadly
defined outcomes. It is expected that statewide systemic change may be
achieved by building on the enriching current programs.
The Administration's proposed Reemployment Act of 1994 (REA)
contains provisions establishing a framework for the development and
implementation of statewide One-Stop Career Center systems. However,
since the REA is pending in Congress, the grant solicitation criteria
are not based on the REA, but rather on existing legislative authority.
This solicitation is based on broad outcome objectives to be achieved
through the One-Stop system. These broad outcome objectives that ETA
will use in making investment decisions for One-Stop systems are:
1. Universality
The One-Stop Center system must be one that integrates delivery of
services under existing unemployment, employment and job training
programs. The system must provide all populations with an array of job
finding and employment development assistance.
2. Customer Choice
Consistent with the principles in the Vice President's National
Performance Review for reinventing government, these systems should
provide customers with options and choice of where to get the services
that best meet their needs.
3. Integrated System
In order to provide a career center system that is comprehensive
and accessible in ``One-Stop,'' programs, services, and governance
structures must be as fully integrated as possible. At a minimum, the
One-Stop system must include the DOL-funded employment and training
programs. The highest degree of program integration and/or
accessibility will be viewed the most favorably in the competition for
implementation grants.
4. Performance-Driven/Outcomes-Based
The One-Stop system must be clear in the outcomes it seeks to
achieve and the consequences for failing to meet these outcomes. There
must be a system to measure whether the One-Stop system performance
actually achieved the outcomes. This should have a strong connection to
whether the customer is satisfied with the services received.
America's Labor Market Information System (ALMIS)
The One-Stop system will be augmented by an expanded and improved
LMI system to benefit all Americans. Increased Federal investments--
leveraged by State and local resources--will be made in five major
categories with key objectives:
(1) Customer Products and Services
Improve the basic labor exchange function (including
talent banks and electronic access to job banks).
Improve the ability to assess skills and skill needs.
Create common program administration tools.
Create, upgrade, disseminate tools for easy access.
(2) Data Sets
Create a standardized wage program.
Collect expanded information to permit. State/Federal
industry and occupation projections.
Improve reliability of State and local labor force
estimates.
Create or acquire a database of employers.
Enhance State Training Inventory with additional data.
Develop consistent reports on education, training, and
employment service programs.
Continue process of improvement to basic Bureau of Labor
Statistics programs.
Improve Mass Layoff Statistics.
(3) Delivery Systems
Develop user-friendly delivery shell with plug-in modules.
Create a national LMI computer network to permit easy data
transfer.
(4) LMI Organizational Structure
Establish a high performance LMI organizational structure.
Create LMI training infrastructure.
Build a NOICC/SOICC training structure to provide support
for counselors.
(5) Common Language/Technical Standards
Develop common language of skills and occupational
knowledge.
Develop a common occupational classification scheme.
Adopt national technical standards for LMI electronic
portion.
Part II--Application Process All Information Required to Submit a
Proposal is Contained in This Announcement
A. Eligible Applicants
Competition for these awards is limited to States which have
developed proposals in conjunction with appropriate local entities.
Only the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the
Virgin Islands are eligible to apply. The Governor must transmit the
proposal. In transmitting the proposal, (only one per State), the State
must include evidence of commitment among those State and local
agencies that will participate in the activities described in the
State's proposal.
B. Applicant Options
States may apply for:
A planning/developmental grant; or,
An implementation grant; or,
Both a planning/development and an implementation grant.
States which are applying for an implementation grant may request
consideration for a planning/development grant should the State not be
selected for an implementation grant. States which would like to be
considered for both should complete both the planning/development and
implementation grant sections, including corresponding budgets.
C. Grant Awards
The Department has allocated about $4.5 million for planning/
development grants. Approximately 15 to 20 grants will be awarded. The
Department anticipates making awards of $200,000 to $400,000 based upon
size. Size of State will be determined based on the size of the State's
civilian labor force. While the Department does not anticipate
increasing the total amount available for planning/development grants,
adjustments will be considered for individual States depending upon the
requirements of the plan and the number and quality of grant proposals
received. The Department has allocated about $21.5 million for
implementation grants. Implementation grants will be awarded to
approximately 4 to 6 States. The Department anticipates funding the
implementation grants incrementally, using the $21.5 million allocated
for this purpose to fund the first year. Funding for the second and
third years is contingent upon the continued availability of funds and
upon satisfactory performance in the prior year. However, the
Department will not make a final decision on funding until the
implementation proposals are reviewed and evaluated.
