Employment Recovery DWG_Suggested App_.docx

NATIONAL DISLOCATED WORKER GRANT (DWG)

SUGGESTED GRANT APPLICATION FOR

Employment RECOVERY

Full Application – Employment Recovery National DWGs The information in this form must be submitted along with other required application materials as described in Section 6 of the National Dislocated Worker Grant Program (DWG) Training and Employment Guidance Letter No. 16-21 (TEGL 16-21) Attachment I; the use of this form itself is optional. Applicants are encouraged to use the Suggested Grant Application to ensure all the requested information required in a full application is clearly addressed. If more space is required than this suggested application provides, please attach up to five additional pages of information.

Please note that Attestations are requested throughout the Suggested Grant Application. For each attestation, you must confirm understanding of and compliance with specified requirements. For additional guidance regarding information required in the application, refer to the TEGL 16-21, Attachment I.

Use the contents checklist below to ensure a complete, timely, and responsive application.

Contents

☐ SECTION 1. Application for Federal Assistance SF-424

Complete the SF-424, version 4.0, provided on Grants.gov and submit as part of the application package.

(Reference TEGL 16-21, Attachment I, Section 6: How to Apply, pages 24-25)

The Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 form, version 4.0, is located on GRANTS.gov.

Applicant information provided on the SF-424 must match with the SAM registration, including the Applicant Legal Name, Address, nine-digit zip code, employer identification number (EIN), and UEI.

☐ SECTION 2. Statement of Work – General Information

A. Contact Information – Provide the information requested below to reflect the information provided on the SF-424.

i. Legal Name of Grant Applicant (SF-424, line 8.a)

ii. Authorized Representative (SF-424, line 21)

Name

Phone

Title

Email

iii. Other Project Point of Contact (SF-424, line 8f)

Name

Phone

Title

Email

iv. Type of Applicant (Reference TEGL 16-21, Attachment I, page 14)

☐ State or outlying area, or a consortium of states ☐ Local WDB or a consortium of WDBs ☐ Entities eligible for funding through the Indian and Native American Program in WIOA Section 166 (c) (Documentation Attached – signed letter from the Governor, on official letterhead, identifying the organization and indicating why the Governor has determined it appropriate to carry out a DWG project) ☐ Entities that demonstrate to the Secretary of Labor their capability to effectively respond to circumstances related to specific dislocations. (Documentation Attached – 1) Demonstrating the applicant has: expertise with workforce development or training and addressing the impacts of large-scale dislocation events on affected workers; the geographic or administrative reach to handle large-scale workforce issues; the financial and administrative capability to administer a Federal grant; the capacity to submit required performance data through ETA’s performance reporting system; and completed the pre-application activities required by 20 CFR 687.140 AND 2) Signed letter of support from state workforce agency(ies) and WDBs for all of the geographic area(s) the DWG will serve)

B. Qualifying Event – Select the box(es) below to indicate the eligible qualifying event(s) applicable to the application. Provide the emergency declaration information requested.

(Reference TEGL 16-21, Attachment I, page 13 - 14)

iv. Attestation for Qualifying Event – Select the boxes below to confirm understanding of and compliance with requirements for each qualifying layoff event.

☐ Mass Layoff or Plant Closure: Documentation demonstrating layoffs or plant closures affecting 50 or more workers from one employer within the applicant’s service area is included with this application.

☐ Community Impact: Documentation substantiating multiple small dislocations occurring over a period of up to 12 months that have significantly increased the number of unemployed individuals in a state, or a regional or local workforce area or areas is included with this application.

☐ Higher-than-Average Demand for Services from Dislocated Service Members: Administrative data illustrating higher-than-average demand is included in this application per TEGL 16-21, Attachment I, page 14.

C. Federal Funding Request – Provide the total funding request for the period of performance. The total funding request must reflect the total federal funding request amount listed on the SF-424, line 18a, and the budget (SF-424A) and budget narrative. Note that ETA generally awards in one-third increments of the requested funding amount, with an overall ceiling equal to the total funding request.

