FOA-ETA-17-04.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

ANNOUNCEMENT FOR:

Indian and Native American Employment and Training Programs – Assistance to Unique Populations in Alaska and Hawaii

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Initial

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: FOA-ETA-17-04

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER: 17.265

KEY DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications under this Announcement is April 7, 2017. We must receive applications no later than 4:00:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

ADDRESSES: Address mailed applications to:

The U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration, Office of Grants Management Attention: Jimmie Curtis, Grant Officer Reference FOA-ETA-16-15 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room N4716 Washington, DC 20210

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

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL, or the Department, or we), announces the availability of approximately $497,000 in grant funds authorized by Section 166(k) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) for the Indian and Native American Employment and Training Program – Assistance to Unique Populations in Alaska and Hawaii.

This program is intended to support entities with demonstrated experience and expertise in developing and implementing employment and training programs for the unique populations who reside in Alaska or Hawaii. This funding opportunity will focus on developing programs designed to strengthen learning opportunities for Native Hawaiian and/or Alaska Native youth and young adults ages 14 to 24 to develop the skills needed to be prepared for jobs in high-growth, in-demand occupations and industries. It specifically will focus on those skills gained by studying science, technology, engineering, and math— subjects collectively known as STEM. The goal of these grants is to strengthen and develop culturally, linguistically, and geographically appropriate education, employment, and training programs with a focus on increasing Native Hawaiian and/or Alaska Native enrollment in STEM-related certificates and degree programs; in turn strengthening their potential for employment in high-growth, in-demand occupations and industries.

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. PROGRAM PURPOSE

This Announcement solicits applications for the Indian and Native American Employment and Training Program – Assistance to Unique Populations in Alaska and Hawaii. The purpose of this program is to support entities with demonstrated experience and expertise in developing and implementing programs for the unique populations who reside in Alaska or Hawaii, to improve job training and workforce development activities for such unique populations. Specifically, this program is geared towards creating culturally, linguistically, and geographically appropriate programs with the goal of strengthening and developing STEM related education, employment, and training programs for Native youth and young adults.

Only 81 percent of Asian-American high school students and 71 percent of white high school students attend high schools where a full range of math and science courses are offered (Algebra I, geometry, Algebra II, calculus, biology, chemistry, and physics). The access to these courses for American Indian, Native Alaskan, Black and Hispanic high school students are significantly worse0F

1. Not enough youth have access to quality STEM learning opportunities and too few students see these disciplines as springboards for their careers. The United States is falling behind internationally, ranking 29th in math and 22nd in science among industrialized nations.1F

2 Only 16 percent of American high school seniors are proficient in math and interested in a STEM career.2F

3 Even among those who do go on to pursue a college major in the STEM fields, only about half choose to work in a related career.

Twenty-two percent of American Indians and Alaska Natives ages 25 and older have not finished high school, and only thirteen percent have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to twenty nine percent of the U.S. population who have a bachelor’s degree or higher. 3F

4 For Native American youth, this translates to fewer opportunities to complete college or career training and move into meaningful jobs. For Native American

1 ibid 2 U.S. Department of Education, Science, Technology, Engineering and Math: Education for Global Leadership.

Accessed: http://www.ed.gov/stem.

3 Ibid.

4 2010-2012 American Community Survey 3-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Commerce (Nov. 14, 2013). Cited in: Executive Office of the President, 2014 Native Youth Report. (December 2014).

Accessed: https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/20141129nativeyouthreport_final.pdf.

http://www.ed.gov/stem https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/20141129nativeyouthreport_final.pdf communities, this means fewer opportunities to develop leaders who can build stronger tribal economies and contribute to the overall rebuilding of Native nations.

