[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 120 (Wednesday, June 24, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30128-30138]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-14930]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009; Notice of
Availability of Funds and Solicitation for Grant Applications for State
Labor Market Information Improvement Grants
Announcement Type: Notice of Solicitation for Grant Applications.
Funding Opportunity Number: SGA/DFA PY 08-17.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 17.275.
DATES: Key Dates:
The closing date for receipt of applications under this
announcement is August 14, 2009. Applications must be received no later
than 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) or submitted electronically by the deadline
and in accordance with the instructions in Section IV.C. of this
Solicitation for Grant Applications (SGA). A pre-recorded Webinar will
be online (http://www.workforce3one.org) and accessible for viewing on
July 10, 2009 by 3 p.m. ET, and will be available for viewing anytime
after that date. While a review of this webinar is encouraged it is not
mandatory that you view this recording.
ADDRESSES: Mailed applications must be addressed to the U.S. Department
of Labor, Employment & Training Administration, Division of Federal
Assistance, Attention: Willie Harris, Grants Officer, Reference SGA/DFA
PY-08-17, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room N4716, Washington, DC
20210. For complete ``Application and Submission Information,'' please
refer to Section IV.
SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL or the Department), Employment
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and Training Administration (ETA) announces the availability of
approximately $50 million in grant funds authorized by the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the Recovery Act), Public Law
111-5, 123 Stat. 115, Division A, Title VIII, for the Workforce
Agencies of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and U.S.
Territories, or a consortium of such agencies, to collect, analyze, and
disseminate labor market information, and to enhance the labor exchange
infrastructure for careers within the energy efficiency and renewable
energy industries described in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Part B of
this SGA. The eligible applicant for this grant solicitation is the
State Workforce Agency, as States are expected to use workforce and
labor market information and data as the foundation on which to build
and implement effective workforce development strategies. This SGA
encourages collaborative approaches, whereby multiple States apply as a
consortium to conduct research that may potentially have a multi-State
or national impact (please see Section III.A. for detailed eligibility
information). ETA intends to fund individual State grants ranging from
approximately $750,000 to $1,250,000. Individual grant awards to
consortium applicants will range from $2 to $4 million, contingent upon
an adequate justification of proposed project needs and the
availability of resources.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Recovery Act: Competitive Grants for Green Job Training
This section of the SGA provides general background on the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), the competitive
grants funded through the Recovery Act to prepare workers for careers
in the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries, and the
occupations and industries on which these grants should focus. On
February 17, 2009, President Barack Obama signed into law the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) through which
Congress intended to preserve and create jobs, promote the nation's
economic recovery, and assist those most impacted by the recession.
Among other funding directed toward the Department of Labor, the
Recovery Act provides $750 million for a program of competitive grants
for worker training and placement in high growth and emerging
industries. Of the $750 million allotted for competitive grants, the
Recovery Act designates $500 million for projects that prepare workers
for careers in the energy efficiency and renewable energy sectors
described in Section 171(e)(1)(B) of the Workforce Investment Act
(WIA). DOL intends to use a portion of the $500 million for providing
technical assistance for this program of grants.
The purpose of these grants, which fund both green job training and
research projects, is to teach workers the skills required in these
emerging energy efficiency and renewable energy sectors. These efforts
will lead program participants to job placement while leveraging other
Recovery Act investments intended to create jobs and promote economic
growth. This specific SGA focuses on collecting, analyzing, and
disseminating labor market information and developing a labor exchange
infrastructure, while other grants in this series focus on training and
related activities. For additional information about the series of
competitive grants for green job training and research projects, please
refer to Training and Employment Notice (TEN) 44-08 available at http://www.doleta.gov/Recovery/legislation.cfm.
B. Green Industries and Occupations
Through this series of grants, the Department will fund workforce
development research and training projects that will help connect
target populations, including auto and auto-related industry workers
affected by significant automotive-related restructurings, to career
pathways in green industries. Grantees will implement research and
training programs that will help prepare individuals for careers in any
of the seven energy efficiency and renewable energy industries defined
in Section 171(e)(1)(B)(ii) of the WIA, which include:
The energy-efficient building, construction, and retrofit
industries;
The renewable electric power industry;
The energy efficient and advanced drive train vehicle
industry;
The biofuels industry;
The deconstruction and materials use industries;
The energy efficiency assessment industry serving
residential, commercial, or industrial sectors; and
Manufacturers that produce sustainable products using
environmentally sustainable processes and materials.
Additionally, the Department is interested in applicants
contributing to our understanding of green industries and jobs that
clean and enhance our environment. Initial research supported by the
Department of Labor shows that there are ``growth, enhanced and
emerging'' green occupations across a number of industries. Applicants
may propose strategies that focus on training or labor market
information and exchange related to those occupations from among the
following industries: transportation; green construction; environmental
protection; sustainable agriculture including healthy food production;
forestry; and recycling and waste reduction (see O*NET report at http://www.onetcenter.org/reports/Green.html). The Department will consider
proposals that focus on these occupations within these industries if
applicants can offer supporting data demonstrating these are emerging
industries which are producing jobs in their communities.
For the purpose of these SGAs, the Department defines energy
efficiency and renewable energy as follows. Section 203(b)(2) of the
Energy Policy Act of 2005, Public Law 109-58, 119 Stat. 595, defines
``renewable energy'' as ``electric energy generated from solar, wind,
biomass, landfill gas, ocean (including tidal, wave, current, and
thermal), geothermal, municipal solid waste, or new hydroelectric
generation capacity achieved from increased efficiency or additions of
new capacity at an existing hydroelectric project.'' ``Energy
efficiency'' can be broadly defined as programs aimed at mitigating the
use of energy, reducing harmful emissions, and decreasing overall
energy consumption.
The Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is
working to develop a definition for green sectors and jobs, which will
be used to ensure that workforce development efforts identify and
target these green jobs and their training needs. The Department has
also supported occupational research that begins to define green jobs,
review sectors impacted by green investments, and understand how new
green technology and materials will affect occupational requirements.
