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[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 173 (Friday, September 5, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51850-51859]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-20570]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

Notice of Availability of Funds and Solicitation for Grant 
Applications (SGA) for Prisoner Re-entry Initiative Grants

    Announcement Type: Notice for Solicitation for Grant Applications.
    Funding Opportunity Number: SGA/DFA PY-08-03.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 17.261.
    Key Dates: The closing date for receipt of applications under this 
announcement is (OGCM will insert; approximately 60 days). Applications 
must be received no later than 4 p.m. (Eastern Time). Application and 
Submission information is explained in detail in Section IV of this 
SGA.
SUMMARY: The President's Prisoner Re-entry Initiative (PRI) seeks to 
strengthen urban communities characterized by large numbers of 
returning prisoners through an employment-centered program that 
incorporates mentoring, job training, and other comprehensive 
transitional services. This program is a joint effort of the Department 
of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Labor (DOL) designed to reduce 
recidivism by helping inmates find work when they return to their 
communities, as part of an effort to build a life in the community for 
everyone. This spring, DOJ awarded PRI grants to 19 State correctional 
agencies to provide pre-release services to prisoners returning to one 
targeted county within the State. Under this solicitation, DOL will be 
awarding grants to faith-based and community organizations (FBCOs) to 
provide post-release services primarily to the prisoners provided pre-
release services under the DOJ grant in urban communities within the 
target counties. This competition is limited to FBCOs operating within 
the target county(ies) identified in each DOJ grant. The following is 
the list of target counties that received a DOJ PRI grant this spring:

    1. Jefferson County, AL
    2. Maricopa County, AZ
    3. Los Angeles County, CA
    4. Denver County, CO
    5. Fairfield County, CT
    6. New Castle County, DE
    7. Cook County, IL
    8. Allen County, IN
    9. Caddo and Bossier Parishes, LA *
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    \*\ In this instance, the urban area stretches further than one 
county so applicants operating in one or both counties are 
permissible.
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    10. Baltimore County, MD
    11. Genessee County, MI
    12. Greene County, MO
    13. Clarke County, NV
    14. Mercer County, NJ
    15. Erie County, NY
    16. Tulsa County, OK
    17. Philadelphia County, PA
    18. Davidson County, TN
    19. Milwaukee, WI

    DOL expects that each of the 19 awardees will serve at least 100 
returning prisoners during the first year of this initiative. FBCOs 
applying for these grants will identify as part of their application 
the need in the community that they plan to serve; their plan for 
serving released prisoners; and their partnerships with the criminal 
justice system, local Workforce Investment Board, housing authority, 
and mental health and substance abuse treatment providers.

ADDRESSES: Mailed applications must be addressed to the U.S. Department 
of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Division of Federal 
Assistance, Attention: Jeannette Flowers, Reference SGA/DFA PY 08-03, 
200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room N-4716, Washington, DC 20210. 
Telefacsimile (FAX) applications will not be accepted. Information 
about applying online can be found in Section IV (C) of this document. 
Applicants are advised that mail delivery in the Washington area may be 
delayed due to mail decontamination procedures. Hand delivered 
proposals will be received at the above address.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

[[Page 51851]]

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Background

    Each year approximately 650,000 inmates are released from State and 
Federal prisons and return to their communities and families. Without 
help, a majority of ex-prisoners do in fact return to criminal 
activity. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, almost three out 
of five returning inmates will be charged with new crimes within 3 
years of their release from prison and two out of five will be re-
incarcerated.
    Released prisoners face a myriad of challenges that contribute to a 
return to criminal activity, re-arrest, and re-incarceration. 
Joblessness among ex-prisoners has been broadly linked to recidivism 
rates. Statistics demonstrate that even before incarceration, adult 
prisoners demonstrate weak or non-existent ties to the workforce. Data 
from 1997 show that nearly one-third of adult prisoners were unemployed 
in the month before their arrest, compared to seven percent 
unemployment in the general population.\1\ Post-incarceration, 
employment rates only get worse--unemployment among ex-prisoners has 
been estimated at between 25 and 40 percent. Likewise, prisoners also 
demonstrate low levels of educational attainment. Nineteen percent of 
adult State prisoners are completely illiterate and 40 percent are 
functionally illiterate; \2\ over half of State parole entrants were 
not high school graduates and as many as eleven percent had only an 
eighth grade education or less.\3\ Additionally, the high economic cost 
of incarceration and the loss of large numbers of potential workers in 
some cities and regions across the U.S. threatens our nation's global 
competitiveness and in some cities and regions across America, it 
represents a real disincentive for business investment.
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    \1\ Petersilia, 2002. When Prisoners Come Home: Parole and 
Prisoner Reentry.
    \2\ Rubinstien, 2001 as quoted in Petersilia, 2002.
    \3\ Petersilia, 2002.
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    Research has also broadly documented the substance abuse and mental 
health issues of ex-prisoners--factors that are likely to contribute to 
poor education levels, un-employability, and a return to criminal 
activity. A study of parolees from State prisons in 1999 found that 84 
percent had been using an illegal drug or abusing alcohol at the time 
of their offense. One-quarter had been alcohol dependent and one-
quarter had been IV drug users. Fourteen percent had a mental illness 
and twelve percent were homeless at the time of their arrest. In some 
States, nearly one-quarter of parole revocations were related to drug-
related violations.\4\ Estimates of mental illness among the prison 
population vary. One study found that sixteen percent of State prison 
and local jail inmates had a mental illness as did seven percent of 
Federal prisoners. Among detainees with a mental disorder, 72 percent 
also had a substance abuse disorder.\5\ In a survey of prisoners, one-
fourth of male adults and more than one-third of female adults reported 
having been treated at some time for a mental or emotional problem.\6\ 
Only one-third of adult male detainees and one-fourth of females who 
needed services for severe mental disorders received treatment in 
jail.\7\
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    \4\ Hughes, T.A., Wilson, D.J., and Belk, A.J., 2001, Trends in 
State Parole, 1990-2000. Bureau of Justice Statistics, Special 
Report, NCJ 184735.
    \5\ Ditton, P.M., 1999, Mental Health and Treatment of Inmates 
and Probationers, Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice.
    \6\ Harlow, C.W., 1998, Profile of Jail Inmates, 1996, Bureau of 
Justice Statistics Special Report, Washington, DC: U.S. Department 
of Justice, NCJ164620.
    \7\ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 
2002, Report to Congress on the Prevention and Treatment of Co-
occurring Substance Abuse Disorders and Mental Disorders.
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    In returning to criminal activity, ex-prisoners contribute to the 
presence of violence and crime in already struggling neighborhoods and 
reduce their chances of living healthy and positive lives and 
strengthening their families. Research indicates that parental loss is 
related to a host of poor outcomes for children that include poverty, 
drug abuse, educational failure, criminal behavior, and premature 
death. Healthy and consistent relationships between parents and 
children strengthen the community by positively impacting both parent 
and child generations. Ex-offenders who maintain strong family and 
community ties have greater success in reintegrating into the community 
and avoiding incarceration.\8\
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    \8\ Hairston, 1991; Muston, 1994; Nelson, 1999.
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    In order to successfully reintegrate into the community it is 
essential that ex-offenders possess the skills and support necessary to 
enter and compete in the workforce. The Prisoner Re-entry Initiative is 
designed to draw on the unique strengths of faith-based and community-
based organizations and to rely on them as a primary partner for social 
service delivery to ex-prisoners by providing a direct link into the 
communities to which the ex-prisoners are returning. It also seeks to 
coordinate the provision of these services with supervision of these 
released prisoners to ensure they are held accountable for their 
behavior upon release.
    Community-based partners are well suited for this work because they 
can provide the resources and infrastructure that are necessary to 
intervene in the lives of returnees and interrupt cycles of crime and 
incarceration. This grant will rely heavily on FBCOs to develop 
relationships and ensure connections to rehabilitation services for the 
formerly incarcerated.
    In addition, FBCOs will be utilized in this grant because evidence 
indicates that faith-based and community institutions are among the 
strongest, most trusted institutions in the urban neighborhoods to 
which the majority of released inmates will return. Local faith-based 
and community institutions are a significant presence, with many 
resources at their command--including buildings, volunteers, and a 
tradition of outreach and service.\9\ Churches, mosques, temples, and 
community centers are especially significant in poor urban areas where 
FBCOs have historically had a strong presence. The additional trust 
that many FBCOs have earned outside urban centers is invaluable, since 
collaboration and communication with public, private and nonprofit 
providers and policymakers are essential to helping those in resource-
poor neighborhoods.
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    \9\ Branch, 2002. Faith and Action: Implementation of the 
National Faith-Based Initiative for High-Risk Youth, Public/Private 
Ventures.
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    Many FBCOs also possess a proven ability to work collaboratively 
with other service providers and justice agencies for the delivery of 
social services. This is an invaluable asset as the FBCOs that operate 
in poor urban neighborhoods are typically small and have limited 
financial resources. For them to effectively ensure connections to job 
training and social services, it is critical that they build 
collaborations with other public and private organizations.
    A substantial number of inner-city faith-based and community 
organizations already have re-entry programs, including 30 Generation 1 
PRI Grantees awarded in 2005 and 23 Generation 2 PRI Grantees just 
awarded this spring. This set of Generation 3 PRI Grantees will serve 
to further expand the number of such reentry programs in the country.

B. Objectives

    The Prisoner Re-entry Initiative is designed to strengthen urban 
communities through an employment-centered program that incorporates 
mentoring, job training, and other

[[Page 51852]]

comprehensive transitional services. This program seeks to reduce 
recidivism by helping inmates find work when they return to their 
communities, keep those jobs and increase their earnings over time. In 
the local areas served through this initiative, FBCOs will provide 
comprehensive and coordinated services to ex-offenders in the following 
four areas:
     Employment: Employment is a critical stabilizing factor 
for ex-offenders and this initiative will stress job placement, job 
retention, and increasing the earnings potential of released prisoners. 
FBCOs will offer job training and job placement services in 
coordination with business, local One-Stop Centers, educational 
institutions, and other employment providers. Partnering faith-based 
and community organizations will provide each program participant with 
work-readiness, soft skills training, mentoring, job placement or 
referral for job placement, and follow-up services to increase job 
retention.
     Vocational Training and Educational Services: Educational 
attainment is increasingly critical in the global economy. A vast 
majority of jobs now require more than a high school diploma. FBCOs 
should conduct assessments and work with participants to create 
individual development plans to connect participants to continuing 
education services (either toward the attainment of a high school 
diploma or GED or toward the attainment of an Associate's or Bachelor's 
degree), based on the participant's needs and interests, by partnering 
with adult education agencies, community colleges and other education 
providers. As well, FBCOs should partner to offer opportunities for 
advanced vocational training with the goal of industry-recognized 
certifications, particularly in high-growth, high-demand fields in the 
local economy.
     Mentoring: Mentoring is a key element of re-entry support. 
Previous research and programming have demonstrated the benefits of 
mentoring in reducing recidivism and supporting returning offenders. 
FBCOs will provide post-release mentoring and other services essential 
to reintegrating ex-offenders in coordination with the corrections, 
parole, and probation structure. Participating adult ex-offenders will 
be matched with appropriate mentors who will be primarily responsible 
for supporting the returnee in the community and the workplace. Mentors 
will offer support, guidance, and assistance with the many challenges 
faced by ex-offenders. For the purposes of the Prisoner Re-entry 
Initiative, mentoring is defined as a relationship over a prolonged 
period of time between two or more people where caring volunteer 
mentors assist ex-prisoners in successfully and permanently reentering 
their communities by providing consistent support as needed, guidance, 
and encouragement that impacts PRI participants in developing positive 
social relationships and achieving program outcomes such as job 
retention, family reunification, reduced recidivism, etc.
     Referral to Necessary Supportive Services: While funds 
provided under this grant must not be used to provide housing, health 
care, or alcohol or substance abuse treatment, DOL expects that 
grantees will develop partnerships with the necessary social services 
agencies within their communities so as to be able to refer released 
prisoners to these necessary services. In particular, grantees should 
be connecting with the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) through the 
local workforce system's Local Veterans' Employment Representative 
(LVER) and Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP) to serve 
participants who are veterans. These partnerships should enable service 
providers to increase the number of successful outcomes at minimal 
expense since eligible veterans receive a plethora of services 
including housing, medical, and substance abuse treatment through a 
Nationwide network of services. Further, the DVA has programs for 
incarcerated veterans through their Regional offices that may prove 
invaluable during the marketing of said program since veterans are a 
known commodity.