The negative effects of poverty, the troubled history of Indian education, and the many systemic challenges affecting Native youth have resulted in lower academic and educational outcomes and fewer educational opportunities than their peers. 4F

5 While progress has been made, American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians continue to have poorer educational outcomes than the general population by nearly all measures:

• American Indian/Alaskan Native high school graduation rate is 67 percent, the lowest of any racial/ethnic demographic group across all schools.5F

• Bureau of Indian Education schools have a graduation rate of 53 percent, compared to a national average of 80 percent.6F

• Native American students score lower than other students in mathematics. A

National Indian Education study in 2011 found that American Indian/Alaska Native fourth graders scored 16 points lower on average in mathematics than non- American Indian/Alaska Native students and eighth graders scored 19 points lower.7F

• American Indian and Alaska Native youth are the least likely of all student populations to attend a high school that offers Advanced Placement courses.8F

• Eighty-one percent of American Indian and Native-Alaskan English learners are enrolled in English language instruction programs, compared to 92 percent of their Latino and black peers.9F

5 2014 Native Youth Report. Executive Office of the President. The White House. Washington, D.C. (December 2014). Accessed: https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/20141129nativeyouthreport_final.pdf.

6 Indian Students in Public Schools - Cultivating the Next Generation: Hearing on Indian Education Before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, 113th Congress (2014) (testimony of William Mendoza, Executive Director, White House Initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native Education). Cited in: 2014 Native Youth Report.

Executive Office of the President. The White House. Washington, D.C. (December 2014). Accessed:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/20141129nativeyouthreport_final.pdf.

7 Stetser, M.C. and Stillwell, R. U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Public High School Four-Year On-Time Graduation Rates and Dropout Rates: School Years 2010-11 and 2011-12. (April 2014), Accessed: http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2014/2014391.pdf. Cited in: 2014 Native Youth Report. Executive Office of the President. The White House. Washington, D.C. (December 2014). Accessed:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/20141129nativeyouthreport_final.pdf.

8 National Center for Education Statistics. U.S. Department of Education, National Indian Education Study 2011:

The Educational Experiences of American Indian and Alaska Native Students at Grades Four and Eight (2011), at http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/pdf/studies/2012466.pdf. Cited in: 2014 Native Youth Report. Executive Office of the President. The White House. Washington, D.C. (December 2014). Accessed:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/20141129nativeyouthreport_final.pdf.

9 Theokas, C. and Saaris, R. The Education Trust, Finding America’s Missing AP and IB Students. (June 2013), http://www.edtrust.org/sites/edtrust.org/files/Missing_Students.pdf. Cited in: 2014 Native Youth Report.

Executive Office of the President. The White House. Washington, D.C. (December 2014). Accessed:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/20141129nativeyouthreport_final.pdf.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/20141129nativeyouthreport_final.pdf https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/20141129nativeyouthreport_final.pdf http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2014/2014391.pdf https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/20141129nativeyouthreport_final.pdf http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/pdf/studies/2012466.pdf https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/20141129nativeyouthreport_final.pdf http://www.edtrust.org/sites/edtrust.org/files/Missing_Students.pdf https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/20141129nativeyouthreport_final.pdf

• While there is less data available on Native Hawaiians, the U.S. Census Bureau reports that in 2014, 20.9 percent of Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders age 25 and older had a bachelor’s degree or higher compared with 30.1 percent for the total population. In addition, 6.6 percent of Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders age 25 and older had obtained a graduate or professional degree in 2014 compared with 11.4 percent for the total population of this age.10F

This new funding opportunity will complement other efforts to address education, training, and employment needs and will focus on developing programs designed to strengthen learning opportunities for Native Hawaiian and/or Alaska Native youth and young adults ages 14 to 24 to develop the skills needed to be prepared for jobs in high-growth, in-demand occupations and industries. Specifically, it will increase Native youth enrollment in education, employment, and training programs with a focus on STEM. These programs must be culturally, linguistically, and geographically appropriate. Examples of activities may include:

• Development of a sustainable community-led approach to providing STEM education, employment, training programs, and support services for Native Hawaiian and/or Alaska Native youth and young adults and that will have a positive impact on the workforce in Alaska and Hawaii.

• Development of career pathway programs that provide a clear sequence of education courses and credentials that meet the skill needs of STEM related industries.

• Development of partnerships and collaborations among tribes, State and Local Workforce Boards, American Job Centers, Community Colleges and Universities, K- 12 schools, tribal and federal government units (e.g., Indian Health Service,, American Indian Science and Engineering Society and National Academy of Science) to support training in STEM fields.

• Career exploration activities that allow participants opportunities to interact with professionals in STEM industries/occupations that are particularly relevant, which may include, but are not limited to:

o work-based learning opportunities;

o youth leadership development;

o career exploration, planning, and academic counseling services;

o post-program support and follow-up;

o field trips;

o community service learning opportunities; and o internships.