D. Use of Funds
Funds received under this grant may be used for activities outlined
in the State's plan. The only exception is that funds may not be used
for construction of new buildings.
E. Closing Date
The closing date for receipt of proposals at the Department of
Labor is 2:00 p.m. Eastern time, September 15, 1994. Any proposal not
received at the designated place, date and time of delivery specified
will not be considered.
F. Application Procedures
1. Submission of Proposal
The proposal shall consist of two (2) separate parts:
Part I shall contain the Standard Form (SF) 424, ``Application for
Federal Assistance,'' and ``Budget Information.'' All copies of the 424
shall have original signatures. In addition, the budget shall include--
on a separate page(s)--a detailed cost break-out of each line item on
the Budget Information form.
Part II shall contain technical data that demonstrates the State's
plan and capabilities in accordance with the Contents of the
Application detailed below. This part should address the review
questions in sequential order.
An original and six (6) copies of the proposal shall be submitted
in hard copy. One diskette, 5\1/4\'' or 3\1/2\'', in WordPerfect, AMI
Pro, MS Word, WordStar, or ASCII text format should also be submitted
for Part II. All material should be submitted to: Charlotte Adams,
Grants Management Specialist, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and
Training Administration, Division of Acquisition and Assistance, 200
Constitution Avenue, NW., Room S-4203, Washington, DC 20210.
2. Hand Delivered Proposals
Proposals should be mailed at least five (5) days prior to the
closing date. However, if proposals are hand-delivered, they shall be
received at the designated place by 2 p.m., Eastern Time, September 15,
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.
3. Late Proposals
Any proposal received at the office designated in the solicitation
after the exact time specified for receipt will not be considered
unless it is received before award is made and was either:
(1) Sent by U.S. Postal Service registered or certified mail not
later than the fifth calendar day before the date specified for receipt
of proposal (e.g., an offer submitted in response to a solicitation
requiring receipt of proposals by the 20th of the month must have been
mailed by the 15th); or
(2) Sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail Next Day Service--Post
Office to Addressee, not later than 5 p.m. at the place of mailing two
working days prior to the date specified for receipt of proposals. The
term ``working days'' excludes weekends and U.S. Federal holidays.
The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of a
late proposal sent either by U.S. Postal Service Registered or
Certified Mail is the U.S. postmark both on the envelope or wrapper and
on the original receipt from the U.S. Postal Service. Both postmarks
must show a legible date or the proposal shall be processed as if
mailed late. ``Postmark'' means a printed, stamped, or otherwise placed
impression (exclusive of a postage meter machine impression) that is
readily identifiable without further action as having been supplied and
affixed by employees of the U.S. Postal Service on the date of mailing.
Therefore, offerors 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, offerors should request the postal clerk
to place a legible hand cancellation ``bull's eye'' postmark on both
the receipt and the envelope or wrapper.
4. Period of Performance
For planning and development grants, the period of performance will
be 12 months from the date of execution of the grant. For
implementation grants, the period of performance will be 36 months from
the date of execution of the grant. It is expected the awards will be
made in November 1994. It is anticipated that a total of $26 million
for planning and development grants and for implementation grants will
be disbursed. Grant funds for the second and third years are contingent
upon satisfactory performance in the prior years and continued
availability of funds.
G. Statement of Work/Grant Application
1. Description Section
All States, regardless of whether the State is applying for a
planning/developmental or implementation grant, must fully complete
this section. No proposal will be considered unless each item below is
fully addressed. Supplemental information may be provided to complete
this section, for example, planning documents; workplans; videos;
marketing materials; or other explanatory information.
Work Force Development. The proposal must describe the
actions that the State and/or local communities have already completed
to assess current and future work force development needs and to
prepare a strategic plan for addressing these needs. Proposal should
reference (or include) copies of studies conducted, including
participating State and local agencies and interest groups, and actions
taken to implement the plan. Copies of relevant, enacted State
legislation should also be included.
