17854 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 70 / Friday, April 11, 1997 / Notices

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Karen Montgomery, BLM Folsom

Resource Area Office, (916) 985–4474.

D.K. Swickard,

Area Manager.

[FR Doc. 97–9230 Filed 4–10–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310–40–M

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service

Agency Information Collection

Activities: Submitted for Office of

Management and Budget Review;

Comment Request

The proposal for the collection of

information listed below has been

submitted to the Office of Management

and Budget for reapproval under the

provisions of the Paperwork Reduction

Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). Copies of the

proposed information collection

requirement and explanatory material

may be obtained by contacting Dennis

C. Jones at (303) 231–3046. Comments

and suggestions on the requirement

should be made directly to the Bureau

Clearance Officer at the telephone

number listed below, and to the OMB

Paperwork Reduction Project (1010–

0094), Washington, D.C. 20503,

telephone (202) 395–7340.

Dates: Written comments should be

received on or before May 12, 1997.

Title: Requests for Royalty Refunds

and Credits.

OMB Approval Number: 1010–0094.

Abstract: The Minerals Management

Service (MMS) Royalty Management

Program (RMP) is proposing to continue

collecting certain information from

royalty payors on Outer Continental

Shelf (OCS) leases. Many lease holders

have in the past requested refunds or

credits of excess royalty payments made

under OCS leases subject to Section 10

of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands

Act. This information indicates the

information required from lease holders

requesting royalty refunds or credits

from Section 10 leases for payments

made before August 13, 1996.

Bureau Form Numbers: Not

applicable.

Frequency: As submitted by lessee.

Description of Respondents: Royalty

payors on Federal and Indian mineral

leases.

Estimated Completion Time: 2 hours.

Annual Responses: 500 responses.

Annual Burden Hours: 1,000 hours.

Bureau Clearance Officer: Carol A.

deWitt, (703) 787–1242.

Dated: March 18, 1997.

Lucy R. Querques,

Associate Director for Royalty Management.

[FR Doc. 97–9391 Filed 4–10–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training

Administration

Job Training Partnership Act:

Innovative Employment and Training

Opportunities for People With

Disabilities

AGENCY: Employment and Training

Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds

and solicitation for grant applications

(SGA).

SUMMARY: All information required to

submit a grant application by eligible

applicants in contained in this

announcement. The U.S. Department of

Labor (DOL), Employment and Training

Administration (ETA), announces the

availability of funds for locally

administered demonstration projects

with innovative employment and

training opportunities for people with

disabilities that suffered long-term

unemployment or who have been

dislocated from recent employment. The

program will be jointly funded by Job

Training Partnership Act (JTPA) Title

IV, Research and Demonstration, and

Title III, National Reserve Funds. This

notice describes the process that eligible

entities must use to apply for

demonstration funds, how grantees are

to be selected, and the responsibilities

of grantees. The Department anticipates

awarding three (3) to five (5) grants, not

to exceed $500,000 per grant, or a total

of $1.5 million. Applications that

exceed $500,000 will not be considered.

Awards will be made on a competitive

basis. The duration of grants will be for

eighteen (18) months.

DATES: The closing date for receipt of

proposals is May 12, 1997, at 2:00 p.m.

(Eastern Daylight Time).

ADDRESSES: Applications shall be

mailed to: Division of Acquisition and

Assistance, Attention: Reda Harrison,

Reference: SGA/DAA 97–104,

Employment and Training

Administration, U.S. Department of

Labor, Room S–4203, 200 Constitution

Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20210.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Reda Harrison, Division of Acquisition

and Assistance, Telephone: (202) 219–

8694 (This is not to toll-free number).

This solicitation will also be published

on the Internet at ‘‘http://

www.doleta.gov.’’

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: U.S.

Department of Labor, Employment and

Training Administration is soliciting

proposals on a competitive basis to

conduct local demonstration projects

utilizing advanced technological

systems and/or other innovative

approaches to provide employment

opportunities for individuals with

severe disabilities. This announcement

consists of three parts. Part I describes

the procedures for eligible applicants

who wish to apply for grant funds. Part

II provides the Government’s

Requirement/Statement of Work. Part III

describes the selection process/criteria

for award.

Part I. Application Process

A. Eligibility

1. Eligible Applicants—

Entities eligible to apply for grants

under this announcement are nonprofit

organizations who are currently

administering local programs using

advanced technology systems and/or

other innovative approaches in

providing services to the disabled; and

can document the following:

(1) Extensive knowledge and

experience regarding issues of concern

to individuals with disabilities;

(2) expertise in working with

individuals with disabilities;

(3) the ability to conduct training,

provide services, and conduct followup;

(4) inclusion and advancement of

people with disabilities within the

organization; and

(5) management structure necessary to

ensure the integrity of funds requested

(by meeting the standard for financial

management and participant data

systems as outlined in 20 CFR 627.425).

Only one (1) proposal per applicant/

organization is permitted.

Entities described in Section 501(c)(4)

of the Internal Revenue Code who

engage in lobbying activities are not

eligible to receive funds under this SGA.

The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995,

Public Law No. 104–65, 109 Stat. 691,

which became effective on January 1,

1996, prohibits the award of federal

funds to these entities if they engage in

lobbying activities. Applicants shall

indicate their IRS status on the Standard

Form 424.

2. Eligible Participants

Participants in these projects must be

individuals aged 18 to 64 who have a

disability as defined in the

implementing regulations for the
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 70 / Friday, April 11, 1997 / Notices 17855

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

at 29 CFR, Part 1630.2 and meet the

eligibility criteria for dislocated workers

at Section 301(a) of the JTPA.

B. Period of Performance

The Period of Performance will be

eighteen (18) months from date of

execution.

C. Option To Extend

Based on the availability of funds and

project performance and the needs of

the Department, grants may be extended

for an additional one or two year(s) of

operation.

D. Page Limitation

Applicants’ technical proposal shall

be limited to 25 double-spaced, singleside pages with 1-inch margins.

Appendices shall not exceed ten (10)

pages (except for 10 pages of assessment

tools described in Part II.B(3)(c). Text

type shall be at least 10 point or larger.

Applications that do not meet these

requirements will not be considered.

E. Submission of Proposal

A proposal shall consist of two (2)

separate and distinct parts: Part I, the

Financial Proposal; and Part II, the

Technical Proposal.

Part I, the Financial Proposal, shall

contain the SF–424, ‘‘Application for

Federal Assistance’’ (Appendix A) and

‘‘Budget Information Sheet’’ (Appendix

B). Applicant shall indicate on the SF–

424 the organization’s IRS status. The

Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog

number is 17.246.

The budget shall include on separate

pages detailed breakouts of each

proposed budget line item, including

detailed administrative costs, and

analysis of cost. Grant funds cannot be

used to provide training that would be

provided in the absence of the requested

grant. Grant funds cannot be used to

provide salaries for program

participants. Grant funds cannot be used

for acquisition of production

equipment.

Part II shall contain a Technical

Proposal that demonstrates the grant

applicant’s capabilities in accordance

with the Statement of Work in Part II of

this solicitation. No costs data or

reference to costs shall be included in

the Technical Proposal.

F. Hand Delivered Proposals

Proposals may be mailed or delivered

by hand. A mailed proposal should be

mailed no later than five (5) calendar

days prior to the closing date for the

receipt of applications. Hand-delivered

grant applications must be received at

the designated place by 2:00 p.m.

(Eastern Time) by May 12, 1997. All

overnight mail shall be considered to be

hand-delivered and must be received at

the designated place by the specified

time on the closing date. Grant

applications transmitted by electronic

mail, telegraph, or fax will not be

considered.

G. 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 award is made and it—

(1) Was sent by registered or certified

mail not later than the fifth calendar day

before the date specified for receipt of

applications (e.g., an offer submitted in

response to a solicitation requiring

receipt of applications by the 20th of the

month must be mailed by the 15th);

(2) 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 working

days prior to the date specified for

receipt of proposals. The term ‘‘working

days’’ excludes weekends and U.S.

Federal holidays.

The term ‘‘post-mark’’ 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 on the original

receipt from the U.S. Postal Service.

Both postmarks must show a legible

date, or the application shall be

processed as though it had been mailed

late. ‘‘Post-mark’’ 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 mailing. Therefore,

applicants should request the postal

clerk to 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 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 receiving clerk on the

Express Mail Next Day Service-Post

Office to Addressee label and the

postmarks on both the envelope or

wrapper and the original receipt from

the U.S. Postal Service. (‘‘Postmark’’ has

the same meaning given in the prior

paragraph.) Therefore, a grant applicant

should request the postal clerk to place

a legible hand cancellation ‘‘bull’s eye’’

postmark on both the receipt and the

envelope or wrapper.

H. Withdrawal of Proposals

A grant application may be

withdrawn by written notice or telegram

(including mailgram) received at any

time before the awarding of a grant

based on that application. An

application may be withdrawn in

person by the grant applicant, or by an

authorized representative of the grant

applicant if the representative’s identity

is made known and the representative

signs a receipt for the proposal.

Part II. Government Requirement/

Statement of Work

A. Purpose

The purpose of this solicitation is to

explore and demonstrate how advanced

technological systems and/or other

innovative approaches may provide

employment opportunities for

individuals with disabilities.

The proposal may demonstrate

approaches for addressing the multidisciplinary needs of individuals with

severe disabilities, novel approaches to

assure retention and career

advancement of individuals with

disabilities. The proposal may also

demonstrate employment related

abilities within the context of

‘‘disability,’’ workplace technology

development, rehabilitative engineering,

or systemic employment redesign that

enhances training, employment,

retention and promotional opportunities

for individuals with disabilities.

B. Project Summary

Each grant application shall follow

the format outlined below:

1. Target Population

Project proposals must be directed to

individuals with disabilities, including

physical, emotional, mental or other

severe functional impairments in

accordance with the definition of

disability under the ADA who also meet

definition for dislocated under JTPA.

Projects should also target subgroups of

those with disabilities such as those

suffering recent dislocation, requiring

retraining, and recipients of

Supplemental Security Insurance or

Social Security Disability Insurance. A

full description of how target

population will be recruited, assurance

of disability for those served, and design

of the project relative to specific

disabilities.

2. Available Jobs

Describe the jobs that will be available

to project participants upon completion

of training and placement services,
17856 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 70 / Friday, April 11, 1997 / Notices

probable salary levels, the potential for

advancement, career path or field, and

the information on which such

descriptions are based. If specific jobs

are not identifiable, provide the labor

market information that ensures the

availability of suitable jobs for

participants, wage levels, career

potential and opportunities for

advancement. Include information

about the number and type of jobs and

the insufficiency of qualified workers to

fill those positions in the absence of the

proposed project. Identify sources of

information.

3. Project Design

Project design should identify

innovative approaches to enhancing the

employability of people with

disabilities, describe the specific

purpose(s) of the proposed project, and

how the project will address the needs

of a specific disability. Of particular

interest will be projects that explore

advance technologies in the

employment of people with disabilities,

methods for improving employability

and retention of individuals,

interventions relative to employment,

workplace reengineering and

technological redesign, and

entrepreneurial approaches to

employment of people with disabilities.

Describe the major project

components listed below, where

applicable:

(a) Outreach and recruitment.

Describe how people with disabilities

will be identified and recruited for

participation in the project. Recruitment

efforts may address public service

communications and announcements,

use of media, coordination with the

JTPA Service Delivery Area, Vocational

Rehabilitation Agency, Independent

Living Centers, community based

organizations and other service groups.

Describe the applicant’s experience in

reaching the target population.

(b) Eligibility and selection criteria.

Describe the criteria and process to be

used in determining eligibility and

selecting those individuals to be served

by the project from among the total

number of eligible persons recruited for

the project. Explain how the selection

criteria relate to the specific purpose of

the proposed project.

(c) Services to be provided. Describe

any services to be provided from the

time of selection of participants through

placement. Describe process for postplacement services and follow-up of

participants for six months following

job placement. The descriptions shall

provide a clear understanding of the

services and support that will be

necessary for participants to be placed

successfully in jobs and to retain those

jobs, including services not funded

under the grant, and ways to address

participants’ financial needs during

periods of training. Identify necessary

support areas and interagency

coordination efforts that may be

required in terms of transportation to

work or housing, if applicable. Grantfunded activities may include any

activities listed at Sections 314 (c), (d)

and (e) of JTPA and should, at a

minimum, including assessment,

retraining, job placement, and

supportive services.

Identify any assessment tools

proposed to be used before or after

services are provided, and include

samples of tools designed for use in the

proposed project (samples shall be

limited to 10 Pages in addition to the

page limitation of the technical proposal

and appendices). Assessment should be

designed to facilitate evaluation of the

project in terms of specific planned

outcomes.

Describe how training will be

customized to account for transferable

skills, previous education, and

particular circumstances of the target

population. This description should

include any participant groupings and

training methods based on particular

characteristics of the target group.

Include information to demonstrate that

any proposed training provider is

qualified to deliver training that meets

appropriate employment standards and

any applicable certification or licensing

requirement. Past performance,

qualifications of instructors,

accreditation of curricula, and similar

matters should be addressed if

appropriate. Address the costs of

proposed training and other services

relative to the costs of similar training

and services through other providers.

Describe the limitations and eligibility

criteria for needs-related payments and

relocation assistance, if applicable.

(d) Relationship to prior experience.

Demonstrate the applicant’s prior

experience in working with people with

disabilities, and how that experience

affects or influences the design of the

proposed project. Provide details on

experience in employment, training,

vocational rehabilitation, job placement,

and evaluation techniques. Demonstrate

how people with disabilities have been

integral to, or consulted with, in the

project design, administration, and

evaluation.

4. Planned Outcomes

Provide the following planned

performance information for the project:

(a) planned number of participants;

(b) planned number of program

completions;

(c) planned number of placements in

unsubsidized employment (number of

participants placed in jobs related to the

training or services funded by the grant

within 60 days after completion of

preplacement services);

(e) planned average wage at

placement;

(f) planned number of individuals

placed and average wage of individuals

still employed at six month follow-up;

(g) planned participant services

satisfaction rate (number of participants

who, 60 days and six months after

completion of program services, rate

program services as ‘‘very helpful’’ or

‘‘extremely helpful’’ when other

allowable ratings are ‘‘not at all helpful’’

and ‘‘somewhat helpful,’’ divided by the

number of participants).

5. Evaluation

Describe how an evaluation will be

conducted to determine successful and

unsuccessful methods and strategies

tested by the project. Describe the use of

the planned outcome and program

performance data to evaluate the

impacts of the project. Address how this

evaluation may be used for replication

of successful outcomes. The project

evaluation will be a final deliverable for

the project.

6. Coordination

Describe the nature and extent of

coordination between the applicant and

other entities in the design and

implementation of the proposed project.

Include services to be provided through

resources other than grant funds under

this demonstration. Of particular

interest to ETA is the coordination

efforts in recruitment and placement to

achieve a more holistic approach to the

individual requirements of the

participant with a disability.

Coordination efforts may include

strategies for addressing transportation

needs, housing, job coaching, or natural

supports that leverage services provided

through Vocational Rehabilitation or

other support systems. DOL encourages

the establishment of advisory groups to

provide guidance and to support

coordination.

With reference to the sources and

amounts of project funds and in-kind

contributions identified in the financial

proposal as being other than those

requested under the grant applied for,

describe the basis for valuation of those

funds and contributions. Provide

evidence that ensures the coordination

described.

Documentation of consultation and

commitment for the project concept
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 70 / Friday, April 11, 1997 / Notices 17857

from applicable labor organizations

must be submitted when 20 percent or

more of the targeted worker population

is represented by one or more labor

organizations, or where the training is

for jobs where a labor organization

represents a substantial number of

workers engaged in similar work.

7. Innovation

Describe any innovation in the

proposed project, including but not

limited to innovations in concept to be

tested, services, delivery of services,

training methods, job development, or

job retention strategies. Explain how the

proposed project adopts or fosters a

holistic approach to circumstances

faced by the disabled. Explain how the

proposed project is similar to the

applicant’s prior and current activities.

8. Project Management

(a) Structure. Describe the

management structure for the project,

including a staffing plan that describes

each position and the percentage of its

time to be assigned to this project.

Provide an organizational chart showing

the relationship among project

management and operational

components, including those at multiple

sites of the project.

(b) Program Integrity. Describe the

mechanisms to ensure financial

accountability for grant funds and

performance accountability relative to

job placements. Explain the basis for the

applicant’s administrative authority

over the management and operational

components. Describe how information

will be collected to:

(1) determine the achievement of

project outcomes as indicated in section

4 of this part; and

(2) report on participants, outcomes,

and expenditures.

(c) Monitoring.

(1) Establishment of project

implementation and progress

benchmarks. Describe how the project

will keep records of its activities as

required at 29 CFR Parts 95 and 20 CFR

631.63, as appropriate, including

benchmarks to indicate the planned

implementation of the project that will

provide:

a. A quarterly implementation

schedule of participant activity and

quarterly cumulative expenditure

projections; and

b. start-up implementation events for

each month that are necessary to

achieve a fully operational project status

(assume accomplishments by the end of

the month specified).

(2) Describe how a participant’s

continuing participation in the project

will be monitored.

(3) Identify the information project

performance that will be collected on a

short-term basis (weekly, monthly, etc.)

by program managers for internal

project management to determine

whether the project is accomplishing its

objectives as planned and whether

project adjustments are necessary.

Describe the process and procedures

to be used to obtain feedback from

participants, employers, and any other

appropriate parties on the

responsiveness and effectiveness of the

services provided throughout the

project. The description shall identify

the types of information to be obtained,

the methods and frequency of data

collection, and ways in which

information will be used in

implementing and managing the project.

Grantees may employ focus groups and

surveys, in addition to other methods, to

collect feedback information. Technical

assistance in the design and

implementation of customer satisfaction

data collection and analysis may be

provided by DOL.

