Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 211 / Tuesday, October 31, 2000 / Notices 64991

www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bja/

methenviron.htm.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Program Description

The Bureau of Justice Assistance

(BJA), 42 U.S.C. 3741, as required by the

Council on Environmental Quality’s

regulations, 40 CFR parts 1500 through

1508, has prepared an Environmental

Assessment for methamphetamine law

enforcement programs, and with

specific application for the

Methamphetamine/Drug Hot Spots

Program. The Methamphetamine/Drug

Hot Spots Program addresses a broad

array of law enforcement initiatives

pertaining to the investigation of

methamphetamine trafficking in many

heavily impacted areas of the country.

For the purposes of this program, law

enforcement may include training of

law enforcement officers in

methamphetamine-related issues;

collection and maintenance of

intelligence and information relative to

methamphetamine trafficking and

traffickers; investigation, arrest and

prosecution of producers, traffickers and

users of methamphetamine; interdiction

and removal of laboratories, finished

products, and precursor chemicals and

other elements necessary to produce

methamphetamine; and preventive

efforts to reduce the spread and use of

methamphetamine. Individual projects

will reflect a concentration on program

areas consistent with the Congressional

appropriations language.

Among the many challenges faced by

law enforcement agencies in the

Methamphetamine/Drug Hot Spots

Program, will be discovery, interdiction,

and dismantling of clandestine drug

laboratories. These lab sites, as well as

other methamphetamine crime venues

must be comprehensively dealt with in

compliance with a variety of health,

safety and environmental regulations.

The Bureau of Justice Assistance

anticipates that law enforcement efforts

funded under this program, when

encountering illegal drug laboratories,

will use grant funds to effect the proper

removal and disposal of hazardous

materials located at those laboratories

and directly associated sites. Where

grant funds are not used to effect cleanup of hazardous waste sites, grantees

must document in their applications

how they will remediate clandestine

drug laboratories that are seized as a

result of grant-related activities.

Environmental Assessment

BJA will award 16 grants to State and

local criminal justice agencies

consistent with congressional earmarks

for the FY 2000 COPS

Methamphetamine/Drug Hot Spots

Program. The Environmental

Assessment concludes that the funding

of this program will not have a

significant impact on the quality of the

human environment. Therefore, an

Environmental Impact Statement will

not be prepared for the funding of this

program.

Nancy E. Gist,

Director, Bureau of Justice Assistance.

[FR Doc. 00–27839 Filed 10–30–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4410–18–P

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary

Submission for OMB Review;

Comment Request

October 20, 2000.

The Department of Labor (DOL) has

submitted the following public

information collection requests (ICRs) to

the Office of Management and Budget

(OMB) for review and approval in

accordance with the Paperwork

Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13,

44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). A copy of each

individual ICR, with applicable

supporting documentation, may be

obtained by calling the Department of

Labor. To obtain documentation for

BLS, ETA, PWBA, and OASAM contact

Karin Kurz ((202) 693–4127 or by E-mail

to Kurz-Karin@dol.gov). To obtain

documentation for ESA, MSHA, OSHA,

and VETS contact Darrin King ((202)

693–4129 or by E-Mail to KingDarrin@dol.gov).

Comments should be sent to Office of

Information and Regulatory Affairs,

Attn: OMB Desk Officer for BLS, DM,

ESA, ETA, MSHA, OSHA, PWBA, or

VETS, Office of Management and

Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC

20503 ((202) 395–7316), within 30 days

from the date of this publication in the

Federal Register.

The OMB is particularly interested in

comments which:

• Evaluate whether the proposed

collection of information is necessary

for the proper performance of the

functions of the agency, including

whether the information will have

practical utility;

• Evaluate the accuracy of the

agency’s estimate of the burden of the

proposed collection of information,

including the validity of the

methodology and assumptions used;

• Enhance the quality, utility, and

clarity of the information to be

collected; and

• Minimize the burden of the

collection of information on those who

are to respond, including through the

use of appropriate automated,

electronic, mechanical, or other

technological collection techniques or

other forms of information technology,

e.g., permitting electronic submission of

responses.

