Older Americans Act-Solicitation for Grant Applications; Senior Community Service Employment Program National Grants for Program Year 2006, 10798-10820 [06-1959]

Agencies

• Employment and Training Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 41 (Thursday, March 2, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10798-10820]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-1959]



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Part IV





Department of Labor





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Employment and Training Administration



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Older Americans Act--Solicitation for Grant Applications; Senior 
Community Service Employment Program National Grants for Program Year 
2006; Notice

Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 41 / Thursday, March 2, 2006 / 
Notices

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Older Americans Act--Solicitation for Grant Applications; Senior 
Community Service Employment Program National Grants for Program Year 
2006

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, DOL.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds and solicitation for grant 
applications for the national grants portion of the Senior Community 
Service Employment Program.

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    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Opportunity Number: SGA/DFA-PY 05-06.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 17.235.

DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications is April 17, 2006.
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Labor (the Department), Employment and 
Training Administration (ETA) announces a grant competition for 
national grantee funding under the Senior Community Service Employment 
Program (SCSEP) authorized under title V of the Older Americans Act 
Amendments of 2000 (OAA Amendments), Pub. L. 106-501, 42 U.S.C. 3056 
and implemented under 20 CFR part 641 (April 9, 2004).
    These projects will promote part-time work-based training 
opportunities in local communities for unemployed, low-income 
individuals who are age 55 and over, and will foster increased 
prospects for their economic self-sufficiency. SCSEP is the only 
nationwide Federal program that focuses on training and placing older 
individuals into community work-based training and unsubsidized 
employment.
    The total amount of funds available for this SGA is approximately 
$341,000,000, or 78 percent of the total appropriation for Program Year 
(PY) 2006 (July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007). It is anticipated that 
no more than 20 awards will be made under this SGA, including at least 
one award to an Indian and Native American organization and at least 
one award to an Asian Pacific Islander organization, as required by 
section 506(a)(3) of the OAA Amendments. Eligible entities include any 
non-profit organization, Federal public agency, or Tribal organization 
that has the ability to operate in more than one state and that meets 
the eligibility and responsibility requirements outlined in 20 CFR part 
641 subpart D. The remaining 22 percent of the appropriation is 
reserved for state formula-funded programs and therefore, is not 
included in this SGA.
    The Department is holding a full and open competition in order to 
provide better services to SCSEP participants, employers, and the 
communities served by the national grant program. Open competition is 
not only the preferred vehicle for obtaining new grantees, but in most 
cases, it is the required vehicle for obtaining new grantees. The 
Department favors full and open competition because it provides an 
opportunity to ensure that the best applicants are awarded grants and 
that the program is administered effectively.
    The Department held the first competition for national grant 
funding in PY 2003. As a result of that competition, the Department 
selected four new national grantees, and made extensive changes to the 
areas served by the incumbent grantees. These grantees provide 
diversity in services, including expertise in serving individuals with 
disabilities and minority populations as well as close connections with 
One-Stop Career Centers. The Department deems it important to maintain 
diversity among qualified service providers to the extent possible. The 
Department is especially interested in organizations that demonstrate a 
partnership with local One-Stop Career Centers and community colleges 
and that promote employment through high growth job opportunities.
    Under this SGA, the Department will be consolidating grantee 
service areas to increase program effectiveness and achieve economies 
of scale. Therefore, applicants are required to apply for contiguous 
locations within a state. Applicants applying as Asian and Pacific 
Islander and/or Indian organizations, pursuant to section 506(a)(3) of 
title V of the OAA, are exempt from this contiguousness requirement. 
The Department reserves the right to negotiate with successful 
applicants on the final service areas.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This SGA consists of eight (8) sections:
     Section I provides background information about the 
program.
     Section II describes the size and nature of the 
anticipated awards.
     Section III describes applicant eligibility criteria.
     Section IV outlines the application submission and 
withdrawal requirements.
     Section V describes the application review process and 
rating criteria.
     Section VI outlines additional award administration 
information.
     Section VII contains DOL agency contact information.
     Section VIII describes the notice to state and incumbent 
national grantees, bidders' conference information, and procedures for 
asking questions about this SGA. This section also lists appendices for 
other supplemental information, including a list of resources.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The SCSEP was originally authorized in 1965 by the Economic 
Opportunity Act, Public Law 89-73. In 1973 the SCSEP was authorized 
under the Older Americans Act (OAA). As authorized by title V of the 
OAA of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 3056 et seq.), the SCSEP fosters and promotes 
useful part-time work-based training opportunities in community 
organizations for persons with low incomes who are 55 years of age or 
older. Program participants receive on-the-job training at local public 
or non-profit agencies and are paid the higher of the Federal, state, 
or local minimum wage or the comparable wage for approximately 20 hours 
per week while in job training (OAA Amendments Sec.  502(b)(1)(J); 20 
CFR 641.565(a)). The ultimate goal is to assist the transition of older 
individuals into unsubsidized employment that leads to self-
sufficiency.
    The Fiscal Year 2005 total appropriation was $438,678,400 and 
applied to the Program Year that began on July 1, 2005. This funding 
supported over 61,300 positions and will result in approximately 93,000 
people being served during the program year that ends on June 30, 2006.
    The following information describes key aspects of the program. For 
a more in-depth understanding, applicants should read the resources 
listed in Section VIII of this SGA.
    Eligible Participant. An individual is eligible for the program if 
he or she is unemployed at the time of enrollment, is age 55 or older, 
and has an income of no more than 125 percent of the Federal poverty 
guidelines.
    Services for Individuals with Multiple Barriers to Employment. 
SCSEP is a focused program that seeks to serve those most in need as 
provided at 20 CFR 641.525. These individuals are age 60 or over and 
who have the greatest economic need, or greatest social need, or poor 
employment history or prospects.
    Individual Employment Plans (IEP). As required at 20 CFR 641.535, 
each SCSEP participant must be assessed to determine his or her skills 
and employment-related needs and a plan must be developed to improve 
the participant's employability. The IEP generally includes a goal of