The Occupational Information Network (O*NET) project has drafted a
research paper titled, Greening of the World of Work: Implications for
O*NET-SOC and New and Emerging Occupations. This study reflects three
general categories of occupations, based on different consequences of
green economy activities and technologies: (1) Existing occupations
expected to experience primarily an increase in employment demand; (2)
existing occupations with significant change to the work and worker
requirements; and (3) new and emerging green occupations. This research
may be used as a starting point
[[Page 30130]]
for identifying green industries and occupations and informing the
development of training and job placement programs. For a copy of the
O*NET report and a listing of the identified occupations go to http://www.onetcenter.org/reports/Green.html
C. Working With Other Recovery Act Programs
The Recovery Act made funds available to a number of other federal
programs that will impact the creation and expansion of green jobs. DOL
is partnering with other federal agencies to support the creation of
jobs by developing a pipeline of skilled workers in the energy
efficiency and renewable energy industries. Where possible, ETA
encourages applicants to connect their workforce development strategies
to other Recovery Act funded projects that create jobs or impact the
skill requirements of existing jobs. ETA recommends that applicants
review other parts of the Recovery Act, with a focus on the activities
funded through the Department of Energy (Energy), the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD), the Department of Transportation (DOT), the
Department of Education (Education) and others. For additional
resources and information about our federal partners, please see
Section VIII, ``Additional Resources of Interest to Applicants.''
I. Funding Opportunity Description
A. Overview
The Department is making available approximately $50 million in
grant funds authorized by the Recovery Act for State Workforce
Agencies, or a consortium of such agencies, to collect, analyze, and
disseminate labor market information, and to enhance the labor exchange
infrastructure for careers within the energy efficiency and renewable
energy industries as defined in the Supplementary Information: Part B
of this SGA. Individual grant awards to single State applicants will
range from $750,000 to $1,250,000. Individual grant awards to
consortium applicants will range from $2 to $4 million, contingent upon
adequate justification of proposed project needs and the availability
of resources (see Section III.A. for information on eligible
applicants). Within the funding ranges specified above, applicants are
encouraged to submit proposals for quality projects at whatever funding
level is appropriate to the project.
As articulated in Section V of this SGA addressing application
review criteria, the Department is seeking proposals for research and
analysis of labor market data to assess economic activity in energy
efficiency and renewable energy industries and identify occupations
within those industries, as outlined in the Supplementary Information:
Part B of this SGA.
The Recovery Act will stimulate the creation of green jobs through
investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and other areas.
One goal of the Department is to obtain employment estimates of the
number and skill characteristics of current and future (projected) jobs
in the green economy. The Department also is interested in assessing
the extent to which new green jobs are being created as a result of
Recovery Act investments, as well as investments from State and local
governments, the private sector, and community organizations in green
technologies and methods.
ETA is working with BLS to explore approaches to define and measure
green jobs, including how surveys might be designed to evaluate the
extent of green economic activity in businesses and industries, and
identify the specific occupations of the employees who are doing such
work. The Department intends for the labor market research efforts
funded under this SGA to be coordinated with BLS activities, to the
extent that such information is available within the grant timeframes,
in order to promote consistent and comparable data across States on
green employment impacts. Furthermore, these data collection activities
must either conform to technical standards and methodologies
established by BLS, or provide a sound rationale for the use of an
alternative methodology.
BLS is currently developing methods to identify green industries
and occupations. These definitions will be based on, and consistent
with, the frameworks used in the North American Industry Classification
System (NAICS), the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system,
or the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) system (based on SOC),
with additional details or new specializations identified as needed.
Data collection activities proposed by applicants should be consistent
with these classification frameworks. As applicants examine existing
classifications of energy efficiency and renewable energy industry
occupations, they will identify more specific industries or occupations
for separate identification.
Applicants should reference the activities underway at BLS and the
list of new and emerging occupations in the O*NET study as a starting
point for data collection research on new green occupations. For a copy
of the O*NET report and a listing of the identified occupations go to
http://www.onetcenter.org/reports/Green.html.
In addition to this O*NET occupational information, ETA also
supports the development and dissemination of industry competency
models, available through the Competency Model Clearinghouse Web site
within CareerOneStop.org (http://www.careeronestop.org/CompetencyModel/default.aspx). Some of these industry competency models, such as
Residential Construction, and Energy, already contain certain green
competency components that may be useful as a starting point or
supplement for further development or customization for a State or
regional economy.
Funds are being made available to provide education and job
training to prepare workers for green jobs through separate DOL grant
solicitations and WIA funding provided by the Recovery Act. To
facilitate the placement of workers in these jobs, the Department is
seeking information on current and expected employment numbers,
research to identify the skill and competency requirements of newly
created jobs, as well as the identification of changing skill needs of
existing occupations that will require proficiency with new green
technologies and materials. One key goal is to ensure that the training
efforts being funded through the public workforce investment system
provide workers with the training that will be in demand for green
jobs, and to ensure that a supply of trained workers will be available
to fill the openings posted by businesses that will be hiring as a
result of Recovery Act investments.
B. Strategies and Approaches
Applicants must propose strategies and approaches in the following
focus areas:
1. Data Collection and Estimation Activities Related to Green
Industries, Occupations, and Skill Requirements
Applicants will propose effective methods for estimating the impact
on industry and occupational employment resulting from implementation
of green technologies, particularly as related to projects funded by,
but not limited to, Recovery Act investments. Successful applicants
will conduct labor market research to assess and develop estimates of
employment (organized by industry and/or occupation) and labor market
data indicating green job skills
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requirements and occupational characteristics. Such information must be
developed for both State and, where feasible, sub-State regions, as
well as multi-State regions. In addition, research or tools with
potential national impact may be developed through collaborative
approaches whereby multiple States apply as a consortium. This focus
area is explicitly evaluated in Sections V.A.4.i. of this SGA.
2. Data Dissemination Activities
Applicants will disseminate the research and data produced through
these projects and include outreach strategies to inform the public
workforce system; educational institutions; community and faith-based
organizations that offer workers training, employment, and support
services; job seekers; students; labor, business, and industry
organizations; and economic development agencies of the occupational
skills and growing needs of the energy efficiency and renewable energy
industries. This research and data may ultimately be used by these
groups and organizations for the purpose of establishing career
pathways for green occupations. Publication of data or estimates may be
through multiple modes, such as a press release, hardcopy report, PDF
document, or Internet Web sites. Information may be provided in
different formats for different target audiences. In addition to
technical information, the Department strongly encourages the inclusion
of career information, competency models, and guidance for job-seekers.
Applicants must ensure that dissemination strategies comply with the
accessibility requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
Amendments of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 794), to ensure information is available
to individuals with disabilities. Applicants should also be aware of
ETA's Intellectual Property Rights included in Section IV.E. of this
SGA. This focus area is explicitly evaluated in Section V.A.4.ii. of
this SGA.
