American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA); Notice of Availability of Funds and Solicitation for Grant Applications for State Energy Sector Partnership (SESP) and Training Grants, 30114-30128 [E9-14922]

Agencies

• Employment and Training Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 120 (Wednesday, June 24, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30114-30128]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-14922]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA); Notice of 
Availability of Funds and Solicitation for Grant Applications for State 
Energy Sector Partnership (SESP) and Training Grants

    Announcement Type: Notice of Solicitation for Grant Applications.
    Funding Opportunity Number: SGA/DFA PY-08-20.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 17.275.

DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications under this 
announcement is October 20, 2009. Applications must be received at the 
address below no later than 4 p.m. (Eastern Time). A pre-recorded 
Webinar will be available online at: https://www.workforce3one.org and 
accessible for viewing by 3 p.m. ET on July 10, 2009, and will be 
available for viewing any time after that date as well. While a review 
of this webinar is encouraged, it is not mandatory.

ADDRESSES: Mailed applications must be addressed to the U.S. Department 
of Labor, Employment & Training Administration, Division of Federal 
Assistance, Attention: B. Jai Johnson, Grant Officer, Reference SGA/DFA 
PY-08-20, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room N4716, Washington, DC 
20210. For complete ``Application and Submission Information,'' please 
refer to section IV.
SUMMARY: Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the 
Recovery Act), the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL or the Department) 
Employment and Training Administration (ETA) announces the availability 
of approximately $190 million in grant funds to State Workforce 
Investment Boards of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the 
U.S. territories as defined in section VI.B.2.iv. In order to highlight 
the important role States play in building a national green economy, 
the Department is investing in workforce sector strategies that target 
energy efficiency and renewable energy industries described in section 
171(e)(1)(B) of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) and other 
green industries. DOL encourages a strategic planning process that 
aligns the Governor's overall workforce vision, State energy policies, 
and local and regional training activities that lead to employment in 
targeted industry sectors. This strategic planning process is an 
opportunity to develop a statewide energy sector strategy through a 
comprehensive partnership and development of a Sector Plan. If an 
energy sector strategy is currently in place, that strategy should be 
reviewed and evaluated to address the requirements of this funding 
opportunity. As a result of this Solicitation for Grant Application 
(SGA), the Department is fostering the development of a national 
workforce that is ready to meet the demands of the energy efficiency 
and renewable energy industries and other industries identified in 
Supplementary Information, section B of this SGA.
    A portion of the funds under this SGA will be reserved for 
communities or regions undergoing auto industry related restructurings. 
The eligible applicants for this SGA are State Workforce Investment 
Boards in partnership with their State Workforce Agency, local 
Workforce Investment Boards or regional consortia of Boards, and One 
Stop Career Center delivery systems. ETA intends to fund grants ranging 
from approximately $2 to $6 million.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 30115]]

A. Recovery Act: Competitive Grants for Green Job Training

    This section of the SGA provides general background on the American 
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), the competitive 
grants funded through the Recovery Act to prepare workers for careers 
in the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries, and the 
occupations and industries on which these grants should focus. On 
February 17, 2009, President Barack Obama signed into law the Recovery 
Act through which Congress intended to preserve and create jobs, 
promote the nation's economic recovery, and assist those most impacted 
by the recession. Among other funding directed toward the Department 
the Recovery Act provides $750 million for a program of competitive 
grants for worker training and placement in high growth and emerging 
industries. Of the $750 million allotted for competitive grants, the 
Recovery Act designates approximately $500 million for research, labor 
exchange and job training for projects that prepare workers for careers 
in energy efficiency and renewable energy as described in section 
171(e)(1)(B) of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). DOL intends to use 
a portion of the $500 million for providing technical assistance for 
this program of grants.
    The purpose of these green job training grants is to teach workers 
the skills required in emerging energy efficiency and renewable energy 
industries. These efforts will lead program participants to job 
placement while leveraging other Recovery Act investments intended to 
create jobs and promote economic growth. For additional information 
about the series of competitive grants for green job training, please 
refer to Training and Employment Notice (TEN) 44-08 available at https://www.doleta.gov/Recovery/legislation.cfm.

B. Green Industries and Occupations

    The Department will award grants to workforce development projects 
that focus on connecting target populations, including auto and auto-
related industry workers affected by significant automotive-related 
restructurings, to career pathways in green industries. Training 
programs will prepare individuals for careers in any of the seven 
energy efficiency and renewable energy industries defined in section 
171(e)(1)(B)(ii) of the WIA, which include:
     The energy-efficient building, construction, and retrofit 
industries;
     The renewable electric power industry;
     The energy efficient and advanced drive train vehicle 
industry;
     The biofuels industry;
     The deconstruction and materials use industries;
     The energy efficiency assessment industry serving 
residential, commercial, or industrial sectors; and
     Manufacturers that produce sustainable products using 
environmentally sustainable processes and materials.
    Additionally, the Department is interested in applicants 
contributing to our understanding of green industries and jobs that 
clean and enhance our environment. Initial research supported by the 
Department of Labor shows that there are ``growth, enhanced and 
emerging'' green occupations across a number of industries. In addition 
to the seven industries referenced above, applicants may propose 
strategies that train for those green occupations from among the 
following industries: Transportation; green construction; environmental 
protection; sustainable agriculture including healthy food production; 
forestry; and recycling and waste reduction (see Occupational 
Information Network Report at: https://www.onetcenter.org/reports/Green.html). The Department will consider proposals that focus on these 
occupations within these industries if applicants can offer supporting 
data demonstrating these are emerging industries which are producing 
jobs in their communities.
    For the purpose of these SGAs, the Department defines energy 
efficiency and renewable energy as follows. Section 203(b)(2) of the 
Energy Policy Act of 2005, Public Law 109-58, 119 Stat. 595, defines 
``renewable energy'' as ``electric energy generated from solar, wind, 
biomass, landfill gas, ocean (including tidal, wave, current, and 
thermal), geothermal, municipal solid waste, or new hydroelectric 
generation capacity achieved from increased efficiency or additions of 
new capacity at an existing hydroelectric project.'' ``Energy 
efficiency'' can be broadly defined as programs aimed at mitigating the 
use of energy, reducing harmful emissions, and decreasing overall 
energy consumption.
    The Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is 
working to develop a definition for green sectors and jobs, which will 
be used to ensure that workforce development efforts identify and 
target these green jobs and their training needs. The Department has 
also supported occupational research that begins to define green jobs, 
review sectors impacted by green investments and understand how new 
green technology and materials will affect occupational requirements. 
The Occupational Information Network (O*NET) project has drafted a 
research paper titled, Greening of the World of Work: Implications for 
O*NET-SOC and New and Emerging Occupations. This study reflects three 
general categories of occupations, based on different consequences of 
green economy activities and technologies: (1) Existing occupations 
expected to experience primarily an increase in employment demand; (2) 
existing occupations with significant change to the work and worker 
requirements; and (3) new and emerging green occupations. This research 
may be used as a starting point for identifying green industries and 
occupations and informing the development of training and job placement 
programs. For a copy of the O*NET report and a listing of the 
identified occupations go to https://www.onetcenter.org/reports/Green.html

