Solicitation for Grant Applications (SGA), Grants for Program Year 2006, 6768-6774 [E7-2400]

Agencies

• Employment and Training Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 29 (Tuesday, February 13, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6768-6774]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-2400]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Solicitation for Grant Applications (SGA), Grants for Program 
Year 2006

    Announcement Type: New.
    Notice of availability of funds and solicitation for grant 
applications for Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations 
(WANTO) grants.
    Funding Opportunity Number: SGA/DFA-PY-06-01.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 17.201.
    Key Dates: The closing date for receipt of applications is April 
16, 2007.

SUMMARY: The Women's Bureau and the Employment and Training 
Administration's (ETA) Office of Apprenticeship, U.S. Department of 
Labor (DOL), announce the availability of $972,180 to establish a grant 
program for the purpose of assisting employers and labor unions in the 
placement and retention of women in apprenticeship and nontraditional 
occupations. This program year 2006 SGA is authorized under the Women 
in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) Act of 1992, 
Pub. L. 102-530, 29 U.S.C. 2501 et seq. To that end, the OA and the WB 
plan to disburse 2006 WANTO grant funds to three community-based 
organizations (CBOs) including faith-based organizations (FBOs)/
registered apprenticeship program (RAP) consortia to conduct innovative 
projects to improve the recruitment, selection, training, employment, 
and retention of women in apprenticeships in the construction industry. 
Each CBO/RAP consortium must consist of a minimum of: (1) a 
construction industry Registered Apprenticeship Program sponsor, and 
(2) a CBO (which may be faith based) with demonstrated experience in 
securing job training services from established training institutions 
such as community colleges, and providing placement and support 
services to women in construction industry jobs.
    It is anticipated that awards will be in the amount of 
approximately $300,000.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This SGA consists of eleven (11) sections:
     Section I provides the funding opportunity description.
     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 information.
     Section VI outlines additional award administration 
information.
     Section VII lists the Agency Contact.
     Section VIII provides other information, including 
acronyms and definitions.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Background

    The Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) 
Act of 1992, Pub. L. 102-530 29 U.S.C. 2501 et seq. authorizes the U.S. 
Department of Labor (DOL) to disburse technical assistance grants to 
promote the recruitment, training, and retention of women in 
apprenticeship and nontraditional occupations. The Women's Bureau (WB) 
co-administers the WANTO program with the DOL ETA Office of 
Apprenticeship (OA). The OA and the WB have the responsibility for 
implementing this grant process.

B. Purpose

    The WANTO Act's purpose is to provide technical assistance to 
employers and labor unions (E/LU) to encourage employment of women in 
apprenticeships and nontraditional occupations (A/NTO). One of the 
means of providing technical assistance is through competitive grants 
which focus on conducting innovative projects to improve the 
recruitment, selection, training, employment, and retention of women in 
apprenticeships in the construction industry. WANTO grants are awarded 
to community-based organizations (CBOs), which may include faith-based, 
union-related

[[Page 6769]]

organizations and employer-related nonprofit organizations, among 
others. DOL has found that placement and retention of women in A/NTO 
pose significant challenges. For example, on average, only three 
percent of all newly registered and active apprentices in construction 
occupations are women. Approximately 75 percent of all registered 
apprenticeship programs are in the construction industry. Therefore, 
the Department is focusing this notice on registered apprenticeship 
opportunities for women in the construction industry. From 1994 to 
2002, the DOL funded WANTO grants annually to CBOs and FBOs that 
delivered technical assistance to employers and labor organizations to 
prepare them to successfully recruit, train, employ and retain women. 
The outcomes of these prior WANTO grants consisted largely of training 
and resource manuals, as well as recruitment videos. Numbers of women 
placed in registered apprenticeships through WANTO grant activities 
were lower than expected. Therefore, the FY 2006 WANTO grants are 
intended to help connect women with the significant employment 
opportunities available in registered apprenticeship programs in the 
construction industry. Additionally, to ensure women served by these PY 
2006 WANTO grants have access to a full range of supportive services 
and training, as well as specific employment opportunities, this SGA 
requires applicants to demonstrate establishment of a consortium 
consisting of CBOs and RAP sponsors whereby the employers and RAP 
sponsors will be responsible partners for placing women into their 
programs. For the purposes of this notice, all apprenticeable 
occupations in the construction industry meet the definition of NTO.

