Notice of Availability of Funds and Solicitation for Grant Applications (SGA) for Cooperative Agreements Under the Disability Employment Initiative, 47827-47839 [2010-19602]

Agencies

• Employment and Training Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 152 (Monday, August 9, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47827-47839]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-19602]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Notice of Availability of Funds and Solicitation for Grant 
Applications (SGA) for Cooperative Agreements Under the Disability 
Employment Initiative

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of 
Labor (DOL, the Department, or Labor).
    Announcement Type: Notice of Solicitation for Grant Applications 
(SGA).
    Funding Opportunity Number: SGA-DFA-PY-10-01.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number (CFDA): 17.207.
    Key Dates: The closing date for receipt of applications under this 
announcement is September 8, 2010. Applications must be received no 
later than 4 p.m. Eastern Time.

SUMMARY: The Employment and Training Administration (ETA), in 
coordination with DOL's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), 
announces the availability of approximately $22 million for cooperative 
agreements to state Workforce Investment Act (WIA) administering 
entities. The Combined Appropriation Act of 2010, Division D of Public 
Law 111-117, included $12 million in funds to ETA and $12 million to 
ODEP to develop and implement a plan for improving effective and 
meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in the workforce. 
This funding is being used to implement the Disability Employment 
Initiative (DEI), under which the Department intends to make 6 to 10 
grant awards that are designed to: (1) Improve educational, training, 
and employment opportunities and outcomes of youth and adults with 
disabilities who are unemployed, underemployed and/or receiving Social 
Security disability benefits; and (2) help these individuals with 
disabilities find a path into the middle class through exemplary and 
model service delivery by the public workforce system. DEI grants will 
be awarded for a three year period of performance. Grants will be 
issued as cooperative agreements with the expectation that there will 
be considerable engagement by ETA and ODEP with states and their local 
workforce investment areas throughout the life of the Initiative. 
Extensive technical assistance will be available to grantees and an 
independent evaluation of the projects will be conducted utilizing 
quantitative and qualitative data from grantees.
    The Appropriation Committee Senate Report 111-66 on H.R. 3292 
stated that:

``these funds * * * will improve the accessibility and 
accountability of the public workforce development system for 
individuals with disabilities. The Committee further expects these 
funds to continue promising practices implemented by disability 
program navigators, including effective deployment of staff in 
selected States to: improve coordination and collaboration among 
employment and training and asset development programs carried out 
at a State and local level, including the Ticket to Work program and 
build effective community partnerships that leverage public and 
private resources to better serve individuals with disabilities and 
improve employment outcomes.''

    This solicitation provides background information and describes the 
application submission requirements, outlines the process that eligible 
entities must use to apply for funds covered by this solicitation, and 
outlines the evaluation criteria used as a basis for selecting the 
grantees.

ADDRESSES: 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 10-01, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room N-4716, Washington, DC 
20210. For complete application and submission information, please 
refer to Section IV.
    Background: Previous DOL grants to improve employment outcomes of 
individuals with disabilities through systems change in the public 
workforce system include ETA's Work Incentive Grants, the Disability 
Program Navigator Initiative, and Employment Service Models such as 
ODEP's Customized Employment, Workforce Action (Olmstead), the START-UP 
Initiative, and State Intermediary Youth grants. These DOL grants 
demonstrated a number of promising practices that are incorporated in 
this SGA. In addition, numerous other successful employment service 
models have been developed in Federal, State and local systems.
    Systems Change Models. From PY 2000 through 2010, DOL/ETA funded 65 
Work Incentive Grants (WIG) and 51 Disability Program Navigator (DPN) 
Initiative cooperative agreements to states, the District of Columbia, 
Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands to improve services in the 
One-Stop Career Center system and improve employment outcomes of 
persons with disabilities. The WIGs were competitively awarded to state 
and local workforce areas that addressed systemic issues in the 
workforce system and resulted in the

[[Page 47828]]