(Reference TEGL 16-21, Attachment I, page 18)

D.

Period of Performance (POP) – The period of performance for DWG funds begins at the project start date and continues through the project end date, as specified in the grant award. The requested period of performance does not exceed 24 months from the project start date. The start date is generally the date of the award. (Reference TEGL 16-21, Attachment I, page 19)

i. Project Start Date – Check one of the following two options:

If an Earlier Start Date is requested, provide justification for this requested date here:

ii. Project End Date for Quarter Ending - Check one of the following two options:

E. Planned Participants – Provide the number of participants planned for the total funding request and period of performance. Approved planned participant totals may not be decreased after approval of the full application. (Reference TEGL 16-21, Attachment I, page 26, Participant Enrollments)

i. Total Number of Planned Participants:

ii. Attestation for Eligible Participants - Select the box below to confirm that the applicant will only enroll eligible participants as listed below:

☐ By checking the box at left the applicant attests that only eligible individuals defined in TEGL 16-21, Attachment I, pages 15-16 will be enrolled.

☐ SECTION 3. Statement of Work – Abstract

A. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Requirements – All grant awards require a synopsis that summarizes the planned ETA-funded project. Descriptions should be brief (2-3 sentences) and focus on the priority elements for each item below.

i. Summary of Project Purpose – Describe the primary purpose of the project, including the layoff event(s) precipitating the application and why grant funding is needed to address the impacts.

ii. Specific Project Activities to be Performed – Identify the types of activities that will be performed, including recruitment/enrollment, service delivery, and other relevant activities.

iii. Deliverables or Expected Outcomes – Identify the expected outcomes that will result from this project.

iv. Priority Participant Beneficiaries – Identify those individuals or populations of eligible participants who will be prioritized for participation, including individuals from historically marginalized or underserved communities. Describe why these participants are prioritized for the proposed project.

v. Subrecipients and Subrecipient Activities – Identify all subrecipient entities that will receive grant funds through a subaward to carry out the project. Briefly describe the project activities the subrecipients will carry out. A subaward may be provided though any form of legal agreement, including a contract, and must be accounted for in the budget narrative.

(Reference TEGL 16-21, Attachment I, pages 23 - 24)

B. Abbreviated Project Summary – Provide a brief synopsis of the project that demonstrates allowable activities in accordance with TEGL 16-21. (Reference TEGL 16-21, Attachment I, page 17)

i. Proposed Project Service Area – List the counties/parishes, cities, or communities to be served by the proposed project in the space below.

ii. Impact of the Qualifying Event on the Proposed Service Area – Provide a brief (no more than 150 words) description of how the qualifying event’s impact on the proposed project service area exceeds the capacity of the available resources provided through formula funds. Include supporting information such as the current unemployment rate, availability of formula funds, and the projected level of job loss or increase in demand for services expected as a result of the qualifying event.

A. Demonstration of Higher-Than-Average Demand – Only required for applicants seeking DWG funds under the “higher-than-average demand” qualifying event.

i. Demonstration of Higher-than-Average Demand from Dislocated Service Members (Reference TEGL 16-21, Attachment I, pages 13-14) – Provide the required information to demonstrate higher-than-average demand for services in accordance with TEGL 16-21:

a. data, including citations, showing an increase in unemployment, separations, or other relevant information for the potentially-eligible population for the current year compared against the average of the prior three years for the same population;

b. a description of how the applicant determined that this potentially-eligible population has sought, or will seek, relevant employment and training activities; and

c. a demonstration that existing resources, including those available through VETS, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Defense, cannot meet the needs due to the higher-than-average demand for services.