C. Working With Other Recovery Act Programs

    The Recovery Act made funds available to a number of other Federal 
programs that will impact the creation and expansion of green jobs. DOL 
is partnering with other Federal agencies to support the creation of 
jobs by developing a pipeline of skilled workers in the energy 
efficiency and renewable energy industries. Where possible, ETA 
encourages applicants to connect their workforce development strategies 
to other Recovery Act funded projects that create jobs or impact the 
skill requirements of existing jobs. ETA recommends that applicants 
review other parts of the Recovery Act, with a focus on the activities 
funded through the Department of Energy (Energy), the Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development (HUD), the Department of Transportation (DOT), the 
Department of Education (Education) and others. For additional 
resources and information about our Federal partners, please see 
section VIII, ``Additional Resources of Interest to Applicants.''

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Grant funds awarded under this SGA will be used to provide 
training, job placement, and related activities that reflect a 
comprehensive statewide energy sector strategy including the Governor's 
overall workforce vision, State energy policies, and training 
activities that lead to employment in targeted industry sectors. A 
sector

[[Page 30116]]

strategy is a workforce development approach that targets the needs of 
a specific industry sector. According to The Aspen Institute's 
Workforce Strategies Initiative, the primary purpose of a sector 
strategy is to provide an integrated system of education, training, and 
supportive services that promotes skill attainment and career pathway 
development for workers. Sector strategies are designed and implemented 
by a range of institutions and groups working collaboratively, 
including community and faith-based organizations, business and 
industry groups, educational institutions such as community and 
technical colleges, the public workforce system, labor-management 
partnerships, and others.
    Many sector initiatives provide strategies for improving the 
employability and career pathway development for low-income, low-
skilled workers, but sector strategies can also benefit other 
populations, such as incumbent workers in need of skill upgrades, or 
laid-off workers who need to develop sector-specific skills. Some 
strategies focus on just one target industry in a specific geographical 
region, while others encompass several related industries. The end 
result of a sector strategy is a stronger labor market system that 
benefits workers and employers for years to come. Additional 
information about sector strategies can be accessed at https://www.aspenwsi.org/WSIsector-index.asp. In recent years, a number of 
States and their local Workforce Investment Boards and One Stop Career 
Center delivery systems have successfully implemented a variety of 
sectoral approaches that examine labor market trends, develop an 
understanding of specific industry sector workforce needs, and promote 
training that responds to those immediate employer needs within the 
identified sectors.

A. Preparing To Apply for This Solicitation: Strategic Planning 
Process, Roles of the State Workforce Investment Board, and Formation 
of the State Energy Sector Partnership

