Department of Labor April 13, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

(Applicants For a Cooperative Agreement Should Read This Notice In Its Entirety): The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS), announces a cooperative agreement competition under 38 U.S.C. Section 2021, as added by Section 5 of Public Law 107-95, the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001 (HVCAA). Section 2021 authorizes programs to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor force. In order to assist the USDOL-VETS in carrying out 38 U.S.C. 2021, it is announcing the availability of funds for a cooperative agreement to assist in developing a National Technical Assistance Center (NTAC) for the Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP). The primary objective of the HVRP NTAC will be to provide general technical assistance on veterans' homelessness programs and issues to existing HVRP grantees (approximately 80 grantees nationwide), potential HVRP applicants, employers, Veterans Service Organizations, Federal, State, and local agency partners, non-profit organizations (including faith- based and community organizations), the general public, and other interested stakeholders. Successful applicant(s) will assist USDOL-VETS by providing general technical assistance and guidance to eligible HVRP entities relating to assistance for homeless veterans under the HVRP and related programs that assist homeless veterans. Applicants will also be responsible for developing, conducting, and documenting extensive outreach efforts to national, state, and local employers to increase their awareness of HVRP and its objectives in order to increase job opportunities for homeless veterans. Applicants will also be responsible for assisting USDOL-VETS by contacting current HVRP grantees in order to extract, document, and share at least 20 best HVRP practices with other HVRP grantees and potential applicants. Finally, applicants will assist USDOL-VETS by conducting general research and studies as determined by USDOL-VETS. Entities that are interested in assisting USDOL-VETS in providing technical assistance are to be aware that historically the HVRP annually receives thousands of nationwide inquiries via telephone, written correspondence, and e-mail concerning homeless veterans and HVRP in general. The awardee(s) will be responsible for answering 100 percent of these technical assistance inquiries. Applicants are to be aware of and assist USDOL-VETS and their grantees in implementing the HVRP objectives: (1) To provide services to assist in reintegrating homeless veterans into meaningful employment within the labor force, and (2) to stimulate the development of effective service delivery systems that will address the complex problems facing homeless veterans. Under this solicitation for cooperative agreement(s) covering Program Year (PY) 2007, VETS anticipates that up to $500,000 will be available for a cooperative agreement award(s) up to a maximum total award of $500,000. Depending on the quality and content of the applications received, USDOL-VETS expects to award one (1) to (2) cooperative agreements. This notice contains all of the necessary information and forms to apply for funding. The period of performance for this PY 2007 cooperative agreement(s) will be July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. Two (2) optional years of additional funding may be available, depending upon Congressional appropriations, the agency's decision to exercise the optional year(s) of funding, and awardee(s) satisfactory technical and financial performance.

OSHA proposes to revise the explosives and blasting agents standard in subpart H of part 1910. This revision of Sec. 1910.109 is intended to enhance the protections provided to employees engaged in the manufacture, storage, sale, transportation, handling, and use of explosives. The proposal updates and clarifies the regulatory language, addresses regulatory inconsistencies between OSHA and other Federal agencies, incorporates updated consensus standards, and provides the regulated community with greater compliance flexibility.