34476 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 121 /Wednesday, June 24, 1998 / Notices

hydrologic conditions of alluvial valley

floors are protected according to the

Act.

Bureau Form Number: None.

Frequency of Collection: Annually.

Description of Respondents: 10

surface coal mining operators who

operate on alluvial valley floors.

Total Annual Responses: 10.

Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,000.

Send comments on the need for the

collections of information for the

performance of the functions of the

agency; the accuracy of the agency’s

burden estimates; ways to enhance the

quality, utility and clarity of the

information collections; and ways to

minimize the information collection

burdens on respondents, such as use of

automated means of collections of the

information, to the following addresses.

Please refer to the appropriate OMB

control numbers in all correspondence.

ADDRESSES: Office of Information and

Regulatory Affairs, Office of

Management and Budget, Attention:

Department of Interior Desk Officer,725

17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20503.

Also, please send a copy of your

comments to John A. Trelease, Office of

Surface Mining Reclamation and

Enforcement, 1951 Constitution Ave,

NW, Room 210–SIB, Washington, DC

20240, or electronically to

jtreleas@osmre.gov.

Dated June 19, 1998.

Richard G. Bryson,

Chief, Division of Regulatory Support.

[FR Doc. 98–16810 Filed 6–23–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310–05–M

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Foreign Claims Settlement

Commission

[F.C.S.C. Meeting Notice No. 12–98]

Sunshine Act Meeting

The Foreign Claims Settlement

Commission, pursuant to its regulations

(45 CFR Part 504) and the Government

in the Sunshine Act (5 U.S.C. 552b),

hereby gives notice in regard to the

scheduling of meetings and oral

hearings for the transaction of

Commission business and other matters

specified, as follows:

DATE AND TIME: Friday, July 31, 1998,

10:00 a.m.

SUBJECT MATTER:

A. Oral Hearings on Objections to

Proposed Decisions on claims against

Albania, as follows:

10:00 a.m. Claim No. ALB–247 Stephen

J. Pantos

11:00 a.m. Claim No. ALB–117 James

Elias

B. Hearings on the Record on

Objections to Proposed Decisions on

claims against Albania, as follows:

1. Claim No. ALB–042 Xhani Femera, et

al.

2. Claim No. ALB–072 Thomas M. Toma

3. Claim No. ALB–092 Thanas A. Laske

4. Claim Nos. ALB–137 Klementina

Sevo ALB–138 Marianthi Fili

5. Claim No. ALB–153 Bibi Xhemal

Bejleri

6. Claim No. ALB–173 Marigo

Vasiliades,et al.

7. Claim No. ALB–187 Helena Liolin

8. Claim No. ALB–203 Stavri G. Buri

9. Claim No. ALB–220 Gjergji Gjeli

C. Issuance of Proposed Decisions on

claims against Albania.

STATUS: Open.

All meetings are held at the Foreign

Claims Settlement Commission, 600 E

Street, N.W., Washington, DC. Requests

for information, or advance notices of

intention to observe an open meeting,

may be directed to: Administrative

Officer, Foreign Claims Settlement

Commission, 600 E Street, NW., Room

6002, Washington, DC 20579.

Telephone: (202) 616–6988.

Dated at Washington, DC June 19, 1998.

Judith H. Lock,

Administrative Officer.

[FR Doc. 98–16940 Filed 6–22–98; 11:37 am]

BILLING CODE 4410–BA–P

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training

Administration

Grants and Cooperative Agreements;

Availability, etc.: Postsecondary

Education and School-to-Work

Systems

ACTION: Notice inviting proposals to

identify and develop intermediary

entities that would serve as agents to

connect schools, employers and other

stakeholders involved in building

School-to-Work (STW) systems.

SUMMARY: This notice contains all of the

necessary information and forms to

apply for grant funding. The

Departments of Labor and Education

jointly invite proposals for a new award

in FY 98, as authorized under section

403 of the School-to-Work

Opportunities Act of 1994 (the Act). The

Departments believe that the long term

effectiveness of STW partnerships is

enhanced when there are convenient

and effective mechanisms for

connecting school based learning and

work based learning, as well as

mechanisms for connecting the various

STW stakeholders, particularly schools

and employers. Further, the

Departments believe that the capability

of STW systems to be sustained beyond

the life of the Act will be influenced by

the identification, evaluation, and

replication of intermediary entities that

would serve as agents to connect

schools, employers and other

community stakeholders.

DATES: Applications will be accepted

commencing June 24, 1998. The closing

date for receipt of applications is August

10, 1998, at 4 P.M., (Eastern Time) at the

address below.

ADDRESSES: Applications shall be

mailed to Ms. Laura Cesario, U.S.

Department of Labor, Employment and

Training Administration, Division of

Acquisition and Assistance, 200

Constitution Avenue, N.W., Room S–

4203, Washington, D.C. 20210,

Reference: SGA/DAA 98–013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Questions should be faxed to Ms. Laura

Cesario, Division of Acquisition and

Assistance, Fax (202) 219–8739. This is

not a toll-free number. All inquiries

should include the SGA number (DAA

98–013) and a contact name and phone

number. This solicitation will also be

published on the Internet, on the

Employment and Training

Administration’s Home Page at http://

www.doleta.gov. Award notifications

will also be published on this Home

Page.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Definition of Intermediary

Any entity or organization which

brokers and supports relationships

between schools and employers for the

purpose of providing students with real

work experiences. Intermediary

organizations may recruit employers for

schools, match students with workbased learning opportunities, provide

technical assistance to teachers,

employers, parents or other

stakeholders, and help students connect

what they are learning on the job with

their classroom activities. Intermediary

organizations may include, but are not

limited to nonprofit organizations,

Chambers of Commerce, workforce

development or employment entities, or

schools.

II. Background

Status of Investments in STW Systems

Building the capacity of key

stakeholders to participate in STW

systems at the community level is

critical for STW sustainability. The

strength of the STW framework is the
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 121 /Wednesday, June 24, 1998 / Notices 34477

foundation of voluntary partnerships

comprising key stakeholders that cross

traditional boundaries of association. By

statute, most of the Federal funds that

a State receives in its implementation

grant go to local partnerships. The law

also provides direct federal funding for

local partnerships that are ready to

implement STW but are located in

States that have not received

implementation funds or are in their

first year of implementation. To date,

105 communities have received either

Local Partnership grants or Urban/Rural

Opportunities Grants (UROG) and more

than 900 additional local partnerships

have been formed and funded through

State implementation grant roll-out

strategies.

UROGs provide direct federal funding

in high poverty communities for the

purpose of addressing the specific

challenges of implementing STW

systems in urban and rural locales.

These initiatives are funded for 5 years.

In the first round of competition in FY

1994, $10 million was distributed to 21

partnerships. In FY 1995, $7.5 million

was awarded for continuation grants

and an additional $17 million was

invested in 32 new partnerships. FY

1996 funds are being used to invest $35

million in 30–40 new partnerships and

in continued funding to grantees from

rounds one and two.

It is evident, however, that the broad

range of work-based learning

opportunities that are an essential

component of STW are dependent on

wide ranging participation of

employers. A recent study indicates that

employers are participating in greater

numbers and that as many as 25% of the

nation’s employers are involved in some

small way in STW. However, the same

study indicates that most employers are

participating in narrow areas of workbased learning such as job shadowing

and mentoring. Employers can learn

about and take advantage of STW

initiatives. Schools, with dedicated

personnel, can take better advantage of

the employer resources necessary for the

range of work-based learning

opportunities appropriate for an

effective STW system characterized by

strong community partnerships.

Two other circumstances reinforce the

urgency of investments in the formation

and the long term effectiveness of

community STW partnerships. First,

early surveys of STW partnerships

conducted through the National Schoolto-Work Evaluation revealed that only a

small percentage of local STW

partnerships were engaged in all three

primary STW components: school-based

learning, work-based learning, and

connecting activities. Difficulties

connecting these components was cited

as a common theme, as was logistical

problems associated with linking

partners with diverse agendas and

constrained available time to devote to

establishing and nurturing these

linkages. Second, the National Schoolto-Work Advisory Council, in its most

recent meetings, strongly recommended

that a greater emphasis needs to be

placed on these connecting activities if

sustainability is to be achieved in STW

systems. The Council specifically

recommended future investments in the

identification, evaluation and

replication of intermediary entities that

would serve as agents to connect

schools, employers and other

community stakeholders.

