Employment and Training Administration

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

[SGA No. DAA 94-004]

Employment and Training Administration

Job Training Partnership Act: Youth Pilot Projects

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds and solicitation for grant

application (SGA).

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training

Administration, under Title IV of the Job Training Partnership Act, is

seeking grant applications to test better ways of providing effective

employment and training services to out-of-school youth who are

economically disadvantaged. This grant solicitation consists of two

separate competitions--(1) single site grants in which new untested

ideas for a youth program will be implemented at one site, or an

existing youth program will be pilot-tested in a different site; and

(2) multi-site grants in which an existing small-scale youth program

will be pilot-tested in five or more additional sites. The Department

may award an evaluation contract to an outside contractor to evaluate

grantees' performance which will require grantees' cooperation.

Applications may be submitted for both the single site and multi-

site grants. All information required to submit a proposal is contained

in this announcement.

DATES: Applications for grant awards will be accepted commencing April

13, 1994. The closing date for receipt of applications shall be May 16,

1994, at 2 p.m. (Eastern Time).

ADDRESSES: Applications shall be mailed to: U.S. Department of Labor,

Employment and Training Administration, Division of Acquisition and

Assistance, Attention: Charlotte A. Adams, Reference: SGA/DAA 94-004,

200 Constitution Avenue, NW., room S-4203, Washington, DC 20210.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Charlotte A. Adams, Division of Acquisition and Assistance, telephone

(202) 219-8702 (this is not a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Employment and Training Administration

(ETA) of the Department of Labor (DOL) announces the availability of

funds to conduct innovative pilot projects aimed at out-of-school

youth.

This announcement consists of three parts: Part I--Background, Part

II--Application Process and Part III--Reporting Requirements.

Part I--Background

It is the Department of Labor's experience that few out-of-school

youth programs supported by the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA)

have been effective. JTPA programs in general appear to have no

positive impact on the earnings, employment, criminal involvement, or

welfare dependency of male and female out-of-school youth.

Current JTPA Title II-C programs spend an average of $2,800 per

youth and last perhaps four or five months. It may well be that this is

too small and too short term of an investment to expect to turn around

the lives of economically and educationally disadvantaged youth. We

also believe that new and different approaches to serving the needs of

youth should be tested.

The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) believes that more

comprehensive and innovative second-change approaches need to be

designed and tested that focus on the needs of youth, particularly,

out-of-school youth, on a variety of fronts. This solicitation is a

pilot effort by the Department and ETA to move in that direction. In

both the single site and multi-site grants, the Department is

particularly looking for models that are more comprehensive and

intensive than are typically now provided by JTPA Title II-C.

Ideally, the development of new approaches to serving youth occurs

in several stages--

(1) An idea or model is developed;

(2) The idea is put into practice at one site, and then perhaps at

a second site with some modifications;

(3) The model program is then pilot-tested a several sites;

(4) The model program then enters a demonstration stage in which it

is formally evaluated using random assignment of program applicants to

treatment and non-treatment group at several sites; and

(5) If the random-assignment evaluation results come out positive,

the model program is replicated widely across the country. This grant

announcement covers stages (2) and (3) of this process--the pilot-

testing of a new approach at a first or second site or at multiple

sites.

Part II--Application Process

A. Eligible Applicants

All private for-profit, non-profit organizations, educational

institutions, and state and local governments can apply for both the

single site and multi-site grants. However, any award made as a result

of this solicitation will be non-fee bearing.

B. Funding

Funding for this solicitation is authorized under the Job Training

Partnership Act (JTPA) title IV-D pilot and demonstration funds. The

Department has set aside $1 million for a number of single site pilot

project grants, and $1 million for one multi-site pilot project grant.

C. Application Procedures

All Information Required To Submit A Proposal is Contained in This

Announcement.

1. Submission of Proposals

An original and three (3) copies of the proposal shall be

submitted. Applicants should clearly label their proposals to indicate

whether they are applying for a single site or multi-site grant. The

proposal shall consist of a of two (2) separate and distinct parts:

Part I shall contain the cost proposal which includes the following

items: Standard Form (SF) 424, ``Application for Federal Assistance:''

(See Appendix A) and SF 424A, ``Budget'' (See Appendix B). Also, the

budget shall include on a separate page(s) a detailed cost analysis of

each line item in the budget.