    The Department strongly encourages applicants to engage in a 
comprehensive strategic planning process prior to submitting an 
application for this SGA. If the State has completed a similar 
strategic planning process including the development of a sector plan 
related to the targeted industries outlined in this SGA, that process 
should be reviewed and evaluated to ensure it meets the requirements of 
this funding opportunity. If the State has not engaged in a 
comprehensive strategic planning process, then this work will serve as 
the foundation for the technical proposal for the SGA. If awarded, all 
applicants will be expected to fully implement the local and regional 
training projects outlined in the Sector Plan that was submitted as 
part of their application. Applicants should be aware they may not 
charge any strategic planning or other pre-award activities to the 
grant.
1. Strategic Planning Process
    A Sector Plan should be developed using an inclusive process 
designed by the State Workforce Investment Board as the grant 
recipient. DOL expects State Workforce Agencies, local WIBs or regional 
consortia of WIBs and One Stop Career Center delivery systems, as well 
as required and suggested partners to have a strong voice and integral 
role in the strategic planning process.
    In order to effectively engage in planning and fulfill the 
requirements of this SGA, DOL suggests that the strategic planning 
sessions encompass the following:
    i. Review and analyze the Governor's overall workforce vision and 
goals, energy policy and, if available, specific policies for energy 
efficiency and renewable energy industries;
    ii. Establish the State strategic vision and goals for preparing an 
educated and skilled workforce to meet the current and emerging needs 
of the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries, and aligning 
those efforts with overall workforce development, education, and 
economic development;
    iii. Analyze and determine the sectors where investments are or 
will be made and the occupations and skill needs within the energy 
efficiency and renewable energy industries that will be targeted;
    iv. Analyze and determine the populations that will be targeted, 
the characteristics of those populations that have specific workforce 
challenges or could benefit from specific sector strategies, and 
training activities that address the needs and demands of those 
targeted sectors and target populations; and
    v. Develop an energy sector strategy for training workers in the 
energy efficiency and renewable energy industries, and propose training 
activities that lead to employment in targeted industry sectors. The 
strategy should include delivery of training services through local and 
regional project teams, led by local WIBs or regional consortia of 
Boards and their One Stop Career Center delivery systems, along with 
appropriate partners that will deliver training. This includes a plan 
for how funds will be distributed to those project teams that aligns 
with the State's vision and strategies.
2. Roles of the State Workforce Investment Board (SWIB or the Board)
    If awarded a grant, the SWIB will (1) lead the State Energy Sector 
Partnership and serve as the project operator responsible for 
coordinating and managing this Partnership, and (2) manage the overall 
planning, implementation, oversight, and technical assistance of the 
State Energy Sector Plan operations, which also includes managing the 
local and regional project teams. While performing this role, the Board 
ensures that the work of the State Energy Sector Partnership is aligned 
with the Governor's vision and relevant national and State energy 
policies, as well as the Workforce Investment Act/Wagner-Peyser Act 
State Plan. It is expected the Board will establish a process to 
regularly coordinate with the local and regional project teams to 
ensure timely implementation, address program and/or fiscal challenges, 
meet technical assistance needs, and ensure the project teams are 
meeting their performance outcomes and deliverables.
3. Formation of a State Energy Sector Partnership (SESP)
    The SESP will serve as a steering committee throughout the life of 
the grant to inform the planning and implementation of the State's 
energy sector strategy and ensure the overall success of the grant.
    i. SESP Membership. The SWIB will determine and coordinate 
membership of the SESP, which will reflect the State's targeted 
industries as referenced in Supplementary Information, section B of 
this SGA. State Workforce Investment Boards may already have existing 
relationships with the required partners and suggested partners 
mentioned below through their Board representation and should invite 
those individuals to serve on the SESP, as appropriate. To be able to 
effectively develop and implement industry training strategies across 
the State, individuals serving on the SESP should be senior level and 
have decision-making authority over their organization's activities and 
resources. In forming the SESP, the State Workforce Investment Board is 
encouraged to continue strengthening and expanding their existing 
partnerships, as well as identify and address any gaps among the 
required and suggested partner organizations outlined below.
    Applicants must assemble a comprehensive and representative

[[Page 30117]]

partnership reflecting the energy efficiency and renewable energy 
industries within the State. The SESP is made up of representatives 
from the State Workforce Agency, local WIBs or regional consortia of 
WIBs and One Stop Career Center delivery systems, and at least one 
representative from each of the following required categories:
     State Cabinet officials from agencies (e.g., State Energy 
Office) receiving Recovery Act funding related to relevant energy 
efficiency and renewable energy resources and other green occupations 
and industries in the State;
     Representatives from the energy efficiency and renewable 
energy business and industries, such as public, private, or non-profit 
employers;
     Labor organizations, including labor-management training 
programs.
    The SESP is encouraged to include additional members from each of 
the following categories:
     State Apprenticeship Agencies (SAAs) or the USDOL Office 
of Apprenticeship (OA) in states where OA is the registration agency 
for registered apprenticeship programs;
     Nonprofit organizations including community and faith-
based organizations;
     The education and training community, which includes the 
continuum of education at all levels from secondary schools to 
community and technical colleges, four-year colleges and universities, 
apprenticeship programs, technical and vocational training 
institutions, and other training entities;
     State and Local veterans' agencies and local veterans 
service organizations; and
     Economic Development organizations.
    By including all of these types of categories in a robust 
partnership, applicants will ensure they are maximizing the expertise 
of each organization.
    ii. Activities of the State Energy Sector Partnership (SESP). There 
are two primary activities for SESP members: (1) Strategic planning and 
development of a Sector Plan, including selecting local and regional 
project teams, which the applicant will describe in the technical 
proposal and (2) oversight of the implementation and successful 
operation of the State Energy Sector Plan. The Board may choose to 
expand the roles of the SESP beyond these two activities to enhance the 
operations of the local and regional project teams.
    iii. Roles of the Local and Regional Project Teams. The SESP will 
select local WIBs or regional consortia of WIBs and their One Stop 
Career Center delivery systems, and other partners, as appropriate to 
serve as project teams. The purpose of these teams is to identify, 
assess, and refer candidates for training, and connect and place 
workers with employers that have existing job openings. Each project 
team is expected to identify appropriate training providers that have 
the capacity to begin training expeditiously upon award and effectively 
train a substantial number of participants. In addition, each project 
team must identify a lead staff member, or co-leads to ensure 
coordination and strategic problem solving among the training providers 
to best meet participant long/short term employment and training needs. 
Project Team leads or co-leads should have experience in successfully 
operating a variety of grant programs on a small and large scale.
    Local and regional project teams are strongly encouraged to develop 
and/or strengthen relationships with the various partner organizations 
referenced above (``State Energy Sector Partnership (SESP) 
Membership'') in their local and regional areas as appropriate, in 
order to effectively support these activities. Local and regional 
project teams funded through this SGA must implement comprehensive 
projects that include: (a) Robust recruitment strategies; (b) seamless 
integration of supportive service strategies where necessary to help 
the targeted individuals succeed; (c) use of the One Stop Career Center 
delivery system to provide case management; (d) high-quality training 
that leads to a degree or certificate, as appropriate. Training should 
use methods such as on-the-job training blended with classroom 
training, customized training with an existing registered 
apprenticeship program or labor-management partnership, technology-
based learning, or other appropriate training strategies. In addition, 
training courses should be offered at alternate times (such as evening 
and weekend programs) and in locations that are most convenient and 
accessible to participants; and (e) follow-up and retention services, 
providing individuals the resources necessary to attain economic self-
sufficiency.

II. Award Information

A. Award Amount

    Approximately $190 million is available under this competitive SGA. 
The expected range of awards is $2 to $6 million. Applications 
requesting more than $6 million will be considered nonresponsive. 
Within these funding ranges specified above, applicants are encouraged 
to submit proposals for quality projects at whatever funding level is 
appropriate to the project.
    Approximately $25 million of the total funds available through this 
SGA will be reserved for projects in communities impacted by 
automotive-related restructuring, though the Department reserves the 
right to change this amount depending on the quantity and quality of 
applications submitted under this SGA. See Attachment I for a list of 
counties impacted by automotive-related restructuring. The Center for 
Automotive Research identified the attached list of 281 U.S. counties 
that have either an automotive assembly plant or parts manufacturer 
employing regional residents.

B. Period of Performance

    The period of grant performance will be up to 36 months from the 
date of execution of the grant document and it includes participant 
follow-up. The Department expects grant funded activities to commence 
upon grant award. Applicants should plan to fully expend grant funds 
during the period of performance, while ensuring full transparency and 
accountability for all expenditures.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants and Required Partnerships

    Eligible applicants are limited to State Workforce Investment 
Boards and only one application may be submitted per State. For the 
purposes of this SGA, the term ``State'' means each of the 50 States of 
the United States, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories 
as defined in Section VI.B.2.iv. In order to be eligible, SWIBs must 
demonstrate they are in partnership with the State Workforce Agency, 
local Workforce Investment Boards or regional consortia of Boards, and 
One Stop Career Center delivery systems. If the SWIB does not have the 
capacity to serve as the fiscal agent, the State Workforce Agency must 
be designated as the fiscal agent for the grant and should be 
designated as the applicant on the SF 424 Grant Application.

B. Cost Sharing

    Cost sharing or matching funds are not required as a condition for 
application, but leveraged resources are strongly encouraged and may 
affect the applicant's score in section V.A.2 of the evaluation 
criteria.

C. Proposed Projects

    The purpose of this SGA is to fund training projects that will 
prepare and place individuals into any of the seven

[[Page 30118]]

energy efficiency and renewable energy industries as referenced in 
Supplementary Information, section B of this SGA. Training costs that 
are directly related to the provision of training for participants may 
include the following: Faculty/instructors, including salaries and 
fringe benefits; in-house training staff; support staff such as lab or 
teaching assistants; classroom space, including laboratories, mock-ups 
or other facilities used for training purposes; classroom-supported 
internship programs; and books, materials, and supplies used in the 
training course, including specialized equipment.
    Applicants are not limited in the specific training and placement 
strategies and activities they may utilize. However, all activities 
must lead to placement in employment and must: (a) Teach skills and 
competencies demanded by the targeted sector(s); and (b) support 
participants' long term career growth along a defined career pathway 
such as an articulated career ladder and/or lattice, if such a pathway 
exists in the targeted sector. The degree or certificate awarded to 
participants should be based on the type of training provided through 
the grant and the requirements of the targeted occupation, and should 
be selected based on consultations with industry partners (see section 
VI.2.i.)
    Some grants funded under this SGA may produce tangible 
deliverables, such as curriculum, training modules, and outreach 
materials. Applicants proposing the development of curriculum must 
provide a detailed description that outlines the specific curriculum 
that will be developed, and articulates the need to develop a new 
curriculum, as opposed to using or adapting existing curricula.

D. Other Grant Specifications

1. Participants Eligible to Receive Training

    Projects must give priority for training and other services 
provided through the grant to the following target populations.
    i. Workers impacted by national energy and environmental policy;
    ii. Individuals in need of updated training related to the energy 
efficiency and renewable energy industries;
    iii. Veterans, or past and present members of reserve components of 
the Armed Forces;
    iv. Unemployed individuals;
    v. Individuals, including at-risk youth, seeking employment 
pathways out of poverty and into economic self-sufficiency; and
    vi. Individuals with a criminal record
    Other individuals, such as untapped labor pools and entry-level and 
incumbent workers that do not fit into the categories above, may also 
be served through these projects. For specific definitions of these 
target populations, applicants must refer to section VI.B of this SGA.

2. Veterans Priority

    The Jobs for Veterans Act (Pub. L. 107-288) provides priority of 
service to veterans and spouses of certain veterans for the receipt of 
employment, training, and placement services in any job training 
program directly funded, in whole or in part, by DOL. Grantees are 
required to provide priority of services for veterans and eligible 
spouses pursuant to 20 CFR part 1010, the regulations implementing 
priority of service for veterans and eligible spouses in Department of 
Labor job training programs under the Jobs for Veterans Act published 
at 73 FR 78132 on December 19, 2008. In circumstances where a grant 
recipient must choose between two equally qualified candidates for 
training, one of whom is a veteran, the Jobs for Veterans Act requires 
that grant recipients give the veteran priority of service by admitting 
him or her into the program. Please note that to obtain priority of 
service a veteran must meet the program's eligibility requirements. 
Grantees must comply with DOL guidance on veterans' priority. 
Currently, ETA Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 05-03 
(September 16, 2003) provides general guidance on the scope of the Job 
for Veterans Act and its effect on current employment and training 
programs. TEGL No. 05-03, along with additional guidance, is available 
at the ``Jobs for Veterans Priority of Service'' Web site: https://www.doleta.gov/programs/vets.

3. Grantee Training.

    Participation is required in all ETA training activities related to 
orientation, financial management and reporting, performance reporting, 
product dissemination, and other technical assistance training as 
appropriate during the life of the grant. These trainings may occur via 
conference call, webinar, and in-person meetings. For budgeting 
purposes, grant recipients are expected to allocate adequate staff time 
and travel resources to ensure participation in two, two-day in-person 
events.

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. How To Obtain an Application Package

    This SGA contains all of the information and links to forms needed 
to apply for grant funding.

B. Content and Form of Application Submission

    The proposal will consist of three separate and distinct parts--(I) 
a cost proposal, (II) a technical proposal, and (III) attachments to 
the technical proposal (III). Applications that fail to adhere to the 
instructions in this section will be considered non-responsive and will 
not be considered. Please note that it is the applicant's 
responsibility to ensure that the funding amount requested is 
consistent across all parts and sub-parts of the application.
    Part I. The Cost Proposal. The Cost Proposal must include the 
following four items:
     The Standard Form (SF) 424, ``Application for Federal 
Assistance'' (available at https://www07.grants.gov/agencies/forms_repository_information.jsp and https://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.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.
     Applicants must supply their D-U-N-S[supreg] Number on the 
SF 424. All applicants for Federal grant and funding opportunities are 
required to have a Data Universal Numbering System (D-U-N-S[supreg] 
Number). See Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Notice of Final 
Policy Issuance, 68 FR 38402, Jun. 27, 2003. The D-U-N-S[supreg] Number 
is a non-indicative, nine-digit number assigned to each business 
location in the D&B database having a unique, separate, and distinct 
operation, and is maintained solely by D-U-N-S[supreg] Number. The D-U-
N-S[supreg] Number is used by industries and organizations around the 
world as a global standard for business identification and tracking. If 
you do not have a D-U-N-S[supreg] Number, you can get one for free 
through the SBS site: https://smallbusiness.dnb.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Glossary?fLink=glossary&footerflag=y&storeId=10001&indicator=7.
     The SF 424A Budget Information Form (available at https://
www07.grants.gov/agencies/forms--

[[Page 30119]]

repository--information.jsp and https://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm). In preparing the Budget Information Form, the applicant 
must provide a concise narrative explanation to support the request, 
explained in detail below.
     Budget Narrative: The budget narrative must provide a 
description of costs associated with each line item on the SF-424A. It 
should also include leveraged resources provided to support grant 
activities. In addition, the applicant should address precisely how the 
administrative costs support the project goals. The entire Federal 
grant amount requested should be included on both the SF 424 and SF 
424A (not just one year). No leveraged resources should be shown on the 
SF 424 and SF 424A. Please note that applicants that fail to provide a 
SF 424, SF 424A, a D-U-N-S[supreg] Number, and a budget narrative will 
be removed from consideration prior to the technical review process.
     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 under the Gramts.gov, Tips and 
Resources From Grantors, Department of Labor section at https://www07.grants.gov/applicants/tips_resources_from_grantors.jsp#13 
(also referred to as Faith Based EEO Survey PDF Form).
    Part II. The Technical Proposal. Under the leadership of the State 
Workforce Investment Board, the SESP will develop a comprehensive 
Sector Plan that will serve as the technical proposal in response to 
this Solicitation. The Sector Plan will present the State's overall 
strategy for preparing workers in the energy efficiency and renewable 
energy industries and consists of four parts: (1) Statement of Need; 
(2) State Energy Sector Partnership; (3) Strategy and Work Plan; and 
(4) Implementation Timeline and Projected Outcomes. Applicants will be 
evaluated on the completeness and quality of their submissions. A full 
description of the criteria that will be used to evaluate each 
submission and points awarded are outlined in section V. A.
    The Technical Proposal is limited to 30 double-spaced single-sided 
pages with 12 point text font and 1 inch margins. A required 1-2-page 
Implementation Timeline counts against this 30-page limit. Any 
materials beyond the 30-page limit will not be read. Applicants should 
number the Technical Proposal beginning with page number 1. Applicants 
that do not provide Part II, the Technical Proposal of the application 
will be removed from consideration prior to the technical review 
process.
    Part III. Attachments to the Technical Proposal. The following are 
required attachments that are in addition to the 30-page Technical 
Proposal. Each attachment should be labeled accordingly and specify the 
content and number of pages. The applicant must submit:
     A Charter, not to exceed 5 pages, that includes the 
purpose, goals, and key functions of the SESP to be performed 
throughout the life of the grant. The Charter must be signed by each 
member and include their name, title, and organization;
     List of all local and regional project teams (name, title, 
organization and specific training activities) not to exceed 5 pages; 
and
     An Abstract, not to exceed three pages, summarizing the 
proposed project including applicant name; project title; funding 
level; areas to be served including whether the area is an urban, 
suburban, or rural area; and a brief synopsis of the Sector Plan. The 
synopsis should include targeted industries outlined in SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION, section B of this SGA; workforce and industry need(s) that 
will be addressed; proposed training activities; priority populations 
to be served; and projected training and placement outcomes. The 
abstract must also indicate whether one or more of the counties served 
by the proposed project appear on the attached list of counties 
impacted by automotive-related restructuring, which is included as 
Attachment I of this SGA. The applicant should indicate the total 
amount of grant funds that will be used for activities in those 
counties.
    Please note that the Department will not accept or review letters 
of support or commitment. Applicants should be aware that the required 
Charter referenced above represents the partners' commitment to the 
proposed project.
    Applications may be submitted electronically on Grants.gov or in 
hardcopy via mail or hand delivery. These processes are described in 
further detail in section IV. C. Applicants submitting proposals in 
hard copy must submit an original signed application (including the SF 
424) and one (1) ``copy-ready'' version free of bindings, staples or 
protruding tabs to ease the reproduction of the proposal by DOL. 
Applicants submitting proposals in hard copy are also required to 
provide an identical electronic copy of the proposal on compact disc 
(CD).

C. Submission Process, Date, Times, and Addresses

    The closing date for receipt of applications under this 
announcement is October 20, 2009. Applications must be received at the 
address below no later than 4 p.m. (Eastern Time). Applications sent by 
e-mail, telegram, or facsimile (FAX) will not be accepted. Applications 
that do not meet the conditions set forth in this notice 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: B. Jai 
Johnson, Grant Officer, Reference SGA/DFA, PY 08-20, 200 Constitution 
Avenue, NW., Room N4716, 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. All professional overnight delivery service will 
be considered to be hand-delivered and must be received at the 
designated place by the specified closing date and time.
    Applicants may apply online through Grants.gov (https://www.grants.gov); however due to the expected increase in system 
activity resulting from the Recovery Act applicants are encouraged to 
use an alternate method to submit grant applications during this 
heightened period of demand. While not mandatory, DOL encourages the 
submission of applications through professional overnight delivery 
service.
    Applications that are submitted through Grants.gov must be 
successfully submitted at https://www.grants.gov no later than 4 p.m. 
(Eastern Time) on October 20, 2009, and then subsequently validated by 
Grants.gov. The submission and validation process is described in more 
detail below. The process can be complicated and time-consuming. 
Applicants are strongly advised to initiate the process as soon as 
possible and to plan for time to resolve technical problems if 
necessary.
    It is strongly recommended that before the applicant begins to 
write the proposal, applicants should immediately initiate and complete 
the ``Get Registered'' registration steps at https://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp. These steps may take multiple days or 
weeks to complete, and this time should be factored into plans for 
electronic submission in order to avoid unexpected delays that could 
result in the rejection of an application.

[[Page 30120]]

It is highly recommended that applicants use the ``Organization 
Registration Checklist'' at https://www.grants.gov/assets/Organization_Steps_Complete_Registration.pdf to ensure the registration process is 
complete.
    Within two business days of application submission, Grants.gov will 
send the applicant two e-mail messages to provide the status of 
application progress through the system. The first e-mail, almost 
immediate, will confirm receipt of the application by Grants.gov. The 
second e-mail will indicate the application has either been 
successfully validated or has been rejected due to errors. Only 
applications that have been successfully submitted and successfully 
validated will be considered. It is the sole responsibility of the 
applicant to ensure a timely submission; therefore sufficient time 
should be allotted for submission (two business days); and, if 
applicable, subsequent time to address errors and receive validation 
upon resubmission (an additional two business days for each ensuing 
submission). It is important to note that if sufficient time is not 
allotted and a rejection notice is received after the due date and 
time, the application will not be considered.
    To ensure consideration, the components of the application must be 
saved as either .doc, .xls or .pdf files. If submitted in any other 
format, the applicant bears the risk that compatibility or other issues 
will prevent our ability to consider the application. ETA will attempt 
to open the document but will not take any additional measures in the 
event of issues with opening. In such cases, the non-conforming 
application will not be considered for funding.
    Applicants are strongly advised to utilize the tools and documents, 
including FAQs, available on the ``Applicant Resources'' page at https://www.grants.gov/applicants/app_help_reso.jsp#faqs. To receive updated 
information about critical issues, new tips for users and other time 
sensitive updates as information is available, applicants may subscribe 
to Grants.gov Updates at: https://www.grants.gov/applicants/email_subscription_signup.jsp.
    If applicants encounter a problem with Grants.gov and do not find 
an answer in any of the other resources, call 1-800-518-4726 to speak 
to a Customer Support Representative or e-mail support@grants.gov.
    Late Applications: For applications submitted on Grants.gov, only 
applications that have been successfully submitted no later 4 p.m. 
(Eastern Time) on the closing date and successfully validated will be 
considered.
    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, it was 
properly addressed, and it was: (a) sent by U.S. Postal Service mail, 
postmarked 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 postmarked by the 15th of 
that month); or (b) sent by professional overnight delivery service to 
the addressee not later than one working day prior to the date 
specified for receipt of applications. Applicants take a significant 
risk by waiting to the last day to submit by grants.gov. ``Postmarked'' 
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 professional 
overnight delivery service provider indicating the time and place of 
receipt.

D. Intergovernmental Review

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

E. Funding Restrictions

    Determinations of allowable costs will be made in accordance with 
the applicable Federal cost principles. 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. Successful 
and unsuccessful applicants will not be entitled to reimbursement of 
pre-award costs.

1. 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 final cost objective. In order 
to use 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 grant award. State agencies 
should already have such agreements in place.

2. Administrative Costs

    Under this SGA, 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 direct or 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 from its Federal cognizant 
agency.

3. Use of Funds for Supportive Services

    Supportive services for adults and workers impacted by national 
energy and environmental policy are defined at WIA sections 101(46) and 
134(e)(2) and (3). They include services such as transportation, child 
care, dependent care, housing, and needs-related payments that are 
necessary to enable an individual to participate in training activities 
funded through this grant. Grantees may only use grant funds to provide 
these services to individuals who are participating in training 
services provided through the grant, that are unable to obtain services 
through other programs providing such services, and when such services 
are necessary to enable individuals to participate in these training 
activities. Grantees should ensure that their use of grant funds on 
supportive services is consistent with their established written policy 
regarding the provision of supportive services. Grantees may use no 
more than 5% of their grant funds on these services.
    Applicants should be aware that certain WIA formula funds provided 
through the Recovery Act can be used for supportive services and 
successful applicants should seek to serve eligible participants 
through these sources.

4. Salary and Bonus Limitations

    Under Public Law 109-234 and Public Law 111-8, Section 111, none of 
the funds appropriated in Public Law 111-5 or prior Acts under the 
heading ``Employment and Training'' that are available for expenditure 
on or after

[[Page 30121]]

June 15, 2006, shall be used by a recipient or sub-recipient of such 
funds to pay the salary and bonuses of an individual, either as direct 
costs or indirect costs, at a rate in excess of Executive Level II. 
These limitations also apply to grants funded under this SGA. The 
salary and bonus limitation does not apply to vendors providing goods 
and services as defined in OMB Circular A-133. See Training and 
Employment Guidance Letter number 5-06 for further clarification: 
https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2262.

5. Intellectual Property Rights

    The Federal Government reserves a paid-up, nonexclusive and 
irrevocable license to reproduce, publish or otherwise use, and to 
authorize others to use for Federal purposes: (i) The copyright in all 
products developed under the grant, including a subgrant or contract 
under the grant or subgrant; and (ii) any rights of copyright to which 
the grantee, subgrantee or a contractor purchases ownership under an 
award (including but 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, electronically or otherwise. 
Federal funds may not be used to pay any royalty or licensing fee 
associated with such copyrighted material, although they may be used to 
pay costs for obtaining a copy which are limited to the developer/
seller costs of copying and shipping. If revenues are generated through 
selling products developed with grant funds, including intellectual 
property, these revenues are program income. Program income is added to 
the grant and must be expended for allowable grant activities.
    If applicable, the following statement must be included on all 
products developed in whole or in part with grant funds:
    ``This workforce solution was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. 
Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The 
solution was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect 
the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department 
of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, 
express or implied, with respect to such information, including any 
information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy 
of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, 
adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This solution is 
copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an 
organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial 
purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization 
of the copyright owner.''

F. Use of Funds for Wage Subsidies

    Grant funds awarded through this SGA shall not be used to subsidize 
the wages of program participants.

G. Other Submission Requirements

    Withdrawal of Applications: Applications may be withdrawn by 
written notice at any time before an award is made.

V. Application Review Information Criteria

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Criterion                              Points
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector Plan (Technical Proposal)...........................
Statement of Need..........................................           15
State Energy Sector Partnership............................           15
Strategy and Project Work Plan.............................           45
Implementation Timeline and Projected Outcomes.............           20
Suitability for Evaluation.................................            5
                                                            ------------
    Total Points...........................................          100
------------------------------------------------------------------------

A. Evaluation Criteria

    Applicants will be evaluated on the completeness and quality of 
their submissions. A total of 100 points may be achieved in accordance 
with the criteria articulated below. This section identifies and 
describes the specific criteria and points that will be used to 
evaluate proposals submitted under this SGA.
    There are four parts to the technical proposal: (1) Statement of 
Need, (2) State Energy Sector Partnership, (3) Strategy and Work Plan, 
and (4) Implementation Timeline and Projected Outcomes. Applicants are 
expected to reference the State's strategic planning process throughout 
the entire proposal, where applicable.

1. Statement of Need (15 Points)

    Applicants must fully demonstrate a clear and specific need for the 
Federal investment in the proposed activities. It is critical 
throughout this section that applicants are as explicit and specific as 
possible in citing sources of data and analysis. Applicants should use 
all relevant data from a wide variety of traditional resources (e.g. 
BLS reports and State surveys) and non-traditional information sources 
including consultation with industry associations, or tracking private 
sector and government infrastructure investments, building permits, job 
postings, and business hiring trends. Points for this section will be 
based on the relevance, completeness, and quality of data and analysis 
upon which the Strategy and Project Work Plan are crafted, as follows:
    i. Description of the State's existing energy policy, any specific 
policies for the creation of jobs in the energy efficiency and 
renewable energy industries, the Workforce Investment Act/Wagner-Peyser 
Act State Plans, and data and analysis of the needs of the State as it 
relates to the current economy and projected trends in the energy 
efficiency and renewable energy industries and other industries 
identified in Supplementary Information, section B of this SGA. (5 
points)
    ii. Data and analysis of the current and projected employment 
opportunities by occupation in the energy efficiency and renewable 
energy industries and other industries as identified in this SGA and 
identification of the job skills necessary to obtain those employment 
opportunities. This could include changes and shifts in the energy 
efficiency and renewable energy industries impacting workers, including 
any potential or actual layoffs. Specific employers that need or will 
need skilled workers should be identified if they are employers likely 
to be hiring within the grant period of performance. (5 points)
    iii. Demonstrate how the skills and competencies gained through 
training activities apply to the industries outlined in this SGA and 
how participants will put these new skills to work. (3 points)
    iv. Data and analysis of the characteristics of the State's labor 
force, including information on demographics, education, skill levels, 
workforce challenges, and laying out skill gaps currently existing and 
those projected for the pipeline of future workers in the key industry 
focus areas. (2 points)

2. State Energy Sector Partnership (15 Points)

    The SESP serves as a steering committee throughout the life of the 
grant to participate in the planning and support the implementation of 
the State's energy sector strategy and ensure the overall success of 
the grant. Points for this section will be based on required and 
suggested partner representation and participation in the SESP.
    i. Applicants must fully demonstrate they have assembled a 
comprehensive and representative partnership reflecting the energy 
efficiency and renewable energy industries within the

[[Page 30122]]

State. The SESP membership must include the State Workforce Agency, 
local WIBs or regional consortia of Boards and One Stop Career Center 
delivery systems, as well as all required and suggested partners 
referenced in section I.B.1.a. (5 points)
    ii. Applicants must fully describe the level of participation of 
each SESP member in the strategic planning and development of a Sector 
Plan, including selecting local and regional project teams. Applicants 
must also describe the roles and responsibilities of each required and 
suggested SESP members as referenced in section I.A.3 in contributing 
to the oversight of the implementation and successful operation of the 
Sector Plan. In addition, a Charter establishing the SESP, its purpose, 
goals, and key functions is a required attachment to the technical 
proposal and must be signed by each member and include their name, 
title, and organization. (5 points)
    iii. Applicants should clearly and fully describe any funds and 
other resources that will be leveraged to support grant activities and 
how these funds and other resources will be used to contribute to the 
projected outcomes for the project, including any leveraged resources 
related to the provision of supportive services for program 
participants. This includes funds and other resources leveraged from 
businesses, labor organizations, education and training providers, and/
or Federal, state, and local government programs. Applicants will be 
scored based on the extent to which they fully demonstrate the amount 
of leveraged resources provided, the type(s) of leveraged resources 
provided, the strength of commitment to provide these resources, the 
breadth and depth of the resources provided, and how well these 
resources support the proposed grant activities. (5 points)

3. Strategy and Project Work Plan (45 Points).

    Applicants must present the State's overall energy sector strategy 
for preparing workers in the targeted industries identified in 
Supplementary Information, section B of this SGA. ETA is interested in 
applicants describing any evidence-based research that they considered 
in designing the strategy. Points for this section will be based on the 
comprehensiveness of description and degree of clarity of the following 
factors:
    i. Comprehensive description of the State's energy sector strategy 
for training workers in the energy efficiency and renewable energy 
industries including the number of jobs available, targeted industry 
sector focus areas, and proposed training activities. Applicants should 
fully discuss the relationship between the proposed training activities 
and the State's existing energy sector policies, Workforce Investment 
Act/Wagner-Peyser Act State Plan, and data and analysis presented in 
the Statement of Need. (10 points)
    ii. Description of priority populations to be served, the potential 
challenges to effectively serving these populations, and how these 
challenges will be resolved. If possible, the applicant should include 
an analysis of the skills possessed by the target population which are 
transferable to the key sector focus areas and occupations, the 
estimated skills gap between populations to be served and the needs of 
the key sector focus areas. (10 points)
    iii. Description of local and regional project teams and the 
rationale for selection of those teams. The following information must 
be presented for each local or regional project team. (20 points)
     Geographic area of each local and regional partnership 
team.
     The relevant qualifications and experience of the lead 
staff member or co-leads from each local workforce investment board(s) 
project team that will be responsible for the coordination and 
strategic problem solving among training providers and project team 
partners. Applicants also must include relevant qualifications and 
experience for each lead staff member or co-leads from each local 
workforce investment board(s).
     Project team partners and their roles.
     Recruitment: The applicant must provide a comprehensive 
outreach and recruitment strategy that defines a clear process for 
finding and referring workers to the training programs. The applicant 
must clearly identify the populations that will be targeted by the 
project, and explain how the proposed strategy will enable the project 
to effectively recruit those populations.
     Training: DOL encourages applicants to base their training 
strategies on program models that have shown promising outcomes for 
serving disadvantaged populations. The applicant must provide a 
detailed explanation of the proposed training activities that describes 
how the project will comprehensively address the training needs of the 
targeted populations, including a discussion of how the design of the 
training activities will account for the current skill level, age, or 
level of work experience of the targeted populations. The applicant 
must also fully describe how the project will address barriers to 
employment by combining training services with supportive services, 
such as child care or transportation, as appropriate for each targeted 
population. The applicant must fully demonstrate that the project will 
focus on the specific industries and occupations it has proposed to 
target and focuses on skills and competencies demanded by the selected 
industries and occupations; and the project will integrate basic skills 
training where appropriate, and lead to an appropriate industry-
recognized degree or certificate (if such a degree or certificate 
exists) and employment. Where there is no standardized industry-
recognized degree or certificate in place, applicants should provide 
evidence that such a degree or certificate does not exist and the 
search they conducted for the degree or certificate. Applicants that 
provide this evidence will not lose points in the evaluation process.
    In addition, the training strategy should include information about 
new curricula, or other materials to be developed. If existing 
curricula will be used, applicants should provide available information 
that demonstrates positive employment outcomes for those previously 
trained on this curricula. The strategy must also provide information 
about case management services and supportive service delivery, such as 
who will provide these services and how these services will be funded 
(e.g., through grant funds or leveraged resources), provided to 
participants during training.
     Placement: The applicant must provide a clear strategy for 
placing individuals into employment. The applicant should describe the 
methods for engaging employers, identifying specific job needs, and 
referring participants to employers. Wherever possible, the applicant 
should identify specific employers that indicate plans to hire project 
participants that complete training.
     Retention: The applicant must provide a clear, 
comprehensive strategy for job retention. This should include 
strategies for engaging employers, as well as for identifying the 
barriers to retention that participants face after placement and for 
providing them with supportive services to address these barriers.
    iii. Strong evidence that the applicant has the fiscal, 
administrative, and performance management capacity to effectively 
administer this grant. The applicant must fully describe its capacity 
to lead and manage the SESP, and oversee the local and regional project 
teams in order to successfully implement the State Energy Sector Plan.

[[Page 30123]]

Discussion should also include the applicant's relevant systems, 
processes, and administrative controls that will enable it to comply 
with Federal rules and regulations related to the grant's fiscal and 
administrative requirements as well as its performance management 
requirements. (5 points)

4. Implementation Timeline and Projected Outcomes (20 Points)

A. Implementation Timeline

    Applicants must prepare a 1-2 page Implementation Timeline for the 
period of performance. These pages count toward the 30-page limitation 
for the technical proposal. The Implementation Timeline must include 
estimated timeframes for the start dates and completion dates of key 
grant activities and deliverables, if applicable. A brief description 
of each deliverable (such as curricula or outreach materials), should 
be included, as well as the anticipated method for electronic delivery 
to ETA. Electronic delivery may include e-mail for smaller documents, 
DVDs or other electronic media for transmission of larger files. (5 
points)

B. Projected Outcomes

    Applicants must demonstrate a