One-Stop Career Center System Vision. The proposal must
provide a description of the basic features of a One-Stop system in
their State. This description should include the underlying
assumptions, principles and objectives in developing and implementing a
One-Stop system.
Status of One-Stop Efforts. The proposal must describe the
status of One-Stop efforts in local communities within the State. This
should include the level of resources the State has already committed
to One-Stop efforts.
Collaboration. The proposal must include a description of
how the Governor, local elected officials, community and business
leaders, representatives of voluntary organizations, State and local
agency officials responsible for job training and employment, service
providers, and other interested organizations and individuals will
collaborate in the development and implementation of the statewide One-
Stop system. Proposals should contain specific examples of
collaboration such as a description of the worker profiling and
reemployment services system, memoranda of understanding, agreements
among State and local officials, composition and responsibilities of
State and local work force development entities, etc.
Labor Market Information. Proposal must describe the
State's present capacity to deliver high quality labor market
information to the customers of the One-Stop system.
Agency Contact. The Proposal must identify the program
official(s) who will have lead responsibility for administering this
grant. In designating such individual(s), the State should also outline
the duties and responsibilities of this individual(s). Also, the
proposal must address how this program official(s) will insure the full
participation of all participating State and local agencies that have
been identified as partners in this planning and developing process.
Financial Management. The proposal must designate a fiscal
agent to receive and be accountable for grant funds and must describe
how the funds will be awarded and managed at the State and local
levels.
2. Planning/Development Grants
States which have not developed a plan for implementation of a One-
Stop Career Center system statewide may apply for planning/development
grants. These funds may be used for a wide-range of planning and
developmental activities. It should be noted that planning/development
grants may be used in a situation where the State is not ready to move
forward with statewide implementation of a One-Stop system, but a local
community is poised to implement a One-Stop career center system
locally. This community may, in collaboration with the State, apply for
a planning/development grant that may be used exclusively for local
site implementation. Some States may find that this approach of
beginning with one or more local sites is appropriate as a first step
towards developing a statewide system. States seeking planning/
development grants must provide the following additional information.
Strategic Plan. The proposal should describe the
activities that the State proposes to undertake during the 12-month
grant period in the planning and development of the One-Stop Career
Center system. This plan should include activities that are being
funded from this grant as well as from other sources. Examples of
activities that a State may elect to undertake include:
Initiating a planning process aimed at building a One-Stop
system;
Identifying or establishing an appropriate State-local
structure to administer the One-Stop Career Center system;
Identifying and designating substate areas for the One-
Stop Career Center system;
Identifying or establishing broad-based partnerships among
employers, labor, education, State and local government and community
organizations to participate in the design, development and
administration of the One-Stop Career Center system;
Building consensus among local stakeholders and supporting
local One-Stop Career Center planning and development activities to
provide guidance in the development of a One-Stop system;
Initiating local site pilot programs for testing key
components of program design, such as designing and testing common
intake systems (including forms and records) for participating programs
and determining methods to integrate program data bases;
Analyzing current statutory, regulatory and administrative
impediments to the establishment of a One-Stop system;
Conducting an assessment of staff training and development
needs at the State and local levels;
Preparing the plan required for submission of a proposal
for an implementation grant.
Outcome of Process. The proposal should describe the
progress expected to be achieved in the planning and development
process at the end of the 12-month grant period. It should include
expected ``next steps.'' Local participation in the design and
operation of One-Stop is critical, therefore some description of how
this will be advanced by the planning/development phase should also be
provided.
Resources. The amount and source of any additional
resources that will be devoted to this planning and development process
should also be included in the proposal.
3. Implementation Grants
States, in conjunction with local communities, seeking
implementation grants must provide the following additional
information.
Design of One-Stop Career Center System. The proposal must
specifically address how its design of a One-Stop Career Center system
will achieve the following four broad outcome objectives. Since this
system is delivered at the local level, the State plan must describe
the role of local officials in designing the system. Letters of support
from local officials and copies of any negotiated agreements or other
pertinent materials must be included.
