Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants, 40898-40905 [E7-14365]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
• Mine Safety and Health Administration

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 142 (Wednesday, July 25, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40898-40905]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-14365]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Solicitation for grant applications.

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    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Opportunity Number: SGA 07-01.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 17.603.

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health 
Administration (MSHA), is making $500,000 available in grant funds for 
educational and training programs to help identify, avoid, and prevent 
unsafe working conditions in and around mines. The focus of these 
grants will be on training and training materials for mine rescue and 
mine emergency preparedness in underground coal mines. Applicants for 
the grants may be States and nonprofit (private and public) entities. 
MSHA could award as many as 10 separate grants with a 12-month period 
of performance. The amount of each individual grant will be at least 
$50,000. This notice contains all of the necessary information needed 
to apply for grant funding.

DATES: Grant applications must be received electronically by the 
Grants.gov system no later than 4:30 p.m., E.T., on August 24, 2007, 
the application deadline date. Applicants must contact the MSHA 
Directorate of Educational Policy and Development office listed on the 
announcement at least one week prior to the application deadline date, 
(or no later than 4:30 p.m., E.T., on Friday, August 13, 2007) to speak 
to a representative who can provide assistance to ensure that 
applications are submitted online by the closing date. Requests for 
extensions to this deadline will not be granted. MSHA will award grants 
on or before September 30, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Applications for grants submitted under this competition 
must be submitted electronically using the Government-wide site at 
https://www.grants.gov. If applying online poses a hardship to any 
applicant, the MSHA Directorate of Educational Policy and Development 
will provide assistance to ensure that applications are submitted 
online by the closing date. MSHA's Web page at www.msha.gov is a 
valuable source of background for this initiative.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Any questions regarding this 
solicitation for grant applications (SGA 07-01) should be directed to 
Robert Glatter at Glatter.Robert@dol.gov or at 202-693-9570 (this is 
not a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This solicitation provides background 
information and the 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. Further information regarding submitting the grant 
application electronically is listed in Section IV.C, Submission Date, 
Times, and Addresses. This solicitation consists of eight parts:
     Part I provides background information on the Brookwood-
Sago grants.
     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.

[[Page 40899]]

     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 MSHA contact information.
     Part VIII addresses Office of Management and Budget 
information collection requirements.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Overview of the Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Training Grant Program

    Responding to several coal mine disasters last year, Congress 
enacted the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 
(MINER Act). Section 14 of the MINER Act requires the Secretary to 
establish a discretionary competitive grant program called the 
Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants (Brookwood-Sago grants). This program 
provides funding to educate and train miners to better identify, avoid, 
and prevent unsafe working conditions in and around mines. This program 
will use grant funds to establish and implement education and training 
programs or to create training materials and programs. The MINER Act 
requires the Secretary to give priority to mine safety demonstrations 
and pilot projects with broad applicability. It also mandates that the 
Secretary shall emphasize programs and materials that target workers in 
smaller mines, to include training on new MSHA standards, high-risk 
activities, and other identified health and safety priorities.

B. Educational and Training Program Priorities

    MSHA priorities for the fiscal year (FY) 2007 funding of the 
Brookwood-Sago grants will focus on training and training materials for 
mine rescue and mine emergency preparedness in underground coal mines. 
MSHA expects Brookwood-Sago grantees to develop training materials or 
to develop and provide mine safety and health training and/or 
educational programs, recruit workers and employers for the training, 
and conduct and evaluate the training on one of MSHA-selected 
priorities. Grantees are also expected to conduct follow-up evaluations 
with people trained by their program to determine how effective their 
training was in either reducing hazards or improving skills for the 
selected training topics and cooperate fully with MSHA evaluations of 
the program. If Brookwood-Sago applicant is not the entity operating 
the MSHA-approved State training grant, MSHA expects the applicant to 
contact the State grantee(s) and coordinate any proposed training or 
educational program with the applicable State(s) in order not to 
duplicate any training or educational program offered. An applicant's 
proposed area for the grant may cover more than one State.

II. Award Information

A. Award Amount for FY 2007

    MSHA is providing $500,000 total for the FY 2007 Brookwood-Sago, 
which could be divided into as many as 10 separate grants. The amount 
of each individual grant will be at least $50,000.00. Applicants 
requesting less than $50,000 or more than $500,000 will not be 
considered for funding.