3. Related Research Activities
In addition to generating economic data, applicants may propose
additional research that provides insight into the State regulatory
environment, an understanding of current programs of study and related
credentials, and an identification of capital investments in green
industries. Projects may include the following State-specific summaries
that may be used to inform strategic decision-making by project
partners:
i. State-specific summaries of Green Job statutes and regulations;
ii. State-specific summaries of educational resources including
post-secondary and higher educational institutions' courses and
programs leading to industry-recognized credentials, certifications, or
degrees;
iii. State-specific summaries of linkages between identified
occupations and related training courses or programs that prepare
workers with the skills and competencies required in the occupations;
iv. Identification of projects and their employment and skill needs
that are resulting from Recovery Act or other public or private capital
investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, or related efforts
(such as weatherization, building retrofit, mass transit
infrastructure) that will likely generate green jobs in the State or
region;
v. Estimated supply of human capital, including data on workforce
demographics, educational attainment levels and existing skills, labor
surpluses or shortages of a skilled workforce; and
vi. Development of labor market information tools or systems to
estimate or project employment and skill needs at State or sub-State
levels, or for defined economic regions.
This focus area is explicitly evaluated in Section V.A.4.iii. of
this SGA.
4. Labor Exchange Activities
Applicants will include strategies for posting job openings to
online job banks that will be highlighted for easy recognition as green
jobs by job seekers. These openings may include jobs created through
public or private investments in green and clean technology, as well as
jobs created through funding from Energy, HUD, DOT, EPA, and other
Recovery Act investments as appropriate. Tracking or data mining of
such posted jobs can also be one of the methods used to assess
employment activity in these industries. DOL is looking for online
tools and other approaches that will encourage local residents to
prepare for and apply for jobs being created in their local area. This
focus area is explicitly evaluated in Section V.A.4.iv. of this SGA.
II. Award Information
A. Award Amount
The Department is making available approximately $50 million to
fund these grants. Individual grant awards to single State applicants
will range from $750,000 to $1,250,000. Individual grant awards to
consortium applicants will range from $2 to $4 million, contingent upon
an adequate justification of proposed project needs and the
availability of resources (see Section III for information on eligible
applicants). Within the funding ranges specified above, applicants are
encouraged to submit budgets for quality projects at whatever funding
level is appropriate to the project.
B. Period of Performance
The period of grant performance will be up to 18 months from the
date of execution of the grant documents. This performance period
includes all necessary implementation and start-up activities.
Applicants should plan to fully expend grant funds and submit all
reports during the period of performance, while ensuring full
transparency and accountability for all expenditures.
III. Eligibility Information
A. Eligible Applicants
The eligible applicant for this grant solicitation is the State
Workforce Agency, as States are expected to use workforce and labor
market information and data as the foundation on which to build and
implement effective workforce development strategies. Each State
Workforce Agency is encouraged to submit an application under this
competitive program as either a single State or as a partner with a
consortium of States. States may only submit one application as a
single state. Individual State applications will focus on research and
other eligible activities within that State. ETA also encourages
collaborative approaches, whereby multiple States apply as a consortium
to conduct research that may potentially have a regional, multi-State,
or national impact.
Applicants must clearly indicate in the required grant abstract if
they are applying as an individual State or as a consortium. Consortium
applications must identify each participating State and designate a
lead State as the applicant that will have the overall responsibility
for administering the grant. The consortium lead State will coordinate
reporting activities and must serve as the fiscal agent. Consortium
applications will not count against the ``single application'' per
State limit for the partnering States, provided that the consortium
proposal includes original strategies and is not duplicative of the
strategies or deliverables included in the participating States'
individual applications. For the purposes of this SGA, the term
``State'' means each of the 50 States of the United States, the
District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. For the purposes of this
SGA, the term ``U.S. territories'' includes the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, as well
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as the following outlying areas: the United States Virgin Islands,
Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands,
the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of
Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.
B. Cost Sharing
Cost sharing or matching funds are not required as a condition for
application, but leveraged resources are strongly encouraged.
C. Eligibility Requirements
1. Strategic Partnerships
All applicants must demonstrate that the proposed project will be
implemented through a robust strategic partnership that includes:
i. State Labor Market Information and Research entities, which will
conduct the research activities discussed in Section I of this SGA.
Applicants may propose that data collection and research activities be
carried out by other appropriate research organizations such as
colleges and universities, working in consultation with the Statewide
workforce information entity regarding DOL methods and classification
guidelines;
ii. The State Workforce Investment Board, which will partner to
ensure that research and data developed by the grant inform planning
for training efforts funded through the public workforce investment
system; and
iii. Applicants may include additional partners such as employers,
industry-related organizations, trade associations, labor
organizations, labor-management organizations, colleges and
universities, research labs and centers, or community and faith-based
organizations with experience in the energy efficiency and renewable
energy industries identified in the Supplementary Information: Part B
of this SGA . These eligible partners may be included in an application
to provide information and a user perspective, consulting with
researchers on green jobs and skills, advising on what information is
needed or would be useful for their purposes, as well as advising on
presentation formats that would be useful to the organization or its
constituency in providing training and placement services related to
green jobs.
D. Other Grant Specifications
1. Grantee Training
Grantees are required to participate in all DOL/ETA training
activities related to orientation, financial management and reporting,
performance reporting, product dissemination, and other technical
assistance training as appropriate during the life of the grant. These
trainings may occur via conference call, webinar, and in-person
meetings. For budgeting purposes, Grant recipients should allocate
adequate staff time and travel resources to ensure participation at a
two-day in-person event.
IV. Application and Submission Information
A. How to Obtain An Application Package
This SGA contains all of the information and links to forms needed
to apply for grant funding.
B. Content and Form of Application Submission
The proposal will consist of three separate and distinct parts--(I)
a cost proposal, (II) a technical proposal, and (III) attachments to
the technical proposal. Applications that fail to adhere to the
instructions in this section will be considered non-responsive and will
not be considered. Please note that it is the applicant's
responsibility to ensure that the funding amount requested is
consistent across all parts and sub-parts of the application.
Part I. The Cost Proposal. The Cost Proposal must include the
following four items:
The Standard Form (SF) 424, ``Application for Federal
Assistance'' (available at http://www07.grants.gov/agencies/forms_repository_information.jsp and http://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm). The SF 424 must clearly identify the applicant and be
signed by an individual with authority to enter into a grant agreement.
