**Billing Code 4510-79P**

**Department of Labor**

**Veterans' Employment and Training Service**

**Solicitation for Grant Applications (SGA)**

**\[SGA \# 06-03/PY 06\]**

**Veterans' Workforce Investment Program (VWIP) Grants for Program Year
(PY) 2006, July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007.**

**AGENCY:** Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS), Labor

**ACTION:** Posting of SGA.

**SUMMARY:** The Veterans' Employment and Training Service is posting
availability of funds for the Veterans' Workforce Investment Program.

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cassandra Mitchell, Grants Management Specialist, Procurement Services Center, at (202) 693-4570. 

**Date Extension:** N/A

**DATES:** The closing date for receipt of the application is May 22,
2006 at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) at the address listed:

U.S. Department of Labor

Procurement Services Center

Attn: Cassandra Mitchell, Re: SGA \# **[06-03]{.underline}**

200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Room N-5416

> Washington, DC 20210

## 

## EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Veterans' Employment and Training
Service (VETS), announces a grant competition under the Veterans'
Workforce Investment Program (VWIP) for Program Year (PY) 2006, as
authorized under Section 168 of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of
1998. This Solicitation for Grant Applications (SGA) notice contains all
of the necessary information and forms needed to apply for grant
funding. Selected programs will assist eligible veterans by providing
employment, training, support services, credentialing, networking
information, and/or other assistance.

Under this Program Year (PY) 2006 SGA, VETS anticipates that up to
\$6,900,000 will be available for grant awards up to a maximum of
\$750,000 for each grant award. VETS expects to award approximately nine
(9) grants. The period of performance for these PY 2006 grants will be
July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007. Two (2) optional years of additional
funding may be available, depending upon Congressional appropriations,
the agency's decision to exercise the optional year(s) of funding, and
satisfactory grantee and sub-awardee(s) performance.

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION:

> WIA section 168 amended the training programs made available to
> veterans (see 29 U.S.C. 2913). WIA section 168 authorizes the
> Department of Labor to make grants to meet the needs for workforce
> investment activities of veterans with service-connected disabilities,
> veterans who have significant barriers to employment, veterans who
> served on active duty in the armed forces during a war or in a
> campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized,
> and recently separated veterans within 48 months of discharge (under
> conditions other than dishonorable). Veterans who received a
> "dishonorable" discharge are ineligible for VWIP services. Priority of
> service for veterans in the Department of Labor training programs is
> established in 38 U.S.C. 4215.
>
> The Department of Labor is authorized to competitively award VWIP
> grants to public agencies and private non-profit organizations
> (including faith-based and community organizations) that the Secretary
> determines to have an understanding of the unemployment problems of
> veterans, familiarity with the area to be served, linkages with the
> One-Stop Career Centers, and the capability to administer a program of
> workforce investment activities for such veterans effectively.

1.  [Program Concept and Emphasis]{.underline}:

VWIP grants are intended to address two objectives: (a) to provide
services to assist in reintegrating eligible veterans into meaningful
employment within the labor force; and (b) to stimulate the development
of effective service delivery systems that will address the complex
employability problems facing eligible veterans.

For this Program Year (PY) 2006 grant solicitation, VETS seeks
applicants that will provide services through a case management approach
that networks with Federal, State, and local resources for veteran
support programs. Successful applicants will propose clear strategies
and obtainable goals for employment and retention of employment for
eligible veterans.

Successful applicants will design programs that assist eligible veterans
by providing outreach, intake, pre-enrollment assessment, job placement
services, job training, counseling, mentoring, supportive services, and
other assistance to expedite the reintegration of eligible veterans into
the labor force. Grantees and sub-awardee(s) are to coordinate efforts
on behalf of participants with local One-Stop Career Centers that
provide employment and training services such as basic skills
instruction, training necessary to fill gaps in academic or experiential
requirements necessary for a license or professional certification,
remedial education activities, job search activities including job
search workshops, job counseling, job preparatory training including
resume writing and interviewing skills, subsidized trial employment,
on-the-job training, classroom training, and various other employment
related services. Some examples of employment opportunities might
include health care professions, information technology, biotechnology,
advanced manufacturing, financial services, or other occupations where a
license or certification is either required or desirable. Successful
applicants will also design programs that are flexible in addressing the
universal as well as the local or regional problems that have had a
negative impact on eligible veterans reentering the 21^st^ century
workforce.

The VWIP in PY 2006 will seek to continue to strengthen development of
effective service delivery systems, to provide comprehensive services
through a case management approach that addresses complex problems
facing eligible veterans trying to transition into gainful employment,
and to improve strategies for employment and retention in employment.

2\. [Project Awareness Program Information and Orientation
Activities]{.underline}:

In order to promote networking between the VWIP-funded program and local
service providers (and thereby eliminate gaps or duplication in services
and enhance the provision of assistance to participants), the grantee
and sub-awardee(s) must provide project orientation workshops and
program awareness activities that it determines are the most feasible
for providing information about the VWIP program to other service
providers. Grantees and sub-awardee(s) are encouraged to propose
strategies for incorporating small faith-based and community
organizations (defined as organizations with social services budgets of
\$500,000 or less and ten (10) or fewer full-time employees) into their
outreach plans. Project orientation workshops conducted by grantees and
sub-awardee(s) have been an effective means of sharing information and
informing the community of the availability of other services; they are
encouraged, but not mandatory. Rather, grantees and sub-awardee(s) will
have the flexibility to attend service provider meetings, seminars, and
conferences, to outstation staff, and to develop individual service
contracts as well as to involve other agencies in program planning.

3\. [Coordination and collaboration with the Disabled Veterans' Outreach
Program (DVOP) and Local Veterans' Employment Representative (LVER)
staff at the One-Stop Career Center office in their jurisdiction is
required]{.underline}. DVOP and LVER staff members are an integral part
of the One-Stop Career Centers. Additionally, wherever possible, DVOP
and LVER staff should be utilized for job development and placement
activities for veterans who are ready to enter employment and/or who are
in need of intensive case management services for employment purposes.
Many of these DVOP and LVER staff members have received training in case
management for employment purposes at the National Veterans Training
Institute and have a priority focus on assisting those veterans most at
a disadvantage in the labor market. VETS requires successful applicants
to collaborate and coordinate with DVOP and LVER staff to avoid
duplication of efforts and to achieve economies of resources.