10 Ibid.

11 U.S. Census Bureau, PROFILE AMERICA FACTS FOR FEATURES, Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, May, 2016. https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/newsroom/facts-for-features/2016/cb16-ff.07_asian_pacific.pdf

• Mentoring programs, job shadowing, and research opportunities for Native Hawaiian and/or Alaska Native youth and young adults in STEM related fields.

• Tuition for STEM training at private or public training institutions.

• Adaption and/or creation of STEM related curriculum for relevance to Native

Hawaiian and/or Alaska Native communities.

• Recruiting and retaining Native Hawaiian and/or Alaska Native youth and young adults interested in post-secondary education in STEM related fields.

We will award up to two grants of no more than $248,500 each with one grant targeting populations in Alaska and one grant targeting populations in Hawaii. We will select grantees based on the strength of their application. In addition, due to the funding amounts being awarded under this FOA we envision that this FOA will supplement and/or leverage existing resources and/or established programs that provide similar employment and training related services to Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian youth and young adults.

B. PROGRAM AUTHORITY

Section 166(k) of WIOA (Pub. L. 113 -128) authorizes this program.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. AWARD TYPE AND AMOUNT

Funding will be provided in the form of a grant.

We expect availability of approximately $497,000 from program year (PY) 2016 funds to award approximately two grants in fiscal year 2017. You may apply for a ceiling amount of up to $248,500. Awards made under this Announcement are subject to the availability of Federal funds. Section 166(k)(2) of WIOA provides authorization to appropriate funds for this program through 2020. In the event that additional funds become available in future fiscal years, we reserve the right to add such funds to existing grant awards or select additional grantees from applications submitted in response to this Announcement. Given the amount of the awards, this funding is intended to supplement/leverage existing resources and/or established programs that provide similar employment and training related services to Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian youth and young adults.

B. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The base period of performance is 12 months with an anticipated start date of April 1, 2017. Grant awards will be made for an initial base period of one year, with up to two additional option years contingent on the availability of funds and satisfactory progress towards achieving the goals and objectives of the grant. This performance period includes all necessary implementation and start-up activities.

Applicants are expected to start delivering program services as soon as possible upon receipt of funds. Therefore, applicants must carefully consider their ability to spend the level of funding requested during the base period of performance while ensuring full transparency and accountability for all expenditures. Applicants must submit a timeline of critical activities to be completed as part of the required Program Calendar described in Section IV.B.4. “Attachments to the Project Narrative.” (Also see Section V.A.3)

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

• Public/State Controlled or Private Institution of Higher Education

• Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Federally Recognized)

• Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Other than Federally

Recognized)

• Indian/Native American Tribally Designated Organization

• Nonprofit Organization with IRS 501(c)(3) Status

• Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)

• Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions

• A consortium of eligible entities which meets the legal requirements for a consortium described in 20 C.F.R. 684.200 (a) and (e).

Among eligible applicants listed above, the applicant agency or organization must serve unique populations who reside in Alaska or Hawaii and also demonstrate experience and expertise in developing and implementing job training programs and workforce development activities to serve such populations.

B. COST SHARING OR MATCHING

This program does not require cost sharing or matching funds. Including such funds is not one of the application screening criteria and applications that include any form of cost sharing or match will not receive additional consideration during the review process.

Instead, the agency considers any resources contributed to the project beyond the funds provided by the agency as leveraged resources. Section IV.B.2 provides more information on leveraged resources.

C. OTHER INFORMATION

1. Application Screening Criteria You should use the checklist below as a guide when preparing your application package to ensure that the application has met all the screening criteria. Note that this checklist is only an aid for applicants and should not be included in the application package. We urge you to use this checklist to ensure that your application contains all required items. If your application does not meet all the screening criteria, it will not move forward through the merit review process.

Application Requirement Instructions Complete?

The deadline submission requirements are met Section IV.C

If submitted through Grants.gov, the components of the application are saved in any of the specified formats and are not corrupt.

(We will attempt to open the document, but will not take any additional measures in the event of problems with opening.)

Section IV.C.