development of numerous tools and protocols to improve services to job 
seekers with disabilities. By 2003, DOL had focused all WIG funds on 
supporting a full-time, dedicated staff person with disability 
expertise because this strategy has shown promise in expanding the 
capacity of the One-Stop Career Center system by providing integrated, 
accessible, and comprehensive services and promoting career and 
employment outcomes of individuals with disabilities. All WIG funds 
were subsequently directed to the support of the DPN Initiative. The 
DPNs or Navigators were located in local workforce investment areas to: 
(1) Conduct outreach to the disability community; (2) promote 
meaningful and effective access to the One-Stop Career Center system; 
(3) establish linkages to employers to increase job opportunities; and 
(4) create systemic change through ongoing partnerships and 
comprehensive, wrap around services for job seekers with disabilities, 
including integrated resource teams to blend, braid, and leverage 
resources across workforce and disability systems. The DPN Initiative 
has created innovation and transformation in the public workforce 
system by: Building relationships with state and local partners; 
facilitating youth transition services; promoting asset development and 
financial literacy training; implementing the Ticket to Work Program; 
building upon Medicaid Infrastructure Grants; and linking to other 
community providers.
    Employment Service Models. A number of employment service models 
are being used in Federal and state service systems, including the 
traditional Vocational Rehabilitation, Supported Employment, 
Transitional Employment, Self-Employment, and various forms of self-
direction that provide control and choice to the individual job seeker. 
These models may be effective for job seekers and should be available 
in the workforce system, and all complement and reinforce the WIG/DPN 
successful strategies with One-Stop Career Centers.
    For example, from 2001 through 2006, ODEP funded development and 
research work on Customized Employment in the One-Stop Career Centers 
through ODEP initiatives in 26 grants around the country. Overall, 
these projects were expected to increase the capacity of service-
delivery systems to effectively serve people with disabilities and 
other ``hard-to-serve'' populations through individualized employment 
and placement services. Several key findings resulted from this 
initiative: (1) Partnership and collaboration were essential to systems 
change; (2) the design of environments, products, and communication 
practices and the delivery of programs, services, and activities that 
meet the needs of all customers of the system (``universal design 
strategies'') were fundamental to improving access to the programs and 
services of the workforce development system; (3) leveraging expertise 
and resources across both generic and disability-specific systems 
through integrating funds helped maximize opportunities for individuals 
and the ultimate outcomes obtained; (4) asset development strategies 
(e.g., tax incentives, financial education, work incentives) that 
enhance the economic advantages of employment for people with 
disabilities; (5) access to flexible dollars supported unique 
employment-related needs of individual participants; and (6) the 
customized approach shows promise for improving employment outcomes and 
wages for individuals with significant disabilities and others with 
complex barriers to employment.
    The Workforce Action grants built capacity within the workforce 
system to provide employment services for individuals transitioning 
from institutions and other segregated environments. ODEP has also 
documented the viability of self employment for people with 
disabilities, including those with significant disabilities who receive 
SSI or SSDI benefits, through its national self-employment initiative, 
START-UP. This initiative resulted in the establishment of a range of 
businesses by individuals with disabilities. Information on all of the 
employment service models mentioned above is readily available to the 
public.
    In 2003, State Intermediary Grants, a promising youth transition 
model, were awarded to eight states. These grants assisted states, 
under the leadership of the State WIB, in the design, implementation, 
and evaluation of systems changes needed to improve transition outcomes 
for youth with disabilities at the local level. ODEP's State 
Intermediary grantees focused on closing the substantial gap between 
education and employment outcomes for youth with disabilities and those 
of their peers without disabilities. ODEP's research indicates that all 
youth, including those with disabilities, need exposure to the 
following five educational and career development interventions, which 
ODEP has branded as the Guideposts for Success: (1) School-based 
preparatory experiences; (2) career preparation and work-based learning 
experiences; (3) youth development and leadership; (4) connecting 
activities, including knowledge of transportation, health care, and 
financial planning; and (5) family involvement and support.
    In addition to articulating the general needs of all youth, 
Guideposts for Success also addresses the specific needs of youth with 
disabilities within each of the five categories. As a result of the 
grants, both state and local level organizations began to more 
effectively coordinate services for youth with disabilities through the 
use of the Guideposts for Success. Many youth with disabilities who had 
not previously received transition services through One-Stop Career 
Centers and other sources were provided such services. In addition, 
State and local level intermediaries provided training that enabled 
many organizations and individuals to become knowledgeable about 
services and resources available to youth with disabilities. The grants 
demonstrated that intermediaries can serve a key function by helping to 
define roles within a partnership and in deciding the level at which 
issues should be addressed and problems resolved. Research indicates 
that if youth are provided with these key educational and career 
development interventions, they will be well prepared to enter the 21st 
Century workforce. Cross-agency multi-year state plans were developed 
and used to support broader educational, vocational rehabilitation, and 
workforce development plans.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This solicitation consists of eight parts:
    Part I provides a description of this funding opportunity.
    Part II describes the size and nature of the anticipated awards.
    Part III describes eligibility information.
    Part IV provides information on the application and submission 
process.
    Part V describes the criteria against which applications will be 
reviewed and explains the proposal review process.
    Part VI provides award administration information.
    Part VII contains DOL agency contact information.
    Part VIII provides other information.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The Department's prior grant initiatives have resulted in 
significant improvements in the workforce delivery system. DOL is now 
looking to refine and verify these delivery strategies for further 
replication across the workforce system. This DEI SGA requires that 
applicants develop a project plan that includes each of the Required 
Project

[[Page 47829]]

Components in Section I.A. and utilizes at least two of the Strategic 
Service Delivery Components in Section I.B. Due to the level of effort 
expected from grantees and taking into consideration the level of 
funding available, DOL is requiring applicants to focus on adults or 
youth in order to develop and refine replicable models and expertise. 
Almost all states and territories have received funding under ETA and/
or ODEP grant opportunities made available from PY/FY 2000 to PY/FY 
2009. These grants helped identify a number of promising strategies to 
improve education, training and employment outcomes for adults and 
youth with disabilities. Selection of a DEI focus on adults or youth 
must not preclude the provision of services to all individuals with 
disabilities, regardless of age, who are accessing the workforce 
system. From prior experience, the Department expects that most 
customers of the public workforce system will benefit from the 
implementation of the DEI cooperative agreement regardless of what 
priority is the primary focus.

