[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 121 (Wednesday, June 24, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34476-34483]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16761]


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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.

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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 work-based 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

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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 work-based 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 School-to-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 School-to-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

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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

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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 hand-delivered 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)
    <bullet> Does the plan provide clear strategies for addressing the 
tasks specified under required efforts?
    <bullet> 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?
    <bullet> Are the outcomes proposed specific and replicable?
    <bullet> Does the proposal provide an organizational structure and 
clear management plan detailing staff and organizational resources to 
be devoted to this project?
    <bullet> 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)
    <bullet> Does the organization provide examples and documentation 
of prior related accomplishments in developing, implementing, managing, 
researching and evaluating intermediary relationships in STW?
    <bullet> Do the organizations participating reflect a broad range 
of school-to-work stakeholders?
    <bullet> Are the roles and activities of stakeholder organizations 
clearly defined?
    <bullet> Does the organization possess the capability to develop 
and disseminate technical assistance?
    <bullet> 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)
    <bullet> 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?
    <bullet> Does the applicant show relevant past experience in 
collaborating with national, state and local groups involved with 
education and workforce development efforts?
    <bullet> Does the applicant possess a wide range of experience in 
convening conferences that bring together disparate groups?
    <bullet> 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)
    <bullet> Is the plan for evaluation clearly tied to clear 
objectives and specific outcomes?
    <bullet> Is there a clear mechanism for adjusting the work plan 
based on results?
    <bullet> 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

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[FR Doc. 98-16761 Filed 6-23-98; 8:45 am]
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