[[Page 10799]]

unsubsidized employment and an appropriate sequence of services and 
training for that participant based on the assessment. (Other 
employment and training programs sometimes refer to this type of plan 
as an Individual Development Plan or Individual Training Plan). 
Grantees should monitor IEP progress regularly and are required to 
update an IEP (if necessary) for each participant at least twice during 
a 12-month period.
    Unsubsidized Employment. An important goal of the program is to 
help participants achieve self-sufficiency. Grantees provide training 
opportunities that enable participants to obtain employment. In 
addition, grantees provide regular follow-up communication with the 
participant and employer to ensure that the participant is retained in 
the job. Grantees may also provide supportive services to successfully 
placed participants for up to 6 months to enable them to remain 
employed. Successful employment and retention in a job should result 
from quality training efforts and good employer relationships.
    Community Service Work-Based Training. Providing subsidized work-
based training through community service is an important aspect of 
SCSEP. Participants obtain the confidence needed to become employable 
and the organizations that ``host'' the participants receive volunteer 
work. As provided at 20 CFR 641.140, community service may include, but 
is not limited to, such activities as social, health, welfare and 
educational services, counseling services, including tax counseling, 
environmental efforts, weatherization efforts and economic development. 
The training provided at these host agencies must be consistent with 
the participant's IEP. Participants receive wages paid by the grantee 
while they are in work-based training.
    Host Agencies. Host agencies provide the worksites for program 
participants and may be public or private 501(c)(3) organizations, 
including community-based and faith-based organizations, authorized 
Federal agencies, state agencies, or local public agencies. Host 
agencies are an important component of the program because they provide 
training and work experience for participants. Grantees must work with 
host agencies to identify appropriate training that does not lead to 
maintenance of effort violations. Therefore, the grantee's 
communication with and training for the host agency directly affects 
the value of the work-based training experience for the participants, 
and the participants' ability to obtain unsubsidized employment.
    Other Permissible Training. Training other than work-based training 
is an important tool to improve the skills and talents of participants, 
to help them succeed in their community service assignments, and to 
facilitate placement of participants in unsubsidized employment. How 
much training, and what types of training are necessary are based on 
each individual participant's IEP, but may include classroom training, 
general skills training, or specialized training.
    Coordination With One-Stop Career Centers, State and Local 
Workforce Investment Boards, State Agencies on Aging, Area Agencies on 
Aging, Other Grantees and SCSEP 502(e) Program Grantees. As a required 
partner, all SCSEP grantees are required to coordinate activities with 
local One-Stop Career Centers administered by Local Workforce 
Investment Boards under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), Pub. L. 
105-220, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). For instance, as 
provided at 20 CFR 641.230, participant determinations of eligibility 
and needs assessments completed by the SCSEP satisfy any condition for 
an assessment under WIA and vice-versa.
    Coordination with state agencies on aging and area agencies on 
aging is required to ensure seamless support of aging individuals, 
which also helps participants achieve self-sufficiency. These 
organizations often operate local SCSEP programs but also offer 
supportive benefits to seniors. Grantees are also encouraged to 
coordinate efforts with other SCSEP grantees.
    Participant Wages and Fringe Benefits. Grantees are required to 
spend a minimum of 75 percent of the Federal grant funds on participant 
wages and fringe benefits. Participant wages are based on the higher of 
the Federal, state, or local minimum wage, or at a comparable wage for 
time spent in approved program activities only (e.g., community service 
training, other permissible training). See Section II of this SGA for 
funding calculation information. Generally, payments are made every 2 
weeks.
    Although the Department discourages grantees from providing 
permissive fringe benefits, such as annual leave and sick leave, 
because they dissuade participants from obtaining unsubsidized 
employment, applicants will not be penalized if they elect to provide 
such benefits. If a grantee provides such benefits, they must be 
consistently applied to all participants and expire at the end of every 
program year. Workers' compensation is a statutorily required fringe 
benefit that must be provided to each participant, and falls into a 
different cost classification from the workers' compensation provided 
to the grantee's employees. Please see 20 CFR 641.565(b)(iii). Physical 
examinations must also be offered to every participant as required 
under 20 CFR 641.565(b)(ii)(A).
    Equitable Distribution (ED). Section 507 of the OAA Amendments 
requires the Department to ensure that services are provided equitably 
within each state. The calculation is based on census data by county 
and state and annual program appropriations, and results in the number 
of authorized positions or ``slots'' that are allocated to each county. 
The number of authorized positions is proportional to the number of 
eligible people in the county compared to the state total. For every 
slot, one or more individuals can receive services through the program 
year. For instance, when a participant exits the program for 
employment, a new individual may be enrolled based on remaining program 
funds.
    Right of First Refusal. Under this solicitation, all successful 
applicants must allow the current participants to remain in the program 
under the same conditions in which they are found in order to minimize 
disruptions to the program. Therefore, while participants may not elect 
to remain under a former grantee, they must be able to continue 
community service work-based training with the same host agency for a 
minimum of 90 days after July 1, 2006.
    Administrative Costs. The administrative allowance for the program 
is 13.5 percent of the Federal share. Administrative costs are defined 
in the OAA Amendments at section 502(c)(4) and 20 CFR 641.856. This 
administrative limit may be extended to 15 percent as permitted under 
section 502(c)(3) of the OAA Amendments and 20 CFR 641.867.
    Non-Federal Share Requirement. Section 502(c)(1)-(2) limits the 
Department's cost of operating the program to 90 percent. Therefore, 
each grantee must contribute a minimum of 10 percent to the program 
through cash or in-kind contributions. This requirement also applies to 
Federal agencies unless a statutory exemption is demonstrated. Grantees 
are prohibited from requiring local projects or subgrantees from 
providing match as a condition of receiving funds. For more information 
on non-Federal share requirements, please see 20 CFR 641.809 and 29 CFR 
95.23.