B. Period of Performance

    The period of performance will be 12 months from the date of 
execution of the grant documents. This performance period must include 
all necessary implementation and start-up activities as well as follow-
up for performance outcomes. A timeline clearly detailing these 
required grant activities and their expected completion dates must be 
included in the grant application. MSHA 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

    Applicants for the grants may be States and nonprofit (private or 
public) entities. Eligible entities may apply for funding independently 
or in partnership with other eligible organizations. For partnerships, 
a lead organization must be identified.
    Applicants other than States and State-or local government-
supported institutions of higher education will be required to submit 
evidence of nonprofit status, preferably from the Internal Revenue 
Service. A nonprofit entity as described in 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(4), which 
engages in lobbying activities, is not eligible for a grant award. See 
2 U.S.C. 1611.

B. Cost-Sharing or Matching

    Cost-sharing or matching of funds is not required for eligibility. 
The leveraging of public and/or private resources to achieve project 
sustainability, however, is highly encouraged and will be awarded up to 
10 application evaluation points.

C. Other Eligibility Requirements

1. Dun and Bradstreet Number
    Since October 1, 2003, every applicant for a Federal grant funding 
opportunity is required to include a DUNS number with its application. 
An applicant's DUNS number is to be entered into Block 8 of Standard 
Form (SF) 424. The DUNS number is a nine-digit identification number 
that identifies business entities uniquely. There is no charge for 
obtaining a DUNS number. To obtain a DUNS number, call 1-866-705-5711 
or access the following Web site: https://dunandbradstreet.com/.
    After receiving a DUNS number, all grant applicants must also 
register as a vendor with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) 
through the Web site https://www.ccr.gov or by phone at 1-888-227-2423. 
CCR registration should become active within 24 hours of completion. 
After registration, grant applicants will receive a confirmation 
number. The grant applicant must list an individual as the Point of 
Contact, who will receive a Trader Partnership Identification Number 
(TPIN) via mail. The TPIN is, and should remain, a confidential 
password.
2. Legal Rules Pertaining to Inherently Religious Activities by 
Organizations That Receive Federal Financial Assistance
    The government generally is 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.
3. Non-Compliant Applications
    Applications that are lacking any of the required elements or do 
not follow the format prescribed in IV.B will not be reviewed.
4. Late Applications
    Applications received after the deadline will not be reviewed 
unless it is determined to be in the best interest of the Government.

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Application Forms

    This announcement includes all information and links needed to 
apply for this funding opportunity. The full application is available 
through Grants.gov, Apply for Grants. The CFDA number needed to locate 
the appropriate application for this opportunity is

[[Page 40900]]

17.603. If an applicant has problems downloading the application 
package from Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Customer Support at 1-800-
518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Also, the complete Federal Register 
notice and application forms may also be downloaded from MSHA Web site 
at www.msha.gov.