4\. [Scope of Program Design:]{.underline}

[In addition to the activities described above, the project design must
include the following services]{.underline}:

A. Outreach, intake, assessment, peer counseling and mentoring to the
degree practical, employment services, and follow-up support services to
enhance retention in employment. Program staff providing outreach
services should have experience in dealing with, and an understanding of
the needs of, veterans. Outreach activities must include and coordinate
with the local Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP), if
applicable, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

> B. Provision of or referral to employment services such as: job search
> workshops, job counseling, assessment of skills, resume writing
> techniques, interviewing skills, subsidized trial employment (work
> experience), job development services, job placement into unsubsidized
> employment, and job placement follow-up services to enhance retention
> in employment.
>
> C. Provision of or referral to training services such as: basic skills
> instruction, remedial education activities, life skills and money
> management training, on-the-job training, classroom training,
> vocational training, specialized and/or licensing training programs,
> and other formal training programs as deemed appropriate to benefit
> the participant. At least 80% of the enrolled VWIP participants must
> participate in training activities.

D. Grantees and sub-awardee(s) must perform a preliminary assessment of
each participant's eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA)
service-connected disability, compensation, and/or pension benefits. As
appropriate, grantees and sub-awardee(s) will work with the veterans'
service organizations or refer the participants to DVA in order to file
a claim for compensation or pension. Grantees and sub-awardee(s) will
track the progress of claims and report outcomes in individual
participant case management records.

E. Networking, collaborating, and coordinating efforts with veterans'
service organizations such as: The American Legion, Disabled American
Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, The
American Veterans (AMVETS), or etc. to ensure participants apply for
and/or receive other veterans' benefits that they may be eligible for.

F. Referral as necessary to health care, counseling, and rehabilitative
services including, but not limited to: alcohol and drug rehabilitation,
therapeutic services, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) services,
and mental health services.

> 5\. [Results-Oriented Model:]{.underline} No specific model is
> mandatory, but successful applicants will design a program that is
> responsive to the needs of the local community and achieves the VWIP
> objectives. The VWIP objectives are to successfully reintegrate
> veterans into the workforce and to stimulate the development of
> effective service delivery systems that will address the complex
> problems facing veterans. Under the Government Performance and Results
> Act (GPRA), Congress and the public are looking for program results
> rather than program processes. Priority of service for veterans in the
> Department of Labor training programs is established in 38 U.S.C.
> 4215.
>
> For purposes of assessing performance of grantees selected under this
> SGA, VETS will focus on two performance measures described below.
> However, grantees also will be required to report additional
> performance information, as required in DOL guidance on OMB Common
> Measures and as described below. All performance outcomes will be
> reported quarterly using an Internet-based reporting system for VWIP,
> with access provided to successful grantees after the award process
> has been completed.
>
> There are two (2) outcome measures with established performance
> targets for VWIP grants. The first outcome measure is the placement
> rate with a performance target for grantees and sub-awardee(s) to meet
> a minimum placement rate of 61.5%. This is determined by dividing the
> number of participants placed into employment by the total number of
> VWIP participants. While the percentage of VWIP participants placed
> into employment is an important outcome, it is also necessary to
> evaluate and measure the program's longer-term results, through the
> 90-day and 180-day follow-up periods. The second outcome measure is
> retention following placement with a performance target for grantees
> and sub-awardee(s) to meet a minimum rate of retention of 58.5% at 180
> days following placement. This is determined by dividing the number of
> participants retained in employment at 180 days following placement
> divided by the total number of participants placed into employment.
> While there is no performance target established for retention at 90
> days following placement, grantees are required to collect and report
> the rate of retention in employment at that point.
>
> In applying the Common Measures, grantees will be required to collect
> additional information according to the Common Measures definitions
> but no performance targets for grantees will be established according
> to those definitions during this period of performance. That is
> because the baseline information required to establish performance
> targets does not yet exist. Upon award, grantees will be provided with
> detailed information regarding the specific information required to be
> collected and reported. At this point, it is sufficient for grantees
> to be aware of two requirements in addition to the requirements
> identified above. First, it will be necessary for grantees to collect
> and report on the rate of retention in employment at 270 days
> following placement into employment. Second, at the 180 day and 270
> day points of retention in employment following placement, grantees
> will be required to collect and report the average weekly earnings of
> those retained in employment. This is calculated by multiplying each
> participant's hourly wage by the average number of hours per week that
> the participant was employed during the previous quarter.
>
> The applicant's program should be based on a results-oriented model.
> The first phase of activity should consist of the level of outreach
> necessary to introduce the program to eligible veterans. Outreach also
> includes establishing contact with other agencies that encounter
> eligible veterans. Once the eligible veterans have been identified, an
> assessment must be made of each individual's abilities, interests,
> needs, and barriers to employment.
>
> A determination should be made as to whether the VWIP enrolled
> participant would benefit from pre-employment preparation such as
> resume writing, job search workshops, related employment counseling,
> and case management, or possibly an initial entry into the job market
> through temporary jobs. Additionally, sheltered work environments such
> as the Department of Veterans' Affairs Compensated Work Therapy
> Program, classroom training, and/or on-the-job training must be
> evaluated. Such services should be noted in an Individual Employment
> Plan (IEP) to facilitate the staff's successful monitoring of the
> participant's progress. Entry into full-time employment or a specific
> job-training program should follow, in keeping with the overall
> objective of VWIP, to assist the eligible veteran in finding and
> obtaining meaningful employment. The grantee should provide or arrange
> for these supportive services that will enable the VWIP enrolled
> participant to successfully perform all the activities specified in
> the IEP.
>
> Job development, a crucial part of the employability process, usually
> occurs when there are no competitive job openings that the
> VWIP-enrolled participant is qualified to apply for; therefore, a job
> opportunity with an employer is created, developed, and customized
> specifically for that VWIP enrolled participant. VWIP-enrolled
> participants who are ready to enter employment and/or who are in need
> of intensive case management services or employment purposes are to be
> referred to the DVOP and LVER staff at a One-Stop Career Center. DVOP
> and LVER staff are able to provide VWIP participants the following
> services: job development, employment services, case management for
> employment purposes and career counseling. All DVOP and LVER staff
> provides employment-related services to veterans who are most at a
> disadvantage in the labor market. DVOP/LVER staff may also be able to
> provide valuable assistance to grantees and sub-awardees in tracking
> participants in their State wage record management information system
> for follow-up purposes at 90 and 180 days after a participant enters
> employment.

The applicant's program must include tracking of program participants.
Tracking should begin with the referral to supportive services and
training, continue through placement into employment and through the
90-day and 180-day follow-up periods after entering employment. It is
important that the grantee and sub-awardee(s) maintain contact with
veterans after placement to ensure that employment-related problems are
addressed. The 90-day and 180-day follow-ups are fundamental to
assessing program results. Grantees and sub-awardee(s) need to budget
for 90-day and 180-day follow-up activity so that it can be performed
for those participants placed at or near the end of the grant
performance period. All grantees and sub-awardee(s), prior to the end of
the grant performance period, must obligate sufficient funds to ensure
that follow-up activities are completed. Such results will be reported
in the final technical performance report.

II\. AWARD INFORMATION:

1\. Type of Funding Instrument:

One (1) year grant with optional funding for an additional two years.

> Note: Selection of an organization as a Grantee does not constitute
> final approval of the grant application as submitted. Before the
> actual grant is awarded, USDOL may enter into negotiations about such
> items as program components, staffing, and funding levels, and
> administrative systems in place to support grant implementation. If
> the negotiations do not result in a mutually acceptable submission,
> the Grant Officer reserves the right to terminate the negotiation and
> decline to fund the application.
>
> 2\. [Funding Levels]{.underline}: The total funding available for this
> VWIP solicitation is up to \$6,900,000. It is anticipated that
> approximately nine (9) awards will be made under this solicitation.
> Awards are expected to range from a minimum of \$100,000 to a maximum
> of \$750,000. Please be advised that requests exceeding \$750,000 will
> be considered non-responsive and will not be evaluated. If there are
> any residual program funds the Grant Officer may select the
> application(s) to award a grant up to one (1) year after the initial
> performance period begins or June 30, 2007.
>
> 3\. [Period of Performance]{.underline}: The period of performance
> will be for the twelve (12) month period of July 1, 2006 to June 30,
> 2007, unless modified by the Grant Officer. It is expected that
> successful applicants will begin program operations under this
> solicitation on July 1, 2006. All program funds must be obligated by
> June 30, 2007; a limited amount of funds may be obligated and reserved
> for follow-up activities and closeout.
>
> 4\. [Optional Year Funding:]{.underline} Should Congress appropriate
> additional funds for this purpose, VETS may consider up to two (2)
> additional years of optional funding. The Government does
> [not]{.underline}, however, guarantee optional year funding for any
> grantee or sub-awardee(s). In deciding whether to exercise any
> optional year(s) of funding, VETS will consider grantee and
> sub-awardee(s) performance during the previous period of operations as
> follows:
>
> A. The grantee and sub-awardee(s) must meet, at minimum, 90% of
> planned cumulative goals for Federal expenditures, enrollments,
> placements into employment, and training by the end of the third
> quarter; and
>
> B. The grantee and sub-awardee(s) must have complied with all terms
> identified in the Solicitation for Grant Application (SGA), General
> and Special Grant Provisions, and grant award document; and
>
> C. All program and fiscal reports must have been submitted by the
> established due dates and must be verified for accuracy.

III\. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION[:]{.underline}

> 1\. [Eligible Applicants]{.underline}: Applications for funds will be
> accepted from public agencies and non-profit organizations, including
> faith-based and community organizations, that are determined to have
> familiarity with the area and population to be served and can
> administer an effective program, under WIA section 168(a)(2).

### [Eligible applicants generally fall into one of the following categories]{.underline}:

-   State and local Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs), established
    under Sections 111 and 117 of the Workforce Investment Act.

-   Public agencies, meaning any public agency of a State or of a
    general purpose political subdivision of a State that has the power
    to levy taxes and spend funds, as well as general corporate and
    police powers. (This typically refers to cities and counties.) A
    State agency may propose in its application to serve one or more of
    the jurisdictions located in its State. This does not preclude a
    city or county agency from submitting an application to serve its
    own jurisdiction.

-   Non-profit organizations (including faith-based and community
    organizations). If claiming 501(c)(3) status, the Internal Revenue
    Service statement indicating 501(c)(3) status approval must be
    submitted.

-   Applicants for VWIP must satisfy a "responsibility review" that
    demonstrates an ability to administer Federal funds.
    [See]{.underline} 20 CFR 667.170.

-   Note that entities organized under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal
    Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activities are not eligible to
    receive funds under this announcement. Section 18 of the Lobbying
    Disclosure Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-65, 109 Stat. 691 (2
    U.S.C. 1611) prohibits instituting an award, grant, or loan of
    federal funds to 501(c) (4) entities that engage in lobbying.

-   In accordance with 29 CFR Part 98, entities that are debarred or
    suspended shall be excluded from Federal financial assistance and
    are ineligible to receive a VWIP grant.

2\. [Cost Sharing]{.underline}: Although VETS encourages applicants to
use cost sharing and matching funds, Veterans Workforce Investment
Grants do [not]{.underline} require grantees or sub-awardee(s) to share
costs or provide matching funds. However, we do encourage grantees and
sub-awardee(s) to maximize the resources available to the VWIP program
and its participants.

3\. [Other Eligibility Criteria]{.underline}:

A. Programs must be "employment-focused." An "employment-focused"
program is a program directed toward: (1) increasing the employability
of eligible veterans through training or arranging for the provision of
services that will enable them reintegrate into the labor force and (2)
matching eligible veterans with potential employers and/or
entrepreneurial opportunities.

B.  Applicants are encouraged to utilize, through partnerships and/or
    sub-award(s), experienced public agencies, private non-profit
    organizations, private businesses, faith-based and community
    organizations, and colleges and universities (especially those with
    traditionally high enrollments of minorities) that have an
    understanding of unemployment and the barriers to employment unique
    to eligible veterans, a familiarity with the area to be served, and
    the capability to effectively provide the necessary services.

C.  Legal rules pertaining to inherently religious activities by
    organization that receive Federal Financial Assistance. 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 or in the selection of sub-awardees. The
    government is generally prohibited from provide direct financial
    assistance for inherently religious activities. These grants may not
    be used for religious instruction, worship, prayer, proselytizing or
    their inherently religious activities. In this context, the term
    direct financial assistance means financial assistance that is
    provided directly by a government entity or an intermediate
    organization, as opposed to financial assistance that an
    organization receives as the result of the genuine and independent
    private choice of a beneficiary. In other contexts, the term
    "direct" financial assistance may be used to refer to financial
    assistance that an organization receives directly from the Federal
    government (also known as "discretionary" assistance), as opposed to
    assistance that it receives from a State or local government (also
    known as "indirect" or "block" grant assistance). The term "direct"
    has the former meaning in this paragraph.

4\. [Participant Eligibility Criteria]{.underline}. To be eligible for
participation in a training program administered under VWIP, an
individual must be a veteran who falls within one of the following
categories: "...veterans with service-connected disabilities, veterans
who have significant barriers to employment, veterans who served on
active duty in the armed forces during a war or in a campaign or
expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized, and recently
separated veterans \[those within 48 months of discharge\]." See Section
168 (a)(1) of the Workforce Investment Act.

# IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION:

1\. [Address to Request an Application and Amendments]{.underline}: This
SGA, together with its attachments, includes all the information needed
to apply. Additional application packages and amendments to this SGA may
be obtained from the VETS website address at
[www.dol.gov/vets](http://www.dol.gov/vets) , or Federal Grant
Opportunities website address at
[http://www.grants.gov](http://www.grants.gov/) , and from the [Federal
Register]{.underline} website address at
<http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html>. The [Federal
Register]{.underline} may also be obtained from your nearest government
office or library. Additional copies of the standard forms can be
downloaded from:
<http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/grants_forms.html>.

**All grant applications are to be mailed to**:

Department of Labor

Procurement Services Center

Attention: Cassandra Mitchell, Reference SGA \# **[06-03]{.underline}**

200 Constitution Avenue NW, Room N-5416

> Washington, DC 20210

Phone Number: (202) 693-4570 (this is not a toll-free number)

-   Applicants may also apply online at
    [**www.grants.gov**](http://www.grants.gov/). Applicants submitting
    proposals online are requested to refrain from mailing an
    application as well. It is strongly recommended that applicants
    using [**www.grants.gov**](http://www.grants.gov/) immediately
    initiate and complete the "Get Started" registration steps at
    [**http://www.grants.gov/GetStarted**](http://www.grants.gov/GetStarted).
    These steps may take multiple days to complete, and this time should
    be factored into plans for electronic submission in order to avoid
    facing unexpected delays that could result in the rejection of an
    application. If submitting electronically through
    [**www.grants.gov**](http://www.grants.gov/) it would be appreciated
    if the application submitted is saved as .doc, .pdf, or .txt files.

-   Except as provided in Section IV.3., any application received after
    the deadline will be considered as non-responsive and will not be
    evaluated.

## 2. [Content and Form of Application:]{.underline} The application must include the name, address, telephone number and fax numbers, and e-mail address (if applicable) of a key contact person at the applicant's organization in case questions should arise. To be considered [responsive]{.underline} to this solicitation the application must consist of three (3) separate and distinct sections: the Executive Summary, the Technical Proposal, and the Cost Proposal. The information provided in these three (3) sections is essential to demonstrate an understanding of the programmatic and fiscal contents of the grant proposal. 

## 

## A complete grant application package must not exceed 75 single-sided pages (8-1/2" x 11"), double-spaced, 12-point font, typed pages (all attachments are included in the 75 page maximum). Applications that contain more than 75 pages total will be considered non-responsive. Major sections and sub-sections of the application should be divided and clearly identified (e.g. with tab dividers), and all pages shall be numbered. To be considered responsive grant applications are to include:

-   An original, blue ink-signed, and two (2) copies of the cover
    letter.

-   An original and two (2) copies of the Executive Summary (see below).

-   An original and two (2) copies of the Technical Proposal (see below)
    that includes a completed Technical Performance Goals Form (Appendix
    D). Also include all attachments with the technical proposal, such
    as the applicant's information showing outcomes of employment and
    training programs that it has had in the past three (3) years in
    terms of enrollments and participants who have entered into
    employment.

-   An original and two (2) copies of the Cost Proposal (see below) that
    includes an original, blue ink-signed, Application for Federal
    Assistance, SF-424 (Appendix A), a Budget Narrative, Budget
    Information Sheet SF-424A (Appendix B), an original, blue
    ink-signed, Assurances and Certifications Signature Page (Appendix
    C), a Direct Cost Description for Applicants and Sub-applicants
    (Appendix E), a completed Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for
    Applicants (Appendix F), and the applicant's grant specific
    financial audit and/or audit statement dated within the last 18
    months (does not count towards the 75 page limitation).

    A. [Section 1 -- Executive Summary]{.underline}: A one to two page
    "Executive Summary" reflecting the grantees' and sub-awardee(s)
    proposed overall strategy, timeline, and outcomes to be achieved in
    their grant proposal is required. The Executive Summary should
    include:

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-   The proposed area to be served through the activities of this grant.

-   The grantee's experience in serving the residents in the proposed
    service area.

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-   The proposed projects and activities that will expedite the
    reintegration of eligible veterans into the workforce.

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-   A summary of anticipated outcomes, benefits, and value added by the
    project.

B. [Section 2 - Technical Proposal]{.underline} consists of a narrative
proposal that demonstrates the need for this particular grant program,
the services and activities proposed to obtain successful outcomes for
eligible veterans to be served; and the applicant's ability to
accomplish the expected outcomes of the proposed project design.

[Required Content]{.underline}: There are program activities that all
applications must contain to be found technically acceptable under this
SGA. Programs must be "employment-focused" and must be responsive to the
rating criteria in Section V(1). [The required program activities
are]{.underline}: participant outreach and project awareness activities,
pre-enrollment assessments, individual employment plans for each
enrolled participant, case management, job placement, job retention
follow-up at 90 and 180 days after individual enters employment,
utilization and coordination of employment services through the One-Stop
Career Center System, including the DVOP and LVER staff, and with
community linkages with other programs that provide support to eligible
veterans. These activities are described in section I. of this SGA.

### 

### [The following format for the technical proposal is recommended]{.underline}: 

[Need for the program:]{.underline} The applicant must identify the
geographical area to be served and provide an estimate of the number of
eligible veterans in the designated geographical area. Include poverty
and unemployment rates in the area and identify the disparities in the
local community infrastructure that exacerbate the employment barriers
faced by the targeted veterans, including regulations or other
restrictions on the recognition of relevant military training by
civilian licensing or certification authorities. Include labor market
information on the outlook for job opportunities in the employment
fields and industries that are in demand in the geographical area to be
served. Applicants are to clearly describe the proposed program
awareness and participant outreach strategies.

[Approach or strategy to increase employment and job
retention]{.underline}: Applicants must be responsive to the Rating
Criteria contained in Section V(1) and address all of the rating factors
as thoroughly as possible in the narrative. [The applicant
must]{.underline}:

-   Describe the specific employment and training services to be
    provided under this grant and the sequence or flow of such services;

-   Indicate the type(s) of training that will be provided under the
    grant and how it relates to the jobs that are in demand, length of
    training, training curriculum, and how the training will improve the
    eligible veterans' employment opportunities within that geographical
    area;

-   Provide a follow-up plan that addresses retention after 90 and 180
    days with participants who have entered employment;

-   Include the completed Planned Quarterly Technical Performance Goals
    (and planned expenditures) form listed in Appendix D. If the Planned
    Quarterly Technical Performance Goals form listed in Appendix D is
    not completed and submitted, the grant application package will be
    considered as non-responsive.

[Linkages with facilities that serve eligible veterans]{.underline}:
Describe program and resource linkages with other facilities that will
be involved in identifying potential clients for this program.
Applicants are encouraged to submit a list of their local area network
of service providers that offer and provide services to benefit VWIP
participants. Describe any networks with other related resources and/or
other programs that serve eligible veterans. Indicate how the program
will be coordinated with any efforts that are conducted by public and
private agencies in the community. If an MOU or other service agreement
with service providers exists, copies should be provided.