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    Subgrantee. This is defined as any organization that provides 
program services on behalf of the grantee. There are no statutory 
restrictions on the type of entity that may be a subgrantee; however, 
all subgrantees are required to follow all applicable Department rules, 
regulations, and policy advisories. Some examples of entities that may 
be subgrantees include, but are not limited to, community and faith-
based organizations, community colleges, state agencies, One-Stop 
Career Centers, for-profit organizations, and tribal organizations.
    Extension of Funding. At the request of a grantee, the Department 
may permit a grantee to extend the use of any remaining program year 
grant funds beyond the program year. The Department discourages such 
practice and will grant an extension only under extenuating 
circumstances.
    Performance Measures. The performance measures for the program are 
outlined in 20 CFR part 641 subpart G and Appendix I. These goals are 
designed to ensure that grantees are enrolling those individuals who 
need the most training assistance to obtain employment. They also 
ensure that participants are placed into and retained in jobs and that 
they continue to improve their skills and employability. The Department 
expects continuous performance improvement from the program overall, 
which is measured under the Government Performance and Results Act 
(GPRA) of 1993 through established program goals. The ability of a 
grantee to meet the performance measures depends largely on how 
successful the grantee is at recruiting, conducting outreach, 
identifying job openings, training participants, and successfully 
matching participants with jobs.

II. Award Information

    Type of Assistance Instrument. This is an initial one year grant 
unless extended by the Department under extenuating circumstances as 
described in Section II-C. The grant may be extended for an additional 
two years, contingent upon the grantee meeting or exceeding the minimum 
negotiated performance measures as required by section 514(a) of the 
OAA Amendments and 20 CFR 641.700.

A. Service Locations

    The applicable service locations are listed by state and county in 
Section VIII, Appendix F of this SGA. Please note that national grant 
funds are not allocated for the states of Alaska, Delaware, and Hawaii, 
and for the territories of American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas 
Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

B. Funding Levels

    (1) Funding Amount and Total Awards. The total amount of funds 
available for this SGA is approximately $341,000,000. It is anticipated 
that no more than 20 awards will be made under this SGA, including at 
least one award to an Indian organization and at least one to an Asian 
Pacific Islander organization that serve older individuals.
    (2) Minimum Request for Funding. In order to deliver services more 
efficiently and to reduce duplicative administrative costs, the 
Department seeks to reduce the number of national grantees serving 
individual local areas through this SGA. To that end, certain 
requirements have been placed on the size of requests for funding.
    Applicants must apply for at least 10 percent of the state 
allocation or $1,600,000 (approximately 224 slots) in each state, 
whichever is greater. (See examples 1 and 2 below.) This requirement 
does not preclude an applicant from applying for more than 10 percent 
of the allocated amount in a state. In fact, the Department encourages 
applicants to apply for 20-25 percent for maximum efficiencies of 
operation.
    Applicants must also apply for all of the positions allocated in a 
county, except in large counties that exceed the 10 percent or $1.6 
million state minimum. The Department may award two or more grants in 
large counties that have more than 224 positions (or more than $1.6 
million). For those large counties, the applicant may apply for a 
portion of the county; but if that does not meet the 10 percent or $1.6 
million state minimum, the applicant must also apply for surrounding 
contiguous counties.
    In addition, requests for multiple counties in a state must be 
contiguously located to receive consideration. An applicant may apply 
for more than one cluster of counties in a state, such as in larger 
states, but each cluster must meet the minimum state funding 
requirements.
    Applicants must list their requests for locations and number of 
positions by county and state in a chart format. This chart is 
available in Excel format with accompanying instructions at https://
www.doleta.gov/seniors/. Applicants are required to submit this file 
electronically as part of the application packet.

    Example 1: Organization A submits an application to provide 
services in Wyoming, which has 230 available slots. Organization A 
must apply for all of the available slots in Wyoming.
    Example 2: Organization B submits an application to provide 
services in California, which has 4,080 available slots but only 
wants to operate in the Oakland area, which is in Alameda County. In 
order to be considered for an application, Organization B must meet 
the minimum funding requirements, which in this case is 10 percent 
or $2,918,424 (408 slots) in California. Organization B must apply 
for the 158 slots in Alameda County or $1,130,174, and the slots in 
any contiguous counties to meet the minimum state funding request. 
In this example, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, and Stanislaus Counties 
are contiguously located. Therefore, Organization B could also apply 
for 81 slots in Contra Costa or $579,606; 131 slots in Santa Clara 
County or $937,043; and 61 slots in Stanislaus County or $436,333 
for a total request of $3,082,943, or other contiguous counties to 
meet the minimum funding requirements.

    (3) The Calculation Formula. Applicants can calculate the estimated 
amount of funds allocated to a state by county using the ``cost per 
authorized position'' formula in section 506(g)(1) of the OAA 
Amendments. The unit cost is roughly $7,153 per authorized position 
based on the Federal minimum wage. This amount represents the total 
funding allocated for each authorized position, including 
administrative costs. Applicants should multiply this amount by the 
number of positions in the county as listed in Section VIII, Appendix F 
of this SGA.

    Example: Stanislaus County, California has 61 available 
positions in the county. Therefore, the amount of funding would be 
$7,153 x 61 = $436,333. Although this is only an estimate of cost 
per authorized position, it is a useful tool for applicants to 
determine their funding request under this proposal.


    Note: A higher state minimum wage does not impact the slot 
funding calculation, but is a factor that is considered for 
performance measure calculations.

    (4) Calculation Requirements. Calculations must be based on the 
number of authorized positions as a result of equitable distribution 
rather than the actual number of positions that currently exist in the 
county. This requirement encourages equitable distribution of 
positions. Therefore, under-served areas will be funded to provide 
services to more needy individuals in those counties. However, those 
counties that are over-served will not be funded to provide for all 
current participants. It will be the successful applicant's 
responsibility to move these eligible participants into unsubsidized 
employment or to fund the positions as part of a non-Federal share 
contribution. In exceptional circumstances, the transition period may 
exceed one year.

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(See Appendix F for the number of authorized positions in each county.)

    Example 1: Alameda County, California should receive 158 
positions according to the equitable distribution formula. However, 
this county is currently over-served by 20 positions. An 
organization applying for this county will only be funded for the 
158 positions or $1,130,174. The successful applicant will be 
responsible for either placing 20 participants in unsubsidized 
employment or funding the positions using grant or non-Federal share 
(match) funds. (See Appendix F for the number of authorized 
positions and the current level of filled positions.)
    Example 2: San Joaquin County, California should receive 85 
positions according to the equitable distribution formula. However, 
this county is currently under-served by 7 positions. An 
organization applying for this county will be funded for 85 
positions or $608,005 and will be able to enroll additional 
participants in the program in the county.

