Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants, 10798-10806 [2017-03025]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
• Mine Safety and Health Administration

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 30 (Wednesday, February 15, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10798-10806]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-03025]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA).

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    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Opportunity Number: FOA 17-3BS.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 17.603.

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Mine Safety and Health 
Administration (MSHA), is making up to $1,000,000 available in grant 
funds for education and training programs to help identify, avoid, and 
prevent unsafe working conditions in and around mines. The focus of 
these grants for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 will be on training and training 
materials to better identify, avoid and prevent unsafe working 
conditions in and around mines. Applicants for the grants may be States 
(to include the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the 
Mariana Islands) and private or public nonprofit entities, to include 
Indian tribes, tribal organizations, Alaska Native entities, Indian-
controlled organizations serving Indians, and Native Hawaiian 
organizations. MSHA could award as many as 20 grants. The amount of 
each individual grant will be at least $50,000.00 and the maximum 
individual award will be $250,000. MSHA may incrementally fund these 
grants based on milestones and availability of funds. This notice 
contains all of the information needed to apply for grant funding.

DATES: The closing date for applications will be March 24, 2017, (no 
later than 11:59 p.m. EST). MSHA will award grants on or before April 
10, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Grant applications for this competition must be submitted

[[Page 10799]]

electronically through the Grants.gov site at www.grants.gov. If 
applying online poses a hardship to any applicant, the MSHA Directorate 
of Educational Policy and Development will provide assistance to help 
applicants submit online.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Any questions regarding this FOA 17-
3BS should be directed to Janice Oates at oates.janice@dol.gov or 202-
693-9573 (this is not a toll-free number) or Krystle Mitchell at 
Mitchell.Krystle@dol.gov or 202-693-9570 (this is not a toll-free 
number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This solicitation provides background 
information and the requirements for projects funded under the 
solicitation. This solicitation consists of eight parts:
     Part I provides background information on the Brookwood-
Sago grants.
     Part II describes the size and nature of the anticipated 
awards.
     Part III describes the qualifications of an eligible 
applicant.
     Part IV provides information on the application and 
submission process.
     Part V explains the review process and rating criteria 
that will be used to evaluate the applications.
     Part VI provides award administration information.
     Part VII contains MSHA contact information.
     Part VIII addresses Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
information collection requirements.

I. Program Description

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

    Under Section 14 of the MINER Act, the Secretary of Labor 
(Secretary) is required to establish a competitive grant program called 
the ``Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants'' (Brookwood-Sago grants). 30 
U.S.C. 965. This program provides funding for education and training 
programs to better identify, avoid, and prevent unsafe working 
conditions in and around mines. This program will use grant funds to 
establish and implement education and training programs or to create 
training materials and programs. The MINER Act requires the Secretary 
to give priority to mine safety demonstrations and pilot projects with 
broad applicability. It also mandates that the Secretary emphasize 
programs and materials that target miners in smaller mines, including 
training mine operators and miners on new MSHA standards, high-risk 
activities, and other identified safety priorities.

B. Education and Training Program Priorities

    MSHA priorities for the FY 2017 funding of the annual Brookwood-
Sago grants will focus on training or training materials to better 
identify, avoid and prevent unsafe working conditions in and around 
mines. MSHA expects Brookwood-Sago grantees to develop training 
materials or to develop and provide mine safety training or educational 
programs, recruit mine operators and miners for the training, and 
conduct and evaluate the training. MSHA will give special emphasis to 
programs and materials that target workers at smaller mines, including 
training miners and employers about new MSHA standards, high risk 
activities, or hazards identified by MSHA.
    MSHA expects Brookwood-Sago grantees to conduct follow-up 
evaluations with the people who received training in their programs to 
measure how the training promotes the Secretary's goal to ``improve 
workplace safety and health'' and MSHA's goal to ``prevent death, 
disease and injury from mining and promote safe and healthful 
workplaces for the Nation's miners.'' Evaluations will focus on 
determining how effective their training was in either reducing 
hazards, improving skills for the selected training topics, or in 
improving the conditions in mines. Grantees must also cooperate fully 
with MSHA evaluators of their programs which may include data 
collection or provision of training curricula, materials or mechanisms.

II. Federal Award Information

A. Award Amount for FY 2017

    MSHA is providing up to $1,000,000 for the 2017 Brookwood-Sago 
grant program which could be awarded in a maximum of 20 separate grants 
of no less than $50,000 each. Applicants requesting less than $50,000 
or more than $250,000 for a 12-month performance period will not be 
considered for funding.

B. Period of Performance

    The performance period for these grants is April 10, 2017 through 
April 9, 2018. MSHA may fund these grants incrementally, subject to the 
availability of funds. During any continuing resolution, MSHA may award 
a grantee pro-rated funding. The current continuing resolution would 
cover the period between April 10 and April 28, 2017. If MSHA awards a 
grant during continuing resolutions, the amount of funds MSHA may award 
is based on the milestones that the grantee has provided in its 
application. The first milestone would cover activities from April 10 
through April 28, 2017. MSHA may award additional amounts of funds to 
grantees through separate documents subject to availability of funds 
under additional continuing resolutions, a full-year continuing 
resolution, or a final appropriation.
    MSHA may approve a request for a one time no-cost extension to 
grantees for an additional period from the expiration date of a 
milestone or other period of performance based on the success of the 
project and other relevant factors. See 2 CFR 200.308(d)(2).