Application for Federal funds request does not exceed the ceiling amount of $248,500 Section II.A

SAM Registration Section IV.B.1

SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance Section IV.B.1

SF-424 includes a DUNS Number Section IV.B.1

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

Budget Narrative Section IV.B.2

Project Narrative Section IV.B.3

Abstract Section IV.B.4

Signed Letters of Commitment Section IV.B.4

Program Calendar Section IV.B.4

2. Number of Applications Applicants May Submit We will consider only one application from each organization. If we receive multiple applications from the same organization, we will only consider the most recently received application that met the deadline. If the most recent application is disqualified for any reason, we will not replace it with an earlier application.

3. Eligible Participants The intent of this FOA is to fund projects that provide employment and training activities to Alaska Natives and/or Native Hawaiians to help them pursue or advance in full-time employment during the grant period of performance. You must propose a project that focuses on providing services to Alaska Native and/or Native Hawaiian youth and young adults ages 14 to 24.

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. HOW TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION PACKAGE

This FOA, found at www.Grants.gov and http://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm , contains all of the information and links to forms needed to apply for grant funding.

B. CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

Applications submitted in response to this FOA must consist of four separate and distinct parts:

(1) The SF-424 “Application for Federal Assistance” ;

(2) Project Budget;

(3) Project Narrative; and

(4) Attachments to the Project Narrative.

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” (available at:

http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424_2_1- V2.1.pdf .

• 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 and must 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 is considered the Authorized Representative of the applicant. As stated in block 21 of the SF- 424 form, the signature of the Authorized Representative on the SF-424 certifies that the organization is in compliance with the Assurances and Certifications form SF-424B (available at:

http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424B- V1.1.pdf). You do not need to submit the SF-424B with the application.

In addition, the applicant’s Authorized Representative’s signature in block 21 of the SF-424 form constitutes assurance by the applicant of compliance with the following requirements in accordance with 29 CFR 37.20.

http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424_2_1-V2.1.pdf http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424_2_1-V2.1.pdf https://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupAction!input.action http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424B-V1.1.pdf http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424B-V1.1.pdf

As a condition to the award of financial assistance from the Department of Labor under Title I WIOA11F

12 , the grant applicant assures that it will comply fully with the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity provisions of the following laws: Section 188 of the WIOA, which prohibits discrimination against all individuals in the United States on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation or belief, and against beneficiaries on the basis of either citizenship/status as a lawfully admitted immigrant authorized to work in the United States or participation in any WIOA Title I— financially assisted program or activity; Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, which prohibits discrimination on the bases of race, color and national origin; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, which prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities; The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1975, as amended, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of age; and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs. The grant applicant also assures that it will comply with 29 CFR part 37 and all other regulations implementing the laws listed above. This assurance applies to the grant applicant's operation of the WIOA Title I-financially assisted program or activity, and to all agreements the grant applicant makes to carry out the WIOA Title I-financially assisted program or activity. The grant applicant understands that the United States has the right to seek judicial enforcement of this assurance.

- Requirement for DUNS Number

All applicants for Federal grant and funding opportunities must have a DUNS number, and must supply their DUNS Number on the SF-424. The DUNS Number is a nine-digit identification number that uniquely identifies business entities. If you do not have a DUNS Number, you can get one for free through the D&B website: http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do .

Grant recipients authorized to make subawards must meet these requirements related to DUNS Numbers

• Grant recipients must notify potential subawardees that no entity may receive a subaward from you unless the entity has provided its DUNS number to you.

• Grant recipients may not make a subaward to an entity unless the entity has provided its DUNS number to you.

12 The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (“WIOA”, Public Law 113-128) was signed into law on July 22, 2014. The Department of Labor promulgated regulations to implement WIOA on August 19, 2016, and those regulations become effective on October 18, 2016 (see 81 Fed. Reg. 55792-56070 and 56072-56469). Grants awarded under this FOA are authorized by the WIOA, and the terms of the WIOA and its implementing regulations will apply to these grants for the life of the grants.

http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do

(See, Appendix A to 2 CFR section 25 located at:

https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2014-title2-vol1/pdf/CFR-2014-title2-vol1-part25-appA.pdf)

- Requirement for Registration with SAM

Applicants must register with the System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting an application. Find instructions for registering with SAM at: https://www.sam.gov.