A. Required Project Components

    The following components must be included in the state's DEI 
technical proposal design:
    1. State Level DEI Project Lead--Applicants must designate a DEI 
project lead at the state level to be responsible for a variety of 
functions. Responsibilities of the DEI project lead include:
     Identifying and coordinating with the local WIBs that are 
participating in the initiative to ensure issues and challenges are 
addressed and common goals are achieved;
     Representing the state in administrative communications 
with the designated ETA Federal Project Officer (FPO), ETA Grant 
Officer, and National Office ETA and ODEP representatives;
     Facilitating state and local DEI participation in training 
and technical assistance activities;
     Establishing and coordinating partnerships with other 
state level agencies that may be critical to the success of education, 
training, and employment activities, and that are often most 
effectively engaged at the state level (e.g., Education, Medicaid 
Agency and Medicaid Infrastructure Grant Projects, Vocational 
Rehabilitation, Mental Health, Work Incentive Planning and Assistance 
Projects, and Mental Retardation/Developmental Disability agencies, 
among others).
     Coordinating implementation of Ticket to Work 
administrative activities, such as facilitating access to WIA and 
Wagner-Peyser individualized records and coordination with SSA or its 
representatives (e.g., MAXIMUS); and
     Facilitating implementation of additional data collection 
and process evaluation requirements that may be necessary for 
evaluation purposes.
    2. Disability Resource Coordinator--Local WIBs that participate in 
the DEI cooperative agreement must commit to hiring a new or 
designating an existing full-time staff person(s) as the disability 
resource coordinator(s) to implement the strategic approach of the 
applicant's proposal. This person or persons should have disability-
related skills, experience, and abilities dedicated to carrying out the 
proposal design at the local level. To the extent possible, former DPNs 
should be considered for employment in this role due to the extensive 
training and knowledge they have acquired over the years. The 
Department also encourages the state and local WIBs to hire individuals 
with disabilities in these roles.
    3. One-Stop Physical, Programmatic, and Communications 
Accessibility--Applicants must verify that the participating local WIBs 
are in compliance with physical, programmatic and communication 
accessibility requirements established in non-discrimination 
regulations at Section 188 of WIA as a contingent for participation in 
the DEI cooperative agreement. Applicants must address the status of 
the most recent accessibility survey in local workforce areas that are 
participating in the DEI cooperative agreement, along with the 
corrective actions identified or completed, within 90 days of grant 
award. The Department expects that applicants and local WIBs will 
continue to review and upgrade access to their One-Stop Career Center 
system as part of their on-going administration and compliance 
obligations.
    4. Participation in SSA's Ticket to Work Program as an Employment 
Network--Employment Network (EN) Status--Operating as an EN under SSA's 
Ticket to Work program is an important strategic approach to 
sustainability and collaboration in addressing the needs of people with 
disabilities receiving Supplemental Security Income/Social Security 
Disability Insurance (SSI/SSDI) cash benefits. The state workforce 
agency, or the local WIBs to be involved in the DEI, must be an 
Employment Network under Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement 
Act (TWWIIA), or stipulate their commitment to apply for EN status to 
SSA within 60 days of the DEI grant award. Establishing EN status for 
workforce programs at the state level is an important factor in 
successful execution of the EN role for administrative and other 
reasons. However, a number of WIBs and One-Stop operators also have 
become ENs and accept Tickets for the provision of training or 
employment services. Full participation in the Ticket to Work Program 
by workforce investment areas can provide significant resources to 
workforce investment areas for increased services to individuals with 
disabilities. Active participation in the Ticket Program could greatly 
enhance funding and future sustainability of the DEI project. While the 
Department recognizes WIBs are, in fact, serving and obtaining 
employment for significant numbers of SSI/SSDI beneficiaries, there are 
still challenges to the full engagement of workforce entities as ENs. 
The Department will be working with states, local WIBs, and SSA to 
identify and overcome administrative challenges that emerge. 
Information on SSA's procedure for requesting EN status is available 
at: https://www.cessi.net/ttw/EN/one_stops/onestop.asp.
    5. Sustainability--The applicant agrees to make every effort to 
sustain the disability resource coordinator(s) after the grant period 
ends and to incorporate into state policy and procedures, as 
appropriate, the promising practices that were successfully implemented 
by the project.
    6. Evaluation--As part of the evaluation, the Department will 
compare the outcomes of WIA and Wagner-Peyser adults and youth with 
disabilities in local workforce areas that receive grant funds to those 
adults and youth with disabilities in local workforce areas who have 
access to the standard WIA and Wagner-Peyser services but not the 
interventions that are included in the applicant's proposal under this 
SGA. To this end, we ask applicants to identify all the WIBs that have 
the capacity to implement the pilot and are willing to be part of the 
evaluation. While only half of the identified WIBs will receive funding 
through the State to implement the SGA project, all would be part of 
the evaluation with up to 5% of the State's grant funds available to 
help offset the increased data requirements. Successful state 
applicants will work with the Department and the evaluator to select 
the WIBs that will participate in the DEI grant project while ensuring 
that all identified WIBs and their workforce investment areas have a 
fair chance at receiving funding.
    The State applicant must agree to participate with DOL's data 
collection and evaluation activities. The

