[Federal Register: February 13, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 29)]
[Notices]
[Page 6768-6774]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13fe07-71]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
Solicitation for Grant Applications (SGA), Grants for Program
Year 2006
Announcement Type: New.
Notice of availability of funds and solicitation for grant
applications for Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations
(WANTO) grants.
Funding Opportunity Number: SGA/DFA-PY-06-01.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 17.201.
Key Dates: The closing date for receipt of applications is April
16, 2007.
SUMMARY: The Women's Bureau and the Employment and Training
Administration's (ETA) Office of Apprenticeship, U.S. Department of
Labor (DOL), announce the availability of $972,180 to establish a grant
program for the purpose of assisting employers and labor unions in the
placement and retention of women in apprenticeship and nontraditional
occupations. This program year 2006 SGA is authorized under the Women
in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) Act of 1992,
Pub. L. 102-530, 29 U.S.C. 2501 et seq. To that end, the OA and the WB
plan to disburse 2006 WANTO grant funds to three community-based
organizations (CBOs) including faith-based organizations (FBOs)/
registered apprenticeship program (RAP) consortia to conduct innovative
projects to improve the recruitment, selection, training, employment,
and retention of women in apprenticeships in the construction industry.
Each CBO/RAP consortium must consist of a minimum of: (1) a
construction industry Registered Apprenticeship Program sponsor, and
(2) a CBO (which may be faith based) with demonstrated experience in
securing job training services from established training institutions
such as community colleges, and providing placement and support
services to women in construction industry jobs.
It is anticipated that awards will be in the amount of
approximately $300,000.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This SGA consists of eleven (11) sections:
Section I provides the funding opportunity description.
Section II describes the size and nature of the
anticipated awards.
Section III describes applicant eligibility criteria.
Section IV outlines the application submission and
withdrawal requirements.
Section V describes the application review information.
Section VI outlines additional award administration
information.
Section VII lists the Agency Contact.
Section VIII provides other information, including
acronyms and definitions.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
A. Background
The Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO)
Act of 1992, Pub. L. 102-530 29 U.S.C. 2501 et seq. authorizes the U.S.
Department of Labor (DOL) to disburse technical assistance grants to
promote the recruitment, training, and retention of women in
apprenticeship and nontraditional occupations. The Women's Bureau (WB)
co-administers the WANTO program with the DOL ETA Office of
Apprenticeship (OA). The OA and the WB have the responsibility for
implementing this grant process.
B. Purpose
The WANTO Act's purpose is to provide technical assistance to
employers and labor unions (E/LU) to encourage employment of women in
apprenticeships and nontraditional occupations (A/NTO). One of the
means of providing technical assistance is through competitive grants
which focus on conducting innovative projects to improve the
recruitment, selection, training, employment, and retention of women in
apprenticeships in the construction industry. WANTO grants are awarded
to community-based organizations (CBOs), which may include faith-based,
union-related
[[Page 6769]]
organizations and employer-related nonprofit organizations, among
others. DOL has found that placement and retention of women in A/NTO
pose significant challenges. For example, on average, only three
percent of all newly registered and active apprentices in construction
occupations are women. Approximately 75 percent of all registered
apprenticeship programs are in the construction industry. Therefore,
the Department is focusing this notice on registered apprenticeship
opportunities for women in the construction industry. From 1994 to
2002, the DOL funded WANTO grants annually to CBOs and FBOs that
delivered technical assistance to employers and labor organizations to
prepare them to successfully recruit, train, employ and retain women.
The outcomes of these prior WANTO grants consisted largely of training
and resource manuals, as well as recruitment videos. Numbers of women
placed in registered apprenticeships through WANTO grant activities
were lower than expected. Therefore, the FY 2006 WANTO grants are
intended to help connect women with the significant employment
opportunities available in registered apprenticeship programs in the
construction industry. Additionally, to ensure women served by these PY
2006 WANTO grants have access to a full range of supportive services
and training, as well as specific employment opportunities, this SGA
requires applicants to demonstrate establishment of a consortium
consisting of CBOs and RAP sponsors whereby the employers and RAP
sponsors will be responsible partners for placing women into their
programs. For the purposes of this notice, all apprenticeable
occupations in the construction industry meet the definition of NTO.