A recipient must maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application under consideration. To remain registered in the SAM database after the initial registration, the applicant is required to review and update the registration at least every 12 months from the date of initial registration or subsequently update its information in the SAM database to ensure it is current, accurate, and complete. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicant is the entity that meets the eligibility criteria and has the legal authority to apply and to receive the award. If an applicant has not fully complied with these requirements by the time the Grant Officer is ready to make a Federal award, the Grant Officer 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.

(2) Project Budget You must complete the SF-424A Budget Information Form (available at:

http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424A-V1.0.pdf). 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 should also include a description of leveraged resources provided (as applicable) to support grant activities.

Use the following guidance for preparing the budget narrative:

Personnel: List all staff positions by title (both current and proposed). Give the annual salary of each position, the percentage of each position’s time devoted to the project, the amount of each position’s salary funded by the grant, and the total personnel cost for the period of performance.

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

https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2014-title2-vol1/pdf/CFR-2014-title2-vol1-part25-appA.pdf https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2014-title2-vol1/pdf/CFR-2014-title2-vol1-part25-appA.pdf https://www.sam.gov/ http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424A-V1.0.pdf

Travel: Specify the purpose, 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 which 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 200.33 for the definition of Equipment). List the quantity and 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 quantity and unit cost per item. Supplies include all tangible personal property other than “equipment” (see 2 CFR 200.94 for the definition of Supplies).

Contractual: Identify each proposed contract and specify its purpose and estimated cost. If applicable, identify any subrecipient agreements, including purpose and estimated costs. See Section VI.B.2.f. for more information on the distinction between contractor and subrecipient.

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: List each item in sufficient detail for us to determine whether the costs are reasonable or allowable. List any item, such as stipends or incentives, not covered elsewhere here.

Indirect Costs: If you include indirect costs in the budget, then include either

a) the approved indirect cost rate with a copy of the Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA), a description of the base used to calculate indirect costs along with the amount of the base, and the total indirect costs requested, or

b) if you meet the requirements to use the 10% de minimis rate as described in 2 CFR 200.414(f), then include a description of the modified total direct costs base (see 2 CFR

200.68 for definition) used in the calculation along with the amount of the base, and the total indirect costs requested based on the 10% de minimis rate. See Section IV.B.4. and Section IV.E.1. for more information. Additionally, the following link contains information regarding the negotiation of Indirect Cost Rates at DOL:

http://www.dol.gov/oasam/boc/dcd/index.htm.

Note that the SF-424, SF-424A, and budget narrative must include the entire Federal grant amount requested (not just one year). [If cost sharing or match is required, include the following sentence.] Applicants must also show cost sharing or match on the SF-424 (line 18b), SF-424A, and budget narrative.

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. However, if the amount specified on the SF-424 would render the application nonresponsive, the Grant Officer will use his or her discretion to determine whether the intended funding request (and match if applicable) is within the responsive range.

(3) Project Narrative The Project Narrative must demonstrate your capability to implement the grant project within the base period of performance and in accordance with the provisions of this Announcement. It provides a comprehensive framework and description of all aspects of the proposed project. It must be succinct, self-explanatory, and well organized so that reviewers can understand the proposed project.

The Project Narrative is limited to 20 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.

Below are the major sections of the project narrative that applicants must address. Section V.A provides specific information for each section header and assigns a maximum rating score to each section. Applicants should carefully read Section V.A and address each section header thoroughly in order to get the maximum rating score.

(1) Statement of Need

(2) Expected Outcomes and Outputs

(3) Project Design

(4) Third Party Evaluation

(5) Organizational, Administrative, and Fiscal Capacity http://www.dol.gov/oasam/boc/dcd/index.htm

(6) Past Performance – Programmatic Capability

(7) Budget and Budget Justification

(4) Attachments to the Project Narrative In addition to the Project Narrative, you must submit required attachments.

All attachments must be clearly labeled as Attachments. We will only exclude those attachments listed below from the page limit.

You must not include additional materials such as resumes or general letters of support. You must submit your application in one package because documents received separately will be tracked separately and will not be attached to the application for review.

Save all files with descriptive file names of 50 characters or less and only use standard characters in file names: A-Z, a-z, 0-9, and underscore (_). File names may not include special characters (e.g. &,–,*,%,/,#), periods (.), blank spaces or accent marks, and must be unique (i.e., no other attachment may have the same file name). You may use an underscore (example: my_Attached_File.pdf) to separate a file name.

