CDET NTTP Underserved Training NOFO_JULY_2021_SAL.pdf

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Cybersecurity Workforce Development and Training Pilot for Underserved Communities

NOTE: If you are going to apply for this funding opportunity and have not obtained a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and/or are not currently registered in the System for Award Management (SAM), please take immediate action to obtain a DUNS Number, if applicable, and then to register immediately in SAM. It may take 4 weeks or more after you submit your SAM registration before your registration is active in SAM, then an additional 24 hours for Grants.gov to recognize your information. Information on obtaining a DUNS number and registering in SAM is available from Grants.gov at:

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html. Detailed information regarding DUNS and SAM is also provided in Section D of this NOFO.

Table of Contents A. Program Description

1. Issued By

2. Assistance Listing Number

3. Assistance Listings Title (formerly CFDA Title)

4. Funding Opportunity Title

5. Funding Opportunity Number

6. Authorizing Authority for Program

7. Appropriation Authority for Program

8. Announcement Type

9. Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities

10. Performance Measures

B. Federal Award Information

1. Available Funding for the NOFO:

2. Projected number of Awards (Optional):

3. Period of Performance:

4. Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s):

5. Projected Period of Performance End Date(s):

6. Funding Instrument Type

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

2. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

3. Required Partners

4. Optional Partners http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html

4. Cost Share or Match

5. Eligible Participants

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Key Dates and Times

2. Agreeing to Terms and Conditions of the Award

3. Address to Request Application Package

4. Steps Required to Submit an Application

5. Electronic Delivery

6. How to Register to Apply through Grants.gov

7. How to Submit an Application to DHS via Grants.gov

8. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

9. Content and Form of Application Submission

10. Form SF-424 – Application for Federal Assistance

11. Form SF-424A – Budget

12. Budget Narrative (10 points total) 13.Program Narrative (90 points total)

14. Other Submission Requirements

15. Intergovernmental Review

16. Funding Restrictions

17. Allowable Costs

E. Application Review Information

1. Application Evaluation Criteria

2. Review and Selection Process

G. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Notice of Award

2. Pass-Through Requirements (if applicable)

3. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

4. Reporting

5. Monitoring and Oversight

H. DHS Awarding Agency Contact Information

1. Contact and Resource Information

I. Additional Information

1. Period of Performance Extensions

APPENDIX A: PROGRAM DESIGN AND ALLOWABLE ACTIVITIES

APPENDIX B: SUGGESTED WORK PLAN TABLE

APPENDIX C: PERFORMANCE OUTCOME MEASURES TABLE

APPENDIX D: SUGGESTED PERFORMANCE PROGRESS REPORT (PPR)

A. Program Description

1. Issued By

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

2. Assistance Listings (formerly Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number)

97.127

3. Assistance Listings Title (formerly CFDA Title)

Cybersecurity Education and Training

4. Funding Opportunity Title Cybersecurity Workforce Development and Training Pilot for Underserved Communities

5. Funding Opportunity Number

DHS-21-CISA-127-CWDT001

6. Authorizing Authority for Program Section 102(b)(2) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended (6 U.S.C. § 112 (b)(2)).

7. Appropriation Authority for Program Public Law 116-260 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. Division F – Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2021. Title III Protection, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

8. Announcement Type Initial

9. Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities

Program Overview The nature of the cybersecurity threat to America is growing, and our nation’s cyber adversaries move with speed and stealth. In alignment with the Department of Homeland Security’s Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2020-2024, it is imperative to not only secure cyberspace and critical infrastructure, but we must also strengthen our preparedness and resilience. We therefore must ensure equal access to professional development opportunities to fill the current near half million cyber vacancies across our country and to prevent future shortages that threaten our ability to compete. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Cyber Defense Education & Training (CDET) is committed to strengthening the nation’s Federal and national cybersecurity workforce through standardizing roles and helping to ensure we have well-trained cybersecurity professionals today as well as a strong pipeline of future cybersecurity leaders tomorrow.

https://www.dhs.gov/publication/department-homeland-securitys-strategic-plan-fiscal-years-2020-2024?topics=all https://www.dhs.gov/publication/department-homeland-securitys-strategic-plan-fiscal-years-2020-2024?topics=all

Strengthening our cybersecurity workforce requires diverse perspectives from communities that represent America. Increasing the number of cybersecurity professionals within underserved communities is key to the success of our nation. These professionals are critical in both private industry and the government for the security of the nation.