B. Employment and Training Needs and Activities

i. Description of Early Intervention and Rapid Response Efforts – Provide an overview of early intervention and rapid response efforts that occurred prior to the qualifying event. Describe the results of these efforts including any identified career services or training needs among the affected employees. Applicants that are not a state workforce agency or local workforce development board (WDB) must describe coordination strategies with appropriate local WDBs or with the state to ensure coordination with Rapid Response and early intervention activities.

ii. Description of Employment and Training Needs – Provide an overview of the economic situation and layoff impacts on the communities to be included in the project. Include information such as unemployment rates, poverty rates, and educational attainment data. Describe employment opportunities within the project service area and include job growth in high quality occupations. Describe the workforce needs in the project service area, identifying any barriers to employment.

iii. Description of Employment and Training Activities – Provide a brief description (no more than 250 words) of employment and training strategies to address the needs described above. Describe how the specific needs of each participant will be determined, and strategies planned or in place to allow participants to obtain unsubsidized, sustainable, and quality employment following the conclusion of grant-supported activities. Describe how DWG funds will support the goal of enabling individuals to return to or enter high quality employment as a result of project activities. These goals might prioritize employment that includes a living wage and benefits, promotion potential, offers workers a voice in the operation of the organization, equitable hiring practices, or other factors as described by the applicant. Identify populations to be targeted for services including those who have been historically marginalized. Describe project strategies to address barriers to employment. (Reference TEGL 16-21, Attachment I, page 17)

Goal #1:

Fully executed subrecipient agreements within 50 days of grant application submission

Objectives for Goal #1:

1. Create and send potential subrecipients an invitation to partner.

2. Draft subrecipient MOU.

3. Host subrecipient information meeting(s) and solicit verbal commitments from partners.

4. Negotiate agreements as needed

5. Send revised agreements to subrecipient signatories for review and signature.

1. Start Date – Completion Date

2. Start Date – Completion Date

3. Start Date – Completion Date

4. Start Date – Completion Date

5. Start Date – Completion Date

E. Attestations for Project Implementation – All grant recipients must comply with WIOA statute and regulations (including DWG regulations at 20 CFR part 687), TEGL 16-21, grant award terms and conditions, and Uniform Guidance (2 CFR parts 200 and 2900). Below are some, but not all, of the requirements relevant to project implementation. Select the appropriate box to confirm unders3edcbnmanding of and compliance with specified requirements. If selecting “no”, provide additional information to support response.

i. Policies and Procedures - DWG applicants must have the following policies and procedures in accordance with 20 CFR 687.170(b) and TEGL 19-16 to support the allowability of project activities. (Reference TEGL 16-21, Attachment I, Section 5)

Please add any additional narrative regarding policies & procedures activities below.

ii. Performance and Reporting (Reference TEGL 16-21, Attachment I, page 26)

Please add any additional narrative regarding performance and reporting activities below.

iii. Partnership in the American Job Center (AJC) Network (Reference TEGL 16-21, Attachment I, pages 21 - 22)

DWG grants are funded through Title I of WIOA and are considered required one-stop partners in the local AJC network.[footnoteRef:2] Grant recipients other than Native American programs (described in WIOA sec. 166) are required to confirm or commit to becoming one-stop partners by selecting the appropriate box. [2: Guidance related to required WIOA partners, MOUs, and IFAs can be found in TEGL 16-16 and TEGL 17-16. ]

☒ Yes ☐ No

☐ SECTION 6. Statement of Work – Enrollment and Expenditure Plan

A. Enrollment Projections Summary – Provide the estimated enrollment projections for the first increment and total funding request. For the purposes of this application, applicants should plan on receiving one-third of the total funding request for their first increment. Include an enrollment breakdown by year and quarter, for the total funding request and entire period of performance. Note the information provided is for planning and technical assistance purposes and should reflect achievable metrics. If awarded, applicants will be assigned a federal project officer in their region to assist with further developing the enrollment and expenditure plan.

Total Number of Planned Participant Note that this number should align with the planned participant total provided in this application, Section 2, E. Planned Participants.

B. Employment and Training Activities Projected Expenditures – Provide the estimated expenditure projections for the first increment and total funding request. Applicants should assume the first increment will be 1/3 of the total requested amount.