Required Attachments

a. Abstract

1. You must submit an up to two-page abstract summarizing the proposed project, including, but not limited to, the scope of the project and proposed outcomes. The proposed project must include the applicant’s name, project title, a description of the area to be served, the funding level requested, the estimated number of participants to be served, estimated average cost per participant (which shall not exceed $5,000). The abstract must also include estimated program performance/outcome goals which are:

• The estimated number of participants that will obtain a credential and;

• The estimated number of participants that will be employed or in a STEM related education or training program in the 2nd quarter after exit.

• The total median earnings of participants in the second quarter after exit.

Additional information on performance/outcome goals are provided in section VI.B.4.b. The Abstract is limited to two-page double-spaced single sided 8.5x11 inch pages with 12 point text font and 1 inch margins. When submitting in grants.gov, this document must be uploaded as an attachment to the application package and specifically labeled “Abstract.”

b. Signed Letters of Commitment:

If the Project Design in section V.A.3 describes key partnerships, you must submit signed letters from such partners in order to support the response to Section V.A.3.

c. Program Calendar:

As described in Section V.A.3, you must include a comprehensive program calendar that specifically includes a timeline for completing critical activities which may not exceed base period of performance.

Requested Attachments We request the following attachments, but their omission will not cause us to screen out the application. Furthermore, if the omission of the attachment will impact scoring, the description of the attachment will note such an impact.

a. Indirect Cost Rate Agreement: If you are requesting indirect costs based on a NICRA approved by your Federal Cognizant Agency, then attach the most recently approved Agreement. (For more information, see Section IV.B.2. and Section IV.E.1.) This attachment does not impact scoring of the application.

C. SUBMISSION DATE, TIMES, PROCESS AND ADDRESSES

We will accept applications under this Announcement until April 7, 2017. You must submit your application either electronically on http://www.grants.gov or in hard copy by mail or in hard copy by hand delivery (including overnight delivery) no later than 4:00:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their application before the closing date to ensure that the risk of late receipt of the application is minimized. We will not accept applications sent by e-mail, telegram, or facsimile (FAX).

Applicants submitting applications in hard copy by mail or overnight delivery must submit a ‘‘copy-ready’’ version free of bindings, staples or protruding tabs to ease in the reproduction of the application by DOL. Applicants submitting applications in hard copy must also include in the hard copy submission an identical electronic copy of the application on compact disc (CD). If we identify discrepancies between the hard copy submission and CD copy, we will consider the application on the CD as the official submission for evaluation purposes. Failure to provide identical applications in hardcopy and CD format may have an impact on the overall evaluation.

If an application is physically submitted by both hard copy and through http://www.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 http://www.grants.gov .

http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/

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.

Address mailed applications to the

U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration Office of Grants Management Attention: Jimmie Curtis, Grant Officer Reference FOA-ETA-17-04 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room N4716 Washington, DC 20210

Please note that mail decontamination procedures may delay mail delivery in the Washington DC area. We will receive hand-delivered applications at the above address. All overnight delivery submissions will be considered to be hand-delivered and must be received at the designated place by the specified closing date and time.

Applicants submitting applications through Grants.gov must ensure successful submission at http://www.grants.gov no later than 4:00:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date.

Grants.gov will subsequently validate the application.

We describe the submission and validation process in more detail below. The process can be complicated and time-consuming. You are strongly advised to initiate the process as soon as possible and to plan for time to resolve technical problems. Note that validation does not mean that your application has been accepted as complete or has been accepted for review. Rather, grants.gov only verifies the submission of certain parts of an application.

- We strongly recommend that before you begin to write the application, you immediately initiate and complete the “Get Registered” registration steps at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html .

You should read through the registration process carefully before registering. These steps may take as much as four weeks to complete, and this time should be factored into plans for timely electronic submission in order to avoid unexpected delays that could result in the rejection of an application. The site also contains the Step-By-Step Guide to Organization Registration to help applicants walk through the process.