[Linkages with other providers of employment and training services to
eligible veterans]{.underline}: Describe the linkages, networks, and
relationships the proposed program will have with other providers of
services to eligible veterans; include a description of the relationship
with other employment and training programs in the One-Stop Career
Centers such as Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP), the Local
Veterans' Employment Representative (LVER) program, and local Homeless
Veterans' Reintegration Programs (HVRP); list the type of services that
will be provided by each. Note the type of agreement in place, if
applicable. Linkages with the workforce investment system are required.
Describe any networks with any other resources and/or other programs for
eligible veterans. If an MOU or other service agreement with other
service providers exists, copies should be provided.

[Linkages with other Federal agencies]{.underline}: Describe program and
resource linkages with the Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and Department of
Veterans Affairs (DVA), to include the Compensated Work Therapy (CWT)
and Grant and Per Diem Programs. If an MOU or other service agreement
with other service providers exists, copies should be provided.

[Proposed supportive service strategy for veterans]{.underline}:
Describe how supportive service resources for veterans will be obtained
and used. If resources are provided by other sources or linkages, such
as Federal, State, local, or faith-based and community programs, the
applicant must fully explain the use of these resources and how they
will be applied. If an MOU or other service agreement with other service
providers exist, copies should be provided.

[Organizational capability to provide required program
activities]{.underline}: The applicant's relevant current and prior
experience (within the last three year period) in operating employment
and training programs is to be clearly described, if applicable. A
summary narrative of program experience and employment and training
performance outcomes is required. **The applicant must provide
information showing outcomes of employment and training programs that it
has had in the past three (3) years in terms of enrollments and
participants who have entered into employment.** An applicant that has
operated a VWIP or other employment and training program must also
include the final or most recent technical performance report.

Please note that the Department of Labor grant review panel members, who
will be reviewing all grant applications submitted as a result of this
SGA, do [not]{.underline} have access to any reporting information
systems during the review process, therefore, if final or most recent
technical performance reports are not submitted, the grant application
may be considered non-responsive.

The applicant must also provide evidence of key staff capability to
include resume, staff biographies, organizational charts, statements of
work, and etc. It is preferred that the grantee and sub-awardee(s) be a
well established service provider and not in the initial start-up phase
or process.

C. [Section 3 -- The Cost Proposal must contain the
following]{.underline}: Applicants can expect that the cost proposal
will be reviewed for allocability, allowability, and reasonableness.

\(1\) Standard Form SF-424, "Application for Federal Assistance" (with
the original signed in blue-ink) (Appendix A) must be completed;

The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number for this program is
17.802 and it must be entered on the SF-424, in Block 11.

The organizational unit section of Block 8 of the SF-424 must contain
the Dun and Bradstreet Number (DUNS) of the applicant. Beginning October
1, 2003, all applicants for Federal grant funding opportunities are
required to include a DUNS number with their application.
[See]{.underline} OMB Notice of Final Policy Issuance, 68 Federal
Register 38402 (June 27, 2003). Applicants' DUNS number is to be entered
into Block 8 of SF-424. The DUNS number is a nine-digit identification
number that uniquely identifies business entities. There is no charge
for obtaining a DUNS number. To obtain a DUNS number call 1-866-705-5711
or access the following web site: <http://www.dunandbradstreet.com/>

Requests for exemption from the DUNS number requirement must be made to
the Office of Management and Budget.

\(2\) Standard Form SF-424A "Budget Information Sheet" (Appendix B) must
be included;

\(3\) As an attachment to SF-424A, the applicant must provide a detailed
cost breakout of each line item on the Budget Information Sheet. Please
label this page or pages the "Budget Narrative" and ensure that costs
reported on the SF- 424A correspond accurately with the Budget
Narrative;

The Budget Narrative must include, at a minimum:

-   Breakout of all personnel costs by position, title, annual salary
    rates, and percent of time of each position to be devoted to the
    proposed project (including sub-grantees) by completing the "Direct
    Cost Descriptions for Applicants and Sub-Applicants" form (Appendix
    E);

-   Explanation and breakout of extraordinary fringe benefit rates and
    associated charges (i.e., rates exceeding 35% of salaries and
    wages);

-   Explanation of the purpose and composition of, and methodology used
    to derive the costs of each of the following: travel, equipment,
    supplies, sub-awards/contracts, and any other costs. The applicant
    must include costs of any required travel described in this
    Solicitation. Planned travel expenditures may not exceed 5% of the
    total VWIP funds requested. Mileage charges may not exceed 44.5
    cents per mile or the current Federal rate;

-   All associated costs for obtaining and retaining participant
    information pertinent to the follow-up survey, at 90 and 180 days
    after the program performance period ends;

-   Description/specification of, and justification for, equipment
    purchases, if any. Tangible, non-expendable, personal property
    having a useful life of more than one year and a unit acquisition
    cost of \$5,000 or more per unit must be specifically identified;
    and

-   Matching funds, leveraged funds, and in-kind services are not
    required for VWIP grants. However, if matching funds, leverage
    funds, or in-kind services are to be used, an identification of all
    sources of leveraged or matching funds and an explanation of the
    derivation of the value of matching/in-kind services must be
    provided. When resources such as matching funds, leveraged funds,
    and/or the value of in-kind contributions are made available, please
    describe in Section B of the Budget Information Sheet.

> \(4\) A completed Assurance and Certification signature page (Appendix
> C) (signed in blue ink) must be submitted;
>
> \(5\) All applicants must submit evidence of satisfactory financial
> management capability, which must include recent (within the last 18
> months) grant specific financial and/or audit statements (does not
> count towards the 75 page limitation). All successful grantees and
> sub-awardee(s) are required to utilize Generally Accepted Accounting
> Practices (GAAP), maintain a separate accounting for these grant
> funds, and have a checking account;
>
> \(6\) All applicants must include, as a separate appendix, a list of
> all employment and training government grants and contracts that they
> have had in the past three (3) years, including grant/contract officer
> contact information. VETS reserves the right to have a DOL
> representative review and verify this data;
>
> \(7\) A completed Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants
> (Appendix F) must be provided.

3\. [Submission Dates and Times]{.underline} (Acceptable Methods of
Submission): The grant application package must be received at the
designated place by the date and time specified or it will not be
considered. Any application received at the Office of Procurement
Services after 5:00 p.m. EDT, May 22, 2006, will not be considered
unless it is received before the award is made and:

-   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 registered or certified mail not later than the fifth
    calendar day before May 22, 2006; or

-   It was sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail Next Day
    Service-Post Office to Addressee, not later than 5:00 p.m. at the
    place of mailing two (2) working days, excluding weekends and
    Federal holidays, prior to May 22, 2006.

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 shall be
processed as if mailed late. "Postmark" means a printed, stamped or
otherwise placed impression ([not]{.underline} 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. Applications cannot be
accepted by e-mail or facsimile machine.

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-Post Office to Addressee is the date entered by the Post Office
clerk on the "Express Mail Next Day Service-Post Office to Addressee"
label and the postmark on the envelope or wrapper and on the original
receipt from the U.S. Postal Service. "Postmark" has the same meaning as
defined above. 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 Procurement
Services Center on the application wrapper or other documentary evidence
or receipt maintained by that office. Applications sent by express
delivery services, such as Federal Express, UPS, etc., will be accepted.

All applicants are advised that U.S. mail delivery in the Washington, DC
area has been erratic due to security concerns. All applicants must take
this into consideration when preparing to meet the application deadline,
as you assume the risk for ensuring a timely submission, that is, if,
because of these mail problems, the Department does not receive an
application or receives it too late to give proper consideration, even
if it was timely mailed, the Department is not required to consider the
application.

4\. [Intergovernmental Review]{.underline} This funding opportunity is
not subject to Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of
Federal Programs" \[see SF 424, Block #16\].

5\. [Funding Restrictions]{.underline}:

> A. Rules relating to allowable costs are addressed in 20 CFR 667.200
> through 667.220. Under 20 CFR 667.210(b), limits on administrative
> costs will be negotiated with the grantee and identified in the grant
> award documents. Construction costs (as opposed to maintenance and/or
> repair costs) are generally not allowed under WIA.

B. There will not be reimbursement of pre-award costs unless
specifically agreed upon in writing by the Grant Officer.

C. Entities described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code
that engage in lobbying activities are not eligible to receive funds
under this announcement because Section 18 of the Lobbying Disclosure
Act of 1995, Public Law No. 104-65, 109 Stat. 691, prohibits the award
of Federal funds to these entities.

#### D. Limitations on Administrative and Indirect Costs

-   Administrative costs, which consist of all direct and indirect costs
    associated with the supervision and management of the program, are
    limited to and may not exceed 10% of the total grant award.

-   Indirect costs claimed by the applicant must be based on a Federally
    approved rate. A copy of the current negotiated approved and signed
    indirect cost negotiation agreement must be submitted with the
    application. Furthermore, indirect costs are considered a part of
    administrative costs for VWIP purposes and, therefore, may not
    exceed 10% of the total grant award.

-   If the applicant does not presently have an approved indirect cost
    rate, a proposed rate with justification may be submitted.
    Successful applicants will be required to negotiate an acceptable
    and allowable rate within 90 days of grant award with the
    appropriate DOL Regional Office of Cost Determination or with the
    applicant's cognizant agency for indirect cost rates
    ([See]{.underline} Office of Management and Budget web site at
    http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/attach.html).

-   Indirect cost rates traceable and trackable through the State
    Workforce Agency's Cost Accounting System represent an acceptable
    means of allocating costs to DOL and, therefore, can be approved for
    use in grants to State Workforce Agencies.

##### V. Application Review Information: 

1\. [Application Evaluation Criteria]{.underline}: Applications will
receive up to 110 total points based on the following criteria:

###### A. [Need for the project: 20 points]{.underline}

The applicant will document the need for this project, as demonstrated
by: (i) the potential number or concentration of eligible veterans in
the proposed project area relative to other similar areas; (ii) the
rates of poverty and unemployment in the proposed project area as
determined by the census or other surveys; and (iii) the extent of the
gaps in the local infrastructure to effectively address the employment
barriers that characterize the target veteran population.

B. [Overall strategy to develop and promote maximum employment and
training opportunities and retention in employment of eligible veterans:
40 points \[and up to 10 additional points (for a total of 50 points) if
overall strategy focuses on providing services to transitioning service
members, especially those with a service connected
disability.\]]{.underline}

The application must include a description of the approach to providing
comprehensive employment and training services, including outreach,
pre-enrollment assessment, job training, job development, obtaining
employer commitments to hire, placement, and post-placement follow-up
services. Applicants must address how they will target occupations that
are locally in demand with career growth potential and that will provide
wages to ensure self-sufficiency for the participant. Supportive
services provided as part of the strategy of promoting job readiness and
job retention must be indicated. The applicant must identify the local
services and sources of training to be used for participants. At least
80% of enrolled participants must participate in training activities. A
description of the relationship with other employment and training
programs delivered through the One-Stop Career Center System must be
specified. Applicants must indicate how the activities will be tailored
or responsive to the needs of eligible veterans. A participant flow
chart may be used to show the sequence and mix of services.

Additional Points: Up to an additional 10 points under this section will
be

added to the grant proposal total score that targets services to
transitioning

service members who are veterans that were recently separated (within 48

months of discharge from the military), especially those with a service

connected disability.

[Note]{.underline}: The applicant must complete Appendix D, the
Recommended Format for Planned Quarterly Technical Performance Goals,
with proposed programmatic outcomes, including participants served,
placement/entered employments and job retention.

C. [Quality and extent of linkages with other providers of services to
eligible veterans: 20 points]{.underline}

The application must provide information on the quality and extent of
the linkages this program will have with other providers of services to
eligible veterans in the local community including faith-based and
community organizations. For each service, the applicant must specify
who the provider is, the source of funding (if known), and the type of
linkages/referral system established or proposed. Describe how the
proposed project links to the appropriate State Workforce Agency and
One-Stop Career Center(s) including coordination and collaboration with
DVOP/LVER and other One-Stop Career Center staff, DVA, and/or other
local community-based programs and the services that will be provided as
necessary on behalf of the eligible veteran participants to be served.

D. [Demonstrated capability in providing required program services,
including programmatic reporting and participant tracking: 20
points]{.underline}

The applicant must describe its relevant prior experience in operating
employment and training programs and providing services to participants
similar to those that are proposed under this solicitation. Specific
outcomes previously achieved by the applicant must be described,
including percentage of enrolled participants placed into employment and
cost per entered employment. The applicant must also address its
capacity for timely startup of the program, programmatic reporting, and
participant tracking. The applicant should describe its staff experience
and ability to manage the administrative, programmatic, and financial
aspects of a grant program. Include a recent (within the last 18 months)
grant specific financial statement and/or audit (does not count towards
the 75 page limitation). Final or most recent technical reports for
other relevant programs must be submitted, if applicable. Because prior
VWIP experience is not a requirement for this grant, some applicants may
not have any VWIP technical performance reports to submit but may have
other similar type programmatic performance reports to submit as
evidence of experience in operating other employment and training type
programs.

2\. [Review and Selection Process:]{.underline}

Applications will initially be screened by the Grant Officer to ensure
timeliness, completeness, and compliance with the SGA requirements.
Applications that satisfy this initial screening will receive further
review as explained below.