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

    Applicants for the grants may be States (to include the District of 
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American 
Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands) and private 
or public nonprofit entities, to include Indian tribes, tribal 
organizations, Alaska Native entities, Indian-controlled organizations 
serving Indians, and Native Hawaiian organizations. Eligible entities 
may apply for funding independently or in partnership with other 
eligible organizations. For partnerships, a lead organization must be 
identified.
    Applicants other than States (including the District of Columbia 
and U.S. territories), State-supported or local government-supported 
institutions of higher education, and tribal governments and tribal-
supported institutions of higher education, will be required to submit 
evidence of nonprofit status, preferably from the Internal Revenue 
Service (IRS). A nonprofit entity as described in 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(4), 
which engages in lobbying activities, is not eligible for a grant 
award. See 2 U.S.C. 1611.

B. Legal Rules Pertaining to Inherently Religious Activities by 
Organizations That Receive Federal Financial Assistance

    The government generally is prohibited from providing direct 
Federal financial assistance for inherently religious activities. See 
29 CFR part 2, subpart D. Grants under this solicitation may not be 
used for religious instruction, worship, prayer, proselytizing, or 
other inherently religious activities. Neutral, non-religious criteria 
that neither favor nor disfavor religion will be employed in the 
selection of grant recipients and must be employed by grantees in the

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selection of contractors and subcontractors.

C. Cost-Sharing or Matching

    Cost-sharing or matching of funds is not required for eligibility.

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Application Forms

    This announcement includes all information and links needed to 
apply for this funding opportunity. The full application is available 
through the Grants.gov Web site, www.grants.gov. Click the 
``Applicants'' tab, then click ``Apply for Grants''. The Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number needed to locate the 
appropriate application for this opportunity is 17.603. If an applicant 
has problems downloading the application package from Grants.gov, 
contact the Grants.gov Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726 or by email at 
support@grants.gov.
    The full application package is also available online at 
www.msha.gov: Select ``Training and Education,'' click on ``Training 
Programs and Courses,'' then select ``Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety 
Grants''. This Web site also includes all forms and all regulations 
that are referenced in this FOA. Applicants, however, must apply for 
this funding opportunity through the Grants.gov Web site. You may 
request paper copies of the package by contacting the Directorate of 
Educational Policy and Development at 202-693-9570.

B. Content and Form of the FY 2017 Application

    Each grant application must address identification, avoidance and 
prevention of unsafe working conditions in and around mines (e.g., 
highwall hazard recognition and prevention, haul road hazard 
recognition and prevention, mine emergency prevention and 
preparedness). The application must consist of three separate and 
distinct sections. The three required sections are:
     Section 1--Project Forms and Financial Plan (No page 
limit).
     Section 2--Executive Summary (Not to exceed two pages).
     Section 3--Technical Proposal (Not to exceed 12 pages). 
Illustrative material can be submitted as an attachment.
    The following are mandatory requirements for each section.
1. Project Forms and Financial Plan
    This section contains the forms and budget section of the 
application. The Project Financial Plan will not count against the 
application page limits. A person with authority to bind the applicant 
must sign the grant application and forms. Applications submitted 
electronically through Grants.gov do not need to be signed manually; 
electronic signatures will be accepted.
    (a) Completed SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance,'' (OMB 
No. 4040-0004, expiration: 10/31/2019). This form is part of the 
application package on Grants.gov and is also available at 
www.msha.gov: (Select ``Training and Education,'' click on ``Training 
Programs and Courses,'' then select ``Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety 
Grants.'') The SF-424 must identify the applicant clearly and be signed 
by an individual with authority to enter into a grant agreement. Upon 
confirmation of an award, the individual signing the SF-424 on behalf 
of the applicant shall be considered the representative of the 
applicant.
    Completed SF-424A, ``Budget Information for Non-Construction 
Programs,'' (OMB No. 4040-0006, expiration: 01/31/2019). The project 
budget should demonstrate clearly that the total amount and 
distribution of funds is sufficient to cover the cost of all major 
project activities identified by the applicant in its proposal, and 
must comply with the Federal cost principles and the administrative 
requirements set forth in this FOA. (Copies of all regulations that are 
referenced in this FOA are available online at www.msha.gov. (Select 
``Training and Education,'' click on ``Training Programs and Courses,'' 
then select ``Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants.'')
    (b) Budget Narrative. The applicant must provide a concise 
narrative explaining the request for funds. The budget narrative should 
separately attribute the Federal funds to each of the activities 
specified in the technical proposal and it should discuss precisely how 
any administrative costs support the project goals.
    If applicable, the applicant must provide a statement about its 
program income. See 2 CFR 200.80 and 200.307 and this FOA, Part 
IV.F.1(a) and (b).
    The amount of Federal funding requested for the entire period of 
performance must be shown on the SF-424 and SF-424A forms.
    (d) Completed SF-424B, ``Assurances for Non-Construction 
Programs,'' (OMB No. 4040-0007, expiration: 01/31/2019). Each applicant 
for these grants must certify compliance with a list of assurances. 
This form is part of the application package on www.grants.gov and also 
is available at www.msha.gov: (Select ``Training and Education,'' click 
on ``Training Programs and Courses,'' then select ``Brookwood-Sago Mine 
Safety Grants.'')
    (e) Supplemental Certification Regarding Lobbying Activities Form. 
If any funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for 
influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any 
agency, a member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an 
employee of a member of Congress in connection with the making of a 
grant or cooperative agreement, the applicant shall complete and submit 
SF-LLL, ``Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying,'' (OMB No. 4040-0013, 
expiration: 01/31/2019) in accordance with its instructions. This form 
is part of the application package on www.grants.gov and is also 
available at www.msha.gov: (Select ``Training and Education,'' click on 
``Training Programs and Courses,'' then select ``Brookwood-Sago Mine 
Safety Grants.'')
    (f) Non-profit status. Applicants must provide evidence of non-
profit status, preferably from the IRS, if applicable.
    (g) Accounting System Certification. Under the authority of 2 CFR 
200.207, MSHA requires that a new applicant that receives less than $1 
million annually in Federal grants attach a certification stating that 
the organization (directly or through a designated qualified entity) 
has a functioning accounting system that meets the criteria below. The 
certification should attest that the organization's accounting system 
provides for the following:
    (1) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial 
results of each federally sponsored project.
    (2) Records that adequately identify the source and application of 
funds for federally sponsored activities.
    (3) Effective control over and accountability for all funds, 
property, and other assets.
    (4) Comparison of outlays with budget amounts.
    (5) Written procedures to minimize the time elapsing between 
transfers of funds.
    (6) Written procedures for determining the reasonableness, 
allocability, and allowability of costs.
    (7) Accounting records, including cost accounting records that are 
supported by source documentation.
    (h) Attachments. The application may include attachments such as 
resumes of key personnel or position descriptions, exhibits, 
information on prior government grants, and signed letters of 
commitment to the project.
2. Executive Summary
    The executive summary is a short one-to-two page abstract that 
succinctly summarizes the proposed project.

