[Federal Register: November 8, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 217)]
[Notices]
[Page 68178-68200]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08no02-134]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
Senior Community Service Employment Program Grants for PY 2003
AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Notice of availability of funds and solicitation for grant
applications (SGA) for the national grants portion of the Senior
Community Service Employment Program.
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SUMMARY: All applicants for grant funds should read this notice in its
entirety. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL or the Department),
Division of Older Worker Programs (DOWP) of the Employment and Training
Administration (ETA), announces a grant competition for the Senior
Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) authorized under title V
of the Older Americans Act Amendments of 2000 (OAA Amendments), Pub. L.
106-501; 42 U.S.C. 3056 et seq. These projects will promote part-time
employment opportunities in community service activities for
unemployed, low-income individuals who are age 55 and over, and will
foster increased prospects for their economic self-sufficiency. Under
this solicitation, DOWP anticipates that approximately $342,000,000
will be available for grant awards in Program Year (PY) 2003 (July 1,
2003-June 30, 2004).
This notice describes the background, application process, program
activities, and evaluation criteria for this SGA, and the current
reporting requirements for SCSEP. The information and forms contained
in the Supplementary Information Section constitute the official
application package. All of the information needed to apply for grant
funding is included. Additional information can be located on the SCSEP
Web site at: http://wdsc.doleta.gov/seniors.
Notice: Federal regulations for the SCSEP are being developed. When
final, they may change reporting and/or other requirements. Applicants
must abide by the requirements that are in place at the time the grants
are awarded. Note, however, that the requirements, including the
regulations, may be revised during the grant period. Successful
applicants will be responsible for adhering prospectively to any
revised requirements that go into effect during the grant period,
including, but not limited to, final regulations.
Closing Date: Applications, including those hand-delivered, must be
received at the address below no later than 4:45 p.m., Eastern Time,
February 6, 2003.
Notice: All applicants are advised that U.S. mail delivery in the
Washington, DC area has been erratic due to the recent concerns
involving anthrax contamination. All applicants must take this into
consideration when preparing to meet the application deadline, as each
applicant assumes the risk for ensuring a timely submission of its
application. If, because of these mail problems, the Department does
not receive an application or receives it too late to give it proper
consideration, even if the application was timely mailed, the
Department will not consider the application. Therefore, it is
recommended that applicants confirm receipt of their applications by
contacting Lorraine Saunders, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and
Training Administration, telephone (202) 693-3336 before the closing
deadline. [This is not a toll-free number].
ADDRESSES: Applications must be directed to the U.S. Department of
Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Division of Federal
Assistance, Attention: Lorraine Saunders, Room S-4203, 200 Constitution
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210. Her e-mail address is
lsaunders@doleta.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Questions should be faxed to Jacquelyn Carter,
Grants Management Specialist, Division of Federal Assistance, Fax (202)
693-2879. [This is not a toll-free number]. All inquiries should
include the SGA number (DFA-02-111) and a contact name, fax and phone
numbers. This announcement will be published on the Internet on ETA's
Division of Older Worker Programs' homepage at http://wdsc.doleta.gov/
seniors. Award notifications will also be published on the ETA
homepage.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Purpose and Background
The U.S. Department of Labor, Division of Older Worker Programs of
the Employment and Training Administration is requesting grant
applications for the provision of community service employment and
unsubsidized placement of eligible participants (sometimes also
referred to as enrollees) in accordance with title V of the Older
Americans Act Amendments of 2000, Pub. L. 106-501, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 3056
et seq. SCSEP is the only nationwide Federal program that focuses on
training and placing older individuals into community service positions
and unsubsidized employment.
SCSEP is currently authorized through 2005 and provides for at
least 60,000 positions in which approximately 100,000 participants are
served each year through part-time employment opportunities in
community service activities. The purpose of the program is to foster
useful part-time opportunities in community service activities for
unemployed low-income persons who are 55 years or older and who have
poor employment prospects, and to foster individual economic self-
sufficiency by increasing the number of participants who receive the
benefits of unsubsidized employment in the public and private sectors.
Program participants work at community service agencies usually for 20
hours a week and are paid the higher of the Federal or State minimum
wage. (OAA Amendments Sec. 502(b)(1)(J)).
The Department is holding a full and open competition for SCSEP
national grant funds in order to provide better services to SCSEP
participants, host agencies, employers, and the communities that the
national grant program serves. Open competition is not only the
preferred vehicle for obtaining new grantees, but in most cases, it is
the required vehicle for obtaining new grantees. (Pub. L. 95-224; 43 FR
36860-65; DMLS-2 Sec. 836 at 8-12; OAA Amendments). The Department
favors full and open competition because it provides the Department
with an opportunity to ensure that the best applicants are awarded
grants and the program is administered to its full potential. It also
allows new and different entities, including faith-based and community-
based organizations, to become a part of the grantee community.