Therefore, one new comprehensive,

targeted investment for FY 97 is being

funded that promotes, identifies,

strengthens and informs STW

partnership formation and sustainability

through the use of intermediary entities.

III. Statement of Work

Required Areas of Effort

The successful applicant will assume

the lead responsibility for coordination

and technical support designed to build

the capacity of local communities to: (1)

identify intermediary connecting

activities, and (2) identify the

appropriate community resources to

serve as intermediary connections to

STW stakeholders. The applicant must

provide evidence that the needs of all

youth, as defined in the Act, are

addressed. The Departments are

particularly interested in intermediary

relationships through which students

participate in STW systems and are not

limited by educational or categorical

labels. Based on lessons learned from

previous national investments, the

status of STW systems development,

and the urgency of sustaining STW

systems, the Departments believe it is

necessary to approach the enhancement

of intermediary entities that connect

STW community partners by requiring

the successful applicant to demonstrate

concerted effort in the following five

activities:

1. Identify, catalogue, and assess at

least 50 examples of STW intermediary

activities in established local

partnerships. The nature of

intermediary connectors is potentially

as varied as each of the communities in

which STW systems have been

implemented. The Departments are

aware that these connectors include a

range of diverse entities, including

business driven organizations such as,

chambers of commerce, existing

nonprofit community based

organizations, workforce development

agencies, central labor councils, and

specially created entities to address

STW connecting activities. Thus, the

Departments are interested in learning

more about the nature of these entities:

who governs them, how they relate to

the community of STW stakeholders,

how they gauge their own effectiveness,

and what populations are served.

Applicants should describe how they

will organize the task of identifying and

selecting effective STW intermediary

activities, how effectiveness will be

assessed, and how the critical common

features of each will be identified to

inform the development of a replicable

intermediary framework (see Activity 2).

In addition, the applicant should

describe how the information will be

categorized.

2. Develop a replicable design of key

components of intermediary operation.

Based on identified effective practices

gleaned from the sample local

partnerships described above, and the

relevant literature in the field, the

Departments are interested in the

development of a replicable design

framework from which communities

can develop a plan for sustainable

intermediary connecting activities in

their STW systems. At minimum, this

framework should include a description

of participating intermediary

connectors, a categorization of the

qualities of effective intermediary

entities, how they are administered,

how STW stakeholders contribute to

and interact with these entities, how

they measure their effectiveness, and

how the needs of diverse populations

are addressed. The successful applicant

will also be expected to actively

disseminate the design framework

including targeted training sessions,

technical assistance institutes,

electronic media, publications,

conferences and other related means.

3. Provide intensive Technical

Assistance (T.A.) to established STW

partnerships to develop effective

intermediaries. Through a well defined

process, the successful applicant will be

expected to select no fewer than 25 local

partnerships that will receive targeted

and concentrated technical assistance

on intermediary establishment or

enhancement. When selecting a local

partnership the following factors need

to be considered: (1) Are key STW

stakeholders represented at the

partnership level? (2) Are the needs of

all students being addressed? (3) Are

intermediaries present in the

community and if so, do they offer the

potential of connecting school and

work? (4) If the intermediary is well

established, clear delineations of the
34478 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 121 /Wednesday, June 24, 1998 / Notices

enhancement activities also should be

presented.

4. Establish a framework to assist

intermediaries in serving all students.

Based on information obtained and

detailed through TASK #1, and the field

at large, identify gaps in services to

students not typically served by the

intermediary. This could include

populations such as students with

disabilities, academically talented

students, or youth who are out of

school. The framework should reflect

needed supports and accommodations,

curricula modifications and other

assistance as appropriate. This

information should be packaged to

assist those currently providing

intermediary assistance, built into the

TA activities with the 25 local

partnerships identified in TASK #3 and

be included in the development of a

replicable design in TASK #2.

5. Identify and convene community

leaders/Community Based

Organizations. The Departments

recognize that replicable and sustained

intermediary connecting activities will

require knowledgeable community

leaders and respected, effective

Community Based Organizations

(CBOs). The successful applicant will

therefore be expected to hold at least

two national forums for the purposes of

convening CBOs and other

organizations in the community

representing key STW stakeholders,

such as local chambers of commerce,

central labor councils, and boards of

education. These forums should include

an interactive format that uses key

features of effective intermediaries

identified in Activity 2 as an organizing

framework. Opportunities should be

provided for attendees to learn about

communities where exemplary

intermediary sites have been identified

by the applicant. Key components to

their success will be shared and barriers

will be identified.

IV. Eligible Applicants

National non-profit organizations,

business organizations, or associations

experienced in building the capacity of

STW systems nationally who can

demonstrate the ability to enlist the

support and active participation of key

STW stakeholders such as education,

business, organized labor, parents, and

community based organizations.

Potential applicants, however, should

note the Departments’ priority in

seeking applications supported by a

consortium of organizations. In

preparing the proposal, please use the

following headings and respond to the

information in each of the following

categories.

1. Project Description

Summarize the scope of the project,

outline how its activities will relate to

the five required areas of activity

described in the previous section, and

provide succinct and measurable project

objectives.

2. Operational Plan

Provide a detailed workplan that

includes a description of the proposed

activities matched to the objectives

presented in the Project Description,

with accompanying time lines and

individuals responsible. Provide an

organizational structure and clear

management plan detailing the staff and

organizational resources to be devoted

to the project. The applicant should

clearly, and in detail, show how the

proposed work will address each of the

activities that are described in the

section Required Effort. The time lines

should indicate what activities and

related results are anticipated for the 18

month funding period and, if continued,

what activities and results would be

anticipated for future optional funding.

3. Results

The applicant should provide specific

and quantifiable outcomes that are

anticipated from the proposed plan of

activities. In identifying outcomes, the

offeror should also explain how it will

collect data, document results and use

these results to inform its ongoing

operating plan.

4. Capability

The applicant should demonstrate the

capability of the organization or

consortium and the key staff assigned to

undertake the workplan, including

examples of prior related efforts that

demonstrate accomplishment in

developing, implementing, managing

and/or researching, and evaluating

intermediary relationships in STW. The

offeror should also show knowledge of

integrating categorical systems in the

intermediary process, as well as,

knowledge and experience with

business/education partnership

development and management.

V. Funding Availability and Period of

Performance

The Departments expect to make one

award for approximately $1,500,000.

The period of performance will be for 18

months from the date the grant is

awarded. The Departments may, at their

option, provide additional funds beyond

the 18 months, depending on funding

availability and performance of the

offeror.

VI. Application Submittal

Applicants must submit four (4)

copies of their proposal, with original

signatures. The applications shall be

divided into two distinct parts: Part I—

which contains Standard Form (SF) 424,

‘‘Application for Federal Assistance,

(Appendix A) and Budget Information

Sheet,’’ (Appendix B). All copies of the

SF 424 MUST have original signatures

of the legal entity applying for grant

funds. 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 Catalog of Federal

Domestic Assistance number is 17.249.

In addition, the budget shall include—

on a separate page(s)—a detailed cost

break-out of each line item on the

Budget Information Sheet. Part II shall

contain the program narrative that

demonstrates the applicant’s plan and

capabilities in accordance with the

evaluation criteria contained in this

notice. Applicants must describe their

plan in light of each of the Evaluation

Criteria. Applicants MUST limit the

program narrative section to no more

than 30 double-spaced pages, on one

side only. This includes any

attachments. Applications that fail to

meet the page limitation requirement

will not be considered.

VII. Late Applications

Any application received after the

exact date and time specified for receipt

at the office designated in this notice

will not be considered, unless it is

received before awards are made and

it—(a) was sent by registered or certified

mail not later than the fifth calender day

before the date specified for receipt of

applications (e.g., an application

submitted in response to a solicitation

requiring receipt of applications by the

20th of the month must have been

mailed/post marked by the 15th of that

month); or (b) was sent by the U.S.

Postal Service Express Mail next Day

Service to addresses not later than 5:00

P.M. at the place of mailing two working

days prior to the date specified for

receipt of applications. The term

‘‘working days’’ excludes weekends and

federal holidays. The term ‘‘post

marked’’ means a printed, stamped or

otherwise placed impression (exclusive

of a postage meter machine impression)

that is readily identifiable, without

further action, as having been supplied
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 121 /Wednesday, June 24, 1998 / Notices 34479

or affixed on the date of mailing by an

employee of the U.S. Postal Service.

VIII. Hand Delivered Proposals

It is preferred that applications be

mailed at least five days prior to the

closing date. To be considered for

funding, hand-delivered applications

must be received by 4:00 P.M., (Eastern

Time), on the closing date at the

specified address. TELEGRAPHED

AND/FAXED APPLICATIONS WILL

NOT BE HONORED. Failure to adhere

to the above instructions will be a basis

for a determination of

nonresponsiveness. Overnight express

mail from carriers other than the U.S.

Postal Service will be considered handdelivered applications and MUST BE

RECEIVED by the above specified date

and time.

IX. Review Process

A careful evaluation of applications

will be made by a technical review

panel who will evaluate the

applications against the criteria listed

below. The panel results are advisory in

nature and not binding on the Grant

Officer. The Government may elect to

award the grant with or without

discussions with the offeror. In

situations without discussions, an

award will be based on the offeror’s

signature on the SF–424, which

constitutes a binding offer. Awards will

be those in the best interest of the

Government.

1. The extent to which the applicant

outlines a clear and detailed plan of

operation. (40 points)

• Does the plan provide clear

strategies for addressing the tasks

specified under required efforts?

• Is the plan likely to result in the

identification of effective intermediary

practices; result in the development and

enhancement of intermediary activities

in 25 STW communities; and establish

a framework for serving all youth; and

likely to engage key STW stakeholders?

• Are the outcomes proposed specific

and replicable?

• Does the proposal provide an

organizational structure and clear

management plan detailing staff and

organizational resources to be devoted

to this project?

• Does the plan include a

comprehensive dissemination strategy

that reaches all key stakeholders.

2. The extent to which the applicant

demonstrates the capability and

capacity to meet the requirements of

this solicitation. (30 points)

• Does the organization provide

examples and documentation of prior

related accomplishments in developing,

implementing, managing, researching

and evaluating intermediary

relationships in STW?

• Do the organizations participating

reflect a broad range of school-to-work

stakeholders?

• Are the roles and activities of

stakeholder organizations clearly

defined?

• Does the organization possess the

capability to develop and disseminate

technical assistance?

• Does the organization demonstrate

knowledge of integrating categorical

systems in the intermediary process?

3. The extent to which the applicant

demonstrates the willingness and ability

to engage and convene other

organizations that are critical to the

success of engaging and developing

intermediaries in School-to-Work

system building efforts. (20 points)

• Does the applicant propose specific

activities that are likely to result in

strategic alliances with key STW

stakeholders, including but not limited

to business, organized labor, public and

private sector entities and community

based organizations?

• Does the applicant show relevant

past experience in collaborating with

national, state and local groups involved

with education and workforce

development efforts?

• Does the applicant possess a wide

range of experience in convening

conferences that bring together disparate

groups?

• Does the organization demonstrate

extensive knowledge with business/

education partnership development and

management?

4. The overall ability of the

applicant’s plan to evaluate its activities

and use its results to inform the ongoing

plan. (10 points)

• Is the plan for evaluation clearly

tied to clear objectives and specific

outcomes?

• Is there a clear mechanism for

adjusting the work plan based on

results?

• Are there clear descriptions of the

type of data to be collected and a clear

data collection plan?

The grants will be awarded based on

the applicant response to the above

mentioned criteria and that which is

otherwise advantageous to the

Departments.

XI. Reporting Requirements

Once a grant is awarded, the awardee

will be required to submit reports on a

quarterly basis; a Standard Form 269

(financial status report), and a narrative

report (in a format to be determined). A

final report will be required at the

conclusion of the project. Location of

model sites and sites to receive

technical assistance are to be submitted

to the Grant Officer’s Technical

Representative (GOTR), identified in the

grant award document, for approval

before commencing any activities.

Conference plans and all products

including publications shall be

submitted for review to the National S–

T–W Office to ensure alignment and

collaboration with ongoing national

activities.

Signed in Washington D.C., this 18th day

of June, 1998.

Janice E. Perry,

Grant Officer.

Appendix A: SF Form 424—

Application Form

Appendix B: Budget Information Form

BILLING CODE 4510–30–P
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[FR Doc. 98–16761 Filed 6–23–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510–30–C