Upon confirmation of an award, the individual signing the SF 424 on
behalf of the applicant shall be considered the authorized
representative of the applicant.
Applicants must supply their D-U-N-S[supreg] Number on the
SF 424. All applicants for Federal grant and funding opportunities are
required to have a D-U-N-S[supreg] Number (Data Universal Numbering
System). See Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Notice of Final
Policy Issuance, 68 FR 38402, and June 27, 2003. The D-U-N-S[supreg]
Number is a non-indicative, nine-digit number assigned to each business
location in the D&B database having a unique, separate, and distinct
operation, and is maintained solely by D&B. The D-U-N-S[supreg] Number
is used by industries and organizations around the world as a global
standard for business identification and tracking. If you do not have a
D-U-N-S[supreg] Number, you can get one for free through the SBS site:
http://smallbusiness.dnb.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Glossary?fLink=glossary&footerflag=y&storeId=10001&indicator=7.
The SF 424A Budget Information Form (available at http://www07.grants.gov/agencies/forms_repository_information.jsp and http://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm). In preparing the Budget
Information Form, the applicant must provide a concise narrative
explanation to support the budget request, explained in detail below.
Budget Narrative: The budget narrative must provide a
description of costs associated with each line item on the SF-424A. It
should also include leveraged resources provided to support grant
activities. In addition, the applicant should address precisely how the
administrative costs support the project goals. The entire Federal
grant amount requested should be included on both the SF 424 and SF
424A (not just one year). No leveraged resources should be shown on the
SF 424 and SF 424A. Please note that applicants that fail to provide a
SF 424, SF 424A, a Dun and Bradstreet number, and a budget narrative
will be removed from consideration prior to the technical review
process.
Applicants are also encouraged, but not required, to
submit OMB Survey N. 1890-0014: Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity
for Applicants, which can be found under the Grants.gov, Tips and
Resources From Grantors, Department of Labor section at http://www07.grants.gov/applicants/tips_resources_from_grantors.jsp#13
(also referred to as Faith Based EEO Survey PDF Form).
Part II. The Technical Proposal. The Technical Proposal will
demonstrate the applicant's capability to implement the grant project
in accordance with the provisions of this solicitation. The guidelines
for the content of the Technical Proposal are provided in Part V.A of
this SGA. The Technical Proposal is limited to 15 double-spaced single-
sided pages with 12-point text font and 1-inch margins. Any materials
beyond the 15-page limit will not be read. Applicants should number the
Technical Proposal beginning with page number 1. Applicants that do not
provide Part II the Technical Proposal of the application will be
removed from consideration prior to the technical review process.
Part III. Attachments to the Technical Proposal. In addition to the
15-page Technical Proposal, the applicant must submit an Abstract, not
to exceed one
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page, summarizing the proposed project including applicant name,
project title, a description of the area to be served, and the funding
level requested. Consortium applications must also clearly specify the
lead State and identify each State that is participating in the
project. The abstract will not count against the 15-page limit for the
Technical Proposal. Additional materials such as resumes, general
letters of support, or letters of commitment are not permitted and will
not be read.
Applications may be submitted electronically on Grants.gov or in
hardcopy via mail or hand delivery. These processes are described in
further detail in Section IV.C. Applicants submitting proposals in
hardcopy must submit an original signed application (including the SF
424) and one (1) ``copy-ready'' version free of bindings, staples or
protruding tabs to ease in the reproduction of the proposal by DOL.
Applicants submitting proposals in hardcopy are also required to
provide an identical electronic copy of the proposal on compact disc
(CD).
C. Submission Process, Date, Times, and Addresses
The closing date for receipt of applications under this
announcement is August 14, 2009. As described below, applications must
be received at the address below no later than 4 p.m. (Eastern Time).
Applications sent by e-mail, telegram, or facsimile (FAX) will not be
accepted. Applications that do not meet the conditions set forth in
this notice will not be considered. No exceptions to the mailing and
delivery requirements set forth in this notice will be granted.
Mailed applications must be addressed to the U.S. Department of
Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Division of Federal
Assistance, Attention: Willie Harris, Grant Officer, Reference SGA/DFA,
PY 08-17, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room N4716, Washington, DC
20210. Applicants are advised that mail delivery in the Washington area
may be delayed due to mail decontamination procedures. Hand-delivered
proposals will be received at the above address. All professional
overnight deliveries must be considered to be hand-delivered and must
be received at the designated place by the specified closing date and
time.
Applicants may apply online through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov), however, due to the expected increase in system
activity resulting from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
2009, applicants are encouraged to use an alternate method to submit
grant applications during this heightened period of demand. While not
mandatory, DOL encourages the submission of applications thru
professional overnight delivery service.
Applications that are submitted thru Grants.gov must be
successfully submitted at http://www.grants.gov no later than 4 p.m.
(Eastern Time) on August 14, 2009, and then subsequently validated by
Grants.gov. The submission and validation process is described in more
detail below. The process can be complicated and time-consuming.
Applicants are strongly advised to initiate the process as soon as
possible and to plan for time to resolve technical problems if
necessary.
The Department strongly recommends that before the applicant begins
to write the proposal, applicants should immediately initiate and
complete the ``Get Registered'' registration steps at http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp. These steps may take
multiple days or weeks to complete, and this time should be factored
into plans for electronic submission in order to avoid unexpected
delays that could result in the rejection of an application. It is
strongly recommends that applicants use the ``Organization Registration
Checklist'' at http://www.grants.gov/assets/Organization_Steps_Complete_Registration.pdf to ensure the registration process is
complete.
Within two business days of application submission, Grants.gov will
send the applicant two e-mail messages to provide the status of
application progress through the system. The first e-mail, almost
immediate, will confirm receipt of the application by Grants.gov. The
second e-mail will indicate the application has either been
successfully validated or has been rejected due to errors. Only
applications that have been successfully submitted and successfully
validated will be considered. It is the sole responsibility of the
applicant to ensure a timely submission, therefore sufficient time
should be allotted for submission (two business days), and if
applicable, subsequent time to address errors and receive validation
upon resubmission (an additional two business days for each ensuing
submission). It is important to note that if sufficient time is not
allotted and a rejection notice is received after the due date and
time, the application will not be considered.
To ensure consideration, the components of the application must be
saved as either .doc, .xls or .pdf files. If submitted in any other
format, the applicant bears the risk that compatibility or other issues
will prevent our ability to consider the application. ETA will attempt
to open the document but will not take any additional measures in the
event of issues with opening. In such cases, the non-conforming
application will not be considered for funding.
Applicants are strongly advised to utilize the plethora of tools
and documents, including FAQs, which are available on the ``Applicant
Resources'' page at http://www.grants.gov/applicants/app_help_reso.jsp#faqs. To receive updated information about critical issues,
new tips for users and other time sensitive updates as information is
available, applicants may subscribe to ``Grants.gov Updates'' at http://www.grants.gov/applicants/email_subscription_signup.jsp.
If applicants encounter a problem with Grants.gov and do not find
an answer in any of the other resources, call 1-800-518-4726 to speak
to a Customer Support Representative or e-mail ``[email protected]''.
Late Applications: For applications submitted on Grants.gov, only
applications that have been successfully submitted no later 4 p.m.
(Eastern Time) on the closing date and later successfully validated
will be considered. Applicants take a significant risk by waiting until
the last day to submit by grants.gov. Any application received after
the exact date and time specified for receipt at the office designated
in this notice will not be considered, unless it is received before
awards are made, it was properly addressed, and it was: (a) Sent by
U.S. Postal Service mail, postmarked not later than the fifth calendar
day before the date specified for receipt of applications (e.g., an
application required to be received by the 20th of the month must be
postmarked by the 15th of that month); or (b) sent by professional
overnight delivery service to the addressee not later than one working
day prior to the date specified for receipt of applications.
``Postmarked'' means a printed, stamped or otherwise placed impression
(exclusive of a postage meter machine impression) that is readily
identifiable, without further action, as having been supplied or
affixed on the date of mailing by an employee of the U.S. Postal
Service. Therefore, applicants should request the postal clerk to place
a legible hand cancellation ``bull's eye'' postmark on both the receipt
and the package. Applicants that do not adhere to the above
instructions will be deemed non-responsive. Evidence of timely
submission by a professional overnight delivery service must be
demonstrated
[[Page 30134]]
by equally reliable evidence created by the delivery service provider
indicating the time and place of receipt.
D. Intergovernmental Review
This funding opportunity is not subject to Executive Order 12372,
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''
E. Funding Restrictions
Determinations of allowable costs will be made in accordance with
the applicable Federal cost principles. Disallowed costs are those
charges to a grant that the grantor agency or its representative
determines not to be allowed in accordance with the applicable Federal
cost principles or other conditions contained in the grant. Successful
and unsuccessful applicants will not be entitled to reimbursement of
pre-award costs.
1. Indirect Costs
As specified in OMB Circular Cost Principles, indirect costs are
those that have been incurred for common or joint objectives and cannot
be readily identified with a particular final cost objective. In order
to use grant funds for indirect costs incurred, the applicant must
obtain an Indirect Cost Rate Agreement with its Federal cognizant
agency either before or shortly after grant award. State agencies
should already have such agreements in place.
2. Administrative Costs
Under this SGA, an entity that receives a grant to carry out a
project or program may not use more than 10 percent of the amount of
the grant to pay administrative costs associated with the program or
project. Administrative costs could be direct or indirect costs, and
are defined at 20 CFR 667.220. Administrative costs do not need to be
identified separately from program costs on the SF 424A Budget
Information Form. They should be discussed in the budget narrative and
tracked through the grantee's accounting system. To claim any
administrative costs that are also indirect costs, the applicant must
obtain an Indirect Cost Rate Agreement from its Federal cognizant
agency.
3. Salary and Bonus Limitations
Under Public Law 109-234 and Public Law 111-8, Section 111, none of
the funds appropriated in Public Law 111-5 or prior Acts under the
heading ``Employment and Training'' that are available for expenditure
on or after June 15, 2006, shall be used by a recipient or sub-
recipient of such funds to pay the salary and bonuses of an individual,
either as direct costs or indirect costs, at a rate in excess of
Executive Level II. These limitations also apply to grants funded under
this SGA. The salary and bonus limitation does not apply to vendors
providing goods and services as defined in OMB Circular A-133. See
Training and Employment Guidance Letter number 5-06 for further
clarification: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2262.
4. Intellectual Property Rights
The Federal Government reserves a paid-up, nonexclusive and
irrevocable license to reproduce, publish or otherwise use, and to
authorize others to use for Federal purposes: (i) The copyright in all
products developed under the grant, including a subgrant or contract
under the grant or subgrant; and (ii) any rights of copyright to which
the grantee, subgrantee or a contractor purchases ownership under an
award (including but not limited to curricula, training models,
technical assistance products, and any related materials). Such uses
include, but are not limited to, the right to modify and distribute
such products worldwide by any means, electronically or otherwise.
Federal funds may not be used to pay any royalty or licensing fee
associated with such copyrighted material, although they may be used to
pay costs for obtaining a copy which are limited to the developer/
seller costs of copying and shipping. If revenues are generated through
selling products developed with grant funds, including intellectual
property, these revenues are program income. Program income is added to
the grant and must be expended for allowable grant activities.
If applicable, the following Statement must be included on all
products developed in whole or in part with grant funds:
This workforce solution was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S.
Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The
solution was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect
the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The
Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances
of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information,
including any information on linked sites and including, but not
limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness,
timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or
ownership. This solution is copyrighted by the institution that
created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by
an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other
uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.
F. Other Submission Requirements
Withdrawal of Applications: Applications may be withdrawn by
written notice at any time before an award is made.
V. Application Review Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Criterion Points
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1: Statement of Need....................................... 15
2: Strategic Partnership and Organizational Capacity....... 15
3: Strategy and Project Work Plan.......................... 35
4: Deliverables............................................ 35
------------
Total Points........................................... = 100
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. Evaluation Criteria
Applicants will be evaluated on the completeness and quality of
their submissions. A total of 100 points may be awarded under the
criteria articulated below. The following review criteria apply to all
applications:
1. Statement of Need (15 points)
Applicants must fully demonstrate a clear and specific need for the
Federal investment in the proposed activities. Given the rapidly
changing economic environments that many States and regions are
currently facing, applicants should be as explicit and specific as
possible in describing the need for specific sources of data and
analysis. Points for this section will be awarded based on the
following factors:
i. The applicant provides a description of the need for Federal
funding of the proposed project by describing the need for labor market
research in the targeted industries, as well as the role of the
targeted industries in the State or regional economy (10 points).
ii. The applicant provides a description of the specific energy
efficiency and renewable energy industries and occupations within those
industries, and/or green occupations within the detailed list of
industries provided in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Part B of this
SGA, on which their proposed labor market research program will focus
(5 points).
