Job Training Partnership Act, Title III, Demonstration Program: Specialized/Targeted Dislocated Worker Services Project

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Job Training Partnership Act, Title III, Demonstration Program:

Specialized/Targeted Dislocated Worker Services Project

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds and solicitation for grant

application (SGA).

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SUMMARY: All information required to submit a proposal is contained in

this announcement. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and

Training Administration (ETA), announces a demonstration program to

provide specialized and/or targeted dislocated worker services to be

funded with Secretary's National Reserve funds appropriated through

Title III of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA). This notice

describes the process that eligible entities must use to apply for

demonstration funds, the subject area [[Page 32172]] for which

applications will be accepted for funding, how grantees are to be

selected, and the responsibilities of grantees. It is anticipated that

up to $2 million will be available for funding 8-10 demonstration

projects covered by this solicitation with no project being awarded

more than $400,000.

DATES: Applications for grant awards will be accepted commencing June

20, 1995. The closing date for receipt of applications will be August

26, 1995, at 2:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) at the address below.

ADDRESSES: Applications shall be mailed to: Division of Acquisition and

Assistance, Attention: Mr. Willie E. Harris, Reference: SGA/DAA 95-006,

Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Willie E. Harris, Division of Acquisition and Assistance,

Telephone: (202) 219-7300 (this is not a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: This announcement consists of five parts.

Part I describes the authorities and purpose of the demonstration

program and identifies demonstration evaluation and oversight policy.

Part II describes the application process and provides detailed

guidelines for use in applying for demonstration grants. Part III

includes the statement of work for the demonstration projects. Part IV

identifies and defines the selection criteria which will be used in

reviewing and evaluating applications. Part V describes the reporting

requirements.

Part I. Background

A. Authorities

Section 324 of the Job Training Partnership Act authorizes the use

of funds reserved under Part B of Title III for demonstration programs

of up to three years in length. Under section 324, the Secretary is

required to conduct or provide for an evaluation of the success of each

demonstration program.

The Department relies on applicants for grants to comply with all

Federal and State laws in setting up their programs. For example, we

expect that grantees will comply with requirements for licensing and

that they would obtain necessary union concurrence when working within

a labor agreement.

B. Purpose of the Demonstration

As authorized under Title III of JTPA, the Dislocated Worker

Program provides a wide range of employment and training services to

eligible dislocated workers to help them find and qualify for new jobs.

While the overall population served by the program has received

significant assistance, program experience indicates that a need for

specialized services exists among those who face particular barriers to

employment. Projects funded through this solicitation are to provide

reemployment and retraining services--as described in Sections 314(c)

and 314(d) of JTPA--to dislocated workers who as members of a specific

target population may need and benefit from the receipt of specialized

services. Participants must be eligible under Section 301(a) of JTPA

and be members of the target population for which the project is

designed. For purposes of this demonstration, appropriate target

populations include those groups: (1) Who have experienced greater

adverse labor market outcomes, and/or (2) who need more or specialized

employment and training services, relative to the general dislocated

worker population served by JTPA in the local area(s) of proposed

demonstration project activity. Possible target populations could

include dislocated workers, veterans, handicapped workers, limited-

English speaking workers, displaced homemakers, or others with a

documented record of labor market outcomes or service needs as noted

above.

The purpose of this demonstration is to identify and test the

services and service mix necessary to ensure that the following

demonstration program goals are met for the target population: (1) At

least 70 percent of project participants will find employment within 90

days after leaving the project at an average wage of at least 90

percent of their previous wage (or for those who had no previous wage,

an average wage at least equivalent to the poverty level); and (2) at

least 70 percent of the project participants will rate the services

received as ``extremely'' or ``very valuable.''

C. Evaluation

Under a separate announcement, DOL will select and fund separate

evaluation contractors to: (1) Provide technical assistance to grantees

in establishing appropriate data collection methods and processes; and

(2) conduct an independent evaluation of the outcomes, impacts and

benefits of the demonstration projects, Grantees will be expected to

make available participant records and access to personnel, as

specified by the evaluation contractor.

In addition, DOL will establish, for each demonstration project

site, and oversight group made up of federal, State and substate staff.

D. Definitions

Unless otherwise indicated in this announcement, definitions of

terms used herein shall be those definitions found in the Job Training

Partnership Act, as amended, particularly at Section 4 and Section 301.