B. Content and Form of the Application

    Each grant application must address either mine rescue or mine 
emergency preparedness for underground coal mines. Organizations 
interested in applying for funds on more than one of these topics must 
submit separate applications for each topic. The application must 
consist of three separate and distinct sections. The three required 
sections are:
     Section 1--Project Financial Plan and Forms (No page 
limit).
     Section 2--Project Summary (Not to exceed 2 pages).
     Section 3--Technical Proposal (Not to exceed 10 pages) 
Illustrative material can be submitted as an attachment.
    The following are mandatory requirements for each section.
1. Project Financial Plan and Forms
    This section contains the forms and budget section of the 
application. The Project Financial Plan will not count against the 
application page limits. A person with authority to bind the applicant 
must sign the application and forms. Applications submitted 
electronically through Grants.gov do not need to be signed manually; 
the form will automatically affix an electronic signature for the 
authorized person identified.
    (a) Completed SF 424, ``Application for Federal Assistance.'' This 
form is available online at https://apply.grants.gov/apply/
FormLinks?category=1, identified in the boxes as Government Wide 
``Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)'' and also is available 
at www.msha.gov. The SF 424 must identify the applicant clearly 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 representative of the 
applicant.
    (b) Completed SF 424A, ``Budget Information Form.'' This form is 
available online at https://apply.grants.gov/apply/FormLinks?category=4, 
identified in the boxes as Government Wide ``Budget Information for 
Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A)'' and also is available at 
www.msha.gov. The project budget should demonstrate clearly that the 
total amount and distribution of funds is sufficient to cover the cost 
of all major project activities identified by the applicant in its 
proposal, and must comply with Federal cost principles and the 
administrative requirements set forth in this SGA. (Copies of all 
regulations that are referenced in this SGA are available on-line at 
www.msha.gov.)
    Among other things, the budget should include the costs of travel 
for two staff members (one program and one financial) to the National 
Mine Health and Safety Academy in Beckley, West Virginia to attend a 
grantee orientation meeting; a financial audit, if required; project 
closeout; document preparation (e.g., quarterly progress reports, 
project document); and ensuring compliance with procurement and 
property standards under applicable OMB circulars.
    (c) Budget Narrative. The applicant must provide a concise 
narrative explaining the request for funds. The budget narrative should 
separately attribute the Federal funds and leveraged resources to each 
of the activities specified in the technical proposal; and it should 
discuss precisely how any administrative costs support the project 
goals. Indirect cost charges, which are considered administrative 
costs, must be supported with a copy of an approved Indirect Cost Rate 
Agreement. Indirect Costs are those costs that are not readily 
identifiable with a particular cost objective but nevertheless are 
necessary to the general operation of an organization, e.g., personnel 
working in Accounting. Administrative costs may not exceed 15% of the 
total grant budget.
    If applicable, the applicant must provide a statement about its 
program income. Program income is gross income earned by the grantee 
directly generated by a supported activity, or earned as a result of 
the award.
    Any leveraged resources should not be listed on the SF 424 or SF 
424A Budget Information Form, but must be described in the budget 
narrative and in the technical proposal of the application (as 
described in Part IV.B.3(d) of this SGA). The amount of Federal funding 
requested for the entire period of performance must be shown on the SF 
424 and SF 424A Budget Information Form.
    (d) Completed SF 424B, ``Assurances, Non-Construction Programs.'' 
Each applicant for these grants must certify compliance with a list of 
assurances. This form is available online at https://apply.grants.gov/
apply/FormLinks?category=2, identified in the boxes as government wide 
``Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B)'' and also is 
available at www.msha.gov.
    (e) Supplemental Certification Regarding Lobbying Activities form. 
If any funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for 
influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any 
agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an 
employee of a Member of Congress in connection with the making of a 
grant or cooperative agreement, the applicant shall complete and submit 
Standard Form (SF)-LLL, ``Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying,'' in 
accordance with its instructions. This form is available online at 
https://apply.grants.gov/apply/FormLinks?category=2, identified in the 
boxes as agency specific ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL)'' 
and at www.msha.gov.
    (f) Non-profit status. Applicants must provide evidence of non-
profit status, preferably from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), if 
applicable. (This requirement does not apply to State and local 
government-supported institutions of higher education.)
    (g) Accounting System Certification. An organization that receives 
less than $1 million annually in Federal grants must attach a 
certification stating that the organization (directly or through a 
designated qualified entity) has a functioning accounting system that 
meets the criteria below. The certification should attest that the 
organization's accounting system provides for the following:
    (1) Accurate, current and complete disclosure of the financial 
results of each Federally sponsored project.
    (2) Records that identify adequately the source and application of 
funds for Federally sponsored activities.
    (3) Effective control over and accountability for all funds, 
property and other assets.
    (4) Comparison of outlays with budget amounts.
    (5) Written procedures to minimize the time elapsing between 
transfers of funds.
    (6) Written procedures for determining the reasonableness, 
allocability, and allowability of cost.
    (7) Accounting records, including cost accounting records that are 
supported by source documentation.
    (h) Attachments. Any attachments such as resumes of key personnel 
or position descriptions, exhibits, information on prior government 
grants, and signed letters of commitment to the project.

[[Page 40901]]