Estimated Dollar Amount Allocated for the First Increment Estimated Dollar Amount Allocated for the Total Funding Request

i. Options for Employment and Training Services – Check the relevant boxes below to indicate if any of the following employment and training services elements are part of the DWG project design.

☐ On-the-job training (OJT)

☐ Needs related payments (NRPs)

☐ Transitional Jobs

☐ Other

If selecting Other, please describe:

☐ SECTION 7. Project Budget – Non-Construction Programs SF-424A

Complete the following form provided on Grants.gov and include as an attachment to the application submission.

The Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs SF-424A form is located at: SF-424 Family | GRANTS.GOV The line-item cost projections on the SF-424A must match the associated costs identified in the Budget Narrative.

☐ SECTION 8. Project Budget – Budget Narrative

Overview – When developing the Budget Narrative, please ensure a narrative explanation is provided for each line item on the SF-424A, which includes an itemization of the component costs adding up to the total projected cost for each line item. All proposed project costs must clearly reflect activities listed in the Statement of Work sections of the application, and demonstrate compliance with 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. The calculations provided in the Budget Narrative must be mathematically accurate, and the line-item cost projections in the narrative must match the associated costs identified on the SF-424A. Miscalculations greater than 10 percent of the total grant award will not be accepted and could delay the grant award.

For DWGs, ETA generally awards in one-third increments of the requested funding amount, with an overall ceiling (often referred to as the “up-to” amount) equal to the total funding request. Applicants must provide a budget narrative that reflects the total funding request (up-to amount) and includes a first increment estimated total for each cost category. Providing both totals for each cost category will assist with expediting a grant award determination and limiting pre- and post-award budget revisions. (Reference TEGL 16-21, I-18, and I-20 and 21)

A. Personnel – List all staff positions by job title. For each staff position, identify the annual salary, the percentage of time devoted to the project, the salary amount funded by the grant, and the total cost for the full period of performance.

Narrative - Provide a brief description (no more than 250 words) to justify budget costs provided above.

B. Fringe Benefits – Provide the overall fringe benefit percentage which reflects the recipient’s organizational fringe. Provide the fringe benefit calculation for each staff position listed under the Personnel line item. In the Narrative, list the component benefits, such as health insurance, FICA, retirement, etc.

a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) i) j) k) l)

Narrative - Provide a brief description (no more than 250 words) to justify budget costs provided above.

C. Travel - Specify the type and purpose of travel related costs. Include applicable cost breakdowns to calculate the final total for each line item. For example, include number of travelers, approximate mileage, per diem rates, estimated number of trips, and other associated travel costs as applicable.

Narrative - Provide a brief description (no more than 250 words) to justify budget costs provided above.

D. Equipment – Identify each item of equipment to be purchased which has an estimated acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit and a useful lifetime of more than one year. Equipment includes information technology systems. List the quantity and unit cost per item. Items with a unit cost of less than $5,000 are considered supplies.

Narrative – Provide a brief description (no more than 250 words) to justify budget costs provided above.

E. Supplies – Identify supply categories (e.g., office supplies, cell phones, etc.) List the cost and unit quantity associated with each supply category. Supplies include all tangible personal property other than equipment that have a per unit cost of less than $5,000.

Narrative – Provide a brief description (no more than 250 words) to justify budget costs provided above.

F. Contractual – Under the Contractual line item, list all subrecipients and contractors. Subrecipients are entities that receive a subaward to carry out the project or program under a federal award. In accordance with 2 CFR 200.22, a subaward may be provided through any form of legal agreement, including an agreement that the pass-through entity considers a contract. Contractors are entities providing goods or services to the grant recipient in a procurement transaction. All subrecipients identified in the Section 3 of this application should also be listed in the table below.

Narrative – Provide a brief description (no more than 250 words) to justify budget costs provided above.

