Job Training Partnership Act, Section 402 Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Program and Workforce Investment Act, Sections 127 and 167 Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Program

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

Job Training Partnership Act, Section 402 Migrant and Seasonal

Farmworker Program and Workforce Investment Act, Sections 127 and 167

Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Program

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of Funds and Solicitation for Grant

Applications (SGA) for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker (MSFW) Youth

Program under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).

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SUMMARY: All information required to submit a grant application is

contained in this announcement. The U.S. Department of Labor (the

Department), Employment and Training Administration (ETA), announces

the availability of funds as authorized in Section 127 (b)(1)(A)(iii)

of the Workforce Investment Act, to provide MSFW youth workforce

investment activities.

This notice provides the information and the process that eligible

entities must use to apply for these MSFW youth funds and how grantees

will be selected for the two-year designation period. It is anticipated

that up to $10,000,000 will be available for the first grant year

(commencing during the month of November 1999) for funding

approximately 12 to 20 projects covered by this Solicitation.

The Department intends to provide non-competitive funding for the

succeeding one-year period (FY 2001) for grantees who perform

satisfactorily during FY 2000, subject to availability of federal

funds. In accordance with WIA Section 167(c)(4)(B), the Department will

establish criteria for making a determination of satisfactory

performance upon which to base the non-competitive funding for the

second one-year period. The Department will advise the grantees of its

determination and will include the criteria to be used for determining

satisfactory performance.

DATES: The closing date for receipt of proposals is October 15, 1999 at

4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). No exceptions to the mailing and hand-

delivery conditions set forth in this notice will be granted.

Applications that do not meet the conditions set forth in this notice

will not be considered.

ADDRESSES: Applications must be mailed or hand-delivered to: Ms.

Lorraine Saunders; U.S. Department of Labor; Employment and Training

Administration; Division of Federal Assistance; 200 Constitution

Avenue, N.W., Room S-4203; Washington, D.C. 20210. Reference: SGA/DFA-

99-020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Lorraine Saunders at (202) 219-

8702, Ext. 145 (this is not a toll-free number).

Part I. Background

Introduction

The proposals solicited must consist of a two-year program strategy

consisting of five sections covering the applicant's understanding of

the problems of migrant and seasonal farmworker youth (Section 1);

familiarity with the area to be served and capacity to work within the

existing service environment (Section 2); description of planned

program activities and services (Section 3); capacity to administer

effectively a workforce investment program for MSFW youth (Section 4);

and administrative and management capability (Section 5). The statement

of programmatic experience must reflect the applicant's capacity to

administer effectively a diversified program of workforce investment

activities and related assistance (an employability development program

under JTPA) for eligible migrant and seasonal farmworker youth.

For rating purposes, each section is assigned a range of possible

points, and the sum of the maximum possible points for all five

sections totals 100. The most heavily weighted section is Section 3

which covers the perceived effectiveness of the proposed MSFW youth

workforce activities. The applicant's proposal for Section III should

be a description of an operational plan that is appropriate to the

conditions described by the proposer in Section 1.

Background

The purpose of WIA is to provide workforce investment activities,

through statewide and local workforce investment systems, that increase

the employment, employment retention, participant earnings, and

increase occupational skill attainment by participants. As set forth in

20 CFR 669.600 (published at 64 Fed. Reg. 18750 (Apr. 15, 1999)), the

purpose of the MSFW youth program is to provide an effective and

comprehensive array of educational opportunities, employment skills,

and life enhancement activities to at-risk and out-of-school MSFW youth

that lead to success in school, economic stability and development into

productive members of society.

WIA, Section 167, 29 U.S.C. 2912, and as defined in the Interim

Final Regulations, provides for eligible entities, selected through a

Federal competitive grants or contracts process, to deliver a

diversified program of workforce investment activities, and related

assistance to eligible migrant and seasonal farmworker youth who are

members of families that suffer chronic seasonal unemployment and

underemployment in the agriculture industry. Regulations promulgated by

the Department to implement the provisions of Section 167 are set forth

in 20 CFR Part 669 (published at 64 Fed. Reg. 18662, 18746 (Apr. 15,

1999)). These programs will:

(1) Strengthen the ability of eligible farmworkers and their

dependents to obtain or retain unsubsidized employment, or stabilize

their unsubsidized employment; and

(2) Provide related assistance and supportive services, integrated

and coordinated with other appropriate services.

The portion of the regulations that specifically pertain to the

MSFW youth program are set fourth in Subpart E at 20 CFR 669.600 et.

seq. (64 Fed. Reg. 18750 (Apr. 15, 1999)).

In addition, migrant and seasonal farmworker programs are subject

to all applicable provisions of the Interim Final WIA Regulations, 29

CFR Parts 93 (New Restrictions on Lobbying), 96 (Audit Requirements),

and 98 (Debarment, Suspension and Drug-free Workplace requirements) and

the Department's nondiscrimination regulations implementing Section

188. Should the regulations at Part 669 conflict with regulations

elsewhere in 20 CFR, the regulations at Part 669 will control. Further,

should any instructions in this notice conflict with WIA Interim Final

Rules, WIA regulations will control. Applicants

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should consult and be familiar with WIA regulations at 20 CFR Parts 660

through 670.

Consultation With Governors and Local Boards

Executive Order No. 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal

Programs,'' and the implementing regulations at 29 CFR Part 17, are

applicable to this program. Under these requirements, the applicant

must provide a copy of the application for comment to the States that

have established a consultation process under the Executive Order.

Applications must be submitted to the State's Single Point of Contact

(SPOC) no later than the deadline for submission of the application to

the Department.

For States that have not established a consultative process under

Executive Order No. 12372, and have established a State Workforce

Investment Board (State Board), the State Board will be the SPOC. For

WIA implementation purposes, this consultation process fulfills the

requirement of WIA Section 167(e) concerning consultation with

Governors and Local Boards. To strengthen the implementation of

Executive Order No. 12372, the Department establishes the following

time-frame for its treatment of comments from the State's SPOC on WIA

Section 167 applications:

1. The SPOC must submit comments, if any, to the Department and to

the applicant, no later than 30 days after the deadline date for

submission of applications;

2. The applicant's response to the SPOC comments, if any, must be

submitted to the Department no later than 15 days after the post-marked

date of the comments from the SPOC;

3. The Department will notify the SPOC of its decision regarding

the SPOC comments and applicant response; and

4. The Department will implement that decision within 10 days after

it has notified the SPOC.

Eligible Applicants

To be eligible to operate MSFW youth programs an organization must

have:

1. an understanding of the problems of migrant and seasonal

farmworker youth;

2. a familiarity with the area to be served;

3. a demonstrated capacity to administer effectively a diversified

workforce investment program for youth; and

4. an appropriate legal status to enter into a grant agreement with

the U.S. Department of Labor (e.g. a private non-profit corporation or

a unit of State of local government).

To maximize available resources, applications are encouraged to

form a consortia of organizations which individually or collectively

meet the above criteria.

MSFW Youth Participant Eligibility

Eligible participants are the 14 to 21 year old farmworkers and

children of migrant and seasonal farmworker parents (or guardians) as

defined in Section 167(h) of the Workforce Investment Act and at 20 CFR

Part 669.

Grant Duration and Period of Performance

The Department anticipates that grants will be funded for two one-

year time periods--with funding in the second year contingent on

satisfactory performance during the first year and the availability of

funding in the second year. The period of performance for the first

funding cycle is expected to commence during November 1999.

Part II. Application Process and Guidelines

Submission of the Grant Application Package

Applicants must submit an original and three (3) copies of the

complete application package for review. Applications must be mailed no

later than five (5) days prior to the closing date for the receipt of

applications. However, if applications are hand-delivered, they must be

received at the designated place by 4:00 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 by the specified

time and closing date. Telegraphed, faxed, and e-mailed proposals will

not be honored. Applications that do not adhere to the above

instructions will not be honored.

Late Applications

Any application received at the office designated in the

solicitation after the exact time specified for receipt will not be

considered unless it

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

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

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

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

must have been mailed by the 25th); or

(b) 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

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

Federal holidays.

The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of a late

application sent by U.S. Postal Service registered or certified mail is

the U.S. postmark 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 will be processed as if it had been 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 applied or

affixed by an employee of the U.S. Postal Service on the date of

mailing. Therefore, applicants should request the postal clerk to place

a legible hand cancellation ``bulls eye'' postmark on both the receipt

and the envelope or wrapper.

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

late application 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 postmarks on both the envelope and wrapper and the original

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

as defined above. Therefore, an applicant should request the postal

clerk to place a legible hand cancellation ``bull's eye'' postmark on

both the receipt and the envelope or wrapper.

Withdrawal of Applications

Applications may be withdrawn by written notice or telegram

(including mailgram) received at any time before the award.

Applications may be withdrawn in person by the applicant or by an

authorized representative thereof, if the representative's identity is

made known and the representative signs a receipt for the proposal.

Grant Application Package

The grant application package must consist of:

(1) A Standard Form 424 (Application for Federal Assistance) found

in OMB Circular A-102 and as an attachment to this Solicitation.

(2) A Standard Form 424A (Budget) found in OMB Circular A-102 and

as an attachment to this Solicitation. Costs in Section B (Budget

Categories), Item 6 (Object Cost Categories) should be budgeted by

Administrative, Program, and Total. Administrative costs are to be

included in column (1), program costs in column (2), and the total cost

in column (5). Administrative costs are

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limited to 10 percent. Budgets are required only for ``Year 1'' of the

two-year designation period.

(3) A certification, prepared within the last six months prior to

the submission of this application, attesting to the adequacy of the

entity's fiscal management and accounting systems to account for and

safeguard Federal funds properly. The certification is to be obtained

as follows:

(a) For incorporated organizations, a certification from a

Certified Public Accountant, or

(b) For public agencies, a certification by its Chief Fiscal

Officer;

(4) A statement describing the entity's legally constituted

authority under which the organization functions. A nonprofit

organization should submit a copy of its Charter or Articles of

Incorporation, including proof of the organization's nonprofit status;

(5) A copy of the current indirect cost rate agreement issued by

the cognizant federal agency, if applicable.

(6) The entity's application for grant funding as described below.

Format of the Grant Application

The grant application is limited to 50 numbered pages, double-

spaced, using type no smaller than 12 point. The page number limitation

does not include letters of support or the required attachments.

Proposals may be fastened using a binder clip. Please do not use 3-ring

binders, or otherwise bind your proposal package.

To ensure full consideration, the application must follow the

numerical sequence of the Sections 1 through 6 as listed below, and

must include a table of contents. All attachments are to be included in

Section 6. Credit may not be afforded in instances where items are not

addressed in the proper section.

Contents of the Grant Application

Section 1--An Understanding of the Problems of Migrant and Seasonal

Farmworker Youth

An understanding of the problems of migrant and seasonal farmworker

youth must be demonstrated through a comprehensive description and

analysis of:

(A) the needs and problems of farmworker youth; and

(B) the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of migrant

and seasonal farmworker youth in the service area. The description must

include an explanation of how these characteristics compare with those

of non-farmworker youth and why a youth program, specifically targeted

to farmworker youth, would more appropriately address the needs of

farmworkers.

Specific Rating Criteria, Section 1 [0 to 15 points]--This factor

rates the applicant's knowledge and analysis of the needs, problems,

and demographic characteristics of the target group. Ratings are based

on the degree to which the narrative is clear, concise, and

demonstrates an in depth understanding of the MSFW youth population.

Section 2--A Familiarity with the Area to Be Served and Capacity to

Work Within the Existing Service Environment

A familiarity with the area to be served and the capacity to work

within the existing service environment is demonstrated through:

(A) The identification of the geographic boundary(ies) of the

proposed service area(s)--including a map. A rationale should be

provided, if the proposed service area(s) is(are) not contiguous.

(B) A description of the communities where migrant and seasonal

farmworkers youth, who would be served by the proposed project, reside

and or travel for work purposes. The description must include a

discussion of educational, social, cultural, workforce and other

relevant opportunities available for youth, and the degree to which

these opportunities, if available, are appropriate for MSFW youth.

(C) A description of the relationship between the grant applicant

and the JTPA Section 402/WIA Section 167 MSFW employment and training/

workforce investment program sponsor(s). (If the applicant is not the

current JTPA Section 402/WIA Section 167 MSFW employment and training/

workforce investment program grantee in the proposed service area,

describe the arrangements that have been or will be made to coordinate

the delivery of services and avoid needless duplication of services.)

(D) A description of the status of the workforce investment system

within the proposed service area. Describe what steps have or will be

taken to coordinate the delivery of core services to MSFW youth.

(E) A description of available community programs and services that

would complement the proposed program and the efforts that have been

made to coordinate the delivery of services.

(F) An itemization of program linkages in a tabular format. The

specific information sought is the name of the entity with whom a

linkage has (or will be) established, the relationship of the linkage

entity to the applicant, the specific service to be provided by the

linkage, and whether or not a letter documenting the linkage is

provided as an attachment. Linkages listed here must be limited to only

those which are relevant to the proposed program.

Specific Rating Criteria, Section 2 [0 to 15 points]--This factor

rates the applicant's familiarity with the area and capacity to work

within the existing service environment. Rates will consider factors

such as reasonableness of the service area in terms of program scope

and funds sought; applicant's ability to work within the service

environment, as evidenced by the existence of appropriate and

documented linkages--especially those related to other MSFW program

efforts; and applicant's knowledge and integration of local resources

into the program design.

Section 3--A Description of Planned Program Activities and Services

The description of planned program activities and services (Note:

Any references to time frames should be cited as year 1 and/or year 2):

(A) Identifies the goal(s) of the proposed program.

(B) Provides a detailed description of the proposed program

activities and services. This description should be provided in a way

that illustrates the participant flow through the various phases of the

proposed program. A flow chart must be included. The description and

flow chart must, at a minimum, include:

(1) Outreach, intake, and eligibility determination; and

(2) Specific youth services:

(i) Tutoring, study skills training and instruction leading to

secondary school completion, including dropout prevention strategies;

(ii) Alternative secondary school offerings;

(iii) Summer employment opportunities directly linked to academic

and occupational learning;

(iv) Paid and unpaid work experiences, including internships and

job shadowing;

(v) Occupational skills training;

(vi) Leadership development opportunities, which may include such

activities as positive social behavior and soft skills, decision

making, team work, and other activities;

(vii) Supportive services;

(viii) Adult mentoring for a duration of at least twelve (12)

months, that may occur both during and after program participation;

(ix) Follow-up services; and

(x) Comprehensive guidance and counseling, including drug and

alcohol

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abuse counseling, as well as referrals to counseling, as appropriate to

the needs of individual youth.

(C) Identifies the planned outcomes for youth served by the

proposed program. Explain how the program goals and outcomes are

related to and will address the problems of MSFW youth addressed in

Section 1, including the following:

(1) A description of the involvement and participation of the

parents/guardians of MSFW youth in the proposed program.

(2) A description of the plan to ensure that the provision of

proposed services encourages the continued participation in school by

MSFWs who have not completed the twelfth grade.

(D) Describes, in narrative form, the proposed program budget. The

description should explain and justify the costs budgeted (year 1 only)

to each Object Class Category (page 2, SF 424A, Section B). The

description should also address how the budgeted costs support the

proposed program activities and services and the staffing pattern.

(E) Description of the demographic and socio-economic

characteristics of the MSFW youth who would most likely participate in

the proposed program and how the program has been designed to address

the needs of this population.

Specific Rating Criteria, Section 3 [0 to 40 points]--This factor

rates the perceived effectiveness of the proposed MSFW youth workforce

investment activities in addressing the stated farmworker problems

addressed in Section 1; if proposed outcomes reflect proposed goals;

the appropriateness of strategies for parental involvement and

participation; and plans to ensure the continued school participation

by enrolled MSFW youth who have not completed the twelfth grade.

Additionally, up to 10 of the points associated with this rating

criteria will be based on an assessment of the reasonableness of the

budget in relation to the proposed program of activities and services

and outcome to be achieved.

Section 4--A Capacity to Administer Effectively a Workforce Investment

Program for MSFW Youth

The capacity to administer effectively a workforce development

program for MSFW youth as evidenced by a description of:

(A) The mission/principle goals and objectives of the applicant

organization.

(B) The applicant organization's experience providing services to

youth, particularly MSFW youth.

(C) The programs operated by the applicant organization during the

last two years, presented in tabular form. For each entry, the table

must include:

(1) Funding source (Name of Agency/Organization, Address,

Telephone, and Contact Person);

(2) Program Information (Type of Program, Grant/Contract/Agreement

Number, Principle Activities, Period of Performance and Funding

Amount);

(3) Clientele (Number of participants served, percent of MSFW

participant, percent of MSFW youth (age 14-21) served);

(4) Performance standards and outcomes achieved; and

(5) Outcomes achieved for farmworker youth (ages 14-21).

Specific Rating Criteria, Section 4 [0 to 20 points]--This factor

rates an applicant's capacity to provide effectively workforce

investment activities for MSFW youth based on the applicant's previous

relevant program performance.

Section 5--Administrative and Management Capability

Administrative and management capability is demonstrated by:

(A) A chart depicting the overall organization structure of the

proposed youth program. The chart must clearly show how the proposed

program fits within the overall organizational structure. It must

include both staffing patterns and office locations. In addition, the

chart must show which parts of the proposed MSFW youth program

structure are in place and which parts would be established if the

proposal were funded.

(B) A description of the proposed implementation schedule which

clearly shows exactly when the proposed program will be fully

operational.

(C) A description of the administrative and program management

processes which include the fiscal management systems and the program

management systems (including management information system). Program

management must address systems for participant tracking, follow-up,

program monitoring and oversight, and the provision of training and

technical assistance for staff who work directly with participants.

Specific Rating Criteria, Section 5 [0 to 10 points]--This factor

rates the applicant's managerial experience and the potential for

efficient and effective administration of the proposed program.

Section 6--Attachments

All attachments referenced in the proposal are to be included in

this section of the proposal. The first page in this section should

itemize the included attachments.

Part III--Review Process of Grant Application

Panel Review

The Grant Officer will select potential grantees utilizing all

information available to him/her. A review panel will rate each

proposal using the specific criteria cited above. Panel results are

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

Officer will give appropriate consideration to an entity in any service

area for which the entity has been designated as a WIA section 167 MSFW

program grantee (20 CFR 669.630). Further, the Grant Officer will make

selections that promote a geographic distribution of funds where

merited (20 CFR 669.650). The Grant Officer may, at his/her discretion,

request an applicant to submit additional or clarifying information if

deemed necessary to make a selection. However, selections may be made

without further contact with the applicants.

Responsibility Review

Prior to awarding a grant to any applicant, the Department will

conduct a responsibility review. The responsibility review is an

analysis of available information and records to determine if an

applicant has established a satisfactory history of accounting for

Federal funds and property. The responsibility review is independent of

the competitive process. Applicants failing to meet the requirements of

this section may be disqualified for designation as a grantee, without

respect to their standing in the competitive process. An applicant that

is not selected as a result of the Grant Officer's responsibility

review will be advised of its appeal rights. The responsibility tests

that will be considered are presented in the WIA regulations at 20 CFR

667.170.

Notification of Non Selection

Any applicant that is not selected as a potential grantee, or that

has its grant application denied in whole or in part by the Department

for receipt of funds, will be notified in writing by the Grant Officer

and will be advised of all appeal rights.

Notification of Selection

Applicants that are selected will be notified in writing by the

Grant Officer. Formal designation as a grantee will be contingent on

the successful negotiation of a grant agreement for the first year of

operation.

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Signed on this 26th day of August 1999.

E. Fred Tello,

Grant Officer, Department of Labor/ETA.

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