Universal. All population groups must have access to a
broad array of services from a comprehensive assortment of employment
and training programs. Basic services that one-stop centers would be
expected to provide to all customers include, as a minimum: Customer-
oriented information on careers, labor markets, jobs and the
availability and quality of education and training programs; testing
and assessment; job openings; hiring requirements and referrals;
assistance with job search skills; and, initial eligibility information
on programs available within the community. Proposals must describe:
The specific, basic services which will be widely
available through the one-stop centers;
The approach to insuring that these services are available
to all individuals;
Any other customized services available through the one-
stop career center system.
Customer Choice. Customers, both individuals and
employers, should have a choice in how to get information, basic
services, and education/training. The Department recognizes that there
are two aspects to customer choice which should be considered in
designing a one-stop system. The first aspect is whether customers have
more than one choice as to how they get basic information and services
in the community. The second aspect is whether the customer receives
enough quality information on education and training options s/he may
pursue to make an informed choice. Proposals must describe how customer
choice will be afforded within the one-stop system, and must describe:
The geographic area within which choice will be provided;
Any areas of the State in which choice in location of one-
stop services is not available or practical and whether other
alternatives, such as kiosks and toll-free lines, will be used to
provide some degree of customer choice for these areas;
How the State and its local communities will provide
information on the quality of education and training services,
particularly in consideration of the current paucity of qualitative
data and how it will expand and evaluate the extent of the data.
Any proposed financial/budgetary system to reward the
operator(s) or vendor(s) that provide the services that are more
attractive to customers.
Integrated. The underlying notion of ``one-stop'' is that
there is an integration of programs, services, and governance
structures. At a minimum, the following DOL-funded programs must be
included in the one-stop system: dislocated worker programs, Employment
Service programs, Veterans Employment Service programs, Title II of
JTPA, Senior Community Service Employment Program under title V of the
Older Worker Act, and Unemployment Insurance programs. Proposals must
describe how these programs will be available through the One-Stop
system. Additional DOL-funded programs are also encouraged to be
included, e.g., Migrant Seasonal Farm Workers, Homeless Training,
Native American programs, School-to-Work Opportunity programs, Job
Corps and Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training programs. For both DOL
and non-DOL funded programs, extra points will be awarded to those
applications that include the most education, employment and training
programs, such as Food Stamp Employment and Training, JOBS, Adult
Education, Vocational Rehabilitation, Carl Perkins Act post-secondary
programs, student financial assistance programs under Title IV of the
Higher Education Act and State and local non-Federal programs. It is
also expected that services will be integrated for the programs
selected and will be available at all One-Stops. Finally, there should
be some integration of governance to ensure coordination cooperation
and high-quality planning and oversight. Proposal must describe:
The programs which will be integrated through the One-Stop
system;
How these programs will be integrated e.g., exclusively
delivered through One-Stop; delivered through One-Stop and also
elsewhere; not delivered through One-Stop but accessible; information
provided only--including a description of these services;
How flexibility will be afforded in designing and
determining integration of programs and services under such programs on
a local area basis;
State and local bodies that will coordinate these programs
and services, including the membership of these bodies, their functions
and responsibilities for the One-Stop system and any other functions
and the extent to which existing entities will accommodate this
purpose;
How this approach specifically represents an enhancement
to the existing structure for delivery of employment and training
services.
Performance-Driven Outcome-Based Measures. Proposal must
describe:
The specific outcomes for customers to be achieved by the
One-Stop system;
The proposed measures to assess the performance of the
One-Stop career Centers and to determine whether the outcomes were
achieved and the consequences for failing to meet them;
Other measures to ensure accountability, integrity, and
high-performance--e.g., financial accountability and program
performance.
Note: These performance measures do not replace those currently
in effect for the Department's grant-in-aid programs. These measures
are specifically intended for the One-Stop Career Center system.
Implementation Plan. The proposal must contain a detailed
plan for statewide implementation over the three-year period, including
a time line of major activities and anticipated milestones. The
statewide plan may consist of the strategy for building a statewide
system under joint State-local agreement together with a description of
specific communities which are prepared to implement immediately. This
plan must address:
Local Implementation. The proposal must contain the
approach for phasing in local implementation and must address the
following questions and subjects:
What are the geographic areas that will be designed as
One-Stop system service areas?