G. Construction – Construction costs are not allowed, and this line must reflect zero costs.

H. Other – List each item in sufficient detail for the Department to determine whether the costs are reasonable or allowable. Direct costs included under Other should not fit into any other line-item category. For example, costs for subscription services, leases, and contributions to infrastructure costs for one-stop partners. Employment and training services, including career and support services, that are not sub-awarded should also be listed under Other. As a reminder, if charging rent, utilities, or expenses typically considered indirect costs, the proportional cost must be calculated based on the benefit to the proposed DWG project and the methodology used to calculate the proportional cost clearly described in the Narrative.

Narrative – Provide a brief description (no more than 250 words) to justify budget costs provided above.

I. Indirect Charges – If charging indirect costs to the grant, this line item must be populated. Include the current provisional or approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) or Cost Allocation Plan (CAP), signed by the Federal cognizant agency, as an attachment to the grant application. Any costs not supported by a current NICRA or CAP must be limited to 10 percent the Modified Total Direct Cost until an approved NICRA or CAP covering the applicable program period is submitted.

Narrative – Provide a brief description (no more than 250 words) to justify budget costs provided above.

J. Attestations for DWG Budgets and Budget Narratives – Select the boxes to confirm understanding of/compliance with specific requirements.

☐ Allowability – All costs must be allowable in accordance with the Cost Principles, now found in the Office of Management and Budget’s Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), codified at 2 CFR part 200 and at 2 CFR part 2900. Among the requirements met, all costs proposed are necessary and reasonable for the performance of this project; are consistent with policies and procedures that apply to both federally financed and other activities of the non-Federal entity; and are accorded consistent treatment.

☐ Proportional Benefit – All costs are allocable to the project activities described in the Statement of Work. Where there are shared benefits to other programs or projects not included in the Statement of Work, documentation is available to demonstrate that costs charged to this award reflect proportional benefit to this award.

Supportive Services Policy – Select 1 of the 2 statements immediately below.

☐ a) All costs for supportive services included in the statement of work, such as needs-related payments and transitional jobs, reflect existing policies and procedures and WIOA limitations.

☐ b) If not currently in place, all applicable costs will be considered unallowable until a supportive service policy is developed in consultation with American Job Center partners, other community service providers, and ETA (Regional and Program Offices) to apply broadly to WIOA programs.

☐ On-the-Job Training – On-the-Job-Training (OJT) does not exceed 50 percent of the wage rate for on-the-job training participants, or, up to 75 percent if certain criteria are met as outlined in WIOA section 134(c)(3)(H).

☐ Administrative Cost Limitation – Administrative Costs will not exceed 10 percent of the total award for DWG recipients who are also serving as the project operator, or 15 percent (5 percent for the recipient, and 10 percent for subrecipients/project operators) of the total award when DWG recipients subaward/subcontract project activities to subrecipients/project operators. Compliance with the administrative costs limit is monitored throughout the grant period. Any amounts exceeding this limitation at closeout will be disallowed and subject to debt collection.

Equipment – ☐ Prior approval will be requested from the Grant Officer via a grant modification request before the applicant or subrecipient purchases equipment, including information technology systems and software, meeting the $5,000 threshold. Software is considered equipment if the purchase, inclusive of ancillary equipment and acquisition costs, exceeds $5,000.

☐ Equipment will not be purchased by the applicant or subrecipients in the last year of the grant award.

☐Contractual – Procurement of goods and services will be conducted in accordance with the applicant’s written procurement policies and procedures.

☐ Indirect Costs – Any indirect costs not supported by a submitted and current signed NICRA or CAP and exceed the de minimis rate of 10 percent of modified total direct costs as defined in the Uniform Guidance, codified at 2 CFR 200.1 “Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC)”, are not allowable.

☐ SECTION 9. Budget Form and Narrative Instructions

Budget Information Form – You must complete the Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424-A). In preparing the Budget Information Form, you must provide a concise narrative explanation to support the budget request, explained in detail below.