    (5) Disqualification Statement. A failure in the application to 
adhere to these requirements will result in the disqualification of the 
applicant to compete for the area(s) impacted.

    Note: The Department reserves the right to make final decisions 
on the service providers in an area and may take into consideration 
special local conditions and otherwise unforeseen circumstances 
including combining metropolitan areas across state borders.

C. Period of Performance

    Successful applicants under this SGA are expected to commence 
program operations on July 1, 2006. The period of performance will 
initially be for one (1) year (unless extended by the Department under 
extenuating circumstances) with an option to be funded for an 
additional two (2) years at the Department's discretion. However, the 
Department's option to refund the initial grant is contingent upon the 
grantee meeting or exceeding the minimum negotiated performance 
measures as required by section 514(a) of the OAA Amendments and 20 CFR 
641.700.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

    In order to be eligible to compete for funds under this SGA, the 
applicant must demonstrate that it is capable of operating in more than 
one state as required at 20 CFR 641.140. This requirement does not 
preclude an organization from applying for areas in only one state as 
long as the other requirements are met. Note, however, that the 
Department reserves the right to award only one applicant per state.
    Applicants must also meet the responsibility and eligibility tests 
under section 514(b)-(d) of the OAA Amendments and 20 CFR 641.430--
641.440 and the funding requirements in Section II above.
    Applicants may apply to receive a grant under one or more of the 
following three (3) categories:
    (1) General National Grant Funds. Applications for general SCSEP 
national grant funds will be accepted from public and private nonprofit 
agencies and organizations, including faith-based and community-based 
organizations, and tribal organizations consistent with section 
502(b)(1) of the OAA Amendments and 20 CFR 641.400(a), that are 
familiar with the areas and populations to be served and that can 
administer an effective program in more than one state.
    ``Nonprofit'' is defined as an agency, institution, or organization 
which is, or is owned and operated by, one or more corporations or 
associations no part of the net earnings of which inures, or may 
lawfully inure, to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual 
(OAA Amendments Sec.  101(4)).
    ``Public agency'' is defined as a Federal public agency with the 
statutory authority to receive other Federal grant funds (also known as 
gift authority) (20 CFR 641.400).
    ``Tribal organizations'' is defined as the recognized governing 
body of any Indian tribe, or any legally established organization of 
Indians which is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by such governing 
body (OAA Amendments Sec.  101(7) and 20 CFR 641.140). In any case in 
which a contract is let or grant made to an organization to perform 
services benefiting more than one Indian tribe, the approval of each 
such Indian tribe is a prerequisite to the letting or making of such 
contract or grant.
    Applicants must mark a ``G'' on the application and state 
specifically in the application that they are applying for general 
SCSEP national grant funds.
    (2) Indian Grant Funds. Applications will be accepted from public 
or nonprofit national Indian aging organizations with the ability to 
provide employment services to older Indians as required by section 
506(a)(3) of the OAA Amendments.
    ``Indian'' means a person who is a member of an Indian tribe (OAA 
Amendments Sec.  101(5) and 20 CFR 641.140).
    ``Indian tribe'' means any tribe, band, nation, or other organized 
group or community of Indians (including Alaska Native village or 
regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant 
to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act) which (A) is recognized as 
eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United 
States to Indians because of their status as Indians; or (B) is located 
on, or in proximity to, a Federal or state reservation (OAA Amendments 
Sec.  101(6) and 20 CFR 641.140).
    Applicants must mark an ``I'' on the application and state 
specifically in the application that they are applying for Indian SCSEP 
national grant funds. The Department may take local needs and 
population characteristics into consideration when making funding 
decisions.
    (3) Pacific Islander and Asian American National Grant Funds. 
Applications for Pacific Islander and Asian American national grant 
funds will be accepted from national public or nonprofit Pacific 
Islander and Asian American aging organizations with the ability to 
provide employment to older Pacific Islanders and Asian Americans, as 
required by section 506(a)(3) of the OAA Amendments.
    ``Pacific Islander and Asian American'' means Americans having 
origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, 
the Indian Subcontinent, or the Pacific Islands (OAA Amendments Sec.  
516(3)).
    Applicants must mark an ``AP'' on the application and state 
specifically in the application that they are applying for Pacific 
Islander and Asian American SCSEP national grant funds. The Department 
may take local needs and population characteristics into consideration 
when making funding decisions.
    (4) Other Useful Information. Applicants applying for more than one 
category above must submit separate applications for each category for 
which they are applying. Please note, however, that regardless of the 
category selected, all successful applicants are required to serve any 
eligible individual within the awarded counties and states. 
Consideration of ethnic or racial status is only a factor for tracking 
services provided to individuals with multiple barriers to employment 
as defined in Section I of this SGA.
    Entities may apply as a consortium, but each member of the 
consortium must meet all eligibility and responsibility tests. Entities 
applying as a consortium are also jointly and severally liable for 
meeting all requirements for administering this Federally-funded 
program.
    In the context of this SGA, a consortium is two or more eligible 
entities that enter into a legal agreement to apply for SCSEP funds as 
if they were applying as a single organization. For grant 
administration purposes, the

[[Page 10802]]

consortium must identify one organization as the lead contact.

B. Veterans Priority

    This program is subject to the priority provisions of the Jobs for 
Veterans Act, 38 U.S.C. 4215 et seq. In cases where providers of 
services must choose between two or more candidates with similar 
backgrounds and skill sets, the Jobs for Veterans Act requires that 
veterans and spouses of certain specified veterans be given priority. 
Please note that, to obtain priority of service, a veteran must meet 
the program's eligibility requirements. The advisory providing policy 
guidance on veterans' priority is at https://www.doleta.gov/programs/
VETs/. Veterans priority for SCSEP is described at 20 CFR 641.520.
    Legal rules pertaining to inherently religious activities by 
organizations that receive Federal financial assistance. The government 
is generally prohibited from providing direct Federal financial 
assistance for inherently religious activities. Grants under the 
solicitation may not be used for religious instruction, worship, 
prayer, proselytizing, or other inherently religious activities. 
Neutral, non-religious criteria that neither favor nor disfavor 
religion will be employed in the selection of grant recipients and must 
be employed by grantees in the selection of sub-recipients.