[[Page 47830]]

Department will make maximum use of participant data from the Workforce 
Investment Act Standardized Record Data (WIASRD) and Wagner-Peyser 
reporting system, but additional data collection will be necessary. For 
example, the evaluation contractor will conduct a series of site visits 
for the purpose of documenting grantee progress and to develop case 
studies. In addition, WIBs that are identified as willing to 
participate in the state application (i.e., WIBs selected to 
participate in the DEI plan and those that are not selected) will be 
required to collect additional participant data; thereby allowing the 
Department to determine how services received differ between the 
enhanced and non-enhanced workforce investment areas and the extent to 
which outcomes of the adults and youth with disabilities differ during 
the course of the grant project, in these sites. Awardees will be 
required to provide access to individualized records that contain 
sufficient information to allow data matching with SSA disability 
records. Please note that the Department will work with states that 
receive a DEI grant award and are single state workforce investment 
areas to determine an approach that is consistent with this evaluation 
design.

B. Strategic Service Delivery Components

    At a minimum, applicants must identify at least two of the 
following seven strategic components as significant elements of the 
service delivery approach for the youth or adult population to be 
served. Some of these strategies are not mutually exclusive nor are 
they always distinct or separate activities. These are practices and 
strategies that have been identified through both ETA and ODEP grant 
initiatives in increasing education and employment outcomes of the 
population to be served.
1. Integrated Resource Teams (IRT)
    The IRT is a promising practice identified by the DPN Initiative 
whereby a team comprised of representatives from different agencies and 
service systems (both generic and disability-specific) coordinate 
services and leverage funding to meet the employment needs of an 
individual job seeker with a disability. The job seeker is a member of 
the IRT working with providers (e.g., interpreter service, community 
college, etc.) to identify and strategize how their combined services 
and resources can benefit and support an individual job seeker's 
education, training or employment goals. IRTs lead to improved 
communication and coordination of services for those impacted by 
multiple systems and benefit variables. More information on IRTs and 
other DPN promising practices can be found at: https://www.doleta.gov/disability/ and https://www.disability.workforce3one.org.
2. Integrating Resources and Services, Blending and Braiding Funds, 
Leveraging Resources
    Integrating services and the blending and braiding of funds from 
multiple funding sources are strategies that are often incorporated 
into IRT, Guideposts, Vocational Rehabilitation, customized employment, 
self-employment and other employment models. Leveraging different 
Federal and state program funds involve two or more agencies 
contributing to the individual job seeker's education, training or 
employment goals. For example, supportive services may be covered by 
one provider, while training costs are covered by another agency or 
program. The job seeker with a disability may have multiple challenges 
that are best addressed through a diversified funding strategy. For the 
purposes of this SGA, the term ``blended funding'' is used to describe 
mechanisms that pool dollars from multiple sources and make them in 
some ways indistinguishable. ``Braided funding'' utilizes similar 
mechanisms, but the funding streams remain visible and are used in 
common to produce greater strength, efficiency, and/or effectiveness.
3. Customized Employment
    Customized employment involves individualizing the relationship 
between job seekers and employers in ways that meet the needs of both. 
It is based on an individualized determination and discovery of the 
strengths, requirements, and interests of a person with multiple 
challenges. The process is designed to meet the workplace needs of the 
employer and the discrete tasks of the position identified for the job 
seeker. When a customized relationship is developed, it results in a 
shared employment alliance. Customized employment offers the chance for 
a job to fit the individual, meet individual needs, and match what s/he 
has to offer. Customized employment provides an avenue to employment 
for job seekers who feel that traditional job search methods do not 
meet their needs. More information on customized employment is at 
ODEP's Web site: https://www.dol.gov/odep/CE-FWA/.
4. Self-Employment
    Self-employment has long been an employment alternative for 
individuals seeking a new or better career. Today, many job seekers 
with disabilities are turning to the flexibility of self-employment to 
meet both their career aspirations and financial goals. Self-employed 
persons have increased latitude in determining the hours they work, the 
type of work they do, and how much money they make. Self-employment 
strategies for youth and adults with disabilities are consistent with 
ETA's policy guidance in this area. Further information on ODEP's self-
employment initiative can be found at: https://www.dol.gov/odep/categories/workforce/self.htm#init.
5. Guideposts for Success
    Based on an extensive literature review of research, demonstration 
projects and effective practices covering a wide range of programs and 
services, including youth development, quality education, and workforce 
development programs, ODEP, in collaboration with the National 
Collaborative on Workforce Disability for Youth, identified Guideposts 
for Success. The Guideposts reflect what research has identified as key 
educational and career development interventions that can make a 
positive difference in the lives of all youth, including youth with 
disabilities. For more information on the Guideposts for Success, 
please visit https://www.ncwd-youth.info/guideposts.
6. Asset Development Strategies
    Asset development strategies include various approaches to enhance 
long-term economic self-sufficiency, including use of individual 
development accounts, implementation of financial literacy training for 
youth and adults, incorporation of SSA pass plans and other work 
incentives, utilization of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and 
other tax provisions, and self-directed benefit and resource accounts, 
among others. Asset development strategies include benefits and 
services that are funded through resources other than those made 
available under the WIA, such as tax filing assistance, housing, 
nutrition, health care, or child care assistance. Information on asset 
development strategies and tax credits, including their relevance for 
the workforce development system, can be found at https://www.dol.gov/odep/fineddev.htm.
7. Partnerships and Collaboration
    Applicants must demonstrate that the proposed project will include 
coordination with a variety of partners