II. Award Information

A. Grant Awards

    The OA and the WB anticipate awarding two-year grants totaling 
approximately $300,000 each to up to three CBO/RAP consortia, each 
consisting of a minimum of one each of: (1) A construction industry RAP 
sponsor, and (2) a CBO (which may be faith based) with demonstrated 
experience in securing job training services from established training 
institutions such as community colleges, and providing placement and 
support services to women in construction industry jobs. The grants 
will be funded in increments of $150,000 for each year. Funding for the 
second year will be contingent upon satisfactory progress toward grant 
requirements for placement of women in registered apprenticeship 
programs as discussed in Section V.

B. Period of Performance

    The period of performance will be up to 24 months from the date of 
execution of the grant documents. DOL ETA may approve a request for a 
no cost extension to grantees for an additional period of time based on 
the success of the project and other relevant factors.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

    Under this announcement only CBO/RAP consortia, as defined in 
sections II and VIII of this SGA, may apply for and receive a grant 
award. This requirement does not prevent the participation of other 
entities which are integral to the implementation of the project.

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Address To Request Application Package

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

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 
may be deemed non-responsive and may not be considered for funding.
1. Requirements for the Technical Proposal
    The technical proposal text is limited to twenty (20) double-
spaced, single-sided 8.5 inches by 11 inch pages with 12 point text 
font and one-inch margins. Pages must be numbered. Only those 
attachments listed below as ``Required Attachments'' will be excluded 
from the page limit. The ``Required Attachments'' must be affixed as 
separate, clearly identified appendices to the application. The 
``Required Attachments'' are as follows:
    (a) A Table of Contents, listing the application sections.
    (b) Documentation of applicant eligibility, as described in Part 
III of this notice. CBOs should provide proof of their status as a 
private nonprofit organization as defined under section 101(7) of the 
Workforce Investment Act of 1998, Pub. L. 105-220, 29 U.S.C. 2801 et 
seq. DOL ETA will verify that RAP sponsors are registered with DOL ETA 
or a DOL ETA-recognized State Apprenticeship Agency.
    (c) A two-page abstract, summarizing the proposed project.
    (d) Documentation of its experience, capability, and qualifications 
for recruiting, training, hiring and retaining women in A/NTO, as 
described in Part V, Section A1, ``Organizational Overview'' of this 
notice.
    (e) An organizational chart, resumes, or 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.
    (f) A list of all items for which grant funds will be expended and 
what organization will be responsible for each item. Only expenditure 
items, not cost information, should be included.
    (g) The consortium of organizations must include a copy of the 
consortium agreement and must identify the consortium member that will 
act as the administrative entity for the project as well as the project 
lead. No member of a consortium shall make a separate application under 
this grant program. In addition, the agreement must specify the 
consortium's arrangements for handling the administrative and financial 
responsibilities for the program.

    Note: Optional attachments will be counted toward the page 
limitation. Such optional attachments must be limited to meaningful 
information that contributes to and/or verifies the proposed 
activities, such as letters of commitment.

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

[[Page 6770]]

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. As noted in Section 
II.A, the budget should be prepared for the first year of the grant. 
Copies of all required forms along with the instructions for completing 
the forms are provided at the appendices of this SGA.

    Note: The Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) is 
available at https://www.grants.gov/techlib/424_
20090131.doc and the Budget Information Form (SF-424A) is 
available at https://www.doleta.gov/sga/forms/
form424a.pdf.

    EEO Survey. Applicants are also required to submit OMB Survey N. 
1890-0014: Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants, which 
can be found at https://www.doleta.gov/sga/
forms.cfm.
    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.
    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 DOL ETA throughout the 
program year. Procurement procedures must comply with OMB Circular A-
122, Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations, and any additional 
Federal cost principles, as applicable.
    Applicants are to include in their cost proposal the cost of any 
requested travel to Washington, DC.

C. Submission Dates, Times and Addresses

    Applications may be submitted in either method described below, and 
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 immediately 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, and this time should be factored into plans for electronic 
application submission in order to avoid facing unexpected delays that 
could result in the rejection of an application. 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 (2) 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 email, 
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 
no 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 p.m. 
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 Federal 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 screening 
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: (1) The 
applicant makes the representative's identity known to the Grant 
Officer, and (2) the representative signs a receipt when he or she 
receives the withdrawn application.

