FOA-ETA-22-07_.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

ANNOUNCEMENT FOR: Workforce Pathways for Youth

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Initial

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: FOA-ETA-22-07

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER: 17.280

KEY DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications under this Announcement is 04/25/2022. We must receive applications no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time.

Submit all applications in response to this solicitation through https://www.grants.gov. For complete application and submission information, including online application instructions, please refer to Section IV.

On approximately March 15, 2022 a pre-recorded Prospective Applicant Webinar will be available at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/grants/apply/find-opportunities and available for viewing any time after that date. While a review of this Webinar is strongly encouraged to support successful grant applications, it is not mandatory.

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/grants/apply/find-opportunities

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. PROGRAM PURPOSE

B. PROGRAM AUTHORITY

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. AWARD TYPE AND AMOUNT

B. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

B. COST SHARING OR MATCHING

C. OTHER INFORMATION

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. HOW TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION PACKAGE

B. CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

C. SUBMISSION DATE, TIME, PROCESS AND ADDRESS

D. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

E. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

F. OTHER SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. CRITERIA

B. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. AWARD NOTICES

B. ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS

C. REPORTING

VII. AGENCY CONTACTS

VIII. OTHER INFORMATION

A. WEB-BASED RESOURCES

B. INDUSTRY COMPETENCY MODELS AND CAREER CLUSTERS

C. WORKFORCEGPS RESOURCES

D. SKILLSCOMMONS RESOURCES

IX. OMB INFORMATION COLLECTION

APPENDIX A: Endnotes

APPENDIX B: Suggested Performance Measure Outcome Table

APPENDIX C: Suggested Project Work Plan Format

APPENDIX D: Suggested Abstract Format

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL, or the Department, or we), announces the availability of approximately $10,000,000 in grant funds authorized by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Section 169(c), for the Workforce Pathways for Youth grant program.

DOL plans to fund approximately 5 grants to national out-of-school time (OST) non-profit (501(c)(3)) organizations and applicants may apply for a ceiling amount of up to $ 2,500,000.

As outlined in the Department of Labor Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116-260) Statement of Managers, the Workforce Pathways for Youth demonstration grants support national OST organizations that serve historically underserved and marginalized youth ages 14 to

21. These grants will place an emphasis on age-appropriate workforce readiness programming to expand job training and workforce pathways for youth, including soft skill development, career exploration, job readiness and certification, summer jobs, year-round job opportunities, and pre-apprenticeships and Registered Apprenticeships. Funding will also support partnerships between workforce development boards and youth-serving organizations.

This grant program operated by national OST organizations will expand workforce development activities in OST organizations across the country that serve youth during non-school hours. The goals of the grant program are to: 1) expand age-appropriate workforce readiness programming through national OST organizations and their state or locally-operated affiliate organizations and ultimately scale up these efforts; 2) promote increased alignment between OST organizations, workforce development programs, and school systems, including alignment with dropout reengagement and recovery programs; and 3) provide work experiences, occupational skills training, and unsubsidized employment placements to increase opportunities for youth, particularly those at risk of not completing their high school education, to gain the skills needed to be successful in higher education and employment.

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. PROGRAM PURPOSE

This announcement solicits applications for the Workforce Pathways for Youth grant program.

The purpose of this program is to increase alignment between workforce and OST programs and to expand job training and workforce pathways for opportunity youth.

An OST organization is a non-profit that operates a supervised program that young people regularly attend when school is not in session. This can include before- and after- school programs on a school campus or at facilities located outside a school campus such as academic programs (e.g., reading or math focused programs), specialty programs (e.g., sports teams;

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programming; arts enrichment), and multipurpose programs that provide an array of activities. [1] More than 7.5 million U.S.

children attend after-school programs between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.; [2] however, only 11 percent of these young people are high school aged. [3] Additionally, there is a demand for OST programs in areas of concentrated poverty and rural areas [4] because these programs provide a safe space for young people, providing academic support [5] and contributing to improved overall health. [6] The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in unmet needs in OST programs in rural areas [7] and also exacerbated equity and access challenges for OST participants. [8] Data collected by the Census Bureau prior to the COVID-19 pandemic found that more than 1 in 10 individuals in the United States live in rural communities [9] and more than 1 in 5 people residing in rural areas are people of color. [10] Communities of color and families with low incomes in rural areas have the highest levels of unmet demand for OST programs: majorities of Black (59%), Latino (57%), and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI)* children (57%), as well as children living in families with low incomes (52%) who are not enrolled in an afterschool program would be enrolled if a program were available to them. [11] Barriers, such as high cost and lack of transportation are greater for rural families of color and rural families with low incomes. [12]