C. Ineligible Applicants

    Proposals will not be accepted from the following applicants:
    (1) Organizations described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal 
Revenue Code that engage in lobbying are prohibited from receiving 
Federal awards under Section 18 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, 
Public Law 104-65.
    (2) Organizations that fail to provide any of the required 
information described in this SGA, or fail to clearly identify the 
number and location by county of slots requested.
    (3) Organizations that fail to demonstrate that they are capable of 
operating in more than one state, as required by 20 CFR 641.400(a).
    (4) Organizations that apply to serve Alaska, Delaware, and/or 
Hawaii only.
    (5) With the exception of Federal public agencies, other public 
agencies, such as state agencies or local governments, are not eligible 
to apply.

D. Cost Sharing or Matching

    All applicants, including Federal agencies, must demonstrate a 
minimum of 10 percent non-Federal contribution to the program and the 
source of such non-Federal share. Federal agencies that have a 
statutory exemption to the non-Federal share requirement must attach a 
copy of the exemption language. The source of such documentation must 
be easily determined. Please see 20 CFR 641.809 for further 
information.

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Address To Request Application Package

    All application materials will be made available on the following 
Web sites: https://www.doleta.gov/sga/; https://www.grants.gov; and 
https://www.doleta.gov/seniors/. Please note that this announcement 
includes all information and forms needed to apply for this funding 
opportunity.

B. Content and Form of Application

    Each application must include the original signed application and 
two hard copies. The proposal must consist of two separate and distinct 
parts: Part A--Financial Proposal and Part B--Technical Proposal. Both 
parts must be included in each copy of a complete application. 
Applications that fail to adhere to the instructions in this section 
will be deemed non-responsive and will not be considered for funding.
1. Requirements for the Technical Proposal
    Page Limit. Maximum forty-five (45) page narrative, including all 
optional attachments, single-side only on 8\1/2\ x 
11 paper. Pages must be numbered. Only those attachments 
listed below as ``Required Attachments'' will be excluded from the page 
limit. Optional attachments must be limited to meaningful information 
that contributes to and/or verifies the proposed activities, such as 
letters of commitment.
    Spacing. Double-spaced with the exception of optional and required 
attachments. Major sections and sub-sections of the application should 
be divided and clearly identified.
    Font Size and Typeface. Minimum 12 points in Times New Roman 
typeface.
    Margins. Must be a minimum of one inch on all sides.
    Required Attachments. The following attachments must be affixed as 
separate, clearly identified appendices to the application and will not 
count against the page limit:
    (a) An organizational chart, resumes of key personnel, and complete 
staffing plans. Resumes of all key staff (e.g., Executive Director, 
Project Director, etc.) must include a description of each individual's 
roles and responsibilities, his/her current employment status and 
previous work experience, including position title, duties, dates in 
position, employing organizations, and educational background. Staffing 
plans must identify all key tasks, the person(s) or days required to 
complete each task, and the percentage of time allocated to the program 
by individuals assigned to the task, including sub-contractors and 
consultants;
    (b) A list of all government grants and contracts the applicant and 
its affiliates have had in the past 3 years, including grant officer 
contact name, telephone number and e-mail address, amount of award, 
summary of the work performed, period of performance, and performance 
record and/or accomplishments. For purposes of this SGA, the term 
``affiliate'' refers to the applicant's subsidiaries, divisions, 
predecessors, and successors;
    (c) Chart listing the number of positions for which the applicant 
is applying to serve by county and state. (See Section VIII, Appendix K 
of this SGA);
    (d) Consortium agreement, if applicable; and
    (e) Federal agencies must submit a clearly identifiable copy of the 
statutory provision that permits it to receive other Federal funds and 
a clearly identifiable copy of any applicable exemptions from the non-
Federal share requirements.

    Note: Applicants receiving awards will be expected to show audit 
reports for the past 3 years for the applicant and its affiliates 
before final awards are made.

2. Requirements for the Cost Proposal
    Application for Federal Assistance SF-424. The SF-424 must clearly 
identify the applicant and be signed by an individual with authority to 
enter into a grant agreement on behalf of the applicant. Upon 
confirmation of an award, the individual signing the SF-424 on behalf 
of the applicant shall represent the responsible entity. All 
applications for Federal grant and funding opportunities are required 
to have a Dun and Bradstreet (DUNS) number. Applicants must supply 
their DUNS number in item 8 of SF-424. The DUNS number is easy 
to obtain and there is no charge. To obtain a DUNS number, access 
https://www.dnb.com or call 1-866-705-5711.
    Budget Information for SF-424A. Standard Form 424A must contain a 
detailed cost break out on each of the expenditures under Section B of 
the form, including Federal and non-Federal funds. Copies of all 
required forms along with the instructions for completing the forms are 
provided at the appendices of this SGA.


[[Page 10803]]


    Note: The Application for Federal Assistance (SF424) and the 
Budget Information Form (SF-424A) are available at https://
www.grants.gov/GovtWideForms.

    Indirect Cost Rate. An indirect cost rate is required when an 
organization operates under more than one grant or other activity 
whether Federally-assisted or not. Organizations must use the indirect 
cost rate supplied by the cognizant Federal agency. If an organization 
requires a new indirect cost rate or has a pending indirect cost rate, 
the Department's Grant Officer will award a billing rate for 90 days 
until a provisional rate can be issued.
    Cost Categories. Expenditures must fall under one of two cost 
categories: Administrative, which is to be divided between headquarters 
and local, and Program Costs, which includes wages, fringe benefits, 
and other participant costs.
    Sufficient Local Funding. The OAA, at section 502(b)(1)(R) requires 
each grantee to allocate funding for administrative costs incurred at 
subrecipient levels for program administrative activities. In addition, 
grantees may not require a subgrantee to contribute financial resources 
to program operations as a condition of operating the program. Please 
see 20 CFR 641.861 and 641.809(e) for further information.
    Transition and Training Costs. Applicants are required to provide a 
line item for transition costs (i.e., start-up [costs], participant 
transfers, year-end closeout), as well as for sufficient training costs 
for local staff that may be required by the Department throughout the 
program year. Procurement procedures must comply with OMB Circular A-
122.
    Required Attachments. Assurances, Certifications, Signature page 
and Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form are required.