2. Project Summary
    The project summary is a short one-to-two page abstract that 
succinctly summarizes the proposed project and provides information 
about the applicant organization. The project summary must include the 
following information:
    (a) Applicant. Provide the organization's full legal name and 
address.
    (b) Project Director. Provide the name, title, street address and 
mailing address if it is different from the organization's street 
address, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail address of the project 
director. The project director is the person who will be responsible 
for the day-to-day operation and administration of the program.
    (c) Certifying Representative. Provide the name, title, street 
address and mailing address if it is different from the organization's 
street address, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail address of the 
certifying representative. The certifying representative is the 
official in the organization who is authorized to enter into grant 
agreements.
    (d) Funding requested. List how much Federal funding is being 
requested. If the organization is contributing non-Federal resources, 
also list the amount of non-Federal resources and the source of the 
funds.
    (e) Grant Topic. List the grant topic and the location and number 
of miners that the organization has selected to train or describe the 
training materials to be created with these funds.
    (f) Summary of the Proposed Project. Write a brief program summary 
of the proposed project. This summary must identify the key points of 
the proposal including an introduction describing the project 
activities and the expected outcome(s).
    (g) Applicant Background. Describe the applicant, including its 
mission and a description of its membership, if any. Provide an 
organizational chart (the chart may be included as a separate page 
which will not count toward the page limit).
3. Technical Proposal
    The technical proposal must demonstrate the applicant's 
capabilities to plan and implement a project or create educational 
materials to meet the objectives of this solicitation. MSHA's focus for 
this SGA is on training miners and developing training materials for 
mine rescue and mine emergency preparedness in underground coal mines. 
MSHA has two program goals that will be considered indicators of the 
success of the program as a whole. The following table explains the 
types of data grantees must provide and their relationship with the 
Agency's program goals and performance measures for the Brookwood-Sago 
grants.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Data grantee
        Program goals         Performance measures        provides
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Agency creates more        Increase overall      Number of training
 effective training and        number of trainers    events during the
 improves safety.              trained.              period.
                              Increase overall      Number of trainers
                               number of miners      trained.
                               trained.             Number of miners
                                                     trained during the
                                                     current reporting
                                                     period.
                              Provide quality       Conduct and report
                               training with         pre-test and post-
                               clearly stated        test results of
                               goals and             trainees.
                               objectives for       Course evaluations
                               improving safety.     of trainer and
                                                     training materials.
                                                    The extent to which
                                                     others replicate
                                                     (i.e., adopt or
                                                     adapt) or
                                                     institutionalize
                                                     and continue the
                                                     projects after
                                                     grant funding ends.
2. Agency creates training    Increase number of    Conduct and report
 materials and improves        quality educational   pre-test and post-
 safety.                       materials developed.  test results of the
                                                     training materials.
                              Provide quality       Evaluation of
                               training materials    training materials
                               with clearly stated   to include the
                               goals and             target audience,
                               objectives for        statement of goals
                               improving safety.     and objectives,
                              Training materials     learning level,
                               are reproducible.     instructions for
                                                     using, additional
                                                     material
                                                     requirements,
                                                     secondary purposes,
                                                     adult learning
                                                     principles and
                                                     usability in the
                                                     mine training
                                                     environment.
                                                    The extent to which
                                                     others replicate
                                                     (i.e., adopt or
                                                     adapt) the funded
                                                     projects.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The technical proposal narrative is not to exceed 10 single-sided 
pages, double spaced, 12-point font, and must contain the following 
sections: Program Design, Overall Qualifications of the Applicant, 
Impact or Outcomes and Evaluation, and Leveraging of Funds. Any pages 
over the 10-page limit will not be reviewed. Major sections and sub-
sections of the proposal should be divided and clearly identified. MSHA 
will review and rate the technical proposal in accordance with the 
selection criteria specified in Part V.
    (a) Program Design.
    (1) Problem Statement/Need for Funds. Applicants must provide a 
clear and specific need for proposed activities. They must identify 
whether they are providing a training program or creating training 
materials or both. Applicants also must identify the number of 
individuals that will benefit from their training and education 
program; this should include identifying the type of mines (e.g., 
smaller mines, anthracite mines, large mine), the geographic 
location(s), and the number of workers and employers. Applicants must 
also identify other Federal funds they receive for similar activities.
    (2) Quality of the Project Design. MSHA requires that each 
applicant include a 12-month workplan that correlates with the grant 
project period that will begin September 30, 2007, and end September 
29, 2008. An outline of specific items required in the workplan 
follows.
    (i) Plan Overview. Describe the plan for grant activities and the 
anticipated outcomes. The overall plan will describe such things as the 
development of training materials, the training content, recruiting of 
trainees, where or how training will take place, and the anticipated 
benefits to workers and employers receiving the training.
    (ii) Activities. Break the overall plan down into activities or 
tasks. For each activity, explain what will be done, who will do it, 
when it will be done, and anticipated results of the activity. For 
training, discuss the subjects to be

[[Page 40902]]