Type of Review: Extension of

currently approved collection.

Agency: Employment Standards

Administration (ESA).

Title: Regulations Governing the

Administration of the Longshore and

Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act.

OMB Number: 1215–0160.

Description: The regulations and

associated forms cover the submission

of information necessary for the

processing of claims for benefits under

the Longshore Act.

Ira L. Mills,

Departmental Clearance Officer.

[FR Doc. 00–27937 Filed 10–30–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510–49–M

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training

Administration

Workforce Investment Act, Section

171(d), Demonstration Program:

Incumbent/Dislocated Worker Skill

Shortage II Demonstration Program

AGENCY: Employment and Training

Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of Funds

and Solicitation for Grant Applications

(SGA).

This notice contains all of the

necessary information and forms needed

to apply for grant funding.

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Labor

(DOL), Employment and Training

Administration (ETA), announces a

second demonstration program to test

the ability of the workforce

development system to create projects

or industry-led consortia for the purpose

of upgrading current workers, designing

or adapting training curricula in skills

shortage occupational areas, or in

regionally important business/industry

areas including manufacturing and

machining, and specialized industrial

areas such as plastics,

telecommunications and the

environment, and to recruit/retrain

workers in these occupations.

DATES: The closing date for receipt of

this application is January 16, 2001.

Applications must be received by 4:00

p.m. Eastern Time. No exceptions to the

mailing and hand-delivery conditions

64992 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 211 / Tuesday, October 31, 2000 / Notices

set forth in this notice will be granted.

Applications that do not meet the

conditions set forth in this notice will

not be considered. Telefacsimile (FAX)

applications will not be honored.

ADDRESSES: Applications must be

mailed or hand-delivered to: U.S.

Department of Labor; Employment and

Training Administration, Division of

Federal Assistance, Attention: Marian G.

Floyd, Reference: SGA/DAA 00–113,

200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room S–

4203, Washington, D.C. 20210.

Hand-Delivered Proposals. Proposals

should be mailed at least five (5) days

prior to the closing date. However, if

proposals are hand delivered, they must

be received at the designated address by

4:00 p.m., Eastern Time on Tuesday,

January 16, 2001. All overnight mail

will be considered to be hand-delivered

and must be received at the designated

place by the specified closing date and

time. Telegraphed, e-mailed and/or

faxed proposals will not be honored.

Failure to adhere to the above

instructions will be a basis for a

determination of non responsiveness.

Late Proposals. A proposal received at

the office designated in the solicitation

after the exact time specified for receipt

will not be considered unless it is

received before the award is made and

was either:

• 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 working days

prior to the date specified for receipt of

the proposals. The term ‘‘working days’’

exclude weekends and U.S. Federal

holidays.

• Sent by U.S. Postal Service

registered or certified mail not later than

the fifth (5th) calendar day before the

date specified for receipt of applications

(e.g., an offer submitted in response to

a solicitation requiring receipt of

applications by the 20th of the month

must be mailed by the 15th). The only

acceptable evidence to establish the date

of mailing of a late proposal sent by

either U.S. Postal Service registered or

certified mail is the U.S. postmark both

on the envelope or wrapper and on the

original receipt from the U.S. Postal

Service. Both postmarks must show a

legible date or the proposal shall be

processed as if mailed late. ‘‘Postmark’’

means a printed, stamped, or otherwise

placed impression (exclusive of a

postage meter machine impression) that

is readily identifiable without further

action as having been supplied and

affixed by an employee of the U.S.

Postal Service on the date of the

mailing. Therefore, offerors should

request the postal clerk to place a legible

hand cancellation ‘‘bull’s eye’’ postmark

on both the receipt and the envelope or

wrapper. Both postmarks must show a

legible date, or the application shall be

processed as though it had been mailed

late.

Withdrawal of Applications.

Applications may be withdrawn by

written notice or telegram (including a

mail gram) received at any time before

an award is made. Applications may be

withdrawn in person by the applicant or

by an authorized representative thereof,

if the representative’s identity is made

known and the representative signs a

receipt for the proposal.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fax

questions to Marian G. Floyd, Division

of Federal Assistance at (202) 219–8739

(this is not a toll-free number). All

inquiries sent via a fax should include

the SGA/DAA 00–113 and contact

name, fax and phone number. This

solicitation will also be published on

the Internet on the Employment and

Training Administration’s (ETA) Home

Page at http://www.doleta.gov. Award

notifications will also be published on

the ETA Home Page.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ETA is

soliciting proposals on a competitive

basis for the incumbent/dislocated

workers’ skill shortage II demonstration

program. It is envisioned that the

program will encompass the upgrading

of current workers, designing or

adapting training curricula in skills

shortage occupational areas, or in

regionally important business/industry

areas including manufacturing and

machining, and specialized industrial

areas.

This announcement consists of five

(5) parts:

• Part I—Background.

• Part II—Eligible Applicants and the

Application Process.

• Part III—Statement of Work.

• Part IV—Rating Criteria and Award

Selection Process.

• Part V—Monitoring, Reporting and

Evaluation.

Part I. Background

A. Authority

Section 171(d) of the Workforce

Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) (29 U.S.C.

2916) authorizes the use of funds for

demonstration projects from funds made

available to the Secretary under Section

132(a)(2)(A) of WIA (29 U.S.C. 2862). In

addition, the DOL FY 2000

Appropriations Act of November 17,

1999, authorizes dislocated worker

demonstration projects that provide

assistance to new entrants in the

workforce and incumbent workers.

Demonstration program grantees must

comply with all applicable federal and

state laws and regulations in setting up

and carrying out their program.

B. Purpose

The purpose of this demonstration

program is to test the ability of the

workforce development system to create

projects or industry-led consortia for the

purpose of upgrading current workers,

designing or adapting training curricula

in skills shortage occupational areas, or

in regionally important business/

industry areas including manufacturing

and machining, and specialized

industrial areas such as plastics,

telecommunications and the

environment, and to recruit/retrain

workers in these occupations. The

dislocated and/or incumbent workers

who will be assisted by these efforts

include specific groups such as

agricultural workers, low skilled

workers, and those needing assistance

in overcoming barriers to employment.

These barriers to employment may be

caused by living in rural communities,

having limited options for

transportation to work, having

inadequate or obsolete skills or having

skills in declining occupations. The

focus of these efforts will be on skills

training in skills shortage occupations

including welding and metals, new and

growing occupations in technological

fields such as information technology,

telecommunications, and other fields in

which technology skills are critical parts

of the jobs emerging in their regional

labor markets. Any consortia established

as a result of this competition would

also be expected to enhance the strategic

planning efforts and policy efforts of

local boards under the Workforce

Investment Act in these areas.

This $8.2 million dislocated and

incumbent worker demonstration

program will support the creation of

projects to respond to employeridentified skill shortages in regional

labor markets with a focus on assisting

the types of workers and types of

occupational-industrial areas noted

above. Such projects could encompass

the creation of industry-led consortia

which can design or adapt training

curricula in skill shortage occupational

areas or in key regional businesses. This

program will build on two Departmental

demonstration programs announced in

June 2000—the $9.2 million

comprehensive incumbent/dislocated

worker retraining demonstration and the

$10.3 million demonstration program

for training in high skill jobs to meet

critical labor shortages.

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 211 / Tuesday, October 31, 2000 / Notices 64993

Part II. Eligible Applicants and the

Application Process

A. Eligible Applicants and Participants

Any organization capable of fulfilling

the terms and conditions of this

solicitation may apply. Applicants

should note that, prior to any selection

as a grantee, ETA will review its agency

records to assess the applicant

organization’s overall record in

administering federal funds as provided

in 20 CFR 667.170. Applicants also

should know that this is a risk free

federal program; therefore, all for profit

organizations that apply will not be able

to receive a fee if awarded a grant.