Furthermore, the retention of individuals with these skills is an important element in the development of our Nation’s cybersecurity workforce. As the nation responds to ongoing rapid technological changes and advances, the non-traditional workforce system plays an essential part in providing a skilled workforce to fill critical shortages. Non-traditional technical training providers (NTTPs) are entities that actively provide cybersecurity training, internships, apprenticeships, and/or other hands-on exposure to meets the dynamic needs the cybersecurity workplace. To remain competitive, our nation will need to reimagine how it educates and trains entry-level cyber professionals.

CDET seeks to award a new cooperative agreement for a pilot titled “Cybersecurity Workforce Development and Training Pilot for Underserved Communities” in fiscal year 2021. The activities contemplated in this agreement advance CISA’s mission as defined in authorities within the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Act of 2018, specifically as it relates to providing shared situational awareness to enable real-time, integrated, and operational actions across the Federal Government and non-Federal entities to address cybersecurity risks and incidents. The activities contemplated in the agreement directly support the Department of Homeland Security mission areas to safeguard and secure cyberspace. This cooperative agreement seeks to fund applicants to develop a scalable and replicable proof of concept that can respond to cyber eco-system challenges.

This cooperative agreement also seeks to leverage the unrealized cybersecurity talent of underserved communities through established or emerging non-traditional technical training providers that create or enhance existing entry-level training and apprenticeship programs. Additionally, to optimize and expand existing cybersecurity training and apprenticeship programs, the development and implementation of a comprehensive cybersecurity pathways retention strategy to address apprenticeship-to-placement engagement, is needed. Expanding apprenticeships helps the Federal government, state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) entities, as well as, traditional employers with their current and future workforce needs. Applicants will work collaboratively to align resources in response to workforce demand and to offer innovative job training solutions that generate positive outcomes and results.

Eligible non-traditional technical training providers applying for this cooperative agreement must be nonprofit organizations. Eligible participants served through this cooperative agreement program must be at least 17 years old. Among the individuals eligible to receive training, those of interest include individuals from underserved communities seeking full-time employment into entry-level skilled cybersecurity positions.

Program Objectives All applicants should clearly state how the following objectives would be addressed in the proposed pilot:

Objective 1: Develop and implement a comprehensive cybersecurity pathways retention strategy to address apprenticeship-to-placement engagement.

Objective 2: Deliver entry-level cybersecurity training covering both national and regional cybersecurity challenges to underserved communities through the development of an engaging training hub (virtual or a hybrid combination of virtual and in-person) connecting participants and employers, in one or more CISA regions.

Objective 3: Develop and implement an apprenticeship program for entry-level cybersecurity professionals, in one or more CISA regions.

Objective 4: Decrease the cybersecurity workforce shortage by placing apprenticeship graduates into entry-level cybersecurity jobs, in one or more CISA regions.

Program Priorities

• Participants are selected from underserved communities

• Participants complete a NICE Framework-mapped cybersecurity training curriculum

• Participants are competitive and selected for apprenticeships

• Participants are competitive and selected for entry-level cybersecurity jobs

• Applicant reaches participants and employers in one or more CISA regions

• Applicant provides a sharable NICE Framework-mapped training curriculum

• Applicant submits proof of concept with recommendations to replicate on larger scale

10. Performance Measures

See Appendix C

B. Federal Award Information

1. Available Funding for the NOFO: Up to $2,000,000.00 total

2. Projected number of Awards (Optional): Up to 2 (approx. $1,000,000 per award)

3. Period of Performance: 36 months

4. Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): 10/01/2021

5. Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): 09/30/2024

6. Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement

DHS will exercise substantial programmatic involvement through this cooperative agreement. This includes conducting site visits and quarterly monitoring of project progress; providing technical assistance; overseeing agency review and approval required at the completion of one stage of the work prior to moving on to subsequent phases;

reviewing and approving of sub-grants that exceed standard regulatory approvals; work plans or modifications thereto; holding kickoff meetings; conducting bi-annual programmatic reviews; coordinating standards development and self-certification activities.

C. Eligibility Information

Non-traditional technical training providers (NTTPs) are entities that actively provide cybersecurity training, internships, apprenticeships, and/or other hands-on exposure to meets the dynamic needs the cybersecurity workplace. Eligible non-traditional technical training providers applying for this cooperative agreement must be nonprofit organizations.

1. Eligible Applicants

a. Nonprofit organizations, other than institutions of higher education, described under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such code.

b. Nonprofit organizations, other than institutions of higher education, that are not described under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such code.

2. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

a. Target Community. Applicants must have experience delivering training targeting underserved communities. Examples of underserved communities are women, people with different physical and cognitive abilities, indigenous, rural, LGBTQ+, and racial/ethnic minorities.

b. Past Performance. It is not a requirement to have a fully established apprenticeship program prior to the time of applying to this cooperative agreement. Past performance in delivering cybersecurity training is required.

c. Deadlines. DHS will not accept late applications. Without exception, applications must be received by Grants.gov on or before the deadline in this announcement or they will not be considered.

d. Application Relevance. Applications that do not address the purpose of this announcement will not be considered.

e. Compliance and Completeness. Applications must substantially comply with the application submission instructions and requirements in this announcement or they will not be considered.

f. Funding Limits. Applications exceeding the funding limits will not be considered.

3. Required Partners We encourage applicants to forge robust partnerships to implement the cooperative agreement and to sustain activities beyond the performance period. To ensure that projects have strong and sustained employer engagement, applicants are required to partner with at least two employers or industry/trade associations that align with the needs of employers with entry-level skilled cybersecurity needs. An industry/trade association, also known as an industry trade group, business association, sector association, or industry body, is an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific industry. The employer partner(s) will play an important role in supporting grant success with respect to employer engagement and career pathways.

4. Optional Partners We strongly encourage applicants to collaborate with other partners that can support and advance the work of bolstering the cybersecurity workforce. These include state, local, tribal, and territorial entities. Other organizations include those functioning as workforce and industry intermediaries (including entities such as workforce development entities, labor-management organizations, community-based organizations, and industry associations, which help broker local, regional, and national workforce solutions);

foundations and philanthropic organizations; Federal agencies; providers of supportive and specialized services; and disability service providers.

4. Cost Share or Match There is no cost share requirement for this program. There is no preference factor if an applicant voluntarily shares or matches costs.

5. Eligible Participants The intent of this cooperative agreement is to fund a pilot program which will enable non-traditional technical training provider(s) to provide in-demand training to individuals who will gain the skills and competencies required to enter entry-level skilled cybersecurity jobs. Eligible participants served through this cooperative agreement program must be at least 17 years old. Among the individuals eligible to receive training, those of particular interest in this cooperative agreement are those that specifically from underserved communities seeking full-time employment into entry-level skilled cybersecurity positions.

Where individuals lack previous cybersecurity training and/or experience, it should not be a barrier to participating in this pilot.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Key Dates and Times

a. Application Start Date: 07/13/2021

b. Application Submission Deadline: 08/25/2021 at 11:59:59 PM ET

c. Anticipated Funding Selection Date: No later than 09/17/2021

d. Anticipated Award Date: No later than 09/24/2021

e. Other Key Dates

2. Agreeing to Terms and Conditions of the Award By submitting an application, applicants agree to comply with the requirements of this NOFO and the terms and conditions of the award, should they receive an award.

3. Address to Request Application Package

Application forms and instructions are available at Grants.gov. To access these materials, go to http://www.grants.gov.

For a hardcopy of the full NOFO, please write to:

Sean Lilly, Grants Officer sean.lilly@hq.dhs.gov, In addition, the following Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) and/or Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) number available for this Notice is: 1-800-518-4726 (Grants.gov Help Desk).

Applications will be processed through the Grants.gov portal.

4. Steps Required to Submit an Application, Unique Entity Identifier, and System for

Award Management (SAM)

To apply for an award under this program, all applicants must:

Event Suggested Deadline for Completion Obtaining DUNS Number 07/06/2021 Obtaining a valid EIN 07/06/2021 Updating SAM registration 07/06/2021 Starting application in Grants.gov

07/26/2021 http://www.grants.gov/

a. Apply for, update, or verify their Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number from Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) and Employer ID Number (EIN)

b. In the application, provide a valid Data Universal Numbering System DUNS number, which is currently the unique entity identifier;

c. Have an account with login.gov;

d. Register for, update, or verify their SAM account and ensure the account is active before submitting the application;

e. Create a Grants.gov account;

f. Add a profile to a Grants.gov account;

g. Establish an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) in Grants.gov;

h. Submit an initial application in Grants.gov;

i. Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information, including information on a recipient’s immediate and highest level owner and subsidiaries, as well on all predecessors that have been awarded a Federal contract or grant within the last 3 years, if applicable, at all times during which it has an active federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a federal awarding agency.

