Workforce Investment Act-Small Grassroots Organizations Connecting with the One-Stop Delivery System; Solicitation for Grant Applications, 16824-16830 [E7-6306]

Agencies

• Employment and Training Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 65 (Thursday, April 5, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16824-16830]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-6306]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Workforce Investment Act--Small Grassroots Organizations 
Connecting with the One-Stop Delivery System; Solicitation for Grant 
Applications

    Announcement Type: New--Notice of solicitation for grant 
applications (SGA).
    Funding Opportunity Number: SGA/DFA PY-06-11.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance CFDA Number: 17.261.
    Key Dates: Applications are due by May 8, 2007.
SUMMARY: The Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S. 
Department of Labor (DOL or the Department), announces the availability 
of $3,000,000 in grant funds for eligible ``grassroots'' organizations 
with the ability to connect to the local One-Stop Delivery System. The 
term ``grassroots'' is defined under the Eligibility Criteria.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This solicitation provides background 
information on the Small Grassroots Organizations Connecting with the 
One-Stop Delivery System and critical elements required of projects 
funded under the solicitation. It also describes the application 
submission requirements, the process that eligible applicants must use 
to apply for funds covered by this solicitation, and how grantees will 
be selected. This announcement consists of eight parts.
     Part I provides background information on the Workforce 
Investment Act--Small Grassroots Organizations Connecting with the One-
Stop Delivery System funding opportunity.
     Part II describes the size and nature of the anticipated 
awards.
     Part III describes the qualifications of an eligible 
applicant.
     Part IV provides information on the application and 
submission process.
     Part V explains the review process and rating criteria 
that will be used to evaluate applications.
     Part VI provides award administration information.
     Part VII contains ETA contact information.
     Part VIII contains other information for applicants.

Part I. Funding Opportunity Description

1. Background

    The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) reformed numerous federal job 
training programs with amendments impacting service delivery under 
other laws including 29 U.S.C. 49 et seq. the Wagner-Peyser Act, Adult 
Education and Family Literacy Act, 20 U.S.C. 9201 et seq., and the 
Rehabilitation Act., 29 U.S.C. 701 et seq. WIA created a system of One-
Stop Career Centers across the country. The intention of the One-Stop 
Career Center system is to establish a network of programs and 
providers in co-located and integrated settings that are accessible for 
individuals and businesses alike. There are currently over 1,800 
comprehensive One-Stop Career Centers and over 1,400 affiliated One-
Stop Career Centers across the United States. A number of other Federal 
programs are also identified as required partners in the One-Stop 
Career Center system to provide a comprehensive set of services for all 
Americans to access the information and resources available to help 
achieve their career goals. The WIA also established state and local 
Workforce Investment Boards focused on strategic planning, policy 
development, and oversight of the workforce investment system, and 
accorded significant authority to the nation's Governors and local 
chief elected officials to further implement innovative and 
comprehensive delivery systems. The vision, goals and objectives for 
workforce investment under the WIA decentralized system are fully 
described in the state strategic plan required under Section 112 of the 
statute. This state strategic workforce investment plan and the 
operational experience gained by all the partners to date in 
implementing the WIA-instituted reforms help identify the important 
``unmet needs'' and latent opportunities to expand access to One-Stop 
Career Center systems by all the population segments within the local 
labor market.
    States are currently developing their Strategic Plans for years 
three and four of the current five-year planning cycle. Plans from 
states with new governors are due to the Department by June 30, 2007 
and plans from the other states are due by May 1, 2007.

2. Administration Strategy

Engagement of Faith-Based and Community Organizations Under the 
Workforce Investment Act
    On January 29, 2001, President George W. Bush issued Executive 
Order 13198, creating the Office for Faith-Based and Community 
Initiatives in the White House and centers for faith-based and 
community initiatives (CFBCI) in the federal Departments of Labor 
(DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS), Housing and Urban Development 
(HUD), Education (ED), and Justice (DOJ). President Bush charged the 
departmental centers with identifying statutory, regulatory, and 
bureaucratic barriers that stand in the way of the participation of 
effective faith-based and community organizations in providing human 
services, and to ensure, consistent with the law, that these 
organizations have equal opportunity to compete for federal funding and 
other support.
    In early 2002, the CFBCI and ETA developed and issued an SGA to 
engage States, intermediary and grassroots organizations in workforce 
system-building. Further, ETA ensured that all solicitations were 
designed to include faith-based and community organizations as 
potential providers to deliver services and to strengthen their 
partnerships with the One-Stop Career Center system, while providing 
additional points of entry for customers into that system.