What is the projected timetable for implementation, by
geographic area?
What process will be used to determine One-Stop operators?
How much flexibility will service areas have in developing
One-Stop systems and in determining appropriate governance structures?
How will State-local operating agreements be developed?
Local Agreement. Written agreements between the State and
the local area must be executed prior to implementation of the One-Stop
Career Center system in a local area. Local elected officials and the
chief executive of the local Private Industry Council or Councils,
where applicable, must be among the signatories to the agreement. A
State plan must include copies of such agreements for any local areas
the State proposes to begin implementation in the first year of the
three-year implementation period.
Capacity Building. What are the specific staff development
and training needs at the State and local levels and how will these
needs be met? Will any technical assistance be needed from ETA? If so,
please describe.
Obstacles/Barriers. What are the obstacles to successful
implementation of a statewide One-Stop career system? How does the
State propose to address these obstacles? What, if any, administrative
actions will be sought from ETA? In what areas would waivers of Federal
law or regulations be helpful?
Costs/Resources. The proposal must provide a complete
budget for implementation of the One-Stop system, including both
Federal and non-Federal sources. The sources of funds should be clearly
identified. Proposal must specifically identify the resources requested
under this grant and the activities these resources will fund. Costs
should be identified on an annual basis and broken down into broad cost
categories. The cost plan must also address:
The amount of resources the State and local communities
have already committed to building the One-Stop system.
The percentage or amount of funds that will be reserved
for expenditure at the State level.
The method of allocating funds to the local level and for
insuring accountability for fund management at the local level.
The method by which shared or joint costs will be
allocated back to the contributing sources.
4. Labor Market Information Funds
Additional funds are available to support upgrading the State's
labor market information system in those States which receive
implementation grants. Those States which are applying for
implementation grants and are seeking additional resources to meet
their LMI needs must supply the following information.
Provide an organizational chart depicting the major lines
of LMI authority, responsibility and production-analysis-dissemination
relationships within the State. The accompanying narrative should also
describe the working relationship between the State agency and the
State Occupational Information Coordinating Committee (SOICC).
Provide approximate State agency staffing levels for:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Approximate
staffing levels
Activity (in full time
equivalents)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LMI services to customers............................ .................
Labor market analysis and publications............... .................
Production of administrative reports................. .................
Production of Labor statistics reports (CES, LAUS, ES
202, etc.).......................................... .................
Reports validation................................... .................
Special LMI projects................................. .................
ADP Support.......................................... .................
Other LMI-related activities......................... .................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discuss the principal Federal, State, local and private
funding sources for the LMI program.
Summarize the major LMI databases and their beneficiaries
in the State.
The description of products and services should reference
substate or local coverage, and indicate whether or not these products
and services are provided on a cost-reimbursable basis to generate
revenue for program costs.
``Major Customers'' can include references to individuals,
employers, counselors, planners, local governments, Employment Service
(including Alien Certification and Test Development customers), JTPA
grantees, education institutions, State legislature, economic
development agency, other State agencies, etc.).
``Method of Conveyance and Access'' should include
references to mainframe, minicomputer and local area network terminal
access; CD-ROM, kiosks and other emerging technology, etc.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Method of
Title and description of LMI databases, Major conveyance
products and services customers and access
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Describe the strengths of your LMI program in relation to
the five major categories (customer products and services, data sets,
delivery systems, LMI organizational structure, and common language and
technical standards) noting both Federal/State programs, special
projects funded by the Federal Government or State legislatures, and
any local innovative projects.
Identify which programs could be replicated or adapted in
other States. Has the State participated with other States in
cooperative LMI programs in the past?
Describe the current problem areas and current funding
issues which affect your LMI program. What are the State's major
priorities in addressing these identified problems?
From various source documents (e.g., existing State
strategic plans for information technology, State Agency Labor Market
Information unit operational plans), briefly describe the current and
contemplated role of automation and technology in providing labor
market information and services to the citizens of the State.
Provide a complete budget of proposed investments to the
LMI system, broken down by major cost categories, and identify the
proposed resources by fund source, including the specific funds being
requested in this proposal.
