Employment and Training Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Department of Labor (the Department), Employment and Training Administration (ETA) announces a grant competition for national grantee funding under the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) authorized under title V of the Older Americans Act Amendments of 2000 (OAA Amendments), Pub. L. 106-501, 42 U.S.C. 3056 and implemented under 20 CFR part 641 (April 9, 2004). These projects will promote part-time work-based training opportunities in local communities for unemployed, low-income individuals who are age 55 and over, and will foster increased prospects for their economic self-sufficiency. SCSEP is the only nationwide Federal program that focuses on training and placing older individuals into community work-based training and unsubsidized employment. The total amount of funds available for this SGA is approximately $341,000,000, or 78 percent of the total appropriation for Program Year (PY) 2006 (July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007). It is anticipated that no more than 20 awards will be made under this SGA, including at least one award to an Indian and Native American organization and at least one award to an Asian Pacific Islander organization, as required by section 506(a)(3) of the OAA Amendments. Eligible entities include any non-profit organization, Federal public agency, or Tribal organization that has the ability to operate in more than one state and that meets the eligibility and responsibility requirements outlined in 20 CFR part 641 subpart D. The remaining 22 percent of the appropriation is reserved for state formula-funded programs and therefore, is not included in this SGA. The Department is holding a full and open competition in order to provide better services to SCSEP participants, employers, and the communities served by the national grant program. Open competition is not only the preferred vehicle for obtaining new grantees, but in most cases, it is the required vehicle for obtaining new grantees. The Department favors full and open competition because it provides an opportunity to ensure that the best applicants are awarded grants and that the program is administered effectively. The Department held the first competition for national grant funding in PY 2003. As a result of that competition, the Department selected four new national grantees, and made extensive changes to the areas served by the incumbent grantees. These grantees provide diversity in services, including expertise in serving individuals with disabilities and minority populations as well as close connections with One-Stop Career Centers. The Department deems it important to maintain diversity among qualified service providers to the extent possible. The Department is especially interested in organizations that demonstrate a partnership with local One-Stop Career Centers and community colleges and that promote employment through high growth job opportunities. Under this SGA, the Department will be consolidating grantee service areas to increase program effectiveness and achieve economies of scale. Therefore, applicants are required to apply for contiguous locations within a state. Applicants applying as Asian and Pacific Islander and/or Indian organizations, pursuant to section 506(a)(3) of title V of the OAA, are exempt from this contiguousness requirement. The Department reserves the right to negotiate with successful applicants on the final service areas.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration (ETA), announces the availability of competitive grant funds to provide employment and training services to Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians under section 166 of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) for Program Years (PY) 2006, and 2007 (July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2008). Competition for section 166 grants is conducted every two years, except that the Secretary may waive the requirement for such competition for current grantees that have performed satisfactorily. Through this Notice, the Department announces that the Secretary has waived competition for this solicitation for grantees that have performed satisfactorily under their current grant. (See Attachment A for a list of grantees receiving waivers.) To apply for an award of funds for PY 2006 and 2007 for their current service area, current grantees receiving a waiver of competition only need to submit a cover letter, signed by an authorized signatory, and a Standard Form (SF) 424 Application for Federal Assistance (Version 02), which will serve as the grantee's ``Notice of Intent'' (NOI) to continue providing WIA section 166 services. Submittals on https://www.grants.gov, with authorized electronic signatures, will also be accepted in place of the hard copy cover letter and SF 424. The Secretary has also waived competition for this solicitation for those grantees operating a WIA section 166 training and employment program as part of a Pub. L. 102-477 Demonstration Project, which allows federally-recognized tribes, or entities serving federally- recognized tribes, to consolidate formula-funded employment, training, and related dollars under a single service plan administered by the Department of the Interior. (See Attachment B for a list of Pub. L. 102-477 grantees.) Grantees operating a WIA section 166 grant as part of a Public Law 102-477 Demonstration Project will need to submit a cover letter, signed by an authorized signatory, and a Standard Form (SF) 424 Application for Federal Assistance (Version 02), which will serve as the grantee's ``Notice of Intent'' (NOI) to continue providing WIA section 166 services to the address provided in section IV (3) of this notice. Submittals on https://www.grants.gov, with authorized electronic signatures, will also be accepted in place of the hard copy cover letter and SF 424. Competition for funding under this solicitation is limited to the geographic areas listed in Attachment C of this SGA. Any eligible entity, including new applicants and current grant recipients serving other geographic areas, may apply for funding to serve these areas. Current grantees serving these geographic areas are subject to competition and must submit a grant application as specified in Part IV (2) in order to compete for their existing service area. Important: Organizations seeking WIA section 166 funding for this period must comply with the provisions of this SGA. Late applications from current grantees or new applicants will not be considered for those geographic service areas that are in competition (as listed in Attachment C). A list of current grantees and the geographic areas they serve can be found at: https://www.doleta.gov/dinap/cfml/CensusData.cfm. Addresses: Applications may be submitted electronically on https:// www.grants.gov or in hard-copy via mail or hand delivery. Mailed applications must be sent to: U.S. Department of Labor, ETA, Room N- 4617, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20210, Attention: James Stockton. 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. Applications submitted via facsimile (fax) machine will not be accepted. Supplementary Information: This solicitation consists of eight parts and three attachments: Part I provides the funding description and background information. Part II describes the size and nature of the anticipated awards. Part III describes eligible applicants and other grant specifications. Part IV provides information on the application and submission process. Part V describes the criteria against which applications will be reviewed and evaluated, and explains the proposal review process. Part VI provides award administration information. Part VII contains DOL agency contact information. Part VIII lists additional resources of interest to applicants. Attachment A lists grantees receiving waivers. As indicated, this list also includes grantees which will receive conditional designation with conditions to be specified by the Grant Officer and reflected in the grant award. Attachment B lists Public Law 102-477 grantees receiving waivers. Attachment C lists grantees that did not receive a waiver and areas/counties open for competition and associated funding amounts.