taught, the length of the training sessions, and training locations 
(classroom worksites). Describe how the applicant will recruit workers 
and/or employers for the training. (Note: Any commercially-developed 
training materials the applicant proposes to use in its training must 
undergo an MSHA review before being used.)
    (iii) Quarterly Projections. For training and other quantifiable 
activities, estimate the quantities involved. For example, estimate how 
many classes will be conducted and workers and employers will be 
trained each quarter of the grant (grant quarters match calendar 
quarters, i.e., January to March, April to June) and also provide the 
training number totals for the full year. Quarterly projections are 
used to measure the actual performance against the plan. Applicants 
planning to conduct a train-the-trainer program should estimate the 
number of individuals to be trained during the grant period by those 
who received the train-the-trainer training. These second tier training 
numbers should be included only if the organization is planning to 
follow up with the trainers to obtain this data during the grant 
period.
    (iv) Materials. Describe each educational material to be produced 
under the grant. Provide a timetable for developing and producing the 
material. The timetable must include provisions for an MSHA review of 
draft and camera-ready products. MSHA must review and approve training 
materials for technical accuracy and suitability of content before 
materials may be used in the grant program. Whether or not an 
applicant's project is to develop training materials only, the 
applicant should provide an overall plan that includes time for MSHA to 
review any materials produced.
    (b) Overall Qualifications of the Applicant.
    (1) Administrative and Program Capability. Briefly describe the 
organization's functions and activities, i.e., the applicant's 
management and internal controls. Relate this description of functions 
to the organizational chart. If the applicant has received within the 
last five years any other government (Federal, State or local) grant 
funding, the application must have, as an attachment (which will not 
count towards the page limit), information regarding these previous 
grants. This information must include the organization for which the 
work was done and the dollar value of the grant. If the applicant does 
not have previous grant experience, it may partner with an organization 
that has grant experience to manage the grant. If the organization uses 
this approach, the management organization must be identified and its 
grant program experience discussed.
    Lack of past experience with Federal grants is not a determining 
factor, but an applicant should show a successful experience relevant 
to the opportunity offered in the application. Such experience could 
include staff members' experience with other organizations.
    (2) Program Experience. Describe the organization's experience 
conducting the proposed mine training program or the type of program. 
Include program specifics such as program title, numbers trained, and 
duration of training. If creating training materials, include the title 
of other materials developed. Nonprofit organizations, including 
community-based and faith-based organizations that do not have prior 
experience in mine safety and health may partner with an established 
mine safety and health organization to acquire safety and health 
expertise.
    (3) Staff Experience. Describe the qualifications of the 
professional staff you will assign to the program. Include resumes of 
staff already employed as an attachment (which will not count towards 
the page limit). If some positions are vacant, include position 
descriptions and minimum hiring qualifications instead of resumes. 
Staff should have, at a minimum, mine safety and health experience, 
training experience, or experience working with the mining community.
    (c) Impact or Outcomes and Evaluations.
    There are three types of evaluations that should be conducted. 
First, describe plans to evaluate the training sessions and/or training 
materials. Second, describe plans to evaluate the applicant's progress 
in accomplishing the grant work activities listed in the application. 
This includes comparing planned and actual accomplishments. Discuss who 
is responsible for taking corrective action if plans are not being met. 
Third, describe plans to assess the effectiveness of the training the 
applicant is conducting or the training materials. This will involve 
following up with an evaluation, or on-site review, if feasible, of 
people who attended the training to find out what changes were made to 
abate hazards or to incorporate the training in the workplace. For 
training materials, an evaluation of individuals on the clarity of the 
presentation, organization, and the information on the subject matter 
and whether they would use training materials is required. Include 
timetables for follow-up and for submitting a summary of the assessment 
results to MSHA.
    (d) Leveraging of Funds.
    Leveraged resources are cash or in-kind contributions obtained from 
sources other than the Federal government devoted to advancing the 
strategies described in the applicant's proposal. Applicants must 
include a description of any non-Federal contribution or commitments, 
including the source of funds and the estimated amount.

C. Submission Date, Times, and Addresses

    The closing date for receipt of applications under this 
announcement is August 24, 2007. Grant applications must be submitted 
electronically through the Grants.gov site. The Grants.gov site 
provides all the information about submitting an application 
electronically through the site as well as the hours of operation. 
Interested parties must search for the downloadable application package 
by the CFDA number, 17.603.
    Applications received by Grants.gov are electronically date and 
time stamped. An application must be fully uploaded and submitted (and 
must be date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system) before the 
application deadline date. Once an interested party has submitted an 
application, Grants.gov will notify the interested party with an 
automatic notification of receipt that contains a Grants.gov tracking 
number. (This notification indicates receipt by Grants.gov only, not 
receipt by MSHA.) MSHA then will retrieve the application from 
Grants.gov and send a second notification to the interested party by e-
mail.

D. Intergovernmental Review

    The Brookwood-Sago grants are not subject to Executive Order 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.'' MSHA, however, 
reminds applicants that if they are not operating MSHA-approved State 
training grant(s), contact the State grantee(s) and coordinate any 
training or educational program in order not to duplicate any training 
or educational program offered. Information about each state grant and 
the entity operating the state grant is provided online at: 
www.msha.gov/PROGRAMS/EPD4.HTM.

E. Funding Restrictions

    MSHA will determine whether costs are allowable under the 
applicable Federal cost principles and other conditions contained in 
the grant award.

