[Federal Register: April 4, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 65)]
[Notices]
[Page 16554-16564]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04ap03-102]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
Grants for Small Faith-Based and Community-Based Non-Profit
Organizations SGA/DFA 03-105
AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration (ETA), Labor.
ACTION: Notice of availability of funds and solicitation for grant
applications (SGA). This notice contains all of the necessary
information and forms needed to apply for grant funding.
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SUMMARY: The Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S.
Department of Labor (DOL) announces the availability of $250,000 to
award grants to eligible ``grass-roots'' organizations with the ability
to connect to the local One-Stop delivery system. The term
``grassroots'' is defined under the Eligibility Criteria.
The selected grantees will be expected to achieve the following
objectives:
[sbull] Apply the grant resources to meet defined community needs
through provision of a variety of workforce services to specific
populations and/or through the provision of particular supportive
services not currently provided through the One-Stop delivery system;
[sbull] Expand the access of faith-based and community-based
organizations' clients and customers to the training, job and career
services offered by the local One-Stops;
[sbull] Thoroughly document the impact and outcomes of these grant
investments through quarterly and annual reporting; and,
[sbull] Establish methods and mechanisms to ensure sustainability
of these partnerships and participation levels beyond the life of the
grant.
DATES: Applications will be accepted commencing on April 4, 2003. The
closing date for receipt of applications under this announcement is May
9, 2003. Applications must be received by 4 p.m. (e.t.) at the address
below: no exceptions to the mailing and hand-delivery conditions set
forth in this notice will be granted. Applications that do not meet the
conditions set forth in this notice will not be honored. Telefacsimile
(FAX) applications will not be honored.
ADDRESSES: Applications must be mailed to: U.S. Department of Labor,
Employment and Training Administration, Division of Federal Assistance,
Attention: Linda Forman, SGA/DFA 03-105, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW.,
Room S-4203, Washington, DC 20210. Telefacsimile (FAX) applications
will not be accepted. Applicants are advised that mail in the
Washington area may be delayed due to mail decontamination procedures.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Forman, Grants Management
Specialist, Division of Federal Assistance, Telephone (202) 693-3301
(this is not a toll free-number). You must specifically ask for Linda
Forman.
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Questions can also be faxed to Linda Forman, Telephone (202) 693-2879,
please include the SGA/DFA 03-105, a contact name, fax and phone
numbers. This announcement will be also published on the Employment and
Training Administration (ETA) Web page at http://www.doleta.gov/usworkforce.
This Web page will also provide responses to questions
that are raised by applicants during the period of grant application
preparation. Award notifications will also be announced on this Web
page.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Part I. Delivery of Applications
1. Late Applications. 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
and it:
[sbull] Was sent by U.S. Postal Service registered or certified
mail not later than May 9, 2003; or
[sbull] Was sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail Next Day
Service, Post Office to addressee, not later than 5 p.m. at the place
of mailing two working days before May 9, 2003. The term ``working
days'' excludes weekends and U.S. Federal holidays. ``Post-marked''
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.
2. Withdrawal of Applications. Applications may be withdrawn by
written notice or telegram (including mailgram) received at any time
before an award is made. Applications may be withdrawn in person by the
applicant or by an authorized representative thereof, if the
representative's identity is made known and the representative signs a
receipt for the proposal.
3. Hand Delivered Proposals. It is preferred that applications be
mailed at least five days before the closing date. To be considered for
funding, hand-delivered applications must be received at the designated
address by 4 p.m., (e.t.) May 9, 2003. 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. Telegraphed, e-mailed
and/or faxed proposals will not be honored. Failure to adhere to the
above instructions will be a basis for determination of non-responsive.
Part II. Authorities
These grants are made under the following authorities:
[sbull] The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA or the Act) (Pub.
L. 105-220, 29 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.)
[sbull] The WIA final rule, 20 CFR parts 652, 660-671 (65 FR 49294
(August 11, 2000));
[sbull] Executive Order 13198; ``Rallying the Armies of
Compassion'';
[sbull] Training and Employment Guidance Letter 17-01
(``Incorporating and Utilizing Grassroots, Community-Based
Organizations Including Faith-Based Organizations in Workforce
Investment Activities and Programs'');
[sbull] Executive Order 13279; ``Equal Protection of the Laws for
Faith-Based and Community Organizations.''