    Note: The cost proposal must be prepared to cover program costs 
for one (1) year of operation only.

C. Submission Dates, Times, and Addresses

    Applications may be submitted in either method described below but 
must be received no later than 4:45 p.m., Eastern Time on the closing 
date. The application will not be considered if an applicant fails to 
adhere to the submission instructions below.
    Electronic Submissions. The Department requests that applicants 
apply online at https://www.grants.gov. The Department strongly 
recommends that applicants initiate and complete the ``Get Started'' 
steps to register with grants.gov at https://www.grants.gov/GetStarted. 
Please note that these steps could take several days to complete, which 
should factor into an applicant's submission timing to avoid the 
rejection of an application due to potential delays. Documents should 
be saved as .doc or .pdf prior to electronic submission through 
grants.gov.
    U.S. Postal Mail and Overnight Submissions. Submit one (1) blue-ink 
signed, typewritten original of the application, and two signed 
photocopies in one package to: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and 
Training Administration, Attention: James Stockton, Mail Stop N-4716, 
200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210.
    Other Methods of Submission. Applications submitted by e-mail, 
telegram, or facsimile will not be accepted.
    Late Applications. Any application received after the closing date 
will not be considered, unless it is received before awards are made 
and:
    (a) It was sent by U.S. Postal Service registered or certified mail 
not later than the fifth calendar day before the closing date (e.g., an 
application required by the 20th of the month must be postmarked by the 
15th of that month); or
    (b) It was sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail/Next Day 
Service from the post office to the addressee no later than 4:45 pm at 
the place of mailing, two (2) working days (excluding weekends and 
Federal holidays and days when the Federal Government is closed), prior 
to the closing date; or
    (c) It is determined by the Government that the late receipt was 
due solely to the mishandling by the Government after receipt at the 
U.S. Department of Labor at the address indicated.
    Acceptable Evidence for Late Applications. The only acceptable 
evidence to establish the date of mailing of a late application sent by 
registered or certified mail is the U.S. Postal Service postmark on the 
envelope or wrapper and on the original receipt from the U.S. Postal 
Service. If the postmark is not legible, an application received after 
the closing date and time shall be considered as if mailed late.
    The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of a 
late application sent by U.S Postal Service Express Mail/Next Day 
Service from the post office to the 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 the 
envelope or wrapper on the original receipt from the U.S. Postal 
Service.
    ``Postmarked'' means a printed, stamped, or otherwise placed 
impression (exclusive of a postage meter machine impression) that is 
readily identifiable, with further action, as having been supplied or 
affixed on the date of mailing by an employee of the U.S. Postal 
Service. 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.
    Mail Advisory in the DC Area. All applicants are advised that U.S. 
mail delivery in the Washington, DC area is erratic. Packages addressed 
to the U.S. Department of Labor are subject to radiation before 
delivery. All applicants must take this into consideration when 
preparing to meet the application closing date, as each applicant 
assumes the risk for ensuring a timely submission of its application. 
The Department recommends that applicants confirm receipt of their 
applications by contacting James Stockton, U.S. Department of Labor, 
Employment and Training Administration, Office of Grants and Contract 
Management, telephone (202) 693-3335 before the closing date. [This is 
not a toll-free number.]
    Applications may be withdrawn by written notice or telegram 
(including mailgram) at any time before the Department makes an award. 
An applicant may withdraw its submissions in person by the applicant or 
through an authorized representative of the applicant if the applicant 
makes the representative's identity known to the Grant Officer and the 
representative signs a receipt when he or she receives the withdrawn 
application.

D. Intergovernmental Review

    This program is subject to Executive Order (E.O.) 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.'' Each applicant must 
contact the office or official designated as the Single Point of 
Contact (SPOC) in each applicable state for information on the process 
the state requires to be followed in applying for assistance. In some 
cases the SPOC may not have selected the SCSEP for review. Names and 
addresses for the SPOCs are listed in the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) at https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html. 
Additional information on Executive Order 12372 can be found at https://
www.fws.gov/policy/library/rgeo12372.pdf.

E. Funding Restrictions

    The minimum funding requirement must be at least 10 percent of the 
state

[[Page 10804]]

allocation or $1,600,000 (approximately 224 slots), whichever is 
greater. Applicants are also required to apply for contiguously located 
counties within a state, unless an applicant can meet the greater of 
$1,600,000 or 10 percent state allocation, within a single county. 
Applicants should follow the minimum request for funding guidance found 
in Section II.B.

F. Other Submission Requirements

    Each applicant must submit a copy of the technical proposal 
(including the chart of service areas but no other attachment 
requirements) and the SF-424 to the Governor in each state that it 
proposes to serve before submitting an application to the Department as 
required by section 503(a)(5) of the OAA Amendments and 20 CFR 641.410. 
Under this provision, the Governor of each state may submit a 
recommendation to the Secretary relating to the anticipated effect of 
an applicant's proposal on the overall distribution of positions within 
the state; recommendations for redistribution of positions to under-
served areas (i.e., Equitable Distribution); and recommendations for 
distribution of any newly available positions. The Department will not 
consider comments that are outside the scope of this provision.
    Please note that Governors are not required to provide comments to 
applicants. Therefore, applicants should not wait for communication 
from the Governor before submitting the application to the Department.
    Applicants submitting as an Indian (``I'') grant are not required 
to submit copies of their applications to the Governors under this 
section, but are encouraged to voluntarily comply with this provision.