Part II shall contain a technical proposal that demonstrates the

offeror's capabilities in accordance with the Statement of Work of this

solicitation. No cost data or reference to price shall be included in

the technical proposal. In order to assist offerors in the preparation

of their proposals and to facilitate the expeditious evaluation by the

panel, proposals should be organized and presented in the same

sequential order as the Evaluation Criteria in part II(F) of this

solicitation.

2. Hand Delivered Proposals

Proposals must be mailed at least five days prior to the closing

date. However, if proposals are hand delivered, they must be received

at the designated place by 2 p.m., Eastern time by May 16, 1994. All

overnight mail will be considered to be hand delivered and must be

received at the designated place by the specified closing date.

Telegraphed and/or faxed proposals will not be accepted. Failure to

adhere to the above instructions will be a basis for a determination of

non-responsiveness.

3. Late Proposals

Any proposals received at the office designated in the solicitation

after the exact time specified for receipt will not be considered

unless it is received before award is made and it--

(1) Was sent by U.S. Postal Service registered or certified mail

not later than the fifth calendar day before the date specified for

receipt of application (e.g. an offer submitted in response to a

solicitation requiring receipt of applications by the 20th of the month

must have been mailed by the 15th);

(2) 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 prior to the date specified for receipt of

proposals. The term ``working days'' excludes weekends and U. S.

Federal holidays.

The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of a

late proposal sent either by U.S. Postal Service registered or

certified mail is the U.S. postmark both on the envelop or wrapper and

on the original receipt from the U.S. Postal Service. Both postmarks

must show a legible date or the proposal, shall be processed as if

mailed late. ``Postmark'' 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 and

affixed by employees of the U.S. Postal Service on the date of mailing.

Therefore, applicants should request the postal clerk to place a

legible hand cancellation bull's eye postmark on both receipt and the

envelope or wrapper.

The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of a

late proposal sent by ``Express Mail Next Day Service--Post Office to

Addressee'' is the date entered by the post office receiving clerk on

the ``Express Mail Next day Service--Post Office to Addressee'' label

and the postmark on both the envelope or wrapper and on the original

receipt from the U.S. Postal Service. ``Postmark'' has the same meaning

as defined above. Therefore, applicants should request the postal clerk

to place a legible hand cancellation bull's eye postmark on both the

receipt and the envelope or wrapper.

Proposals may be withdrawn by written notice or telegram (including

mailgram) received at any time before award. Proposals may be withdrawn

in person by an offeror or an authorized representative. If the

representative's identity is made known and the representative signs a

receipt for the proposal before award.

4. Period of Performance

The period of performance under this grant will be 12 months from

the date of grant execution.

5. Option To Extend

Based on the availability of funds, effective program operation and

the needs of the Department, the grants may be funded for up to two

additional years.

D. Matching Requirements

The Department of Labor funding under these awards shall equal 80

percent of the total grant cost. The awardee shall provide not more

than 10 percent from other federal sources and the remainder from non-

federal sources. The matching funds can be in cash or in-kind.

E. Statement of Work

Proposed projects for single site pilot projects can be either an

existing project or a new innovative idea for serving out-of school

youth. Projects proposed for a multisite pilot should already exist.

Grants funded under this competition must include an evaluation

component that tracks the implementation and operation of the pilot

sites and the outcomes of participants. If the pilot sites appear to be

successful, the Department at some later point may wish to formally

evaluate these models through the random assignment of program

applicants to treatment and non-treatment groups.

1. Single Site Grant Competition

Under this part, the Department will provide a number of small

grants to pilot-test new approaches to serving out-of-school youth in

an initial site or a second site. These models will not be formally

evaluated at this stage. This generally should be seen as an initial

pilot project stage, which may eventually lead to pilot-testing in

multiple sites and later to formal demonstration and evaluation.

Applicants for these grants should explain in their proposals why the

idea they plan to implement has the potential for serving out-of-school

youth effectively.

If it is a new idea to be tried for the first time, justification

as to why the model should be successful in meeting the needs of youth

should be provided in the proposal. If it is an existing program to be

pilot-tested in a second site, documentation should be provided

regarding the characteristics of enrollees in the existing program,

services provided, and outcomes. The proposal should also demonstrate

an understanding of what else has been tried in serving out-of-school

youth, and how the suggested model differs from other approaches.

