[Federal Register: May 14, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 94)]
[Notices] [Page 26893-26894] From the Federal Register Online via GPO
Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr14my04-79]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Office of Disability Employment Policy
Solicitation of Nominations for the Secretary of Labor's New
Freedom Initiative Award; Reopening and Extension of Period for Submission of
Nominations
AGENCY: Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of
Labor.
ACTION: Reopening and Extension of period for submission of
nominations.
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SUMMARY: This document re-opens and extends the period for
submission of nominations for the Secretary of Labor's New Freedom Initiative
Award. This action is taken to permit increased participation by interested
stakeholders.
DATES: Nomination packages must be submitted to the Office of
Disability Employment Policy by May 28, 2004. Any application received after
4:45 p.m. e.d.s.t. on May 28, 2004 will not be considered unless it was
received before the award is made and:
- It was sent by registered or certified mail no later than the
3rd calendar day before May 28, 2004;
- It is determined by the Government that the late receipt was
due solely to mishandling by the Government after receipt at the U.S.
Department of Labor at the address indicated; or
- It was sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail Next Day
Service--Post Office to Addressee, not later than 5 p.m. at the place of
mailing two (2) working days, excluding weekends and Federal holidays, prior to
May 28, 2004.
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 above closing time and date will be processed as if mailed
late. ``Postmark'' means a printed, stamped, or otherwise placed impression
(not a postage meter machine impression) that is readily identifiable without
further action as having been applied and affixed by an employee of the U.S.
Postal Service on the date of mailing. Therefore, applicants should request
that the postal clerk place a legible hand cancellation ``bull's-eye'' postmark
on both the receipt and the envelope or wrapper.
The only acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt at
the U.S. Department of Labor is the date/time stamp of the Office of Disability
Employment Policy on the application wrapper or other documentary evidence or
receipt maintained by that office. Applications sent by other delivery
services, such as Federal Express, UPS, etc., will also be accepted; however,
the applicant bears the responsibility of timely submission.
ADDRESSES: Nomination packages must be submitted to the Office of
Disability Employment Policy, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room S- 1303,
Washington, DC 20210; Telephone 202 693-7880; TTY 202 693-7881.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dina Dorich of the Office of
Disability Employment Policy, telephone (202) 693-7880; TTY (202) 693- 7881
(these are not toll-free numbers), prior to the closing deadline.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Federal Register of February 27,
2004 (69 FR 9504), the Office of Disability Employment Policy published a
Solicitation of Nominations for the Secretary of Labor's New Freedom
Initiative Award. Nomination packages were to be submitted to the Office of
Disability Employment Policy by May 21, 2004. Because of the continuing
interest in this solicitation, the agency believes that it is desirable to
re-open and extend the period for submission of nominations. Therefore, the
period for submission of nominations is extended until May 28, 2004.
Signed at Washington, DC, this 10th day of May, 2004. W. Roy
Grizzard, Jr., Assistant Secretary, Office of Disability, Employment
Policy. [FR Doc. 04-10962 Filed 5-13-04; 8:45 am]
[Federal Register: February 27, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 39)]
[Notices] [Page 9503-9505] From the Federal Register Online via GPO
Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr27fe04-112]
[[Page 9503]]
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Part IV
Department of Labor
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Office of Disability Employment Policy
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Solicitation of Nominations for the Secretary of Labor's New
Freedom Initiative Award; Notice
[[Page 9504]]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Office of Disability Employment Policy
[OMB Number 1230-0002]
Solicitation of Nominations for the Secretary of Labor's New
Freedom Initiative Award
The Secretary of Labor's New Freedom Initiative Award presented
by Secretary Elaine L. Chao, United States Department of Labor, 200
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington DC 20210:
- Subject: The Secretary of Labor's New Freedom Initiative
Award(s).
- Purpose: To outline the eligibility criteria, the nomination
process and the administrative procedures for the New Freedom Initiative
Award(s), and to solicit the Secretary of Labor's New Freedom Initiative
Award(s) nominations.
- Originator: Office of Disability Employment Policy
(ODEP).
- Background: To encourage the use of public-private
partnerships, the Secretary of Labor will present the Secretary of Labor's New
Freedom Initiative Award(s). Initiated in 2002, this award is made annually to
individual(s), non-profit organization(s), or business(es) that have, through
programs or activities, demonstrated exemplary and innovative efforts in
furthering the employment objectives of President George W. Bush's New Freedom
Initiative. See
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/freedominitiative/freedominitiative.htm
.
By increasing access to assistive technologies, and by utilizing
innovative training, hiring, and retention strategies, the recipient(s) will
have established and instituted comprehensive strategies to enhance the ability
of Americans with disabilities to enter and advance within the 21st Century
workforce and to participate in daily community life.
- ligibility Criteria: The following criteria apply to the New
Freedom Initiative Award Nominees:
- The nominees must be individuals, businesses, or
non-profit organizations whose activities exemplify the goals of President
George W. Bush's New Freedom Initiative, which include the Office of Disability
Employment Policy's mission of increasing employment opportunities for youth
and adults with disabilities. Nominations may be submitted by other persons and
entities with the knowledge and permission of the nominee. Self-nomination is
also encouraged.
- Nominees must have developed and implemented a
multi-faceted program directed toward increasing employment opportunities for
people with disabilities through increased access to assistive technologies,
and use of innovative training, hiring, and retention techniques.
- Nominees must report any unresolved violations of state or
Federal law, as determined by compliance evaluations, complaint investigations,
or other Federal inspections and investigations. In addition, the nominee must
report any pending Federal or state enforcement actions, and any corrective
actions or consent decrees that have resulted from litigation under laws
enforced by the Department of Labor (DOL).
- Nomination Submission Requirements:
- The single program or multiple programs for which the
individual or company is being nominated must demonstrate a commitment to
people with disabilities, and clearly show measurable results in terms of
significantly enhancing employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
The programs or activities may also address such issues as the widening skills
gap among persons with disabilities, a diversified 21st Century workforce, and
discrimination based on disability.
- The nomination packages should be limited to only that
information relevant to the nominee's program(s). Nomination packages should be
no longer than twenty (20) typed pages double-spaced. A page is 8.5'' x 11''
(on one side only) with one-inch margins (top, bottom, and sides).
- Nomination packages must include the following for
consideration:
- The nomination package should include an executive
summary prepared by or on behalf of the nominee, which clearly identifies the
specific program(s) under nomination and fully describes the results
achieved.
- The specific activities, program(s), or establishment
for which the nomination is being submitted.
- Specific data on training, placements, resources
expended and other relevant information that will facilitate evaluation of the
nominee's submission.
- A description of how the program(s) and/or activities
that are the subject of the nomination have had a positive and measurable
impact on the employment of people with disabilities.
- A data summary on the nominee. See Section 6(D).
- A data summary on the Nominee will include the following:
- Name(s) of the individual, organization or business
being nominated.
- Full street address, telephone number and e-mail
address where applicable.
- Name of highest ranking official(s) (where
appropriate).
- Name of executive(s) responsible for human resources,
equal employment opportunity, and/or disability awareness at nominee's
establishment and/or corporate office (where appropriate).
- Name of parent company (where appropriate).
- Name, street address, telephone number and e-mail
address of CEO or President of parent company (where appropriate).
- Name, title, street address, telephone number and
e-mail address of a contact person.
- Number of employees at the establishment or business
being nominated (where appropriate).
- Name and description of principal program(s) or
service(s).
- Timing and Acceptable Methods of Submission of Nominations:
Nomination packages must be submitted to the Office of Disability Employment
Policy, Room S-1303, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington DC 20210 by May
21, 2004. Any application received after 4:45 p.m. EDT on May 21, 2004, will
not be considered unless it was received before the award is made and:
- It was sent by registered or certified mail no later than
May 16, 2004.
- It is determined by the Government that the late receipt
was due solely to mishandling by the Government after receipt at the U.S.
Department of Labor at the address indicated; or
- It was sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail Next Day
Service--Post Office to Addressee, not later than 5 p.m. at the place of
mailing May 19, 2004.
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 above closing time and date will be processed as if mailed
late. ``Postmark'' means a printed, stamped, or otherwise placed impression
(not a postage meter machine impression) that is readily identifiable without
further action as having been applied and affixed by an employee of the U.S.