C. Design and Structure of the Initiative

What Is the Overall Structure of This Initiative?
    This spring, DOJ awarded PRI grants to 19 State criminal justice 
and other State agencies to provide pre-release services to prisoners 
returning to one targeted county within the State. Under this 
solicitation, DOL will be awarding grants to faith-based and community 
organizations (FBCOs) to provide post-release services to the prisoners 
provided pre-release services under the DOJ grant in urban communities 
within the county(ies) targeted by DOJ. DOL will make one award in each 
of the targeted counties named in the DOJ awards. This competition is 
limited to FBCOs operating within the target county(ies) identified in 
each DOJ grant. The list of these target counties can be found in the 
``Summary'' at the beginning of this solicitation. DOL expects to serve 
2,000 released prisoners during each year of this initiative. As well, 
the DOJ grants include a requirement of a 30 percent sub-award to a 
local FBCO in the targeted county. This sub-award may or may not go to 
the FBCO awarded under DOL's solicitation.
    To apply for these grants, FBCOs must identify an urban community 
within the targeted county(ies) and describe the need for this Federal 
support in that community and their plan for providing services to 
released prisoners. They must also demonstrate that they have 
established partnerships with the criminal justice system, local 
Workforce Investment Board, and the local housing authority. They must 
also identify their plan to leverage other Federal, State, or local 
resources, as well as private sector resources, to provide other 
support services that are not directly funded through this initiative 
such as substance abuse and mental health treatment.
    Given that DOL plans to award grants to 19 FBCOs in the counties 
that are the focus of the recently awarded DOJ grants, FBCOs in one 
county will not be competing against FBCOs in another county. Rather, 
DOL expects that more than one FBCO will be applying for a grant in 
each of the target county areas within the 19 DOJ-awarded States, so 
that FBCOs will be competing against other FBCOs in their same 
county(ies). If only one organization applies within a county, a review 
panel will assess that application and a technical acceptability 
determination will be made. If determined to be technically 
unacceptable, DOL reserves the right to not make an award within that 
county.
Who Will Be the Grant Recipients Under This Initiative?
    The recipients of the DOL grants will be faith-based and community 
organizations that are located in or have a pre-existing staff presence 
in an urban community within the target county(ies) being served.
How Large a Grant Should I Apply for?
    FBCOs should apply for a grant of $300,000 to cover their first 
year of operations. Funds will be awarded under this initiative through 
grants for an initial period of 1 year, with up to two additional years 
of funding depending on the availability of funds and demonstrated 
performance. If funding is available beyond the first 3 years, 
additional years of performance may be awarded through a competitive 
reevaluation based on satisfactory performance and/or other factors. 
The level of funding for additional years of operation may be greater 
or less than the

[[Page 51853]]

initial award amount depending on the availability of funds.
What Is the Target Group To Be Served Under These Grants?
    Generally, grantees should plan to serve individuals 18 years old 
and older who have been convicted as an adult and imprisoned pursuant 
to an Act of Congress or a State law, and who have never been convicted 
of a sex-related offense other than prostitution who have been referred 
to the FBCO from the DOJ State criminal justice agency grantee. 
Additional information on eligible participants is provided in Section 
III(A). It is expected that participants referred from DOJ grantees' 
pre-release programs will have been assessed for risk based on a 
validated tool and that participants recruited directly from the local 
community, beyond those they accept from the DOJ grantee referrals, 
would only be eligible if they did not have a violent presenting or 
past offense or any sex-related offenses.
What Are Allowable Uses of Grant Funds?
    DOL grant funds can be used to provide a variety of services to 
returning prisoners, including workforce development services, 
education and vocational training, job training, on-the-job training, 
work experience, basic skills remediation, counseling and case 
management, mentoring, and other reentry services. DOL grant funds may 
also be used for up to 3 months of pre-release services, including 
orientation, developing post-release plans, building relationships 
between project staff and prisoners, assisting prisoners to obtain 
documents necessary for employment upon release, and other activities 
necessary to establishing program connections with prisoners prior to 
their release. These funds can also be used to provide incentives to 
participants for participating in the program and up to 1.5 percent of 
DOL grant funds may be used to provide needs-based payments to 
participants, though FBCOs must have a standard and consistent policy 
in place as to how incentives and needs-based payments are provided to 
participants.
Will There Be a Planning Period After Grant Award?
    FBCOs will be allowed up to 4 months of their first year of 
operations to put into place their various local partnerships and to 
hire additional staff, if necessary. The probability of continuation of 
grants beyond the first year will be greatly reduced for those grantees 
that do not begin providing services by the end of the first 4 months.
How Will Success Be Measured Under These Grants?
    Grantees will be held to nationally established performance goals. 
Four outcome measures will be used to measure success in these grants: 
entered employment rate, employment retention rate, average earnings, 
and recidivism rate. In addition, grantees will report on a number of 
leading indicators that will serve as predictors of success. Leading 
indicators will include: enrollment rate; percentage of enrollees 
participating in mentoring; participation in education, training, and 
workforce preparation; attainment of degrees and certificates; reduced 
substance abuse; proportion of enrollees in stable housing; and 
proportion of enrollees complying with parole conditions. In applying 
for these grants, FBCOs agree to use DOL's Web-based Management 
Information System (MIS) and to submit Quarterly Performance Reports 
(QPRs) that contain data on enrollee characteristics, services 
provided, placements, outcomes, and follow-up status.
Will There Be an Evaluation of This Initiative?
    ETA will require that the program or project participate in an 
evaluation of overall performance of Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative 
grants. To measure the impact of the Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative 
programs, ETA will arrange for or conduct an independent evaluation of 
the outcomes and benefits of the projects. Applicants must agree to 
fully participate in the evaluation by making records on participants, 
employers and funding available, and to provide access to program 
operating personnel and participants, as specified by the evaluator(s) 
under the direction of ETA, including after the expiration date of the 
grant.

D. Guidelines for Technical Proposal

How Should I Organize My Technical Proposal?
    Organize your technical proposal to answer the questions below. The 
criteria below will be used to evaluate your proposal. Points will be 
deducted from applications that are not fully responsive to these 
questions. The technical questions are as follows:
    1. What is the need for the project in the urban community with the 
target county(ies) to be served by the grant? (10 points)
    Identify the urban community within the county(ies) that you 
propose to serve through your grant and describe its need for this 
Federal support. Demonstrate how your community can benefit from 
Federal assistance due to being an urban area heavily impacted by high 
numbers of returning prisoners and high rates of recidivism. Use census 
tract data from the 2000 census to show the population of the 
community, its poverty rate, and its unemployment rate. Use local law 
enforcement data to show the crime rate and recidivism rate for the 
community and how this compares with the State or county as a whole. 
Use data at the neighborhood level rather than the county level in 
addressing the need for your project.
    Applicants will be evaluated based on their ability to demonstrate 
the need for Federal assistance. This will be assessed by the following 
elements:
     Number of returning offenders to the urban community 
identified;
     Rate of recidivism, relative to the target county and the 
state overall; and
     Unemployment and poverty levels of the community.
    2. What Is the Project Design and Service Strategy? (55 points 
total)
    Describe the project design and service strategy for each of the 
following required program components.
    How Do You Plan To Increase the Employment and Education 
Opportunities of Released Prisoners Who You Will Be Serving? (25 
points)
    Describe how you will use funds available under this grant to 
increase the employment opportunities of released prisoners. Describe 
how you will use assessments to identify the potential for increasing 
educational attainment of participants, either through the attainment 
of a GED or through post-secondary education or vocational training. 
Discuss how you will provide work-readiness training, job placement, 
and post-placement support. Often a condition of release is to find 
employment quickly. How will you help these persons find a job soon 
after their release from prison? Describe how you will work with 
employers to identify and create job openings for released prisoners. 
Where applicable, applicants should include letters of commitment from 
employers detailing how they will train and/or hire participants of the 
initiative. How will you connect participants with jobs in high-growth, 
high-demand industries, particularly those most likely to hire ex-
offenders. How will you link with WIRED and other DOL-funded workforce 
development projects in your area? Be sure to indicate how many direct-
service staff will be hired with these grant funds to assist released 
prisoners find employment and justify the need.

[[Page 51854]]

    How Will You Coordinate With Other Agencies To Obtain Housing 
Services to Released Prisoners? (10 points)
    Funds awarded under this initiative must not be used to provide 
housing services for participants, but grantees are expected to 
coordinate with agencies that provide such services. Discuss 
partnerships in place to provide both transitional housing and 
permanent housing to released prisoners. Applicants should include 
letters of commitment detailing the partnerships in place, expected 
roles of partners and how these partners will coordinate efforts to 
assist this initiative. Discuss options for assisting released 
prisoners who need to put a deposit on an apartment. Please note that 
McKinney Vento Supportive Housing Program (SHP) transitional and 
permanent housing funded through the Continuum of Care application 
process cannot be used for ex-offenders.
    How Will You Provide Mentoring for the Released Prisoners Who You 
Will Be Serving? (10 points)
    Mentoring is a key part of this initiative and we expect that you 
will be able to offer mentors to each of the released prisoners who 
desires these services. Discuss your plans for providing mentors to 
released prisoners. Describe any experience that you have in operating 
mentoring programs or how you will develop this capacity. Describe how 
the mentoring component will be administered and staffed. Describe how 
you will involve other local faith-based and community organizations in 
recruiting mentors for this project. Describe what training you will 
provide to mentors. Discuss who you will recruit to serve as mentors 
(i.e., former prisoners that have successfully reintegrated back into 
society).
    How Will You Coordinate Alcohol and Drug Treatment and Other Health 
and Supportive Services to Released Prisoners Who Require Such 
Assistance? (10 points)
    Provide examples of local partnerships that you have developed or 
will develop to secure treatment and support services for released 
prisoners. Because grant funds cannot be used to provide alcohol and 
drug treatment, give examples of other resources that are available to 
provide such services. Also give examples of local partnerships you 
have developed or will develop to provide physical and mental health 
services and provide letters of commitment detailing the partners' 
roles, where applicable. Many released prisoners will be under court 
orders to pay child support and/or restitution. How will you assist 
these individuals in complying with these court orders? How will you 
partner with agencies that serve ex-offenders, including SAMHSA, 
Veterans Affairs, etc.? Describe how your program will connect with 
workforce system programs to provide services to eligible veterans, 
such as Local Veterans' Employment Representatives (LVERs), Disabled 
Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists, and in particular, the 
Department of Veterans' Affairs Veterans' Integrated Service Network 
(VISN) including the Incarcerated Veteran Re-Entry Specialist that is 
assigned to VISN in the area being served and the programs provided to 
incarcerated veterans through the VISN.
    For this criterion, applicants will be evaluated on how 
comprehensive and collaborative their program design is. Particular 
elements to be evaluated include:
     Partnerships with expected partners, including State 
criminal justice agencies, probation and parole, Workforce Investment 
Boards, housing partners, and other service providers (including 
alcohol and drug treatment and mental health services);
     Design of program elements, including employment and 
education placements, job training, connections to employers 
(particularly in high-growth, high-demand fields), and mentoring; and
     Description of asset mapping or similar strategies to 
locate and connect to existing resources in the area to provide support 
services.
    3. How Have You Coordinated in the Past and How Do You Plan To 
Coordinate With State Criminal Justice Agencies, Probation, and Parole 
in the Operation of Your Program? (20 points)
    Describe your plans for working with State criminal justice 
agencies, probation and parole in operating your program. Describe your 
plans for obtaining referrals from State criminal justice agencies (the 
majority of participants served by these grants should be direct 
referrals from the DOJ PRI grant) and in gaining permission to enter 
prisons for introductory meetings with prisoners soon to be released 
into your community. Describe how you plan to coordinate with parole 
and probation in providing post-release services for former prisoners. 
Applicants should provide letters of commitment detailing the roles of 
each partner and how participants will be referred if possible. 
Describe past experience and/or contracts in which you worked with the 
criminal justice agency in your State. Describe how you will partner 
collaboratively with the State criminal justice agency to meet the 
expected outcomes of this grant, including receiving referrals and on-
going updates regarding participant recidivism from the criminal 
justice agency.
    Applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
     The existence of previously established relationships with 
criminal justice agencies and probation and parole; and
     The strategy for obtaining an on-going method of referrals 
for soon-to-be-released offenders.
    4. What is the quality and experience of your organization to 
operate this initiative? (15 points)
    Describe your organization and its qualifications for serving as 
the local FBCO in this initiative. How long has your organization been 
in existence in the area you plan to serve? What services and programs 
has it previously provided in the urban area to be served by the grant? 
Discuss the experience of the organization in operating re-entry and 
employment programs, including the results of those programs (in terms 
of individual service outcomes). Describe the qualifications of key 
staff persons of your organization who may work on this project, and 
their specific experience relating to this project. Also describe 
previous experience of the organization in operating grants from either 
Federal or non-Federal sources. Describe the fiscal controls in place 
in your organization. What is your organization's current annual 
budget? Also describe how you would expect to continue serving ex-
offenders once the Federal grant funds have been expended. What is your 
organization's sustainability plan?
    Applicants will be evaluated on the strength of their 
organizational experience. Particular criteria include:
     Length of time applicant has been operating in the 
identified urban area within the target county(ies);
     Previous experience of the applicant in serving ex-
offenders with re-entry and employment services;
     Experience of key staff in relation to developing 
employment and education programming for re-entry populations; and
     The applicant's sustainability plan for continuing to 
serve this population.

II. Award Information

What type of assistance instrument will be awarded under this 
initiative?

    Funds will be awarded under this initiative through grants for an 
initial period of 1 year, with up to two additional option years 
depending on the availability of funds and demonstrated performance. If 
funding is

[[Page 51855]]

available beyond the first 3 years, additional years of performance may 
be awarded through a competitive reevaluation based on satisfactory 
performance and/or other factors.

What is the expected number of awards?

    DOL expects to award grants for 19 projects.

What is the total amount expected to be awarded through this 
announcement?

    DOL expects to award a total of $5.7 million in initial grants 
through this announcement.

What is the expected amount of individual awards?

    DOL expects that initial awards will be approximately $300,000.

III. Eligibility Information and Other Grant Specifications

A. Eligible Applicants

Am I an eligible applicant for these grants?
    You are eligible to apply for the DOL grants if you are a faith-
based or community organization and are located within or have a pre-
existing staff presence in an urban community within the target 
county(ies) identified in the SUMMARY at the beginning of this 
solicitation.
Who is eligible to be served under these grants?
    Individuals 18 years old and older who have been convicted as an 
adult and imprisoned pursuant to an Act of Congress or a State law, and 
who have never been convicted of a sex-related offense other than 
prostitution can be served with these grants. The majority of 
participants served by these grants should be direct referrals from the 
DOJ PRI grant. However, individuals who have been recruited from the 
community may also be served. Such recruits must be enrolled in the 
program within 180 days after their release from prison or a halfway 
house, except that up to 10 percent of individuals served can be 
enrolled over 180 days after their prison release. Services may be 
provided to individuals who have been released from prison and are 
residing in a halfway house. Participants referred from the DOJ 
grantees' pre-release programs will have been given a risk assessment 
but if the DOL grantee chooses to enroll additional participants from 
the community, these returning offenders should not have a violent 
presenting or past offense. The Grant Officer will consider the use of 
waivers to serve individuals with violent past or presenting offenses 
if necessary. These waivers would require the use of a validated risk 
assessment tool.
    This program is subject to the provisions of the ``Jobs for 
Veterans Act,'' Public Law 107-288, which provides priority of service 
to veterans and spouses of certain veterans for the receipt of 
employment, training, and placement services in any job training 
program directly funded, in whole or in part, by the Department of 
Labor. Please note that, to obtain priority of service, a veteran must 
meet the program's eligibility requirements. ETA Training and 
Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 5-03 (September 16, 2003) 
provides general guidance on the scope of the veterans priority statute 
and its effect on current employment and training programs, and 
additional guidance is available at the ``Jobs for Veterans Priority of 
Services Web site'' (http://www.doleta.gov/programs/VETS/ VETS/).

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

Is cost sharing or matching required for these grants?
    No, cost sharing or matching is not required, although leveraging 
of resources is strongly encouraged in order to maximize the impact of 
the project in the identified county. Applicants should describe what 
resources, new and existing, may support the goals of the project. 
While the failure to offer leveraged resources as a part of an 
application will not preclude consideration of the application, it will 
place the applicant at a competitive disadvantage over applicants that 
do so to the extent that an applicant's ability to arrange for the 
provision of separately funded housing, alcohol and drug treatment and 
other health and social services will be factored into the evaluation 
of the application. Leveraging of existing resources and committed 
partners are an integral part of the PRI program model and are 
necessary for a successful reentry program.

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Address To Request Application Package

    This SGA includes all information and links to forms needed to 
apply for grant funding.

B. Content and Form of Application Submission

What are the content and form of application submission?
    The proposal must consist of two (2) separate and distinct parts, 
Parts I and II. Applications that fail to adhere to the instructions in 
this section will be considered non-responsive and may not be given 
further consideration. Applicants who wish to apply do not need to 
submit a Letter of Intent. The completed application package is all 
that is required.
    Part I of the proposal is the Cost Proposal and must include the 
following three items:
     The Standard Form (SF) 424, ``Application for Federal 
Assistance'' (available at http://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm). The SF 424 must clearly identify the applicant and be 
signed by an individual with authority to enter into a grant agreement. 
Upon confirmation of an award, the individual signing the SF 424 on 
behalf of the applicant will be considered the Authorized 
Representative of the applicant. In block 14 of the SF 424, the 
applicant must specify the single county(ies) in which they plan to 
serve. This designated county (or two in the instance of Louisiana) 
must be on the list of target counties that received a DOJ PRI grant 
this spring. The list can be found in the SUMMARY at the beginning of 
this solicitation. DOL will deem non-responsive any application that 
fails to designate the target county in which they will be operating.
     All applicants for Federal grant and funding opportunities 
are required to have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number 
provided by Dun and Bradstreet. See Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) Notice of Final Policy Issuance, 68 FR 38402, June 27, 2003. 
Applicants must supply their DUNS number on the SF 424. The DUNS number 
is a nine-digit identification number that uniquely identifies business 
entities. Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no charge. To 
obtain a DUNS number, access this Web site, http://www.dunandbradstreet.com, or call 1-866-705-5711.
     The SF 424A Budget Information Form (available at http://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm). In preparing the Budget 
Information Form, the applicant must provide a concise narrative 
explanation to support the request. In addition, there should be a 
detailed back-up budget that includes the number of staff to be hired, 
delineated by position titles.
    Please note that applicants that fail to provide the SF 424, SF 
424A, and the budget narrative will be removed from consideration prior 
to the technical review process. If the proposal calls for integrating 
WIA or other Federal funds

[[Page 51856]]

or includes other leveraged resources, these funds should not be listed 
on the SF 424 or SF 424A Budget Information Form, but should be 
described in the budget narrative.
    Applicants are also encouraged, but not required, to submit OMB 
Survey N. 1890-0014: Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for 
Applicants, which can be found at http://www07.grants.gov/agencies/forms_repository_information.jsp.
    Part II of the application is the Technical Proposal, which 
demonstrates the applicant's capabilities to plan and implement the 
Prisoner Re-entry Initiative in accordance with the provisions of this 
solicitation. The Technical Proposal is limited to twenty (20) double-
spaced, single-sided, 8.5 inch x 11 inch pages with 12 point text font 
and one-inch margins. Applicants should number the Technical Proposal 
beginning with page number one. Any pages over the 20 page limit will 
not be reviewed. The guidelines for the content of the Technical 
Proposal are provided in Section I (D) of this SGA.
    In addition, the applicant must provide letters of support from the 
criminal justice agencies which will release the prisoners and 
supervise their release in the community and the local Workforce 
Investment Board; a Time Line outlining project activities; and a two-
page Executive Summary. These additional materials do not count against 
the 20-page limit for the Technical proposal, but may not exceed 
fifteen (15) pages. Any supplemental materials over this page limit 
will not be read.
    Applications may be submitted electronically on www.grants.gov or 
in hard-copy via U.S. mail, professional overnight delivery service, or 
hand delivery. These processes are described in further detail in 
Section IV (C). Applicants submitting proposals in hard-copy must 
submit an original signed application (including the SF 424) and one 
(1) ``copy-ready'' version free of bindings, staples or protruding tabs 
to ease in the reproduction of the proposal by DOL. Applicants 
submitting proposals in hard copy are also requested, though not 
required, to provide an electronic copy of the proposal on CD-ROM.

C. Submission Dates, Times, and Addresses

What is the closing date for applications?
    The closing date for receipt of applications under this 
announcement is November 4, 2008. Applications must be received at the 
address below no later than 4 p.m. (Eastern Time). Applications sent by 
e-mail, telegram, or facsimile will not be accepted. Applications that 
do not meet the conditions set forth in this notice will not be 
honored. No exceptions to the mailing and delivery requirements set 
forth in this notice will be granted.
To what address should I send my application?
    To apply by mail, please submit one (1) blue-ink signed, 
typewritten original of the application and two (2) signed photocopies 
in one package to the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training 
Administration, Division of Federal Assistance, Attention: Jeannette 
Flowers, Reference SGA/DFA PY-08-03, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room 
N-4716, Washington, DC 20210. Information about applying online through 
http://www.grants.gov can be found in the next paragraph of this 
section. Applicants are advised that mail delivery in the Washington 
area is delayed due to mail decontamination procedures. Hand delivered 
proposals will be received at the above address.
    Applicants may apply online through grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov). It is strongly recommended that applicants applying 
online for the first time via grants.gov immediately initiate and 
complete the ``Get Registered'' registration steps at http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp. These steps may take 
multiple days or weeks to complete, and this time should be factored 
into plans for electronic application submission in order to avoid 
unexpected delays that could result in the rejection of an application. 
It is highly recommended that online submissions be completed at least 
3 working days prior to the date specified for the receipt of 
applications to ensure that the applicant still has the option to 
submit by overnight delivery service in the event of any electronic 
submission problems. If submitting electronically through grants.gov, 
the components of the application must be saved as either .doc, .xls or 
.pdf files.
    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, 
was properly addressed, and: (a) Was sent by U.S. Postal Service 
registered or certified mail not later than the fifth calendar day 
before the date specified for receipt of applications (e.g., an 
application required to be received by the 20th of the month must be 
post marked by the 15th of that month) or (b) was sent by professional 
overnight delivery service or submitted on grants.gov to the addressee 
not later than one working day prior to the date specified for receipt 
of applications. An application submitted through grants.gov will not 
be considered ``received'' by the Department of Labor unless it is: 
electronically submitted on grants.gov prior to the deadline; 
``validated'' by grants.gov; and forwarded by grants.gov to the 
Department of Labor. It is highly recommended that online submissions 
be completed three working days prior to the date specified for receipt 
of applications to ensure that the applicant still has the option to 
submit by professional overnight delivery service in the event of any 
electronic submission problems. Applicants take a significant risk by 
waiting until the last day to submit by grants.gov. ``Postmarked'' 
means a printed, stamped or otherwise placed impression that is readily 
identifiable, without further action, as having been supplied or 
affixed on the date of mailing by an employee of the U.S. Postal 
Service. Therefore, applicants should request the postal clerk to place 
a legible hand cancellation ``bull's eye'' postmark on both the receipt 
and the package. Failure to adhere to the above instructions will be a 
basis for a determination of non-responsiveness. Evidence of timely 
submission by a professional overnight delivery service must be 
demonstrated by equally reliable evidence created by the delivery 
service provider indicating the time and place of receipt.

D. Intergovernmental Review

Is an Intergovernmental Review required?
    This funding opportunity is not subject to Executive Order (EO) 
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''

E. Cost Principles

    All proposal costs must be necessary and reasonable in accordance 
with Federal guidelines. Determinations of allowable costs will be made 
in accordance with the applicable Federal cost principles, e.g., 29 CFR 
95.27; Non-Profit Organizations--OMB Circular A-122. Disallowed costs 
are those charges to a grant that the grantor agency or its 
representative determines not to be allowed in accordance with the 
applicable Federal Cost Principles or other conditions contained in the 
grant. Applicants will not be entitled to reimbursement of pre-award 
costs.
    DOL grant funds must not be used to provide substance abuse 
treatment. Such treatment should be made

[[Page 51857]]

available to persons enrolled in the program using resources available 
through partnerships with other agencies. DOL grant funds must not be 
used to provide housing assistance to participants. It is expected that 
grantees will leverage existing community resources and provide 
referrals to housing assistance through community organizations and 
local agencies. DOL grant funds must not be used to provide assistance 
to participants to cover the cost of healthcare. It is expected that 
grantees will utilize existing resources in the community and refer 
participants to these providers. DOL grant funds cannot be used to pay 
for food to participants except as a needs-based payment through which 
the participant can purchase food or by providing food baskets or 
vouchers for food and household items as a supportive service to 
enrollees. In the instance of these needs-based payments, it is 
expected that the grantee will have a detailed policy in place 
regarding the allowability and frequency of such provisions and such 
payments should not exceed more than 1.5 percent of the grant program's 
total operating budget.
    Indirect Costs. As specified in OMB Circular Cost Principles, 
indirect costs are those that have been incurred for common or joint 
objectives and cannot be readily identified with a particular cost 
objective. In order to utilize grant funds for indirect costs incurred, 
the applicant must obtain an Indirect Cost Rate Agreement with its 
Federal Cognizant Agency either before or shortly after the grant 
award.
    Administrative Costs. Under the PRI, an entity that receives a 
grant to carry out a project or program may not use more than 10 
percent of the amount of the grant to pay administrative costs 
associated with the program or project. Administrative costs could be 
both direct and indirect costs and are defined at 20 CFR 667.220. 
Administrative costs do not need to be identified separately from 
program costs on the SF 424A Budget Information Form. They should be 
discussed in the budget narrative and tracked through the grantee's 
accounting system. To claim any administrative costs that are also 
indirect costs, the applicant must obtain an indirect cost rate 
agreement from its Federal cognizant agency as specified above.
    Salary and bonus limitations. In compliance with Pub. L. 109-234 
and Pub. L. 110-5, none of the funds appropriated in Pub. L. 109-149, 
Pub. L. 110-5, or prior Acts under the heading ``Employment and 
Training'' that are available for expenditure on or after June 15, 
2006, shall be used by a recipient or sub-recipient of such funds to 
pay the salary and bonuses of an individual, either as direct costs or 
indirect costs, at a rate in excess of Executive Level II, except as 
provided for under section 101 of Public Law 109-149. This limitation 
shall not apply to vendors providing goods and services as defined in 
OMB Circular A-133. See Training and Employment Guidance Letter number 
5-06 for further clarification: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2262.
    Legal Rules Pertaining to Inherently Religious Activities by 
Organizations that Receive Federal Financial Assistance. The government 
is generally prohibited from providing direct financial assistance for 
inherently religious activities (please see 29 CFR Part 2, Subpart D). 
These grants may not be used for religious instruction, worship, 
prayer, proselytizing or other inherently religious activities except 
as provided in those regulations. Therefore, organizations must take 
steps to separate, in time or location, their inherently religious 
activities from the services funded under this program. Neutral, non-
religious criteria that neither favor nor disfavors religion will be 
employed in the selection of grant recipients and must be employed by 
grantees in the selection of sub-recipients.
    A faith or community-based organization receiving ETA funds retains 
its independence from federal, state, and local governments, and may 
continue to carry out its mission, including the definition, practice, 
and expression of its religious beliefs. For example, a faith or 
community-based organization may use space in its facilities to provide 
secular programs or services funded with federal funds without removing 
religious art, icons, scriptures, or other religious symbols. In 
addition, a faith or community-based organization that receives federal 
funds retains its authority over its internal governance, and it may 
retain religious terms in its organization's name, select its board 
members on a religious basis, and include religious references in its 
organization's mission statements and other governing documents in 
accordance with all program requirements, statutes, and other 
applicable requirements governing the conduct of ETA funded activities.
    Faith and community-based organizations may also reference ETA 
Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 01-05 (July 6, 
2005), available at http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2088. Faith and community-based organizations may learn 
about equal treatment and religion-related regulations through the 
DOL's new online training course at Workforce3one (http://www.workforce3one.org). The course can be found by typing the key 
words--equal treatment--in the search box on the upper right hand 
corner of the page. If you are previously registered on this site, you 
can find the course directly at http://www.workforce3one.org/public/_shared/detail.cfm?id=5566&simple=false.
    ETA Intellectual Property Rights. Applicants should note that 
grantees must agree to provide ETA a paid-up, nonexclusive and 
irrevocable license to reproduce, publish, or otherwise use for federal 
purposes all products developed or for which ownership was purchased 
under an award, including but not limited to curricula, training 
models, technical assistance products, and any related materials, and 
to authorize them to do so. Such uses include, but are not limited to, 
the right to modify and distribute such products worldwide by any 
means, electronically or otherwise.
    Additional Requirements. Federal funds may not be used to pay any 
royalty or licensing fee associated with such copyrighted material, 
although they may be used to pay costs for obtaining a copy which are 
limited to the developer/seller costs of copying and shipping. If 
revenues are generated through selling products developed with grant 
funds, including intellectual property, these revenues are program 
income. Program income is added to the grant and must be expended for 
allowable grant activities.

F. Withdrawal of Applications

    Applications may be withdrawn by written notice 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.

V. Application Review Information

A. Evaluation Criteria

What will be the criteria for award?
    Panelists will rate proposals based on the following criteria, 
which are explained in detail in Section I(D) of this SGA. These 
criteria and point values are:
    1. What is the need for the project in the county to be served by 
the grant? (10 points)
    2. What Is the Project Design and Service Strategy? (55 points)
    3. How have you coordinated in the past and how do you plan to 
coordinate with State criminal justice agencies,

[[Page 51858]]

probation, and parole in the operation of your program? (20 points)
    4. What is the quality and experience of your organization to 
operate this initiative? (15 points)

B. Review and Selection Process

How will applications be reviewed and selected?
    Applications for the Prisoner Re-entry Initiative Grants will be 
accepted after the publication of this announcement until the closing 
date. A technical review panel will make a careful evaluation of 
applications against the criteria set forth in Section V(A) of this 
Solicitation. These criteria are based on the policy goals, priorities, 
and emphases set forth in this SGA. Up to 100 points may be awarded to 
an application, based on the required information described in detail 
in Section I(D) of this Solicitation. The ranked scores will serve as 
the primary basis for selection of applications for funding. If only 
one organization applies within a county, a review panel will assess 
that application and a technical acceptability determination will be 
made. If determined to be technically unacceptable, DOL reserves the 
right to not make an award within that county. Final selections will be 
based on what is most advantageous to the Government, and are 
contingent upon availability of funds. The panel results are advisory 
in nature and not binding on the Grant Officer, who may consider any 
information that comes to his attention. DOL may elect to award the 
grant(s) with or without prior discussions with the applicants. Should 
a grant be awarded without discussions, the award will be based on the 
applicant's signature on the SF 424, which constitutes a binding offer.

VI. Award Administration Information

A. Award Notices

    All award notifications will be posted on the ETA homepage (http://www.doleta.gov). Applicants selected for award will be contacted 
directly before the grant's execution. Applicants not selected for 
award will be notified by mail.

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

1. Administrative Program Requirements
    All grantees will be subject to all applicable Federal laws, 
regulations, and the applicable OMB Circulars. The grant(s) awarded 
under this SGA will be subject to the following administrative 
standards and provisions:
    a. Non-Profit Organizations--OMB Circulars A-122 (Cost Principles) 
and 29 CFR Part 95 (Administrative Requirements).
    b. Educational Institutions--OMB Circulars A-21 (Cost Principles) 
and 29 CFR Part 95 (Administrative Requirements).
    c. State and Local Governments--OMB Circulars A-87 (Cost 
Principles) and 29 CFR Part 97 (Administrative Requirements).
    d. Profit Making Commercial Firms--Federal Acquisition Regulation 
(FAR)--48 CFR Part 31 (Cost Principles), and 29 CFR Part 95 
(Administrative Requirements).
    e. All entities must comply with 29 CFR Parts 93 and 98, and, where 
applicable, 29 CFR Parts 96 and 99.
    f. 29 CFR Part 2, subpart D--Equal Treatment in Department of Labor 
Programs for Religious Organizations, Protection of Religious Liberty 
of Department of Labor Social Service Providers and Beneficiaries.
    g. 29 CFR Part 31--Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs 
of the Department of Labor--Effectuation of Title VI of the Civil 
Rights Act of 1964.
    h. 29 CFR Part 32--Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap in 
Programs and Activities Receiving or Benefiting from Federal Financial 
Assistance.
    i. 29 CFR Part 33--Enforcement of Nondiscrimination on the Basis of 
Handicap in Programs or Activities Conducted by the Department of 
Labor.
    j. 29 CFR Part 35--Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Age in 
Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance from the 
Department of Labor.
    k. 29 CFR Part 36-Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in 
Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial 
Assistance.
    The following administrative standards and provisions may be 
applicable:
    a. Workforce Investment Act--20 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 
Part 667. (General Fiscal and Administrative Rules);
    b. 29 CFR Part 30--Equal Employment Opportunity in Apprenticeship 
and Training; and
    c. 29 CFR Part 37--Implementation of the Nondiscrimination and 
Equal Opportunity Provisions of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.
    In accordance with Section 18 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 
1995 (Pub. L. 104-65) (2 U.S.C. 1611) non-profit entities incorporated 
under Internal Revenue Service Code Section 501(c)(4) that engage in 
lobbying activities are not eligible to receive Federal funds and 
grants.

    Note: Except as specifically provided in this Notice, DOL/ETA's 
acceptance of a proposal and an award of Federal funds to sponsor 
any program(s) does not provide a waiver of any grant requirements 
and/or procedures. For example, OMB Circulars require that an 
entity's procurement procedures must ensure that all procurement 
transactions are conducted, as much as practical, to provide open 
and free competition. If a proposal identifies a specific entity to 
provide services, the DOL/ETA's award does not provide the 
justification or basis to sole source the procurement, i.e., avoid 
competition, unless the activity is regarded as the primary work of 
an official partner to the application.

C. Special Program Requirements

    Evaluation. DOL will require that the program or project 
participate in an evaluation of overall performance of Prisoner Re-
entry Grants. To measure the impact of the Prisoner Re-entry Grants, 
ETA may arrange for or conduct an independent evaluation of the 
outcomes and benefits of the projects. Grantees must agree to make 
records on participants, employers and funding available, and to 
provide access to program operating personnel and participants, as 
specified by the evaluator(s) under the direction of ETA, including 
after the expiration date of the grant.

D. Reporting

    The grantee is required to provide the reports and documents listed 
below:
    Quarterly Financial Reports. A Quarterly Financial Status Report 
(ETA-9130) is required until such time as all funds have been expended 
or the grant period has expired. Quarterly reports are due 45 days 
after the end of each calendar year quarter, including the last 
calendar quarter of the grant period. Grantees must use ETA's On-Line 
Electronic Reporting System.
    Quarterly Performance Reports. FBCOs will be required to submit 
updated performance data on enrollment, services provided, placements, 
outcomes, and follow-up status. A government-procured MIS system will 
be provided to all grantees. Grantees will be required to have 
industry-standard computer hardware and high-speed Internet access in 
order to use the MIS system. Grant funds may be used with the prior 
approval of the Grant Officer to upgrade computer hardware and Internet 
access to enable projects to use the MIS system.
    Quarterly Narrative Reports. The grantee must submit a quarterly 
narrative report to the designated Federal Project Officer within 30 
days

[[Page 51859]]

after the end of each quarter. Two copies are to be submitted providing 
a detailed account of activities undertaken during that quarter. DOL 
may require additional data elements to be collected and reported on 
either a regular basis or special request basis. Grantees must agree to 
meet DOL reporting requirements. The quarterly progress report should 
be in narrative form and should include:
    1. In-depth information on accomplishments, including project 
success stories, upcoming grant activities, and promising approaches 
and processes.
    2. Progress toward performance outcomes, including updates on 
product, curricula, and training development.
    Quarterly financial reports, quarterly performance reports, and 
quarterly narrative reports will all be provided electronically.
    Final Report. A final report must be submitted no later than 60 
days after the expiration date of the grant. This report must summarize 
project activities, employment outcomes, and related results of the 
training project, and should thoroughly document capacity building and 
training approaches. The final report should also include copies of all 
deliverables, e.g., curricula and competency models. Three copies of 
the final report must be submitted to ETA, and grantees must agree to 
use a designated format specified by DOL for preparing the final 
report. A Closeout Financial Status Report is due 90 days after the end 
of the grant period.
    Record Retention. Applicants should be aware of Federal guidelines 
on record retention, which require grantees to maintain all records 
pertaining to grant activities for a period of not less than 3 years 
from the time of final grant closeout.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For further information regarding this SGA, please contact 
Jeannette Flowers, Grants Management Specialist, Division of Federal 
Assistance, at (202) 693-3332. (Please note this is not a toll-free 
number.) Applicants should fax all technical questions to (202) 693-
2705 and must specifically address the fax to the attention of 
Jeannette Flowers and should include SGA/DFA PY 08-03, a contact name, 
fax and phone number, and e-mail address. This announcement is being 
made available on the ETA Web site at http://www.doleta.gov/sga/sga.cfm, at http://www.grants.gov, as well as the Federal Register.

VIII. Additional Resources and Other Information

Resources for the Applicant

    DOL maintains a number of web-based resources that may be of 
assistance to applicants.
     The Workforce \3\ One Web site, http://www.workforce3one.org, is a valuable resource for information about 
demand-driven projects of the workforce investment system, educators, 
employers, and economic development representatives.
     America's Service Locator (http://www.servicelocator.org) 
provides a directory of the nation's One-Stop Career Centers.
     Career Voyages (http://www.careervoyages.gov), a Web site 
targeted at youth, parents, counselors, and career changers, provides 
information about career opportunities in high-growth/high-demand 
industries.
     Applicants are encouraged to review ``Help with 
Solicitation for Grant Applications'' (http://www.doleta.gov).
     For a basic understanding of the grants process and basic 
responsibilities of receiving Federal grant support, please see 
``Guidance for Faith-Based and Community Organizations on Partnering 
with the Federal Government'' (http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/guidance/index.html).

Other Information

    OMB Information Collection No. 1225-0086.
Expires September 30, 2009
    According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are 
required to respond to a collection of information unless such 
collection displays a valid OMB control number. Public reporting burden 
for this collection of information is estimated to average 20 hours per 
response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing 
data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing 
and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding 
the burden estimated or any other aspect of this collection of 
information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the OMB 
Desk Officer for ETA, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, 
Washington, DC 20503. PLEASE DO NOT RETURN THE COMPLETED APPLICATION TO 
THE OMB. SEND IT TO THE SPONSORING AGENCY AS SPECIFIED IN THIS 
SOLICITATION.
    This information is being collected for the purpose of awarding a 
grant. The information collected through this ``Solicitation for Grant 
Applications'' will be used by the Department of Labor to ensure that 
grants are awarded to the applicant best suited to perform the 
functions of the grant. Submission of this information is required for 
the applicant to be considered for award of this grant. Unless 
otherwise specifically noted in this announcement, information 
submitted in the respondent's application is not considered to be 
confidential.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 29th day of August 2008.
James Stockton,
Employment and Training Administration, Grant Officer.

[FR Doc. E8-20570 Filed 9-4-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-P
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