[[Page 40903]]

1. Allowable Costs
    Grant funds may be spent on conducting training, conducting 
outreach and recruiting activities to increase the number of workers 
and employers participating in the program, developing educational 
materials, and on necessary expenses to support these activities. 
Allowable costs are determined by the applicable federal costs 
principles identified in Part VI.B. Program income earned during the 
award period shall be retained by the recipient, added to funds 
committed to the award, and used for the purposes and under the 
conditions applicable to the use of the grant funds.
2. Unallowable Costs
    Grant funds may not be used for the following activities under this 
grant program:
    (a) Any activity inconsistent with the goals and objectives of this 
SGA.
    (b) Training on topics that are not targeted under this SGA;
    (c) Duplicating training or services offered by MSHA or any MSHA 
State grant under section 503 of the Mine Safety and Health Act of 
1977;
    (d) Any equipment unless pre-approved and in writing by the MSHA 
grant officer;
    (e) Administrative costs that exceed 15% of the total grant budget; 
and
    (f) Any pre-award costs.
    Unallowable costs also include any cost determined by MSHA that is 
not allowed according to the applicable cost principles or other 
conditions in the grant.

V. Application Review Information

A. Evaluation Criteria

    MSHA will screen all applications to determine whether all required 
proposal elements are present and clearly identifiable. Those that do 
not comply with mandatory requirements will not be evaluated. The 
technical panels will review grant applications against the criteria 
listed below on the basis of 100 maximum points. Up to 10 additional 
points will be given for leveraging non-Federal resources.

1. Program Design--40 Points Total

    (a) Problem Statement/Need for Funds. (3 points)
    The proposed training and education program or training materials 
must address the recognition and prevention of safety and health 
hazards for mine rescue or mine emergency preparedness in underground 
coal mines.
    (b) Quality of the Project Design. (25 points)
    (1) The proposal to train miners and/or employers clearly estimates 
the number to be trained and clearly identifies the types of workers 
and employers to be trained.
    (2) If the proposal contains a train-the-trainer program, the 
following information must be provided:
     What ongoing support the grantee will provide to new 
trainers;
     The number of individuals to be trained as trainers;
     The estimated number of courses to be conducted by the new 
trainers;
     The estimated number of students to be trained by these 
new trainers and a description of how the grantee will obtain data from 
the new trainers documenting their classes and student numbers if 
during the grant period.
    (3) The work plan activities and training are described.
     The planned activities and training are tailored to the 
needs and levels of the miners and employers to be trained. Any special 
constituency to be served through the grant program is described, e.g., 
smaller mines, limited English proficiency miners. Organizations 
proposing to develop materials in languages other than English also 
will be required to provide an English version of the materials.
     If the proposal includes developing training materials, 
the workplan must include time during development for MSHA to review 
the educational materials for technical accuracy and suitability of 
content. If commercially-developed training products will be used for a 
training program, applicants also should plan for MSHA to review the 
materials before using the products in their grant programs.
     The utility of the educational materials is described.
     The outreach or process to find miners or trainees to 
receive the training is described.
    (c) Replication. The extent a project will be replicated and the 
potential for the project to serve a variety of miners or mine sites. 
(4 points)
    (d) Innovativeness. The novelty of the approach used. (3 points)
    (e) MSHA's Performance Goals. The extent the proposed project will 
contribute to MSHA's performance goals. (5 points)
2. Budget--20 Points Total
    (a) The budget presentation is clear and detailed. (15 points)
     The budgeted costs are reasonable.
     No more than 15% of the total budget is for administrative 
cost.
     The budget complies with Federal cost principles (which 
can be found in the applicable OMB Circulars) and with MSHA budget 
requirements contained in the grant application instructions.
    (b) The application demonstrates that the applicant has strong 
financial management and internal control systems. (5 points)
3. Overall Qualifications of the Applicant--25 Points Total
    (a) The applicant has administered, or will work with an 
organization that has administered, a number of different Federal and/
or State grants in the past five years. The applicant may demonstrate 
this experience by having project staff that has experience 
administering Federal and/or State grants in the past five years. (6 
points)
    (b) The applicant applying for the grant demonstrates experience 
with mine safety and health teaching or providing mine safety and 
health educational programs. Applicants that do not have prior 
experience in providing mine safety and health training to workers or 
employers may partner with an established mine safety and health 
organization to acquire mine safety and health expertise. (13 points)
     Project staff has experience in mine safety and health, 
the specific topic chosen, and/or in training workers.
     Project staff has experience in recruiting, training and 
working with the population the organization proposes to serve.
     Applicant has experience in designing and developing 
training materials for a mining program.
     Applicant has experience in managing educational programs.
    (c) Applicant demonstrates internal control and management 
oversight of the project. (6 points)
4. Impacts/Outcomes and Evaluations--15 Points Total
    The proposal should include provisions for evaluating the 
organization's progress in accomplishing the grant work activities and 
accomplishments, evaluating training sessions, and evaluating the 
program's effectiveness and impact to determine if the safety and 
health training and services provided resulted in workplace change. The 
proposal should include plan to follow up with trainees to determine 
the impact the program has had in abating hazards and reducing worker 
injuries.
5. Leveraged Resources--10 Points Total
    MSHA will award up to 10 additional rating points to applications 
that include non-Federal resources that expand the size and scope of 
project-related activities. To be eligible for the additional points, 
the applicant must list the resource(s), the nature of programmatic 
activities anticipated and