- We strongly recommend that you download the Guide at:

http://www.grants.gov/documents/19/18243/GrantsgovOrganizationRegistr ationGuide.pdf/be70525d-59aa-45ee-b196-5e8951faca0a and prepare the information requested before beginning the registration process. Reviewing and assembling required information before beginning the registration process will alleviate last minute searches for required information and save time.

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html http://www.grants.gov/documents/19/18243/GrantsgovOrganizationRegistrationGuide.pdf/be70525d-59aa-45ee-b196-5e8951faca0a http://www.grants.gov/documents/19/18243/GrantsgovOrganizationRegistrationGuide.pdf/be70525d-59aa-45ee-b196-5e8951faca0a

As described earlier in Section IV.B.1., you must have a DUNS Number and you must register with SAM.gov before submitting an application.

The next step in the registration process is creating a username and password with Grants.gov to become an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR). AORs will need to know the DUNS Number of the organization for which they will be submitting applications to complete this process.

- To read more detailed instructions for creating a profile on Grants.gov visit:

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-3-username-password.html

After creating a profile on Grants.gov, the E-Biz point of Contact (E-Biz POC) - a representative from your organization who is the contact listed for SAM – will receive an email to grant the AOR permission to submit applications on behalf of their organization.

The E-Biz POC will then log in to Grants.gov and approve an individual as the AOR, thereby giving him or her permission to submit applications.

To learn more about AOR Authorization visit:

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-4-aor-authorization.html, or to track AOR status visit:

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-5-track-aor-status.html

An application submitted through Grants.gov constitutes a submission as an electronically signed application. The registration and account creation with Grants.gov, with E-Biz POC approval, establishes an AOR. When an application is submitted through Grants.gov, the name of the AOR on file will be inserted into the signature line of the application. You must register the individual who is able to make legally binding commitments for your organization as the AOR; this step is often missed and it is crucial for valid submissions.

When a registered applicant submits an application with Grants.gov, an electronic time stamp is generated within the system when the application is successfully received by Grants.gov. Within two business days of application submission, Grants.gov will send the applicant two email messages to provide the status of the application’s progress through the system.

- The first email, sent almost immediately, will contain a tracking number and will confirm receipt of the application by Grants.gov.

- The second email will indicate the application has either been successfully validated or has been rejected due to errors.

Grants.gov will reject applications if the applicant’s registration in SAM is expired.

Only applications that have been successfully submitted by the deadline and later successfully validated will be considered. It is your sole responsibility to ensure a timely submission. While it is not required that an application be successfully validated before the deadline for submission, it is prudent to reserve time before the deadline in case http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-3-username-password.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-3-username-password.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-4-aor-authorization.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-4-aor-authorization.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-5-track-aor-status.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-5-track-aor-status.html it is necessary to resubmit an application that has not been successfully validated.

Therefore, enough time should be allotted for submission (two business days) and, if applicable, additional time to address errors and receive validation upon resubmission (an additional two business days for each ensuing submission). It is important to note that if enough time is not allotted and a rejection notice is received after the due date and time, DOL will not consider the application.

To ensure consideration, the components of the application must be saved as .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .rtf or .pdf files. If submitted in any other format, the applicant bears the risk that compatibility or other issues will prevent DOL from considering the application. We will attempt to open the document, but will not take any additional measures in the event of problems with opening.

We strongly advise applicants to use the various tools and documents, including FAQs, which are available on the “Applicant Resources” page at:

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html .

We encourage new prospective applicants to view the online tutorial, “Grant Applications 101: An Overview of the Application Process,” available through WorkforceGPS at:

https://www.workforcegps.org/resources/2016/05/27/13/39/Grant_Applications_101- _An_Overview_of_the_Application_Process

To receive updated information about critical issues, new tips for users and other time sensitive updates as information is available, you may subscribe to “Grants.gov Updates” at:

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/manage-subscriptions.html .

If you encounter a problem with Grants.gov and do not find an answer in any of the other resources,

- call 1-800-518-4726 or 606-545-5035 to speak to a Customer Support Representative or

- email support@grants.gov .

The Grants.gov Contact Center is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However, it is closed on Federal holidays.

Late Applications For applications submitted on Grants.gov, we will consider only applications successfully submitted no later than 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date and then successfully validated. You take a significant risk by waiting to the last day to submit through Grants.gov.