Grant applications will be reviewed by a Department of Labor grant
review panel using the point scoring system specified above in Section
V(1). The grant review panel will assign a score after objectively and
carefully evaluating each complete grant application and all complete
grant applications will be ranked based on this score. The ranking will
be the primary basis to identify applicants as potential grantees. The
grant review panel will establish a competitive range, based upon the
proposal evaluation, for the purpose of selecting qualified applicants.
For this solicitation, the minimum acceptable score is 70.

The grant review panel, the Assistant Secretary for Veterans' Employment
and Training (ASVET), and Grant Officer may further evaluate grant
applications deemed within the competitive range in order to compare
goals of other grant applications deemed within the competitive range.
The grant review team, the ASVET, and the Grant Officer may consider any
information that comes to their attention, including past performance of
a previous grant, and will make a final selection determination based on
what is most advantageous to the Government, considering factors such as
grant review panel findings, geographical presence of the applicants,
existing grants, or the areas to be served and the best value to the
government, cost, and other factors considered. The grant review panel's
conclusions are advisory in nature and not binding on the Grant Officer.
However, if no application receives at least that minimum score, the
Grant Officer may either designate no grantee or may designate an entity
based on demonstrated capability to provide the best services to the
client population. Further, the Grant Officer reserves the right to
select applicants with scores lower than the minimum or lower than the
competing applications, if such a selection would, in the Grant
Officer's judgment, result in the most effective and appropriate
combination of services to grant beneficiaries.

The grant review panel will screen all applicant cost proposals to
ensure expenses are allocable, allowable, and reasonable. Determinations
of allowable costs will be made in accordance with the applicable
Federal cost principles, e.g. Non-Profit Organizations -- OMB Circular
A-122. Unallowable costs are those charges to a grant that a grantor
agency or its representatives determines to not be allowed in accordance
with the applicable Federal Cost Principles or other conditions
contained in the grant. If the grant review panel, ASVET, and Grant
Officer conclude that the cost proposal contains an expense(s) that is
not allocable, allowable, and/or reasonable, the application may be
considered ineligible for funding. Further, the grant review panel,
ASVET, and the Grant Officer will consider applicant information
concerning the proposed cost per placement, percentage of participants
placed into unsubsidized employment, average wage at placement, and 90
and 180-day retention in employment percentages. The national average
cost per placement for VWIP for last year was \$2,200.

The Government reserves the right to ask for clarification on any aspect
of a grant application. The Government also reserves the right to
discuss any potential grantee and sub-awardee(s) concerns amongst
Department of Labor staff. The Grant Officer's determination for award
under SGA \# **[06-03]{.underline}** is the final agency action. The
submission of the same proposal from any prior year VWIP competition
does not guarantee an award under this Solicitation.

3.  [Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates]{.underline}:

Announcement of this award is expected to occur by June 20, 2006. The
grant agreement will be awarded by no later than July 1, 2006.

VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION:

1\. [Award Notices:]{.underline}

A. The Notice of Award signed by the Grant Officer is the authorizing
document and will be provided through postal mail and/or by electronic
means to the authorized representative listed on the SF-424 Grant
Application. Notice that an organization has been selected as a grant
recipient does not constitute final approval of the grant application as
submitted. Before the actual grant award, the Grant Officer and/or the
Grant Officer Technical Representative may enter into negotiations
concerning such items as program components, funding levels, and
administrative systems. If the negotiations do not result in an
acceptable submittal, the Grant Officer reserves the right to terminate
the negotiation and decline to fund the proposal.

B. A post-award conference will be held for all grantees awarded PY 2006
VWIP funds through this competition. The post-award conference is
expected to be held in early August 2006 and up to two (2) grant
recipients' representatives must be present. The site of the post-award
conference has not yet been determined, however, for planning and
budgeting purposes, applicants should allot four (4) days and use
Washington, DC as the conference site. The post-award conference will
focus on providing information and assistance on reporting, record
keeping, grant requirements, and also include networking opportunities
to learn of best practices from more experienced and successful grantees
and sub-awardee(s). Costs associated with attending this conference for
up to two (2) grantee representatives will be allowed as long as they
are incurred in accordance with Federal travel regulations. Such costs
must be charged as travel expenditures and reflected in the proposed
budget.

2\. [Administrative and National Policy Requirements:]{.underline}

All grantees and sub-awardees must comply with the provisions of WIA and
its regulations, as applicable.

A. **Administrative Program Requirements**

All grantees and sub-awardees, including faith-based organizations, will
be subject to applicable Federal laws (including provisions of
appropriations law), regulations, and the applicable Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars. The grant(s) awarded under this
SGA will be subject to the following administrative standards and
provisions, if applicable:

-   20 CFR part 667 -- Administrative provisions for programs, including
    VWIP, under Title I of WIA.

-   29 CFR part 2 -- General Participation in Department of Labor
    Programs by Faith-Based and Community Organizations; Equal Treatment
    of All Department of Labor Program Participants and Beneficiaries.

-   29 CFR part 30 -- Equal Employment Opportunity in Apprenticeship and
    Training.

-   29 CFR part 31- Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs of
    the Department of Labor - Effectuation of Title VI of the Civil
    Rights Act of 1964.

-   29 CFR part 32 - Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap in
    Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance.

-   29 CFR part 33 -- Enforcement of Nondiscrimination on the Basis of
    Handicap in Programs or Activities Conducted by the Department of
    Labor.

-   29 CFR part 35 -- Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Age in Programs
    and Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance from the
    Department of Labor.

-   29 CFR part 36 -- Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education
    Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Assistance.

-   29 CFR part 37 -- Implementation of the Nondiscrimination and Equal
    Opportunity Provisions of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.

-   29 CFR part 93 -- New Restrictions on Lobbying.

-   29 CFR part 94 -- Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free
    Workplace (Financial Assistance).

-   29 CFR part 95 - Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher
    Education, Hospitals, and other Non-Profit Organizations, and with
    Commercial Organizations.

-   29 CFR part 96 - Audit Requirements for Grants, Contracts and Other
    Agreements.

-   29 CFR part 97 - Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and
    Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments.

-   29 CFR part 98 -- Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Non
    procurement).

-   29 CFR part 99 - Audit of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit
    Organizations.

-   Applicable cost principles and audit requirements under OMB
    Circulars A-21, A-87, A-122, A-110, A-133, and 48 CFR part 31.

-   In accordance with WIA section 195(6), programs funded under this
    SGA may not involve political activities. Additionally, in
    accordance with Section 18 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995,
    Public Law 104-65 (2 U.S.C. 1611), non-profit entities incorporated
    under 501(c)(4) that engage in lobbying activities are not eligible
    to received Federal funds and grants.

-   Requirements for priority of service for veterans in Department of
    Labor training programs are identified in 38 U.S.C. Section 4215.

    3\. [Electronic Reporting]{.underline} - All VWIP grantees will data
    enter and electronically attach their quarterly technical
    performance and financial status reports, success stories, etc. into
    the USDOL, VETS Outcomes and Performance Accountability Reporting
    (VOPAR) System according to the reporting requirements and
    timetables described below.