2. Strategic Partnerships and Organizational Capacity (15 points)
The applicant must demonstrate its capacity to implement the
proposed project and the project's management structure as either a
single State or consortium proposal. Scoring on this criterion will be
based on the following factors:
i. Applicants must provide a comprehensive list of the strategic
partners that will be included in the
[[Page 30135]]
project. A complete list will include the entities conducting the
research and partners who will be consulted to make sure the data and
deliverables will meet their information needs (3 points).
The State Workforce Agency as the project lead. Consortium
applicants must list all cooperating States and designate the State
that will serve as the project lead;
State Labor Market Information and Research entities, will
conduct the research activities discussed in Section I of this SGA.
Applicants may propose that data collection and research activities be
carried out by other appropriate research organizations such as
colleges and universities, working in consultation with the Statewide
workforce information entity regarding DOL methods and classification
guidelines;
The State Workforce Investment Board, will ensure that the
research and data results are used to plan green job training efforts
being funded through the public workforce investment system; and
Applicants may include additional partners such as
employers, industry-related organizations, trade associations, labor
organizations, labor-management organizations, colleges and
universities, research labs and centers, or community-based
organizations with experience in the energy efficiency and renewable
energy industries identified in Section I of this SGA. These eligible
partners may be included in an application to provide information and a
user perspective, consulting with researchers on green jobs and skills,
advising on what information is needed or would be useful for their
purposes, as well as advising on presentation formats that would be
useful to the organization or its constituency in providing training
and placement services related to green jobs.
ii. In order to prioritize regional approaches, five points
automatically will be awarded to Consortium applicants only. Single
State applicants are not eligible to receive these points. (5 points)
iii. Applicants must provide a complete description of the
respective roles of the partners and the strengths of the partnership
(3 points)
Describe the substantive role each of the partners will
play in the project. Consortium applicants must describe the
substantive contribution of each cooperating State; and
Describe the extent of collaboration that already exists
among the partners, or the steps that partners will take to develop a
strong collaboration.
iv. Applicants shall provide a complete description of the
organization's capacity to implement the project, its track record in
projects similar to the proposed solution, and related activities of
the primary partners (4 points).
3. Strategy and Project Work Plan (35 points)
The applicant must describe the proposed strategy in full,
including a complete description of the research, data collection,
estimation, and dissemination components, as well as any evidence-based
research or methods that they considered in designing the strategy.
Applicants must also discuss how the project will address the Statement
of Need, as well as how the proposed approach draws on sound research
methods, practices, and tools. Scoring for this criterion will be based
on the following factors:
i. A complete description of the specific methods, approaches, or
tools that the project will use to collect and validate labor market
data in a timely and accurate manner (15 points).
Data collection activities must either conform to
technical standards and methodologies established by BLS, or provide a
sound rationale for the use of an alternative methodology.
Data collection activities on industries or occupations
should be consistent with the frameworks used in the North American
Industry Classification System (NAICS), SOC systems, or O*NET system
(based on SOC), with specialized occupations identified as needed.
Applicants that use alternative standards and methodologies must
describe these approaches and demonstrate why existing tools are not
sufficient to meet the proposed needs.
Information technology systems or applications developed
with grant funds must adhere to industry-standard, open architecture
principles with documentation and software made available for use by
other organizations for Federal government purposes.
ii. Address how the proposal will meet the needs identified in the
Statement of Need (10 points)
Demonstrate that the proposed information collected will
support identification of training needs for workers and planning for
education and training program offerings, including needed credentials
or apprenticeship programs; and
Demonstrate that the proposed information collection will
identify the specific skill needs of employers in the areas in which
the project is focusing, and how the information will support economic
development and planning in a State, a consortium of States, or have
national impact.
iii. Provide a comprehensive implementation and dissemination plan
with specific goals, objectives, activities, and feasible timelines (10
points)
4. Deliverables (35 points)
The applicant must specify the labor market research and data
collection activities that will be developed, identifying the specific
deliverables that will be produced and the dissemination strategies and
documentation methods that will be used. Applicants are strongly
encouraged to include: research or direct data collection activities;
research information and data packaged in the form of a report,
presentation, or other appropriate format; systems or tools for
multiple users such as software applications to automate the collection
or processing of data, to project employment or skill demands, or to
develop estimates based on data mining of job banks or other resources;
and dissemination strategies to serve the populations and needs
outlined in this SGA. These strategies should provide information about
the number, type, and location of green jobs; the appropriate training
for such jobs; and facilitate placement of workers in green jobs.
Scoring on this criterion will be based on the following factors:
i. Applicant provides a thorough description of the labor market
research to be conducted and the deliverables to be produced, such as
estimates of employment by industry and/or occupation, labor market
characteristics of occupations or labor force participants, and
competency requirements information which may include, but are not
limited to the following (10 points):
Current employment estimates;
Identification and analysis of job openings;
Identification of wages and benefits;
Identification of the energy efficiency and renewable
energy businesses and/or green occupations within the detailed list of
industries provided in the Supplementary Information: Part B of this
SGA;
Short-term and/or long-term industry and occupational
projections of future employment needs;
Skill or competency requirements of industries or
occupations in energy efficiency and renewable energy businesses and/or
green occupations within the detailed list of industries provided in
the Supplementary Information: Part B of this SGA;
Demographic characteristics of workers in green jobs, such
as gender,
[[Page 30136]]
race, age, educational attainment, literacy skills, etc.; and
Estimates of job vacancies.
ii. Applicants must provide a comprehensive description of all
proposed dissemination strategies and formats (10 points).
Demonstrate that the research and data produced through
the project will be sufficient to inform the public workforce system;
educational institutions; community and faith-based organizations that
offer workers training, employment, and support services; job seekers;
students; labor, business, and industry organizations; and economic
development agencies of the occupational skills and growing needs of
the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries in the identified
State or sub-national region.