Part III--Evaluation Criteria For Award
Offerors are advised that there will be a two-stage review process
used to evaluate proposals. Prior to the formal review, proposals will
be reviewed to insure that all the information requested in this
proposal is provided and complete. For offerors seeking planning and
development grants only, the proposal must include completed part II,
G, Sections 1 and 2 above. For offerors seeking an implementation grant
only, the proposal must include completed Part II, G, Sections, 1, 3,
and 4 above. Offerors requesting consideration for both type grants
must fully complete Part II. Offerors should insure that implementation
proposals are detailed and specific in addressing how the design for
the One-Stop system will achieve the four outcomes identified in
Section C. Completed proposals will be reviewed by a panel of experts.
Each panelist will review the proposals according to the rating
criteria listed below. The panels' recommendations are advisory in
nature to help establish the competitive range. The Grant Officer will
make final awards based on overall quality, geographic location and
what is in the best interests of the government.
A. Criteria For Planning and Development Grants
1. The status of current efforts to improve the State/Local
employment and training system, including the vision for the One-Stop
system. Points 20
In applying this criterion, consideration will be given to such
factors as:
The status of State and local efforts to assess how well
current workforce development programs (both employment and training)
are meeting the needs for developing a skilled workforce;
Whether the State has adopted a strategic plan for
investing in workforce development that was jointly developed with
local communities and other interested parties, and, if so, the steps
which have been taken to implement the plan;
How well the version of an integrated delivery system for
delivery of education, employment, unemployment and job training
services incorporates the four broad outcomes identified in Part I.
2. The State's approach to planning and development. Point 30
In applying this criterion, consideration will be given to such
factors as:
Whether the planned activities will likely prepare the
State and local communities to implement a One-Stop system;
Whether the State's plan is likely to lead to a broad
consensus across local areas as to the design and implementation of a
One-Stop system;
Whether the planned activities will fully utilize and
expand the existing LMI system to support the One-Stop system;
Whether the planning process is likely to lead to the
identification of barriers to implementation and recommended actions to
overcome these barriers;
Whether the timetable of activities is realistic to the
tasks.
3. The State's ability to integrate diverse programs, agencies,
organizations and individuals at the State and local levels. Points 30
In applying this criterion, consideration will be given to such
factors as:
The extent to which a broad array of State and local
agencies participated in the development of this application;
Other related actions by State and local education and
employment and training agencies to coordinate and integrate program
activities in order to reduce duplication of effort and to provide
better service to the customer;
The numbers and purposes of local agreements that already
exist among education, employment and training providers.
4. The commitment to the planning and development effort. Points 20
In applying this criterion, consideration will be given to:
The level of resources the State and local communities
have already committed to improving the delivery of program service
through the One-Stop concept;
The level and source of resources they intend to commit to
the planning and development process, and whether the level of
resources is adequate to support the activities proposed.
B. Criteria for Implementation Grants
1. The quality of the design of the One-Stop system. Points 30
In applying this criterion, consideration will be given to the
following factors that relate to the four broad outcomes to be
achieved:
Whether the proposal clearly identifies the One-Stop
system's customers and ensures services available to customers are
comprehensive and accessible;
The basis for designation of service delivery areas and
how the service area relates to the local labor market;
The extent to which customers will have choice in the
location and method of access of information;
Whether the State has a labor market information system
which will provide the quality and accessibility of information needed
to support the One-Stop system; and,
What planned improvements will be made to the labor market
information system to further support the One-Stop system being
proposed;
Whether the State governing body includes agencies that
represent a comprehensive array of State and Federal education,
employment, unemployment and job training programs and this entity's
role in strategic planning and oversight of programs and the One-Stop
system;
The extent to which local officials participated in the
design of the One-Stop system;
Whether the local governing body represents the community,
includes appropriate business representatives and represents a broad
array of education, employment and training programs;
Whether the members of the local boards are among the
community leaders;
Whether the plan proposes clear outcome measures;
Whether the system proposed to measure performance is
customer-focused and insures accountability for program performance;
Whether the system design will likely result in the
provision of quality services to all customers--i.e., individuals and
employers.
2. The size and number of programs included, the level and type of
services provided, and how the services are delivered. Points 30
In evaluating this criterion, factors under consideration include:
The number of Federal, State and local education,
unemployment, employment, training and other programs included in the
One-Stop system;
The specific services provided by all One-Stops;
The extent to which services are delivered directly to
customers; and,
The extent to which these services will enable customers
to make an informed choice about employment and job training
opportunities.
3. The feasibility and soundness of the implementation plan. Points
30
In evaluating this criterion, factors under consideration include:
Whether the time line is appropriate to the tasks to the
undertaken;
The progress the State and locals have already made in
implementation;
Whether staff development and training needs are fully
considered;
The extent to which the proposal takes advantage of
technology;
The number of sites (and representative population) which
are ready to implement in the first year;
The degree of participation in the development and
implementation of the system by local officials;
Whether the agreement between the State and the local
areas supports successful implementation and operation of the system;
The approach to identifying and overcoming barriers to
implementation.
4. The value added to the Federal resource investment. Points 10
In evaluating this criterion, factors under consideration include:
The amount and sources of resources the State/Locals have
already invested in a One-Stop system;
The amount and sources of resources the State and/or
Locals propose to invest over the three-year implementation period;
The specific uses of the Federal funds and how these funds
enables the State to expand or enhance its current efforts or to test
new approaches;
Estimates regarding cost savings from administrative
savings and other efficiencies together with the estimate of increases
in quantity/quality of direct services to customers projected by the
savings realized;
Plans on how this investment will leverage other resources
to build a system which will accommodate future program integration.
Part IV--Meetings
ETA plans to hold one meeting with the States which receive
planning and development grants during the 12-month grant period. For
implementation States, ETA plans to hold meetings approximately every
six months throughout the duration of the implementation period. These
meetings will be used to assess progress, identify issues, share
information among States and provide technical assistance to the State
and its local entities.
Part V--Reporting Requirements
Quarterly financial reports as required by the grant award
documents.
Quarterly narrative progress reports;
A narrative progress report at the conclusion of the grant
period for both implementation and development grants; and for
developmental grants, a plan for the comprehensive statewide One-Stop
Career Center system at the end of the development period.
Implementation States will be expected to provide such
additional information as is needed so that these States an local
communities' efforts, successes and problems will help inform
implementation efforts in other States. In this connection, ETA expects
to conduct an independent evaluation of all One-Stop implementation
States and States will be expected to cooperate fully with the
evaluator. ETA also expects to provide technical assistance to assist
States with their implementation efforts.
Dated: July 11, 1994.
Janice E. Perry,
Grant Officer, Division of Acquisition and Assistance.
Appendices
A. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance
B. Budget Information
BILLING CODE 4510-30-M
TN15JY94.009
TN15JY94.010
BILLING CODE 4510-30-C
Instructions for Budget Information
Section A--Budget Summary by Categories
1. Personnel: Show salaries to be paid for project personnel.
2. Fringe Benefits: Indicate the rate and amount of fringe
benefits.
3. Travel: Indicate the amount requested for staff travel. Include
funds to cover at least one trip to Washington, DC for project director
or designee.
4. Equipment: Indicate the cost of non-expendable personal property
that has a useful life of more than one year with a per unit cost of
$5,000 or more.
5. Supplies: Include the cost of consumable supplies and materials
to be used during the project period.
6. Contractual: Show the amount to be used for (1) procurement
contracts (except those which belong on other lines such as supplies
and equipment); and (2) sub-contracts/grants.
7. Other: Indicate all direct costs not clearly covered bylines 1
through 6 above, including consultants.
8. Total, Direct Costs: Add lines 1 through 7.
9. Indirect Costs: Indicate the rate and amount of indirect costs.
Please include a copy of your negotiated Indirect Cost Agreement.
10. Training/Stipend Cost: (If allowable)
11. Total Federal funds Requested: Show total of lines 8 through
10.
Section B--Cost Sharing/Matching Summary
Indicate the actual rate and amount of cost sharing/matching when
there is a cost sharing/matching requirement. Also include percentage
of total project cost and indicate source of cost sharing/matching
funds, i.e. other Federal source or other Non-Federal source.
Note: Please include a detailed cost analysis of each line item.
[FR Doc. 94-17272 Filed 7-14-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-M