While some OST programs specifically include workforce development activities, most do not include workforce development in their program design. With strong partnerships between OST organizations, local workforce entities, and state [13] and local education agencies, [14] OST programs may provide opportunities for workforce readiness, career exploration, career preparation, and career training to connect young adults to the skills necessary to become college and career ready. [15] Providing youth exposure to career possibilities and mentors based on student interest, aptitude, and labor market needs may help OST participants gain critical skills through real-world work experiences that enhance their employability. In addition, DOL recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly altered the education and employment landscape across the country. In light of the changing environment, OST organizations continue to adjust their service delivery model.

This grant program will help establish lasting connections and partnerships between existing OST program activities and other state and local workforce partners to introduce opportunity youth to career-related services, supporting and preparing them for entering the workforce and on a pathway to quality jobs. [16]

B. PROGRAM AUTHORITY

The Section 169(c) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and the Department of Labor Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116-260, Div. H) authorizes this program. The explanatory statement for Division H (contained in Public Law 116-260, Book II, page 1593) and H.Rpt. 116-450 explain that Congress appropriated funds to the Department for the purpose of carrying out this grant program.

Geographic Scope As discussed below, applicants must identify the geographic scope of the proposed project. The geographic scope is the physical service area in which awarded applicants will serve participants. Applicants may choose one of the following geographic scopes: statewide or multi-state scope.

Statewide means serving at least two non-contiguous sites within one state;

Multi-state means serving non-contiguous sites in at least two or more states.

[17] Additionally, if an applicant proposes to serve a site that crosses more than one state, for example, Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri, that would be considered a single site in geographic scope and thus must also propose to serve at least one more site.

Within the chosen geographic scope, applicants must identify the specific site(s) where participants will receive services.

Program Activities/Allowable Activities The applicant (OST organization) will be responsible for: 1) funding locally-operated OST organizations that will implement workforce-focused OST programming; 2) providing coordination among the OST, education, and workforce systems partners; 3) monitoring progress of the implementation of programming and delivery of services; 4) developing a process for scaling up and sustaining effective programming across its network of affiliates after initial funding expires; and 5) ultimately sustaining and beginning to scale up effective programming with additional affiliates by leveraging existing WIOA and other workforce funding streams.

Successful applicants will develop strategies and programming based on the existing evidence base for serving youth, and will be committed to using data for the continuous improvement of programs. For information on existing evidence in youth programming, please visit https://clear.dol.gov/topic-area/opportunities-for-youth and https://youth.gov/evidence-innovation.

All grantees must fund locally-operated OST organizations to implement evidence-based, career-focused and innovative programming. The locally-operated OST organizations must carry out the following grant activities, which may be done virtually or in-person: 1) career exploration services; 2) work readiness; 3) career counseling; 4) work experience (which may include internships, summer and year-round employment, pre-apprenticeships, and Registered Apprenticeships); and 5) assistance in placing youth in employment, education, or training.

These five grant activities may take many forms, both in-person and virtually, including the following:

Conducting work readiness and career interest assessments, including using innovative technologies, such as virtual platforms or gaming technology to assess abilities, aptitudes, and interests in careers and to promote learning;

Providing labor market and employment information about in-demand industry sectors or occupations available in the local area such as career awareness, career counseling, and career exploration services;

Providing paid and unpaid work experiences, including internships, job shadowing, pre-apprenticeships, and Registered Apprenticeships;

Providing staff time to develop relationships and agreements with employers;

Developing mentoring activities;

https://clear.dol.gov/topic-area/opportunities-for-youth https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fyouth.gov%2Fevidence-innovation&data=02%7C01%7CRosenberg.Evan%40dol.gov%7Cb39c126521f448618d0608d84f7e5b9a%7C75a6305472044e0c9126adab971d4aca%7C0%7C0%7C637346751399191650&sdata=Sx4sb%2BR6XahORdK1k8rM2KaKzWzLh0K4VXi3u9lawMA%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fyouth.gov%2Fevidence-innovation&data=02%7C01%7CRosenberg.Evan%40dol.gov%7Cb39c126521f448618d0608d84f7e5b9a%7C75a6305472044e0c9126adab971d4aca%7C0%7C0%7C637346751399191650&sdata=Sx4sb%2BR6XahORdK1k8rM2KaKzWzLh0K4VXi3u9lawMA%3D&reserved=0