[[Page 16825]]

    These solicitations proceeded from an ETA-CFBCI mutual premise that 
the involvement of faith-based and community organizations can both 
complement and supplement the efforts of local workforce investment 
systems in reaching our citizens and meeting their training, job and 
career-support needs. The 2002 grants realized from that initial 
competition embodied the Department's principal strategy for 
implementing the Executive Order by creating new avenues through which 
qualified organizations could participate more fully under the WIA, 
while applying their particular strengths and assets in providing 
customer services.
    ETA and CFBCI continued with grant-making in 2003-2006 to enlist 
new ``grassroots'' organizations into workforce system-building; the 
new 2007 solicitation represents our continued commitment to bring 
additional organizations to that task, drawing on ``lessons learned'' 
during the last five years of grant operation. This new solicitation 
also incorporates several ``promising practices'' introduced by other 
ETA grantees during the same period. These lessons include the 
understanding that ``grassroots'' FBCOs provide personalized and 
holistic support to individuals while increasing their skill levels or 
seeking employment. FBCOs have close cultural connections to their 
communities and can help historically underserved populations access 
One-Stop services. The new solicitation also places significant 
emphasis on performance outcomes and documenting and quantifying the 
additional value services offered by the grassroots organization to the 
One-Stop Career Center system. Through this competition, ETA seeks to 
ensure that an important WIA tenet, the development of a talented 
American workforce pool through universal access to the programs and 
services offered under WIA, is further rooted in the customer-
responsive delivery systems already established by the Governors, local 
elected officials and local Workforce Investment Boards. ETA also 
reaffirms its continuing commitment to those customer-focused reforms 
instituted by state and local governments, which help Americans access 
the tools they need to manage their careers throughout their life with 
information and high quality services, and to help U.S. companies find 
skilled workers to remain competitive. Many faith-based and community 
organizations offer unique services and support including networks for 
full partnership in mutual system-building endeavors; they are trusted 
institutions within many poor neighborhoods; and they provide access to 
a large number of volunteers who bring the transformational power of 
personal relationships to the provision of services, and a sustained 
allegiance to the well-being and self-sufficiency of the participants 
they serve. Through their daily work and specific programs, these 
organizations share common purposes with government such as the 
attainment of occupational skills, and the entry and retention of all 
our citizens in good-paying jobs. Through this solicitation, ETA and 
CFBCI strive to leverage the programs, resources and committed staff of 
``grassroots'' faith-based and community organizations into the 
workforce investment strategies already embodied in state and local 
strategic plans.

3. Project Objectives

    The selected grantees will be expected to achieve the following 
objectives:
     Help unemployed or underemployed individuals with barriers 
to employment through (1) providing services that complement and 
support those offered by the identified One Stop Career Center, such as 
pre- and post-job placement mentoring, intensive case management, job 
retention support, life skills training and employability skills 
training; (2) connecting individuals with the existing training, 
apprenticeship and job opportunities of the One-Stop Career Center or 
other local affiliates of DOL's national business partners; and (3) 
providing post-job placement services to increase job retention.
     Expand the access of faith-based and community-based 
organizations' clients and customers to the training, job and career 
services offered by the local One-Stop Career Centers;
     Leverage volunteer hours and in-kind donations to maximize 
DOL's investment in grants to ``grassroots'' FBCOs;
     Thoroughly document the impact and outcomes of these grant 
investments through quarterly and final reporting; and
     Establish methods and mechanisms to ensure sustainability 
of these partnerships and participation levels beyond the life of the 
grant.

Part II. Award Information

1. Award Amount and Other Information

    ETA has identified $3,000,000 for this solicitation. The agency 
expects to award approximately 40 grants. The grant amount for each 
``grassroots'' organization will range between $50,000-$75,000.

 2. Period of Performance

    The period of performance will be 18 months from the date of grant 
execution. This performance period shall include all necessary 
implementation and start-up activities as well as participant follow-up 
for performance outcomes and grant closeout activities. A timeline 
clearly detailing these required grant activities and their expected 
completion dates must be included in the grant application. If applied 
for and with significant justification, ETA may elect to exercise its 
option to award no-cost extensions to these grants for an additional 
period at its own discretion, based on the success of the program and 
other relevant factors. ETA reserves the right to provide additional 
funding in future years based on availability of funds and grantee 
performance (derived from the timely submission of required quarterly 
reports and completion of a limited application).

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

    Announcement of these awards is expected to occur by June 30, 2007.

Part III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    For purposes of this announcement, eligible ``grassroots'' 
organizations must be non-profit organizations that:
     Have an Internal Revenue Service 501(c)(3) status at the 
time of application submission.
     Have social services as a major part of their mission.
     Are headquartered in the local community to which they 
provide these services.
     Have a social services budget of $500,000 or less.

    Please Note: A social services budget includes all costs related 
to the provision of social services (including salaries and 
expenses). These services include those provided by a non-profit 
organization for the welfare of a person or community. Such services 
can include, but are not limited to housing, workforce development, 
employment readiness, education, child protection, food, clothing, 
shelter and health care.
    If an applicant is an affiliate of a larger organization, to be 
eligible, the applicant must be located in local community to which 
they provide services, must have its own Federal tax identification 
number, have direct control of its funds and operates independently 
from the larger organization.


[[Page 16826]]



2. Matching Funds and Leveraged Resources

    This solicitation does not require grantees to share costs or 
provide matching funds; however, applicants are encouraged to leverage 
resources whenever possible and the potential sustainability of the 
project will be considered in the evaluation of proposals.

    Please note: If the proposal includes integrating WIA or other 
federal funds or includes other leveraged resources, these funds 
should not be listed on the SF 424 or SF 424A Budget Information 
Form, but should be described in the budget narrative and in Part II 
of the proposal.

3. Veterans Priority

    This program is subject to the provisions of the ``Jobs for 
Veterans Act,'' Public Law 107-288, which 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 Department of 
Labor. ETA Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 5-03 
(September 16, 2003), available at https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/
corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=1512, provides general guidance on the scope of the 
veterans priority statute and its effect on current employment and 
training programs.

4. Other Eligibility Requirements

    Distribution Rights. Selected applicants must agree to give ETA the 
right to use and distribute all materials developed with grant funds 
such as training models, curriculum, technical assistance products, 
etc. Materials developed with grant resources are in the public domain; 
therefore, ETA has the right to use, reuse, modify, and distribute all 
grant-funded materials and products to any interested party, including 
broad distribution to the public workforce investment system via the 
Internet or other means.
    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. ETA Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 01-
05 (July 6, 2005), available at https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_
doc.cfm?DOCN=2088, provides guidance on amendments to DOL regulations 
that permit the use, in defined circumstances, of Workforce Investment 
Act (WIA) Title I financial assistance for training and employment of 
WIA participants in religious activities.

Part IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Addresses To Request Application Package

    This announcement includes all information and links to forms 
needed to apply for this funding opportunity.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    The proposal must consist of two (2) separate and distinct parts, 
Parts I and II. Applications that fail to adhere to the instructions in 
this section will be considered non-responsive and may not be given 
further consideration.
    Part I of the proposal is the Cost Proposal and must include the 
following three items:
     The Standard Form (SF) 424, ``Application for Federal 
Assistance'' (available at https://www.doleta.gov/sga/forms.cfm). The SF 
424 must clearly identify the applicant and be signed by an individual 
with authority to enter into a grant agreement. Upon confirmation of an 
award, the individual signing the SF 424 on behalf of the applicant 
shall be considered the authorized representative of the applicant.
    All applicants for federal grant and funding opportunities are 
required to have a Dun and Bradstreet (DUNS) number. See Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) Notice of Final Policy Issuance, 68 FR 
38402 (June 27, 2003). Applicants must supply their DUNS number on the 
SF 424. The DUNS number is a nine-digit identification number that 
uniquely identifies business entities. Obtaining a DUNS number is easy 
and there is no charge. To obtain a DUNS number, access this Web site: 
www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-5711.
     The SF424A Budget Information Form, (available at https://
www.doleta.gov/sga/forms.cfm).
     In preparing the Budget Information Form, the applicant 
must provide a concise narrative explanation to support the request. 
The budget narrative should break down the budget, and leveraged 
resources by the project activities specified in the technical proposal 
and should discuss precisely how the administrative cost support the 
project goals.

    Please Note: If the proposal includes integrating WIA or other 
federal funds or includes other leveraged resources, these funds 
should not be listed on the SF 424 or SF 424A Budget Information 
Form, but should be described in the budget narrative. Applicants 
that fail to provide a SF 424, SF 424A and/or a budget narrative 
will be removed from consideration prior to the technical review 
process. The amount of federal funding requested for the entire 
period of performance should be shown together on the SF 424 and SF 
424A Budget Information Form. Applicants are also encouraged, but 
not 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.
    Please Note: If awarded a grant, two representatives from each 
grantee organization will be required to attend one orientation 
conference in the Washington, DC. area. Grant funds may be used for 
this travel.

    Part II of the application is the Technical Proposal. The Technical 
Proposal will demonstrate the applicant's capabilities to plan and 
implement the WIA-Small Grassroots Organizations Connecting with the 
One-Stop Delivery System grant project in accordance with the 
provisions of this solicitation. It sets forth a strategic plan for the 
use of awarded funds and establishes measurable goals for increasing 
organizational participation in the One-Stop Career Center system to 
serve more fully unemployed or underemployed individuals with barriers 
to employment. See Part V Applicant Review Information for required 
elements of the Technical Proposal. The Technical Proposal is limited 
to eight (8) double-spaced, single-sided, 8.5 inch x 11 inch pages with 
12 point text font and one-inch margins. Any pages over the eight page 
limit will not be reviewed. Please note that applicants should not send 
letters of commitment, intent or support separately to ETA because 
incoming mail is tracked through a separate system and will not be 
attached to the application for review. Except for the discussion of 
any leveraged resources to address the evaluation criteria, no cost 
data or reference to prices should be included in the Technical 
Proposal. The following additional information is required and will not 
count against the 8 page Technical Proposal limitation:
     The applicant must submit an agreement with, or letter of 
intent from the Workforce Investment Board/One-Stop Career Center 
operator that

[[Page 16827]]

describes the One-Stop Center's firm commitment to entering a formal 
referral partnership with the applicant. This formal partnership should 
produce two-way client referrals from the One-Stop Center to the 
applicant and from the applicant to the One-Stop Center on which the 
applicant will be required to report. The letter must describe that the 
One-Stop operator has acknowledged that the applicant organization is 
complementing the services provided by the One-Stop Career Center. If 
an agreement with the One-Stop Career Center operator is not included, 
please provide an explanation of the efforts made to establish this 
partnership, (the One-Stop operator role is described in section 121 
(b) (1) of the Workforce Investment Act.)
     A 1-2 page timeline outlining project activities, 
including expected start-up, implementation, participant follow-up for 
performance outcomes, grant closeout and other activities.

    Please note That the agreements or letters of intent and 
timeline are not included in the Technical Proposal eight-page 
limit.

    Applications may be submitted electronically on www.grants.gov or 
in hard copy via U.S. mail, professional delivery service, or hand 
delivery. These processes are described in further detail in Section IV 
(3). Applicants submitting proposals in hard-copy must submit an 
original signed application (including the SF 424) and one (1) ``copy-
ready'' version, meaning free of bindings, staples or protruding tabs 
to ease in the reproduction of the proposal by DOL for project 
reviewers. Applicants submitting proposals in hard-copy are also 
requested, though not required, to provide an electronic copy of the 
proposal on CD-ROM.

 3. Submission Dates and Times

    The closing date for receipt of applications under this 
announcement is May 8, 2007. Applications must be received at the 
address below, or electronically received at the Web site below, no 
later than 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time), except as identified in the ``Late 
Applications'' paragraph below. Applications sent by e-mail, telegram, 
or facsimile (fax) will not be honored. No exceptions to the mailing 
and delivery requirements set forth in this notice will be granted.
    Mailed applications must be addressed to the U.S. Department of 
Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Division of Federal 
Assistance, Attention: Eric Luetkenhaus, Reference SGA/DFA PY 06-11, 
200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room N-4716, Washington, DC 20210. 
Applicants are advised that mail delivery in the Washington area may be 
delayed due to mail decontamination procedures. Hand-delivered 
proposals will be received at the above address.
    Applicants may apply online at https://www.grants.gov by the 
deadline specified above. Any application received after the deadline 
will not be accepted. For applicants submitting electronic applications 
via Grants.gov, please note that it may take several days to complete 
the ``Get Started'' step to register with Grants.gov. It is strongly 
recommended that these applicants immediately initiate the registration 
in order to avoid unexpected delays that could result in the 
disqualification of their application. If submitted electronically 
through https://www.grants.gov, applicants should save application 
documents as a .doc or .pdf file.
    Late Applications: Any application received after the exact date 
and time specified for receipt at the office designated in this notice 
will not be considered, unless it is received before awards are made, 
was properly addressed, and: (a) Was sent by U.S. Postal Service 
registered or certified mail not later than the fifth calendar day 
before the date specified for receipt of applications, (e.g., an 
application required to be received by the 20th of the month must be 
post marked by the 15th of that month) or (b) was sent by professional 
overnight delivery service, or successfully submitted on Grants.gov to 
DOL not later than one working day prior to the date specified for 
receipt of grant applications. It is highly recommended that online 
submissions be completed one working day prior to the date specified 
for receipt of applications to ensure that the applicant still has the 
option to submit by overnight delivery service in the event of any 
electronic submission problems. ``Post marked'' means a printed, 
stamped or otherwise placed impression (exclusive of a postage meter 
machine impression) that is readily identifiable, without further 
action, as having been supplied or affixed on the date of mailing by an 
employee of the U.S. Postal Service. Therefore, applicants should 
request the postal clerk to place a legible hand cancellation ``bull's 
eye'' postmark on both the receipt and the package. Failure to adhere 
to the above instructions will be a basis for a determination of non-
responsiveness. Evidence of timely submission by a professional 
overnight delivery service must be demonstrated by equally reliable 
evidence created by the delivery service provider indicating the time 
and place of receipt.

4. Intergovernmental Review

    This funding opportunity is not subject to Executive Order (EO) 
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''

5. Funding Restrictions

    Determinations of allowable costs will be made in accordance with 
the applicable Federal cost principles, e.g., Non-Profit 
Organizations--OMB Circular A-122 (2 CFR 230). Prospective grantees 
should read and become familiar with this Circular. Disallowed costs 
are those charges to a grant that the grantor agency or its 
representative determines not to be allowed in accordance with the 
applicable Federal Cost Principles or other conditions contained in the 
grant.
    Use of Stipends. The provision of stipends to training enrollees 
for the purposes of wage replacement or supportive services, such as 
transportation costs, for unemployed or employed workers, is not an 
allowable cost under this solicitation.
    Purchase of Vehicles. The purchase of vehicles is not an allowable 
cost under this solicitation.
    Indirect Costs. As specified in OMB Circular Cost Principles, 
indirect costs are those that have been incurred for common or joint 
objectives and cannot be readily identified with a particular cost 
objective. In order to utilize grant funds for indirect costs incurred, 
the applicant must obtain an Indirect Cost Rate Agreement with its 
Federal cognizant agency either before or shortly after the grant 
award.
    Administrative Costs. Under this solicitation, ``Small Grassroots 
Organizations Connecting with the One-Stop Delivery System'', an entity 
that receives a grant to carry out a project or program may not use 
more than 10 percent of the amount of the grant to pay administrative 
costs associated with the program or project. Administrative costs 
could be both direct and indirect costs, and are defined at 20 CFR 
667.220. Administrative costs do not need to be identified separately 
from program costs on the SF 424A Budget Information Form. They should 
be discussed in the budget narrative and tracked through the grantee's 
accounting system. To claim any administrative costs that are also 
indirect costs, the applicant must obtain an indirect cost rate 
agreement as described above.

6. Other Submission Requirements

    Withdrawal of Applications. Applications may be withdrawn by 
written notice or telegram (including Mailgram) received at any time 
before

[[Page 16828]]

an award is made. Applications may be withdrawn in person by the 
applicant or by an authorized representative thereof, if the 
representative signs a receipt for the proposal.

Part V. Application Review Information

1. Evaluation Criteria

    This section identifies and describes the criteria that will be 
used to evaluate grant proposals from Grassroots Organizations as 
defined in Section III (Eligibility Criteria). Below are the required 
elements of the Technical Proposal and the rating criteria that 
reviewers will use to evaluate the proposal under this SGA. A. 
Organizational History and Description of Community Need (15 points); 
B. Client Services, Partnerships with the One-Stop Career Center, and 
Timeline (50 points); C. Description of Outcomes and Tracking 
Methodology (30 points); D. Description of Sustainability (5 Points).
A. Organizational History and Description of Community Need (15 points)
    1. Briefly, describe the history of how your organization has 
provided social or workforce development services to meet community 
needs, and include a brief listing of services provided. Please 
describe the community need that this grant will address. Please 
describe what populations you will serve. Populations can include but 
are not limited to such groups as: ex-offenders, immigrants, limited 
English-speakers, veterans, victims of violent crime, single working 
mothers, homeless persons, individuals living in specific low-income 
area and individuals with disabilities. (Census and other community 
data can be useful for determining the population.) Please describe 
what services your organization will provide to address the needs of 
this population using this grant funding. Services must include such 
activities as: pre- and post-job placement mentoring, intensive case 
management, job retention support, life skills training, and 
employability skills training and any other services as appropriate. 
Services must include some form of job retention support.
    Scoring of this criterion will be based on the following.
    1. Does the applicant demonstrate that it has a history of 
providing social and/or workforce development services to meet 
community needs? Were the target populations for this grant described 
adequately? Does the organization fully demonstrate that the services 
they will provide such as pre- and post-job placement mentoring, 
intensive case management, job retention support, life skills training, 
and employability skills training services will address the community 
need and the needs of the target population? (15 points)
B. Client Services, Partnership With the One-Stop and Timeline (50 
points)
    1. How Your Organization Will Serve Clients. The applicant must 
describe how your organization will provide services under this grant, 
including post-job placement services. Please include a description of 
the specific program, curricula or method you will use. Describe the 
staff/volunteer positions that will provide services under this grant.
    2. Partnership With the One-Stop Career Center. Please describe how 
you plan to coordinate your services with the existing job training and 
employment opportunities at the One-Stop Career Center to help the 
target population you described above receive services, enter 
employment, be retained in employment and see wage increases. Please 
also include if you will be connecting your customers with specific 
apprenticeship programs, business partners or training opportunities 
offered by or through the One-Stop Career Center. If you have not 
previously worked with a One-Stop Career Center, please describe 
actions you have taken to develop a relationship with a One-Stop Career 
Center. Information on the agreement with the Workforce Investment 
Board/One-Stop Career Center operator can be found in Part IV (2) of 
this solicitation.
    3. Timeline. The applicant must attach a timeline of major, 
measurable tasks and activities to be undertaken, including those tasks 
that will be undertaken to create effective partnership with the One-
Stop Career Center. (The timeline must be limited to 2 pages and does 
not count towards the 8 page limit.)
    Scoring of this criterion will be based on the following.
    1. Does the applicant adequately describe the methodology for 
providing services such as pre- and post-job placement mentoring, and 
employability skills training? Does the applicant adequately describe 
post-job placement services? Does a description of the methodology 
demonstrate that the organization will be successful in helping the 
target population described? (15 points)
    2. Does the applicant demonstrate its ability to connect its 
clients with the services of the One-Stop Career Center and 
successfully partner with the One-Stop? (10 points) Does the applicant 
present evidence of a firm commitment from the One-Stop Career Center 
system to create a formal referral partnership with the applicant as 
described above (e.g., a signed letter of intent from the Local 
Workforce Investment Board or other One-Stop delivery system 
principals)? (10 points)
    3. Does the applicant fully demonstrate that the activities and 
tasks presented on the timeline are achievable given available 
resources? (15 points)
C. Description of Outcomes and Tracking Methodology (30 points)
    1. The applicant must identify how many participants will be served 
by the grant funds. The applicant must also describe the measurable 
outcomes that the program participants will achieve over the life of 
this grant. Measurable outcomes must include how many participants will 
be placed in post-secondary education or advanced training; number of 
participants placed in a job; average hourly wages at the time of job 
placement; and of the participants placed in a job since the beginning 
of the grant, how many were continuously employed for 3 and 6 months 
(retention). Outcomes can also include other goals submitted with the 
grant application or additional goals developed for the program.
    2. Describe what mechanisms you will develop, in partnership with 
the One-Stop Career Center system, to track your success in achieving 
proposed goals and outcomes, (i.e. performance measures). Describe any 
other methods you will use for evaluating your project's success.
    Scoring of this criterion will be based on the following.
    1. Does the applicant provide tangible outcome measures and goals 
that allow both the applicant and DOL to gauge the impact of the 
activities on meeting the community need? Do these goals include 
tracking employment outcomes and retention outcomes for those served? 
Does the applicant fully demonstrate that the number of people they 
plan to serve is reasonable? (15 points)
    2. Does the applicant fully demonstrate that it developed, in 
conjunction with the One-Stop, mechanisms to track the goals and 
outcomes of the grant? (15 points)
D. Description of Sustainability (5 Points)
    1. Describe how the applicant will work with the One-Stop and other 
community partners to ensure a sustainable relationship after the 
expiration of the grant. Describe efforts to leverage other federal, 
state, local or private funds to support the project

[[Page 16829]]

during or after the expiration of the grant.
    Scoring of this criterion will be based on the following.
    2. Does the applicant demonstrate the potential to have a 
commitment from the One-Stop Career Center and other community partners 
to continue their relationship after the expiration of the grant? Does 
the applicant fully describe a development plan that includes diverse 
funding sources for the future? (5 points)

2. Review and Selection Process

    A technical review panel will make a careful evaluation of 
applications against the rating criteria. The ranked scores will serve 
as the primary basis for selection of applications for funding, in 
conjunction with other factors such as geographic balance, availability 
of funds and what is most advantageous to the Government. The grant 
officer reserves the right to award without negotiation. The criteria 
in Part V, Section 1 will serve as the basis upon which submitted 
applications will be evaluated. The panel results are advisory in 
nature and not binding on the Grant Officer, and the Grant Officer may 
consider any information that comes to his or her attention. Should a 
grant be awarded without negotiations, the award will be based on the 
applicant's signature on the SF 424, which constitutes a binding offer 
as signed by the applicant (including electronic signature via E-
Authentication on www.grants.gov).

Part VI. Award Administrative Information

1. Award Notices

    All award notifications will be posted on the ETA homepage at 
https://www.doleta.gov.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements--Administrative 
Program Requirements

    All grantees will be subject to all applicable Federal laws 
(including provisions in appropriations law), regulations, and the 
applicable Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars. The 
applicants selected under the SGA will be subject to the following 
administrative standards and provisions, if applicable:
     The Workforce Investment Act of 1998, U.S.C. 2801 et seq.
     Workforce Investment Act Regulation codified at (20 CFR 
pts. 660-671).
     Exec. Order No. 13198, Agency responsibilities with 
respect to Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, 66 FR 8497 (Jan. 31, 
2001).
     Training and Employment Guidance Letter 17-01, 
Incorporating and Utilizing Grassroots, Community-Based Organizations 
Including Faith-Based Organizations in Workforce Investment Activities 
and Programs (2002).
     Exec. Order No. 13279, Equal Protection of the Laws for 
Faith-Based and Community Organizations, 67 FR 77141 (Dec. 16, 2002).
     New equal treatment regulations (29 CFR Part 2, Subpart D) 
and (ETA Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 01-05 (July 
6, 2005), available at https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_
doc.cfm?DOCN=2088).
     Workforce Investment Act (WIA) nondiscrimination and 
programmatic regulations (29 CFR 37.6(f); 20 CFR 667.266 and 667.275).
     Non-Profit Organizations--Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB Circulars A-122 (Cost Principles) and 29 CFR Part 95 
(Administrative Requirements).
     All entities must comply with 29 CFR Parts 93 and 98, and 
where applicable, 29 CFR Parts 96 and 99.
     In accordance with Section 18 of the Lobbying Disclosure 
Act of 1995, Public Law 104-65 (2 U.S.C. 1611) non-profit entities 
incorporated under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(4) that engage 
in lobbying activities will not be eligible for the receipt of Federal 
funds and grants.
     29 CFR Part 2, subpart D--Equal Treatment in Department of 
Labor Programs for Religious Organizations; Protection of Religious 
Liberty of Department of Labor Social Service Providers and 
Beneficiaries.
     29 CFR part 30--Equal Employment Opportunity in 
Apprenticeship and Training.
     29 CFR part 31--Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted 
Programs of the Department of Labor--Effectuation of Title VI of the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964.
     29 CFR part 32--Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap 
in Programs and Activities Receiving or Benefiting from Federal 
Financial Assistance.
     29 CFR part 33--Enforcement of Nondiscrimination on the 
Basis of Handicap in Programs or Activities Conducted by the Department 
of Labor.
     29 CFR part 35--Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Age in 
Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance from the 
Department of Labor.
     29 CFR part 36--Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in 
Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial 
Assistance.
     29 CFR part 37--Implementation of the Nondiscrimination 
and Equal Opportunity Provisions of the Workforce Investment Act of 
1998 (WIA).

    Note: Except as specifically provided in this notice, ETA's 
acceptance of a proposal and award of Federal funds to sponsor any 
program(s) does not provide a waiver of any grant requirement and/or 
procedure. For example, the OMB Circulars require that an entity's 
procurement procedures must ensure that all procurement transactions 
are conducted, as much as practical, to provide open and free 
competition. If a proposal identifies a specific entity to provide 
services, the ETA's award does not provide the justifications or 
basis to sole-source the procurement, i.e., avoid open and free 
competition, unless the activity is regarded as the primary work of 
an official partner to the application.

Evaluation Requirements
    DOL may require that the program or project participate in an 
evaluation of overall ``Small Grassroots Organizations Connecting with 
the One-Stop Delivery System'' performance. To measure the impact of 
grants funded under this SGA, DOL may arrange for or conduct an 
independent evaluation of the outcomes and benefits of the projects. 
Grantees must agree to make records on participants, employers, and 
funding available and to provide access to program operating personnel 
and to participants, as specified by the evaluator(s) under the 
direction of ETA, including after the expiration date of the grant.
Reporting Requirements
    As a condition of participation in the ``Small Grassroots 
Organizations Connecting with the One-Stop Delivery System'' project, 
successful applicants will be required to submit performance 
information as well as Quarterly Financial Reports, Progress Reports 
and Final Reports.
Performance Requirements
    ``Small Grassroots Organization Connecting with the One-Stop 
Delivery System'' grantees are required to report outcomes for the DOL 
common performance measures, which measure entry into employment, 
retention in employment, and earnings. Additional information on ETA's 
common measures policy can be found in Training Employment Guidance 
Letter No. 17-05, Common Measures Policy for the Employment and 
Training Administration's (ETA) Performance Accountability System and 
Related Performance Issues.
Quarterly Financial Reports
    A Quarterly Financial Status Report (SF 269) is required until such 
time as

[[Page 16830]]

all funds have been expended or the grant period has expired. Quarterly 
financial reports are due 30 days after the end of each calendar year 
quarter. Grantees must use ETA's Online Electronic Reporting System.
Quarterly Progress Reports
    The grantee must submit a quarterly data and narrative progress 
report to the designated Federal Project Officer within 30 days after 
the end of each calendar year quarter. Copies are to be submitted 
electronically providing a detailed account of activities undertaken 
during that quarter. The Department may require additional data 
elements to be collected and reported on either a regular basis or 
special request basis. Grantees must agree to meet the Department's 
reporting requirements. Reports must include the following information 
for the grassroots grantees.
     The number of participants served per quarter (new/intake 
and total).
     The number of One-Stop Career Center clients referred to 
the grantee.
     Number of grantee participants referred to the One-Stop.
     The total number of volunteer hours committed to the grant 
program.
     Number of participants placed in post-secondary education 
or advanced training.
     Number of participants placed in a job.
     Average hourly wages at the time of job placement.
     Of the participants placed in a job since the beginning of 
the grant, how many were continuously employed for 3 months.
     Of the participants placed in a job since the beginning of 
the grant, how many were continuously employed for 6 months.
     Other goals submitted with the grant application or 
additional goals developed for the program.
     Demographic information.
Final Report
    A draft final report must be submitted no later than 60 days prior 
to the expiration date of the grant. This report must summarize project 
activities, employment outcomes, and related results of the project, 
and should thoroughly document the project solution approach. After 
responding to ETA's questions and comments on the draft report, three 
copies of the final report must be submitted no later than the grant 
expiration date. Grantees must agree to use a designated format 
specified by the Department to prepare the final report.

Part VII. Agency Contacts

    Any technical questions regarding this SGA should be faxed to Linda 
Forman at DOL, Fax number (202) 693-2705 (not a toll-free number). You 
must specifically address your fax to the attention of Linda Forman and 
should include the following: SGA/DFA PY 06-11, a contact name, fax, 
and telephone number.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Forman, at (202) 693-3416 (not a 
toll-free number). This announcement is also being made available on 
https://www.grants.gov.

Part VIII. Other Information

OMB Information Collection No. 1205-0458

Expires September 30, 2009
    According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are 
required to respond to a collection of information unless such 
collection displays a valid OMB control number. Public reporting burden 
for this collection of information is estimated to average 20 hours per 
response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing 
data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing 
and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding 
the burden estimated or any other aspect of this collection of 
information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the 
U.S. Department of Labor, attention: OMB Desk Officer for ETA, Office 
of Management and Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503. PLEASE DO 
NOT RETURN YOUR COMPLETED APPLICATION TO THE OMB. SEND IT TO THE 
ADDRESS PROVIDED IN PART IV (3) OF THIS SOLICITATION. This information 
is being collected for the purpose of awarding a grant. The information 
collected through this ``Solicitation for Grant Applications'' will be 
used by the Department of Labor to ensure that grants are awarded to 
the applicant best suited to perform the functions of the grant. 
Submission of this information is required in order for the applicant 
to be considered for award of this grant. Unless otherwise specifically 
noted in this announcement, information submitted in the respondent's 
application is not considered to be confidential.
Resources
    DOL maintains a number of Web-based resources that may be of 
assistance to applicants. The Web page for the Department's Center for 
Faith-Based & Community Initiatives (https://www.dol.gov/cfbci) is a 
valuable source of background on this initiative. America's Service 
Locator (www.servicelocator.org) provides a directory of our nation's 
One-Stop Career Centers. ETA maintains a Web page https://
www.servicelocator.org/wibcontacts), which contains contact information 
for the state and local Workforce Investment Boards. Applicants are 
encouraged to review ``Understanding the Department of Labor 
Solicitation for Grant Applications and How to Write an Effective 
Proposal'', which can be found at (https://www/dol.gov/cfbci/
sgabrochure.htm). Applicants may also wish to review the current two-
year Workforce Investment Act plan for the state in which they are 
located. Access to these plans may be found at https://
www.doleta.gov.gov/usworkforce/WIA/planstatus.cfm. For a basic 
understanding of the grants process and basic responsibilities of 
receiving Federal grant support, please see ``Guidance for Faith-Based 
and Community Organizations on Partnering with the Federal 
Government'', found at (www.fbci.gov).

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 30th day of March 2007.
Eric D. Luetkenhaus,
Grant Officer, Employment and Training Administration.
 [FR Doc. E7-6306 Filed 4-4-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-FN-P