Budget Narrative – The Budget Narrative must provide a description of costs associated with each line item on the SF-424A. It must separate the primary cost components of each line item, which when added together provide the line-item total. It must also provide the basis for the costs, and the function or use of particular items. The Budget Narrative should also include a section describing any leveraged resources provided (as applicable) to support grant activities. Leveraged resources are all resources, both cash and in-kind, in excess of this award. Valuation of leveraged resources follows the same requirements as match. 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.

Personnel – List all staff positions by title (both current and proposed) including the roles and responsibilities. For each position give the annual salary, the percentage of time devoted to the project, and the amount of each position’s salary funded by the grant.

Fringe Benefits – Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages that comprise 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. More information on federal per diem rates can be found on the GSA per diem page.

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 (see 2 CFR 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.” In general, we do not permit the purchase of equipment during the last funded year of the grant.

Supplies – Identify categories of supplies (e.g., office supplies) in the detailed budget and list the item, quantity, and C-2 the unit cost per item. Supplies include all tangible personal property other than “equipment” (see 2 CFR 200.1 for the definition of Supplies).

Contractual – Under the Contractual line item, delineate contracts and subawards separately. Contracts are defined according to 2 CFR 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. A subaward, defined by 2 CFR 200.1, means an award provided by a pass-through entity to a subrecipient for the subrecipient to carry out part of a federal award received by the pass-through entity. It does not include payments to a contractor or payments to an individual that is a beneficiary of a federal program. For each proposed contract and subaward, 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.

Other – Provide clear and specific detail, including costs, for each item so that we can determine whether the costs are necessary, reasonable, and allocable. List items, such as stipends or incentives, not covered elsewhere.

Indirect Costs – If you include an amount for indirect costs (through a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement or De Minimis) on the SF-424A budget form, then include one of the following: 1)If you have a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA), provide an explanation of how the indirect costs are calculated. This explanation should include which portion of each line item, along with the associated costs, are included in your cost allocation base. Also, provide a current version of the NICRA. or 2)If you intend to claim indirect costs using the 10 percent de minimis rate, please confirm that your organization meets the requirements as described in 2 CFR 200.414(f). Clearly state that your organization does not have a current negotiated (including provisional) rate, and is not one described in 2 CFR 200, Appendix VII (D)(1)(b). Applicants choosing to claim indirect costs using the de minimis rate must use Modified Total Direct Costs (see 2 CFR 200.1 below for definition) as their cost allocation base. Provide an explanation of which portion of each line item, along with the associated costs, are included in your cost allocation base. Note that there are various items not included in the calculation of Modified Total Direct Costs. See the definitions below to assist you in your calculation.

· 2 CFR 200.1 Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) means all direct salaries and wages, applicable fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, and up to the first $25,000 of each subaward (regardless of the period of performance of the subawards under the award). MTDC excludes equipment, capital expenditures, charges for patient care, rental costs, tuition remission, scholarships and fellowships, participant support costs and the portion of each subaward in excess of $25,000. Other items may only be excluded when necessary to avoid a serious inequity in the distribution of indirect costs, and with the approval of the cognizant agency for indirect costs. The definition of MTDC in 2 CFR 200.1 no longer allows for any sub-contracts to be included in the calculation. You will also note that participant support costs are not included in modified total direct cost. Participant support costs are defined below.

· 2 CFR 200.1 Participant Support Cost means direct costs for items such as stipends or subsistence allowances, travel allowances, and registration fees paid to or on behalf of participants or trainees (but not employees) in connection with conferences, or training projects.

Also, see DOL’s Cost-Price Determination Division page for additional information regarding the negotiation of Indirect Cost Rates at DOL.

The SF-424, SF-424A, and Budget Narrative must include the entire federal grant amount requested (not just one year). Do not show leveraged resources on the SF-424 and SF-424A. You should describe leveraged resources in the Budget Narrative.

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, ETA will consider the SF-424 the official funding amount requested.