[[Page 47831]]

that impact the ability of adults and youth with disabilities to 
successfully participate in education, training and employment 
opportunities. A description of coordination plans and strategy for 
partnerships must be provided in the project proposal. Coordination 
across multiple agencies includes outreach to the partner's clients/
consumers, co-location and integration in One-Stop Career Centers, and 
leveraging available funds, resources and organizational expertise. 
Partnering across multiple systems/programs is often a pre-requisite to 
providing employment-related supports that are needed to successfully 
address multiple challenges to employment. Potential partners include, 
but are not limited to: State and local Vocational Rehabilitation; 
Medicaid/Medicare; Medicaid Infrastructure Grant Projects, Mental 
Health; Developmental Disability/Mental Retardation Agency; State and 
local Education Departments; SSA programs, such as Work Incentives 
Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Projects and SSA Area Work Incentive 
Coordinators (AWICs); Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); 
community colleges, colleges, and universities; community services 
organizations including employment service providers; and national, 
state and local financial literacy and asset development programs and 
resources; among many others. Critically important to the Department is 
the inclusion of DOL programs such as adult, dislocated worker and 
youth training opportunities, Veterans Employment Training Services 
(VETS) programs, Job Corps, YouthBuild, ex-offender programs, Senior 
Community Employment Service Program (SCSEP), registered apprenticeship 
programs, American Indian and Native American education, post-
secondary, vocational training, health and education programs, Migrant 
and Seasonal Farm Workers Programs, and other relevant DOL Federal/
State-grant activities, as fundamental elements of the strategic 
approach.

C. Allowable Uses of Grant Funds

    Grant funds may be used to fulfill the requirements identified 
above in the Funding Opportunity Description of this section (e.g., 
required project components, strategic service delivery components) and 
may include, but are not limited to the following:
    (1) Disability resource coordinators or other project staff 
required to implement project design;
    (2) Partnership coordination and collaboration activities or 
meetings required to support the project objectives;
    (3) Necessary travel to conduct activities across the state or 
workforce investment area;
    (4) Necessary travel to attend one national conference per year; 
and
    (5) Service and programmatic activities to carry-out the objectives 
of the DEI cooperative agreement.
    Up to 15% of grant funds are available for flexible spending 
purposes which may include, but is not limited to, procurement of 
software upgrades and other assistive technology equipment, supportive 
or intensive services to assure availability of training and employment 
needs, or other innovative approaches to meet the unique needs of an 
individual participant. Travel for an ETA/ODEP sponsored conference to 
be attended by the state lead and local area disability coordinators/
project leads should be included in the budget plan. All education, 
training, job search activities, and supportive services should be 
funded through WIA, Wagner-Peyser or other program resources to the 
greatest extent possible. The leveraging of funds and resources for 
education, training and other activities is critical to the success of 
the DEI project and the achievement of outcomes for the youth and 
adults with disabilities that will be accessing the One-Stop Career 
Center system during the life of this Initiative. Up to 5% of grant 
funds are available for additional data collection requirements that 
may be needed.

II. Award Information

A. Award Amount

    The Department expects to award approximately six to ten 
cooperative agreements totaling approximately $22 million ranging from 
$1.5 million to $6 million. Applicants should request an amount within 
this funding range proportionate to the needs and relative size of 
their project. Applications requesting funds exceeding the amount 
specified above will be found non-responsive and will not be 
considered.

B. Period of Performance

    The period of performance will be 36 months from the date of 
execution of the grant documents.

III. Eligibility Information and Other Grant Specifications

A. Eligible Applicants

    Applicants must be the state WIA administering agency. The state 
workforce agency must select a minimum of four local WIBs that have the 
capacity to carry-out the State's proposal under this SGA (please note 
that single state WIBs and states with less than four workforce 
investment areas are still eligible to apply). Half of these local WIBs 
will be responsible for implementing model services applicable to the 
State's selection of DEI priority areas under this SGA. The Department 
will work with the state to identify the participating WIBs and will 
require that other half of the WIBs that are not selected would 
nevertheless participate in the evaluation component and the collection 
of additional individualized data.
    The Department requires that, at a minimum, the criteria for 
selecting the local WIB include: (1) Demonstrated success in serving 
individuals with disabilities as evidenced by their WIA and Wagner-
Peyser data and outcomes; (2) assurance of physical, programmatic, and 
communication accessibility; (3) demonstrated commitment to prior 
partner collaboration that suggests a high likelihood of success in the 
implementation of the DEI cooperative agreement's goals and objectives; 
(4) incorporated policies and procedures to help the One-Stop Career 
Centers effectively serve persons with disabilities; and (5) conducted 
outreach to the disability community and employers to facilitate the 
hiring of people with disabilities.
    Applicants must require that local WIBs selected to carry out the 
objectives of the DEI cooperative agreement will work with the DOL 
training, technical assistance, and evaluation contractors as 
applicable. DEI WIBs, and those WIBs that are identified in the 
application but not selected for DEI implementation, must agree to 
collect/provide relevant data or other information identified as 
critical to the evaluation.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

    There is no cost sharing or matching requirement in the DEI SGA, 
but the Department strongly encourages the leveraging of resources. 
Leveraged resources can come from a variety of sources, including 
public (e.g., Federal, State, or local governments) and non-profit 
sectors. The level of commitment of resources by partner organizations 
will be considered in the rating criteria.

C. Veterans' Priority

    The Jobs for Veterans Act (Pub. L. 107-288) requires 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. The regulations 
implementing this priority of service can be found at 20 CFR Part

[[Page 47832]]

1010. In circumstances where a grant recipient must choose between two 
qualified candidates for training, one of whom is a veteran or eligible 
spouse, the Veterans Priority of Service provisions require that the 
grant recipient give the veteran or eligible spouse priority of service 
by admitting him or her into the training program. To obtain priority 
of service, a veteran or spouse must meet the program's eligibility 
requirements. Grantees must comply with DOL guidance on veterans' 
priority. Employment and Training Administration Training and 
Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 10-09 (issued November 10, 2009) 
provides guidance on implementing priority of service for veterans and 
eligible spouses in all qualified job training programs funded in whole 
or in part by DOL. TEGL No. 10-09 is available at: https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2816.

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. How to Obtain an Application Package

    This SGA contains all the information and links to forms needed to 
apply for grant funding. Additionally, all application materials are 
available on the following Web sites: https://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm and https://www.grants.gov.

B. Content and Form of Application Submission

    The application must consist of three separate and distinct parts: 
(I) The Cost Proposal, (II) the 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 reviewed nor considered for award. Please note that it 
is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the amount of funds 
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:
     Application for Federal Assistance SF-424: The Standard 
Form (SF)-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance'' is 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.
     Data Universal Number System (D-U-N-S[reg]) Number: 
Applicants must supply their D-U-N-S[reg] on the SF-424. All applicants 
for Federal grant and funding opportunities are required to have a D-U-
N-S[reg] Number. See Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Notice of 
Final Policy Issuance, 68 FR 38402, Jun. 27, 2003. The D-U-N-S[reg] 
Number is a non-indicative, nine-digit number assigned to each business 
location in the Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) database having a unique, 
separate, and distinct operation, and is maintained solely by D&B 
entities. The D-U-N-S[reg] Number is used by industries and 
organizations around the world as a global standard for business 
identification and tracking. Obtaining a D-U-N-S[reg] Number is easy 
and there is no charge. To obtain a D-U-N-S[reg] number, access this 
Web site: https://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-5711.
     The SF-424A Budget Information Form: The SF-424A Budget 
Information Form is 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. The 
budget narrative also should include leveraged resources provided to 
support the 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. No leveraged resources should be shown on the SF 
424 and SF 424A. Please note that applicants that fail to provide a SF-
424, a SF-424A, a D-U-N-S[reg] Number, and a budget narrative will be 
removed from consideration before 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 at: https://www.doleta.gov/sga/forms.cfm.
    Part II. The Technical Proposal. The Technical Proposal 
demonstrates 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 section V.A 
of this SGA. The Technical Proposal is limited to 25 double-spaced, 
single-sided, 8.5 x 11-inch pages with 12 point text and 1-inch 
margins. Any materials beyond the 25-page limit will not be read. 
Further, any tables or charts contained in the Technical Proposal are 
included in the 25-page limit and should be presented on single-spaced, 
single-sided, 8.5 x 11-inch pages with 12 point text and 1-inch 
margins. Applicants should number the Technical Proposal beginning with 
page number 1. Applications that do not include Part II, the Technical 
Proposal, will be considered non-responsive.
    Part III. Attachments to the Technical Proposal. In addition to the 
25-page Technical Proposal, the applicant must submit the following 
Required Attachments: (1) Two-page Executive Summary as an attachment 
to the Technical Proposal; (2) chart displaying WIA and Wagner-Peyser 
data to address evaluation criteria in Section V.A.; (3) chart 
displaying state, population of state, and list of each local WIB; and 
(4) graphic display of work plan implementation schedule, expected 
milestones, and outcomes. The performance chart and work plan timelines 
may be attached but cannot exceed four pages each. These Required 
Attachments will be excluded from the 25-page limit. Required 
Attachments must be affixed as separate, clearly identified appendices 
to the application. Additional materials such as r[eacute]sum[eacute]s 
or general letters of support or commitment will not be read.

C. Submission Date, Times, and Addresses

    The closing date for receipt of applications under this 
announcement is September 8, 2010. 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. If an 
application is submitted by both hard copy and through https://www.grants.gov a letter must accompany the hard copy application 
stating why two applications were submitted and the differences between 
the two submissions. If no letter accompanies the hard copy, DOL will 
review the copy submitted through https://www.grants.gov. For multiple 
applications submitted through https://www.grants.gov, DOL will review 
the latest submittal. Applications that do not meet the conditions set 
forth in this notice will be considered nonresponsive. No exceptions to 
the mailing and delivery requirements set forth in this notice will be 
granted.

[[Page 47833]]

    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-10-01, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room N4716, Washington, DC 
20210. Applicants are advised that mail delivery in the Washington, DC 
area may be delayed due to mail decontamination procedures. Hand-
delivered proposals will be received at the above address. All 
overnight mail 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, applicants are encouraged to use an alternate method to 
submit grant applications during this heightened period of demand. 
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 in 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). While not mandatory, DOL encourages 
the submission of hard copy applications through a 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 the closing date, 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.
    The Department strongly recommends that before beginning to write 
the proposal, applicants should immediately initiate and complete the 
``Get Registered'' registration steps at https://www.grants.gov/applicants/get registered.jsp. Applicants should read through the 
registration process carefully before registering. These steps may take 
as many as four 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. The site 
also contains registration checklists to help you walk through the 
process.
    The Department strongly recommends that applicants download the 
``Organization Registration Checklist'' at https://www.grants.gov/assets/Organization Steps Complete Registration.pdf and prepare the 
information requested before beginning the registration process. 
Reviewing and assembling required information before beginning the 
registration process will alleviate last minute searches for required 
information and save time.
    To register with Grants.gov, applicants applying electronically 
must have a D-U-N-S[reg] Number and must register with the Federal 
Central Contractor Registry (CCR). Step-by-step instructions for 
registering with CCR can be found at https://www.grants.gov/applicants/org_step2.jsp. All applicants must register with CCR in order to apply 
online. Failure to register with the CCR will result in your 
application being rejected by Grants.gov during the submission process. 
The next step in the registration process is creating a username and 
password with Grants.gov to create a profile as an Authorized 
Organizational Representative (AOR). AORs will need to know the D-U-N-
S[reg] Number of the organization for which they will be submitting 
applications to complete this process. To read more detailed 
instructions for creating a profile on Grants.gov visit: https://www.grants.gov/applicants/org_step3.jsp. After creating a profile on 
Grants.gov, the E-Biz Point of Contact (E-Biz POC)--a representative 
from your organization who is the contact listed for CCR--will receive 
an e-mail to grant the AOR permission to submit applications on behalf 
of their organization. The E-Biz POC will then log into Grants.gov and 
approve an applicant as the AOR, thereby giving him or her permission 
to submit applications. To learn more about AOR Authorization visit: 
https://www.grants.gov/applicants/org_step5.jsp, or to track AOR status 
visit: https://www.grants.gov/applicants/org_step6.jsp. An application 
submitted through Grants.gov constitutes a submission as an 
electronically signed application. The registration and account 
creation with Grants.gov, with E-Biz POC approval, establishes an AOR. 
When you submit the application through Grants.gov, the name of your 
AOR on file will be inserted into the signature line of the 
application. Applicants must register the individual who is able to 
make legally binding commitments for the applicant organization as the 
AOR; this step is often missed and it is crucial for valid submissions.
    When a registered applicant submits an application with Grants.gov, 
an electronic time stamp is generated within the system when the 
application is successfully received by Grants.gov. 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, which will be received almost immediately 
after submission, will contain a tracking number and confirm receipt of 
the application by Grants.gov. The second e-mail will indicate the 
application has either been successfully validated or rejected due to 
errors. Only applications that have been successfully submitted by the 
deadline and subsequently successfully validated will be considered. It 
is the sole responsibility of the applicant to ensure a timely 
submission. While it is not required that an application be 
successfully validated before the deadline for submission, it is 
prudent to reserve time before the deadline in case it is necessary to 
resubmit an application that has not been successfully validated. 
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. We strongly advise 
applicants to use the plethora of tools and documents, including FAQs, 
that are available on the ``Applicant Resources'' page at https://www.grants.gov/applicants/resources.jsp. 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

[[Page 47834]]

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. The Contact Center is open 24 hours a day, 
seven days a week. They are closed on Federal holidays.
    Late Applications: For applications submitted on Grants.gov, only 
applications that have been successfully submitted no later than 4 p.m. 
Eastern Time on the closing date and subsequently successfully 
validated will be considered. Applicants take a significant risk by 
waiting until the application due date to submit by Grants.gov. 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 before the date specified for receipt of 
applications. ``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. 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 (EO) 
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''

E. Other Submission Requirements

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

F. 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.
    DOL/ETA's acceptance of a proposal and award of Federal funds to 
sponsor any program does not provide a waiver of any grant requirements 
and/or procedures. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars 
A-122 and A-87 require that an entity's procurement procedures must 
ensure that all procurement transactions are conducted, as much as 
practical, to provide open and free competition.
    1. Indirect Cost Rate. As specified in OMB Circular Cost Principles 
(A-122 and A-87), 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 ten 
percent (10%) 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. Please note that funds 
used for disability resource coordinators and any service related costs 
associated with carrying out the strategies outlined in the applicant's 
proposal, including local travel, are not considered administrative 
costs.
    3. Allowable Costs. The Department determines what constitutes 
allowable costs in accordance with the following Federal cost 
principles, as applicable: (1) State and Local Government--OMB Circular 
A-87; (2) Educational Institutions--OMB Circular A-21; (3) Nonprofit 
Organizations--OMB Circular A-122; and (4) Profit-making Commercial 
Firms--48 CFR Part 31.
    4. Legal rules pertaining to inherently religious activities by 
organizations that receive Federal financial assistance. The government 
is generally prohibited from providing direct Federal financial 
assistance for inherently religious activities. See 29 CFR part 2, 
Subpart D. Grants under this solicitation may not be used for religious 
instruction, worship, prayer, proselytizing, or other inherently 
religious activities. Neutral, non-religious criteria that neither 
favor nor disfavor religion will be employed in the selection of grant 
recipients and must be employed by grantees in the selection of sub-
recipients.
    5. Salary and Bonus Limitations. Under Public Law 109-234, none of 
the funds appropriated in Public Law 109-149, 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. Public Laws 111-8 and 111-117 contain the same 
limitations with respect to funds appropriated under each of those 
Laws. 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 (codified at 29 CFR parts 
96 and 99). See Training and Employment Guidance Letter number 5-06 for 
further clarification: https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DCON=2262.
    6. 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: (1) 
The copyright in all products developed under the grant, including a 
subgrant or contract under the grant or subgrant; and (2) 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 is 
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

[[Page 47835]]

program income. Program income is added to the grant and must be 
expended for allowable grant activities.
    If applicable, grantees must include the following language 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 are 
permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the 
copyright owner.''

V. Application Review Information

A. Evaluation Criteria

    This section identifies and describes the criteria that will be 
used to evaluate proposals. Points will be awarded based on how well an 
applicant fully demonstrates its approach and/or qualifications and 
clearly provides the information required.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Total
                         Criterion                             possible
                                                                points
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Program Delivery--Strategic Approach....................           40
2. Partnership Commitment and Resources....................           20
3. Demonstrated Experience.................................           15
4. Project Management......................................           15
5. Outcomes and Sustainability.............................           10
------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Program Delivery--Strategic Approach (40 Points)
    Discuss the strategic approach and how required and strategic 
service delivery components set forth in Section I.A., I.B. and I.C. 
will be incorporated into the project activities, including how the 
strategic approach will result in increased access to, and use of, the 
One-Stop Career Center system's services by adults and/or youth with 
disabilities and their improved education, training, and/or employment 
outcomes. Note that depending on the selected Strategic Service 
Delivery Components in Section I.B., not all of the items in the 
paragraphs below will apply.
    The 40 possible points for this criterion will be assessed as 
follows:
    Adults or Youth with Disabilities (5 Points)--Discuss the primary 
focus of the DEI project (i.e., adult or youth focus), the rationale 
for this selection, and the overall objectives of the DEI project. For 
purposes of this SGA, youth are considered to be age 14-24 (applicants 
may select the full range or ages within this range). States and local 
workforce areas are required to serve both adults and youth with 
disabilities; however for the purpose of this SGA, DOL is requiring the 
applicants to focus on one or the other for the purpose of developing 
replicable models and expertise, given the level of effort that is 
required with the limited funds that are currently available. Include 
demographic information, the extent to which adults/youth with 
disabilities from racial or ethnic minorities will be included, and 
whether the project will focus on urban or rural environments. Discuss 
any additional special focus of the project in terms of addressing 
veterans with disabilities, the homeless, TANF recipients, individuals 
with developmental, psychiatric and/or other hidden disabilities, out-
of-school youth, ex-offenders or other populations with significant 
disabilities. Provide information on experience to date with adults or 
youth with disabilities to whom the DEI project is directed and any 
special initiatives undertaken with the selected population. Identify 
the extent to which the project design will be directed to SSI/SSDI 
beneficiaries.
    Strategies To Be Deployed (20 Points)--Discuss the overall 
strategic approach to be implemented and how this will address the 
unique needs of the primary population, the workforce areas that are 
expected to participate, why the project design is expected to be 
successful and how strategic service delivery components in Section 
I.B. will be deployed to achieve the stated objectives (a minimum of 
two of the strategic service delivery components must be a significant 
part of the project design, but more can be included).
    i. Adult Focus--Discuss the overall approach to addressing the 
specific challenges and needs of adult job seekers with disabilities, 
including the availability of learning and skill assessments (including 
discovery), retraining options, on-the-job training, customized 
employment, part-time employment, and self-employment options, among 
others. Provide information on the availability of supportive services, 
including assistance with transportation and other short-term 
requirements for participation in training or employment. Provide 
information on the state's economy, including career opportunities in 
high-growth job sectors and how these may be incorporated in the 
project design. Discuss outreach to the population to be served, 
marketing of One-Stop services to job seekers with disabilities, and 
the applicant's experience in conducting similar outreach activities. 
Discuss linkages to the employer community and how engagement of 
business and employers will facilitate improved outcomes and 
achievement of goals. Discuss involvement of various asset development 
strategies in achieving project goals. If special popu