Facilitating industry-specific engagement and support with industries that are growing or experiencing increased workforce demand;

Providing supportive services for participants such as transportation, counseling, childcare, and needs-related payments that are necessary to enable an individual to participate in OST activities funded through this grant; and

Combining academic, career, and technical instruction with work experience, allowing youth to develop industry-specific workplace competencies, skills, and knowledge.

Grant activities may also include the following to assist the grantee in implementing, scaling up, and sustaining effective workforce-focused OST programming:

Working with partners to monitor progress of efforts and develop plans for scaling up and sustaining effective workforce-focused OST programming;

Working with partner organizations to design customer flows and implement common referral and service delivery practices;

Collaborating with WIOA Youth program partners to create training materials and toolkits for local affiliates on how to operate workforce-focused OST programs;

Covering costs of tools and technologies that may be needed to assist in scaling up and sustaining programming; and

Providing technical assistance and professional development to OST staff.

If grantees develop new curriculum, training, or credentials for their OST programs, the Department requires that data regarding these resources be in an open-data format, to allow use and replication across state and local partners nationwide. Specifically, the Department requires information regarding all credentials and competencies developed or delivered using these grant funds be made publicly accessible through the use of linked open data formats, such as through the use of the credential transparency description language specifications. Credentials include but are not limited to badges, certificates, certifications, licenses, and degrees of all levels and types. Competencies are generally considered to be groupings of knowledge, skills, and abilities. The linked open data formats support full transparency and interoperability of information. This allows individuals, employers, education and training providers, and others to access the information necessary to make more informed career and training decisions, such as complete, current, and beneficial information about providers, programs, credentials, and skills. Facilitating this access requires having information fully operable on the semantic web (meaning machine-readable and machine-discoverable). This enables information to be used in modern applications, tools, and services to support better understanding of available pathways. This open data also supports the development of improved navigation and guidance tools to help individuals make better decisions about which pathways are best for them.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. AWARD TYPE AND AMOUNT

Funding will be provided in the form of a grant.

We expect to award approximately $10,000,000 to fund approximately 5 grants. You may apply for a ceiling amount of up to $2,500,000. Awards made under this Announcement are subject to the availability of federal funds. In the event that additional funds become available, we reserve the right to use such funds to select additional grantees from applications submitted in response to this Announcement.

B. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance is 36 months with an anticipated start date of 07/01/2022. This performance period includes all necessary implementation and start-up activities.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

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

See Funding Opportunity Announcement for specific eligibility requirements.

The applicant must be a national OST non-profit (501(c)(3)) organization, as required by Congress, that proposes to serve youth from communities that have been historically underserved and marginalized. This includes youth living in rural areas, [18] Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color;

members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality; in addition to youth with barriers to employment including, but not limited to, foster youth, parenting youth, homeless youth, and youth with justice system involvement.

For purposes of this FOA, a national organization is defined as an organization that has affiliates operating in at least three states. Note that while the organization must be a national OST organization, the applicant has the option to select the geographic scope (statewide or multi-state;

please refer to section 1.I.B: Program Authority, Geographic Scope) in which it chooses to operate this grant. An OST organization is a non-profit that operates a supervised program that young people regularly attend when school is not in session. This can include before- and after-school programs on a school campus or at facilities located outside of a school campus such as academic programs (e.g., reading or math focused programs), specialty programs (e.g., sports teams, STEM, arts enrichment), and multipurpose programs that provide an array of activities.

[19]

Applicants, based on Employer Identification Numbers, which received funding from the FY 2020 Workforce Pathways for Youth grant [FOA-ETA-21-01] are not eligible to participate in this competition and their applications will be considered non-responsive.

Required Partners The applicant must also include the following organizations, in the quantity specified below, as required partners on the application for each service area identified.