[[Page 68179]]
The Department is committed to minimizing disruptions to the extent
possible and the requirements that applicants and grantees must meet
reflect this commitment. A selected grantee may be required to
negotiate with the Department on the geographic areas it will serve so
that all positions are located in the same State and county in which
positions are currently located, and to ensure that all geographic
areas that are currently served continue to be served. Therefore, a
winning grantee may not be awarded all areas that it proposes to serve
and in some cases, a selected grantee may be required to serve one or
more areas not included in its application. The Department will assure,
through the selection and negotiation process, that all areas currently
served continue to be served.
Currently, participants occupy nearly all SCSEP positions. If
transitions are made from one grantee to another as a result of this
competition, these participants must be given the opportunity to
continue in the program. Therefore, selected grantees must agree to
offer incumbent SCSEP participants in authorized positions the first
opportunity to continue in an SCSEP position in the grantee's program
(e.g., ``right of first refusal''). As such, selected grantees must
offer incumbent SCSEP participants the opportunity to continue in the
SCSEP program in a position in the same geographic area, but not
necessarily in the same host agency. Selected grantees may choose to
move participants into new host agencies, or they may continue to
utilize the current host agencies.
Further, the Department will work with the grantees to promote a
seamless transition, if there is a new grantee in an area. Such
transition assistance includes technical assistance, the approval to
purchase equipment, obtaining office space, etc., prior to the start of
the grant period. The Department intends to hold a conference after it
makes awards, which will allow grantees to network with each other and
learn how to establish the necessary partnerships to make the SCSEP a
more successful program.
II. Application Process
A. Eligible Applicants
Applicants may apply to receive a grant under one or more of the
following three (3) categories.
(1) General National Grant Funds. Applications for general SCSEP
national grant funds will be accepted from public and private nonprofit
agencies and organizations, including faith-based and community-based
organizations, and tribal organizations in accordance with section
502(b)(1) of the OAA Amendments, which have familiarity with the areas
and populations to be served and can administer an effective program.
``Nonprofit'' is defined as an agency, institution, or organization
which is, or is owned and operated by, one or more corporations or
associations no part of the net earnings of which inures, or may
lawfully inure, to the benefit of any private shareholder or
individual. (OAA Amendments Sec. 101(4)). ``Tribal organizations''
means the recognized governing body of any Indian tribe, or any legally
established organization of Indians which is controlled, sanctioned, or
chartered by such governing body. (OAA Amendments Sec. 101(7)). In any
case in which a contract is let or grant made to an organization to
perform services benefiting more than one Indian tribe, the approval of
each such Indian tribe is a prerequisite to the letting or making of
such contract or grant. Applicants must mark a ``G'' on the application
and state specifically in the application that they are applying for
general SCSEP national grant funds.
(2) Indian and Native American Grant Funds. Applications for Indian
and Native American national grant funds will be accepted from public
or nonprofit national Indian aging organizations with the ability to
provide employment services to older Indians as required by section
506(a)(3) of the OAA Amendments. ``Indian'' means a person who is a
member of an Indian tribe. (OAA Amendments Sec. 101(5)). ``Indian
tribe'' means any tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or
community of Indians (including Alaska Native village or regional or
village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska
Native Claims Settlement Act) which (A) is recognized as eligible for
the special programs and services provided by the United States to
Indians because of their status as Indians; or (B) is located on, or in
proximity to, a Federal or State reservation or rancheria. (OAA
Amendments Sec. 101(6)).
Applicants must mark an ``INA'' on the application and state
specifically in the application that they are applying for Indian
national grant funds.
(3) Pacific Island and Asian American National Grant Funds.
Applications for Pacific Island and Asian American national grant funds
will be accepted from national public or nonprofit Pacific Island and
Asian American aging organizations with the ability to provide
employment to older Pacific Island and Asian Americans as required by
section 506(a)(3) of the OAA Amendments. ``Pacific Island and Asian
American'' means Americans having origins in any of the original
peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, or
the Pacific Islands. (OAA Amendments Sec. 516(3)). Applicants must
mark an ``AP'' on the application and state specifically in the
application that they are applying for Asian Pacific national grant
funds.
Applicants applying for more than one category above must submit
separate applications for each category for which they are applying.
Each applicant must submit a copy of its application to the
Governor in each State that it proposes to serve before submitting an
application to the Department as required by section 503(a)(5) of the
OAA Amendments. Under this provision, the Governor of each State may
submit a recommendation to the Secretary relating to the anticipated
effect of an applicant's proposal on the overall distribution of
positions within the State; recommendations for redistribution of
positions to underserved areas; and recommendations for distribution of
newly available positions.
Before receiving an award, applicants must meet the eligibility
criteria and responsibility tests established in section 514 of the OAA
Amendments and any applicable regulations.
Before receiving funding, all selected applicants must certify that
they will comply with uniform cost principles and circulars issued by
the Office of Management and Budget, keep records, and submit reports
to the Department.
Before receiving funding, all selected applicants must agree to be
evaluated on performance measures as a condition of the grant award.
(OAA Amendments Sec. 513(a)(5)).
Entities may apply as a consortium, but each member of the
consortium must meet all eligibility and responsibility tests. Entities
applying as a consortium are also jointly and severally liable for
meeting all requirements for administering this Federally-funded
program.
Section 18 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-65,
prohibits the award of Federal funds to entities described in section
501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying
activities. Therefore, such entities are not eligible to receive funds
under this announcement.