II. Award Information
A. Grant Awards
The OA and the WB anticipate awarding two-year grants totaling
approximately $300,000 each to up to three CBO/RAP consortia, each
consisting of a minimum of one each of: (1) A construction industry RAP
sponsor, and (2) a CBO (which may be faith based) with demonstrated
experience in securing job training services from established training
institutions such as community colleges, and providing placement and
support services to women in construction industry jobs. The grants
will be funded in increments of $150,000 for each year. Funding for the
second year will be contingent upon satisfactory progress toward grant
requirements for placement of women in registered apprenticeship
programs as discussed in Section V.
B. Period of Performance
The period of performance will be up to 24 months from the date of
execution of the grant documents. DOL ETA may approve a request for a
no cost extension to grantees for an additional period of time based on
the success of the project and other relevant factors.
III. Eligibility Information
A. Eligible Applicants
Under this announcement only CBO/RAP consortia, as defined in
sections II and VIII of this SGA, may apply for and receive a grant
award. This requirement does not prevent the participation of other
entities which are integral to the implementation of the project.
IV. Application and Submission Information
A. Address To Request Application Package
Please note that this announcement includes all the information and
forms needed to apply for this funding opportunity. Additionally, all
application materials will be made available on the following Web
sites: http://www.doleta.gov/sga/ and http://www.grants.gov.
B. Content and Form of Application
Each application must include the original signed application and
two hard copies. The proposal must consist of two separate and distinct
parts: Part A--Financial Proposal; and Part B--Technical Proposal. Both
parts must be included in each copy of a complete application.
Applications that fail to adhere to the instructions in this section
may be deemed non-responsive and may not be considered for funding.
1. Requirements for the Technical Proposal
The technical proposal text is limited to twenty (20) double-
spaced, single-sided 8.5 inches by 11 inch pages with 12 point text
font and one-inch margins. Pages must be numbered. Only those
attachments listed below as ``Required Attachments'' will be excluded
from the page limit. The ``Required Attachments'' must be affixed as
separate, clearly identified appendices to the application. The
``Required Attachments'' are as follows:
(a) A Table of Contents, listing the application sections.
(b) Documentation of applicant eligibility, as described in Part
III of this notice. CBOs should provide proof of their status as a
private nonprofit organization as defined under section 101(7) of the
Workforce Investment Act of 1998, Pub. L. 105-220, 29 U.S.C. 2801 et
seq. DOL ETA will verify that RAP sponsors are registered with DOL ETA
or a DOL ETA-recognized State Apprenticeship Agency.
(c) A two-page abstract, summarizing the proposed project.
(d) Documentation of its experience, capability, and qualifications
for recruiting, training, hiring and retaining women in A/NTO, as
described in Part V, Section A1, ``Organizational Overview'' of this
notice.
(e) An organizational chart, resumes, or key personnel, and
complete staffing plans. Resumes of all key staff (e.g., Executive
Director, Project Director etc.) must include a description of each
individual's roles and responsibilities, his/her current employment
status and previous work experience, including position title, duties,
dates in position, employing organizations and educational background.
Staffing plans must identify all key tasks, the person(s) or days
required to complete each task and the percentage of time allocated to
the program by individuals assigned to the task, including sub-
contractors and consultants.
(f) A list of all items for which grant funds will be expended and
what organization will be responsible for each item. Only expenditure
items, not cost information, should be included.
(g) The consortium of organizations must include a copy of the
consortium agreement and must identify the consortium member that will
act as the administrative entity for the project as well as the project
lead. No member of a consortium shall make a separate application under
this grant program. In addition, the agreement must specify the
consortium's arrangements for handling the administrative and financial
responsibilities for the program.