[[Page 40904]]

any partnerships, linkages, or coordination of activities, cooperative 
funding, etc., including the monetary value of such contributions.

B. Review and Selection Process

    A technical panel will rate each complete application against the 
criteria described in this SGA. One or more applicants may be selected 
as grantees on the basis of the initial application submission, or a 
minimally acceptable number of points may be established. MSHA may 
request final revisions to the applications, and then evaluate the 
revised applications. MSHA may consider any information that comes to 
its attention in evaluating the applications.
    The panel recommendations are advisory in nature. The Assistant 
Secretary will make a final selection determination based on what is 
most advantageous to the Government, considering factors such as panel 
findings, geographic presence of the applicants or the areas to be 
served, Agency priorities, and the best value to the government, cost 
and other factors. The Assistant Secretary's determination for award 
under this SGA is final.

C. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

    Announcement of these awards is expected to occur by September 15, 
2007. The grant agreement will be signed by no later than September 29, 
2007.

VI. Award Administration Information

A. Award Process

    Organizations selected as potential grant recipients will be 
notified by a representative of the Assistant Secretary, usually the 
Grant Officer or his staff. An applicant whose proposal is not selected 
will be notified in writing. The fact that an organization has been 
selected as a potential grant recipient does not necessarily constitute 
approval of the grant application as submitted (revisions may be 
required).
    Before the actual grant award, MSHA may enter into negotiations 
with the awardee concerning such matters as program components, 
staffing and funding levels, and administrative systems. If the 
negotiations do not result in an acceptable submittal, the Assistant 
Secretary reserves the right to terminate the negotiations and decline 
to fund the proposal.

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    All grantees will be subject to applicable Federal laws and 
regulations (including provisions of appropriations law) and applicable 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars. The grant(s) awarded 
under this competitive grant program will be subject to the following 
administrative standards and provisions, if applicable:
     29 CFR part 2, subpart D, Equal Treatment for Religious 
Organizations.
     29 CFR parts 31, 32, 35 and 36, Nondiscrimination.
     29 CFR part 93, Restrictions on Lobbying.
     29 CFR part 94, Drug-free Workplace.
     29 CFR part 95, Uniform Grant Requirements for Nonprofit 
Organizations.
     29 CFR parts 96 and 99, Audits.
     29 CFR part 97, Uniform Grant Requirements for States.
     29 CFR part 98, Debarment and Suspension.
     2 CFR part 220, Cost Principles for Educational 
Institutions.
     2 CFR part 225, Cost Principles for State and Local 
Governments.
     2 CFR part 230, Cost Principles for Other Nonprofit 
Organizations.

Administrative costs for these grants may not exceed 15%. Except as 
specifically provided, MSHA's acceptance of a proposal or MSHA's award 
of Federal funds to sponsor any program(s) does not constitute a waiver 
of any grant requirement or procedure. For example, if an application 
identifies a specific sub-contractor to provide certain services, the 
MSHA award does not provide a basis to sole-source the procurement (to 
avoid competition).