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MSHA will publish, as submitted, all grantees' executive summaries on 
the DOL Web site. The executive summary must include the following 
information:
    (a) Applicant. Provide the organization's full legal name and 
address.
    (b) Funding requested. List how much Federal funding is being 
requested.
    (c) Grant Topic. List the grant topic and the location and number 
of mine operators and miners that the organization has selected to 
train or describe the training materials or equipment to be created 
with these funds.
    (d) Program Structure. Identify the type of grant as ``annual.''
    (e) Summary of the Proposed Project. Write a brief summary of the 
proposed project. This summary must identify the key points of the 
proposal, including an introduction describing the project activities 
and each milestone with the expected results.
3. Technical Proposal
    The technical proposal must demonstrate the applicant's 
capabilities to plan and implement a project or create educational 
materials to meet the objectives of this solicitation. MSHA's focus for 
these grants is on training mine operators and miners and developing 
training materials to better identify, avoid and prevent unsafe working 
conditions in and around mines. MSHA shall give special emphasis to 
programs and materials that target workers at smaller mines, including 
training miners and employers about new MSHA standards, high risk 
activities, or hazards identified by MSHA. A Department of Labor 
Strategic Goal is to ``improve workplace safety and health''. MSHA has 
a performance goal to ``prevent death, disease, and injury from mining 
and promote safe and healthful workplaces for the Nation's miners.'' 
MSHA's award of the Brookwood-Sago grants supports these goals and 
strategies. To show how the grant projects promote these goals and 
strategies, grantees must report, at each milestone, the following 
information (as applicable):

Number of trainers trained
Number of mine operators and miners trained
Number of training events
Number of course days of training provided to industry
Course evaluations of trainer and training material
Description of training materials created, to include target audience, 
goals and objectives, and usability in the mine training environment

    The technical proposal narrative must not exceed 12 single-sided, 
double-spaced pages, using 12-point font, and must contain the 
following sections: Program Design, Overall Qualifications of the 
Applicant, and Output and Evaluation. Any pages over the 12-page limit 
will not be reviewed. Attachments to the technical proposal are not 
counted toward the 12-page limit. Major sections and sub-sections of 
the proposal should be divided and clearly identified. As required in 
Part VIII subpart B ``Transparency,'' a grantee's final technical 
proposal will be posted ``as is'' on MSHA's Web site unless MSHA 
receives a version redacting any proprietary, confidential business, or 
personally identifiable information no later than two weeks after 
receipt of the Notice of Award.
    MSHA will review and rate the technical proposal in accordance with 
the selection criteria specified in Part V.
(a) Program Design
    (1) Statement of the Problem/Need for Funds. Applicants must 
identify a clear and specific need for proposed activities. They must 
identify whether they are providing a training program, creating 
training materials, or both. Applicants also must identify the number 
of individuals expected to benefit from their training and education 
program; this should include identifying the type of mines, the 
geographic locations of the training, and the number of mine operators 
and miners.
(i) Quality of the Project Design
    MSHA requires that each applicant include a 12-month workplan that 
will begin no later than April 10, 2017, and end no later than April 9, 
2018.
(ii) Plan Overview
    Describe the plan for grant activities and the anticipated results. 
The plan should describe such things as the development of training 
materials, the training content, recruiting of trainees, where or how 
training will take place, and the anticipated benefits to mine 
operators and miners receiving the training.
(iii) Milestones
    Because MSHA may be funding these grants incrementally, applicants 
must identify milestones for the project, which may be adjusted as 
funding becomes available. For example, the first milestone that 
correlates with the first grant performance period is from April 10, 
2017 through June 10, 2017. For the remaining milestones, we suggest 
intervals of three months. If MSHA funds these grants incrementally, 
applicants should identify activities that either can be completed 
during the applicable milestone or anticipate that other funding may be 
needed to complete the activities. If funding permits, MSHA expects to 
award all the funding for the year and will provide a separate document 
identifying the period of performance with the amount of funding 
awarded.
(iv) Activities
    Break the plan down into activities or tasks for each milestone. 
For each activity, explain what will be done, who will do it, when it 
will be done, and the anticipated results of the activity. For 
training, discuss the subjects to be taught, the length of the training 
sessions, type of training (e.g., highwall hazard recognition and 
prevention, haul road hazard recognition and prevention, mine emergency 
prevention and preparedness), and training locations (e.g., classroom, 
worksites). Describe how the applicant will recruit mine operators and 
miners for the training. (Note: Any commercially developed training 
materials the applicant proposes to use in its training must undergo an 
MSHA review before being used).
(v) Milestone Projections
    For training and other quantifiable activities, estimate the 
quantities involved for data required to meet the grant goals located 
in Part IV.B.3. For example, estimate how many classes will be 
conducted and how many mine operators and miners will be trained each 
milestone. Also, provide the training number totals for the full year. 
Projections are used to measure the actual performance against the 
plan. Applicants planning to conduct a train-the-trainer program should 
estimate the number of individuals to be trained during the grant by 
those who received the train-the-trainer training. These second-tier 
training numbers should be included only if the organization is 
planning to follow up with the trainers to obtain this data during the 
grant.
(vi) Materials
    Describe each educational material to be produced under this grant. 
Provide a timetable, including milestones, for developing and producing 
the material. The timetable must include provisions for an MSHA review 
of draft and camera-ready products or evaluation of equipment. MSHA 
must review and approve training materials or equipment for technical 
accuracy and suitability of content before use in the grant program. 
Whether or not an applicant's project is

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to develop training materials only, the applicant should provide an 
overall plan that includes time for MSHA to review any materials 
produced.
(b) Qualifications of the Applicant
(1) Applicant's Background
    Describe the applicant, including its mission, and a description of 
its membership, if any. Provide an organizational chart (the chart may 
be included as a separate page which will not count toward the page 
limit). Identify the following:
(i) Project Director
    The Project Director is the person who will be responsible for the 
day-to-day operation and administration of the program. Provide the 
name, title, street address and mailing address (if it is different 
from the organization's street address), telephone and fax numbers, and 
email address of the Project Director.
(ii) Certifying Representative
    The Certifying Representative is the official in the organization 
who is authorized to enter into grant agreements. Provide the name, 
title, street address and mailing address (if it is different from the 
organization's street address), telephone and fax numbers, and email 
address of the Certifying Representative.
(2) Administrative and Program Capability
    Briefly describe the organization's functions and activities, i.e., 
the applicant's management and internal controls. Relate this 
description of functions to the organizational chart. If the applicant 
has received any other government (Federal, State or local) grant 
funding, the application must have, as an attachment (which will not 
count towards the page limit), information regarding these previous 
grants. This information must include each organization for which the 
work was done and the dollar value of each grant. If the applicant does 
not have previous grant experience, it may partner with an organization 
that has grant experience to manage the grant. If the organization uses 
this approach, the management organization must be identified and its 
grant program experience discussed. Lack of past experience with 
Federal grants is not a determining factor, but an applicant should 
show a successful experience relevant to the opportunity offered in the 
application. Such experience could include staff members' experiences 
with other organizations.
(3) Program Experience
    Describe the organization's experience conducting the proposed mine 
training program or other relevant experience. Include program 
specifics such as program title, numbers trained, and duration of 
training. If creating training materials, include the title of other 
materials developed. Nonprofit organizations, including community-based 
and faith-based organizations that do not have prior experience in mine 
safety, may partner with an established mine safety organization to 
acquire safety expertise.
(4) Staff Experience
    Describe the qualifications of the professional staff you will 
assign to the program. Attach resumes of staff already employed 
(resumes will not count towards the page limit). If some positions are 
vacant, include position descriptions and minimum hiring qualifications 
instead of resumes. Staff should have, at a minimum, mine safety 
experience, training experience, or experience working with the mining 
community.
(c) Outputs and Evaluations
    There are two types of evaluations that must be conducted. First, 
describe the methods, approaches, or plans to evaluate the training 
sessions or training materials to meet the data requirements in Part 
IV.B.3. Second, describe plans to assess the long-term effectiveness of 
the training materials or training conducted. The type of training 
given will determine whether the evaluation should include a process-
related outcome or a result-related outcome or both. This will involve 
following up with an evaluation, or on-site review, if feasible, of 
miners trained. The evaluation should focus on what changes the trained 
miners made to abate hazards and improve workplace conditions, or to 
incorporate this training in the workplace, or both.
    For training materials, include an evaluation from individuals 
trained on the clarity of the presentation, organization, and the 
quality of the information provided on the subject matter and whether 
they would continue to use the training materials. Include timetables 
for follow-up and for submitting a summary of the assessment results to 
MSHA.

C. Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number and 
System for Award Management (SAM)--Required

    Under 2 CFR 25.200(b)(3), every applicant for a Federal grant is 
required to include a DUNS number with its application. The DUNS number 
is a nine-digit identification number that uniquely identifies business 
entities. An applicant's DUNS number is to be entered into Block 8 of 
Standard Form (SF) 424. There is no charge for obtaining a DUNS number. 
To obtain a DUNS number, call 1-866-705-5711 or access the following 
Web site: https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform.
    After receiving a DUNS number, all grant applicants must register 
as a vendor with the System for Award Management (SAM) through the Web 
site www.sam.gov. Grant applicants must create a user account and 
register online. Submitted registrations will take up to 10 business 
days to process, after which the applicant will receive an email notice 
that the registration is active. Once the registration is active in SAM 
it takes an additional 24-48 hours for the registration to be active in 
Grants.gov. SAM registrations must be renewed annually. SAM will send 
notifications to the registered user via email prior to expiration of 
the registration. Under 2 CFR 25.200(b)(2), each grant applicant must 
maintain an active registration with current information at all times 
during which it has an active Federal award or an application under 
active consideration.

D. Submission Date, Times, and Addresses

    The closing date for applications will be March 24, 2017, (no later 
than 11:59 p.m. EST). MSHA will award grants on or before April 10, 
2017.
    Grant applications must be submitted electronically through the 
Grants.gov Web site. The Grants.gov site provides all the information 
about submitting an application electronically through the site as well 
as the hours of operation. Interested parties can locate the 
downloadable application package by the CFDA No. 17.603.
1. Non-Compliant Applications
    (a) Applications that are lacking any of the required elements or 
do not follow the format prescribed in IV.B. will not be reviewed.
    (b) Late Applications
    You are cautioned that applications should be submitted before the 
deadline to ensure that the risk of late receipt of the application is 
minimized. Applications received after the deadline will not be 
reviewed unless it is determined to be in the best interest of the 
Government.
    Applications received by Grants.gov are date and time stamped 
electronically. Once an interested party has submitted an application, 
Grants.gov will notify the interested

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party with three emails: (1) An automatic notification of receipt that 
provides the applicant with a tracking number, (2) a notification that 
informs applicants that the application has been validated by 
Grants.gov and is being prepared for Agency retrieval, and (3) a 
notification that the DOL E-Grants system has received the application 
from Grants.gov (the application is ready for Agency review).
    An application must be fully uploaded and validated by the 
Grants.gov system before the application deadline date.

E. Intergovernmental Review

    The Brookwood-Sago grants are not subject to Executive Order 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.'' MSHA; however, 
reminds applicants that if they are not operating MSHA-approved State 
training grants, they should contact the State grantees and coordinate 
any training or educational program. Information about each state grant 
and the entity operating the state grant is provided online at: 
www.msha.gov/TRAINING/STATES/STATES.asp.

F. Funding Restrictions

    MSHA will determine whether costs are allowable under the 
applicable Federal cost principles and other conditions contained in 
the grant award.
1. Allowable Costs
    Grant funds may be spent on conducting training and outreach, 
developing educational materials, recruiting activities (to increase 
the number of participants in the program), and on necessary expenses 
to support these activities. Allowable costs are determined by the 
applicable Federal cost principles identified in Part VI.B, which are 
attachments in the application package, or are located online at 
www.msha.gov: (Select ``Training and Education'', click on ``Training 
Programs and Courses'', then select ``Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety 
Grants.'') Paper copies of the material may be obtained by contacting 
the Directorate of Educational Policy and Development at 202-693-9570.
    (a) If an applicant anticipates earning program income during the 
grant, the application must include an estimate of the income that will 
be earned. Program income earned must be reported on a quarterly basis.
    (b) Program income is gross income earned by the grantee which is 
directly generated by a supported activity, or earned as a result of 
the award. Program income earned during the award period shall be 
retained by the recipient, added to funds committed to the award, and 
used for the purposes and under the conditions applicable to the use of 
the grant funds. See 2 CFR 200.80 and 200.307.
2. Unallowable Costs
    Grant funds may not be used for the following activities under this 
grant program:

(a) Any activity inconsistent with the goals and objectives of this FOA
(b) Training on topics that are not targeted under this FOA
(c) Purchasing any equipment unless pre-approved and in writing by the 
MSHA grant officer
(d) Direct administrative costs that exceed 15% of the total grant 
budget or in the event that the grant is incrementally funded, any 
direct administrative costs that exceed 20% of the total grant budget
(e) Indirect costs that exceed 10% of the modified total direct costs 
(as defined in 2 CFR 200.68) or the grantee's federally negotiated 
indirect cost rate reimbursement
(f) Any pre-award costs

    Unallowable costs also include any cost determined by MSHA as not 
allowed according to the applicable cost principles or other conditions 
in the grant.

V. Application Review Information for FY 2017 Grants

A. Evaluation Criteria

    MSHA will screen all applications to determine whether all required 
proposal elements are present and clearly identifiable. Those that do 
not comply with mandatory requirements will not be evaluated. The 
technical panels will review grant applications using the following 
criteria:
1. Program Design--40 Points Total
(a) Statement of the Problem/Need for Funds (3 Points)
    The proposed training and education program or training materials 
must address identification, avoidance and prevention of unsafe working 
conditions in and around mines (e.g., highwall hazard recognition and 
prevention, haul road hazard recognition and prevention, mine emergency 
prevention and preparedness).
(b) Quality of the Project Design (25 Points)
    (1) The proposal to train mine operators and miners clearly 
estimates the number to be trained and clearly identifies the types of 
mine operators and miners to be trained.
    (2) If the proposal contains a train-the-trainer program, the 
following information must be provided:
     Name or type of support the grantee will provide to new 
trainers.
     The number of individuals to be trained as trainers.
     The estimated number of courses to be conducted by the new 
trainers.
     The estimated number of students to be trained by these 
new trainers and a description of how the grantee will obtain data from 
the new trainers documenting their classes and student numbers if 
conducted during the grant.
    (3) The work plan activities and training are described.
     The planned activities and training are tailored to the 
needs and levels of the mine operators and miners to be trained. Any 
special constituency to be served through the grant program is 
described, e.g., smaller mines, limited English proficiency miners, 
etc. Organizations proposing to develop materials in languages other 
than English also will be required to provide an English version of the 
materials.
     If the proposal includes developing training materials, 
the work plan must include time during development for MSHA to review 
the educational materials for technical accuracy and suitability of 
content. If commercially developed training products will be used for a 
training program, applicants should also plan for MSHA to review the 
materials before using the products in their grant programs.
     The utility of the educational materials is described.
     The outreach or process to find mine operators, miners, or 
trainees to receive the training is described.
(c) Replication (4 Points)
    The potential for a project to serve a variety of mine operators, 
miners, or mine sites, or the extent others may replicate the project.
(d) Innovation (3 Points)
    The originality and uniqueness of the approach used.
(e) MSHA's Performance Goals (5 Points)
    The extent the proposed project will contribute to MSHA's 
performance goals.
2. Budget--20 Points Total
    (a) The budget presentation is clear and detailed. (15 points)
    The budgeted costs are reasonable.
     No more than 20% of the total budget is for direct 
administrative costs in the event of incremental funding. Otherwise, no 
more than 15% of the

[[Page 10804]]

total budget is for direct administrative costs.
     Indirect costs do not exceed 10% of the modified total 
direct costs (as defined in 2 CFR 200.68) or the grantee's federally 
negotiated indirect cost rate reimbursement.
     The budget complies with Federal cost principles (which 
can be found in the applicable Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit 
Requirements for Federal Awards and with MSHA budget requirements 
contained in the grant application instructions).
    (b) The application demonstrates that the applicant has strong 
financial management and internal control systems. (5 points)
3. Overall Qualifications of the Applicant--25 Points Total
(a) Grant Experience (6 Points)
    The applicant has administered, or will work with an organization 
that has administered, a number of different Federal or State grants. 
The applicant may demonstrate this experience by having project staff 
that has experience administering Federal or State grants.
(b) Mine Safety Training Experience (13 Points)
     The applicant applying for the grant demonstrates 
experience with mine safety teaching or providing mine safety 
educational programs. Applicants that do not have prior experience in 
providing mine safety training to mine operators or miners may partner 
with an established mine safety organization to acquire mine safety 
expertise.
     Project staff has experience in mine safety, the specific 
topic chosen, or in training mine operators and miners.
     Project staff has experience in recruiting, training, and 
working with the population the organization proposes to serve.
     Applicant has experience in designing and developing mine 
safety training materials for a mining program.
     Applicant has experience in managing educational programs.
(c) Management (6 Points)
    Applicant demonstrates internal control and management oversight of 
the project.
4. Outputs and Evaluations--15 Points Total
    The proposal should include provisions for evaluating the 
organization's progress in accomplishing the grant work activities and 
accomplishments, evaluating training sessions, and evaluating the 
program's effectiveness and impact to determine if the safety training 
and services provided resulted in workplace change or improved 
workplace conditions. The proposal should include a plan to follow up 
with trainees to determine the impact the program has had in abating 
hazards and reducing miner illnesses and injuries.

B. Review and Selection Process for FY 2017 Grants

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

C. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

    Announcement of the awards is expected to occur before April 10, 
2017. The grant agreement will be signed no later than April 10, 2017.

VI. Award Administration Information

A. Award Process

    Before April 10, 2017, organizations selected as potential grant 
recipients will be notified by a representative of the Deputy Assistant 
Secretary. An applicant whose proposal is not selected will be notified 
in writing. The fact that an organization has been selected as a 
potential grant recipient does not necessarily constitute approval of 
the grant application as submitted (revisions may be required).
    Before the actual grant award and the announcement of the award, 
MSHA may enter into negotiations with the potential grant recipient 
concerning such matters as program components, staffing and funding 
levels, and administrative systems. If the negotiations do not result 
in an acceptable submittal, the Deputy Assistant Secretary reserves the 
right to terminate the negotiations and decline to fund the proposal.

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    All grantees will be subject to applicable Federal laws and 
regulations (including provisions of appropriations law). These 
requirements are attachments in the application package or are located 
online at www.msha.gov: (Select ``Training and Education'', click on 
``Training Programs and Courses'', then select ``Brookwood-Sago Mine 
Safety Grants.'') The grants awarded under this competitive grant 
program will be subject to the following administrative standards and 
provisions, if applicable:
     2 CFR part 25, Universal Identifier and System for Award 
Management.
     2 CFR part 170, Reporting Subawards and Executive 
Compensation Information.
     2 CFR part 175, Award Term for Trafficking in Persons.
     2 CFR part 180, OMB Guidelines to Agencies on 
Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) (Nov. 15, 
2006).
     2 CFR part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost 
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Dec. 19, 2014).
     2 CFR part 2900, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost 
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.
     2 CFR part 2998, Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension.
     29 CFR part 2, subpart D, Equal Treatment in Department of 
Labor Programs for Religious Organizations; Protection of Religious 
Liberty of Department of Labor Social Service Providers and 
Beneficiaries.
     29 CFR part 31, Nondiscrimination in federally assisted 
programs of the Department of Labor--Effectuation of Title VI of the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964.
     29 CFR part 32, Nondiscrimination on the basis of handicap 
in programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance.
     29 CFR part 33, Enforcement of nondiscrimination on the 
basis of handicap in programs or activities conducted by the Department 
of Labor.
     29 CFR part 35, Nondiscrimination on the basis of age in 
programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance from the 
Department of Labor.
     29 CFR part 36, Nondiscrimination on the basis of sex in 
education programs or activities receiving federal financial 
assistance.