The application should include an evaluation component to document

the implementation and operation of the pilot project. The evaluation

should not include random assignment of program applicants, but should

document the characteristics of youth served, services provided, how

the services were provided and outcomes of participants.

2. Multi-Site Grant Competition

Under this part, the Department wants to pilot test a structured

model that holds promise for serving out-of-school youth. Applicants

under this part should make a strong case that the model they are

proposing holds promise for serving out-of-school youth effectively.

The model being proposed should already be in operation in at least one

site.

Evidence should be provided in the proposal that the model is being

successfully implemented at the existing site. The proposal should also

demonstrate an understanding of what else has been tried in serving

out-of-school youth, and how the suggested model differs from other

approaches. Documentation should be provided as to number of youth

served, types of services provided, and outcomes.

The multi-site pilot project that will be funded here should be

seen as a preliminary stage to formal demonstration and evaluation. The

model can be implemented in approximately five pilot sites across the

country, within a State or local districts within a large metropolitan

area. The sites do not need to be identified at the time the

application is made.

Applications under this part should include an evaluation component

that tracks the implementation and operation of the program model in

the pilot sites. The evaluation should not include random assignment of

program applicants, but should document the characteristics of youth

served, services provided, and outcomes of participants.

3. Program Model for Both Single and Multi-Site Grants

If the applicant proposes to pilot-test a new idea that has never

been tried before, the proposal should discuss why the proposed model

holds promise for serving out-of-school youth effectively. The proposal

should delineate the key elements of the model to be implemented, and

provide detailed plans as to the site in which it will be operated, the

organization that will run the program, the population of youth who

will be the focus of the program, what services will be provided, and

what other agencies will coordinate with the project.

If the applicant is proposing to pilot-test an existing program in

an additional site or in multiple sites, the proposal should discuss

what the program does, who it serves, how it provides the service, what

and who are involved, and the outcomes. It should discuss the dynamics

of replicating the program in another community and the projected

differences between the initial and new communities.

It should also discuss the flexibility of the program and how it

will be adapted to address the needs in the community where replication

will occur. The proposal should discuss the planning, staff

development, and implementation. The applicant should discuss

preliminary communication with sites in which the pilot testing may

occur, but no formal selection needs to be made by the time of

application.

The proposal should demonstrate an understanding of the needs of

youth. If a national organization is applying for a multi-site pilot

project, the applicant should demonstrate intimate understanding of how

the proposed model operates and what the key elements are that need to

be replicated in the pilot sites.

Applicants should discuss how their model addresses the multiple

problems of youth, such as involvement in crime, drugs, and alcohol;

poor educational backgrounds; teenage pregnancy; lack of access to

college; and lack of employment opportunities. Note that one mode is

not necessarily expected to address all of these needs.

4. Target Population for Both Single and Multi-Site Grants

Economically disadvantaged, out-of-school youth ages 14-21 are the

focus for the single site and multi-site grants. Out-of-school youth

can include both high school dropouts and high school graduates.

5. Project Design for Both Single and Multi-Site Grants

The projects can focus on any number of solutions to problems

facing out-of-school, economically disadvantaged youth. This

solicitation is seeking both new ideas and ideas that have already been

developed with a history of success.

The ideas must have measurable outcomes and services must be

provided in an organized and high-quality manner. The services can be

provide through the school system, through a recreation center in the

community, or through a community center. It must, however, be able to

attract the youth to be served and it must be easily assessable.

Applicants are asked to:

a. Describe the program and its measurable goals/outcomes and

strategy, including services to be provided to accomplish the goals;

b. Identify the key elements of the model that distinguish it and

that would need to be part of any replication effort.

c. Identify how pilot sites will be selected;

d. Provide a description of the steps to be taken to recruit

participants to encourage and promote maximum participation by at-risk

youth who are currently under-served by education and training

programs, and to determine customer need and customer satisfaction.

e. Describe design and implementation of the project, giving

special attention to the feasibility of operating the project in a new

locations.

f. Provide assurances that grant funds will be used to start a new

service or to replicate an existing project in new location, not to

fund an already existing site and/or existing services.

g. Applicants should be able to demonstrate on the basis of past or

current experience that they have the capability to implement the

project and achieve the goals and objectives of the project.

h. Describe the intake procedures, individualized assessment, and

case management approach to be used by the project.

i. Discuss the performance measures to be used that may include:

Youth returning to school, high school completion or equivalency; youth

entering postsecondary institutions, apprenticeships, or other advanced

training programs; youth placed in jobs; or youth participating in

education, training and employment services. They may also include,

reduced number of drug-related arrest, teenage pregnancies, greater

involvement in community activities, such as recreation and sports,

study groups, cultural and theater activities, etc.

F. Rating Criteria for Award for Both Single and Multi-Site Grants

Applicants are advised that the selection of grantees for awards is

to be made after careful review by a panel of specialists. Applicants

are advised that discussions may be necessary in order to clarify any

inconsistencies in their application. The panel results are advisory in

nature to help establish a competitive range. The Grant Officer will

make final awards based on what is in the best interests of the

Government.

1. Quality of Program Model To Be Pilot-Tested

Proposals will be evaluated based on the applicant's justification

that the proposed model can have a long-term difference in the lives of

out-of-school youth. The model should be intensive and comprehensive

enough to turn around the lives of youth. If the model is already in

existence, discuss its effectiveness in serving youth. (30 points).

2. Quality of Implementation Plan for Pilot-Testing the Model

The plan should be structured for pilot-testing the program model.

For single site pilot-tests under part II(E), the proposed site should

be identified, and plans in place to implement the program. Matching

funds should be committed, and the program operator identified.

Coordination with other agencies should also be identified.

For multi-site pilots under Part II(E), the pilot sites do not need

to be identified, but a structured plan needs to be presented as to how

sites will be selected, and what coordination with other agencies will

be sought. Coordination with other agencies should also be identified.

(30 points).

3. Experience of Grant Applicant

Applicants should describe the experience both of the organization

and of the staff that will be involved in the pilot program in dealing

with out-of-school youth. An applicant should describe the success rate

of the organization with such programs. (20 points).

4. Evaluation Approach and Planned Outcomes

The pilot project is intended to result in a measurable increase in

outcomes for out-of-school, economically disadvantaged youth in the

grantee's area. The discussion must include a clear description of the

project performance goals and accomplishments and what outcome measures

and planned evaluation approach will be used to assess how well the

program has met its objectives. (15 points).

5. Need for Project in Pilot Sites

An applicant should describe the level of need for this project in

the proposed pilot sites. It should discuss the population, such as

age, gender, educational level, the project will serve. It should

describe the economic and social dynamics, such as poverty, crime,

school-drop-out, and teenage pregnancy rates, of the geographic area to

be served. (5 points).

6. Matching Requirements

Applicants who fail to comply with the matching requirements set

forth in the application process shall not be considered for award.

Part III--Reporting Requirements

The grantee shall furnish the reports and documents listed below:

A. Quarterly Financial Reports

The grantee shall submit to the Grant Officer Technical

Representative (GOTR) within 30 days following the end of each quarter,

three copies of a quarterly Financial Status Report (SF 269) until such

time as all funds have been expended or the period of availability has

expired.

B. Quarterly Progress Report

The grantee shall submit to the GOTR within 30 days following the

end of each quarter, three copies of a quarterly progress report.

Reports shall include the following in brief narrative form:

1. A description of overall progress of work activities

accomplished during the reporting period.

2. An indication of current problems, if any, which may delay

performance and proposed corrective action.

3. Program status and financial data/information relative to

expenditure rate versus budget, anticipated staff changes, etc.

C. Preliminary Report (Draft Final)

This report shall summarize, in a format to be prescribed at a

later date, project activities, evaluation findings, implications,

conclusions, and recommendations resulting from the project work to

date. It shall be submitted in an original and 2 copies to the Grant

Officer 30 days before the expiration date of the grant.

D. Final Report

This report shall update information and reflect ETA comments in

the draft final report. It should include a short executive summary. It

shall be submitted in an original and 2 copies to the GOTR 30 days

after the expiration date of the grant. Five percent of the Federal

share of the grant is considered payment for the final evaluation

report. Therefore, ETA will reimburse grantees in an amount not to

exceed 95% of the grant amount until an acceptable draft final report

is received.

Signed at Washington, DC, this 7th day of April 1994.

Janice E. Perry,

Grant Officer, ETA.

Appendices

A. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

B. SF-424A, Budget

BILLING CODE 4510-30-M

TN13AP94.000

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[FR Doc. 94-8862 Filed 4-12-94; 8:45 am]

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