V. Application Review Information

A. Evaluation Criteria

    All applicants are required to use the Rating Criteria format when 
developing their proposals. The technical panel will review grant 
applications against the criteria listed below on the basis of 100 
maximum points. In order to receive full credit, applicants must 
provide quality information that does more than reiterate the 
requirement statement or merely state how it will be accomplished. 
Therefore, responses must be thoughtful and reflect a strategic vision 
for how these requirements will be achieved. In addition, an applicant 
that describes only what has been accomplished in the past but lacks a 
full description of what it will do during the grant period will not 
receive credit for that response.
    Points Summary:
    1. Design and Governance--15 points.
    2. Program and Grant Management Systems--10 points.
    3. Financial Management System--10 points.
    4. Program Service Delivery--40 points.
    5. Performance Accountability--25 points.
    Total--100 points.
1. Design and Governance: (15 Points)
    Strategic Planning. The applicant must demonstrate how it will 
develop and implement a strategic approach to meeting business and 
industry needs for a prepared and competitive workforce through a 
demand-driven approach.
    Applicants may wish to consider the following when formulating a 
response:
     Strategies for consulting with business leaders from the 
state and local area in forming and managing demand-driven approaches 
and strategies.
     Strategies for functioning as a partner with the public 
workforce system, business and industry, economic development agencies, 
and education and training providers, including community colleges.
     Strategies for identifying high-growth business and 
industries, the workforce needs, and the skills and competencies needed 
to perform jobs in these key business areas.
    Service Design. The applicant must describe its service delivery 
system design that will accomplish its strategic objectives for helping 
older workers.
    Applicants may wish to consider the following when formulating a 
response:
     Resources within the organization including services, 
skills, expertise and monetary resources, or through partners, 
contributors, or vendors that will enhance the program.
     Services to targeted industry employers and host agencies, 
including any strategies to prevent maintenance of effort violations.
     Process for determining the needs of employers that assist 
employers in training and retaining older workers to meet that need.
     Strategies for leveraging the workforce system's resources 
over the grant period to create human resource solutions for employers.
    Program Integration. Applicants must describe how integration will 
be supported, codified in policy, measures, and demonstrated at the 
leadership level of the organization.
    Applicants may wish to consider the following when formulating a 
response:
     Strategies for engaging senior level leadership (including 
board members, if applicable) in support of program integration into 
the larger workforce investment system.
     Strategies for coordinating with the public workforce 
system, SCSEP State Coordinators, area agencies on aging, 502(e) 
grantees, as applicable and other SCSEP grantees that also serve in the 
state.
     Strategies for ensuring negotiated MOUs that improve the 
delivery of services to low-income older workers in every local area of 
operation and that resolve impasse situations prior to seeking Federal 
assistance.
2. Program and Grant Management Systems: (10 Points)
    Administrative Controls. The applicant must demonstrate that its 
administrative controls are sufficient to ensure grant integrity.
    Applicants may wish to consider the following when formulating a 
response:
     The policies and procedures that are in place or will be 
in place to manage core functions and program operations.
     The monitoring tools and procedures that will be used to 
track grant operations against performance objectives and compliance 
with uniform administrative requirements. Consideration may also be 
given to how often monitoring will occur, and under what circumstances.
    Personnel. The applicant must describe how the management structure 
and staffing of the organization are aligned with the grant 
requirements, vision, and goals, and how the structure and staffing are 
designed to assure responsible general management of the organization.
    Non-Federal Share. The applicant must describe its policies and 
procedures to meet non-Federal share requirements, including the use of 
leveraged resources.
    Procurement. The applicant must demonstrate that its procurement 
actions are conducted according to Federal requirements.
    The following must be included in the response:
     Applicants must describe written procurement policies and 
procedures and the extent to which they provide for ``full and open 
competition.''
     Applicants must describe the procedures for the 
competition and selection of subrecipients, if applicable.
    Reporting Systems. The applicant must describe how Enterprise 
Business Support System (EBSS, formerly EIMS) will be used to fulfill 
financial and programmatic requirements and how data collection and the 
SCSEP Performance and Results QPR (SPARQ)

[[Page 10805]]

system will be implemented and populated to meet reporting requirements 
and track program performance. For information on SPARQ, go to https://
charteroakgroup.org/resources/scsep.shtml.
    Applicants may wish to consider the following when formulating a 
response:
     How financial data will be used to drive program 
performance, including tracking the minimum 75 percent wages and fringe 
benefits expenditure requirement, the remaining 13.5 percent 
administrative expenditure requirement, the use of the remaining funds 
for other participant costs, and the enrollment of participants.
3. Financial Management System: (10 Points)
    Budget Controls. The applicant must describe its method for 
tracking planned expenditures that will allow it to compare actual 
expenditures or outlays to planned or estimated expenditures. The 
following information must be included in the response:
     Applicants must describe the process that will be in place 
to compare planned and actual expenditures on a regular basis, 
including whether the applicant has a formalized process for comparing 
and analyzing planned and actual costs.
     Applicants must also describe the strategies to ensure 
that obligations do not exceed available funds.
    Internal Controls. The applicant must describe how it will ensure 
effective control, integrity and accountability for all grant and 
subrecipient grant assets.
4. Program Service Delivery: (40 Points)
    Participant Recruitment. The applicant must describe how it will 
broaden local awareness of the program in order to recruit eligible 
individuals to the program.
    The following must be included in the response:
     Applicants must describe the outreach efforts that will be 
made in local communities to raise awareness of the program. Please 
include a description of the various methods of outreach that will be 
utilized.
     Applicants must describe how outreach efforts will be 
designed to encourage low-income older individuals age 55 or over to 
enroll in the program. Please include a description of how the outreach 
efforts will be specifically designed to attract priority individuals 
age 60 and over, and those individuals who should be given special 
consideration--e.g., those with multiple barriers to employment, and 
individuals with poor or no employment history or prospects consistent 
with the regulations at 20 CFR 641.520 and 641.525.
     Applicants must describe how recruitment goals for the 
target population will be consistently met. Applicants must also 
include a description of how they will ensure that all vacant positions 
remain filled as program participants exit for unsubsidized employment.
    Participant Eligibility. The applicant must describe how it will 
ensure that individuals applying to be program participants and 
continuing program participants meet the eligibility criteria to enroll 
or remain in the program.
    The following must be included in the response:
     Applicants must describe their procedures to ensure the 
accuracy of the individual's income and age eligibility. Applicants 
must include a description of how often eligibility will be certified.
     Applicants must describe their procedures to ensure that 
the individual is unemployed at the time of enrollment and while 
enrolled in the program.
     Applicants must describe how ineligible individuals will 
be notified of their ineligibility and any other action that the 
applicant may implement. This response must describe both pre-
enrollment and post-enrollment situations.
     Applicants must describe their plans for ensuring that the 
veterans' priority and SCSEP priorities are properly implemented when 
there is a wait list for services.
    Assessments and IEPs. The applicant must describe how it will 
continuously assess program participants using the IEP and other 
assessment tools to ensure participants are trained for viable 
employment opportunities.
    The following must be included in the response:
     Applicants must describe how often assessments and IEPs 
will be completed.
     Applicants must describe how the training and services 
reflected on the IEP will enhance and improve the participant's skills 
and lead to higher level skills that will enhance employability.
     Applicants must describe any procedures that will be in 
place to ensure that the participant acknowledges and agrees with the 
training plan.
     Applicants must describe how assessments will capture the 
assistance that participants may need, including those services that 
will be acquired through other programs, such as disability programs, 
veteran programs, aging programs, transportation programs or services, 
etc.
     Applicants must describe policies that will be implemented 
to assure that local projects consistently document activities and 
execute the plans established by the assessments and IEPs.
     Applicants must identify whether felony background checks 
will be required for all participants and if so, how this requirement 
will be applied consistently to all participants, and where the 
information will be maintained.
    Orientation. The applicant must describe how it will introduce 
program participants and host agencies to program requirements, roles 
and responsibilities, and permissible and impermissible activities. 
Please include general timeframes for when orientation will occur and 
how often.
    Community Service Work-Based Training. The applicant must describe 
how participants will be trained through community service 
organizations, how it will ensure that the work-based training is of 
high quality, and how this training will lead to unsubsidized 
employment.
    The following must be included in the response:
     Applicants must describe how host agency organizations 
will be recruited and selected, including the factors that will be used 
to determine whether the host agency will provide quality job training.
     Applicants must describe how assignments to community 
service work-based training will be made to ensure that the training is 
consistent with the participant's IEP, including a description of the 
contractual relationship that will exist between the applicant and the 
host agency.
     Applicants must describe plans for ensuring that 
participants are only placed in work-based training assignments that 
are in addition to employment opportunities that would be available 
without assistance under the OAA. Please include a description of the 
action steps that will take place if a maintenance of effort violation 
is discovered.
     Applicants must describe plans for ensuring appropriate 
community service work-based training assignments for ex-offenders.
     Applicants must describe how local projects will ensure 
that participants receive adequate supervision during training hours.
     Applicant must describe procedures for rotating 
participants to other host agency assignments, if the applicant intends 
to implement a participant rotational requirement.
     Applicants must describe plans and procedures for 
documenting and