All participants who receive services

in projects funded under this

demonstration program must be either:

(a) Eligible dislocated workers as

defined at Section 101(9) of the

Workforce Investment Act. This section

of the law may be viewed at http://

usworkforce.org/asp/act.asp Proposed

projects may target subgroups of the

eligible population based on factors

such as, but not limited to occupation,

industry, nature of dislocation, and

reason for unemployment; or

(b) Incumbent workers. These are

currently-employed workers whose

employers have determined that the

workers require training in order to help

keep their firms competitive and the

subject workers employed, avert layoffs,

upgrade workers’ skills, increase wages

earned by employees and/or keep

workers’ skills competitive. Such

training would support further job

retention and career development for

improved economic self-sufficiency for

employed workers, especially those

most vulnerable to job loss, and increase

the capability of the employing firm(s)

to access and retain skilled workers.

B. Allowable Activities

Funds provided through this

demonstration may be used only to

provide services of the types described

at Sections 134 (d)(2)(A–D)(J)(ii)(K),

(d)(3)(C), (d)(4)(D), (e)(2), and (e)(3) of

WIA. These encompass basic cores,

more intensive, and training activities

along with supportive services. The

latter may be provided when they are

necessary to enable an individual who

is eligible for training, but cannot afford

to pay for such supportive services, to

participate in the training program.

Supportive services are defined in

Section 101(46) of WIA. (Use ETA’s web

site referenced above to view.)

Grant funds may be used to reimburse

employers for extraordinary costs

associated with on-the-job training of

program participants, in accordance

with the provisions of 20 CFR 663.710.

In addition to those provisions,

prospective applicants should be aware

that grant funds may not be used for the

following purposes:

(a) for training that an employer is in

a position to provide and would have

provided in the absence of the requested

grant;

(b) to pay salaries for program

participants; and

(c) for acquisition of production

equipment.

Applicants may budget limited

amounts of grant funds to work with

technical experts or consultants to

provide advice and develop more

complete project plans after a grant

award, however, the level of details in

the project plan may affect the amount

of funding provided.

Grant activities may include:

(a) development, testing and initial

application of curricula focused on

intensive, short-term training to get

participants into productive, high

demand employment as quickly as

possible;

(b) working with employers to

develop and apply worksite-based

learning strategies that utilize cuttingedge technology and equipment;

(c) development of employer-based

training programs that will take

advantage of opportunities created by

employers’ needs for workers with new

skills;

(d) development and initial

application of contextual learning

opportunities for participants to learn

occupational theory in a classroom

setting while applying that learning in

an on-the-job setting;

(e) use of curriculum and skills

training programs that are designed to

impart learning to meet employerspecified or industry specific skill

standards or certification requirements;

(f) convening of an Employer

Advisory Board to identify skills gaps of

job applicants and present workers

which effect competitive production

and to develop a strategy for retraining;

(g) innovative linkage and

collaboration between employers and

the local Workforce Investment Board

(WIB) and/or One-Stop/Career Center

system to ensure a steady supply of

targeted workers.

The above are illustrative examples

and are not intended to be an exhaustive

listing of possible demonstration project

designs or approaches which may

achieve the purpose of this solicitation.

C. Coordination

In order to maximize the use of public

resources and avoid duplication of

effort, applicants will coordinate the

delivery of services under this

demonstration with the delivery of

services under other programs (public or

private), available to all or part of the

target group. Projects linking or

collaborating with an existing WIA

funded One-Stop/Career Center and/or

local Workforce Investment Board

located within a project area fulfill this

requirement. The use of Pell Grants for

eligible workers or the use of State

training or education funds provided for

dislocated workers or certain types of

employers should also be addressed in

the application. Where appropriate,

partnerships should also include trade

unions, manufacturing extension

programs, economic development

organizations, training institutions, and

other local stakeholders. Any efforts

proposed in isolation will not have the

maximum impact on building capacity

within that region or industry and are

not likely to be funded.

D. Wages

Proposals must provide assurance that

all participating firms which employ

successful training completers have

committed to pay wages to these

completers at the wage level set by any

collective bargaining agreement which

covers positions to be filled by the

project participants, or, if no such

agreement exists, at a level at least equal

to meeting the lower living standard

income level as defined in Section

101(24) of WIA.

E. Grant Awards

It is anticipated that $8.2 million will

be available to fund these projects. DOL

anticipates awarding 6 to 12 grants, with

an estimated range of $200,000 to $3

million per grant, with no individual

grant exceeding $3 million.

F. Period of Performance

The period of performance shall be 24

months from the date of execution by

the Government.

G. Option To Extend

DOL may elect to exercise its option

to extend these grants for an additional

one (1) or two (2) years of operation,

based on the availability of

demonstration funding under the

Workforce Investment Act, successful

program operation, and the

determination that a grantee’s initial

program findings could further inform

the workforce development system

through refinement of the present

demonstration.

H. Proposal Submission

Applicants must submit four (4)

copies of their proposal with original

signatures. The proposal must consist of

64994 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 211 / Tuesday, October 31, 2000 / Notices

two (2) distinct parts, Part I and Part II.

Part I of the proposal, the financial

application, shall contain the Standard

Form SF–424, ‘‘Application for Federal

Assistance’’ (Appendix A) and the

Budget Information Sheet (Appendix B).

The Federal Domestic Assistance

Catalog number is 17.246. Applicants

shall indicate on the SF–424 the

organization’s IRS status, if applicable.

According to the Lobbying Disclosure

Act of 1995, section 18, an organization

described in section 501(c)(4) of the

Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which

engages in lobbying activities shall not

be eligible for the receipt of federal

funds constituting an award, grant, or

loan. The individual signing the SF–424

on behalf of the applicant must

represent the responsible financial and

administrative entity for a grant should

that application result in an award.

The budget must include on separate

pages detailed breakouts of each

proposed budget line item found in the

budget information sheet including

detailed administrative costs. The

Salaries line item shall be used to

document the project staffing plan by

providing a detailed listing of each staff

position providing more than .05 FTE

support to the project, by annual salary,

number of months assigned to

demonstration responsibilities, and FTE

percentage to be charged to the grant. In

addition, for the Contractual line item,

each planned contract and the amount

of the contract shall be listed. For each

budget line item that includes funds or

in-kind contributions from a source

other than the requested grant funds, the

source, the amount, and in-kind

contributions, including any restrictions

that may apply to these funds, shall be

identified. Costs associated with the

development of curriculum and other

one-time costs should be noted

separately in order for reviewers to

identify costs associated with

development and start-up as well as

ongoing participant costs. In addition,

the budget shall provide sufficient funds

for four persons’ trips to meetings in

Washington, D.C. and other locations.

Part II, the technical proposal, shall

demonstrate the offerors’s capabilities in

accordance with the Statement of Work

in Part III of this solicitation. The

technical proposal shall be limited to

thirty (30) double-spaced, single-side,

8.5-inch x 11-inch pages with 1-inch

margins. An Executive Summary not to

exceed two pages must be included and

will be counted within the 30 page

limits. Attachments shall not exceed

twenty (20) pages including the required

Appendices A–D listed at the end of this

SGA. Text type shall be 11 point or

larger. No cost data or reference to price

shall be included in the technical

proposal.

Part III. Statement of Work

Each technical proposal must follow

the format outlined here. As noted in

Part IV, each criterion on which

proposals will be rated relates to

specific sections of this Part against

which the criterion will be applied.

Failure to provide the information

requested in the specific section

prescribed in this Part will result in a

reduced rating of the evaluation

criterion(a) to which that section

applies. For every section, A through F,

the application should include: (1)

Information that responds to the

requirements in this Part; (2)

information that indicates adherence to

the provisions described in Parts I and

II of this solicitation; and (3) other

information the offerors believe will

address the rating criteria identified in

Part IV.

Information required under B and C

below shall be provided separately for

each labor market area where incumbent

and dislocated workers will be served.

To the extent that the project design

differs for different geographic areas,

information required under section D

below shall be provided for each

geographic area.

A. Project Purpose

Describe the specific purpose or

purposes of the proposed project.

B. Skill/Occupational/Industrial

Shortage Areas

Identify those skills/occupational/

industrial shortage areas to be addressed

by the project. Such areas must be one

or more of those identified in Part I.B

above. The identity and geographic

locations of those firms which currently

have these shortages and which will be

targeted for assistance under this project

must be provided. Corroborating

evidence (footnote sources) also should

be presented, based on local or regional

data and information, of the current

existence of the identified shortages in

the given geographic area with respect

to both job demand and the lack of

qualified job applicants.

Note: Information from the Bureau of Labor

Statistics (BLS), available through a variety of

web sites including BLS, O*NET and

America’s Labor Market Information System

(ALMIS), should be considered as a key

source of documentation. In addition, State

Occupational Information Coordinating

Committee (SOICC) and local WIB job

training plans may also be considered. Other

sources from the private sector such as

Chamber of Commerce or local Technology

Council surveys as well as university studies

are also acceptable.

For each firm to be served, an

authorizing letter should be included in

the proposal’s attachments indicating:

(1) The skill area(s) of the firm’s current

shortage, (2) the duration of the

shortage, (3) the magnitude of the

shortage as reflected in the current and,

if applicable, projected number of: (a)

Unfilled job openings and/or (b)

encumbered positions for which

employees lack needed knowledge of

the identified skill area, (4) plans for

utilizing successful training completers,

and (5) a commitment to adhere to the

wage requirements for successful

training completers as provided in Part

II.D.

C. Targeted Workers

Identify the targeted workers who will

receive the training and other services to

be provided through this project.

Indicate the number to be trained for

each firm identified in section B above

and whether they will be incumbent

workers of the firm and/or recruited

dislocated workers. For incumbent

workers, discuss the types of positions

these employees currently occupy, and,

if training is voluntary, the availability

of a sufficient number of workers. For

dislocated workers, provide evidence

that sufficient numbers of dislocated

workers with appropriate backgrounds

will be available for training and

placement with participating firms.

Describe the process to be used in

documenting the incumbent or

dislocated workers’ status of the project

participants consistent with the

requirements in Part II.A.

D. Services

Describe the strategy and service

components to be applied in addressing

the skill/occupational/ industrial

shortages identified in section B above.

(Note: the services to be provided must

be consistent with the provisions of Part

II.B.) Insert a brief chart of the

sequencing of the services to be

provided. Include in this discussion

detail regarding the service components

identified below and any additional

components proposed:

• Recruitment/outreach—depending

on which type(s) of workers will be

assisted by this project, indicate how

incumbent workers will be recruited

within the participating firms and/or

how dislocated workers in the local/

regional area(s) served will be recruited.

Briefly describe any recruitment

materials to be developed.

• Training—its general content,

duration, and methods of instruction.

Indicate whether the curriculum to be

used is ready for use, will need to be

adapted from an existing version, or will

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 211 / Tuesday, October 31, 2000 / Notices 64995

be developed. If applicable, briefly

discuss the development process to be

utilized. Discuss the appropriateness of

the curriculum in addressing the

identified shortages in section B above

with particular reference to any

pertinent skill or industrial standards.

Discuss the suitability of the training in

regard to the backgrounds and

experience of the targeted workers

described in section C above.

• Supportive services—describe each

and the circumstances under which

they would be provided.

• Placement—describe the process to

be used once training is completed for

placing dislocated workers into the skill

shortage jobs identified in participating

firms and how a firm’s incumbent

workers will be placed in either new

jobs or their new skills will be utilized

in their existing positions.

• Post-placement services—if

applicable, describe such services and

the circumstances under which they

would be provided.

With reference to the service

components to be utilized, describe the

coordination of services to be

undertaken. This description must

include the requirements referenced in

Part II.C. In addition, if applicable,

describe any parallel efforts by

participating firms to address their skill

shortages in conjunction with the

training being provided.

E. Performance Goals, Measures, and

Outcomes

Describe the performance goals to be

met by this project, the justification of

the goals set, and the performance

measures to be used in assessing the

attainment of those goals in regard to

the following outcomes:

• The reduction of identified

shortages in participating firms as a

result of the training/services provided

• The effect of reduced shortages on

one or more dimensions of the

participating firms’ performance, e.g.,

productivity, sales, profitability, on time

deliveries

• The effect on participating workers

including skill gains, utilization of the

new skills learned, wages, wage gains,

and job satisfaction.

Note: in setting goals for wages, the wages

for training completers must meet the

requirements of Part II.D.

Projects may also include other

performance goals and measures for

other outcomes as applicable.

F. Staffing and Organization

Describe staffing for the project

including the numbers and types of

positions and associated full-time

equivalents (FTE’s), along with very

brief (2–3 sentences) descriptions of

duties. Include all positions for the

project whether funded by federal grant

funds or by other sources. This staffing

description must be directly related to

the proposal budget submitted in the

financial application. Provide a project

organizational chart identifying the

positions and their relationships to each

other. Include an explanation of this

staffing in relation to the project’s

purpose, services, and performance

goals.

Include, if applicable, a description of

any industry-led consortium/Employer

Advisory Board (existing or specially

formed for this project) that will provide

guidance to this project. Describe the

consortium’s role in this effort and its

membership.

Describe the connection between this

project and the local Workforce

Investment Board(s) in the local areas in

which the firms to be served are located

with particular reference to: (1) The

coordination of services to be provided

worker participants (see Part II.C.) and

(2) if applicable, the relationship of the

industry-led consortium/Employer

Advisory Board with the local WIB(s) in

regard to strategy planning and policy

efforts (see Part I.B.). Include as an

attachment a letter(s) from the local

WIB(s) indicating its commitments to

working with this project, if funded.

Part IV. Rating Criteria and Award

Selection Process

A careful evaluation of applications

will be made by a technical review

panel who will evaluate the

applications against the criteria listed in

the SGA. The panel results will be

advisory in nature and not binding on

the Grant Officer. The Government may

elect to award grants with or without

discussions with the offerors. In

situations without discussions, an

award will be based on the offerors’s

signature on the Standard Form SF–424,

which constitutes a binding offer. The

Grant Officer will make final award

decisions based upon what is most

advantageous to the Federal

Government in terms of technical

quality, responsiveness to this

solicitation (including goals of the

Department to be accomplished by this

solicitation), geographical balance, and

other factors.

Panelists shall evaluate proposals for

acceptability based upon overall

responsiveness in accordance with the

factors below.

A. Documented Shortages and Available

Workers (25 points)

Documentation is presented from

those firms targeted for assistance

attesting to their specific skill/

occupational/industrial shortages in

those shortage areas identified in the

grant program purpose and the number

of jobs affected. Sufficient corroborating

information is provided demonstrating

that the shortages identified by the firms

also exist more generally in the local/

regional areas where the target firms are

located. Credible information is

presented to demonstrate that there are

incumbent and dislocated workers who

are available to participate in training in

sufficient numbers and with appropriate

backgrounds to alleviate the shortages

identified in participating firms.

(Relates to information requested in Part

III, sections B and C.)

B. Service Provision (25 points)

The services planned are appropriate,

suitable, and responsive to: (1) The need

for reducing the shortages identified

through the successful recruitment,

training, support, and placement of

incumbent and dislocated workers and

(2) the backgrounds and experience of

those workers who are to be served. A

high degree of coordination with other

public and private programs will occur

in order to maximize the use of other

public services and resources and to

avoid duplicative efforts. (Relates to

information requested in Part III, section

D.)

C. Performance Goals and Measures (15

points)

The justifications cited for the

performance goals proposed show a

clear and logical relationship between

the goals and the solicitation’s

identified outcomes and any other

outcomes proposed. The proposed

performance measures to determine the

extent to which the performance goals

will be met are also appropriate for the

task. (Relates to information requested

in Part III, section E.)

D. Project Management (15 points)

The proposed staffing with regard to

the number, types of positions, duties,

associated full-time equivalents (FTE’s),

and staff relationships are clearly

presented. The explanation provided of

the staffing in regard to the project’s

purpose, services, and performance

goals shows a clear, logical, and

reasonable relationship. There is an

explicit commitment by the local WIB(s)

to participate in this project. (Relates to

information requested in Part III, section

F.)

E. Cost-Effectiveness (20 points)

The cost effectiveness of the project is

reasonable and optimal as indicated by

the relationship of proposed costs to the

64996 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 211 / Tuesday, October 31, 2000 / Notices

number of participants to be served, the

range of services to be provided, and the

planned performance goals. (Relates to

information requested in Part II, section

H (on the financial application) and Part

III, sections C, D, and E.)

Part V. Monitoring, Reporting and

Evaluation

A. Monitoring

The Department shall be responsible

for ensuring effective implementation of

each competitive grant project in

accordance with the Act, the

Regulations, the provisions of this

announcement and the negotiated grant

agreement. Applicants should assume

that at least one on-site project review

will be conducted by Department staff,

or their designees. This review will

focus on the project’s performance in

meeting the grant’s programmatic goals

and participant outcomes, complying

with the targeting requirements

regarding participants who are served,

expenditure of grant funds on allowable

activities, collaboration with other

organizations as required, and methods

for assessment of the responsiveness

and effectiveness of the services being

provided. Grants may be subject to

additional reviews at the discretion of

the Department.

B. Reporting

DOL will arrange for or provide

technical assistance to grantees in

establishing appropriate reporting and

data collection methods and processes

taking into account the applicant’s

project management plan. An effort will

be made to accommodate and provide

assistance to grantees to be able to

complete all reporting electronically.

Applicants selected as grantees will be

required to provide the following

reports:

1. Monthly progress reports, during

initial start-up and implementation of

the project, and Quarterly Progress

Reports thereafter.

2. Standard Form 269, Financial

Status Report Form, on a quarterly basis.

3. Final Project Report including an

assessment of project performance. This

report will be submitted in hard copy

and on electronic disk utilizing a format

and instructions to be provided by the

Department. A draft of the final report

is due to the Department 45 days prior

to the termination of the grant.

C. Evaluation

DOL will arrange for or conduct an

independent evaluation of the

outcomes, impacts, and benefits of the

demonstration projects. Grantees must

agree to make available records on

participants and employers as well as

project financial and management data

and to provide access to personnel, as

specified by the evaluator(s) under the

direction of the Department.

Signed at Washington, D.C., this 25th day

of October 2000.

Laura A. Cesario,

Grant Officer, Division of Federal Assistance.

Appendices

Appendix A—Application for Federal

Assistance (SF–424)

Appendix B—Budget Information

Appendix C—Checklist

Appendix D—Implementation

Benchmarks and Time Line

BILLING CODE 4510–30–U

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 211 / Tuesday, October 31, 2000 / Notices 64997

64998 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 211 / Tuesday, October 31, 2000 / Notices

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 211 / Tuesday, October 31, 2000 / Notices 64999

65000 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 211 / Tuesday, October 31, 2000 / Notices

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 211 / Tuesday, October 31, 2000 / Notices 65001

65002 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 211 / Tuesday, October 31, 2000 / Notices

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 211 / Tuesday, October 31, 2000 / Notices 65003

65004 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 211 / Tuesday, October 31, 2000 / Notices

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 211 / Tuesday, October 31, 2000 / Notices 65005

65006 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 211 / Tuesday, October 31, 2000 / Notices

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 211 / Tuesday, October 31, 2000 / Notices 65007

[FR Doc. 00–27930 Filed 10–30–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510–30–C