(d) Grievance procedures. Briefly

describe the grievance procedures to be

used consistent with the requirements

of the JTPA Regulations at 20 CFR

631.64.

(e) Previous project management

experience. Provide an objective

demonstration of the grant applicant’s

ability to manage the project based on

the applicant’s past experience in the

management of grant-funded projects

similar to that being proposed including

financial management.

C. Reporting Requirements

Awardee will be required to submit

quarterly and final financial and

program reports. Detailed requirements

for submitting these reports will be

included in the grant award document.

Part III. Selection/Evaluation Criteria

Selection of grantees for award is to

be made after careful evaluation of grant

applications by a panel selected for that

purpose by DOL. Panel results shall be

advisory in nature and not binding on

the Grant Officer. panelists shall

evaluate applications for acceptability

based upon overall responsiveness to

the Statement of Work, with emphasis

on the factors enumerated below.

1. Target Population (15 Points)

The description of the characteristics

of the target group is clear and

meaningful, and sufficiently detailed to

determine the potential participant’s

service needs. Documentation is

provided showing that a significant

number of dislocated workers who

possess these characteristics is available

for participation in the project area.

Sufficient information is provided to

explain how the number of dislocated

workers to be enrolled in the project

was determined. The recruitment plan

supports the number of planned

enrollments. The target population is

appropriate for the specific purpose of

the proposed project. The target

population’s characteristics and

circumstances are likely to appear

nationally.

2. Service Plan (20 Points)

The scope of services to be provided

is consistent with the specific purpose

of the proposed project. The scope of

services to be provided is adequate to

meet the needs of the target population

given: (1) their characteristics and

circumstances, (2) the jobs in which

they are to be placed, and (3) the length

of program participation planned prior

to placement. The proposal

demonstrates the applicant’s ability to

effectively assess participants’ needs,

using a holistic approach, and to effect

the delivery of services to meet those

needs.

3. Management Pplan (20 Points)

The applicant has successfully

managed grants in the past. The

applicant has experience working with

individuals with disabilities. The

project work plan demonstrates the

applicant’s ability to effectively track

project progress with respect to planned

performance and expenditures.

Sufficient procedures are in place to use

the information obtained by the project

operator(s) to take corrective action if

indicated. The proposal provides for a

satisfactory grievance process.

Review by appropriate labor

organizations, where applicable is

documented. The proposal includes a

method of assessing customer

satisfaction and taking into account the

results of such assessment in the

operation of the project.

4. Cost (10 Points)

Proposed costs are reasonable in

relation to the characteristics and

circumstances of the target group, the

services to be provided, the

management plan, and coordination

with other entities. The impact of

innovation on costs is explained clearly

in the proposal and is reasonable.

5. Coordination (15 Points)

The proposal includes coordination

with other programs and entities for

project design or provisions of services.

Such coordination contributes to a

holistic approach to identifying and

addressing the needs of individuals in
17858 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 70 / Friday, April 11, 1997 / Notices

the target population. Evidence is

presented that ensures cooperation of

coordinating entities, as applicable, for

the life of the proposed project. The

project includes a reasonable method of

assessing and reporting on the impact of

such coordination, relative to the

demonstration purpose and goals and

the specific purpose of the proposed

project.

6. Innovation (20 Points)

The proposal demonstrates

innovation in the concept(s) to be

tested, the projects design, and/or the

services to be provided. The project

includes reasonable method of assessing

and reporting on the impact of such

innovation, relative to the

demonstration purpose and goals and

the specific purpose of the proposed

project.

Applicants are advised that

discussions may be necessary in order

to clarify any inconsistencies in their

applications. The final decision on

awards will be based on what is most

advantageous to the Federal

Government as determined by the ETA

Grant Officer. The Government may

elect to award grant(s) without

discussion with the applicant(s). Such

award would be based on the

applicant’s proposal without alteration.

The applicant’s signature on the SF–424

constitutes a binding offer.

Award Announcements: Winners

under this competition will be

published on the Internet at ‘‘http://

www.doleta.gov’’.

Signed at Washington, DC, this 4th day

April, 1997.

Janice E. Perry,

Grant Officer, Employment and Training

Administration.

Appendices

1. Appendix A—‘‘Application for Federal

Assistance’’ (Standard Form 424)

2. Appendix B—‘‘Budget Information Sheet’’

BILLING CODE 4510–30–M
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Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 70 / Friday, April 11, 1997 / Notices 17861
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[FR Doc. 97–9189 Filed 4–10–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510–30–C