The Grant Officer's determination for award under this SGA
constitutes a final agency action. The receipt of funding in any prior
year does not guarantee an award under this SGA.
[[Page 68180]]
B. Jurisdictions To Be Served
The OAA Amendments provide that when funds are awarded
competitively, it should be done in a manner that minimizes disruptions
of services to participants to the extent possible. National SCSEP
resources are distributed by a formula to each State. At the sub-State
level SCSEP positions are distributed largely on a proportional basis
depending on the eligible population living in each county.
Consequently, SCSEP participants are located in nearly every county in
the nation. The geographic areas an applicant proposes to serve and the
number of positions it proposes to place in each area must be based on
the present location of positions. In developing this application,
applicants must identify the area(s) they would serve. See Appendix E
on the ETA homepage at http://wdsc.doleta.gov/seniors for a listing of
the locations of current positions and the number of authorized
positions by State and county. If selected, negotiations may result in
the selected applicant serving areas that it did not propose to serve
and not serving areas it included in its application. To ensure the
integrity of the program and to minimize disruptions to current
participants and community services, the Department retains the
authority to approve or disapprove the distribution of all positions.
Currently, SCSEP national grantees operate projects in all States
(including Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia) except Alaska,
Delaware, Hawaii, and the territories. Projects in these latter
jurisdictions are not covered by this SGA. Alaska, Delaware, and Hawaii
have not been served by national grantees in the past. As a result of
the ``hold harmless'' provisions in the current legislation, there is
currently no available funding to support projects in these areas by
national grantees. To compensate for the lack of national grantees in
these areas, the Department has sufficiently funded these States to
provide equitable services to their SCSEP participants. The
territories, which include Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin
Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, receive
funds directly through a specific reservation under the OAA Amendments.
C. Funding Levels
The total amount of funds available for this SGA is approximately
$342,000,000. It is anticipated that from 10 to 20 awards may be made
under this SGA, including at least one award to an Indian and Native
American organization and at least one to an Asian Pacific Islander
organization. The Department reserves the right to negotiate the
amounts to be awarded under this competition.
No request for funds may be less than $6,000,000. In applying,
applicants must list the location of positions by State(s) and counties
where they plan to operate. The positions located in the combination of
counties and State(s) where the applicant proposes to operate must not
be less than 840. A grant request of $6,000,000 provides for
approximately 840 positions. Please be advised that requests under
$6,000,000 / 840 positions will not be considered and will be deemed
non-responsive.
The Department has established this minimum level for grant
requests based on the statutory 13.5 percent administrative cost
limitation in the OAA Amendments at section 502(c)(3). Historically,
the Department's smallest grant for this program has been $6,000,000.
Based on experience, the Department believes that it becomes
increasingly more difficult to provide administrative payroll systems,
program oversight, and to maintain the fiduciary duties required of
program oversight under the current statutory administrative cost
limitations with a grant smaller than $6,000,000.
D. Administrative Requirements
Administrative Costs. The SCSEP has legislated limitations on the
expenditure of Title V funds. The administrative cost limitation of an
SCSEP project is 13.5 percent of the Federal share; however, the OAA
Amendments allow the Secretary to increase this limit, but only up to
15 percent of the Federal share. (OAA Amendments Sec. 502(c)(3)). Any
applicant requesting an administrative cost higher than 13.5 percent
must justify such a request as a part of its application. Note,
however, that justification alone does not entitle the applicant to
approval of a higher administrative cost limit. Any decision to approve
a higher administrative limit will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Wages and Fringe Benefits. There is a minimum or ``floor'' on the
amount that must be spent on participant wages and fringe benefits.
That floor is 75 percent of the total Federal share, which reflects
Congressional concern that low-income program participants be the
primary beneficiaries of the funding. (OAA Amendments Sec.
502(c)(6)(B)). The difference between (1) the total grant allotment and
(2) the sum of the administrative costs and participant wages and
fringe benefits is called ``Other Participant Costs.'' [total grant
allotment--(administrative costs + wages and fringe benefits) = Other
Participant Costs].
Other Participant Costs. Costs that are to be used for participant
training, counseling, job development, and similar activities are
called ``Other Participant Costs'' (OAA Amendments Sec. 502(c)(6)(A)).
The available Federal share for Other Participant Costs is that part of
the Federal grant allocation that is not used for administrative costs
or participant wages and fringe benefits.
Federal and non-Federal share. Applicants are reminded that not all
project costs are Federal. The Federal share must not exceed 90 percent
of the total project. (OAA Amendments Sec. 502(c)(1)). The non-Federal
share may be in cash or in-kind, but cannot be other Federal funds and
must otherwise be an allowable charge used for SCSEP purposes.
Start-up costs. Specific start-up costs are not statutorily
provided for SCSEP projects. However, according to section 502(c)(4) of
the OAA Amendments, the cost of administration (limited to 13.5 percent
or 15 percent with Department approval), includes the costs associated
with goods and services, such as rental or purchase of equipment,
utilities, office supplies, postage, and rental and maintenance of
office space. Generally, these costs are incurred after the beginning
of a grant period. However, the Department will allow new grantees to
obtain such items up to one month before the beginning of the program
year (July 1, 2003) to assist with the transition between incumbents
and new grantees. This intent will be conveyed through the grant
agreement with such grantees.