Applicants are advised that DHS may not make a federal award until the applicant has complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM requirements. Therefore, an applicant’s SAM registration must be active not only at the time of application, but also during the application review period and when DHS is ready to make a federal award. Further, as noted above, an applicant’s or recipient’s SAM registration must remain active for the duration of an active federal award. If an applicant’s SAM registration is expired at the time of application, expires during application review, or expires any other time before award, DHS may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a federal award to another applicant.

5. Electronic Delivery

DHS is participating in the Grants.gov initiative to provide the grant community with a single site to find and apply for grant funding opportunities. DHS encourages or requires applicants to submit their applications online through Grants.gov, depending on the funding opportunity. For this funding opportunity, the DHS Grants and Financial Assistance Division requires applicants to submit applications through Grants.gov.

6. How to Register to Apply through Grants.gov

a. Instructions: Registering in Grants.gov is a multi-step process. Read the instructions below about registering to apply for DHS funds. Applicants should read the registration instructions carefully and prepare the information requested before beginning the registration process. Reviewing and assembling the required information before beginning the registration process will alleviate last-minute searches for required information.

https://www.login.gov/

The registration process can take up to four weeks to complete. Therefore, registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact your ability to meet required application submission deadlines.

Organizations must have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number, active System for Award Management (SAM) registration, and Grants.gov account to apply for grants. If individual applicants are eligible to apply for this grant funding opportunity, then you may begin with step 3, Create a Grants.gov account, listed below.

Creating a Grants.gov account can be completed online in minutes, but DUNS and SAM registrations may take several weeks. Therefore, an organization's registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact the entity's ability to meet required application submission deadlines. Complete organization instructions can be found on Grants.gov here:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html

1) Obtain a DUNS Number: All entities applying for funding, including renewal funding, must have a DUNS number from Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). Applicants must enter the DUNS number in the data entry field labeled "Organizational DUNS" on the SF-424 form.

For more detailed instructions for obtaining a DUNS number, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html

2) Register with SAM: All organizations applying online through Grants.gov must register with the System for Award Management (SAM). Failure to register with SAM will prevent your organization from applying through Grants.gov. SAM registration must be renewed annually.

For more detailed instructions for registering with SAM, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html

3) Create a Grants.gov Account: The next step is to register an account with Grants.gov. Follow the on-screen instructions or refer to the detailed instructions here: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html

4) Add a Profile to a Grants.gov Account: A profile in Grants.gov corresponds to a single applicant organization the user represents (i.e., an applicant) or an individual applicant. If you work for or consult with multiple organizations and have a profile for each, you may log in to one Grants.gov account to access all of your grant applications. To add an organizational profile to your Grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html account, enter the DUNS Number for the organization in the DUNS field while adding a profile.

For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/add-profile.html

5) EBiz POC Authorized Profile Roles: After you register with Grants.gov and create an Organization Applicant Profile, the organization applicant's request for Grants.gov roles and access is sent to the EBiz POC. The EBiz POC will then log in to Grants.gov and authorize the appropriate roles, which may include the AOR role, thereby giving you permission to complete and submit applications on behalf of the organization. You will be able to submit your application online any time after you have been assigned the AOR role.

For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/authorize-roles.html

6) Track Role Status: To track your role request, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/track-role-status.html

7) Electronic Signature: When applications are submitted through Grants.gov, the name of the organization applicant with the AOR role that submitted the application is inserted into the signature line of the application, serving as the electronic signature. The EBiz POC must authorize people who are able to make legally binding commitments on behalf of the organization as a user with the AOR role; this step is often missed, and it is crucial for valid and timely submissions.

7. How to Submit an Application to DHS via Grants.gov

Grants.gov applicants can apply online using Workspace. Workspace is a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different webforms within an application. For each NOFO, you can create individual instances of a workspace.

Below is an overview of applying on Grants.gov. For access to complete instructions on how to apply for opportunities using Workspace, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html

a. Create a Workspace: Creating a workspace allows you to complete it online and route it through your organization for review before submitting.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/add-profile.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/authorize-roles.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/track-role-status.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html

b. Complete a Workspace: Add participants to the workspace to work on the application together, complete all the required forms online or by downloading PDF versions, and check for errors before submission. The Workspace progress bar will display the state of your application process as you apply. As you apply using Workspace, you may click the blue question mark icon near the upper-right corner of each page to access context-sensitive help.

c. Adobe Reader: If you decide not to apply by filling out webforms you can download individual PDF forms in Workspace. The individual PDF forms can be downloaded and saved to your local device storage, network drive(s), or external drives, then accessed through Adobe Reader.

NOTE: Visit the Adobe Software Compatibility page on Grants.gov to download the appropriate version of the software at:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html

d. Mandatory Fields in Forms: In the forms, you will note fields marked with an asterisk and a different background color. These fields are mandatory fields that must be completed to successfully submit your application.

e. Complete SF-424 Fields First: The forms are designed to fill in common required fields across other forms, such as the applicant name, address, and DUNS number.

To trigger this feature, an applicant must complete the SF-424 information first.

Once it is completed, the information will transfer to the other forms.

f. Submit a Workspace: An application may be submitted through workspace by clicking the Sign and Submit button on the Manage Workspace page, under the Forms tab. Grants.gov recommends submitting your application package at least 24- 48 hours prior to the close date to provide you with time to correct any potential technical issues that may disrupt the application submission.

g. Track a Workspace Submission: After successfully submitting a workspace application, a Grants.gov Tracking Number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) is automatically assigned to the application. The number will be listed on the Confirmation page that is generated after submission. Using the tracking number, access the Track My Application page under the Applicants tab or the Details tab in the submitted workspace.

For additional training resources, including video tutorials, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html

Applicant Support: Grants.gov provides applicants 24/7 support via the toll-free number 1- 800-518-4726 and email at support@grants.gov. For questions related to the specific grant https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html mailto:support@grants.gov opportunity, contact the number listed in the application package of the grant you are applying for.

If you are experiencing difficulties with your submission, it is best to call the Grants.gov Support Center and get a ticket number. The Support Center ticket number will assist DHS with tracking your issue and understanding background information on the issue.

8. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

Online Submission. All applications must be received by 11:59 P.M. Eastern time on the due date established for each program. Proof of timely submission is automatically recorded by Grants.gov. An electronic date/time stamp is generated within the system when the application is successfully received by Grants.gov. The applicant with the AOR role who submitted the application will receive an acknowledgement of receipt and a tracking number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) from Grants.gov with the successful transmission of their application. This applicant with the AOR role will also receive the official date/time stamp and Grants.gov Tracking number in an email serving as proof of their timely submission.

When DHS successfully retrieves the application from Grants.gov, and acknowledges the download of submissions, Grants.gov will provide an electronic acknowledgment of receipt of the application to the email address of the applicant with the AOR role who submitted the application. Again, proof of timely submission shall be the official date and time that Grants.gov receives your application. Applications received by Grants.gov after the established due date for the program will be considered late and will not be considered for funding by DHS.

Applicants using slow internet, such as dial-up connections, should be aware that transmission can take some time before Grants.gov receives your application. Again, Grants.gov will provide either an error or a successfully received transmission in the form of an email sent to the applicant with the AOR role attempting to submit the application.

The Grants.gov Support Center reports that some applicants end the transmission because they think that nothing is occurring during the transmission process. Please be patient and give the system time to process the application.

9. Content and Form of Application Submission All applications must submit all required forms and required documents listed in this section. Applications missing any of the required forms or documents listed in this section may not be considered for review. The Project Narrative is limited to 25 double-spaced single-sided 8.5 x 11 inch pages with Times New Roman 12-point text font and 1-inch margins. You must number the Project Narrative beginning with page number 1. We will not read or consider any materials beyond the specified page limit in the application review process. The Budget and Budget Narrative do not count against the page limit requirements for the Project Narrative.

The following instructions provide all of the information needed to complete the Budget, Budget Narrative, and Project Narrative. Carefully read and consider each section, and include all required information in your Budget, Budget Narrative, and Project Narrative.

The agency will evaluate the Budget, Budget Narrative, and Project Narrative using the evaluation criteria identified in Section F.1. You must use the same section headers identified below for each section of the Budget Narrative and Project Narrative. Total points used to evaluate the narratives equal 100 points.

REQUIRED FORMS

10. Form SF-424 – Application for Federal Assistance

Complete the SF-424 application form. This form may be completed on the Grants.gov website or it can be completed offline in its entirety.

NOTE: Applications submitted through Grants.gov must use the SF-424 provided by Grants.gov. The SF-424 application forms can only be viewed and downloaded once Adobe Reader has been installed. The SF-424 application form on Grants.gov is formatted so applicants are only required to complete fields which are indicated with an asterisk (*) and color coded. Once the application is complete, close the document (you will then be prompted to save changes or not).

