56267 - MSHA Brookwood Sago FOA - signed by GO NES.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT (FOA) FOR: Brookwood- Sago Mine Safety Grants (Brookwood-Sago Grants)

BROOKWOOD SAGO GRANTS

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: New

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: FOA-BS-2024-1

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER: 17.603

KEY DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications under this Announcement is Monday, September 9, 2024. MSHA must receive applications via Grants.gov no later than 11:59p.m. EDST September 9, 2024.

Address for mailed applications:

The U.S. Department of Labor

Attention: Nancy E. Sloanhoffer, Grant Officer Reference: FON FOA-BS-2024-1 201 12th Street South Arlington, Virginia 22202

For complete application and submission information, including online application instructions, please refer to Section IV.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. PROGRAM PURPOSE

B. EDUCATION AND TRAINING PRIORITIES

C. PROGRAM AUTHORITY

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. AWARD TYPE AND AMOUNT

B. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

B. COST SHARING OR MATCHING

C. OTHER INFORMATION

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. HOW TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION PACKAGE

B. CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

C. SUBMISSION DATE, TIME, PROCESS, AND ADDRESS

D. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

E. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. EVALUATION CRITERIA

B. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS FOR FY 2024 GRANTS

VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. AWARD NOTICES

B. ANTICIPATED ANNOUNCEMENT AND AWARD DATES

C. ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS

D. REPORTING

VII. AGENCY CONTACTS

VIII. OMB INFORMATION COLLECTION

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL or the Department, or we), Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), is providing notice of the availability of up to $1,000,000 available in grant funds for education and training programs to help the mining community identify, avoid, and prevent unsafe and unhealthy working conditions in and around mines. The focus of these grants for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 will be on: occupational hazards caused by exposures to respirable dust and crystalline silica, powered haulage and mobile equipment safety, mine emergency preparedness, mine rescue, electrical safety, contract and customer truck drivers, lack of training for new and inexperienced miners (including managers and supervisors performing mining tasks), pillar safety for underground mines, lack of personal protective equipment (including falls from heights), and other programs to ensure the safety and health of miners. MSHA is interested in supporting programs emphasizing training on miners’ statutory rights, including the right to be provided a safe and healthy working environment (including Part 90 miners), to refuse an unsafe task, and to have a voice in the safety and health conditions at the mine. MSHA shall give special emphasis to programs and materials that target smaller mines and underserved mines and miners in the mining industry, and prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

Applicants for the grants may be states, territories, and tribal governments (this includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Federally recognized tribes) and private or public nonprofit entities (this includes tribal organizations, Alaska Native entities, Indian-controlled organizations serving Native Americans and Native Hawaiians). MSHA could award as many as 20 grants. The minimum amount of each individual grant will be at least $50,000 and the maximum amount will be up to $1,000,000.

This notice contains all the necessary information for a grant application.

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. PROGRAM PURPOSE

The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to expanding the availability of Good Jobs to all workers, including improve working conditions by creating safer work environments. This program provides funding for education and training programs to help the mining community better identify, avoid, and prevent unsafe and unhealthy working conditions in and around mines. The program uses grant funds to establish and implement education and training programs, to create training materials and programs, or both. The Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 (MINER Act) requires the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) to give priority to mine safety demonstrations and pilot projects with broad applicability. The MINER Act also mandates that the Secretary emphasize programs and materials that target miners in smaller mines, including training mine operators and miners about new MSHA standards, high-risk activities, and other identified safety and health priorities.

https://www.dol.gov/general/good-jobs/principles

B. EDUCATION AND TRAINING PRIORITIES

MSHA’s priorities for the FY 2024 Brookwood-Sago Grants are: occupational hazards caused by exposures to respirable dust and crystalline silica, powered haulage and mobile equipment safety, mine emergency preparedness, mine rescue, electrical safety, contract and customer truck drivers, lack of training for new and inexperienced miners (including managers and supervisors performing mining tasks), pillar safety for underground mines, lack of personal protective equipment (including falls from heights), and other programs to ensure the safety and health of miners. MSHA is interested in supporting programs emphasizing training on miners’ statutory rights, including the right to be provided a safe and healthy working environment (including Part 90 miners), to refuse an unsafe task, and to have a voice in the safety and health conditions at the mine.