We will not consider any hard copy application received after the exact date and time specified for receipt at the office designated in this notice, unless we receive it before awards are made, it was properly addressed, and it was: (a) sent by U.S. Postal Service mail, postmarked not later than the fifth calendar day before the date specified for receipt of applications (e.g., an application required to be received by the 20th of the month must http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html https://www.workforcegps.org/resources/2016/05/27/13/39/Grant_Applications_101-_An_Overview_of_the_Application_Process https://www.workforcegps.org/resources/2016/05/27/13/39/Grant_Applications_101-_An_Overview_of_the_Application_Process http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/manage-subscriptions.html mailto:support@grants.gov?subject=DOL%20Grant%20Application be postmarked by the 15th of that month); or (b) sent by professional overnight delivery service to the addressee not later than one working day before the date specified for receipt of applications. ‘‘Postmarked’’ means a printed, stamped or otherwise placed impression (exclusive of a postage meter machine impression) that is readily identifiable, without further action, as having been supplied or affixed on the date of mailing by an employee of the U.S. Postal Service. Therefore, you should request the postal clerk to place a legible hand cancellation ‘‘bull’s eye’’ postmark on both the receipt and the package.

Failure to adhere to these instructions will be a basis for a determination that the application was not filed timely and will not be considered. Evidence of timely submission by a professional overnight delivery service must be demonstrated by equally reliable evidence created by the delivery service provider indicating the time and place of receipt.

D. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

This funding opportunity is not subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.”

E. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

All proposed project costs must be necessary and reasonable and in accordance with Federal guidelines. Determinations of allowable costs will be made 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 (Uniform Guidance- DOL specific). Disallowed costs are those charges to a grant that the grantor agency or its representative determines not to be allowed in accordance with the Cost Principles or other conditions contained in the grant. Applicants, whether successful or not, will not be entitled to reimbursement of pre-award costs.

1. Indirect Costs As specified in the Uniform Guidance Cost Principles, indirect costs are those that have been incurred for common or joint objectives and cannot be readily identified with a particular final cost objective. An indirect cost rate is required when an organization operates under more than one grant or other activity, whether Federally-assisted or not. You have two options to claim reimbursement of indirect costs.

Option 1: You may use a NICRA or Cost Allocation Plan (CAP) supplied by the Federal Cognizant Agency. If you do not have a NICRA/CAP or have a pending NICRA/CAP, and in either case choose to include estimated indirect costs in your budget, at the time of award the Grant Officer will release funds in the amount of 10% of salaries and wages to support indirect costs. Within 90 days of award, you are required to submit an acceptable indirect cost proposal or CAP to your Federal Cognizant Agency to obtain a provisional indirect cost rate. (See Section IV.B.4 (a) (a). for more information on NICRA submission requirements.)

Option 2: Any organization that has never received a negotiated indirect cost rate, with the exceptions noted at 2 CFR 200.414(f) in the Cost Principles, may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10% of modified total direct costs (see 2 CFR

200.68 for definition) which may be used indefinitely. If you choose this option, this methodology must be used consistently for all Federal awards until such time as you choose to negotiate for an indirect cost rate, which you may apply to do at any time. (See 2 CFR 200.414(f) for more information on use of the de minimis rate.) For WIOA grants, all costs charged as a result of the de minimis rate will be counted towards the administrative cost limitation specified below.

2. Administrative Costs Under this FOA, an entity that receives a grant to carry out a project or program may not use more than 15 percent of the amount of the grant to pay administrative costs associated with the program or project. Administrative costs are for the performance of administrative functions in carrying out activities under Title I of WIOA that are not related to the direct provision of workforce development services (including services to participants and employers). Such costs include both personnel and non-personnel costs and both direct and indirect costs. Administrative costs do not need to be identified separately from program costs on the SF-424A Budget Information Form. However, they must be tracked through the recipient’s accounting system. To claim any administrative costs that are also indirect costs, the applicant must obtain an Indirect Cost Rate Agreement from its Federal Cognizant Agency or be eligible to use the 10 percent de minimis rate, as specified above.

3. Salary and Bonus Limitations None of the funds appropriated under the heading “Employment and Training” in the appropriation statute(s) may be used by a recipient or subrecipient of such funds to pay the salary and bonuses of an individual, either as direct costs or indirect costs, at a rate in excess of Executive Level II.