Postal Service on the date of mailing. Therefore, applicants should request
that the postal clerk place a legible hand cancellation
[[Page 9505]]
``bull's-eye'' postmark on both the receipt and the envelope or
wrapper.
The only acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt at
the U.S. Department of Labor is the date/time stamp of the Office of Disability
Employment Policy on the application wrapper or other documentary evidence or
receipt maintained by that office. Applications sent by other delivery
services, such as Federal Express, UPS, etc., will also be accepted; however,
the applicant bears the responsibility of timely submission. Confirmation of
receipt of your application can be made by contacting Dina Dorich of the Office
of Disability Employment Policy, telephone (202) 693-7880; TTY (202) 693-4920
(these are not toll-free numbers), prior to the closing deadline.
- The Administrative Review Process:
- The ODEP Steering Committee will perform preliminary
administrative review to determine the sufficiency of all submitted application
packages.
- An Executive Evaluation Committee made up of
representatives appointed by the Secretary of Labor from Department of Labor
employees will perform secondary review.
- The Secretary of Labor will conduct the final review and
selections.
- Other Factors to be Considered During the Administrative
Review Process:
- If a nominee merges with another company during the
evaluation process, only that information relative to the nominated company
will be evaluated, and the award, if any, will be limited to the nominated
company.
- Prior receipt of this award will not preclude a nominee
from being considered for the New Freedom Initiative Award in subsequent years.
Programs and activities serving as the basis of a prior award, however, may not
be considered as the basis for a subsequent award application.
- Procedures Following Selection:
- Awardees will be notified of their selection via the
contact person identified in the application package at least six weeks prior
to the awards ceremony. Non-selected nominees will also be notified within 45
days of the selection of the awardees.
- As a precondition to acceptance of the award, the nominee
agrees to perform two out of three of the following activities:
- Submit to ODEP for review a two-minute video of the
program(s) or activity(ies) for which it is being recognized within 30 days of
notification of award selection;
- Display an exhibit or showcase of the
program(s)/activity(ies) for which it is being recognized at the awards
ceremony, with contents of the Display submitted to ODEP for review within 30
days of notification of award selection;
- Participate in any New Freedom Initiative workshops
hosted by ODEP in conjunction with the awards ceremony.
- Materials developed by the awardees in conjunction with
Section 10(B) will be subject to legal review at the Department of Labor to
ensure compliance with applicable ethics standards.
- . Location: The awards ceremony will generally be held during
the month of October at a location to be determined by the Secretary of
Labor.
Paperwork Reduction Act Notice (Pub. L. 104-13): Persons are not
required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a
currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. This
collection of information is approved under OMB Number 1230-0002 (Expiration
Date: 12/31/05). The obligation to respond to this information collection is
voluntary; however, only nominations that follow the nomination procedures
outlined in this notice will receive consideration. The average time to respond
to this information of collection is estimated to be 10 hours per response;
including the time for reviewing instructions, researching existing data
sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and
reviewing the collection of information. Submit comments regarding this
estimate; including suggestions for reducing response time to the U.S.
Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy, Room S-1303, 200
Constitution Avenue NW, Washington DC 20210. Please reference OMB Number
1230-0002.
We are very interested in your thoughts and suggestions about
your experience in preparing and filing this nomination packet for the
Secretary of Labor's New Freedom Initiative Award. Your comments will be very
useful to the Office of Disability Employment Policy in making improvements in
our solicitation for nominations for this award in subsequent years. All
comments are strictly voluntary and strictly private. We would appreciate your
taking a few minutes to tell us--for example, whether you thought the
instructions were sufficiently clear; what you liked or disliked; what worked
or didn't work; whether it satisfied your need for information or if it didn't,
or anything else that you think is important for us to know. Your comments will
be most helpful if you can be very specific in relating your experience. We
value your comments, and would really like to hear from you. Please send any
comments you have to Dina Dorich at dorich.bernadine@dol.gov or via mail
to the Office of Disability
Employment Policy, Room S-1303, 200 Constitution Avenue NW.,
Washington DC 20210. Thank you.
Signed at Washington, DC, this 23rd day of February, 2004. W.
Roy Grizzard, Assistant Secretary, Office of Disability Employment
Policy. [FR Doc. 04-4365 Filed 2-26-04; 8:45 am] |