11. Form SF-424A – Budget

Complete the budget in its entirety. Provide budget amounts by object class (salaries, fringe, travel, indirect, etc.). Funds may be requested as long as the item and amount are necessary to perform the proposed work and are not precluded by the cost principles or program funding restrictions. Additional guidance on how to complete the Form SF-424A can be found at:

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms.html.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

12. Budget Narrative (10 points total)

The Budget Narrative must provide a description of costs associated with each line item on the SF-424A. The Budget Narrative should also include a section describing any leveraged resources provided (as applicable) to support cooperative agreement activities. Leveraged resources are all resources, both cash and in-kind, in excess of this award. Applicants are encouraged to leverage resources to increase stakeholder investment in the project and broaden the impact of the project itself. Each category should include the total cost for the period of performance. Use the following guidance for preparing the Budget Narrative.

The Budget Narrative should detail the proposed use of pilot funds in achieving projected outcomes. The Budget Narrative should address how the funds allocated to each eligible activity will be spent and how costs were determined for the following cost purposes:

a. Planning Costs (2 points) The Budget Narrative must identify the planning activities on which proposed costs will be spent each year. Provide detail on proposed activities.

b. Personnel and Contractual Costs (2 points) The Budget Narrative must include any personnel costs including, employee fringe benefit costs, travel costs, and supplies.

Additional items, such as, contractual costs for any goods and services must also be included.

c. Training Costs (4 points) The Budget Narrative must provide detail on proposed numbers of apprenticeship selectees to be trained (pre-apprenticeship/entry-level cybersecurity training and hands on apprenticeship experience), number of days of training, location of training, outcomes expected.

d. Equipment Purchase Costs (2 points) Each activity that proposes equipment purchase must provide a line-item cost breakout of equipment, including equipment description, unit cost, and quantity proposed for purchase. All equipment purchases will be reviewed by the Program Office.

13. Program Narrative (90 points total)

The Program Narrative must demonstrate the applicant’s capability to implement the cooperative agreement pilot in accordance with the provisions of this announcement. It provides a comprehensive framework and description of all aspects of the proposed program. It must be succinct, self-explanatory, and well-organized so that reviewers can understand the proposed program. The application must include a program narrative that provides a detailed overview description of the proposed pilot and thoroughly addresses the objectives. Provide or describe the following:

a. Pilot Title (0 points)

Applicants must provide a title of this pilot as identified in this announcement.

b. Communities Served (10 points) Applicants must provide a clear identification and description of the specific target communities that will be served through the pilot, as identified in Section D.1 Eligible Participants. The description of target communities must include demographic characteristics, skill levels, and an explanation of how the target community or communities will meet the requirements of this cooperative agreement.

c. Jurisdictional and Geographic Area(s) (3 points)

Applicants must provide the county or other equivalent jurisdiction in which the pilot is located and any other counties or jurisdictions that will benefit from this pilot.

d. Eligibility Status (0 points) Applicants must provide information confirming its status as a nonprofit organizations, other than institutions of higher education, described under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such code, or nonprofit organizations, other than institutions of higher education, that are not described under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such code. Any of the following is acceptable evidence of nonprofit status: (a) a reference to the applicant organization’s listing in the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt organizations described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code; (b) a copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate; (c) a statement from a State taxing body, State Attorney General, or other appropriate State Official certifying that the applicant organization has a nonprofit status and that none of the net earnings accrue to any private shareholders or individuals; (d) a certified copy of the organization’s certificate of incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes nonprofit status; (e) any of the above proof for a State or national parent organization and a statement signed by the parent organization that the applicant organization is a local nonprofit affiliate.

e. Expected Pilot Outcomes (12 points) Applicants must clearly identify outcomes that the pilot will achieve as a direct result of the proposed activities. Applicants must propose to serve a specific number of participants based on the size of the award requested and local area considerations, such as employer demand and the community of the proposed service area. The outcomes must address the filling entry-level cybersecurity jobs by underserved communities, including risks. Outcomes are measurable characteristics that directly result from the implementation of specific pilot design activities.

Applicants must include numerical outcome projections for outcome measures 1-10, and percentage rates for outcome measures 11-12 identified below and defined in Appendix C. Applicants must provide raw numbers and percentages for each of the target outcome measures below; otherwise, they will not receive full points. Percent increases, or other types of data projections, are not acceptable. These will be three-year targets for the performance period of the cooperative agreement. Successful applicants will be required to provide updated annual and cumulative outcome targets throughout the performance period of the cooperative agreement. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency uses these annual targets to better track performance and provide technical assistance support to help recipients meet their three-year outcome goals.

PERFORMANCE OUTCOME MEASURES

Performance Outcomes

Targets

1 Total employers reached (annual and cumulative 3-year total)

2 Total CISA regions where participants are enrolled in pre-apprenticeship activities (annual and cumulative 3-year total)

3 Total CISA regions where participants are enrolled in apprenticeship activities (annual and cumulative 3-year total)

4 Total participants reached (annual and

5 Total participants enrolled in pre-apprenticeship training activities (annual

6 Total participants who complete pre-apprenticeship training activities (annual

7 Total participants enrolled in apprenticeship activities (annual and

8 Total participants who complete apprenticeship activities (annual and

9 Total participants who complete training and apprenticeship activities and receive an interview for employment (annual and

10 Total number of participants who complete training and apprenticeship activities and obtain employment (annual and cumulative 3-year total)

11 Total percentage of participants who complete training and apprenticeship activities and receive an interview for employment (annual and cumulative 3-year total)

12 Total percentage of participants who complete training and apprenticeship activities and obtain employment (annual

The performance outcomes table must be submitted as a separate attachment and does not count against the page limit of the Project Narrative.

f. Proposed Pilot Design (45 points)

Scoring under this criterion is based on how the proposed pilot’s design will be implemented. Applicants must describe a clear, realistic (plausible) plan in a narrative format. This includes proposed outreach, training, apprenticeship, and may also include supportive services designed to assist participants to successfully be hired into entry-level cybersecurity jobs. For the purposes of scoring, applicants must provide the following:

i. Cybersecurity Pathways Retention Strategy (25 points)

1. Thorough description of how the proposed training and apprenticeship activities for the pilot will meet the needs of employers, support the achievement of the proposed training and apprenticeship outcomes, and will lead to entry-level skilled cybersecurity jobs; (4 points)

2. Thorough description of the depth of the applicant’s experience in involving underserved communities and stakeholders to coordinate activities that lead to a successful training-apprenticeship-employment pathway, in cybersecurity in one or more CISA Regions; (4 points)

3. Thorough description of recruiting strategies to meet the proposed number of participants and provide a thorough description of the assessment process to determine if individuals are an appropriate fit for the training and apprenticeship activities; (3 points) https://www.cisa.gov/cisa-regions#:%7E:text=Regional%20Office%20Locations%20%20%20Region%20%20,%20Atlanta%2C%20GA%20%206%20more%20rows%20

4. Thorough and convincing description of how the proposed training and apprenticeship activities are appropriate for the target communities to be served, as described in Section D.1 Eligible Participants, and how the strategies will address skills, training gaps, and other needs of participants identified; (2 points)

5. Thorough description of how any partner organizations identified in Sections C.3 Required Partners and C.4 Optional Partners will support this pilot, and the process to ensure collaboration between the applicant, the applicant’s partners who will aid in outreach, and other relevant partners in these activities. For full points, applicants must clearly demonstrate the active involvement of the required workforce partnership entities by attaching partnership agreements, organizational charters, or other types of signed agreements; (2 points)

6. Thorough explanation of how the outcome projections are feasible and appropriate numerical targets for the project design—specifically, detailing how the targets were derived and how the targets fit into the overall timeline of cooperative agreement implementation; (2 points)

7. Clear description of how pilot feedback and outcome measures can be collected in areas, potentially without internet access; (2 points)

8. Clear description of any additional measures (if identified) that support success in entry-level cybersecurity training, apprenticeship training, and job placement; (2 points)

9. Clear description of how the proposal can generate best practices and lessons learned for other underserved communities with similar needs; (2 points)

10. The extent to which the participant is relieved of any financial burden or is compensated; (2 points)

ii. Training Hub Design (20 points)

1. A clear description of the training hub’s design, which must be either virtual or a hybrid combination of virtual and in-person, and how it will increase engagement by connecting participants and employers, in one or more CISA regions; (2 points)

2. Clear description of how the proposed training hub will successfully promote cybersecurity training and employment opportunities to one or more underserved communities, including though an online web presence;

(2 points)

3. A clear description of how the proposed training hub design will be used to deliver entry-level cybersecurity training (covering both national and regional cybersecurity challenges) to underserved communities; (2 points)

4. Clear description of the mix of training and apprenticeship strategies, including the number of courses, which will be used to serve the targeted communities. This includes identifying training strategies such as Customized Cohort Training, Registered Apprenticeships, Industry- Recognized Apprenticeships, and other types of training; (2 points)

5. Clear description of planned and sequenced coursework, training, and apprenticeship experience that leads to competitive skills for the attainment of entry-level cybersecurity jobs; (2 points)

6. Thorough explanation of innovative delivery of education and training that reflects the use of current technology-enabled strategies and, where appropriate, leverages existing standards, assessments, and curricula that have proven effectiveness; (2 points)

7. Clear description of how participants’ knowledge, skills, and abilities throughout the training and apprenticeship pilot will be measured, given the parameters of a virtual or hybrid in-person design; (2 points)

8. Clear description of how the curricula and training strategies will be updated over time as employers’ needs change. (2 points)

9. A description of how the proposal will provide sharable versions of NICE Framework-mapped curricula used for this pilot. (2 points)

10. A clear description of how employers are matched to the participants who have successfully completed the training and apprenticeship programming. (2 points)

g. Work Plan (5 points) Scoring under this criterion is based on a clear and complete identification of project goals, milestones, key activities, and key partners of the proposed pilot program.

i. Narrative description that clearly identifies the overall project goals and short-term, mid-term, and long-term milestones for developing a comprehensive pilot program for training, apprenticeship, and employment placement activities. The narrative description must demonstrate that milestones are reasonable based on the pilot design. The work plan must be submitted as a separate attachment and does not count against the page limit of the Program Narrative (see Appendix B for an example work plan). The work plan must include all of the following:

1. Program goals, which are the overarching achievements that will be pursued; (2 points)

2. Milestones, which are key markers of cooperative agreement progress, expressed in the form of an action or event marking a significant change or stage in development; (1 point)

3. Key activities, including timeframes for development or modification of training, apprenticeship, and employment placement activities; (1 point) and

4. Key partner(s) identified for key activities. (1 point)

h. Past Performance (10 points) Organizations will receive points based on past performance data. Applicants must use the information below and provide the applicable past performance information.

i. Full description of the applicant’s capacity to lead the development training, apprenticeship, and employment placement activities within at least one local/regional area during the performance period for the cooperative agreement. This could include evidence of the applicant or a partner managing federally and/or non-federally funded assistance agreements leading engagement strategies, or other activities similar in size, scope, and relevance to the proposed project within the last five years, as of the closing date of this Announcement; (2 points)

ii. Demonstration that partners have experience in developing training and apprenticeship programs for the target communities identified in Section C.2 Applicant Eligibility Criteria, and enrolling participants in training programs, including securing employment placements for entry-level or higher-skilled jobs; (2 points) and

iii. Applicants must submit, as part of their past performance, the total cooperative agreement amount, and the percentage of cooperative agreement funds spent during the original period of performance for their most recently completed grant or cooperative agreement, where applicable. Applicants will receive points for their spending rate. (4 points)

• Applicants that expended at least 98 percent of the grant funds for their most recently completed grant will receive 4 points.

• Applicants that expended at least 80 percent but less than 98 percent of the grant funds for their most recently completed grant will receive 2 points.

• Applicants that expended less than 80 percent of the grant funds for their most recently completed grant will receive 0 points.

iv. Applicants must provide past performance data for outcomes achieved in past similarly, related initiatives. (2 points)

NOTE: Documentation shall include:

• Grantor name and contact information

• Project/program information

• Grant objectives

• Performance goals

• Spending rate analysis

• Overall objectives of the grant

• Community served

• Funding amount

• Total number of participants who complete training and apprenticeship activities

• Total number of participants who complete training and apprenticeship activities and obtain employment

i. Organizational, Administrative, and Fiscal Capacity (3 Points)

i. The extent to which the applicant identifies and demonstrates that qualifications, capabilities, and educational background of the identified key personnel (at a minimum the Project Manager and lead educator) who will manage and implement the proposed pilot are relevant and will contribute to the success of program goals and objectives. (1 point)

ii. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates direct experience with and oversight of the management of a scalable approach to entry-level cybersecurity training, apprenticeships and job placement in a cybersecurity career. (1 point)

iii. The extent to which the applicant has experience managing Federal grant-funded projects and is able to correlate and support the program’s budget to the project phases and implementation timeline. (1 point)

j. Financial, Data Collection, and Performance Reporting Systems (2 Points)

i. Comprehensive description of the existing or planned systems and processes that the applicant will use to provide timely and accurate financial and participant-level performance reporting, including the process for tracking participant-level data on participant characteristics, services, activities, and employment outcomes of participants served through the project to report to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency during the life of the cooperative agreement.