Part III. Background
The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) established a
comprehensive reform of existing Federal job training programs with
amendments impacting service delivery under the Wagner-Peyser Act,
Adult Education and Literacy Act, and the Rehabilitation Act. A number
of other Federal programs are also identified as required partners in
the One-Stop delivery system to provide comprehensive services for all
Americans to access the information and resources available that can
help in the achievement of their career goals. The intention of the
One-Stop system is to establish a network of programs and providers in
co-located and integrated settings that are accessible for individuals
and businesses alike in approximately 600 workforce investment areas
established throughout the nation. There are currently over 1,900
comprehensive Centers and over 1,600 affiliated Centers across the
United States.
WIA established State and Local Workforce Investment Boards focused
on strategic planning, policy development, and oversight of the
workforce investment system, and accorded significant authority to the
nation's Governors and local chief elected officials to further
implement innovative and comprehensive delivery systems. The vision,
goals and objectives for workforce development under the WIA
decentralized system are fully described in the State strategic plan
required under section 112 of the legislation. This State strategic
workforce investment plan--and the operational experience gained by all
the partners to date in implementing the WIA-instituted reforms--help
identify the important ``unmet needs'' and latent opportunities to
expand access to One-Stop by all the population segments within the
local labor market.
Engagement of Faith-Based and Community Organizations Under the
Workforce Investment Act
On January 29, 2001, President George W. Bush issued Executive
Order 13198, creating the Office for Faith-Based and Community
Initiatives in the White House and centers in the departments of Labor,
Health and Human Services (HHS), Housing and Urban Development (HUD),
Education (ED), Justice (DOJ). President Bush charged the Cabinet
centers with identifying statutory, regulatory, and bureaucratic
barriers that stand in the way of effective faith-based and community
initiatives, and to ensure, consistent with the law, that these
organizations have equal opportunity to compete for federal funding and
other support.
In early 2002, the Department's Center for Faith-Based and
Community Initiatives (CFBCI) and ETA developed and issued
Solicitations for Grant Applications (SGAs) to engage intermediary and
grass-roots organizations in our workforce system-building. These
grants were designed to involve the faith-based and community-based
organizations in service delivery, strengthen their existing
partnership with the local One-Stop delivery system, while providing
additional points of entry for customers into that system.
These 2002 grants embodied the Department's principal strategy for
implementing the Executive Order by creating new avenues through which
qualified organizations can more fully participate under the Workforce
Investment Act while applying their particular strengths and assets in
service provision to our customers. These grants also proceeded from an
ETA-CFBCI mutual premise: That the involvement of community-based
organizations and faith-based organizations can both complement and
supplement the efforts of local workforce investment systems in
providing universal access and serving the training, job and career-
support needs of many of our citizens.
Both ETA and CFBCI are committed to bringing new Intermediary and
grass-roots organizations to workforce system-building through the
issuance of a new solicitation in 2003. This new solicitation draws on
``lessons learned'' in 2002 while introducing several ``promising
practices'' introduced by other ETA grantees. The new solicitation also
places significant emphasis on performance outcomes--documenting and
quantifying the additional value the Intermediary and its sub-grantees
bring to the One-Stop delivery system in the community.
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Through this competition, ETA seeks to ensure that an important
Workforce Investment Act tenet--universal access to the programs and
services offered under WIA--is further rooted in the customer-
responsive delivery systems already established by the Governors, local
elected officials and local Workforce Investment Boards. ETA also
reaffirms its continuing commitment to those customer-focused reforms
instituted by State and local governments which help Americans access
the tools they need to manage their careers through information and
high quality services, and to help U.S. companies find skilled workers.
Faith-based and community-based organizations present strong
credentials for full partnership in our mutual system-building
endeavors. Faith-based and community-based organizations are trusted
institutions within our poorest neighborhoods. Faith-based and
community-based organizations are home to a large number of volunteers
who bring not only the transformational power of personal relationships
to the provision of social service but also a sustained allegiance to
the well-being and self-sufficiency of the participants they serve.
Through their daily work and specific programs, these organizations
strive to achieve some common purposes shared with government--
reduction of welfare dependency, attainment of occupational skills,
entry and retention of all our citizens in good-paying jobs. Through
this solicitation, ETA and CFBCI strive to leverage these programs,
resources and committed staff into the workforce investment strategies
already embodied in State and local strategic plans.