A minimum of one organization involved in administering the workforce development system established under WIOA (29 U.S.C. 3151), which includes State Workforce

Development Boards, Local Workforce Development Boards, and Indian and Native American entities (as outlined in Section 166 of WIOA) (29 U.S.C. 3221);

A minimum of two employer partners, or one industry/trade association that represents employers, or one labor union/labor-management organization; and

A minimum of one State or Local Education Agency (including high schools and school districts) or an alternative education program. [20]

Optional Partners While the required partners reflect collaboration between secondary education, employers or labor organizations, and workforce development, we strongly encourage applicants to collaborate with other partners that can support and advance the work of the project. Optional partners can include, but are not limited to, higher education entities that serve minority populations as defined under Part F of the HEA of 1965, 20 U.S. Code § 1067q including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribal colleges and Universities, Alaska Native-serving institutions or Native Hawaiian-serving institutions,Asian American and Pacific Islander-serving institutions, and Native American-serving nontribal institutions in areas where these institutions exist.

Applicants who select an employer or industry/trade association partner as their required partner are strongly encouraged to also seek partnerships with a labor union/labor-management organization.

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 of 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 of 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

Eligibility Section III.A

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.2

Application for federal funds request does not exceed the ceiling amount of $2,500,000 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

Documentation of Partnership Commitment

Section IV.B.3.c.2 and Section IV.B.4.a.2

Documentation of OST Organization and Required Number of Affiliates

Section III.A. and Section IV.B.4.a.3.

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 consider only 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

a. Participants Eligible to Receive Training

For purposes of this program, eligible participants must be youth between the ages of 14 to 21 at the time of program participation. Within this population of youth, applicants may serve a wide range of individuals, such as in-school and out-of-school youth, low income youth, and youth with barriers to employment including, but not limited to, youth living in rural areas, foster youth, parenting youth, homeless youth, youth with disabilities, and youth with justice system involvement; and youth from communities that have been historically underserved and marginalized, including Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color;

members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality .

b. Veterans’ Priority for Participants

38 U.S.C. 4215 requires grantees to provide priority of service to veterans and spouses of certain veterans for the receipt of employment, training, and placement services in any job training program directly funded, in whole or in part, by DOL. The regulations implementing this priority of service are at 20 CFR Part 1010. In circumstances where a grant recipient must choose between two qualified candidates for a service, one of whom is a veteran or eligible spouse, the veterans’ priority of service provisions require that the grant recipient give the veteran or eligible spouse priority of service by first providing him or her that service. To obtain priority of service, a veteran or spouse must meet the program’s eligibility requirements. Grantees must comply with DOL guidance on veterans’ priority. ETA’s Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 10-09 (issued November 10, 2009) provides guidance on implementing priority of service for veterans and eligible spouses in all qualified job training programs funded in whole or in part by DOL. TEGL No. 10-09 is available at https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2816.

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. HOW TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION PACKAGE

This FOA, found at www.Grants.gov and https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/grants/apply/find-opportunities 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. SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance”;

2. Project Budget, composed of the SF-424A and Budget Narrative;

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 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1).

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.

https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2816 http://www.Grants.gov https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/grants/apply/find-opportunities https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/grants/apply/find-opportunities https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1 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 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1). 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 WIOA 188 rules issued by the Department at 29 CFR 38.25, which includes the following language:

As a condition to the award of financial assistance from the Department of Labor under Title I WIOA, the grant applicant assures that it has the ability to comply fully with the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity provisions of the following laws: Section 188 of the WIOA and its implementing regulations at 29 CFR Part 38, which prohibit discrimination against all individuals in the United States on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, transgender status, and gender identity), national origin (including limited English proficiency), age, disability, political affiliation or belief, and against beneficiaries on the basis of either citizenship or 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 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 as a recipient of WIOA Title I financial assistance [as defined at 29 CFR 38.4(zz)], it will comply with 29 CFR part 38 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.

a. 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: https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do.

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

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

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

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

(See Appendix A to 2 CFR Part 25.)

b. 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 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1). In preparing the Budget Information Form, you must provide a concise narrative explanation to support the budget request, explained in detail below.

a. Budget Narrative 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 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 estimated 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 estimated costs for each type of travel.

https://www.sam.gov

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 the cost of supplies (e.g., general office supplies, desk/chairs, laptops/printers, other specialty items) in the detailed budget per category. Except for general office supplies, list the item, quantity, and 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 are able to 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:

a) 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

b) 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 be excluded only 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 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.