Fully describe approaches to disseminate data or estimates
through multiple modes, such as a press release, hardcopy report, PDF
document, or Internet web sites. Information may be provided in
different formats for different target audiences. In addition to
technical information, the Department strongly encourages the inclusion
of career information, competency models, and guidance for job-seekers.
iii. Applicant identifies all related research deliverables, which
may include, but are not limited to the following (5 points):
State-specific summaries of Green Job statutes and
regulations;
State-specific summaries of educational resources
including post secondary and higher educational institutions' courses
and programs leading to industry-recognized credentials,
certifications, or degrees;
State-specific summaries of linkages between identified
occupations and related training courses or programs that prepare
workers with the skills and competencies required in the occupations;
Identification of projects and their employment and skill
needs that are resulting from Recovery Act or other public or private
capital investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, or related
efforts (such as weatherization, building retrofit, mass transit
infrastructure) that will likely generate green jobs in the State or
region;
Estimated supply of human capital, including data on
workforce demographics, educational attainment levels and existing
skills, labor surpluses or shortages of a skilled workforce; and
Development of labor market information tools or systems
to estimate or project employment and skill needs at State or sub-State
levels, or for defined economic regions.
iv. Applicants provide a comprehensive description of all proposed
research deliverables to enhance labor exchange infrastructure, which
may include but are not limited to (10 points):
Development of labor market information tools or systems
to estimate or project employment and/or skill needs at State or sub-
State levels, or for other defined economic regions;
Demonstrate strategies to promote the posting of green job
openings and resumes to online job banks or through other approaches,
including methods to encourage local residents to prepare for and apply
for jobs being created in their local area, if applicable to the
proposed project design; and
Tracking or data mining of posted jobs and resumes to
assess employment demand and job applicant activity in green jobs.
B. Review and Selection Process
Applications for grants under this solicitation will be accepted
after the publication of this announcement and until the closing date.
A technical review panel will make a careful evaluation of applications
against the criteria. These criteria are based on the policy goals,
priorities, and emphases set forth in this SGA. Up to 100 points may be
awarded to an application, depending on the quality of the responses to
the required information described in Section V.A. The ranked scores
will serve as the primary basis for selection of applications for
funding, in conjunction with other factors such as geographic balance;
the availability of funds; and which proposals are most advantageous to
the government. The panel results are advisory in nature and not
binding on the Grant Officer, and the Grant Officer may consider any
information that comes to his/her attention. The government may elect
to award the grant(s) with or without discussions with the applicants.
Should a grant be awarded without discussions, the award will be based
on the applicant's signature on the SF 424, which constitutes a binding
offer by the applicant including electronic signature via E-
Authentication on http://www.grants.gov.
VI. Award Administration Information
A. Award Notices
All award notifications will be posted on the ETA Homepage (http://www.doleta.gov). Applicants selected for award will be contacted
directly before the grant's execution and non-selected applicants will
be notified by mail. Selection of an organization as a grantee does not
constitute approval of the grant application as submitted. Before the
actual grant is awarded, DOL/ETA may enter into negotiations about such
items as program components, staffing and funding levels, and
administrative systems in place to support grant implementation. If the
negotiations do not result in a mutually acceptable submission, the
Grant Officer reserves the right to terminate the negotiation and
decline to fund the application.
B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
1. Administrative Program Requirements
All grantees will be subject to all applicable Federal laws,
regulations, and the applicable OMB Circulars. The grant(s) awarded
under this SGA will be subject to the following administrative
standards and provisions:
i. Non-Profit Organizations-OMB Circulars A-122 (Cost Principles)
and 29 CFR part 95 (Administrative Requirements).
ii. Educational Institutions--OMB Circulars A-21 (Cost Principles)
and 29 CFR part 95 (Administrative Requirements).
iii. State and Local Governments--OMB Circulars A-87 (Cost
Principles) and 29 CFR part 97 (Administrative Requirements).
iv. Profit Making Commercial Firms--Federal Acquisition Regulation
(FAR)--48 CFR part 31 (Cost Principles), and 29 CFR part 95
(Administrative Requirements).
v. All entities must comply with 29 CFR parts 93 and 98, and, where
applicable, 29 CFR parts 96 and 99.
vi. 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.
vii. 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.
viii. 29 CFR part 32--Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap in
Programs and Activities Receiving or Benefiting from Federal Financial
Assistance.
ix. 29 CFR part 33--Enforcement of Nondiscrimination on the Basis
of Handicap in Programs or Activities Conducted by the Department of
Labor.
x. 29 CFR part 35--Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Age in
Programs or
[[Page 30137]]
Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance from the Department
of Labor.
xi. 29 CFR part 36--Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in
Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial
Assistance.
The following administrative standards and provisions may be
applicable:
i. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Public Law
111-5, 123 Stat. 115, Division A, Title VIII (February 17, 2009).
ii. The Green Jobs Act of 2007, Public Law 110-140, 121 Stat. 1748
(codified at 29 U.S.C. 2916).
iii. The Workforce Investment Act of 1998, Public Law 105-220, 112
Stat. 939 (codified as amended at 29 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.) and 20 CFR
part 667 (General Fiscal and Administrative Rules).
iv. 29 CFR part 29 & 30--Apprenticeship and Equal Employment
Opportunity in Apprenticeship and Training; and
v. 29 CFR part 37--Implementation of the Nondiscrimination and
Equal Opportunity Provisions of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.
The Department notes that the Religious Freedom
Restoration Act (RFRA), 42 U.S.C. 2000bb, applies to all Federal law
and its implementation. If your organization is a faith-based
organization that makes hiring decisions on the basis of religious
belief, it may be entitled to receive Federal financial assistance
under Title I of the Workforce Investment Act and maintain that hiring
practice even though Section 188 of the Workforce Investment Act
contains a general ban on religious discrimination in employment.
In accordance with Section 18 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of
1995 (Pub. L. 104-65) (2 U.S.C. 1611) non-profit entities incorporated
under Internal Revenue Service Code section 501(c)(4) that engage in
lobbying activities are not eligible to receive Federal funds and
grants.
Except as specifically provided in this SGA, DOL/ETA's acceptance
of a proposal and an award of Federal funds to sponsor any programs(s)
does not provide a waiver of any grant requirements and/or procedures.
For example, the OMB Circulars require that an entity's procurement
procedures must ensure that all procurement transactions are conducted,
as much as practical, to provide open and free competition. If a
proposal identifies a specific entity to provide services, the DOL/
ETA's award does not provide the justification or basis to sole source
the procurement, i.e., avoid competition, unless the activity is
regarded as the primary work of an official partner to the application.
2. Special Program Requirements: Evaluation
To measure the impact of grants funded under the SGA, ETA intends
to fund one or more independent evaluations. By accepting funding,
grantees must agree to participate in such an evaluation, should they
be selected to participate. Grantees must agree to make records on
participants, employers, and funding available and to provide access to
program personnel and participants, as specified by the evaluator(s)
under the direction of ETA, including after the expiration date of the
grant.
3. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Pub. L. 111-5)
Provisions
Prospective applicants are advised that, if they receive an award,
they must comply with all requirements of the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 [Pub. L. 111-5]. Applicants are advised to
review the Act and implementing OMB guidance in the development of
their proposals. Requirements include, but are not limited to:
i. Adherence to all grant clauses and conditions as they relate to
Recovery Act activity.
ii. Prohibition on expenditure of funds for activities at any
casino or other gambling establishment, aquarium, zoo, golf course or
swimming pool.
iii. Compliance with the requirements to obtain a D-U-N-S[supreg]
Number and register with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). ETA
will issue additional guidance related to this requirement shortly.
iv. Submission of required reports in accordance with Section 1512
of the Recovery Act. These reports will be due quarterly within 10 days
of the end of the reporting period and are in addition to the ETA
required reports addressed in Section VI of this SGA. ETA will issue
additional guidance related to these reports and their submission
requirements shortly.
Implementing OMB guidance may be found at http://www.recovery.gov.
C. Reporting
Quarterly financial reports, quarterly progress reports, and MIS
data will be submitted by the grantee electronically. The grantee is
required to provide the reports and documents listed below:
1. Quarterly Financial Reports
A Quarterly Financial Status Report (ETA 9130) is required until
such time as all funds have been expended or the grant period has
expired. Quarterly reports are due 45 days after the end of each
calendar year quarter. Grantees must use DOL's On-Line Electronic
Reporting System and information and instructions will be provided to
grantees.
2. Quarterly Performance Reports
The grantee must submit a quarterly progress report within 45 days
after the end of each calendar year quarter. The last quarterly
progress report that grantees submit will serve as the grant's Final
Performance Report. This report should provide both quarterly and
cumulative information on the grant's activities. It must summarize
project activities, employment outcomes and other deliverables, and
related results of the project, and should thoroughly document the
training or labor market information approaches utilized by the
grantee. DOL will provide grantees with formal guidance regarding data
and other information that is required to be collected and reported on
either a regular basis or special request basis. Grantees must agree to
meet DOL reporting requirements.
3. Record Retention
Applicants should be aware of Federal guidelines on record
retention, which require grantees to maintain all records pertaining to
grant activities for a period of not less than three years from the
time of final grant close-out.
VII. Agency Contacts
For further information regarding this SGA, please contact Willie
Harris, Grant Officer, Division of Federal Assistance, at (202) 693-
3344 (This is not a toll-free number). Applicants should e-mail all
technical questions to [email protected] and must specifically
reference SGA/DFA PY 08-17, and along with question(s), include a
contact name, fax and phone number. This announcement is being made
available on the ETA Web site at http://www.doleta.gov/grants and at
http://www.grants.gov.
VIII. Additional Resources of Interest to Applicants
A. Other Web-Based Resources
DOL maintains a number of web-based resources that may be of
assistance to applicants. America's Service Locator (http://www.servicelocator.org) provides a directory of our nation's One Stop
Career Centers.
[[Page 30138]]
B. Industry Competency Models
ETA supports an Industry Competency Model Initiative to promote an
understanding of the skill sets and competencies that are essential to
an educated and skilled workforce. A competency model is a collection
of competencies that taken together define successful performance in a
particular work setting. Competency models serve as a starting point
for the design and implementation of workforce and talent development
programs. To learn about the industry-validated models visit the
Competency Model Clearinghouse (CMC) at http://www.careeronestop.org/CompetencyModel/. The CMC site also provides tools to build or
customize industry models, as well as tools to build career ladder and/
or career lattice.
C. Federal Collaboration
DOL encourages other Federal partners to recommend or require,
where appropriate, that organizations receiving Recovery Act funding
list jobs created with their State public labor exchange. The
Department is developing specific strategies to link job listings,
training opportunities and placement among programs funded by
Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Energy, Education, and
the Environmental Protection Agency. Where the grantee is not the
public workforce system, they are strongly encouraged to work with the
local One Stop Career Center to make these connections.
D. Links to Federal Recovery Sites
For specific information on a range of Federal agency Recovery Act
activities and funding opportunities:
Department of Education: http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/index.html.
Department of Energy: http://www.doe.gov/recovery.
Department of Housing and Urban Development: http://www.hud.gov/recovery.
Department of Transportation: http://www.dot.gov/recovery/
.
Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov/recovery.
E. Promising Research Approaches
ETA encourages applicants to research promising training approaches
in order to inform their proposals. The following list of Web sites
provides a starting place for this research, but by no means should be
considered a complete list:
ETA's home site (http://www.doleta.gov) and the ETA
Research Publication Database (http://www.doleta.gov/research/keyword.cfm).
ETA's knowledge sharing site (http://www.workforce3one.org), including the ``workforce solutions'' section
that contains over 6,000 additional resources applicants may find
valuable in developing workforce strategies and solutions.
The National Governors Association Center for Best
Practices (http://www.nga.org).
The National Association of State Workforce Agencies
(http://www.workforceatm.org).
The National Association of Workforce Boards (http://www.nawb.org).
IX. Other Information
OMB Information Collection No. 1225-0086. Expires September 30,
2009.
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are
required to respond to a collection of information unless such
collection displays a valid OMB control number. Public reporting burden
for this collection of information is estimated to average 20 hours per
response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing
data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing
and reviewing the collection of information. 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 ETA, Department of Labor, in the Office of Management
and Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503. Please do not return the
completed application to omb. send it to the sponsoring agency as
specified in this solicitation.
This information is being collected for the purpose of awarding a
grant. The information collected through this SGA will be used by DOL
to ensure that grants are awarded to the applicant best suited to
perform the functions of the grant. Submission of this information is
required in order for the applicant to be considered for award of this
grant. Unless otherwise specifically noted in this announcement,
information submitted in the respondent's application is not considered
to be confidential.
Signed at Washington, DC, this 19th day of June 2009.
Donna Kelly,
Grant Officer, Employment and Training Administration.
[FR Doc. E9-14930 Filed 6-23-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-FN-P