Part II. Application Process--All Information Required to Submit a

Proposal is Contained in This Announcement

A. Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants for demonstration projects funded under this

announcement include States, Title III substate grantees, and other

organizations and institutions that can demonstrate the ability to

deliver the services proposed and to ensure the integrity of the funds

requested.

B. Contents

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

submitted. The proposal shall consist of two (2) separate and distinct

parts--Part I, the Financial Proposal, and Part II, the Technical

Proposal.

1. Financial Proposal--The Financial Proposal, Part I, shall

contain the SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance'' (Appendix

No. 1), and SF 424-A, ``Budget'' (Appendix No. 2). The Federal Domestic

Assistance Catalog number is 17.246. The budget shall include on

separate pages: a cost analysis of the budget, identifying in detail

the amount of each budget line item attributable to administrative

costs and costs for one or more of the following categories: basic

readjustment services [Section 314(c)(1-14, 16-18) of JTPA], supportive

services [Section 314(c)(15)], and retraining services [Section 314(d)]

requested through this grant [Note: Other Title III cost categories not

mentioned are specifically excluded from grant expenditures, e.g. rapid

response assistance and needs-related payments]; an identification of

the amount of each budget line item which will be covered by other

funds (if applicable), and the sources of those funds (including other

Title III funds, employer funds, in-kind resources, secured and

unsecured loans, grants, and other forms of assistance, public and

private); and a justification for the average cost of service per

placement. This is to be computed by dividing the number of proposed

participants of the target population who will be employed within 90

days after leaving the project into the total funds requested, and is

to be compared to existing local dislocated worker program

costs. [[Page 32173]]

Grant funds may cover only those costs which are appropriate and

reasonable. Federal funds cannot be used to provide training which an

employer is in a position to, and would otherwise, provide, nor can

they be used to provide salaries for program participants.

Federal funds may not be used for acquisition of production

equipment. The only type of equipment that may be acquired with Federal

funds is equipment necessary for the operation of the grant. In the

instance of a purchase, the cost of the equipment is to be prorated

over the projected life of the equipment to determine the cost to the

grant. USE OF GRANT FUNDS TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT WITH A UNIT COST OF

$5,000 OR MORE REQUIRES SPECIAL REVIEW AND APPROVAL FROM DOL PRIOR TO

PURCHASE.

Applicants may budget limited amounts of grant funds to work with

technical expert(s) to provide advice and develop more complete project

plans.

2. Technical Proposal--The technical proposal shall demonstrate the

offeror's capabilities in accordance with the Statement of Work/Project

Summary in Part III of this solicitation. NO COST DATA OR REFERENCE TO

PRICE SHALL BE INCLUDED IN THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL.

C. Submission

Grant applications will be evaluated carefully by a panel convened

by the Department after closing date of this solicitation. Incomplete

or non-responsive proposals may be returned without evaluation. An

application will be reviewed based upon the overall responsiveness of

the application's content to the submission requirements and to the

selection criteria found in Part IV, taking into consideration the

extent to which funds are available.

D. Hand-Delivered Proposals

Proposals should be mailed at least five (5) days prior to the

closing date for the receipt of applications. However, if proposals are

hand-delivered, they shall be received at the designated place by 2

p.m., Eastern Time on the closing date for receipt of applications. All

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

received at the designated place by the specified time and closing

date. Telegraphed and/or faxed proposals will not be honored. Failure

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

of nonresponsiveness.

E. Late Proposals

Any proposal received at the office designated in the solicitation

after the exact time specified for receipt will not be considered

unless it--

(1) was sent by the U.S. Postal Service registered or certified

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

for receipt of the application (e.g., an offer submitted in response to

a solicitation requiring receipt of applications by the 30th of January

must have been mailed by the 25th); or

(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 the U.S. Postal Service registered or

certified mail is the U.S. postmark both on the envelope 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 the 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 and 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.

F. Withdrawal of Proposals

Proposals may be withdrawn by written notice or telegram (including

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

in person or by an applicant or an authorized representative thereof,

if the representative's identify is made known and the representative

signs a receipt for the proposal before an award.

G. Period of Performance

Project operators must be prepared to deliver services within 90

days following award. The delivery of services will be a period of 12

months. Grantees will be allowed up to 90 days for final reports and

closeout. All projects must be completed not later than 18 months from

the date of award.