MSHA expects Brookwood-Sago grantees to develop training or educational materials and/or provide mine safety training or educational programs, to recruit mine operators and miners to participate in training, and to conduct and evaluate the training program. MSHA will give special attention to programs and materials that focus on training mine operators and miners about MSHA standards, high-risk activities or hazards identified by MSHA. Special attention will also be given to programs and materials that target small mines and underserved mines and miners0F

1, and to programs and materials which prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

MSHA expects Brookwood-Sago grantees to conduct follow-up evaluations with the people who received training in their programs to measure how the training promotes the DOL’s strategic goal to “Ensure Safe Jobs, Essential Protections, and Fair Workplaces,” and MSHA’s goal to “prevent fatalities, disease, and injury from mining, and secure safe and healthful working conditions for America’s miners.” Evaluations will focus on determining how effective the subject training was in either reducing hazards, improving miners’ skills, or in improving safety and health conditions in mines. Grantees must also fully cooperate with MSHA evaluators, which may include providing MSHA evaluators relevant data, educational or training materials, or information on training methods and equipment.

C. PROGRAM AUTHORITY

The authority for this program is 30 U.S.C. § 965.

1 Applicants may also use various sources to classify underserved mines and miners. For example, the Small Business Administration HUBZone program’s purpose is to employ more people that are in historically underutilized business zones.

HUBZone Map (sba.gov) Another source is the Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization, as published in the Initial Report to the President on Empowering Workers Through Revitalizing Energy Communities in April 2021.

Initial Report to the President on Empowering Workers Through Revitalizing Energy Communities (doe.gov) https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmaps.certify.sba.gov%2Fhubzone%2Fmap%23center%3D39.828200%2C-98.579500%26zoom%3D5&data=04%7C01%7CPolat.Elif.E%40dol.gov%7C266ea939841e4354b21b08d9e2af0d1c%7C75a6305472044e0c9126adab971d4aca%7C0%7C0%7C637790063725651399%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=K7AWuUB4DdMVoZf33X750FYWTPNhPRLyyR08EptdGww%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnetl.doe.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2021-04%2FInitial%2520Report%2520on%2520Energy%2520Communities_Apr2021.pdf&data=04%7C01%7CPolat.Elif.E%40dol.gov%7C266ea939841e4354b21b08d9e2af0d1c%7C75a6305472044e0c9126adab971d4aca%7C0%7C0%7C637790063725661363%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=jdZpoOOpBgGO3Q8%2B6K157ijrcifGq64yFbI%2Fkt6n6bQ%3D&reserved=0

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. AWARD TYPE AND AMOUNT

MSHA will award up to $1,000,000 for the FY 2024 Brookwood-Sago Grant program. The minimum award for an individual grant is $50,000 and the maximum award is $1,000,000.

Applicants requesting less than $50,000 or more than $1,000,000 for a 12-month performance period will not be considered.

B. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The performance period for these grants is for 12 months and will begin when the grant is awarded.

Under 2 C.F.R. § 200.308(e)(2), MSHA may approve one no-cost extension of the period of performance upon reviewing the success of the project and other relevant factors, as determined by the Agency.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Applicants for the grants may be states, territories, and tribal governments (to include the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Federally recognized tribes) and private or public nonprofit entities (this includes tribal organizations, Alaska Native entities, Indian-controlled organizations serving Native Americans and Native Hawaiians). Eligible entities may apply for funding independently or in partnership with other eligible organizations. For partnerships, a lead organization must be identified.

Applicants other than states, state-supported or local government-supported institutions of higher education, territories, tribal governments, and territorial or tribal government-supported institutions of higher education will be required to submit evidence of nonprofit status, preferably from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). A nonprofit entity as described in 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(4), which engages in lobbying activities, is not eligible for a grant award. See 2 U.S.C. § 1611.

Additional Information We are requesting the following information from institutions of higher education for their status as an accepted, recognized, or accredited Minority Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education. If applicable, please identify in your application if you are a Minority Serving Institution, such as African American-serving institution, predominantly black, or Historically Black College and University; Hispanic-serving institution; American Indian and Alaska Native-serving institution; Tribal College and University; and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution. See the following:

ED: Lists of Postsecondary Minority Institutions;

ED: Accredited Postsecondary Minority Institutions (American Indian and Alaskan Native);

Hispanic-Serving Institutions Division - Home Page (ed.gov);

https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww2.ed.gov%2Fabout%2Foffices%2Flist%2Focr%2Fedlite-minorityinst.html&data=04%7C01%7CPolat.Elif.E%40dol.gov%7Cb547c3acbd5d4b91345408da0780d8f5%7C75a6305472044e0c9126adab971d4aca%7C0%7C0%7C637830547213336735%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=2LFMDihQkdlg7m%2F01%2F%2B9L8aT2u0w7Vyj5ko2JmFUwhY%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww2.ed.gov%2Fabout%2Foffices%2Flist%2Focr%2Fedlite-minorityinst-list-pg11-tab.html&data=04%7C01%7CPolat.Elif.E%40dol.gov%7Cb547c3acbd5d4b91345408da0780d8f5%7C75a6305472044e0c9126adab971d4aca%7C0%7C0%7C637830547213336735%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=IZRYJRDSokqXiNhLNR9EgB8Ep%2FVY%2BQVNlI80CE8zNZY%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww2.ed.gov%2Fabout%2Foffices%2Flist%2Fope%2Fidues%2Fhsidivision.html&data=04%7C01%7CPolat.Elif.E%40dol.gov%7Cb547c3acbd5d4b91345408da0780d8f5%7C75a6305472044e0c9126adab971d4aca%7C0%7C0%7C637830547213336735%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=Y%2F9AriaNCR%2BzsyD0N5w%2FZIyw06eQ%2BPX%2FOz13fxNEDp8%3D&reserved=0

Eligibility -- Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Program (ed.gov).

In addition, please identify if the entity providing the training or services (a contractor) is a Minority Serving Institution.

The following organizations may apply:

• State governments

• County governments

• City or township governments

• Special district governments

• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education

• Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized))

• Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)

• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education)

• Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, including labor organizations and unions.

B. COST SHARING OR MATCHING

This program does not require cost sharing or matching funds.

C. OTHER INFORMATION

1. Application Screening Criteria

Applicants should use the checklist below as a guide when preparing an application package to ensure that the application has met all the screening criteria. Note that the checklist is an aid for applicants and should not be included in the application package. We urge applicants to use this checklist to ensure that the application is complete and meets all screening criteria. If the application does not meet all the screening criteria, it will not move forward through the merit review process.

Application Requirement Checklist Instruction Complete The deadline submission requirements are met Section IV.C

Eligibility Section III.A Application Federal funds request is at least $50,000 and does not exceed the ceiling amount of $1,000,000 Section II.A

System for Award Management (SAM) Registration Section IV.B.1 SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance Section IV.B.1

SF-424A, Budget Information Form Section IV.B.2 Budget Narrative Section IV.B.2

Technical Proposal Section IV.B.3 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww2.ed.gov%2Fprograms%2Faanapi%2Feligibility.html&data=04%7C01%7CPolat.Elif.E%40dol.gov%7Cb547c3acbd5d4b91345408da0780d8f5%7C75a6305472044e0c9126adab971d4aca%7C0%7C0%7C637830547213336735%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=2PP%2BAdFSTtTXQrCm28X24ciSgI5Yw1eoMb1Si7W%2BTFs%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww2.ed.gov%2Fprograms%2Faanapi%2Feligibility.html&data=04%7C01%7CPolat.Elif.E%40dol.gov%7Cb547c3acbd5d4b91345408da0780d8f5%7C75a6305472044e0c9126adab971d4aca%7C0%7C0%7C637830547213336735%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=2PP%2BAdFSTtTXQrCm28X24ciSgI5Yw1eoMb1Si7W%2BTFs%3D&reserved=0

Abstract Section IV.B.4 SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Section IV.B.5

Evidence of Non-Profit Status Section IV.B.6

2. Number of Applications

MSHA may award up to 20 grants. An applicant may submit multiple applications, and MSHA will select the applications that are most advantageous in meeting the goals of this program.

3. Eligible Participants

For training provided by grantees, eligible participants are mine operators, miners, and prospective miners.

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. HOW TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION PACKAGE

This announcement includes all information, including forms, regulations, and links needed to apply for this funding opportunity. The full application is available through the Grants.gov website at https://www.grants.gov. You may request paper copies of the package by contacting MSHA’s Grant Office. See Agency Contacts in Part VII.

Applicants must apply for this funding opportunity through the Grants.gov website. If applying online poses a hardship, please notify MSHA as early as possible. Upon request, MSHA will provide applicants all required materials and help applicants submit applications online. Contact MSHA’s Educational Policy and Development staff for additional information. See Agency Contacts in Part VII.

1. FOA

This FOA is available at https://www.grants.gov and contains all the information and links needed to apply for grant funding. Click the “Search Grants” tab and enter the Funding Opportunity Number or Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number and click the search button.

The Funding Opportunity number is FOA-BS-2024-1 and the CFDA number is 17.603. If an applicant has problems downloading the application package from Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support center by clicking on the “Support Center” widget and selecting the “Ask Grant” Chatbot, or receive one-on-one assistance at “Create a Ticket” under “Self-Help Knowledge Base” at “How to Get Help When Using the Grants.gov System – Grants.gov Community Blog (wordpress.com)”

2. FOA Modifications

MSHA will post any modifications to this announcement on Grants.gov. For applicants who request a paper copy of this FOA or notify MSHA regarding hardship in applying online, MSHA will notify applicants of any modifications to the announcement using the contact information provided.

https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://grantsgovprod.wordpress.com/2021/07/07/how-to-get-help-when-using-the-grants-gov-system/

3. Questions

Questions relating to the registration process, system requirements, or the submittal process must be directed to Grants.gov by email at support@grants.gov.

Questions related to this announcement should be submitted to the MSHA’s Educational Policy and Development staff. See Agency Contacts in Part VII.

B. CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

Applications submitted in response to this FOA must consist of five distinct parts:

1. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance (no page limit)

2. Program Budget composed of the SF-424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction

Programs, and Budget Narrative (no page limit)

3. Technical Proposal (not to exceed 12 pages, illustrative material can be submitted as an attachment)

4. Abstract (not to exceed two pages)

5. SF-LLL Form, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

You must ensure that the funding amount requested is consistent across all parts and sub-parts of the application.

1. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

You must complete the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance (OMB Control No. 4040-0004, Exp. Date: 11/30/2025). 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 shall be considered the representative of the applicant.

• In the address field, fill out the nine-digit (plus hyphen) zip code. Nine-digit zip codes can be looked up on the USPS website at https://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupAction!input.action.

• The SF-424 must clearly identify the applicant.

a. Requirement for Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)

Under 2 C.F.R. § 25.200(b)(3), every applicant for a federal grant is required to include a UEI with its application. An applicant enters the UEI number in Block 8 of the SF-424. The UEI is a twelve-digit identification number that uniquely identifies the entity. There is no charge for obtaining a UEI number. To obtain a UEI number, the entity must register at www.SAM.gov. If your entity was registered at SAM.gov, your UEI has been assigned and is viewable at SAM.gov.

mailto:support@grants.gov https://usdol-my.sharepoint.com/personal/luetkenhaus_eric_dol_gov/Documents/All%20FOAs%202020/Application_for#_SF-424%2C_ https://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupAction!input.action http://www.sam.gov/

b. Requirement for Registration with System for Award Management (SAM)

Applicants must register with SAM before submitting an application. Find instructions for registering with SAM at https://www.sam.gov/SAM/.

Grant applicants must create a user account and register online. As part of this registration, all non- Federal registrants in SAM must certify their “Financial Assistance Representations and Certifications” as part of their registration (formerly SF-424B). SAM is the central repository for these representations and certifications. Submitted registrations will take at least 10 business days to process, after which the applicant will receive an email notice that the registration is active. Once the registration is active in SAM, it takes additional time for the registration to be active in Grants.gov.

Registrations expire after one year. Under 2 C.F.R. § 25.200(b)(2), each grant applicant must maintain an active registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application under active Federal consideration. The SAM website recommends that an entity update its SAM registration if it is expiring, or the entity has new information. An expired registration “will affect your ability to receive contract awards or payments, submit assistance award applications via Grants.gov, or receive certain payments from some Federal government agencies.” The Grants.gov website, through which applicants must apply for MSHA grants, advises that it will reject all applications that have an expired SAM registration.

In addition, GSA has implemented procedures for the SAM registration process to prevent fraud.

One such procedure requires all entities to have an original, signed, and notarized letter, formally appointing the authorized Entity Administrator on file. See GSAFSD_kb_articles - GSA Federal Service Desk Service Portal for more information. All applicants need an active SAM registration to apply for the grant under this FOA and should plan accordingly because these fraud prevention procedures may increase the time required to receive an active registration notice.

2. Program Budget and Forms

You must complete the SF-424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (OMB Control No. 4040-0006, Exp. Date: 02/28/2025). The budget Information Form is available at grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-individual-family. In preparing the Budget Information Form, provide a concise narrative explanation to support the budget request, explained in detail below.

a. Budget Narrative

The applicant must provide a concise and detailed narrative explaining the request for funds. The budget narrative should separately attribute the Federal funds to each of the activities specified in the proposal and it should discuss precisely how any administrative costs support the program goals. Administrative costs may be charged as either direct or indirect costs.

Direct costs are those costs “that can be identified specifically with a particular final cost objective, such as a Federal award.” See 2 C.F.R. § 200.413.

The applicable indirect cost rate(s) negotiated by the applicant organization, with the cognizant https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=gsafsd_kb_articles&sys_id=be0ff8331bea9190fe314000f54bcb7e https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=gsafsd_kb_articles&sys_id=be0ff8331bea9190fe314000f54bcb7e https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-individual-family agency (as defined in 2 C.F.R. § 200.1), must be used in computing indirect costs (Facilities and Administration Rate) for a proposed budget based on the modified total direct costs (MTDCs) (as defined in 2 C.F.R. § 200.1). If eligible, the de minimis rate, capped at 10 percent, may be used. It must be calculated based on the MTDCs (as defined in 2 C.F.R. § 200.1). List the total indirect costs that will be charged to the award. Indirect cost rates for the Federal award, including the de minimis rate, are pursuant to 2 C.F.R. § 200.414.

Indirect costs are costs that are not readily identifiable with a particular cost objective but are necessary to the general operation of an organization. To avoid disputes, under 2 C.F.R. § 200.407, a grantee may seek prior written approval from its cognizant agency for indirect costs or from MSHA before incurring costs including special or unusual costs.

If the applicant anticipates earning program income, the budget narrative should account for this.

Program income is gross income earned by the grantee that is directly generated by a supported activity or earned as a result of the award.

b. Identify Costs

MSHA authorizes grantees to use FY 2024 appropriated funds for allowable, allocable, and reasonable expenses incurred by the grantee or any of its contractors.

Personnel: List all staff positions by title and role in the proposed budget. For each position give the annual salary, the percentage of time devoted to the program, a detailed description of their proposed duties, and the amount of each position’s salary funded by the grant.

Fringe Benefits: Provide a breakdown of the amounts of fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA, retirement, etc.

Travel: For grantee staff only, specify the purpose, number of staff traveling, mileage, per diem, estimated number of in-state and out-of-state trips, and other costs for each type of travel.

Equipment: Identify each item of equipment you expect to purchase that has an estimated acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit (or if your capitalization level is less than $5,000, use your capitalization level) and a useful lifetime of more than one year (2 C.F.R. § 200.1 for the definition of Equipment). List the item, quantity, and the unit cost per item. Items with a unit cost of less than $5,000 are supplies, not “equipment.”

Supplies: Identify categories of supplies (e.g., office supplies) in the detailed budget and list the item, quantity, and the unit cost per item. Supplies include all tangible personal property other than equipment (2 C.F.R. § 200.1 for the definition of Supplies).

Contractual: Under the Contractual line item, delineate contracts separately. Contracts are defined according to 2 C.F.R. § 200.1 as a legal instrument by which a non-Federal entity purchases property or services needed to carry out the project or program under a Federal award. For each proposed contract, specify the purpose and activities to be provided and the estimated cost.

Construction: Construction costs are not allowed, and this line must be left as zero. Minor alterations to adjust an existing space for grant activities (such as a classroom alteration) may be allowable. We do not consider this as construction, and you must show the costs on other appropriate lines such as Contractual.

Note that the SF-424, SF-424A, and Budget Narrative must include the entire Federal grant amount requested. Applicants should list the same requested Federal grant amount on the SF-424, SF- 424A, and Budget Narrative. If minor inconsistencies are found between the budget amounts specified on the SF-424, SF-424A, and the Budget Narrative, MSHA will consider the SF-424 the official funding amount requested.

3. Technical Proposal

The technical proposal must demonstrate the applicant’s capabilities to plan and implement a training program or create educational materials to meet the objectives of this solicitation. MSHA’s focus for these grants is on: occupational hazards caused by exposures to respirable dust and crystalline silica, powered haulage and mobile equipment safety, mine emergency preparedness, mine rescue, electrical safety, contract and customer truck drivers, lack of training for new and inexperienced miners (including managers and supervisors performing mining tasks), pillar safety for underground mines, lack of personal protective equipment (including falls from heights), and other programs to ensure the safety and health of miners.

MSHA is also interested in supporting programs emphasizing training on miners’ statutory rights, including the right to be provided a safe and healthy work environment (including Part 90 miners), to refuse to work in unsafe or unhealthy conditions, and to have a voice in the safety and health conditions at the mine. MSHA shall give special emphasis to programs and materials that target smaller mines and underserved mines and miners in the mining industry, and prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

In addition, MSHA will give special emphasis to programs and materials that train mine operators and miners about new MSHA standards, high risk activities, or hazards identified by MSHA. A DOL strategic goal is to “Ensure Safe Job, Essential Protections, and Fair Workplaces,” and MSHA’s goal is to “prevent fatalities, disease, and injury from mining and secure safe and healthful working conditions for America’s miners.” MSHA’s award of the Brookwood-Sago Grants supports these goals and strategies. To show how the grant programs promote these goals and strategies, applicants must provide the following performance data, at the end of each quarter, (as applicable):

a. Number of trainers trained;

b. Number of mine operators and miners trained, separately identifying small and underserved mine operators and miners;

c. Number of training events;

d. Number of course days of training provided to industry;

e. Number of translated training materials;

f. Course evaluations of trainers and training materials; and

g. Description of training materials created that includes target audience, goals and objectives, and usability in the mine training environment.

The technical proposal narrative must not exceed 12 single-sided, double-spaced pages, using 12-point font, and must contain the following sections: Program Design, Overall Qualifications of the Applicant, and Output and Evaluation. Any pages over the 12-page limit will not be reviewed.

Attachments to the technical proposal are not counted toward the 12-page limit. Major sections and sub-sections of the proposal should be divided and clearly identified.

a. Program Design

1. Statement of the Problem/Need for Funds. Applicants must identify a clear and specific need for proposed activities. They must identify whether they are providing a training program, creating educational or training materials, or both. Applicants also must identify the number of individuals expected to benefit from their education or training program;

this should include identifying the type of mines, the geographic locations of the training, and the number of mine operators and miners.

a. Quality of the Program Design MSHA requires that each applicant include a 12-month work plan that correlates with the grant period of performance that will begin no later than [TBD] and end no later than [TBD].

b. Plan Overview

Describe the plan for grant activities and the anticipated results. The plan should describe such things as the development of educational or training materials, the training content, recruiting of trainees, where or how training will take place, the anticipated benefits to mine operators and miners receiving the training. MSHA is also interested in train-the-trainer programs that increase the number of instructors who train miners in another language, miners who are non-English speakers, limited English proficient speakers, or low literacy learners.

c. Activities

Break the plan down into activities or tasks for each quarter. For each activity, explain what will be done, who will do it, when it will be done, and the anticipated results of the activity. For training, discuss the types of training, the length of the training sessions, subjects to be taught (e.g., miners’ rights, occupational hazards caused by exposures to respirable dust and crystalline silica, powered haulage and mobile equipment safety, mine emergency preparedness, mine rescue, electrical safety, contract and customer truck drivers, lack of training for new and inexperienced miners (including managers and supervisors performing mining tasks), pillar safety for underground mines, and lack of personal protective equipment (including falls from heights), and other programs to ensure the safety and health of miners), and training locations (e.g., classroom, worksites). Describe how the applicant will recruit mine operators and miners for the training and identify how the applicant will prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in these training activities. (Note: Any commercially developed training materials the applicant proposes to use in its training must undergo an MSHA review before being used.)

d. Quarterly Projections

For training and other quantifiable activities, estimate the quantities involved for data required to meet the grant goals located in Part IV.B.3. For example, estimate how many classes will be conducted and how many mine operators and miners will be trained each quarter of the grant. Also, provide the estimated training number totals for the full year. Quarterly projections are used to measure the actual performance against the plan. A quarterly technical program report is due 30 days after the end of each quarter. Applicants planning to conduct a train-the-trainer program should estimate the number of individuals to be trained during the grant performance period by those who received the train-the-trainer training. These second-tier training numbers should be included only if the organization is planning to follow up with the trainers to obtain this data during the grant performance period.

e. Materials

Describe each educational and training material to be produced under this grant.

Provide a timetable, including milestones, for developing and producing the materials.

The timetable must include provisions for an MSHA review of draft and camera-ready products. MSHA must review and approve educational or training materials for technical accuracy and suitability of content before use in the grant program. MSHA also must evaluate any equipment for technical accuracy and suitability of content before its use in the grant program. Regardless of whether an applicant’s program is to develop training materials only, the applicant should provide an overall plan that includes time for MSHA to review any materials produced.

b. Qualifications of the Applicant

1. Applicant’s Background

Describe the applicant, including its mission and a description of its membership, if any.

Provide an organizational chart (the chart may be included as a separate page which will not count toward the page limit). Identify the following:

a. Program Director

The Program Director is the person who will be responsible for the day-to-day operation and administration of the program. Provide the name, title, street address and mailing address (if it is different from the organization’s street address), telephone and fax numbers, and email address of the Program Director.

b. Certifying Representative or Authorizing Organization Representative (AOR)

The Certifying Representative, or the AOR, is the official in the organization who is authorized to enter into grant agreements. Provide the name, title, street address and mailing address (if it is different from the organization’s street address), telephone and fax numbers, and email address of the Certifying Representative or AOR.

2. Administrative and Program Capability

Briefly describe the organization’s functions and activities, i.e., the applicant’s management and internal controls. Relate this description of functions to the organizational chart. If the applicant has received any other government (Federal, state, or local) grant funding, the application must have, as an attachment (which will not count towards the page limit), information regarding these previous grants. This information must include each organization for which the work was done and the dollar value of each grant. If the applicant does not have previous grant experience, it may partner with an organization that has grant experience to manage the grant. If the organization uses this approach, the management organization must be identified, and its grant program experience discussed. Lack of experience with Federal grants is not a determining factor, but an applicant should show a successful experience relevant to the opportunity offered in the application. Such experience could also include staff members’ experiences with other organizations.

3. Program Experience

Describe the organization’s experience conducting the proposed mine training program or other relevant experience. Include program specifics such as program title, numbers trained, and duration of training. If creating training materials, include the title of other materials developed. Nonprofit organizations, including community-based and faith-based organizations that do not have prior experience in mine safety, may partner with an established mine safety organization to acquire safety expertise.

4. Staff Experience

Describe the qualifications of the professional staff you will assign to the program. Attach resumes of staff already employed (resumes will not count towards the page limit). If some positions are vacant, include position descriptions and minimum hiring qualifications instead of resumes. Staff should have at a minimum, mining or other equivalent safety and health experience, training experience, or experience working with the mining community.

c. Outputs and Evaluations

There are two types of evaluations that must be conducted. First, describe the methods, approaches, or plans to evaluate the training sessions or training materials to meet the data requirements in Part IV.B.3. Second, describe plans to assess the long-term effectiveness of the training materials or training conducted. The type of training given will determine whether the evaluation should include a process-related outcome, or result-related outcome, or both. This will involve following up with an evaluation, or on-site review, if feasible, of miners trained. The evaluation should focus on what changes the trained miners made to abate hazards and improve workplace conditions, or incorporate this training in the workplace, or both.

For training materials, include an evaluation from individuals trained on the clarity of the presentation, organization, and the quality of the information provided on the subject matter and whether they would continue to use the training materials. Include timetables for follow-up and for submitting a summary of the assessment results to MSHA.

MSHA will review and rate the technical proposal in accordance with the criteria specified in Part V.

4. Abstract

The executive summary is a short one- to two-page abstract that succinctly summarizes the proposed program. The executive summary must include the following information:

a. Applicant. Provide the organization’s full legal name and address.

b. Funding requested. List how much Federal funding is being requested.

c. Grant Topic. List the grant topic and the location and number of mine operators and miners that the organization has selected to train or describe the training materials or equipment to be created with these funds.

d. Summary of the Proposed Program. Write a summary of the proposed program. This summary must identify the key points of the proposal, including an introduction describing the program activities and each milestone with expected results. It should also include any significant or innovative activities, or if the training provides opportunities for broad applicability.

5. Supplemental Certification Regarding Lobbying Activities

All applicants must comply with 29 C.F.R. Part 93 and provide a certification using SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (OMB Control No. 4040-0006, Exp. Date: 02/28/2025).

6. Evidence of Non-Profit Status

Applicants other than states, state-supported or local government-supported institutions of higher education, territories, tribal governments, territorial and tribal-supported institutions of higher education will be required to submit evidence of nonprofit status, preferably from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

7. Accounting System Certification

Under 2 C.F.R. § 200.208, a new applicant that receives less than $1,000,000 annually in Federal grants must attach a certification stating that the organization (directly or through a designated qualified entity) has a functioning accounting system that meets the criteria below. The certification should attest that the organization’s accounting system provides for the following:

a. Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federally sponsored program.

b. Records that adequately identify the source and application of funds for Federally sponsored activities.

c. Effective control over and accountability for all funds, property, and other assets.

d. Comparison of outlays with budget amounts.

e. Written procedures to minimize the time between transfers of funds.

f. Written procedures for determining the reasonableness, allocability, and allowability of costs.

g. Accounting records, including cost accounting records that are supported by source documentation.

C. SUBMISSION DATE, TIME, PROCESS, AND ADDRESS

The closing date for receipt of applications under this announcement will be 60 days after the FOA is posted on Grants.gov (no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT). Grant applications must be submitted electronically through the Grants.gov website. The Grants.gov site provides all the information needed to apply electronically through the site. Interested parties can locate the downloadable application package using the CFDA Number 17.603 or the Funding Opportunity Number FOA-

BS-2024-1.

Applications received by Grants.gov are date and time-stamped electronically. Once an interested party has applied, Grants.gov will notify the interested party with two emails within two business days. The applicant will receive the following:

• A submission receipt confirmation email; and

• Either a submission validation receipt email or a rejection email message.

The submission receipt confirmation email will contain a tracking number. An applicant may check an application’s status on Grants.gov using the tracking number. See “Track My Application” at grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/track-my-application/. The web page also links to Applicant FAQs regarding applications.

Hard-Copy Submission If an application is physically submitted by both hard copy and through Grants.gov, a letter must accompany the hard-copy application stating which application to review. If no letter accompanies the hard copy, we will review the copy submitted through Grants.gov.

All applications submitted in hard copy by mail or hand delivery (including overnight delivery) must be received at the address below by the specified closing date and time. Applicants submitting applications in hard copy by mail or hand delivery must submit a “copy-ready” version free of bindings, staples, or protruding tabs to ease in the reproduction of the application by DOL.

We will grant no exceptions to the mailing and delivery requirements set forth in this notice.

Further, we will not accept documents submitted separately from the application, before or after the deadline, as part of the application.

Mail applications to the:

U.S. Department of Labor Mine Safety and Health Administration Attention: Nancy E. Sloanhoffer, Grant Officer Reference FOA-BS-2024-1 201 12th Street South Arlington, Virginia 22202 https://www.grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/track-my-application/

Please note that mail decontamination procedures may delay mail delivery in the Washington, D.C.

area. We will receive hand-delivered applications at the above address between 7:30am to 4:00pm Monday through Friday, except for Federal holidays. All overnight- delivery submissions will be hand-delivered and must be received at the designated place by [insert date that is sixty days after publication on Grants.gov].

Applications must be fully uploaded and validated by the Grants.gov system before the application deadline.

D. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

The Brookwood-Sago Grants are not subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.” MSHA reminds applicants that if they are not operating MSHA- approved state training grants, they should contact the state grantees and coordinate any training or educational program. Information about each state grant and the entity operating the state grant is provided online at https://www.msha.gov/state-grant-participants.

E. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

MSHA will determine whether costs are allowable under the applicable Federal cost principles identified in Part VI.C. and other conditions contained in the grant award.

1. Allowable Costs

Grant funds may be spent on conducting training and outreach, developing educational materials, recruiting activities (to include increasing the number of participants in the program), and on necessary expenses to support these activities. Allowable costs are determined by the applicable Federal cost principles identified in Part VI, which are attachments in the application package.

These documents are also located on www.msha.gov: select “Training and Education,” click on “Training Programs and Courses,” then select “Administrative Standards and Provisions” or at Administrative Standards and Provisions | Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Paper copies of the material may be obtained by contacting MSHA. See Contacts in Part VII.

2. Program Income

If an applicant anticipates earning program income during the grant, the application must include an estimate of the income that will be earned. Program income earned must be reported on a quarterly basis.

Program income is gross income earned by the grantee, which is directly generated by a supported activity, or earned as a result of the award. Program income earned during the award period shall be retained by the grantee, added to funds committed to the award, and used for the purposes and under the conditions applicable to the use of the grant funds. See 2 C.F.R.§§ 200.1 and 200.307.

3. Unallowable Costs

Grant funds may not be used for the following activities under this grant program:

https://www.msha.gov/state-grant-participants http://www.msha.gov/ https://www.msha.gov/training/brookwood-sago-mine-safety-grants/administrative-standards-and-provisions

a. Any activity inconsistent with the goals and objectives of this FOA.

b. Training on topics that are not targeted under this FOA.

c. Purchasing any equipment unless pre-approved in writing by the MSHA grant officer.

d. Direct administrative cost that exceeds 15 percent of the total grant budget.

e. Indirect costs that exceed 10 percent of the modified total direct cost (as defined in 2 C.F.R. § 200.1), or the grantee’s Federally negotiated indirect cost rate of reimbursement.

f. Any pre-award costs.

g. Building an IT system. If a learning management system is proposed, an existing system from a partnering institution, an MSHA grantee, or USALearning.gov must be used.

DOL policy prefers the learning management system be created with reusable and open-source software to permit the system to be freely available for use in the mining or other industry.

Unallowable costs also include any cost determined by MSHA as not allowed according to the applicable cost principles or other conditions in the grant.

4. MSHA Review of Educational Materials

MSHA will review all grantee-produced educational and training materials for technical accuracy and suitability of content during development and before final publication. Grantees developing training and educational materials must follow all copyright laws and provide written certification that their materials are free from copyright infringement.

When grantees produce training and educational materials, they must provide copies of completed materials to MSHA before the end of the grant period. Completed materials should be submitted to MSHA in hard copy and in digital format for publication on the MSHA website. Two hard copies of the materials must be provided to MSHA. Acceptable digital formats for training materials include Microsoft Word, PDF, PowerPoint, and any other format agreed upon by MSHA.

The grantee must provide the name of each information technology platform and software used in each training project and type of license. If the training project uses open-source software, the grantee must also provide:

1. the licenses of open-source software;

2. whether the project modified codes;

3. whether it includes source or binary code and where the code is located;

4. whether it includes proprietary code and where it is linked; and

5. any instructions, to include installation and other notices.

For example, the final copy of a training project with a Copyleft license, a General Public license, requires the final project to include the source or binary codes with the project or as an attachment, and other notices.

5. License

As stated in 2 C.F.R. § 200.315, the Department of Labor has a royalty-free, nonexclusive, and irrevocable right to reproduce, publish, or otherwise use for Federal purposes any work produced, or for which ownership was acquired, under a grant, and to authorize others to do so. Such products include, but are not limited to: curricula, training models, technical assistance products, and any related materials. Such uses include, but are not limited to: the right to modify and distribute such products or data for Federal purposes, and to authorize others to use such products or data.

If a grantee purchases a non-Federally funded…