Application of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the
United States Constitution
The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the United
States Constitution prohibits the government from directly funding
religious activity.* These grants may not be used for instruction in
religion or sacred literature, worship, prayer, proselytizing or other
inherently religious practices. The services provided under these
grants must be secular and non-ideological. Neutral, secular criteria
that neither favor nor disfavor religion must be employed in their
selection of sub-grantees. In addition, under the WIA and DOL
regulations implementing the Workforce Investment Act, a recipient may
not train a participant in religious activities, or permit participants
to construct, operate, or maintain any part of a facility that is
primarily used or devoted to religious instruction or worship. Under
WIA, ``no individual shall be excluded from participation in, denied
the benefits of, subjected to discrimination under, or denied
employment in the administration of or in connection with, any such
program or activity because of race, color, religion, sex (except as
otherwise permitted under Title IX of the Education Amendments of
1972), national origin, age, disability, or political affiliation or
belief.''
* The term ``direct'' funding is used to describe funds that are
provided ``directly'' by a governmental entity or an intermediate
organization with the same duties as a governmental entity, as
opposed to funds that an organization receives as the result of the
genuine and independent private choice of a beneficiary. In other
contexts, the term ``direct'' funding may be used to refer to those
funds that an organization receives directly from the Federal
government (also known as ``discretionary'' funding), as opposed to
funding that it receives from a State or local government (also
known as ``indirect'' or ``block grant'' funding). In this SGA, the
term ``direct'' has the former meaning.
Part IV. Funding Availability and Period of Performance
ETA has identified $250,000 from the FY 2002 appropriation for One-
Stop/America's Labor Market Information System. The agency expects to
award 10-12 grants. The grant amount for each grass-roots organization
is expected to range between $20,000 and $25,000. The period of
performance is one year, beginning July 1, 2003 and ending on June 30,
2004.
Part V. Eligible Applicants
For purposes of this announcement, eligible grassroots
organizations must be non-profits which:
1. Have social services as a major part of their mission;
2. Are headquartered in the local community to which they provide
these services;
3. Have a total annual operating budget of $300,000 or less, or
4. Have 6 or fewer full-time equivalent employees.
Note: For purposes of this announcement local affiliates of
national social service organizations are not considered
``grassroots'' and are not be eligible to apply.
Part VI. Government Requirements/Statement of Work
Applicants must submit one copy with an original signature and two
additional copies of their proposal. The Statement of Work must be
limited to 5 pages. The only attachments permitted will be agreements
with or letters of support from local Workforce Investment Boards and/
or local One-Stop operators. The application must be double-spaced, and
on single-sided, numbered pages. A font size of at least twelve (12)
pitch is required with one-inch margins (top, bottom and sides.)
There are three required sections:
[sbull] Section I--Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424A)
[sbull] Section II--Budget Information (SF 424B)
[sbull] Section III--Statement of Work
Section I--Application for Federal Assistance
The SF-424A is included in the announcement as Attachment A. It
must be signed by a representative authorized by the governing body of
the applicant to enter into grant agreement.
Section II--Budget Information
The SF-424B is included in the announcement as Attachment B.
Note: Except as specifically provided, DOL/ETA acceptance of a
proposal and an award of federal funds to sponsor any program(s)
does not provide a waiver of any grant requirement and/or
procedures. For example, the OMB circulars require that an entity's
procurement procedures must require that all procurement
transactions must be conducted, as practical, to provide open and
free competition. If a proposal identifies a specific entity to
provide the services, the DOL/ETA's award does not provide the
justification or basis to sole-source the procurement, i.e., avoid
competition.
Section III--Statement of Work (Not To Exceed 5 Pages)
The Statement of Work sets forth a strategic plan for the use of
awarded funds and establishes measurable goals for increasing
organizational participation in the One-Stop service delivery system to
more fully serve the clientele and members of community-based and
faith-based organizations. Below are the required elements of the
Statement of Work and the rating criteria that reviewers will use to
evaluate the proposal.
1. Organizational History and Description of Community Need (15 Points)
[sbull] Describe the structure of the applicant's organization.
Describe the history of the organization in meeting community needs
including a brief listing of services provided.
[sbull] Describe the overall community need, i.e., how will these
resources allow your organization to address a need which the One-Stop
Career Center is not fully addressing? (This description should include
coverage of population(s) to be served and the
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services to be provided. Populations could include ex-offenders,
immigrants, limited English-speaking, homeless and individuals with
disabilities. Services can include soft-skills training, pre- and post-
job placement mentoring, translation services, and job coaching. Other
populations and services can be identified.)
Rating Criteria
[sbull] Does the description reflect a clear understanding of a
community need? Does the description of need reflect an understanding
of the resources provided by the One-Stop delivery system in the
community?