[[Page 10805]]

     29 CFR part 93, New restrictions on lobbying.
     29 CFR part 94, Government-wide requirements for drug-free 
workplace (financial assistance).
     Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 31, Subpart 
31.2, Contract cost principles and procedures (Codified at 48 CFR 
Subpart 31.2).
    Unless specifically approved, MSHA's acceptance of a proposal or 
MSHA's award of Federal funds to sponsor any program does not 
constitute a waiver of any grant requirement or procedure. For example, 
if an application identifies a specific sub-contractor to provide 
certain services, the MSHA award does not provide a basis to sole-
source the procurement (to avoid competition).

C. Special Program Requirements

1. MSHA Review of Educational Materials
    MSHA will review all grantee-produced educational and training 
materials for technical accuracy and suitability of content during 
development and before final publication. MSHA also will review 
training curricula and purchased training materials for technical 
accuracy and suitability of content before the materials are used. 
Grantees developing training materials must follow all copyright laws 
and provide written certification that their materials are free from 
copyright infringement.
    When grantees produce training materials, they must provide copies 
of completed materials to MSHA before the end of the grant. Completed 
materials should be submitted to MSHA in hard copy and in digital 
format for publication on the MSHA Web site. Two copies of the 
materials must be provided to MSHA. Acceptable formats for training 
materials include Microsoft XP Word, PDF, PowerPoint, and any other 
format agreed upon by MSHA.
2. License
    As stated in 2 CFR 200.315 and 2 CFR 2900.13, the Department of 
Labor has a royalty-free, nonexclusive, and irrevocable right to 
reproduce, publish, or otherwise use for Federal purposes any work 
produced, or for which ownership was acquired, under a grant, and to 
authorize others to do so. Such products include, but are not limited 
to, curricula, training models, and any related materials. Such uses 
include, but are not limited to, the right to modify and distribute 
such products worldwide by any means, electronic, or otherwise.
3. Acknowledgement on Printed Materials
    All approved grant-funded materials developed by a grantee shall 
contain the following disclaimer: ``This material was produced under 
grant number XXXXX from the Mine Safety and Health Administration, U.S. 
Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or 
policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade 
names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the 
U.S. Government.''
    When issuing statements, press releases, request for proposals, bid 
solicitations, and other documents describing projects or programs 
funded in whole or in part with Federal money, all grantees receiving 
Federal funds must clearly state:
    (a) The percentage of the total costs of the program or project 
that will be financed with Federal money;
    (b) The dollar amount of Federal financial assistance for the 
project or program; and
    (c) The percentage and dollar amount of the total costs of the 
project or program that will be financed by non-governmental sources.
4. Use of U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) or MSHA Logo
    With written permission from MSHA, the USDOL and MSHA logos may be 
applied to the grant-funded materials including posters, videos, 
pamphlets, research documents, national survey results, impact 
evaluations, best practice reports, and other publications. The 
grantees must consult with MSHA on whether the logos may be used on any 
such items prior to final draft or final preparation for distribution. 
In no event shall the DOL or MSHA logo be placed on any item until MSHA 
has given the grantee written permission to use the logos on the item.
5. Reporting
    Grantees are required by Departmental regulations to submit 
financial and project reports, as described below. Grantees are also 
required to submit final reports no later than 90 days after the end of 
the grant. MSHA will advise recipients regarding the applicable 
reporting periods and requirements in the event of incremental funding 
of these grants. Subject to availability of funding, MSHA intends to 
adjust and be consistent with quarterly reporting requirements.
(a) Financial Reports
    The grantee shall submit financial reports at the end of the first 
milestone, or on a quarterly basis. Recipients are required to use the 
U.S. Department of Labor's Grantee Reporting Systems' electronic SF-425 
(Federal Financial Report), (OMB No. 4040-0014, expiration: 1/31/2019), 
at www.etareports.doleta.gov, to report the status of all funds awarded 
and, if applicable, program income received and expended, during the 
funding period. All reports are due no later than 30 days after the end 
of the reporting period.
(b) Technical Project Reports
    A grantee must submit a technical project report to MSHA no later 
than 30 days after each milestone. If so advised, the quarterly 
reporting dates may be July 10, 2017, October10, 2017, January 10, 
2018, and April 10, 2018, respectively. Technical project reports 
provide both quantitative and qualitative information and a narrative 
assessment of performance for the preceding period. This should include 
the current grant progress against the overall grant goals as provided 
in Part IV.B.3.
    Between reporting dates, the grantee shall immediately inform MSHA 
of significant developments or problems affecting the organization's 
ability to accomplish the work. See 2 CFR 200.328(d).
(c) Final Reports
    At the end of the grant, each grantee must provide a project 
summary of its technical project reports, an evaluation report, and a 
close-out financial report. These final reports are due no later than 
90 days after the end of the grant.

VII. Agency Contacts

    Any questions regarding this FOA (FOA17-4BS) should be directed to 
Janice Oates at Oates.Janice@dol.gov or 202-693-9573 (this is not a 
toll-free number) or Krystle Mitchell at @dol.gov or 202-693-9570 (this 
is not a toll-free number). MSHA's Web page at www.msha.gov is a 
valuable source of background for this initiative.

VIII. Other Information

A. Freedom of Information

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

B. Transparency in the Grant Process

    DOL is committed to conducting a transparent grant award process 
and publicizing information about program outcomes. Posting awardees' 
grant applications on public Web sites is a means of promoting and 
sharing

[[Page 10806]]

innovative ideas. Additionally, we will publish a version of the 
Technical Proposal required by this solicitation, for all those 
applications that are awarded grants, on the Department's Web site or a 
similar location. The Technical Proposals and Executive Summaries will 
not be published until after the grants are awarded. In addition, 
information about grant progress and results may also be made publicly 
available.
    DOL recognizes that grant applications sometimes contain 
information that an applicant may consider proprietary or business 
confidential information, or may contain personally identifiable 
information. Information is considered proprietary or confidential 
commercial/business information when it is not usually disclosed 
outside your organization and when its disclosure is likely to cause 
you substantial competitive harm.
    Personally identifiable information is information that can be used 
alone or in conjunction with other information to distinguish or trace 
an individual`s identity, such as name, social security number, date 
and place of birth, mother's maiden name, or biometric records; and any 
other information that is linked or linkable to an individual, such as 
medical, educational, financial, and employment information.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ OMB Memorandum 07-16 and 06-19. GAO Report 08-536, Privacy: 
Alternatives Exist for Enhancing Protection of Personally 
Identifiable Information, May 2008, www.gao.gov/assets/280/275558.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Executive Summaries will be published in the form originally 
submitted, without any redactions. However, in order to ensure that 
confidential information is properly protected from disclosure when DOL 
posts the winning Technical Proposals, applicants whose technical 
proposals will be posted will be asked to submit a second redacted 
version of their Technical Proposal, with proprietary, confidential 
commercial/business, and personally identifiable information redacted. 
All non-public information about the applicant's staff should be 
removed as well. The Department will contact the applicants whose 
technical proposals will be published by letter or email, and provide 
further directions about how and when to submit the redacted version of 
the Technical Proposal. Submission of a redacted version of the 
Technical Proposal will constitute permission by the applicant for DOL 
to post that redacted version. If an applicant fails to provide a 
redacted version of the Technical Proposal, DOL will publish the 
original Technical Proposal in full, after redacting personally 
identifiable information. (Note that the original, unredacted version 
of the Technical Proposal will remain part of the complete application 
package, including an applicant's proprietary and confidential 
information and any personally identifiable information.)
    Applicants are encouraged to maximize the grant application 
information that will be publicly disclosed, and to exercise restraint 
and redact only information that truly is proprietary, confidential 
commercial/business information, or capable of identifying a person. 
The redaction of entire pages or sections of the Technical Proposal is 
not appropriate, and will not be allowed, unless the entire portion 
merits such protection. Should a dispute arise about whether redactions 
are appropriate, DOL will follow the procedures outlined in the 
Department's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) regulations (29 CFR part 
70).
    Redacted information in grant applications will be protected by DOL 
from public disclosure in accordance with federal law, including the 
Trade Secrets Act (18 U.S.C. 1905), FOIA, and the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 
552a). If DOL receives a FOIA request for your application, the 
procedures in DOL's FOIA regulations for responding to requests for 
commercial/business information submitted to the government will be 
followed, as well as all FOIA exemptions and procedures. 29 CFR 70.26. 
Consequently, it is possible that application of FOIA rules may result 
in release of information in response to a FOIA request that an 
applicant redacted in its ``redacted copy.''

C. Office of Management and Budget Information Collection Requirements

    This FOA requests information from applicants and grantees. This 
collection of information is approved under OMB No. 1225-0086, 
expiration: 05/31/2019.
    Except as otherwise noted, in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995, no person is required to respond to a collection 
of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control 
number. Public reporting burden for the grant application is estimated 
to average 20 hours per response, for reviewing instructions, searching 
existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and 
completing and reviewing the collection of information. Each recipient 
who receives a grant award notice will be required to submit five 
progress reports to MSHA. MSHA estimates that each report will take 
approximately two and one-half hours to prepare.
    Send comments regarding the burden estimated or any other aspect of 
this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this 
burden, to the OMB Desk Officer for MSHA, Office of Management and 
Budget Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, the U.S. Department of Labor, 
OASAM-OCIO, Information Resources Program, Room N-1301, 200 
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20210, and MSHA, electronically 
to Janice Oates at Oates.Janice@dol.gov or by mail to Janice Oates, 5th 
floor, 201 12th Street South, Arlington, VA 22202.
    This information is being collected for the purpose of awarding a 
grant. Submission of this information is requested for the applicant to 
be considered for award of this grant.

    Authority:  30 U.S.C. 965.

Patricia W. Silvey,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Operations for Mine Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 2017-03025 Filed 2-14-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-43-P