H. Funding

DOL plans to set aside up to $2 million to be disbursed for 8-10

projects, contingent upon resources being available for this purpose.

It is expected that no project will be awarded more than $400,000. No

additional funds will be available under this demonstration. The

project operator will be expected to seek continued support from funds

distributed by formula through the JTPA system.

I. Availability of Funds

The Government's obligation under these grants are contingent upon

the availability of appropriated funds from which payment for grant

purposes can be made. No legal liability on the part of the Government

for any payment may arise until funds are available to the Grant

Officer for these grants and until the Grantees receive notice of such

availability, to be confirmed in writing by the Grant Officer.

J. Page Count Limit

Applications are to be limited to 30 single-side pages 8.5 in. x

11 in., single-spaced, with a maximum of 15 pages of attachments.

K. Cost Limitations

Demonstration grants are not subject to the cost limitations for

formula-funded Title III grants at Section 315 of the JTPA. However,

any offeror proposing administrative costs that exceed 15 percent of

the budget and/or supportive services that exceed 25 percent of the

funds requested in the application shall provide a narrative

justification.

Part III. Statement of Work

Each application should follow the format outlined here. For every

section, A through G, the application should include: (1) information

that responds to the requirements in this part; (2) information that

indicates adherence to the provisions described in Parts I and II of

this solicitation; and (3) other information the offeror believes will

[[Page 32174]] address the selection criteria identified in Part IV.

A. Target Population

Describe the dislocated worker target population, including the

size, location, and the documented needs of this population for

specialized services related to the population's labor market outcomes

and/or the availability of JTPA services in the local area(s) to be

served (as indicated in Part I.B.); the barriers to employment faced by

the target population; the number of target population members to be

served by specifically identified local area; and the criteria and

process for selecting those individuals to be served from among the

total number of eligible persons in each area.

B. Components of the Specialized/Targeted Dislocated Worker Service

Demonstration

Describe the major elements of the specialized/targeted dislocated

worker services demonstration project, including how the project works

in terms of the individual worker getting access to the reemployment

and retraining services which the individual needs. Specifically:

What specialized and other services will be covered by the

reemployment and retraining program? Describe mechanisms to ensure

appropriate outreach and recruitment? Explain how these services are

relevant to the target population to be served? [Note: Such services

must be authorized under Sections 314(c) and 314(d) of JTPA and comply

with applicable federal regulations at 20 CFR 627 and 631.]

How will the reemployment and retraining service needs of

the individual worker be determined? What will be the sequence of

services provided and the criteria/decision points used to determine

the appropriateness of specific services for individual participants?

[Note: Include in the description of service sequence a flowchart and

timelines.]

How will qualified providers of reemployment and

retraining services be determined?

Will workers be given the choice of optional providers of

services? If so, how will these options be developed, and how will the

worker be able to access this information?

How will the amount of funds to be used for an

individual's training be determined?

How will a participant's continuing participation in the

program be monitored? At what point(s) will termination occur?

How will new job openings and opportunities for the

project participants be identified and developed including

opportunities for jobs in nontraditional occupations?

What information will be available to the worker to

identify and evaluate alternative employment opportunities? How will

this information be developed? How will the worker be able to access

this information?

C. Administration and Management

Identify the management structure for the project and demonstrate

the means to ensure accountability for funds as well as performance.

Provide a description of the process and procedures to be used to

obtain feedback from participants and other appropriate parties on the

responsiveness and effectiveness of the services provided. The

description should include an identification of the types of

information to be obtained, the method(s) and frequency of data

collection, and how the information will be used in implementing and

managing the project. Specific references should be made to collecting

information needed to determine: (1) The achievement of project

outcomes as indicated in section F (including 90 day follow-ups of

participants to determine demonstration program goal achievement) and

(2) the reporting of participants, outcomes, and expenditures. It is

expected that grantees may employ focus groups and surveys, in addition

to other methods, to collect feedback information.

Indicate the applicant's past experience in the management of

projects similar to that being proposed, particularly regarding

oversight and operating functions including financial management.

D. Use of Existing Services and Resources

A description of the relationship of the proposed project to the

ongoing assistance to dislocated workers through the formula-funded

JTPA Title III program in the service area and other existing public

and private resources. This description must include written comments

from the local Title III substate grantee regarding those procedures to

be used to ensure non-duplication of services that are available to

project participants through the formula-funded Title III program.

E. Coordinated and Linkages

Describe the consultation with relevant parties in developing the

project design and the role of these parties in implementing the

project. Suggested consultation shall include: State JTPA Dislocated

Worker Unit, Substate Title III grantee(s) and administrative

entity(ies), and local organizations in the project service area(s)

providing education, training and supportive services.

F. Outcomes

Identify project outcomes and the specific measures, and planned

achievement levels, that will be used to determine the success of the

project.

These outcomes and measures should include, but are not limited to:

The number of participants to be enrolled in services,

those successfully completing services through the project, and those

to be placed into new jobs;

The number of participants not successfully completing

their specific service plans, and the reasons for the non-completion;

Measurable effects of the services provided to project

participants as indicated by gains in individuals' skills,

competencies, or other outcomes;

Average wages of participants prior to and at completion

of project;

Customer satisfaction with the project, and at critical

points in the service delivery; and

Other additional measurable, performance-based outcomes

that are relevant to the proposed intervention and which may be readily

assessed during the period of performance of the project.

Note: An explanation of how such additional measures are

relevant to the purpose of the demonstration program shall be

included in the application.

The proposal must also describe how outcomes achieved by

individuals served by the project are to be related to the

demonstration program goals identified in Part I, section B.

G. Replicability

Describe the information to be provided on project activities that

will allow other parties to replicate the proposed project.

Part IV. Evaluation Criteria

Prospective offerors are advised that the selection of grantee(s)

for award is to be made after careful evaluation of proposals by a

panel selected by DOL. Panelists will evaluate the proposals for

acceptability based on the various factors enumerated below. The panel

results are advisory in nature and not binding on the Grant Officer.

A. Technical Evaluation (80 Points)

Services and Target Group. (35 points) The responsiveness of the

services to be provided, including the [[Page 32175]] degree to which

the services appear to meet the documented specialized needs of the

target population. The demonstrated relationship between the services

to be provided and the jobs into which participants are to be placed.

The scope of the project in terms of the number of participants to be

served. (Relates to information requested in Part III, sections A, B,

and F.)

Management Structure. (15 points) The extent to which the

management structure ensures accountability for performance, monitors

customer satisfaction, and includes procedures for continuous quality

improvement. The ability of the management structure to determine the

extent to which the planned project outcomes and demonstration program

goals have been met by the project. (Relates to information requested

in Part III, section C.)

Coordination and Linkages; Utilization of Resources. (10 points)

The extent to which the project will be integrated with other existing

public and private resources and is supported by appropriate State and

local organizations. (Related to information requested in Part III,

sections D and E.)

Demonstrated Experience. (10 points) Experience in the oversight

and operation of projects requiring management capabilities and

experience similar to the proposed project. (Relates to information

requested in Part III, section C.)

Replacability. (10 points) The completeness of the information to

be provided on project activities that will allow others to replicate

the project. The likelihood that the approach may be applicable to a

broad range of dislocated worker programs across the country. (Relates

to information requested in Part III, section G.)

B. Cost Evaluation (20 Points)

The cost effectiveness of the project as indicated by the

relationship of proposed costs to number of participants to be served,

the range of services to be provided and the planned outcomes, as

compared to other service strategies available for Title III grantees.

The extent to which the budget is justified and supports the planned

outcomes.

Applicants are advised that discussions may be necessary in order

to clarify any inconsistencies in their applications. Applications may

be rejected where the information requires is not provided in

sufficient detail to permit adequate assessment of the proposal. The

final decision on the award will be based on what is most advantageous

to the Federal Government as determined by the ETA Grant Officer.

Part V. Reporting Requirements

Applicants selected as grantees will be required to provide the

following reports:

A. Dislocated Worker Special Project Reports as required by the

grant award documents.

B. Standard Form 269, Financial Status Report Form, on a quarterly

basis.

C. Quarterly Progress Reports.

D. Final Project Report including an assessment of project

performance.

Signed at Washington, DC, this 15th day of June 1995.

Janice E. Perry,

Grant Officer, Division of Acquisition and Assistance.

Appendices

No. 1--Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424)

No. 2--Budget Form--Non Construction Programs (Standard Form 424-A)

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