2. Description of Partnerships and Linkages (20 Points)
[sbull] Please describe your plans to work as partners with the
One-Stop Delivery system to help the target population enter and
succeed in the Workforce. If you have not previously worked with the
One-Stop, please describe actions you have taken to develop the
relationships as you developed this grant. If you have worked with the
One-Stop, please describe what actions you have taken to further
develop your relationship.
[sbull] Please describe the relationships you have with other non-
profit organizations who provide similar or complementary services and
how you will leverage pre-existing relationships and partnerships to
help achieve your goals for the population you will service and how you
will avoid duplication.
Rating Criteria
[sbull] Does the narrative describe an approach and process by
which the organization will successfully partner with the One-Stop
delivery system to address the unmet need?
[sbull] Does the applicant present evidence of discussions with the
One-Stop delivery system (e.g., a signed letter from the Local Board or
other One-Stop delivery system principals)?
[sbull] Does the organization's history of collaboration with other
non-profits in the community support the conclusion that these grant
activities will be successful?
3. Presentation of Strategic Plan, Goals, and Timeline (50 Points)
[sbull] The applicant should describe the methodology for providing
services, including any training curriculum or other tools to be used.
Describe the staff/volunteer positions that will be providing services
under this grant.
[sbull] The applicant must present a timeline of major, measurable
tasks and activities to be undertaken. The timeline should include how
many people will receive services and/or participate and complete
classes detailed in the training curriculum.
[sbull] The applicant should also describe specifically measurable
outcomes and other goals, which will be achieved by these grant
activities. Measurable outcomes can include how many individuals will
enter employment or retain employment or complete an educational
certificate because they have received services provided under this
grant in conjunction with services provided by the One-Stop Career
Centers and other partners.
Rating Criteria
[sbull] Do the activities and tasks presented on the timeline
appear to be achievable with the likelihood of project success given
available resources?
[sbull] Does the applicant provide tangible outcome measures and
goals for success for both the organization and Department to gauge the
impact of the activities on meeting the community need? Do these goals
include tracking employment outcomes and/or retention outcomes for
those served?
4. Description of Measurements of Success (15 Points)
[sbull] Describe what mechanisms you will develop, in partnership
with the One-Stop delivery system, to track your success in achieving
promised goals and outcomes.
[sbull] Describe any other methods you will use for evaluating your
project's success.
Rating Criteria
[sbull] Does this applicant reflect an understanding of what it
would need to do in order to track progress and success?
Part VII. Review Process of the Evaluation Criteria
The technical review panel will make careful evaluation of
applications against the criteria. The review panel recommendations are
advisory. The ETA grant officer will fully consider the panel
recommendations and take into account geographic balance to ensure the
most advantageous award of these funds to accomplish the system-
building purposes outlined in the Summary and Statement of Work. The
grant officer may consider any information that comes to his or her
attention. The grant officer reserves the right to award without
negotiation.
Part VIII. Reporting
Grantees will be required to submit quarterly financial and
narrative progress reports. Financial reporting will be required
quarterly using the on-line electronic reporting system for the
Standard Form 269-Financial Status Report (FSR). A narrative progress
report will be required quarterly.
Part IX. Resources for the Applicant
The Department of Labor maintains a number of web-based resources
that may be of assistance to applicants. The Web page for the
Department's Center for Faith-Based & Community Initiatives (http://www.dol.gov/cfbci
) is a valuable source of background on this
initiative. America's Service Locator (www.servicelocator.org) provides
a directory of our nation's One-Stop Career Centers. The National
Association of Workforce Boards maintains a Web page (www.nawb.org/asp/wibdir.asp
), which contains contact information for the State and local
Workforce Investment boards. Applicants are encouraged to review
``Understanding the Department of Labor Solicitation for Grant
Applications and How to Write an Effective Proposal'' (http://www/dol.gov/cfbci/sgabrochure.htm
). ``Questions and Answers'' regarding
this solicitation will be posted and updated on the Web
(www.doleta.gov/usworkforce). For a basic understanding of the grants
process and basic responsibilities of receiving Federal grant support,
please see ``Guidance for Faith-Based and Community Organizations on
Partnering with the Federal Government (www.fbci.gov).
Signed in Washington, DC, this 1st day of April, 2003.
James W. Stockton,
Grant Officer.
Attachments:
Appendix A--SF-424
Appendix B--Budget Form
Appendix C--Survey of Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants
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[FR Doc. 03-8227 Filed 4-3-03; 8:45 am]
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