C. Special Program Requirements

1. MSHA Review of Educational Materials
    MSHA will review all grantee-produced educational and training 
materials for technical accuracy and suitability of content during 
development and before final publication. MSHA also will review 
training curricula and purchased training materials for technical 
accuracy and suitability of content before the materials are used. 
Grantees developing training materials must follow all copyright laws 
and provide written certification that their materials are free from 
copyright infringements.
    When grantees produce training materials, they must provide copies 
of completed materials to MSHA before the end of the grant period. 
Completed materials should be submitted to MSHA in hard copy and in 
digital format (CD-ROM/DVD) for publication on the MSHA Web site. Two 
copies of the materials must be provided to MSHA. Acceptable formats 
for training materials include Microsoft XP Word, PDF, PowerPoint, and 
any other format agreed upon by MSHA.
2. License
    As listed in 29 CFR 95.36, the Department of Labor reserves a 
royalty-free, nonexclusive, and irrevocable right to reproduce, 
publish, or otherwise use for Federal purposes any work produced under 
a grant, and to authorize others to do so. Grantees must agree to 
provide the Department of Labor a paid-up, nonexclusive, and 
irrevocable license to reproduce, publish, or otherwise use for Federal 
purposes all products developed, or for which ownership was purchased, 
under an award. Such products include, but are not limited to, 
curricula, training models, technical assistance products, and any 
related materials. Such uses include, but are not limited to, the right 
to modify and distribute such products worldwide by any means, 
electronic, or otherwise.
3. Acknowledgement on Printed Materials
    All approved grant-funded materials developed by a grantee shall 
contain the following disclaimer: ``This material was produced under 
grant number XXXXX from the Mine Safety and Health Administration, U.S. 
Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or 
policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade 
names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the 
U.S. Government.''
    When issuing statements, press releases, request for proposals, bid 
solicitations, and other documents describing projects or programs 
funded in whole or in part with Federal money, all grantees receiving 
Federal funds must clearly state:
    (a) The percentage of the total costs of the program or project 
that will be financed with Federal money;
    (b) The dollar amount of federal financial assistance for the 
project or program; and
    (c) The percentage and dollar amount of the total costs of the 
project or program that will be financed by non-governmental sources.
4. Use of U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) and MSHA Logos
    The USDOL or the MSHA logo may be applied to the grant-funded 
material including posters, videos, pamphlets, research documents, 
national survey results, impact evaluations, best practice reports, and 
other publications. The grantee(s) must consult with MSHA on whether 
the logo may be used on any such items prior to final draft or final

[[Page 40905]]

preparation for distribution. In no event shall the USDOL or the MSHA 
logo be placed on any item until MSHA has given the grantee written 
permission to use either logo on the item.
5. Reporting
    Grantees are required by Departmental regulations to submit 
financial and project reports, as described below, each calendar 
quarter. All reports are due no later than 30 days after the end of the 
calendar quarter and shall be submitted to MSHA. Grantees also are 
required to submit final reports 90 days after the end of the grant 
period. MSHA will provide further details on the format and process for 
each of the reports in the grantee orientation meeting.
    (a) Financial Reports. The grantee shall submit financial reports 
on a quarterly basis.
    (b) Technical Project Reports. After signing the agreement, the 
grantee shall submit technical project reports to MSHA at the end of 
each calendar quarter. Technical project reports provide both 
quantitative and qualitative information and a narrative assessment of 
performance for the preceding three-month period.
    Between reporting dates, the grantee shall immediately inform MSHA 
of significant developments and/or problems affecting the 
organization's ability to accomplish work.
    (c) Final Reports. At the end of the grant period, each grantee 
must provide a final financial report, a summary of its technical 
project reports, and an evaluation report.

H. Freedom of Information

    Any information submitted in response to this SGA will be subject 
to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, as appropriate.

VII. Agency Contacts

    Any questions regarding this SGA should be directed to Robert 
Glatter at Glatter.Robert@dol.gov or at 202-693-9570 (this is not a 
toll-free number); or the Grant Officer, Darrell A. Cooper at 
cooper.darrell@dol.gov or on 202-693-9831. MSHA's webpage at 
www.msha.gov is a valuable source of background for this initiative.

VIII. Office of Management and Budget Information Collection 
Requirements

    This SGA requests information from applicants. This collection of 
information is approved under 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 the grant application is estimated to average 20 hours per 
response, and 5 hours for grantee reporting. These estimates include 
time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, 
gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing 
the collection of information. Each recipient who receives a grant 
award notice will be required to submit nine reports to MSHA. Each 
report will take approximately five hours to prepare. 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, should be directed to Mine Safety and Health 
Administration, Robert Glatter at Glatter.Robert@dol.gov or at 202-693-
9570 (this is not a toll-free number); or the Grant Officer, Darrell A. 
Cooper at cooper.darrell@dol.gov or on 202-693-9831. SEND APPLICATIONS 
TO MSHA, USING THE GRANTS.GOV SITE.
    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.

    Authority: Section 14 of the MINER Act, 30 U.S.C. 965.

    This 20th day of July, 2007.
Robert M. Friend,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. E7-14365 Filed 7-24-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P