E. Period of Performance
Successful applicants under this SGA are expected to commence
program operations on July 1, 2003. The period of performance will
initially be for one (1) year, with an option to be funded for an
additional two (2) years at the Department's discretion, if regulations
are finalized and performance measures are established as required by
section 514(a) of the OAA Amendments.
F. Submission of Proposals
A cover letter, an original plus two (2) copies of the proposal,
and one (1) blue ink-signed original SF 424 must be timely submitted to
the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration,
Division of Financial Assistance, Room S-4203, 200 Constitution Avenue,
NW., Washington, DC 20210. This proposal must have two parts: (1) A
technical proposal; and (2) a cost proposal.
[[Page 68181]]
G. Acceptable Methods of Submission
Notice: All applicants are advised that U.S. mail delivery in the
Washington, DC area has been erratic due to the recent concerns
involving anthrax contamination. All applicants must take this into
consideration when preparing to meet the application deadline, as each
applicant assumes the risk for ensuring a timely submission of its
application. If, because of these mail problems, the Department does
not receive an application or receives it too late to give it proper
consideration, even if the application was timely mailed, the
Department will not consider the application. Therefore, it is
recommended that applicants confirm receipt of their application by
contacting Lorraine Saunders, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and
Training Administration, telephone (202) 693-3336 prior to the closing
deadline. [This is not a toll-free number].
Hand-delivered applications. To be considered for funding, hand-
delivered applications must be received not later than 4:45 p.m.,
Eastern Time, on the closing date, at the specified address.
Electronic applications. Due to the erratic mail delivery in the
Washington, DC area, in addition to using the U.S. Postal Service or
overnight delivery services, applicants have the option of submitting
their applications via e-mail to Lorraine Saunders at
lsaunders@doleta.gov. Should the applicant choose to use e-mail, the
return receipt option must be utilized in order to verify receipt of
the application (see instructions below), and an originally signed
signature sheet of the SF 424, along with a copy of the grantee's e-
mail/written verification of receipt, must follow via overnight mail.
E-mailed applications will be accepted in Microsoft WORD only.
Before sending the e-mail, click on ``file,'' go to ``properties,
return notification,'' and finally click on ``mail receipt.'' The
sender will automatically receive an e-mail notification when the e-
mail is opened.
Please note that faxed applications will not be accepted.
Applications not received by the deadline will not be accepted.
Withdrawal of applications. Applications may be withdrawn by
written notice or telegram (including mail gram) received at any time
before an award is made. Applications may be withdrawn in person by the
applicant or by an authorized representative, if the representative's
identity is made known and the representative signs a receipt for the
application.
Failure to adhere to the above instructions will be basis for a
determination of non-responsiveness.
H. Required Content
An application must consist of two (2) separate and distinct parts:
a technical proposal and a cost proposal.
The technical proposal must consist of a narrative not to exceed
forty (40) double-spaced pages, including all attachments with the
exception of required vitae and the list of prior government grants and
contracts, with a font size of no less than 11 pt., and typewritten on
one side of the paper only. The required vitae will not count against
the page limitation and must be attached as a separate appendix to the
SGA. Applicants must include as a separate appendix, a list of all
government grants and contracts that it or any of its affiliates has
had in the past three (3) years, including grant officer contact
information. For purposes of this SGA, the term ``affiliate'' refers to
the applicant's subsidiaries, divisions, predecessors, and successors.
All other attachments count against the 40-page limitation and must be
limited to meaningful information that contributes to, and/or verifies
the proposed activities, such as letters of commitment. The content of
the technical proposal is described in section III of this SGA.
The cost proposal must contain the required standard forms and
budget information as described in section IV.
III. The Technical Proposal
A. Program Components
The purpose of this section is to give applicants a better sense of
how the SCSEP operates and what functions and responsibilities are
important to the program. It is not intended to be an all-inclusive
description and does not reflect all the requirements of the program.
Applicants that wish to learn more about the SCSEP are encouraged to
review the legislation at Pub. L. 106-501 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 3056). The
legislation at section 502 contains a number of criteria that each
grant must meet. An applicant's failure to demonstrate that its
proposed program meets these criteria will make the application non-
responsive. Applicants should also review the current regulations at 20
CFR Part 641 and the Older Worker (OW) Bulletins, which may be found on
ETA's Division of Older Worker Program's homepage at http://
wdsc.doleta.gov/seniors. Applicants may use this information when
drafting their responses to the Rating Criteria in section III.C. of
this SGA. The Department also intends to hold bidder's conferences for
all interested applicants that want to learn more about the program and
the competition process. The times and locations for these conferences
will be posted on the Division of Older Worker Program's homepage at
http://wdsc.doleta.gov/seniors. Applicants may review ETA's homepage at
http://wdsc.doleta.gov/sga/pdf/ApplyingGrants.pdf for information on
applying for ETA grants and http://wdsc.doleta.gov/sga/ for forms and
information relating to competition for ETA grants. Further,
regulations covering the OAA Amendments are being developed and updates
will be posted on the Division of Older Worker Program's homepage
throughout the regulatory process.
Individual Employment Plans (IEP). Each SCSEP participant must be
assessed to determine the skills and employment-related needs of that
individual, and a plan must be developed to improve the participant's
employability. The IEP generally includes an employment goal and an
appropriate sequence of services for that participant based on the
assessment. (Some programs may call this type of plan an IDP, or
Individual Development Plan.)
Community Service Employment. Providing subsidized community
service employment is a significant part of the SCSEP's purpose.
Community service may include, but is not limited to, such activities
as social, health, welfare and educational services, counseling
services, including tax counseling, environmental efforts,
weatherization efforts and economic development. Community service
assignments are usually made at host agencies. Participants receive
wages paid for by the grant.
Training. Training is an important tool to make the most effective
use of the skills and talents of participants, to help them succeed in
their community service assignments and to facilitate placement of
participants in unsubsidized employment. How much training, and what
types of training are necessary are based on each individual
participant's IEP.
Services for Individuals with Multiple Barriers to Employment. One
emphasis of this program is addressing the needs of minority, limited
English-speaking, and, where applicable, Indian eligible individuals as
well as eligible individuals who have the greatest economic need to
remove their barriers to obtaining employment. ``Greatest economic
need'' is defined as need resulting from an income level at or below
the poverty line and need caused
[[Page 68182]]
by non-economic factors, which may include: physical and mental
disabilities; language barriers; and cultural, social, or geographical
isolation, including isolation caused by racial or ethnic status, that
restricts the ability of an individual to perform normal daily tasks or
threatens the capacity of the individual to live independently. (OAA
Amendments Sec. 101(27)).
Coordination with the Workforce Investment Act, One-Stop Career
Centers and State and Area Agencies on Aging. All SCSEP activities are
required to be coordinated with One-Stop centers operated under the
Workforce Investment Act (WIA), Pub. L. 105-220 and the State aging
network. With regard to One-Stops, the SCSEP is a required partner
under WIA. As such, SCSEP activities must be coordinated with WIA. For
instance, participant assessments of eligibility, needs, and competence
under SCSEP will satisfy any condition for an assessment under WIA and
vice-versa. Coordination with State and Area Agencies on Aging is
required to ensure a ``seamless program,'' which ultimately benefits
program participants. ETA also encourages grantees to coordinate
efforts with other SCSEP grantees.
Host Agencies. Host agencies provide the worksites for program
participants and may be public or private 501(c)(3) organizations,
including community-based and faith-based organizations, authorized
Federal agencies, State agencies, or local agencies. It is not uncommon
for many of the SCSEP national grantees to function as host agencies by
utilizing their organizations as the worksite for participants. Host
agencies are an important component in that they serve the purposes of
the program by supplying community service work assignments and by
providing training and work experience for participants. The quality of
the host agency directly affects the value of the work experience for
the participants, and the participants' ability to obtain unsubsidized
employment.
Geographic Areas. The Department allocates SCSEP positions or slots
on an equitable basis, by State based on Census data of unemployed,
low-income people who are 55 or older. (OAA Amendments Sec.
503(a)(4)). ETA strives to ensure the equitable distribution of
positions to cover both rural areas and urban areas adequately. Current
positions are available at Appendix E, which is posted only on the ETA
homepage at http://wdsc.doleta.gov/seniors. Currently, a State may have
one or more grantees serving within its territory. Several grantees may
operate in large population centers, focusing on the needs of specific
population groups. To give applicants a better picture of how the
positions and grantees work together currently within a State,
applicants may review the ETA homepage at http://wdsc.doleta.gov/
seniors/html--docs/directory.html for more information.
Placement into Unsubsidized Employment. One of the SCSEP objectives
is to foster economic self-sufficiency through unsubsidized employment.
The SCSEP program has a legislatively mandated, minimum placement goal
of 20 percent of the number of authorized positions for each program
grantee, and an overall Government Performance and Results Act of 1993
(GPRA) placement goal of 37 percent. The ability of a grantee to meet
the unsubsidized placement goal depends largely on how successful the
grantee is at targeting occupations, identifying job openings, training
its participants, and successfully matching participants and jobs.
B. Rating Criteria for Award
A DOL panel will use the point scoring system and the Rating
Criteria format specified below to review applications. Applications
will be ranked based on the score assigned by the panel after careful
evaluation by each panel member. It is required that all applicants use
the Rating Criteria format when developing their SGAs.
The ranking will be the primary basis used to identify applicants
as potential grantees. The Department may establish a competitive
range, based upon the application evaluation, for the purpose of
selecting qualified applicants. The panel's conclusions are advisory in
nature and not binding on the Grant Officer. In deciding whether to
award a grant to an applicant the Grant Officer may, when appropriate,
also take into account the applicant's past performance in its prior
Federal grants or contracts for the past three (3) years as it relates
to the applicant's or its affiliate's demonstration of financial and
administrative responsibility and program performance. The information
the Grant Officer considers may include: (1) The applicant's level of
cooperation with grant officer(s), the applicant's Federal technical
representatives, and Federal auditors and investigators; and (2) the
sufficiency of the administrative costs to subgrantees, subcontractors,
or other affiliates. (A list of the applicant's prior grants and
contracts must be attached to the proposal as described in section II.
H. of this Solicitation). The Department reserves the right to ask for
clarification or hold discussions, but is not obligated to do so. The
Department further reserves the right to select applicants out of rank
order if such a selection would, in its opinion, result in the most
effective and appropriate combination of funding, administrative costs
(e.g., cost per enrollment and placement), program goals (e.g., serving
the needs of minorities, limited English speakers, Indian eligible
individuals, and those of greatest economic need), and geographical
service areas. Such items will be negotiated before we award a grant.
If the negotiations do not result in an acceptable submission, the
Department has the right to decline to fund an applicant's proposal.
Before receiving an award, applicants must meet the eligibility
criteria and responsibility tests established in section 514 of the OAA
Amendments and any applicable regulations, regardless of the
applicant's rating score.
Scoring: The following full review criteria totaling a maximum
score of 100 points apply to all applicants.
(1) Program Design--Approach, Population(s) and Area(s) Served (20
Points)
The applicant must describe the overall plan for how it will
realize the purposes of the program, which are to promote useful part-
time employment opportunities in community service activities for
unemployed, low-income persons, and to foster individual economic self-
sufficiency, and to increase the number of persons who may enjoy the
benefits of unsubsidized employment.
Although selected grantees must provide ``the right of first
refusal'' to current participants, vacancies may occur for a number of
reasons. Therefore, the applicant must describe the expected
characteristics of the specific population(s) it will serve, including:
those with greatest economic need (as defined by OAA Amendments Sec.
101(27)), greatest social need (as defined by OAA Amendments Sec.
101(28)), poor employment history or prospects, and those individuals
who are over age 60, the range of services it will offer to meet the
needs of the population(s), and the geographic area(s) that will be
served by the proposed program.
The applicant must describe the methodology it will use to identify
the population(s) it will serve. Applicants must include the number and
percentage of those individuals who are expected to have multiple
barriers to employment, including minorities, limited English-speaking,
Indian eligible individuals, and eligible individuals
[[Page 68183]]
who have the greatest economic needs, and address how the services it
will provide will overcome the barriers faced by individuals in the
population(s) proposed to be served.
The applicant must describe its plan to recruit and select
participants and must:
--Explain how eligibility will be determined and documented; and
--Describe efforts to assure participation of minority groups, those
with greatest economic need and those with poor employment prospects.
The applicant must describe how it will certify the income of each
participant upon entry into the program and re-certify the income of
each participant at least once each program year. The applicant must
indicate the schedule for certifying income eligibility of
participants, and indicate what actions the applicant will take for
those found to be no longer eligible. Applicants must also indicate
where eligibility records will be maintained. (Information related to
these requirements may be found in Older Worker Bulletins Nos. 96-5,
95-5, and 98-31. These and other bulletins and information may be found
at http://wdsc.doleta.gov/seniors).
The applicant must include a detailed list of the States, counties,
and in a few instances, cities where the project and its subprojects
will be conducted, including the number of authorized positions to be
established in each jurisdiction. The distribution of authorized
positions by county and the estimated allocation of funds for each
State should be listed. As discussed earlier, the Department and
selected grantees may negotiate final State dollar amounts and number
of positions that will be awarded to each grantee. For those applicants
with a proposed project located in a city but also serving surrounding
counties, the county where the city is located (unless the city is not
in a county as listed in Appendix E) and the surrounding counties must
be listed with the number of authorized positions. See Appendix E for a
listing of the location of current projects and the number of
authorized positions under each of these projects. Applicants will find
Appendix E posted only on the ETA homepage at http://wdsc.doleta.gov/
seniors.
The applicant must provide an outline of the procedures it will use
to ensure that program participants will not displace other employees,
(including partial displacement such as in the reduction of hours
worked or benefits), workers on layoff or contract employees, as
required by section 502(b)(1)(F) of the OAA Amendments.
The applicant must briefly discuss the complaint resolution system
that it will use in cases where a participant wishes to dispute an
adverse action or in cases where an applicant for enrollment wishes to
dispute an unfavorable determination of eligibility. If available,
provide as an attachment an example of the written explanation of the
complaint resolution system that is to be given to each participant.
(2) Program Services--Community Services and Participant Services (20
Points)
Although a selected grantee may choose to use existing SCSEP
positions or to create new ones and must offer incumbent participants
the right of first refusal for continued participation, it must
nonetheless discuss its preferred approach to selecting and providing
community services. The applicant must describe the types of community
services that will be provided by participants employed under its SCSEP
projects. An applicant that chooses to take over existing positions
must discuss its vision of how community services are to be provided.
The applicant must list the types of services and agencies that will
host participants to perform them. (A matrix format is suggested for
ease of display within a limited page allocation). The applicant must
also describe the method it will use to select and/or develop the host
agencies and their community services, and how it proposes to maintain
relationships with them. The applicant must outline how it will review
these agencies to ensure on-the-job training, participant satisfaction,
satisfactory health and safety conditions, adequate supervision, and
fiscal integrity. The applicant must explain how it will ensure that
these employment opportunities will be made available to participants
in their immediate communities or nearby, and how the community
services offered will benefit the community.
Host agencies providing the worksites for program participants must
be publicly owned and operated facilities, or projects sponsored by
501(c)(3) organizations, including community-based and faith-based
organizations. (OAA Amendments Sec. 502(b)(1)(C)).
The applicant must describe the services that will be provided to
the participants, either directly, through the One-Stop Center System,
or through other service providers.
Physical Examinations. Applicants must describe the arrangements
that will be made to offer physical examinations to participants.
Orientation. Applicants must describe participant and host agency
orientation procedures. The description must include discussion of
participant and agency responsibilities, permissible political
activities, grievance procedures, etc.
Assessment. Applicants must describe the procedures to be followed
in assessing the job aptitudes, job readiness, and job preferences of
participants, as well as their potential for transition into
unsubsidized employment. Applicants must address the types of training
and supportive service that it will provide as part of a participant's
assessment.
Individual Employment Plan (IEP). Applicants must describe how the
assessment will be used to develop the IEP for each participant. The
IEP includes the participant's goal and the steps to achieve that goal.
Training. Applicants must describe the training that will be
provided to participants. Training should be related to the
participant's assessment and IEP. Training may be related to the
participant's community service job duties, unsubsidized employment
goal, or it may be developmental, (i.e., the skills developed will
enhance the participant's unsubsidized employment opportunities).
Placement into Community Service Employment. Applicants must
describe the methods to be used to place participants into community
service employment. Include such factors as:
--The types of community service activities that will be emphasized in
assigning participants to community service jobs;
--The extent to which participants will be placed in work assignments
involving the administration of the project itself;
--The criteria for selecting work assignments;
--The average number of hours in participant work weeks;
--The average participant wage rate;
--Participant fringe benefits; and
--The procedures for assuring participants are given adequate work site
supervision.
Supportive services. Applicants must describe the supportive
services to be provided to participants and the source(s) of these
services.
Participant transportation. Where applicable, applicants must
describe the arrangements that will be made to provide transportation
assistance to participants and/or the reimbursement rate for
transportation.
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(3) Program Services--Unsubsidized Placements (20 Points)
Placement into unsubsidized employment. Each year the grantee must
place a minimum of 20 percent of the number of authorized positions
(with a goal of 37%) into unsubsidized employment. Therefore,
applicants must:
--Describe the steps that will be taken to transition participants into
unsubsidized employment.
--Include examples or anticipated content of the cooperative
arrangements that will be made with the Workforce Investment Board and
One-Stop centers. (OAA Amendments Section 502(b)(1)(O)).
--Describe placement follow-up efforts that will be utilized.
Work with area employers. The applicant must describe how it plans
to identify what the needs of area employers are, the skills in demand,
how any skills gaps might be filled, the jobs expected to be available
in the area, the strategies that it will use to provide participants
with the skills needed by employers, and strategies it will use to
match participants with employers.
(4) Program Coordination and Oversight (20 Points)
Coordination. The applicant must describe its plans for
coordinating with One-Stop centers and State aging networks, and for
recruiting host agencies, including community-based and faith-based
organizations, in the communities it proposes to serve. The applicant
must indicate any other cooperative relationships, or information-
sharing arrangements that will assist program performance and assure
equitable access to the program.
Program Oversight. The applicant must describe its procedures for
managing any proposed subgrantees to ensure effective program
operations. The applicant must provide, for example, an explanation of
how it will ensure that adequate resources are made available for local
level operations, and how it will establish a mechanism for the tracing
of funds to a level of expenditure adequate to ensure that funds have
been spent lawfully.
The applicant must describe the methods and procedures to be used
to monitor and evaluate project activities, subgrantees, host agencies
and contractors to determine if the project is being administered in
accordance with Federal guidelines and regulations and if project goals
and timetables are being met. Include in this explanation:
--How frequently monitoring/evaluation visits will be made to projects
(generally local projects should be monitored no less than annually);
--Who will be responsible for monitoring/evaluation;
--What criteria will be used to monitor and evaluate project
activities;
--What methods will be used for prescribing remedial action when
necessary;
--What follow-up procedures will be used to ensure that any identified
problem has been remedied; and
--How subgrantee or project reports will be validated and made part of
permanent files.
Minimizing Disruptions. The applicant must describe its plan for
carrying out activities designed to ensure minimal disruptions to
existing participants in the event that the applicant replaces an
incumbent grantee. The applicant must describe how on-board
participants of the former grantee(s) (if applicable) will be
transferred to its program with a minimum of disruption. It must
describe how it will administer the participants' ``right of first
refusal.'' The description must include an explanation of how and when
the participants will be notified, what records will be turned over (if
applicable), what efforts will be made to maintain the privacy of
individual records, what efforts will be made to place program
participants into other employment and training opportunities, if
needed, and what other services might be provided to ease the
transition. The applicant must describe its timeline for developing and
initiating program operations and this transition process following
notification of award.
Applicants must describe a plan for reassuring participants that
efforts will be made to minimize disruptions to them in the program.
(5) Management Structure and Fiscal Integrity (20 Points)
Management Structure. The applicant must describe the management
structure for the proposed project. The applicant must include a
staffing plan or project organizational chart describing the
relationship between it and planned subgrantees and/or key host
agencies. The chart must identify staff with key management
responsibilities and show their expected portion of time dedicated to
the project (if less than 100 percent). The applicant must include a
brief description of its specific, relevant experience (and, as
appropriate, the experience of significant subgrantees) in serving
senior populations, serving people with barriers to employment, and/or
in administering other employment related or other Federal programs.
The applicant must also include position descriptions and, if
available, vitae for key staff in management and participant services.
Subgrants. Applicants that are considering utilizing subgrantees
are also required to submit the criteria they plan to use in selecting
subgrantees. Applicants must also demonstrate the sufficiency of the
proposed level of administrative funding for such subgrantees.
Applicants that intend to hold a competition for subgrantees are
required to submit their criteria for that competition. Such applicants
must provide a timeframe for competing and/or awarding subgrants,
whether awarded competitively or non-competitively, including the
planned dates of the awards and performance.
Program and Fiscal Integrity. The applicant must describe the
mechanisms it plans to use to establish and maintain program and fiscal
oversight and maintain appropriate program and fiscal management
information/records, including a brief description of computer hardware
and software support. The applicant must describe a record keeping
system that is sufficient to prepare required reports, and to trace
funds to adequate levels of expenditures to ensure lawful spending.
Financial Monitoring. Applicants must describe how the financial
management system of subgrantees and projects will be monitored,
including:
--who will be responsible for monitoring subgrantee and affiliate
expenditures;
--how frequently monitoring of expenditures will be done;
--how financial reports will be validated; and
--what follow-up procedures will be used.
Audits. Applicants must describe coverage plans to audit projects
as well as plans to audit the headquarters activities. If a current
grantee, the applicant must provide specific references to the most
recent audit and include the name of the audit firm and the date of
that audit.
Points Summary
(1) Program Design--Approach, Population(s) and Area(s) Served (20
points)
(2) Program Services--Community Services and Participant Services (20
points)
(3) Program Services--Unsubsidized Placements (20 points)
(4) Program Coordination and Oversight (20 points)
(5) Management Structure and Fiscal Integrity (20 points)
Total=100 points.
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IV. The Cost Proposal Requirements
A. Budget Forms and Narrative Information
Each applicant must submit a cost proposal containing a completed
Standard Form 424, ``Application for Federal Assistance;'' a Standard
Form 424A (Budget Information Form); and a detailed cost breakout for
each column and line item from Section B of the Standard Form 424A.
Copies of all required forms along with the instructions for completing
the forms are provided in the appendices to this SGA and can be found
on the ETA homepage at http://wdsc.doleta.gov/seniors.
In addition to these forms, the applicant must submit a ``detailed
cost break out'' that provides specific information on each of the
expenditures listed under Section B of the Standard Form 424A,
including both Federal and non-Federal funds. Each expenditure will
fall under one of the three major cost categories: Administrative;
Enrollee Wages and Fringe Benefits; or Other Participant Costs.
Explanations of these categories can be found earlier in these
documents and in the SCSEP regulations at 20 CFR 641.404.
In addition to the cost proposal, applicants must include the
Assurance and Certification signature page, provided in Appendix D.
B. Fiscal and Performance Reporting Requirments
Applicants must have current computer technology and ensure that
their organizations have the capability to link to the Internet.
Reporting must be done through the Internet.
In accordance with 29 CFR 97.40 or 29 CFR 95.51, each grantee must
submit a Senior Community Service Employment Program Quarterly Progress
Report (QPR). This report must be prepared to coincide with the ending
dates for Federal fiscal year quarters and must be submitted to the
Department no later than 30 days after the end of the quarterly
reporting period. If the grant period ends on a date other than the
last day of a federal fiscal year quarter, the last quarterly report
covering the entire grant period must be submitted no later than 30
days after the ending date. The Department will provide instructions
for the preparation of this report.
In accordance with 29 CFR 97.41 or 29 CFR 95.52, the following
financial reporting requirements apply to title V grants:
--An SF-269, Financial Status Report (FSR), must be submitted to the
Department within 30 days after the ending of each quarter of the
program year.
-- A final FSR must be submitted within 45 days after the end of the
grant.
-- All FSRs must be prepared on an accrual basis.
Signed at Washington, DC, this 5th day of November, 2002.
Emily Stover DeRocco,
Assistant Secretary, Employment and Training Administration.
Appendices
Appendix A: Application for Federal Assistance, Standard Form 424
Appendix B: Budget Information Sheet, Standard Form 424-A
Appendix C: Standard Form 424-A Clarifying Instructions
Appendix D: Assurances and Certifications Signature Page
Appendix E: Listing of Current Locations and Potential Areas to
be Served-- posted at http://wdsc.doleta.gov/seniors
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[FR Doc. 02-28489 Filed 11-7-02; 8:45 am]
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