D. Funding Restrictions

    Administrative Costs. The primary use of grant funds should be to 
support the actual project. Therefore, applicants receiving grant funds 
under this solicitation may not use more than 10 percent of the amount 
requested for Administrative costs associated with the project. 
Administrative costs are defined at 20 CFR 667.220.
    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

[[Page 6771]]

rate, the Grant Officer will award a billing rate for 90 days until a 
provisional rate can be issued.
    Allowable Costs. The Department shall determine what constitutes 
allowable costs in accordance with the following Federal cost 
principles, as applicable: (1) State and Local Government--OMB Circular 
A-87; (2) Educational Institutions--OMB Circular A-21; (3) Nonprofit 
Organizations--OMB Circular A-122; and (4) Profit-making Commercial 
Firms--48 CFR part 31.
    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. See 29 CFR part 2, 
subpart D. Grants under this 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.

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. Up to 135 points may be 
awarded to an application. This total is based on up to 100 points for 
the required information described in A.1, 2, and 3 below, and up to 35 
bonus points for special program emphasis described in A.4 below. 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 full description what it 
will be doing during the grant period will not receive credit for the 
response.
    Points Summary:
    1. Organizational Overview--20 points.
    2. Placement of Women in Registered Apprenticeship Programs--30 
points.
    3. Scope of WANTO Project and Projected Outcomes--50 points.
    4. Bonus--35 points.
    a. Incorporation of more than one RAP in the consortium--10 points.
    b. Incorporation of more than one construction industry discipline 
in the RAP partners--5 points.
    c. Incorporation of multiple geographic areas into the consortium--
10 points.
    d. Incorporation of Technology-Based Learning into the project to 
support/facilitate participant's training and preparation for 
apprenticeship--10 points. See Section VIII for a definition and 
examples of Technology-Based Learning.
1. Organizational Overview (Up to 20 Points)
    The applicant must demonstrate its experience, capability and 
qualifications for administering a grant project. To be considered 
fully responsive, the applicant must address all of the following:
    (a) Describe the consortium members' experience and leadership for 
the purpose of recruiting, selecting, training, placing and retaining 
women in apprenticeships in the construction industry.
    (b) 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.
    (c) Identify all key tasks, the hours required for the completion 
of such tasks, and the persons responsible for completing each task.
    (d) Indicate if tradeswomen or women in nontraditional occupations 
serve as active members of the consortium members, as either employed 
staff or as board members.
    (e) Where applicable, differentiate between the applicant 
consortium and any proposed consultants or subcontractors, providing 
information on each of the above.
2. Placement of Women in Registered Apprenticeship Programs (Up to 30 
Points)
    The consortium must demonstrate how it will place 100 women in 
RAP(s) each year of the grant. For full credit under this element, the 
applicant must provide detailed information for the following:
    (1) Strategies for identifying the occupations in which RAP(s) plan 
to train and employ women; (2) a description of the types of 
construction apprenticeable occupations in which the RAP(s) plans to 
train and employ women; (3) the number of apprentices registered by the 
RAP(s) per year for the last five years; and (4) assurances that there 
are or will be suitable and appropriate positions available in the 
construction industry RAP(s)
3. Scope of WANTO Project and Projected Outcomes (Up to 50 Points)
    The applicant must demonstrate comprehensive, targeted, and 
effective technical assistance to be provided to the RAP(s) with WANTO 
funding. The OA and the WB consider the successful placement of 100 
women in construction industry apprenticeships the primary successful 
outcome a grantee can achieve with WANTO funding.
    To be considered fully responsive, the applicant must:
    (a) Provide in detail the types of technical assistance (TA) that 
will be provided to the RAP(s). Examples of such TA include: (1) 
Outreach strategies and orientation sessions to recruit women into the 
RAP(s) occupations and specific openings in RAP(s); (2) pre-apprentice 
occupational skills training to prepare women for apprenticeship, 
including English as a Second Language instruction; (3) ongoing 
orientations for the RAP(s) and workers on creating a successful 
environment for women in apprenticeship; (4) support groups and 
facilitating networks for women in apprenticeship, on or off the job 
site, to improve their retention; (5) liaison services between 
tradeswomen and the RAP(s) to address workplace issues related to 
gender; and (6) conducting exit interviews with tradeswomen to evaluate 
their on-the-job experience and to assess the effectiveness of the 
program.
    (b) Document any leveraged resources or funding anticipated for the 
accomplishment of the proposed project and a description of how the 
funds will be used.
    (c) Describe the outcomes the applicant anticipates as a result of 
WANTO funding. This must include the number of women to be placed in: 
(1) pre-apprenticeships, and (2) apprenticeships.
4. Bonus Points (Up to 35 Points)
    Bonus points will be awarded for proposals that demonstrate 
experience or indicate their plans to provide one or more of the 
following:
    a. Incorporation of more than one RAP in the consortium. (10 
points).
    b. Incorporation of more than one construction industry discipline 
in the RAP partners. (5 points).
    c. Inclusion of multiple geographical areas into the consortium. 
(10 points).
    d. Incorporation of Technology-Based Learning into to support and 
facilitate the project participant's training and

[[Page 6772]]

preparation for apprenticeship. (10 points).

B. Review and Selection Process

    Selection Process. The Grant Officer will organize evaluation 
panels to review and evaluate the applications, using the point scoring 
system and Rating Criteria format specified in Section A above. The 
Grant Officer will rank applications based on the score assigned by the 
panels through the evaluation process. The ranking will be the primary 
basis used to identify applicants as potential grantees; however, the 
review panel's recommendations are advisory in nature and not binding 
on the Grant Officer. The Government will consider applications rated 
by the evaluation panels with a score of 80 or above to be eligible for 
a grant award. Applicants that score less than 80 will not be eligible 
for a grant award.
    Other Evaluation Factors. The submission of a successful previous 
application for a WANTO grant from any prior year does not guarantee an 
award under this solicitation. Final awards will be made based on the 
best interests of the Federal Government, including, but not limited 
to, such factors as technical quality, geographic balance, occupational 
and/or industrial impact, availability of funds, uniqueness of project 
and past grant performance. A previous grantee's failure to complete a 
WANTO grant project within the grant award period, or failure to 
provide required reports in a timely manner are aspects of past grant 
performance that may result in denial of a 2006 grant. The Federal 
Government reserves the right to ask for clarification or hold 
discussion, but may elect to award a grant without such discussion. 
Should a grant be awarded without discussions, the award will be based 
on the applicant's signature on the SF 424, which constitutes a binding 
offer by the applicant. The Grant Officer's determination of award 
under this SGA is the final agency action.

VI. Additional Award Administration Information

A. Award Notices

    All award notifications will be posted on ETA Homepage (https://
www.doleta.gov). The Grant Officer expects to announce the results of 
this competition approximately sixty days after the closing date for 
receipt of applications.

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

1. Administrative Program Requirements
    All grantees, including faith-based organizations will be subject 
to all applicable Federal laws (available at https://thomas.loc.gov), 
regulations (available at https://gpoaccess.gov/cfr) and the applicable 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars (available at https://
www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars). The grants awarded under this SGA 
will be subject to administrative standards and provisions as 
applicable, including but not limited to, the following:
     All Grant Recipients--20 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 
Part 667.220 (Administrative Costs).
     Non-Profit Organizations--OMB Circulars A-122 (Cost 
Principles) and 29 CFR Part 95 (Administrative Requirements).
     Educational Institutions--OMB Circulars A-21 (Cost 
Principles) and 29 CFR Part 95 (Administrative Requirements).
     All entities must comply with 29 CFR Parts 37, 93, and 98, 
and where applicable 29 CFR Parts 96 and 99.
2. Administrative Standards and Provisions
    Except as specifically provided, DOL ETA acceptance of a proposal 
and an award of Federal funds to sponsor any program(s) does not 
provide a waiver of any grant requirements and/or procedures. For 
example, the OMB Grants Management circulars require, and an entity's 
procurement procedures must require, that all procurement transactions 
will be conducted, as practical, to provide full and open competition. 
If a proposal identifies a specific entity to provide the services, the 
DOL ETA award does not provide the justification or basis to sole-
source the procurement, i.e., avoid competition.

C. Reporting

    The grantee is required to provide the reports and documentation 
listed below.
    Quarterly Financial Reports. A Quarterly Financial Status Report 
(SF 269) is required until such time as all funds have been expended or 
the grant period has expired. Quarterly reports are due 30 days after 
the end of each calendar year quarter. Grantees must use DOL ETA's On-
Line Electronic Reporting System.
    Quarterly Progress Reports. The grantee must submit a quarterly 
progress report to the designated Federal Project Officer within 30 
days after the end of each calendar year quarter. Two copies are to be 
submitted providing a detailed account of activities undertaken during 
that quarter. DOL ETA may require additional data elements to be 
collected and reported on either a regular basis or special request 
basis. Grantees must agree to meet DOL ETA reporting requirements. The 
quarterly progress report should be in narrative form and should 
include:
    (a) A comparison of actual accomplishments with the goals and 
objectives established for the period. This must include discussion of 
placements in pre-apprenticeship programs, apprenticeships and 
nontraditional jobs, giving the name and address of each workplace and 
company involved; and TA provided to RAP(s) as well as the nature of 
the TA provided.
    (b) Reasons why established goals were not met, if appropriate.
    (c) Any problems that may impede the performance of the grant and 
the proposed corrective action.
    (d) Any changes in the proposed work to be performed during the 
next reporting period.
    In addition, between scheduled reporting dates, the grantee(s) 
shall immediately inform the OA and the WB of significant developments 
affecting the ability to accomplish the work.
    Final Report. No later than 90 days after the expiration of the 
grant award, the grantee(s) shall submit two copies of the camera-ready 
final report, each bound in a professional manner in a loose-leaf 
notebook. These materials must be paid for with grant funds. 
Instructions for the final report will be issued and may include 
performance data, outcome results, an assessment of the grant project, 
any employer or labor organization plans for follow-up of participants, 
and Executive Summary of no more than three (3) pages. Upon request of 
either the OA and the WB or the grantee, the grantee shall submit a 
draft final report no more than 60 days after to the expiration date of 
the grant. The OA and the WB will then review the draft report, and 
provide written comments to the grantee within 15 days of receipt.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For further information regarding this SGA, please contact James 
Stockton, Grant Officer of the Division of Federal Assistance, at (202) 
693-3335. This is not a toll-free number. Applicants may fax questions 
about the program or information in this SGA to (202) 693-2879 and must 
specifically address the fax to James Stockton and should include SGA/
DFA PY-06-01, a contact name, fax and phone number, and an e-

[[Page 6773]]

mail address. The mailing address is: U.S. Department of Labor, 
Employment and Training Administration, Attention: James Stockton, Room 
N-4716, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210.

VIII. Other Information

A. Questions About the Program or SGA

    Questions and responses submitted to the Grant Officer regarding 
this SGA will be posted on the Employment and Training Administration 
Web site at https://www.doleta.gov/grants. Questions will be received 
for one month after publication only. DOL ETA will not respond to 
duplicate questions or questions that are not within the scope of this 
SGA. Please do not direct questions to the OA or the WB.

B. Post Grant Award Conference

    No later than eight (8) weeks after an award, the grantees shall 
meet with the OA and the WB at the Post-Award Conference to discuss the 
project, related components and TA; timelines; technical assistance 
outcomes; assessment for comment; and final approval. The grantees, the 
OA and the WB will discuss and make decisions on the following program 
activities:
    1. The proposed TA commitments for registered apprenticeship, and 
related skilled nontraditional occupation activities and 
responsibilities; the number of targeted RAP(s); and the number of 
women who will become placed in a registered apprenticeship program.
    2. The methodology the proposed partnership will use to support/
change management and employee attitudes to promote female workers in 
A/NTO.
    3. The types of systemic change anticipated by the TA strategies 
that will be incorporated into ongoing employer recruitment, hiring, 
training, and promotion of women in A/NTO.
    4. The occupational, industrial, and geographical impact 
anticipated.
    5. The supportive services to be provided to employers and women 
after successful placement into A/NTO.
    The OA and the WB will provide further input orally or in writing, 
if necessary, within ten (10) working days after the Post-Award 
Conference.

C. Grant Plan of Action

    If revisions have been necessary, no later than ten (10) weeks 
after an award, the grantees and the OA and the WB will confirm the 
``plan of action'' and detailed time-line for program implementation.

D. Grant Implementation

    No later than twelve (12) weeks after an award, the grantee(s) 
shall have begun to recruit, select, train, place, retain, and 
otherwise prepare women for registered apprenticeships in the 
construction industry, with progress to be measured in terms of 
placement and retention in registered apprenticeships.

E. Veterans Priority

    The Jobs for Veterans Act (Pub. L. 107-288) provides priority of 
service to veterans and spouses of certain veterans for the receipt of 
employment, training, and placement services in any job training 
program directly funded, in whole or in part, by the U.S. Department of 
Labor. In circumstances where WANTO grant recipient must choose between 
two equally qualified candidates for training, one of whom is a 
veteran, the Jobs for Veterans Act requires that WANTO grant recipients 
give the veteran priority of service by admitting him or her into the 
program. Please note that, to obtain priority of service, a veteran 
must meet the program's eligibility requirement. ETA Training and 
Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 5-03 (September 16, 2003) 
provides guidance on the scope of the Jobs for Veterans Act and its 
effect on current employment and training programs. TEGL No. 5-03, 
along with additional guidance, is available at the ``Jobs for Veterans 
Priority of Service'' Web site (https://www.doleta.gov/programs/vets).

F. Acronyms and Definitions

    The following terms are defined for the convenience of prospective 
applicants:
    WANTO refers to Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional 
Occupations.
    A/NTO refers to apprenticeship and nontraditional occupations.
    E/LU refers to employers and labor unions.
    OA refers to the Office of Apprenticeship, U.S. Department of 
Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
    WB refers to the Women's Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor.
    TA refers to technical assistance.
    NTO (Nontraditional Occupations) are those where women account for 
less than 25 percent of all persons employed in a single occupational 
group. For the most recent listing of nontraditional jobs, see the WB 
Web site at https://www.dol.gov/wb/stats/main.htm.
    RAP refers to Registered Apprenticeship Program.
    Pre-Apprenticeship Programs are those programs that prepare 
individuals for registered apprenticeship. Depending on the 
apprenticeable occupation for which the program is preparing students, 
the curriculum would vary. For example, a curriculum for a construction 
industry occupation may include pre-vocational identification and use 
of tools, blueprint reading, basic shop skills, safety procedures, math 
skills, and physical conditioning. English as a Second Language and 
team-building skills might also be included.
    Registered Apprenticeship is a formal employment relationship 
designed to promote skill training and learning on the job. ``Hands 
on'' learning takes place in conjunction with related theoretical 
instruction (often in a classroom setting). An apprentice who 
successfully completes an OA registered program, which usually requires 
3 to 5 years, is awarded a certificate of completion of apprenticeship. 
An OA registered program is one in which employers, or groups of 
employers, and unions design, organize, manage, and finance 
apprenticeship programs under the standards developed and registered 
with OA or an OA-recognized State Apprenticeship Agency. Employers, or 
groups of employers, and unions also select apprentices who are trained 
to meet certain predetermined occupational standards. For more 
information, see the OA Web site at https://www.doleta.gov/oa/.
    CBO (Community-Based Organization) is a private nonprofit 
organization, which may be faith-based, that is representative of a 
community or a significant segment of a community, and which provides 
job-training services and has demonstrated experience administering 
programs that train women for A/NTO. (A CBO, as defined in the WANTO 
Act, means a ``community-based organization as defined in section 
101(7) of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2801 (7)), 
that has demonstrated experience administering programs that train 
women for apprenticeable occupations or other nontraditional 
occupations.'' WIA states, ``The term 'community-based organizations' 
means 'private nonprofit organizations which are representative of 
communities or significant segments of communities and which provide 
job training services.' '' The WIA definition provides examples of 
organizations which meet the definition, including ``union-related 
organizations'' and ``employer-related nonprofit organizations.'')
    Consortium refers to a group formed to undertake a project.
    CBO/RAP Consortium refers to a group consisting of a minimum of: 
(1) A

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construction industry registered apprenticeship program (RAP) sponsor; 
and (2) a CBO (which may be faith based) with demonstrated experience 
in securing job training services from established training 
institutions such as community colleges, and providing placement and 
support services to women in construction industry jobs.
    Technology-Based Learning (TBL) can be defined as the learning of 
content via all-electronic technology, including the Internet, 
intranets, satellite broadcasts, audio and video tape, video and audio 
conference, Internet conferencing, chat rooms, bulletin boards, web 
casts, computer-based instruction, and CD-ROM. It encompasses related 
terms, such as online learning, Web-based learning, computer-based 
learning, and e-learning.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 6th day of February 2007.
James W. Stockton,
Grant Officer of the Division of Federal Assistance.
[FR Doc. E7-2400 Filed 2-12-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-P