[[Page 10806]]

ensuring that host agencies are either public agencies or have 
501(c)(3) designation, and how such records will be maintained.
     Applicants must describe procedures for terminating host 
agency relationships and the circumstances that would create cause for 
termination--e.g., maintenance of effort violations, inaccurate 
timekeeping, poor training opportunities, failing to fulfill 
contractual responsibilities, etc.
    Other Training. The applicant must describe any training that will 
be offered, required, and/or provided to program participants and host 
agencies.
    The following should be included in the response:
     Applicants should describe plans for ensuring regular 
training of staff on program operations, new initiatives, and 
innovative ideas.
     Applicants should describe the types of permissible 
training that will be offered to participants. Please include a 
description on how training will be paid from other sources to leverage 
program training opportunities, and how often the training will be 
offered.
     Applicants should describe how computer training will be 
provided to participants, and how community colleges will be utilized 
for computer and other training opportunities.
     Applicants should describe how the training identified 
will lead to employment opportunities that would not have otherwise 
been available to the participant.
    Fringe Benefits. The applicant must describe any permissible and/or 
required fringe benefits that will be offered to participants and how 
it will terminate (``zero-out'') any permissible fringe benefits at the 
end of each program year. If no permissible fringe benefits will be 
offered, the applicant must provide a statement to that effect.
    Supportive Services. The applicant must describe any supportive 
services that will be offered to participants and the additional 
resources the applicant will use to support those services. The 
applicant must also address those supportive services that will be 
offered to participants once they are placed in an unsubsidized job in 
order to help retain them in those positions.
    Unsubsidized Employment. The applicant must describe how it plans 
to place participants in high growth jobs according to local labor 
market data. In addition, the applicant must describe how the targeted 
jobs will enable participants to become self-sufficient in positions 
for which they would not have otherwise had the necessary skill 
training provided by the program. Applicants should include in this 
description the types of jobs it will seek for participants. A chart 
may be attached if necessary.
    Termination. The applicant must describe the circumstances under 
which a participant may be terminated from the program, including its 
maximum duration policy (if any), for cause, or other reasons. Please 
include description of the criteria that will be used for ``for cause'' 
terminations.
    Transition to Minimize Disruptions. The applicant must describe how 
participants will be transitioned to and from a service provider if the 
grant is terminated for any reason, including loss of funds through a 
competitive process, in a manner that is least disruptive to program 
participants.
    The following must be included in the response:
     Applicants must address how participant files will be 
transferred to a new provider.
     Applicants must address how new offices will be 
established within short timeframes, if necessary, to ensure seamless 
services. A short timeframe is defined as 2 weeks to 1 month.
     Applicants must address how participants will continue to 
be paid during the transition from the incumbent provider to the new 
provider.
     Applicants must address how complete cooperation of local 
staff will be ensured to complete a smooth transition.
     Applicants must describe how the transition of 
participants to and from service providers will occur to ensure a 
smooth transition. Please include a description of how and when 
participants will receive notification and/or other communication 
informing them of the transition.
    Confidentiality of Files. The applicant must describe how 
participant files will be kept confidential from personnel not 
affiliated with the project. If the applicant plans on enlisting 
volunteer assistance, the applicant must describe how it will ensure 
volunteer compliance with the confidentiality requirements.
    Complaint Resolution Process. The applicant must describe the 
complaint resolution process that will be in place for program 
applicants, participants and/or host agency complaints or grievances 
without Federal intervention. For complaints involving illegal acts or 
discrimination, the applicant must describe the complaint resolution 
process that will be in place for participants and/or host agencies 
prior to Federal appeal.
5. Performance Accountability: