American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009; Notice of Availability of Funds and Solicitation for Grant Applications for Energy Training Partnership Grants, 30152-30165 [E9-14924]

Agencies

• Employment and Training Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 120 (Wednesday, June 24, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30152-30165]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-14924]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009; Notice of 
Availability of Funds and Solicitation for Grant Applications for 
Energy Training Partnership Grants

    Announcement Type: Notice of Solicitation for Grant Applications.
    Funding Opportunity Number: SGA/DFA PY 08-18.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 17.275.

DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications under this 
announcement is September 4, 2009. Applications must be received no 
later than 4 p.m. (Eastern Time), or submitted electronically by the 
deadline and in accordance with the instructions in Section IV.C of 
this Solicitation. A Webinar for prospective applicants will be held 
for this grant competition on July 13 from 2-3:30 p.m. ET. Access 
information for the Webinar will be posted on the U.S. Department of 
Labor's (DOL), Employment and Training Administration (ETA) Web site 
at: https://www.workforce3one.org. Potential applicants are encouraged 
to participate in this webinar, but attendance is not mandatory. A 
recording of the webinar will be available on https://www.workforce3one.org by 3 p.m. ET, July 17.

ADDRESSES: Mailed applications must be addressed to the U.S. Department 
of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Division of Federal 
Assistance, Attention: Donna Kelly, Grant Officer, Reference SGA/DFA 
PY-08-18, 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), DOL announces the availability of approximately $100 
million in grant funds to 20-30 projects ranging from approximately $2 
to $5 million each. Projects will provide training and placement 
services in the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries for 
workers impacted by

[[Page 30153]]

national energy and environmental policy, individuals in need of 
updated training related to the energy efficiency and renewable energy 
industries, and unemployed workers. Proposed projects must be developed 
and implemented through strategic partnerships.
    National, nonprofit labor management organizations and Statewide or 
local nonprofit entities are eligible to apply for grant funds under 
this SGA. Detailed eligibility information can be found in Section 
III.A.
    A portion of the funds under this SGA will be reserved for projects 
serving communities undergoing auto industry related restructurings. 
Approximately $25 million of the total funds available through this 
Solicitation will be awarded for projects serving communities impacted 
by auto industry 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 
auto-impacted communities.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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 of Labor (DOL), 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 $500 million for 
projects that prepare workers for careers in the energy efficiency and 
renewable energy sectors 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 train and 
teach workers the skills required in these emerging energy efficiency 
and renewable energy sectors. 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. Applicants 
may propose strategies that train for those occupations from among the 
following industries: Transportation; green construction; environmental 
protection; sustainable agriculture including healthy food production; 
forestry; and recycling and waste reduction (see O*NET 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

[[Page 30154]]

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

    Energy Training Partnership funds are intended to provide training 
for workers that prepares them to enter the energy efficiency and 
renewable energy industries, as well as green occupations within other 
industries, as described in the Supplementary Information: Part B of 
this SGA. Individuals eligible for training include workers impacted by 
national energy and environmental policy, individuals in need of 
updated training related to the energy efficiency and renewable energy 
industries, and unemployed workers. A portion of the funds under this 
SGA will be reserved (as described in Section II, Award Information) 
for projects serving communities impacted by automotive-related 
restructuring.
    Projects funded through this SGA will be implemented by 
partnerships made up of a diverse set of stakeholders including labor 
organizations, public or private employers in the energy efficiency and 
renewable energy industries, and the workforce system. Bringing to bear 
the workforce expertise of these groups will allow successful 
applicants to develop programs that are responsive to the needs of both 
workers and employers, and that provide participants with the support 
needed to successfully complete training.
    The current economic downturn has had widespread effects on 
individuals in communities across the United States, and has left many 
workers seeking new careers. Workers impacted by national energy and 
environmental policy, individuals in need of updated training related 
to the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries, and 
unemployed workers face unique obstacles to gaining new employment. 
Many need to upgrade existing skills or learn new ones to transition 
into careers in high growth industries, but also need immediate 
employment to continue earning wages and supporting their families. 
This is particularly true of workers in communities adversely impacted 
by automotive industry restructuring.
    All training and placement activities funded through this grant 
will be conducted at the local level. Successful applicants under 
category 1 (as described in Section III.A of this SGA) will be required 
to fund at least two (2) but no more than five (5) sub-grants or sub-
contracts to State or local affiliates that will deliver grant-funded 
training and supportive services (where appropriate) to participants. 
Grant funded activities will be undertaken in collaboration with 
required partners detailed in Section III.C.1. This approach will help 
to ensure that workers at multiple sites will benefit from grant-funded 
training, and that sub-grantees or sub-contractors have adequate 
funding to implement effective projects. It will also enhance the 
coordination and efficiency of national organization-approved training 
programs being delivered at the local level.
    To ensure quality training within a limited timeframe, applicants 
may develop and/or modify existing curricula and strategies to deliver 
training. Keeping in mind the long-term needs of workers, it is 
strongly recommended that training lead to portable industry degrees or 
certificates that assist participants to seek employment in multiple 
job markets.

II. Award Information

    A. Award Amount: Under this SGA, ETA intends to fund approximately 
20-30 grants ranging from $2 to $5 million. In an effort to fund the 
greatest number of high-quality projects, grant awards through this SGA 
will be limited to $5 million, and applicants requesting more than $5 
million will be considered non-responsive. Within the 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 Solicitation 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 either have an automotive assembly plant or parts manufacturer 
employing regional residents.
    B. Period of Performance: The period of grant performance will be 
up to 24 months from the date of execution of the grant documents. This 
performance period shall include all necessary implementation and 
start-up activities as well as participant follow-up.
    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: Under this announcement, eligible 
applicants are private nonprofit organizations that must apply under 
one of two categories: (1) National labor-management organizations with 
local networks; or (2) Statewide or local nonprofit partnerships. All 
applicants are expected to work in conjunction with partnerships 
consisting of labor organizations, employers, Workforce Investment 
Boards (WIBs), and other organizations as defined in section 
171(e)(2)(B)(ii) of WIA. These categories create two applicant pools, 
which will compete separately for funding under this SGA.
    1. National Labor-Management Organizations: A national labor-
management organization is a nonprofit entity, such as a training fund, 
training trust fund, or an education trust fund, with joint 
participation of employers and labor organizations on its executive 
board or comparable governing body. This entity must have a formalized 
agreement between the employer(s) and labor organization(s) to operate 
a joint labor management training program(s) in multiple sites across 
the country through the State, local, or regional networks affiliated 
with the nonprofit entity. The national labor-management organization 
is the lead applicant. However, if the national labor-management 
organization is not a separate legal entity, the labor organization is 
the eligible applicant. All grant-funded worker training activities 
will be delivered in the communities where project participants live 
and work. Therefore, national labor-management organizations are 
required to fund sub-grants or sub-contracts to local affiliates that 
will deliver the training as part of a strategic partnership as defined 
in Section III.C.1.
    2. Statewide and Local Entities: Applicants for the State and local 
category are local or Statewide non-profit entities with a joint 
partnership of labor organizations, employers or industry 
organizations, Workforce Investment Boards and One Stop Career Centers. 
A Statewide or local entity that receives an award under category 2 of 
this SGA may not receive sub-grant or

[[Page 30155]]

sub-contract funding from a national organization that receives an 
award under category 1. For the purposes of this SGA, the term 
``State'' means each of the 50 States of the United States, the 
District of Columbia, and U.S. territories as defined in Section VI.B.
    ETA expects to publish two SGAs during the summer of 2009: Energy 
Training Partnerships SGA [SGA/DFA PY 08-18] and the Pathways Out of 
Poverty SGA [SGA/DFA PY 08-19]. ETA will not fund any one organization 
as a grantee more than once through these two SGAs. An applicant may 
choose to submit an application for the Energy Training Partnerships 
SGA [SGA/DFA PY 08-18] and the Pathways Out of Poverty SGA [SGA/DFA PY 
08-19]; however, DOL does not encourage applicants to submit 
applications to both competitions. An organization that submits an 
application for one SGA is not precluded from participating as a 
suggested or required partner in applications submitted in response to 
the other SGA. Finally, an organization may not submit multiple 
applications in response to any one SGA.
    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.3 of the 
evaluation criteria.

D. Other Eligibility Requirements

    1. Strategic Partnerships: Through strong and diverse partnerships, 
projects can maximize participants' opportunities for training that 
ultimately results in family-supporting employment. Therefore, 
successful applicants must propose partnerships that include 
representatives from: Labor organizations; Local Workforce Investment 
Boards and One Stop Career Centers; and employers or industry 
organizations.
    i. Labor Organizations: Labor organizations may contribute to many 
aspects of grant activities, including identifying skills and 
competencies; developing new or modifying existing curricula; 
conducting occupation and skills training; and issuing industry-
recognized degrees or certificates.
    ii. Employers, Industry Organizations: In addition to providing 
contributions similar to those of labor organizations, employers and 
industry organizations can provide on-the-job work experiences, and may 
ultimately employ qualified program participants.
    iii. Local Workforce Investment Boards and One Stop Career Centers: 
Local Workforce Investment Boards and One Stop Career Centers must be 
included as partners in all applications, but are not eligible 
applicants under this SGA. Local Workforce Investment Boards and One 
Stop Career Centers may provide a range of services including: 
Identifying, assessing, and referring candidates for training; 
connecting workers with employers; and providing support services for 
qualified individuals, where appropriate.
    iv. Other suggested partners: In addition to the required partners 
above, applicants are strongly encouraged to include:
     The education and training community which includes the 
continuum of education from secondary schools to community and 
technical colleges, four year colleges and universities, registered 
apprenticeship training providers, technical and vocational training 
institutions, and other training entities;
     Federal partners such as DOL/ETA's Office of 
Apprenticeship or the appropriate State Apprenticeship Agency can 
assist in developing new or modifying existing training curricula and 
apprenticeship program standards.
     State partners including State energy offices, 
weatherization offices, State Environmental Protection Agencies (or 
equivalent), State Utility Boards and other State entities with 
experience in the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries.
     Faith-based and community-based organizations, which may 
provide supportive services to assist participants' successful 
completion of training and ultimately their employment in green jobs.
     Organizations implementing projects funded by the Recovery 
Act to create jobs in the energy efficiency or renewable energy 
industries that are in skilled workers to fill these positions.
    D. Proposed Strategies: The purpose of this SGA is to fund projects 
that provide training and supportive services, as appropriate, that 
lead to employment in the energy efficiency and renewable energy 
industries. Projects using registered apprenticeship may provide 
workers with a source of income while they gain new skills and 
competencies. Therefore, applications funding registered apprenticeship 
and/or pre-apprenticeship strategies are strongly encouraged.
    While this funding opportunity is available through the Recovery 
Act, the long term objective is to ensure that the workforce system 
continues to prepare workers for emerging careers in the green economy.
    1. All proposed projects must incorporate training activities that:
    i. Address skills and competencies demanded by the targeted 
industries;
    ii. Support participants' advancement along a defined career 
pathway such as an articulated career ladder and/or lattice, if such a 
path exists in the targeted industry or industries;
    iii. Take place at times and locations that are convenient and 
easily accessible for the targeted populations. This training can be 
accomplished through Distance Learning or Technology Based Learning in 
cases where these strategies benefit participants and allow the grantee 
to accomplish the objectives of this SGA.
    iv. As appropriate, include paid work experience activities that 
allow participants to learn occupational skills on the job while 
earning wages, and which will lead to permanent employment in the 
targeted industry or industries;
    v. Integrate training activities with supportive services to ensure 
that participants have the necessary support to overcome barriers to 
employment; and as appropriate, result in a pre-existing industry-
recognized degree or certificate that indicates a level of mastery and 
competence in a given field or function.
    2. In implementing projects that meet the requirements outlined 
above, applicants may propose a wide range of activities. When 
designing the proposed activities, DOL encourages applicants to look at 
program models with previous success in serving the priority 
populations targeted through this SGA, especially those with strong 
program evaluations showing positive impacts on participants. Allowable 
activities include:
    i. Occupational training in energy efficiency and renewable energy 
industries;
    ii. On-the-job and customized training in energy efficiency and 
renewable energy industries;
    iii. Developing Registered Apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship 
programs in energy efficiency and renewable energy industries;
    iv. Supportive services that will allow individuals to participate 
in the direct training provided through the grant.
    3. Applicants may propose projects that will use a small and 
reasonable portion of grant funds on the following activities which 
must support worker training and placement:
    i. Instructor education and/or training for staff that will deliver 
and administer registered apprenticeship programs or other training and 
education programs that lead to employment;
    ii. Where no appropriate curricula exist, develop or modify 
existing

[[Page 30156]]

curricula to deliver training. Curricula developed with grant funds 
must be used during the period of performance as part of training 
strategies for participants served through grant-funded activities; and
    iii. Where no appropriate apprenticeship guideline standards exist, 
develop or modify national guideline apprenticeship standards for 
programs in the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries.
    iv. Where no appropriate industry-recognized degrees or 
certificates exist, develop processes for defining and issuing such 
degrees or certificates.

E. Other Grant Specifications

    1. Participants Eligible to Receive Training: Projects funded 
through this SGA must give priority for training and other services to 
workers impacted by national energy and environmental policy, 
individuals in need of updated training related to the energy 
efficiency and renewable energy industries, unemployed workers, and 
veterans or past and present members of reserve components of the Armed 
Forces. Projects may also serve individuals with a criminal record; and 
populations that have not traditionally been employed in construction 
and skilled trades occupations, such as women and minorities. For 
specific definitions for these target populations, applicants must 
refer to Section VI.B. As part of the overall strategy for delivering 
green jobs training through the Recovery Act, ETA has issued the 
Pathways out of Poverty SGA, which directly targets projects that serve 
key participant populations within poverty areas such as disadvantaged 
workers.
    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. 5-03 (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. 5-03, 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: Grantees are required to participate in all 
DOL/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, applicants should 
include costs for three staff members to attend trainings that are each 
two full days in Washington DC during the grant's period of 
performance.

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--a (I) cost proposal, a 
(II) technical proposal, and (III) attachments to the technical 
proposal. 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, June 27, 2003. The D-U-N-S[supreg] number 
is a nine-digit identification number that uniquely identifies business 
entities. Obtaining a D-U-N-S[supreg] number is easy and there is no 
charge. To obtain a D-U-N-S[supreg] number, access this Web site: 
https://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-5711.
     The SF 424A Budget Information Form (available at https://www07.grants.gov/agencies/forms_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. The Technical Proposal will 
demonstrate the applicant's capability to implement the grant project 
in accordance with the provisions of this solicitation. The guidelines 
for the content of the Technical Proposal are provided in Part V.A of 
this SGA. The Technical Proposal is limited to 20 double-spaced single-
sided pages with 12 point text font and 1 inch margins. Any materials 
beyond the 20-page limit will not be read. Applicants should number the 
Technical Proposal beginning with page number 1. Applicants that do not 
provide Part 2, the Technical Proposal of the application will be 
removed from

[[Page 30157]]

consideration prior to the technical review process.
    Part III. Attachments to the Technical Proposal. In addition to the 
20-page Technical Proposal, the applicant must submit attachments to 
the technical proposal, which include a two-page abstract and a single 
letter of commitment for each local area or community where grant-
funded training activities will occur that describes the roles and 
responsibilities of, and is signed by, each required partner. The 
commitment letters and abstract must accompany the application. Please 
note that applicants should not send letters of commitment separately 
to ETA because letters are tracked through a different system and will 
not be attached to the application for review. No support letters are 
permitted. National labor-management organization applicants must 
provide documentation clearly demonstrating participation of employers 
and labor organizations in the joint administration and governance of 
training programs to be funded through this SGA. The applicant must 
also provide an Abstract, not to exceed two pages, summarizing the 
proposed project including applicant name, project title, a description 
of the area to be served, including whether this is an urban, suburban, 
or rural area, the funding level requested, and the category of 
applicant: National labor-management organization or Statewide or local 
nonprofit entity. 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 
impacted counties.
    These additional materials, (commitment letters and abstract) do 
not count against the 20-page limit for the Technical Proposal, but may 
not exceed 15 pages. Any additional materials (commitment letters and 
two-page abstract) beyond the 15-page limit will not be read.
    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 
hardcopy 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 in the reproduction of the proposal by DOL. 
Applicants submitting proposals in hardcopy 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 September 4, 
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: Donna Kelly, Grant Officer, Reference SGA/DFA, 
PY 08-18, 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 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 
2009, 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 thru 
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 September 4, 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. It is strongly 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 use the plethora of tools and 
documents, including FAQs, that are 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/e-mail_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

[[Page 30158]]

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 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.
    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 
percent 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 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 needs to be 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.

[[Page 30159]]

    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

    A. Evaluation Criteria: This section identifies and describes the 
criteria that will be used to evaluate the grant proposals. These 
criteria and point values are:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Criterion                              Points
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statement of Need..........................................           15
Project Management and Organizational Capacity.............           15
Strategy and Project Work Plan.............................           50
Outcomes and Deliverables..................................           15
Suitability for Evaluation.................................            5
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    1. Statement of Need (15 points): Applicants must fully demonstrate 
a clear and specific need for the Federal investment in the proposed 
activities. Given the rapidly changing economic conditions, applicants 
should use the most current and relevant sources of data available.
    Applicants must submit data and provide evidence for proposed 
projects in the local areas or communities where participants will be 
trained and employed. If applicable, Projects proposed to serve 
communities or train workers in the communities included on Attachment 
I that are undergoing auto industry related restructurings must make 
note of this in this section. Points for this section will be awarded 
based on a comprehensive demonstration of each of the following 
factors:
    i. The applicant provides a complete description of the specific 
industries as defined in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Part B. of this 
SGA, and occupations within those industries on which their proposed 
training program will focus, including:
     The specific energy efficiency and/or renewable energy 
industry or industries;
     The specific occupation in that industry or industries for 
which participants will be trained, including the work performed and 
its major tasks; and
     The specific knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required 
by the occupation.
    ii. The applicant presents a strong need for Federal funding of the 
proposed project by citing specific data sources and describing the 
analysis that has been conducted to clearly demonstrate the need for 
workforce training and the projected employment opportunities in the 
specific local areas or where grant-funded activities will take place, 
including:
     Current and projected employment in the targeted 
industries and occupations in the local area where grant-funded 
activities will actually be trained and placed; Identification of 
specific employers targeted to employ participants trained through 
grant-funded activities; and the current and projected hiring needs of 
these specific employers.
     Identification of the target population to be trained and 
placed in employment through grant-funded activities; in general, the 
educational attainment and skills possessed by the targeted 
populations; specific education, training and any other skill 
requirements of the occupations that will be targeted through this SGA, 
and an estimate of the skills gap between the two.
    Applicants may draw from a variety of resources for supporting 
data, including: Traditional labor market information, such as 
projections; industry data from trade or industry associations, labor 
organizations, or direct information from the local employers or 
industry; information on the local and regional economy from economic 
development agencies; and other transactional data, such as job 
vacancies. As discussed at the beginning of this section, applications 
must include strong supporting evidence and data that are current, 
relevant, and specific to the local areas or communities where grant-
funded training and placement activities will be conducted.
    2. Project Management and Organizational Capacity (15 points): 
Applicants must fully describe the capacity of the applicant, its 
required partners and, if applicable, its local affiliates, coalition 
members, or other established partners, to effectively staff the 
proposed initiative. The application must also fully describe the 
applicant's fiscal, administrative, and performance management capacity 
to implement the key components of this project, and the track record 
of the applicant, its required partners, and, if applicable, its local 
affiliates, coalition members, or other established partners, in 
implementing projects of similar focus, size, and scope.
    Scoring under this criterion will be based on the extent to which 
applicants provide evidence of the following:
    i. Staff Capacity (5 points): Applicants should provide strong 
evidence that the applicant, its required partners, and, if applicable, 
its local affiliates, coalition members, or other established partners, 
will have the staff capacity to implement the proposed initiative, 
including the capacity in each designated community. Discussion should 
include:
     The proposed staffing pattern for the project, including 
program management and administrative staff, and program staff involved 
in each local project, which demonstrates that the role(s) and time 
commitment of the proposed staff are sufficient to ensure proper 
direction, management, implementation, and timely completion of each 
project.
    ii. Fiscal, Administrative, and Performance Management Capacity (5 
points): Strong evidence that the applicant, its required partners, 
and, if applicable, its local affiliates, coalition members, or other 
established partners, have the fiscal, administrative, and performance 
management capacity to effectively administer this grant. Discussion 
should include:
     A full description of the applicant's capacity, including 
its 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.
     A full description of the applicants capacity, including 
its systems and processes that will support the grant's performance 
management requirements through effective tracking of performance 
outcomes. This should include an explanation of the applicant's 
processes to collect and manage data in a way that allows for accurate 
and timely reporting of performance outcomes. Applicants may partner 
with the public workforce system, as appropriate, to assist with 
performance reporting, and should describe access to specific data 
management software and/or resources for performance reporting.
    iii. Experience of Applicant (5 points): The applicant's 
demonstrated experience leading or participating significantly in a 
comprehensive partnership, and the demonstrated experience of the 
applicant, its required partners, and, if applicable, its local 
affiliates, coalition members, or other established partners, in 
implementing and operating training, education, and job placement 
initiatives of similar focus, size and scope. Discussion should 
include:
     Specific examples of the applicant leading or 
participating significantly in a partnership that included a wide range 
of stakeholders, including a description of the programmatic goals of 
the project, and a demonstration of the results achieved by that 
project.

[[Page 30160]]

     Specific examples of the applicant's track record 
administering Federal, State, and/or local grants, including the 
programmatic goals and results from these projects; and
     A description of the experience of the applicant, its 
required partners, and, if applicable, its local affiliates, coalition 
members, or other established partners, in Federal, State, and/or local 
projects providing education, training, and placement services to the 
specific populations noted in Section III.E.1. (unemployed individuals, 
high school dropouts, individuals with criminal records, and 
disadvantaged workers within areas of high poverty), including the 
programmatic goals and results of the projects.
    3. Strategy and Project Work Plan (50 points): This criterion is 
the heart of the proposal, and a successful score in this section will 
require the applicant to provide a very clear explanation of what their 
proposed strategy is and how they plan to implement it. The applicant 
must present a comprehensive work plan for the project, following the 
format provided later in this section. Points for this criterion will 
be awarded for the following factors:
    i. Strategy (35 points): Up to 35 points may be awarded based on 
compelling evidence that the applicant has developed an effective 
project that fully addresses the needs of the workers and employers in 
the industries described in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Part B. of 
this SGA. Factors considered in evaluating the proposed strategies will 
include: (1) Comprehensiveness of the proposed workforce development 
strategies, (2) demonstrated feasibility for aligning partners to 
achieve the proposed training and employment outcomes, (3) 
demonstration of how the proposed project builds on existing work in 
order to expeditiously begin or expand training activities, and (4) a 
demonstration of how partnerships and training will be sustained beyond 
the life of the grant. In this section, applicants must:
     Summarize the proposed strategies and demonstrate how 
strategies address the needs and challenges of one or more of the 
energy efficiency and renewable energy industries and occupations 
discussed in the Statement of Need (10 points).
     Fully describe the specific roles of the project partners 
at all levels, including services, expertise, and activities that 
partners will contribute to successfully train and place workers in 
employment. Applicants should provide, for each local area served, a 
letter of commitment that describes the roles and responsibilities of, 
and is signed by each required partner (10 points).
     Fully describe proposed recruitment, training, placement, 
and retention strategies (10 points).
    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. Projects serving 
communities undergoing auto industry related restructurings must 
explain specifically how incumbent workers, individuals in need of 
updated training related to the energy efficiency and renewable energy 
industries, and unemployed auto workers will be referred to training.
    Training: DOL encourages applicants to base their training 
strategies on program models that have shown promising outcomes for 
serving targeted populations. The applicant must provide a full and 
detailed explanation of the proposed training activities, including 
integration of supportive services, how the training will address 
skills and competencies demanded by the selected industries and 
occupations, and may lead to an appropriate industry-recognized degree 
or certificate (see definition in Section VI.B.2, Award Administration 
Information). Applicants must clearly identify the types of training to 
be provided (e.g. on-the-job training, customized training, pre-
apprenticeship, registered apprenticeship), and the entities that will 
provide training for each specific local area where grant-funded 
activities will be conducted. Keeping in mind the requirement that 
training activities begin expeditiously, the applicant must fully 
explain how the project will replicate, adapt, or use components of 
existing curricula, or training models, including registered 
apprenticeship standards, that lead to industry-recognized degrees or 
certificates. Where industry-recognized degrees or certificates are not 
available for the proposed training activities, applicants should 
demonstrate how the project will provide participants with evidence of 
the skills and experience acquired through the grant-funded activities. 
Applicants proposing to develop new training curricula and strategies, 
registered apprenticeship standards, or other training models must 
fully articulate the need to engage in these activities as opposed to 
using or adapting existing curricula, registered apprenticeship 
standards, or training strategies or models, and must explain how these 
products will be used during the period of performance as part of 
training strategies for participants served through grant-funded 
activities.
    Placement: The applicant must provide a clear strategy for placing 
participants into employment. The applicant should fully describe the 
approaches for engaging employers, identifying specific job needs, and 
referring participants to employers. Wherever possible, the applicant 
should identify specific employers that have made commitments to hire 
project participants that complete training. Applicants are encouraged 
to discuss linkages with regional projects funded by other Federal 
agencies through the Recovery Act that will generate employment 
opportunities and lead to placement for workers served through grant-
funded activities.
    Retention: The applicant must provide a clear retention strategy 
for participants that are placed into jobs. This should include 
strategies for engaging employers, as well as for identifying the 
barriers to employment that participants face after placement and for 
providing them with supportive services to address these barriers.
     Leveraged Resources (5 points): 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 proposed 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.
    ii. Project Work Plan (15 points). Applicants can earn up to 15 
points based on the presentation of a comprehensive project work plan 
based on reasonable performance estimates. Factors considered in 
evaluating the project work plan will include: (1) The presentation of 
a full and coherent plan that demonstrates the applicant's complete 
understanding of all the activities, responsibilities, and costs 
required to implement each phase of the project and achieve projected 
outcomes; (2) the demonstrated feasibility and reasonableness of 
accomplishing all necessary implementation activities, including the 
ability to begin or expand training expeditiously; and (3) the

[[Page 30161]]

extent to which the budget aligns with the proposed work plan and is 
justified with respect to the adequacy and reasonableness of resources 
requested. Applicants must present the work plan in a table that 
includes the following information:
     Project Phases: Lay out the project in four phases: 
Startup (including development or modification of curriculum or 
apprenticeship standards, if appropriate), Recruitment, Training, 
Placement, and Retention.
     Activities: Fully identify the major activities required 
to implement each phase of the project. For each activity, include the 
following information: Start Date; End Date; and Partner Organization 
Responsibility. List the project partner(s) that will be primarily 
responsible for performing each activity.
     Milestones: List the target dates and associated training 
outcomes projected for recruitment, training, and placement activities.
     Budget Allocations: As accurately as possible, lis