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: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/oasam/centers-offices/office-of-the-senior-procurement-executive/cost-price-determination-division.

Note that 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. 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 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.

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/oasam/centers-offices/office-of-the-senior-procurement-executive/cost-price-determination-division https://www.dol.gov/agencies/oasam/centers-offices/office-of-the-senior-procurement-executive/cost-price-determination-division

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.

We will not read or consider any materials beyond the specified page limit in the application review process.

The following instructions provide all of the information needed to complete the Project Narrative. Carefully read and consider each section, and include all required information in your Project Narrative. The agency will evaluate the Project Narrative using the evaluation criteria identified in Section V.A. You must use the same section headers identified below for each section of the Project Narrative.

a. Statement of Need (Up to 6 Points)

(1) Scope of the Issue (2 points) Describe in both quantitative and qualitative terms the need for funding for increased access to enhanced age-appropriate and workforce development-focused OST activities for youth with barriers to employment and/or from historically marginalized and underserved populations, including the nature and scope of the problem within the proposed service areas, and the consequences of not addressing the need. Incorporate demographic data and participant information whenever possible.

(2) Population Served (2 points) Clear description of how the project will increase access to workforce-focused OST programming for youth with barriers to employment or underserved populations, including those populations listed under eligible participants, as well as a clear description of the specific youth population segment(s) and the numbers of youth to be served through the project, including demographic characteristics and skill levels.

(3) Proposed Target Area (2 points) The applicant must identify the proposed target service area the applicant expects to serve. The applicant must state the geographic scope of their proposed target area as discussed in Section I.C. as well as the specific sites within their chosen geographic scope. If an applicant does not clearly demonstrate that their proposal will serve at least two sites within their chosen geographic scope, the applicant will not receive any points for this section.

b. Expected Outcomes and Outputs (Up to 8 Points)

Applicants must clearly identify outputs and outcomes that the project will achieve as a direct result of the proposed project. Outputs are tangible products or services that result from the project. Outcomes are the intended results, such as milestones and goals, of a program or intervention. They are what applicants expect their projects to achieve.

(1) Participant Outputs and Outcomes (6 points) Applicants must provide a table that clearly identifies the outputs and outcomes (listed directly below) that will result from the project. This table will include annual target outcomes that will be used for the purposes of technical assistance. In addition, applicants must describe in a narrative format how these outcomes and outputs align with their project goals.

The performance table must be submitted as a separate attachment and does not count against the page limit of the Project Narrative (see Section IV.B.4. Attachments to the Project Narrative, as well as Appendix B, Performance Outcome Measures Table).

(i) The table must include comprehensive numerical outcome projections for each of the three measures identified below and defined in Appendix B. Applicants must provide raw numbers for each of the target outcome measures for each year of the project as well as the cumulative number; otherwise, they will not receive full points. Percentages, percent increases, or other types of data projections are not acceptable.

1) Total number of program participants who complete a work experience as a result of a program supported by this grant;

2) Total number of program participants who enter postsecondary education or occupational skills training; and

3) Total number of program participants who enter unsubsidized employment.

(2) Partnership Expansion Outputs (2 points)

(i) Applicants are required to provide feasible targets for the following performance metrics to track the efforts of developing new partnerships with the required and optional grant partners. These targets must be included in the performance table in Appendix B discussed above. Applicants must provide raw numbers for each of the target outcome measures; otherwise, they will not receive any points. Percentages, percent increases, or other types of data projections are not acceptable.

1) Total numbers of new workforce development partners engaged due to the grant.

2) Total numbers of new employer, trade/association, and/or labor union/labor-management partners engaged due to the grant.

3) Total numbers of new education partners, including secondary and postsecondary, engaged due to the grant.

4) Total numbers of new optional partners engaged due to the grant.

These partnership expansion indicators will be reported as part of the quarterly narrative report. For item number 2, applicants must report on the number of new employer, trade/association, and labor union/labor-management partners separately, as appropriate.

c. Project Design (Up to 50 Points)

(1) Project Design/Logic Model (8 points) Scoring under this criterion is based on how completely the application describes the project design and the strength of the logic behind the design based on need and intended outputs and outcomes. Successful applicants will design their project based on existing evidence for serving youth and cite such evidence in their project design.

