[Federal Register: July 11, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 133)]
[Notices]
[Page 37205-37211]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11jy97-51]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Vocational and Adult Education
School-to-Work Opportunities Act: Leadership Development
Application Procedures
AGENCIES: Employment and Training Administration, Labor. Office of
Vocational and Adult Education, Education.
ACTION: Notice of availability of funds and solicitation for Leadership
Development Grant Applications (SGA).
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SUMMARY: This notice contains all of the necessary information and
forms needed to apply for grant funding. The Departments of Labor and
Education jointly invite proposals for one new award in FY 1997, as
authorized under section 403 of the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of
1994 (the Act). This award will be used to provide seed capital to
support research and policy exchanges between State and local School-
to-Work leaders and government and business leaders from other
countries. The intent is to provide a grant to an organization that has
the demonstrated capability to undertake these activities and to use
these funds to leverage support for the maintenance of this effort once
the Federal investment had ended.
DATES: Applications for grant awards will be accepted commencing July
11, 1997. The closing date for receipt of applications is August 11,
1997, at 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) at the address below. Telefacsimile
(FAX) applications will not be honored.
ADDRESSES: Applications shall be mailed to: U.S. Department of Labor,
Employment and Training Administration, Division of Acquisition and
Assistance, Attention: Ms. Laura Cesario, Reference: SGA/DAA 97-018,
200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Room S-4203, Washington, D.C. 20210.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Division of Acquisition and
Assistance, telephone: (202) 219-8694 (this is not a toll free number).
This solicitation will also be published on the Internet, on the
Employment and Training Administration's Home Page at http://
www.doleta.gov.
Leadership Development Solicitation
I. Purpose
To invite proposals to establish a leadership program for State and
local School-to-Work leaders to support international research and
policy exchanges with a focus on youth education and employment
development, including skill standards and qualifications and portable
credential systems; institutional and social partnerships; integrated
curriculum; and policy development within the context of globalization,
technological and economic change.
II. Background
The School-to-Work Opportunities Act was signed into law by the
President on May 4, 1994. Jointly
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administered by the Departments of Labor and Education, this Act is a
new approach to education that seeks to better prepare all American
youth for careers in high skill, high wage jobs and to strengthen the
linkages between what is learned in school with work. Under the Act,
venture capital grants are provided to States and local communities to
undertake systemic reform. Grants are for a limited duration with the
Federal investment declining over time. These investments are intended
to support the one-time costs of States and local communities to
restructure learning experiences for all students. The Act also
provides a set-aside of funds for national activities to support
School-to-Work system-building nationwide. These funds are used for
technical assistance and capacity building, for outreach, and for
research and evaluation.
III. Statement of Work
The focus on global competitiveness, rapidly changing technology
and its impact on work force preparedness of individuals is not unique
to the United States. Both U.S. and policy leader from other countries
have struggled to address the ``skills gap'' among its youth and the
need to prepare students to succeed in the rapidly changing workplace.
Policy leaders have long benefitted from international exchange and
policy learning. The enactment of the National School-to-Work
Opportunities Act was preceded by almost a decade of study and
experimentation by national, State and local policy leaders. National
and State leaders in particular were heavily influenced by the European
models. Many of the early State initiatives were modeled after the
European apprenticeship and training programs. The Competitiveness and
Human Resources program of the German Marshall Fund has served
community, state and federal policy makers and the research community.
This program has been phased-out. The Departments believe that there is
a need to continue this capability if the School-to-Work initiative is
to reach scale and sustainability. The School-to-Work movement is
approaching year three in its design and implementation strategy and
funding. Much has been accomplished, but just as our colleagues abroad
are faced with evaluating their education and training systems' ability
to respond and prepare individuals for careers in the new global
economy, so too must STW leaders evaluate their progress to date.
School-to-Work leaders need to understand how systems work and how to
build them. Policy makers on both sides of the Atlantic recognize the
need to find more cost-effective ways of providing high quality initial
and continuing education and work force training for all. Trans-
Atlantic networks can and do assist in devising new policies and
programs promoting effective approaches benchmarked to best practice.
The Departments are interested in capacity-building and leadership
support activities that are specifically targeted to State and local
STW leaders, with the intent to:
* Facilitate communications and partnerships among lead
agencies, programs, Ministries and policy research communities
addressing issues of transitions from school-to-work education reform,
and work force training in the U.S. and Europe and focusing on such
areas as: skill standards and certifications, innovations in curriculum
development, partnerships between public and private institutions,
integration of school-based and work-based learning; organization and
recruitment of the business and labor communities; and strategies for
serving the needs of out-of-school youth.
* Disseminate information, analysis and technical assistance
on best practices, promising innovations and programs evaluations
relevant to the needs of national, state and local policy makers,
researchers and education/training program practitioners and directors.
* Develop strategic trans-Atlantic networks to promote new
forms of partnerships centered on related initiatives;
* Provide a forum for continuing international policy
exchange with National, State and local STW leaders, through multi-year
activities, organized by policy domain areas and based on a planned
calendar of research, conferences and site visits.
Over the past decade the German Marshall Fund has promoted
increased trans-Atlantic understanding and collaboration on employment
and training issues. The Departments are seeking an organization to
assume this type work which is no longer being supported by the German
Marshall Fund. The Departments' intent is to award funds under this
solicitation to an organization that has demonstrated the capability to
undertake these activities and to use these funds to leverage support
for the maintenance of this effort once the Federal investment has
ended. Further, the Department intends that the funds available under
this grant will be used to support activities, but will not be used to
cover international travel expenses. Organizations submitting a
proposal under this solicitation must demonstrate how such
international travel expenses will be financed.
IV. Application Process
Eligible Applicants
Non-profit organizations that can demonstrate the capability to
undertake this project, including requirements for leveraging funds. In
preparing the proposal, please use the following headings and respond
to the information requested in each of the following categories.
i. Project Title. Identify the title of the proposed policy
exchange program.
ii. Project Proposal. Provide a description of the proposed
project. This description should include information on the capability
of the offeror to undertake this project and should specifically
address the prior experience and current capability of the offeror to
establish these international policy exchanges. The proposal must
describe the approach and methodologies the offeror will employ in
establishing these international research and policy exchanges and
should be specific as to activities, with time lines, that are proposed
including how these activities will build the capacity of State and
local leaders to implement School-to-Work systems. The proposal should
also detail specific products that will be developed and how these
products will be disseminated.
iii. Staff Involved. Provide information about the staff proposed
for this project, including their background and qualifications as well
as percentage of time committed to the project.
iv. Support and Sustainability. Provide information on how the
organization intends to use the funds under this award to leverage
additional funding to support the continuation of this project once the
federal funds have ended. The offeror must provide specific information
on how international travel expenses will be financed since federal
funds may not be used for this project.
V. Application Submittal
Applicants must submit an original and three (3) copies of their
proposal. The applications shall be divided into two distinct parts:
Part I--which contains Standard Form (SF 424, ``Application for Federal
Assistance,'' (Appendix A) and ``Budget Information Sheet'' (Appendix
B). All copies of the
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SF 424 must have original signatures of the designated fiscal agent.
Applicants shall indicate on the SF-424 the organization's IRS status.
The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 17.249. In
addition, the budget shall include--on a separate page(s)--a detailed
cost break-out of each line item on the Budget Information Sheet. Part
II shall contain the program narrative that demonstrates the
applicant's plan and capabilities in accordance with evaluation
criteria contained in this notice. Applicants must describe their plan
in light of each of the Evaluation Criteria. No cost data or reference
to price shall be included in this part of the application. Applicants
must limit the program narrative section to no more than 25 double-
spaced pages, on one side only. This includes any attachments.
Applications that fail to meet the page limitation requirements will
not be considered.
VI. Late Applications
Any application received after the exact date and time specified
for receipt at the office designated in this notice will not be
considered, unless it is received before awards are made and it--(a)
Was sent by registered or certified mail not later than the fifth
calendar day before the date specified for receipt of applications
(e.g., an application submitted in response to a solicitation requiring
receipt of applications by the 20th of the month must have been mailed/
post marked by the 15th of that month); or (b) Was sent by the U.S.
Postal service Express Mail next Day Service to addresses not later
than 5:00 P.M. at the place of mailing two working days prior to the
date specified for receipt of applications. The term ``working days''
excludes weekends and Federal holidays.
The term ``post marked'' means a printed, stamped or other wise
place impression (exclusive of a postage meter machine impression) that
is readily identifiable, without further action, as having been
supplied or affixed on the date of mailing by an employee of the U.S.
Postal Service.
VII. Hand Delivered Applications
It is preferred that applications be mailed at least five days
prior to the closing date. To be considered for funding, hand-delivered
applications must be received by 4:00 p.m., (Eastern Time), on the
closing date. Telegraphed and/or faxed applications will not be
honored. Failure to adhere to the above instructions will be a basis
for a determination of nonresponsiveness. Overnight express mail from
carriers other than the U.S. Postal Service will be considered hand-
delivered applications and must be received by the above specified date
and time.
VIII. Funding Availability and Period of Performance
The Departments' expected to make one award, not to exceed
$500,000. The period of performance will be for 12 months from the date
the grant is awarded. The Departments may, at their option, provide
additional funds for a second year, depending upon availability of
funds, and performance of the awardee.
IX. Review Process
A careful evaluation of applications will be made by a technical
review panel, who will evaluate the applications against the criteria
listed below. The government may elect to award the grant without
discussions with the offeror. In such situations, an award based on the
offeror's signature on the SF 424 constitutes a binding offer.
Evaluation Criteria
1. The innovation and soundness of the plan. (30 Points)
* Does the plan address the activities identified in the
work statement?
* Does the plan indicate how it will identify and bring
together international leaders?
* Is the plan specific as to the products that will be
developed and how these products will be disseminated?
* Are the goals and objectives of the plan clearly
identified?
* Is the target audience clearly identified?
* Is the plan specific as to methodology and approach?
2. The capability and experience of the offeror in establishing
international exchange programs. (20 Points)
* Has the offeror clearly identified prior experience in
establishing international exchanges in related fields?
* Does the offeror demonstrate the capability to identify
and bring together appropriate leaders both in the U.S. and
internationally?
3. The knowledge and experience of the offeror in school-to-work
transition and related education and training fields. (20 Points)
* Does the offeror cite specific examples of prior
experience in school-to-work transition and related fields?
* Does the proposed staff have background and experience in
working in areas related to school-to-work transition?
* Does the proposal reflect an understanding of issues and
effective strategies relating to transitioning young people from school
to careers?
4. The demonstrated capability of the offeror to commit and
leverage resources for this project. (30 Points)
* Has the offeror identified the amount and sources of
resources to be committed to this project?
* Is the plan specific as to how proposed international
travel will be financed?
* Does the offeror make a compelling case for being able to
sustain these efforts once federal funds are no longer available?
The grant will be awarded based on applicant response to the above
mentioned criteria and what is otherwise most advantageous to the
Departments. The panel results are advisory in nature and not binding
on the Grant Officer.
Signed at Washington, D.C., this 8th day of July 1997.
Janice E. Perry,
Grant Officer.
Appendices
Appendix A: Application for Federal Assistance, SF Form 424
Appendix B: Budget Information Sheet
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[FR Doc. 97-18258 Filed 7-10-97; 8:45 am]
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