Note: Optional attachments will be counted toward the page
limitation. Such optional attachments must be limited to meaningful
information that contributes to and/or verifies the proposed
activities, such as letters of commitment.
2. Requirements for the Cost Proposal
Application for Federal Assistance SF-424. The SF-424 must clearly
identify the applicant and be signed by an individual with authority to
enter into a grant agreement on behalf of the applicant. Upon
confirmation of an award, the individual signing the SF-424 on behalf
of the applicant shall represent the responsible entity. All
[[Page 6770]]
applications for Federal grant and funding opportunities are required
to have a Dun and Bradstreet (DUNS) number. Applicants must supply
their DUNS number in item 8 of SF-424. The DUNS number is easy
to obtain and there is no charge. To obtain a DUNS number, access
http://www.dnb.com or call 1-866-705-5711.
Budget Information for SF-424A. Standard Form 424A must contain a
detailed cost break-out on each of the expenditures under Section B of
the form, including Federal and non-Federal funds. As noted in Section
II.A, the budget should be prepared for the first year of the grant.
Copies of all required forms along with the instructions for completing
the forms are provided at the appendices of this SGA.
Note: The Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) is
available at http://www.[fxsp0]grants.[fxsp0]gov/techlib/424--
20090131.[fxsp0]doc and the Budget Information Form (SF-424A) is
available at http://www.[fxsp0]doleta.[fxsp0]gov/sga/forms/
form424a.[fxsp0]pdf.
EEO Survey. Applicants are also required to submit OMB Survey N.
1890-0014: Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants, which
can be found at http://www.[fxsp0]doleta.[fxsp0]gov/sga/
forms.[fxsp0]cfm.
Cost Categories. Expenditures must fall under one of two cost
categories: Administrative, which is to be divided between headquarters
and local; and Program Costs, which includes wages, fringe benefits,
and other participant costs.
Transition and Training Costs. Applicants are required to provide a
line item for transition costs (i.e., start-up [costs], participant
transfers, year-end closeout), as well as for sufficient training costs
for local staff that may be required by the DOL ETA throughout the
program year. Procurement procedures must comply with OMB Circular A-
122, Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations, and any additional
Federal cost principles, as applicable.
Applicants are to include in their cost proposal the cost of any
requested travel to Washington, DC.
C. Submission Dates, Times and Addresses
Applications may be submitted in either method described below, and
must be received no later than 4:45 p.m., Eastern Time on the closing
date. The application will not be considered if an applicant fails to
adhere to the submission instructions below.
Electronic Submissions. The Department requests that applicants
apply online at http://www.grants.gov. The Department strongly
recommends that applicants immediately initiate and complete the ``Get
Started'' steps to register with grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov/GetStarted.
Please note that these steps could take several days to
complete, and this time should be factored into plans for electronic
application submission in order to avoid facing unexpected delays that
could result in the rejection of an application. Documents should be
saved as .doc or .pdf prior to electronic submission through
grants.gov.
U.S. Postal Mail and Overnight Submissions. Submit one (1) blue-ink
signed, typewritten original of the application, and two (2) signed
photocopies in one package to: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and
Training Administration, Attention: James Stockton, Mail Stop: N-4716,
200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210.
Other Methods of Submission. Applications submitted by email,
telegram, or facsimile will not be accepted.
Late Applications. Any application received after the closing date
will not be considered, unless it is received before awards are made
and:
(a) It was sent by U.S. Postal Service registered or certified mail
no later than the fifth calendar day before the closing date (e.g., an
application required by the 20th of the month must be postmarked by the
15th of that month); or
(b) It was sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail/Next Day
Service from the post office to the addressee no later than 4:45 p.m.
at the place of mailing, two (2) working days (excluding weekends and
Federal holidays and days when the Federal Government is closed), prior
to the closing date; or
(c) It is determined by the Government that the late receipt was
due solely to the mishandling by the Federal Government after receipt
at the U.S. Department of Labor at the address indicated.
Acceptable Evidence for Late Applications. The only acceptable
evidence to establish the date of mailing of a late application sent by
registered or certified mail is the U.S. Postal Service postmark on the
envelope or wrapper and on the original receipt from the U.S. Postal
Service. If the postmark is not legible, an application received after
the closing date and time shall be considered, as if mailed late.
The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of a
late application sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail/Next Day
Service from the post office to the 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 the
envelope or wrapper on the original receipt from the U.S. Postal
Service.
``Postmarked'' means a printed, stamped, or otherwise placed
impression (exclusive of a postage meter machine impression) that is
readily identifiable, with 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 envelope or wrapper.
Mail Advisory in the DC Area. All applicants are advised that U.S.
mail delivery in the Washington, DC area is erratic. Packages addressed
to the U.S. Department of Labor are subject to radiation screening
before delivery. All applicants must take this into consideration when
preparing to meet the application closing date, as each applicant
assumes the risk for ensuring a timely submission of its application.
The Department recommends that applicants confirm receipt of their
applications by contacting James Stockton, U.S. Department of Labor,
Employment and Training Administration, Office of Grants and Contract
Management, telephone (202) 693-3335 before the closing date. This is
not a toll-free number.
Applications may be withdrawn by written notice or telegram
(including mailgram) at any time before the Department makes an award.
An applicant may withdraw its submissions in person by the applicant or
through an authorized representative of the applicant if: (1) The
applicant makes the representative's identity known to the Grant
Officer, and (2) the representative signs a receipt when he or she
receives the withdrawn application.
D. Funding Restrictions
Administrative Costs. The primary use of grant funds should be to
support the actual project. Therefore, applicants receiving grant funds
under this solicitation may not use more than 10 percent of the amount
requested for Administrative costs associated with the project.
Administrative costs are defined at 20 CFR 667.220.
Indirect Cost Rate. An indirect cost rate is required when an
organization operates under more than one grant or other activity
whether federally-assisted or not. Organizations must use the indirect
cost rate supplied by the cognizant Federal agency. If an organization
requires a new indirect cost rate or has a pending indirect cost
[[Page 6771]]
rate, the Grant Officer will award a billing rate for 90 days until a
provisional rate can be issued.
Allowable Costs. The Department shall determine what constitutes
allowable costs in accordance with the following Federal cost
principles, as applicable: (1) State and Local Government--OMB Circular
A-87; (2) Educational Institutions--OMB Circular A-21; (3) Nonprofit
Organizations--OMB Circular A-122; and (4) Profit-making Commercial
Firms--48 CFR part 31.
Legal rules pertaining to inherently religious activities by
organizations that receive Federal financial assistance. The government
is generally prohibited from providing direct Federal financial
assistance for inherently religious activities. See 29 CFR part 2,
subpart D. Grants under this solicitation may not be used for religious
instruction, worship, prayer, proselytizing, or other inherently
religious activities. Neutral, non-religious criteria that neither
favor nor disfavor religion will be employed in the selection of grant
recipients and must be employed by grantees in the selection of sub-
recipients.
V. Application Review Information
A. Evaluation Criteria
All applicants are required to use the rating criteria format when
developing their proposals. The technical panel will review grant
applications against the criteria listed below. Up to 135 points may be
awarded to an application. This total is based on up to 100 points for
the required information described in A.1, 2, and 3 below, and up to 35
bonus points for special program emphasis described in A.4 below. In
order to receive full credit, applicants must provide quality
information that does more than reiterate the requirement statement or
merely state how it will be accomplished. Therefore, responses must be
thoughtful and reflect a strategic vision for how these requirements
will be achieved. In addition, an applicant that describes only what
has been accomplished in the past but lacks full description what it
will be doing during the grant period will not receive credit for the
response.
Points Summary:
1. Organizational Overview--20 points.
2. Placement of Women in Registered Apprenticeship Programs--30
points.
3. Scope of WANTO Project and Projected Outcomes--50 points.
4. Bonus--35 points.
a. Incorporation of more than one RAP in the consortium--10 points.
b. Incorporation of more than one construction industry discipline
in the RAP partners--5 points.
c. Incorporation of multiple geographic areas into the consortium--
10 points.
d. Incorporation of Technology-Based Learning into the project to
support/facilitate participant's training and preparation for
apprenticeship--10 points. See Section VIII for a definition and
examples of Technology-Based Learning.
1. Organizational Overview (Up to 20 Points)
The applicant must demonstrate its experience, capability and
qualifications for administering a grant project. To be considered
fully responsive, the applicant must address all of the following:
(a) Describe the consortium members' experience and leadership for
the purpose of recruiting, selecting, training, placing and retaining
women in apprenticeships in the construction industry.
(b) The applicant must describe how the management structure and
staffing of the organization are aligned with the grant requirements,
vision, and goals; and how the structure and staffing are designed to
assure responsible general management of the organization.
(c) Identify all key tasks, the hours required for the completion
of such tasks, and the persons responsible for completing each task.
(d) Indicate if tradeswomen or women in nontraditional occupations
serve as active members of the consortium members, as either employed
staff or as board members.
(e) Where applicable, differentiate between the applicant
consortium and any proposed consultants or subcontractors, providing
information on each of the above.
2. Placement of Women in Registered Apprenticeship Programs (Up to 30
Points)
The consortium must demonstrate how it will place 100 women in
RAP(s) each year of the grant. For full credit under this element, the
applicant must provide detailed information for the following:
(1) Strategies for identifying the occupations in which RAP(s) plan
to train and employ women; (2) a description of the types of
construction apprenticeable occupations in which the RAP(s) plans to
train and employ women; (3) the number of apprentices registered by the
RAP(s) per year for the last five years; and (4) assurances that there
are or will be suitable and appropriate positions available in the
construction industry RAP(s)
3. Scope of WANTO Project and Projected Outcomes (Up to 50 Points)
The applicant must demonstrate comprehensive, targeted, and
effective technical assistance to be provided to the RAP(s) with WANTO
funding. The OA and the WB consider the successful placement of 100
women in construction industry apprenticeships the primary successful
outcome a grantee can achieve with WANTO funding.
To be considered fully responsive, the applicant must:
(a) Provide in detail the types of technical assistance (TA) that
will be provided to the RAP(s). Examples of such TA include: (1)
Outreach strategies and orientation sessions to recruit women into the
RAP(s) occupations and specific openings in RAP(s); (2) pre-apprentice
occupational skills training to prepare women for apprenticeship,
including English as a Second Language instruction; (3) ongoing
orientations for the RAP(s) and workers on creating a successful
environment for women in apprenticeship; (4) support groups and
facilitating networks for women in apprenticeship, on or off the job
site, to improve their retention; (5) liaison services between
tradeswomen and the RAP(s) to address workplace issues related to
gender; and (6) conducting exit interviews with tradeswomen to evaluate
their on-the-job experience and to assess the effectiveness of the
program.
(b) Document any leveraged resources or funding anticipated for the
accomplishment of the proposed project and a description of how the
funds will be used.
(c) Describe the outcomes the applicant anticipates as a result of
WANTO funding. This must include the number of women to be placed in:
(1) pre-apprenticeships, and (2) apprenticeships.
4. Bonus Points (Up to 35 Points)
Bonus points will be awarded for proposals that demonstrate
experience or indicate their plans to provide one or more of the
following:
a. Incorporation of more than one RAP in the consortium. (10
points).
b. Incorporation of more than one construction industry discipline
in the RAP partners. (5 points).
c. Inclusion of multiple geographical areas into the consortium.
(10 points).
d. Incorporation of Technology-Based Learning into to support and
facilitate the project participant's training and
[[Page 6772]]
preparation for apprenticeship. (10 points).
B. Review and Selection Process
Selection Process. The Grant Officer will organize evaluation
panels to review and evaluate the applications, using the point scoring
system and Rating Criteria format specified in Section A above. The
Grant Officer will rank applications based on the score assigned by the
panels through the evaluation process. The ranking will be the primary
basis used to identify applicants as potential grantees; however, the
review panel's recommendations are advisory in nature and not binding
on the Grant Officer. The Government will consider applications rated
by the evaluation panels with a score of 80 or above to be eligible for
a grant award. Applicants that score less than 80 will not be eligible
for a grant award.
Other Evaluation Factors. The submission of a successful previous
application for a WANTO grant from any prior year does not guarantee an
award under this solicitation. Final awards will be made based on the
best interests of the Federal Government, including, but not limited
to, such factors as technical quality, geographic balance, occupational
and/or industrial impact, availability of funds, uniqueness of project
and past grant performance. A previous grantee's failure to complete a
WANTO grant project within the grant award period, or failure to
provide required reports in a timely manner are aspects of past grant
performance that may result in denial of a 2006 grant. The Federal
Government reserves the right to ask for clarification or hold
discussion, but may elect to award a grant without such discussion.
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. The Grant Officer's determination of award
under this SGA is the final agency action.
VI. Additional Award Administration Information
A. Award Notices
All award notifications will be posted on ETA Homepage (http://www.doleta.gov
). The Grant Officer expects to announce the results of
this competition approximately sixty days after the closing date for
receipt of applications.
B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
1. Administrative Program Requirements
All grantees, including faith-based organizations will be subject
to all applicable Federal laws (available at http://thomas.loc.gov), regulations (available at http://gpoaccess.gov/cfr) and the applicable
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars (available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars
). The grants awarded under this SGA
will be subject to administrative standards and provisions as
applicable, including but not limited to, the following:
All Grant Recipients--20 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
Part 667.220 (Administrative Costs).
Non-Profit Organizations--OMB Circulars A-122 (Cost
Principles) and 29 CFR Part 95 (Administrative Requirements).
Educational Institutions--OMB Circulars A-21 (Cost
Principles) and 29 CFR Part 95 (Administrative Requirements).
All entities must comply with 29 CFR Parts 37, 93, and 98,
and where applicable 29 CFR Parts 96 and 99.
2. Administrative Standards and Provisions
Except as specifically provided, DOL ETA acceptance of a proposal
and an award of Federal funds to sponsor any program(s) does not
provide a waiver of any grant requirements and/or procedures. For
example, the OMB Grants Management circulars require, and an entity's
procurement procedures must require, that all procurement transactions
will be conducted, as practical, to provide full and open competition.
If a proposal identifies a specific entity to provide the services, the
DOL ETA award does not provide the justification or basis to sole-
source the procurement, i.e., avoid competition.
C. Reporting
The grantee is required to provide the reports and documentation
listed below.
Quarterly Financial Reports. A Quarterly Financial Status Report
(SF 269) is required until such time as all funds have been expended or
the grant period has expired. Quarterly reports are due 30 days after
the end of each calendar year quarter. Grantees must use DOL ETA's On-
Line Electronic Reporting System.
Quarterly Progress Reports. The grantee must submit a quarterly
progress report to the designated Federal Project Officer within 30
days after the end of each calendar year quarter. Two copies are to be
submitted providing a detailed account of activities undertaken during
that quarter. DOL ETA may require additional data elements to be
collected and reported on either a regular basis or special request
basis. Grantees must agree to meet DOL ETA reporting requirements. The
quarterly progress report should be in narrative form and should
include:
(a) A comparison of actual accomplishments with the goals and
objectives established for the period. This must include discussion of
placements in pre-apprenticeship programs, apprenticeships and
nontraditional jobs, giving the name and address of each workplace and
company involved; and TA provided to RAP(s) as well as the nature of
the TA provided.
(b) Reasons why established goals were not met, if appropriate.
(c) Any problems that may impede the performance of the grant and
the proposed corrective action.
(d) Any changes in the proposed work to be performed during the
next reporting period.
In addition, between scheduled reporting dates, the grantee(s)
shall immediately inform the OA and the WB of significant developments
affecting the ability to accomplish the work.
Final Report. No later than 90 days after the expiration of the
grant award, the grantee(s) shall submit two copies of the camera-ready
final report, each bound in a professional manner in a loose-leaf
notebook. These materials must be paid for with grant funds.
Instructions for the final report will be issued and may include
performance data, outcome results, an assessment of the grant project,
any employer or labor organization plans for follow-up of participants,
and Executive Summary of no more than three (3) pages. Upon request of
either the OA and the WB or the grantee, the grantee shall submit a
draft final report no more than 60 days after to the expiration date of
the grant. The OA and the WB will then review the draft report, and
provide written comments to the grantee within 15 days of receipt.
VII. Agency Contacts
For further information regarding this SGA, please contact James
Stockton, Grant Officer of the Division of Federal Assistance, at (202)
693-3335. This is not a toll-free number. Applicants may fax questions
about the program or information in this SGA to (202) 693-2879 and must
specifically address the fax to James Stockton and should include SGA/
DFA PY-06-01, a contact name, fax and phone number, and an e-
[[Page 6773]]
mail address. The mailing address is: U.S. Department of Labor,
Employment and Training Administration, Attention: James Stockton, Room
N-4716, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210.
VIII. Other Information
A. Questions About the Program or SGA
Questions and responses submitted to the Grant Officer regarding
this SGA will be posted on the Employment and Training Administration
Web site at http://www.doleta.gov/grants. Questions will be received
for one month after publication only. DOL ETA will not respond to
duplicate questions or questions that are not within the scope of this
SGA. Please do not direct questions to the OA or the WB.
B. Post Grant Award Conference
No later than eight (8) weeks after an award, the grantees shall
meet with the OA and the WB at the Post-Award Conference to discuss the
project, related components and TA; timelines; technical assistance
outcomes; assessment for comment; and final approval. The grantees, the
OA and the WB will discuss and make decisions on the following program
activities:
1. The proposed TA commitments for registered apprenticeship, and
related skilled nontraditional occupation activities and
responsibilities; the number of targeted RAP(s); and the number of
women who will become placed in a registered apprenticeship program.
2. The methodology the proposed partnership will use to support/
change management and employee attitudes to promote female workers in
A/NTO.
3. The types of systemic change anticipated by the TA strategies
that will be incorporated into ongoing employer recruitment, hiring,
training, and promotion of women in A/NTO.
4. The occupational, industrial, and geographical impact
anticipated.
5. The supportive services to be provided to employers and women
after successful placement into A/NTO.
The OA and the WB will provide further input orally or in writing,
if necessary, within ten (10) working days after the Post-Award
Conference.
C. Grant Plan of Action
If revisions have been necessary, no later than ten (10) weeks
after an award, the grantees and the OA and the WB will confirm the
``plan of action'' and detailed time-line for program implementation.
D. Grant Implementation
No later than twelve (12) weeks after an award, the grantee(s)
shall have begun to recruit, select, train, place, retain, and
otherwise prepare women for registered apprenticeships in the
construction industry, with progress to be measured in terms of
placement and retention in registered apprenticeships.
E. Veterans Priority
The Jobs for Veterans Act (Pub. L. 107-288) provides priority of
service to veterans and spouses of certain veterans for the receipt of
employment, training, and placement services in any job training
program directly funded, in whole or in part, by the U.S. Department of
Labor. In circumstances where WANTO grant recipient must choose between
two equally qualified candidates for training, one of whom is a
veteran, the Jobs for Veterans Act requires that WANTO grant recipients
give the veteran priority of service by admitting him or her into the
program. Please note that, to obtain priority of service, a veteran
must meet the program's eligibility requirement. ETA Training and
Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 5-03 (September 16, 2003)
provides guidance on the scope of the Jobs for Veterans Act and its
effect on current employment and training programs. TEGL No. 5-03,
along with additional guidance, is available at the ``Jobs for Veterans
Priority of Service'' Web site (http://www.doleta.gov/programs/vets).
F. Acronyms and Definitions
The following terms are defined for the convenience of prospective
applicants:
WANTO refers to Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional
Occupations.
A/NTO refers to apprenticeship and nontraditional occupations.
E/LU refers to employers and labor unions.
OA refers to the Office of Apprenticeship, U.S. Department of
Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
WB refers to the Women's Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor.
TA refers to technical assistance.
NTO (Nontraditional Occupations) are those where women account for
less than 25 percent of all persons employed in a single occupational
group. For the most recent listing of nontraditional jobs, see the WB
Web site at http://www.dol.gov/wb/stats/main.htm.
RAP refers to Registered Apprenticeship Program.
Pre-Apprenticeship Programs are those programs that prepare
individuals for registered apprenticeship. Depending on the
apprenticeable occupation for which the program is preparing students,
the curriculum would vary. For example, a curriculum for a construction
industry occupation may include pre-vocational identification and use
of tools, blueprint reading, basic shop skills, safety procedures, math
skills, and physical conditioning. English as a Second Language and
team-building skills might also be included.
Registered Apprenticeship is a formal employment relationship
designed to promote skill training and learning on the job. ``Hands
on'' learning takes place in conjunction with related theoretical
instruction (often in a classroom setting). An apprentice who
successfully completes an OA registered program, which usually requires
3 to 5 years, is awarded a certificate of completion of apprenticeship.
An OA registered program is one in which employers, or groups of
employers, and unions design, organize, manage, and finance
apprenticeship programs under the standards developed and registered
with OA or an OA-recognized State Apprenticeship Agency. Employers, or
groups of employers, and unions also select apprentices who are trained
to meet certain predetermined occupational standards. For more
information, see the OA Web site at http://www.doleta.gov/oa/.
CBO (Community-Based Organization) is a private nonprofit
organization, which may be faith-based, that is representative of a
community or a significant segment of a community, and which provides
job-training services and has demonstrated experience administering
programs that train women for A/NTO. (A CBO, as defined in the WANTO
Act, means a ``community-based organization as defined in section
101(7) of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2801 (7)),
that has demonstrated experience administering programs that train
women for apprenticeable occupations or other nontraditional
occupations.'' WIA states, ``The term 'community-based organizations'
means 'private nonprofit organizations which are representative of
communities or significant segments of communities and which provide
job training services.' '' The WIA definition provides examples of
organizations which meet the definition, including ``union-related
organizations'' and ``employer-related nonprofit organizations.'')
Consortium refers to a group formed to undertake a project.
CBO/RAP Consortium refers to a group consisting of a minimum of:
(1) A
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construction industry registered apprenticeship program (RAP) sponsor;
and (2) a CBO (which may be faith based) with demonstrated experience
in securing job training services from established training
institutions such as community colleges, and providing placement and
support services to women in construction industry jobs.
Technology-Based Learning (TBL) can be defined as the learning of
content via all-electronic technology, including the Internet,
intranets, satellite broadcasts, audio and video tape, video and audio
conference, Internet conferencing, chat rooms, bulletin boards, web
casts, computer-based instruction, and CD-ROM. It encompasses related
terms, such as online learning, Web-based learning, computer-based
learning, and e-learning.
Signed at Washington, DC, this 6th day of February 2007.
James W. Stockton,
Grant Officer of the Division of Federal Assistance.
[FR Doc. E7-2400 Filed 2-12-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-P