(i) Applicants must provide a comprehensive graphic depiction (not longer than one page) of the applicant’s logic model that illustrates the underlying theory of how the applicant’s strategy will produce intended outcomes. This logic model is a required attachment to the Project Narrative. A logic model (also referred to as theory of action) is a well-specified conceptual framework that identifies key components of the proposed process, product, strategy, or practice (i.e., the active “ingredients” or inputs and outputs that may be critical to achieving the relevant outcomes) and describes the relationships among the key components and outcomes, theoretically and operationally. This logic model must include the “ingredients” that are articulated in Section IV.B.3.c.1.ii. below. (4 points)

(ii) Applicants must provide a clear description of the project design that addresses the gaps and the disparities identified in the response to the statement of need and how the project design will achieve intended outcomes. This includes a description of the applicant's plan for the following:

how it will provide funding to its affiliate OST organization(s);

how the affiliate organization(s) will recruit and engage youth from the target populations;

the services and activities (outputs) that will be provided to youth by the affiliate organization(s) and required and optional partners;

the outcomes that the affiliate organization(s) and partners will help youth achieve;

a description of the plan for how it will provide oversight and support to the affiliate organization(s) throughout the project;

how it will track and identify strategies and practices; and how it will sustain activities with an even broader set of affiliates. (4 points)

(2) OST Partnership Design (up to 14 points) Scoring under this criterion is based on how completely the application describes how the applicant has structured the partnership to meet effectively the goals outlined in the funding opportunity including how the affiliate organization(s) will communicate and collaborate with the required and optional partners.

(i) Workforce Development Partner: The applicant must provide documentation of the role of the required workforce development partner organization identified in Section III.B. This includes a thorough and clear description of the capacity and role of the partner’s involvement, including in expanding an existing program on a local/regional, statewide, or national scale, deploying a new program, and/or providing outreach and recruitment services, work experience activities, services that provide labor market and employment information, supportive services, and other services. Such documentation must be included in the form of attached partnership agreements, letters on the partner letterhead outlining partnership commitment signed by an officer of the entity, or other documentation (as described in Sections IV.B.4. Attachments to the Project Narrative). (4 points)

(ii) Employer, Industry/Trade Associations, or Labor Unions/Labor-Management Organization Partner: The applicant must provide a clear explanation and concrete evidence, with appropriate citations, that at least two employer partners, or one industry /trade association, or one labor union or labor-management organization represents a presence in the service area and how the entity will be involved in the project, including the specific roles played in the activities proposed in the Project Narrative, such as the employer role or labor union/management organization role in providing work experience and developing participant workplace skills and competencies for jobs that are or will be in demand. The applicant must provide documentation of the roles of the required employer, industry/trade association, or labor union or labor-management partners identified in Section III.B. Such documentation must be included in the form of attached partnership agreements, letters on the partner letterhead outlining partnership commitment signed by an officer of the entity, or other documentation (as described in Sections IV.B.4. Attachments to the Project Narrative). (4 points)

(iii) Education Partner: The applicant must provide documentation of the role of the required education partner identified in Section III.B. This includes a thorough and clear description of the capacity of the partner’s involvement, including in expanding an existing program on a local/regional, statewide, or national scale, deploying a new program, and/or providing outreach and recruitment services and other services. Such documentation must be included in the form of attached partnership agreements, letters on the partner letterhead outlining partnership commitment signed by an officer of the entity, or other documentation (as described in Sections IV.B.4. Attachments to the Project Narrative). (4 points)

(iv) Optional Partners: If the applicant includes collaboration with any optional partners, the applicant must provide documentation of the role of the optional partners. This includes a thorough and clear description of the capacity of the partner’s involvement, including in expanding an existing program on a local/regional, statewide, or national scale; deploying a new program; and/or providing outreach and recruitment services and other services. Such documentation must be included in the form of attached partnership agreements, letters on the partner letterhead outlining partnership commitment signed by an officer of the entity, or other documentation (as described in Sections IV.B.4. Attachments to the Project Narrative). Optional partners may include, but are not limited to other youth-serving organizations that serve historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty, local Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth programs, and higher education entities that serve minority populations as defined under Part F of the HEA of 1965, 20 U.S.