### A. [Quarterly Financial Reports]{.underline}:

No later than 30 days after the end of each Federal fiscal quarter, the
grantee must report outlays, program income, and other financial
information on a Federal fiscal quarterly basis using SF-269, Financial
Status Report, Long Form, and submit a copy of the HHS/PMS 272 draw down
report. These reports must cite the assigned grant number.

### B. [Quarterly Program Reports]{.underline}: 

No later than 30 days after the end of each Federal fiscal quarter,
grantees must submit a Quarterly Technical Narrative Performance Report
that contains the following:

\(1\) A comparison of actual accomplishments to planned goals for the
reporting period and any findings related to monitoring efforts;

\(2\) An explanation for variances of plus or minus 15% of planned
program and/or expenditure goals, to include: identification of
corrective action that will be taken to meet the planned goals, if
required; and a timetable for accomplishment of the corrective action.

### C. [90-Day Final Performance Report]{.underline}:

No later than 120 days after the grant performance expiration date, the
grantee must submit a final report showing results and performance as of
the 90^th^ day after the grant period, and containing the following:

\(1\) Final Financial Status Report SF-269 Long Form (that zeros out all
unliquidated obligations); and

\(2\) Final Technical Performance Report comparing goals vs. actual

performance levels.

### D. [180-Day Follow-Up Report/Longitudinal Survey]{.underline}:

No later than 210 days after the grant performance expiration date, the
grantee must submit a Follow-Up Report/Longitudinal Survey showing
results and performance as of the 180^th^ day after the grant expiration
date, and containing the following:

\(1\) Final Financial Status Report SF-269 Long Form (if not previously

submitted); and

\(2\) 180-Day Follow-Up Report/Longitudinal Survey identifying:

> \(a\) The total combined (directed/assisted) number of veterans placed
> into employment during the entire grant period;
>
> \(b\) The number of veterans still employed after the 90 and
>
> 180 day follow-up period;
>
> \(c\) If the veterans are still employed at the same or similar job,
>
> and if not, what are the reason(s);
>
> \(d\) Whether training received was applicable to jobs held;
>
> \(e\) Wages at placement and at the 90 and 180 day follow-up
>
> periods;
>
> \(f\) An explanation of why those veterans placed during the
>
> grant, but not employed at the end of the follow-up period,
>
> are not so employed; and
>
> \(g\) Any recommendations to improve the program.

VII\. AGENCY CONTACT:

All questions regarding this SGA should be directed to Cassandra
Mitchell, e-mail address: <mitchell.cassandra@dol.gov>, at tel: (202)
693-4570 (note this is not a toll-free number), or Eric Vogt, e-mail
address <vogt.eric@dol.gov>, also at tel. (202) 693-4570. To obtain
further information on the Veterans' Workforce Investment Program of the
U.S. Department of Labor, visit the USDOL website of the Veterans'
Employment and Training Service at
[www.dol.gov/vets](http://www.dol.gov/vets).

VI. OTHER INFORMATION:

> **Acknowledgement of USDOL Funding.**
>
> **Printed Materials**: In all circumstances, the following shall be
> displayed on printed materials prepared by the grantee while in
> receipt of DOL grant funding: "Preparation of this item was funded by
> the United States Department of Labor under Grant No. \[insert the
> appropriate grant number\]."

-   All printed materials must also include the following notice: "This
    document does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the
    U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names,
    commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S.
    Government."

> **Public references to grant**: When issuing statements, press
> releases, requests for proposals, bid solicitations, and other
> documents describing projects or programs funded in whole or in part
> with Federal money, all Grantees receiving Federal funds must clearly
> state:

-   The percentage of the total costs of the program or project, which
    will be financed with Federal money;

-   The dollar amount of Federal financial assistance for the project or
    program; and

-   The percentage and dollar amount of the total costs of the project
    or program that will be financed by non-governmental sources.

> **Use of USDOL Logo**: In consultation with USDOL, VETS, the
> Grantee(s) must acknowledge USDOL's role as described below:

-   The USDOL logo may be applied to USDOL-funded material prepared for
    world-wide distribution, including posters, videos, pamphlets,
    research documents, national survey results, impact evaluations,
    best practice reports, and other publications of global interest.
    The Grantee(s) must consult with USDOL on whether the logo may be
    used on any such items prior to final draft or final preparation for
    distribution. In no event shall the USDOL logo be placed on any item
    until USDOL has given the Grantee permission to use the logo on the
    item.

> [Resources for the Applicant]{.underline}: The Department of Labor
> maintains a number of web-based resources that may be of assistance to
> applicants. The webpage for the USDOL VETS at
> [www.dol.gov/vets/programs/main.htm](http://www.dol.gov/vets/programs/main.htm)
> is a valuable source of information including the program highlights
> and brochures, glossary of terms, frequently used acronyms, general
> and special grant provisions, power point presentations on how to
> apply for HVRP funding, On-Site Monitoring Visits, etc. America's
> Service Locator at webpage
> [www.servicelocator.org](http://www.servicelocator.org/) provides a
> directory of our nation's One-Stop Career Centers and
> [www.workforce3one.org](http://www.workforce3one.org/) is another
> Department of Labor resource site. The National Association of
> Workforce Boards maintains a webpage at
> [www.nawb.org/asp/wibdir.asp](http://www.nawb.org/asp/wibdir.asp) that
> contains contact information for the State and local Workforce
> Investment Boards. Applicants may also review "VETS' Guide to
> Competitive and Discretionary Grants" located at webpage
> <http://www.dol.gov/vets/grants/Final_VETS_Guide-linked.pdf>. For a
> basic understanding of the grants process and basic responsibilities
> of receiving Federal grant support, please see "Guidance for
> Faith-Based and Community Organizations on Partnering with the Federal
> Government" at webpages
> [www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci](http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci)
> and [www.dol.gov/cfbci](http://www.dol.gov/cfbci). Also see the
> National Coalition for Homeless Veterans webpage at
> [www.nchv.org](http://www.nchv.org/).

Signed at Washington, DC. this \_\_\_\_\_\_ day of
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_,2006.

Eric Vogt, Grant Officer

> [Appendices:]{.underline} (Located on U.S. Department pf Labor,
> Veterans' Employment and Training Service webpage
> [www.dol.gov/vets](http://www.dol.gov/vets), follow link for the
> applicable SGA listed under announcements.)

Appendix A: Application for Federal Assistance SF-424

Appendix B: Budget Information Sheet SF-424A

Appendix C: Assurances and Certifications Signature Page

Appendix D: Recommended Format for Planned Quarterly Technical
Performance Goals

Appendix E: Direct Cost Descriptions for Applicants and Sub-Applicants

Appendix F: Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants