FOA-ILAB-23-30.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Bureau of International Labor Affairs

Program Office:

OCFT

Notice of Availability of Funds and Funding Opportunity Announcement for: Strengthening Social Compliance Project

Announcement Type: _________

Funding Opportunity Number: FOA-ILAB-23-30

Assistance Listing Number: 17.401

Key Dates: The closing date for receipt of applications under this announcement is 10/06/2023.

Applications must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

All technical questions related to the content of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) must be submitted no later than 10 business days prior to the close date of the FOA.

Award decisions are expected to be made between 09/30/2023 and 12/31/2023.

The Department will make its best efforts to make award decisions within this timeframe, but please be aware that there are a variety of circumstances that may result in a later or earlier than expected award decision.

To apply: Submit applications via https://www.grants.gov/ in response to this funding opportunity number.

Please refer to Section IV for application submission instructions.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL, or the Department), announces the availability of approximately $2,000,000 total costs (subject to the availability of Federal funds) for 1 cooperative agreement(s) to fund Phase I of a global technical assistance project, piloted in the Indonesian palm oil sector, to reduce and remediate forced labor in supply chains where forced labor is prevalent.

The duration of the project will be 36 months from the effective date of the award.

Eligible applicants include any commercial, international, educational, or non-profit organizations, including any faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, or public international organizations (PIOs). Please see section III of this funding opportunity announcement for complete eligibility requirements.

https://www.grants.gov/

The multi-phase project will develop and pilot actionable resources to create global worker-driven social compliance systems putting workers and their organizations at the center of effective solutions to ensure the real, independently verifiable protection of labor rights in global supply chains. A worker-driven social compliance system is an approach to ensuring fair and ethical labor practices within supply chains and workplaces. Unlike traditional compliance systems that rely on audits and inspections conducted by third-party organizations or brands, worker-driven social compliance systems prioritize the active involvement and empowerment of workers. In a worker-driven social compliance system, the workers play a central role in identifying and addressing labor rights violations, health and safety issues, and other concerns within their workplaces.

Once developed, these actionable resources are intended to be adaptable to any sector in any country and designed to consider a variety of potential private sector audiences, including multinational corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and smallholder farmers. The resources must include, but may not be limited to, guidance to improve private sector stakeholders' understanding of forced labor indicators and international core labor standards. These resources must cover responsible recruitment practices, guidance on strengthening monitoring of working conditions through worker engagement, and how to establish effective grievance mechanisms to improve workers' access to remedies. Furthermore, the resources should guide companies on providing evidence to demonstrate remediation of forced labor.

The duration of Phase I of the project will be a maximum of 36 months from the effective date of the award and has a ceiling amount of $2,000,000 total costs. USDOL will consider awarding a Phase II of the project of up to $4,000,000 total costs and with a period of performance of four years, reflecting a total potential project budget of up to $6,000,000 over a period of up to seven years.

The project will aim to achieve the following Outputs:

• Output 1: Actionable resources developed to enable the establishment of global worker-driven social compliance systems that prevent, reduce, and remediate forced labor

• Output 2: Private sector stakeholders adopt worker-driven social compliance systems by leveraging actionable resources developed in Output 1 in selected sectors/countries o Sub Output 2.1: A worker-driven social compliance system piloted in the Indonesian palm oil sector o Sub Output 2.2: Worker-driven social compliance resources shared with private sector stakeholders through workshops, trainings, and consultations

Under the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), applicants must submit a technical proposal and budget documents requesting no more than $2,000,000 for Phase I of a project to develop and pilot resources to strengthen private sector stakeholders’ capacity to identify, assess risk, prevent and remedy violations, and support workers’ access to grievance mechanisms and remediation services. During Phase I, the project will achieve this through developing actionable resources and piloting these resources in the Indonesian palm oil sector. Applicants must propose to work with at least one (1) private sector stakeholder in Indonesia’s palm oil sector.

The applicant must propose its strategy to consult resources, including Comply Chain and the Better Trade Tool, and ILAB-funded projects in sectors such as palm oil (Palma Futuro), https://www.dol.gov/general/apps/ilab-comply-chain https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/better-trade-tool https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/palma-futuro-preventing-and-reducing-child-labor-and-forced-labor-palm-oil-supply garments (MyVoice), coffee (COFFEE Project), tomatoes (Sustentar), chili pepper (Una Cosecha Justa), sugarcane (Senderos), and cocoa (FLIP) in the development and implementation of tools in the Indonesian palm oil sector. In addition, the strategy must describe how labor unions and/or democratic worker organizations will be engaged during the development and testing of these resources and tools. Resources developed through the project will be shared through workshops, trainings, and consultations in existing and future companies and sectors where forced labor is prevalent. The availability of these new resources (both digitally and in-person training/consultations) will enable an environment where new social compliance systems will be built alongside the very workers affected by the system’s implementation.

The applicant must describe how the actionable resources will enable companies to establish or improve a social compliance system to identify, prevent, mitigate, and account for labor violations and address indicators and incidents of forced labor and human trafficking. Finally, applicants must propose strategies for using the resources to support the development and implementation of effective remediation mechanisms to address worker grievances or leverage and adapt existing tools and trainings on how to develop and implement these mechanisms. The applicant must provide a plan for assessing the reach and impact of these outputs at the end of Phase I to determine their effectiveness in improving working conditions and reducing or prevent forced labor at the entity or sector levels.

As part of the application, applicants must also submit a technical proposal and budget documents for a potential Phase II of the project (building on activities from Phase I), based on a potential additional funding level of approximately $4,000,000. Applicants must demonstrate estimated costs for Phase II activities occurring in the subsequent 48 months of the project. For the purposes of this FOA, a Phase II technical proposal is one that covers, and will be assessed, based on the following three parts: (1) a brief statement of need; (2) a brief description of the Phase II project design that describes how the recipient will identify future countries and sectors where high instances of forced labor in supply chains have been identified, as well as how the resources from Phase I will be implemented through focused trainings in particular target sector(s) identified in these Phase II countries; (3) a Phase II budget narrative that demonstrates how the applicant proposes to allocate an additional $4,000,000 broken down into the following budget categories: Personnel, Fringe Benefits, Travel, Equipment, Supplies, Contractual, Construction, Other, and Indirect Charges. Under future phases, the project must implement the resources developed and piloted in Phase I in additional country contexts where future investigations and incidents of forced labor in supply chains have been identified within particular sectors.

While applicants must propose two countries for implementation under Phase II, USDOL intends to reassess these selections in consultation with the project during Phase I implementation, in the event changes are required due to unforeseen circumstances. Final determination of Phase II target countries and sectors will be decided in consultation with, and subject to approval by, USDOL following the award of Phase I of this project and prior to the awarding of any additional funding for Phase II.

While USDOL anticipates awarding additional funding for a Phase II of this project, applicants should be aware that USDOL reserves the right to reconsider the amount of or the decision to award any additional funding for Phase II. Future funding for a Phase II is contingent upon USDOL’s need at the time and the availability of funds, satisfactory progress/performance of https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/my-voice-project-combat-forced-labor-and-child-labor-production-goods-malaysia https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/cooperation-fair-free-equitable-employment-coffee-project https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/sustentar-project-build-and-strengthen-sustainability-systems-tomato-and-chile https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/una-cosecha-justa-project-reduce-child-labor-forced-labor-and-other-forms-labor https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/una-cosecha-justa-project-reduce-child-labor-forced-labor-and-other-forms-labor https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/senderos-sembrando-derechos-cosechando-mejores-futuros https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/combating-forced-labor-and-labor-trafficking-adults-and-children-ghana-and-cote

Phase I, adequate stewardship of federal funds, and submission of a Phase II application meeting requirements outlined in Phase I grant award documents. USDOL also reserves the right to require changes to the Phase II strategy proposed by the applicant in response to this FOA, prior to awarding any additional funding for Phase II.

Prior to the obligation of any additional funding for a Phase II, the recipient will need to submit an additional request for federal funding (i.e., including submission of an updated SF424 and SF424A) for USDOL consideration. The period of performance for Phase II will begin immediately following the satisfactory completion of Phase I requirements and the approval of the required Phase II application. Applicants’ technical and financial proposals for Phase I must reflect up to approximately 36 months. The achievement of results in Phase I must not be contingent on receipt of additional funding for a Phase II.

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. PROGRAM PURPOSE

B. PROGRAM AUTHORITY

C. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

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

1. Application Screening Criteria

2. Number of Applications to be Submitted

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. HOW TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION PACKAGE

B. CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

1. Technical Proposal

2. Cost Proposal

3. Submission Date, Times, and Process

C. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

D. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

E. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

F. OTHER SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. CRITERIA

B. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

1. Merit Review and Selection Process

2. Risk Review Process

VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. AWARD NOTICES

B. ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS

1. General Requirements

2. Audits and Attestation Engagements

3. Administrative Standards

4. Other Legal Requirements

5. Other Administrative Standards

6. Special Program Requirements

C. REPORTING

1. Quarterly Federal Financial Report (SF 425, FFR)

2. Semi-Annual Technical Progress Reports

3. Final Technical Report

4. Indirect Cost Rates

5. Closeout Reports

VII. AGENCY CONTACTS

VIII. OTHER INFORMATION

A. OMB INFORMATION COLLECTION

IX. APPENDICES

APPENDIX A: Acronyms

APPENDIX B: Definitions

APPENDIX C: Relevant Grant and/or Contract Experience

APPENDIX D: Requirements for Application Submission

APPENDIX E: Past Performance Questionnaire

APPENDIX F: List of Common Outcome Domains and Standard Indicators

APPENDIX G: Sustainability Strategy Template

ENDNOTES

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. PROGRAM PURPOSE

ILAB leads the U.S. Government’s (USG) efforts to improve working conditions and fight labor exploitation around the world. ILAB's mission is to strengthen global labor standards, enforce labor commitments among trading partners, promote racial and gender equity, and combat international child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking. ILAB’s Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor and Human Trafficking (OCFT) works to eliminate child labor, forced labor and human trafficking through international research, policy engagement, and technical cooperation.

See ILAB’s webpage for additional information: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab.

This FOA solicits applications to implement 1 project(s) with the objective to fund Phase I of a global technical assistance project, piloted in the Indonesian palm oil sector, to reduce and remediate forced labor in supply chains where forced labor is prevalent.

The multi-phase project will develop and pilot actionable resources to create global worker-driven social compliance systems putting workers and their organizations at the center of effective solutions to ensure the real, independently verifiable protection of labor rights in global supply chains. A worker-driven social compliance system is an approach to ensuring fair and ethical labor practices within supply chains and workplaces. Unlike traditional compliance systems that rely on audits and inspections conducted by third-party organizations or brands, worker-driven social compliance systems prioritize the active involvement and empowerment of workers. In a worker-driven social compliance system, the workers play a central role in identifying and addressing labor rights violations, health and safety issues, and other concerns within their workplaces.

Once developed, these actionable resources are intended to be adaptable to any sector in any country and designed to consider a variety of potential private sector audiences, including multinational corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and smallholder farmers. The resources must include, but may not be limited to, guidance to improve private sector stakeholders' understanding of forced labor indicators and international core labor standards. These resources must cover responsible recruitment practices, guidance on strengthening monitoring of working conditions through worker engagement, and how to establish effective grievance mechanisms to improve workers' access to remedies. Furthermore, the resources should guide companies on providing evidence to demonstrate remediation of forced labor.

The duration of Phase I of the project will be a maximum of 36 months from the effective date of the award and has a ceiling amount of $2,000,000 total costs. USDOL will consider awarding a Phase II of the project of up to $4,000,000 total costs and with a period of performance of four years, reflecting a total potential project budget of up to $6,000,000 over a period of up to seven years.

The project will aim to achieve the following Outputs:

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab

• Output 1: Actionable resources developed to enable the establishment of global worker-driven social compliance systems that prevent, reduce, and remediate forced labor

• Output 2: Private sector stakeholders adopt worker-driven social compliance systems by leveraging actionable resources developed in Output 1 in selected sectors/countries o Sub Output 2.1: A worker-driven social compliance system piloted in the Indonesian palm oil sector o Sub Output 2.2: Worker-driven social compliance resources shared with private sector stakeholders through workshops, trainings, and consultations

Under the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), applicants must submit a technical proposal and budget documents requesting no more than $2,000,000 for Phase I of a project to develop and pilot resources to strengthen private sector stakeholders’ capacity to identify, assess risk, prevent and remedy violations, and support workers’ access to grievance mechanisms and remediation services. During Phase I, the project will achieve this through developing actionable resources and piloting these resources in the Indonesian palm oil sector. Applicants must propose to work with at least one (1) private sector stakeholder in Indonesia’s palm oil sector.

The applicant must propose its strategy to consult resources, including Comply Chain and the Better Trade Tool, and ILAB-funded projects in sectors such as palm oil (Palma Futuro), garments (MyVoice), coffee (COFFEE Project), tomatoes (Sustentar), chili pepper (Una Cosecha Justa), sugarcane (Senderos), and cocoa (FLIP) in the development and implementation of tools in the Indonesian palm oil sector. In addition, the strategy must describe how labor unions and/or democratic worker organizations will be engaged during the development and testing of these resources and tools. Resources developed through the project will be shared through workshops, trainings, and consultations in existing and future companies and sectors where forced labor is prevalent. The availability of these new resources (both digitally and in-person training/consultations) will enable an environment where new social compliance systems will be built alongside the very workers affected by the system’s implementation.

The applicant must describe how the actionable resources will enable companies to establish or improve a social compliance system to identify, prevent, mitigate, and account for labor violations and address indicators and incidents of forced labor and human trafficking. Finally, applicants must propose strategies for using the resources to support the development and implementation of effective remediation mechanisms to address worker grievances or leverage and adapt existing tools and trainings on how to develop and implement these mechanisms. The applicant must provide a plan for assessing the reach and impact of these outputs at the end of Phase I to determine their effectiveness in improving working conditions and reducing or prevent forced labor at the entity or sector levels.

As part of the application, applicants must also submit a technical proposal and budget documents for a potential Phase II of the project (building on activities from Phase I), based on a potential additional funding level of approximately $4,000,000. Applicants must demonstrate estimated costs for Phase II activities occurring in the subsequent 48 months of the project. For the purposes of this FOA, a Phase II technical proposal is one that covers, and will be assessed, based on the following three parts: (1) a brief statement of need; (2) a brief description of the Phase II project design that describes how the recipient will identify future countries and sectors where high instances of forced labor in supply chains have been identified, as well as how the resources from Phase I will be implemented through focused trainings in particular target https://www.dol.gov/general/apps/ilab-comply-chain https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/better-trade-tool https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/palma-futuro-preventing-and-reducing-child-labor-and-forced-labor-palm-oil-supply https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/my-voice-project-combat-forced-labor-and-child-labor-production-goods-malaysia https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/cooperation-fair-free-equitable-employment-coffee-project https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/sustentar-project-build-and-strengthen-sustainability-systems-tomato-and-chile https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/una-cosecha-justa-project-reduce-child-labor-forced-labor-and-other-forms-labor https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/una-cosecha-justa-project-reduce-child-labor-forced-labor-and-other-forms-labor https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/combating-forced-labor-and-labor-trafficking-adults-and-children-ghana-and-cote sector(s) identified in these Phase II countries; (3) a Phase II budget narrative that demonstrates how the applicant proposes to allocate an additional $4,000,000 broken down into the following budget categories: Personnel, Fringe Benefits, Travel, Equipment, Supplies, Contractual, Construction, Other, and Indirect Charges. Under future phases, the project must implement the resources developed and piloted in Phase I in additional country contexts where future investigations and incidents of forced labor in supply chains have been identified within particular sectors.

While applicants must propose two countries for implementation under Phase II, USDOL intends to reassess these selections in consultation with the project during Phase I implementation, in the event changes are required due to unforeseen circumstances. Final determination of Phase II target countries and sectors will be decided in consultation with, and subject to approval by, USDOL following the award of Phase I of this project and prior to the awarding of any additional funding for Phase II.

While USDOL anticipates awarding additional funding for a Phase II of this project, applicants should be aware that USDOL reserves the right to reconsider the amount of or the decision to award any additional funding for Phase II. Future funding for a Phase II is contingent upon USDOL’s need at the time and the availability of funds, satisfactory progress/performance of Phase I, adequate stewardship of federal funds, and submission of a Phase II application meeting requirements outlined in Phase I grant award documents. USDOL also reserves the right to require changes to the Phase II strategy proposed by the applicant in response to this FOA, prior to awarding any additional funding for Phase II.

Prior to the obligation of any additional funding for a Phase II, the recipient will need to submit an additional request for federal funding (i.e., including submission of an updated SF424 and SF424A) for USDOL consideration. The period of performance for Phase II will begin immediately following the satisfactory completion of Phase I requirements and the approval of the required Phase II application. Applicants’ technical and financial proposals for Phase I must reflect up to approximately 36 months. The achievement of results in Phase I must not be contingent on receipt of additional funding for a Phase II.

This announcement is for the award of 1 new cooperative agreement(s) with the specific project objective and outcomes outlined in this FOA. As such, applicants may not submit applications to renew or supplement an existing project.

B. PROGRAM AUTHORITY

ILAB is authorized to award and administer grants and cooperative agreements by the Department of Labor Appropriations Act, 2023, PL 117-328, Division H, Title I.

C. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Forced labor is a crime that gravely harms workers and their families, worsens development outcomes, and poses significant risk to companies’ and governments’ efforts to adhere to international labor standards. An estimated 27.6 million people are engaged in forced labor around the world. Of these, about 16 million people are exploited in forced labor in the private economy, including in manufacturing, mining, commercial agriculture, and fishing. Workers caught in situations of forced labor can be any age, race, religious affiliation, gender identity, or nationality. They may also come from any socioeconomic group. Certain risk factors, however, may make some individuals more vulnerable to migrate for work, which is a risk factor for forced labor. These include unstable immigration status, language barriers, poverty, lack of basic needs like food, shelter, and safety, lack of social support systems like friends, family, and community, and physical or developmental disabilities. Those who end up in situations of forced labor often include vulnerable populations, such as children, individuals without lawful immigration status, those with debts, and those who are isolated, impoverished, or disabled.1

To comply with international and national labor standards and avoid trade enforcement actions preventing the entry of products made with forced labor into importing markets, companies need to take steps to ensure supply chain transparency and social compliance. ILAB is seeking to develop resources to enable the establishment of social compliance systems that prevent, reduce, and remediate forced labor and other labor violations in sectors/countries where labor violations associated with forced labor trade enforcement actions have been identified. While strong government regulations are critical, it is imperative that the private sector ensure a rapid and appropriate response to labor violations in countries where governments lack strong monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with labor rights standards. For this reason, companies need to independently exercise rigorous due diligence practices that promote transparency and accountability within their supply chains. There is also a need for effective remediation and grievance pathways for workers.

This project will support the development of actionable resources to enable the establishment or improvement of worker-driven social compliance systems that prevent, reduce, and remediate forced labor. The actionable resources will leverage Comply Chain’s eight-step guide on critical elements of social compliance as a primer to identify and assess risk, prevent, and remedy violations and ensure workers’ access to grievance mechanisms and remedy. ILAB’s Comply Chain provides a practical, step-by-step guide on critical elements of social compliance for companies that do not have a social compliance system in place or those needing to strengthen their existing systems and is referenced in Department of Homeland Security’s Importer Guidance and Department of Commerce International Trade Administration’s initiative to provide information on forced labor in product and venture supply chains.

The actionable resources will be developed and piloted by the project during Phase I in the Indonesian palm oil sector. The U.S. imports nearly US$840 million in palm oil annually from Indonesia. The palm oil sector is characterized by poor working conditions, especially at the lower tiers of the supply chain in rural areas. Reports cite significant instances of forced labor.

Indonesian law prohibits all forms of forced or compulsory labor; however, government entities lack effective enforcement capacity and resources. Indonesian workers report wage theft and unfair deductions and face serious health risks from exposure to pesticides and fertilizers. Facing excessive daily targets set by employers for harvesting palm oil fruit, families involve their children in strenuous tasks such as picking up fruit bunches and pulling out weeds, which keeps them out of school. Some palm oil plantation workers are migrants trapped in debt bondage and unable to leave their employer.

While the actionable resources produced by the project will be piloted in the Indonesian palm oil sector, the resources must be accessible to and replicable in other sectors and/or countries where there have been investigations into incidents of forced labor in supply chains. Replication of the https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export https://www.commerce.gov/bureaus-and-offices/ita project’s use of the resources would occur with the understanding that lessons learned in one sector can transfer to similar cases of forced labor in other sectors and/or countries.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. AWARD TYPE AND AMOUNT

Funding will be provided in the form of a cooperative agreement. Approximately $2,000,000 total costs is expected to be available to fund approximately 1 (one) award(s). Applicants may apply for a ceiling amount of up to $2,000,000 total costs. Awards made under this announcement are subject to the availability of federal funds. In the event that additional funds become available, USDOL reserves the right to increase the amount of an award or to use such funds to select additional recipients from applications submitted in response to this announcement.

In addition to its normal consultative role as grantor, ILAB’s substantial involvement in program activities may focus on elements that are essential to meet program requirements and ensure achievement of program objectives and outcomes. ILAB’s involvement may include, but not be limited to:

• Liaising with in-country USG officials and host country governments on matters related to the project.

• Collaborating substantially on the project strategy and implementation, as well as the development of the project document package.

• Collaborating substantially on the development and implementation of the monitoring and evaluation plan and all of its components.

• Providing highly specialized input on the technical definitions and concepts of workers’ rights, international labor standards, occupational safety and health (OSH), industrial relations, social dialogue, collective bargaining, freedom of association, acceptable conditions of work, stakeholder compliance, non-discrimination, labor courts, labor administration, labor inspection, labor law and judicial reform, legal and policy frameworks, child labor, forced labor, human trafficking, and effective enforcement, among others.

• Being substantially and actively involved in designing research, service provision, and/or capacity building activities jointly with the recipient.

• Reviewing and providing input on project’s planning for sustainability and collaborating to promote sustainability of project efforts, including through replication of good practices.

B. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The required period of performance is 36 months from the effective date of the award. This performance period includes all necessary implementation and start-up activities. Only allowable costs incurred during the period of performance may be charged to the federal award (2 CFR

200.1 Period of performance).

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

• U.S. organizations:

o Nonprofits, including any faith-based organizations or community-based organizations o Public/State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education o Private Institutions of Higher Education o For-Profit organizations

• Non-U.S. organizations:

o Non-U.S. Entities, including PIOs, as described in 2 CFR 200.1.

Applicants selected for award, including PIOs, must abide by DOL's requirements in the term and conditions of the award, in alignment with U.S. appropriation laws and applicable U.S.

regulations.

Applicants do not need previous experience managing federal awards, but they must speak persuasively about their ability to leverage other previous experience and bring it to scale in support of a large federal investment.

The following types of organizations are not eligible to apply nor to participate as subrecipients/contractors:

• Organizations designated by the U.S. Government to be associated with terrorism.

• Organizations designated by the U.S. Government to have been debarred or suspended.

• Organizations planning to charge a fee (profit) associated with a project funded by a USDOL award.

• Foreign governments and entities that are agencies of, or operated by or for, a foreign state or government are not eligible to apply. However, they may be eligible to participate as a subrecipient in certain instances, subject to USDOL approval. NOTE: If an exception to this subrecipient eligibility criterion might be appropriate, the application must include a detailed justification for the possible exception. USDOL funds are not intended to duplicate existing foreign government efforts or substitute for activities for which such governments have already assumed responsibility. USDOL will make eligibility decisions on a case-by-case basis after receiving the application.

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

Use the following checklist as a guide when preparing the 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. It is recommended to use this checklist to ensure that the application contains all required items. If the application does not meet all of the screening criteria, the application will not move forward to the merit review process.

Application Requirement Instructions Complete?

The deadline submission requirements are met Section IV.B.3.a

Eligibility Section III.A The components of the application are saved in any of the specified formats and are not corrupt. (USDOL will attempt to open documents, but will not troubleshoot any problems related to opening files)

Section IV.B.3.b

Application does not exceed the ceiling amount of $2,000,000 total costs Section II.A

Applicant has registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) and maintains an active account

Section IV.B.2.a

Completed and signed SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance, including a Unique Entity Identifier Number

Section IV.B.2.c

SF-424A, Budget Information Form Section IV.B.2.d Technical Proposal Section IV.B.1 Attachments to Technical Proposal, Phase 1 Only

• Abstract

• Work Plan

• Sustainability Strategy Template

• Relevant Grant and/or Contract

Experience

• Project Management

Organizational Chart

• Evidence of Support from Partner

Companies in specified sector

Section IV.B.1

Cost Proposal Section IV.B.2 Budget Narrative Section IV.B.2.e

2. Number of Applications to be Submitted

Multiple applications from an organization are not allowed. If multiple applications are received, the most recent application submitted by the deadline will be accepted. If the most recent application is disqualified for any reason, USDOL will not replace it with an earlier application.

Applicant entities are not precluded from participating as partners on another entity’s application.

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. HOW TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION PACKAGE

This FOA, found at www.grants.gov, contains all of the information needed to apply for funding.

Applicants should note that it includes hyperlinks to external forms and resources. Applicants are required to comply with all parts of the FOA, including those parts found at the hyperlinks.

B. CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

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

(1) a Technical Proposal, including attachments; and (2) a Cost Proposal, including the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance and related forms identified as follows. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the funding amount requested is consistent across all parts of the application. If the funding amount is not consistent, the amount requested on the SF-424 will be considered for the purpose of the award.

1. Technical Proposal

Applicants should use their technical expertise to propose how to meet the requirements of the FOA and must provide justification for their choices based on evidence (see definition in Appendix B), analysis of contextual opportunities and constraints, and available resources within the requirements of the FOA. Applicants must include specific citations to the evidence used to support their proposed project strategy. If there is limited evidence to support the proposed intervention(s), applicants may propose to pilot an innovative approach but must include and describe a plan for monitoring and assessing the effectiveness of the intervention(s).

All pages of the application must be numbered. All required documents (including attachments) must be submitted in English. Any additional documentation submitted that is not required or specifically requested under this announcement will not be considered during the merit review process.

Technical Proposals must be no more than 50 single-sided, double-spaced pages (8.5 x 11 inches

Phase II Problem Analysis Section IV.B.1 Phase II Project Strategy Section IV.B.1 Phase II Budget and Accompanying Budget Narrative Section IV.B.2.e http://www.grants.gov/ with 1-inch margins). If any page limits required by this FOA for any part of the application are exceeded, the content that exceeds the page limit will not be considered during the merit review process. Font style must be Times New Roman and font size must be 12-point. The Cover Page, Acronyms List, Table of Contents, required attachments to the Technical Proposal, and the Cost Proposal do not count toward the page limit and do not have any spacing restrictions. Different fonts and font sizes may be used for tables, text boxes, and graphics. However, it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that they are legible and meet electronic submission requirements. Documents which cannot be read or accessed by the Department will not be considered during the merit review process. Please see section IV.B.3. for the file format requirements for electronic submissions.

The following instructions provide all the information needed to complete the Technical Proposal. Applicants should carefully read and consider each section and include all required information. The Technical Proposal will be evaluated using the evaluation criteria identified in Section V, Application Review Information. Applicants must use the same section headers identified in this FOA for each section of the Technical Proposal:

a. Abstract (Executive Summary)

Applicants must submit as an attachment an abstract summarizing the proposed project including, but not limited to, the project objective, proposed outcomes, sub-outcomes (if included in this FOA), outputs, and activities. The abstract should describe the proposed project in plain language and include the following sections:

1) Applicant’s Name and Title for the Project. The applicant’s name and title for the proposed project.

2) Purpose. A brief description of the purpose for the award, including a description of the geographic area to be served (if applicable), population(s) to be served (if applicable), number and description of individuals, groups and institutions to be served (if applicable), and the funding level requested.

3) Activities to be Performed. A brief description of award specific activities and other deliverables.

4) Expected Outcomes. The project objective, proposed outcomes, sub-outcomes (if included in this FOA), and outputs.

5) Intended Beneficiaries. Intended beneficiary(ies) or recipient(s) of the project activities.

6) Subrecipient Activities. If sub-awards are proposed, then specify the activities to be provided and the name of each proposed sub-awardee, if known.

The abstract is limited to two double-spaced single sided 8.5 x 11-inch pages with 12-point text font, Times New Roman font style, 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. Table of Contents The table of contents must list all required documents and include their corresponding page numbers.

c. Project Narrative

The Project Narrative must describe in detail the applicant's response to the FOA. At minimum, the Project Narrative must contain the following sections:

1) Problem Analysis (up to 5 points for Phase I and an additional 3 points for Phase

II)

Applicants will be evaluated based on their degree of understanding the scope and nature of the problem that forms the basis of the project design. Applicants must describe the need for assistance, including the nature and scope of the problems, and the consequences of not addressing the need. Include relevant cultural, economic, social, labor and/or legal factors contributing to the problem. This information must be supported by relevant empirical data, including citations. Applicants must identify significant gaps in laws, policies, programs and coordination efforts that contribute to the identified problem and that need to be addressed by the project. Phase II will be evaluated in the Phase II Problem Analysis attachment.

2) Project Design (up to 39 points)

a) Project Strategy and Sustainability Strategy (up to 30 points for Phase I and an additional 4 points for Phase II Project Strategy)

The applicant's Project Strategy and Sustainability section will be evaluated based on its responsiveness to the unmet need described in its Problem Analysis. Phase II will be evaluated in the Phase II Project Strategy attachment.

The project-level objective is to improve implementation of social compliance systems that promote acceptable conditions of work and the elimination of forced labor in supply chains.

In support of achieving the objective, the project should be designed to achieve the following outcomes and sub-outcomes, if required:

• Output 1: Actionable resources developed to enable the establishment of global worker-driven social compliance systems that prevent, reduce, and remediate forced labor.

For Output 1, applicants must describe how the proposed project will support the development of actionable resources which will enable stakeholders to create or improve worker-driven social compliance systems which can be replicable in any sector and any country.

Applicants must integrate a worker-driven approach across all initiatives. “Worker-driven” is defined as workers driving the design of compliance systems, monitoring, implementation, and enforcement. Workers must have an effective and independent voice in ensuring their rights are effectively protected, monitored, and enforced.

Applicants must describe how the resources developed will address the following actions and/or requirements:

• Accommodation of various learning styles and languages;

• Streamlining for gender-related considerations;

• Respect for workers’ freedom of association and right to collectively bargain;

• Demonstrated awareness of ethical recruitment considerations, including targeted approaches for engaging with various recruitment actors;

• Determination of the critical points within the business cycle where actionable tools can be effectively implemented for maximum impact;

• Building into both an e-learning, virtual platform component and in-person, capacity building trainings;

• Applicability to a broad range of companies and sectors;

• Customization, as needed, to be easily accessible to various audiences, in a free or low-cost format for implementation and maintenance; and

• Adaptability to various cultural context in which it will be used for global applicability.

The Applicant must describe proposed formats and method(s) of dissemination for the final compiled resources and any associated materials. The successful applicant, in consultation with DOL, will be required to finalize these formats and dissemination methods during the Indonesia pilot phase and before broader dissemination.

Applicants must describe how the strategy will facilitate the operationalization or implementation of the eight (8) components of an effective social compliance system set forth in the USDOL’s Comply Chain. These components include: 1) stakeholder engagement; 2) risk and impact assessment; 3) development of robust standards; 4) communication and training on standards across the supply chain; 5) monitoring for compliance; 6) remediating violations; 7) seeking independent verification; and 8) reporting on performance.

Applicants must describe their strategy for promoting the integration of the voice and representation of workers into the design of the grievance and remediation mechanisms of partner companies. Affected workers and worker representatives must be involved in the decision-making process before any remediation package is finalized and implemented. The resources developed must ensure that all indicators of forced labor are adequately remediated, including debt bondage, substandard living and working conditions, and withholding of wages.

Proper remediation should encompass all these abuses.

Applicants must clearly describe in their proposal their strategy for how they will incorporate the International Labor Organization’s (ILO) forced labor indicators.

Applicants must outline how they will consult existing tools, including tools developed by other USDOL projects, in particular the tools developed by the Palma Futuro, MyVoice, COFFEE, Sustentar, Una Cosecha Justa, Senderos, and FLIP projects, into the development of the resources in Phase 1.

Applicants must undertake an analysis of existing training and capacity building tools that support companies in understanding indicators of forced labor and social compliance standards, in order to avoid duplication of efforts. The proposed assessment/analysis must identify knowledge gaps around the issues of forced labor and acceptable conditions of work. The applicant must also examine which barriers companies face when seeking to address or guard against forced labor and acceptable conditions of work, and how resources developed under the project will address those concerns.

https://www.dol.gov/general/apps/ilab-comply-chain https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/palma-futuro-preventing-and-reducing-child-labor-and-forced-labor-palm-oil-supply https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/my-voice-project-combat-forced-labor-and-child-labor-production-goods-malaysia https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/cooperation-fair-free-equitable-employment-coffee-project https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/sustentar-project-build-and-strengthen-sustainability-systems-tomato-and-chile https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/una-cosecha-justa-project-reduce-child-labor-forced-labor-and-other-forms-labor https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/combating-forced-labor-and-labor-trafficking-adults-and-children-ghana-and-cote

Applicants must ensure the actionable resources have a strong focus on fair and effective grievance mechanisms and increased access to wage and fees reimbursement and remedy for exploited workers. Applicants must describe their strategy for strengthening workers’ ability to collectively voice concerns and positions regarding their labor rights and working conditions, and for strengthening worker remediation in the application of the resources and their strategy to improve their private sector partner’s/partners’ efforts to address labor issues throughout their supply chain.

• Output 2: Private sector stakeholders adopt worker-driven social compliance systems by leveraging actionable resources developed in Output 1 in selected sectors/countries

For Output 2, applicants must propose a detailed description for targeted replication in identified countries and adoption of the resources within targeted sectors that includes a communication and outreach strategy, method for tracking uptake/usage, as well as an associated budget allocation in the cost proposal. Applicants must include an analytics mechanism for tracking usage and application of the social compliance system.

For Sub Output 2.1, applicants must describe how the resources will be piloted and tested in Indonesia’s palm oil sector. The project must involve a partnership between a non-governmental organization (the Grantee) and one or more company/ies in the palm oil sector. Applicants must propose geographic areas in the Indonesian palm oil sector with known risks or instances of forced labor where applicable.

Applicants must describe how they will leverage partnerships among the private sector, including companies, third-party recruiters and employers, industry associations, existing multi-stakeholder and multi-brand initiatives, democratic worker organizations/trade unions, and/or civil society groups and international organizations in developing social compliance systems in the proposed sectors and supply chains. This must include a strategy for addressing issues related to informality that can make it challenging to bring recruitment processes into compliance with international guidelines.

Applicants must demonstrate in their proposal how the pilot phase in the Indonesian palm oil sector will facilitate applicability, adaptability, and adoptability of the developed project resources by describing:

• Key stakeholders (such as businesses, industry organizations, civil society, democratic workers’ organizations/unions) that the project will engage to obtain critical feedback during the pilot;

• Strategies to ensure that necessary changes to the actionable resources are made based on pilot findings;

• Approaches for refining project-developed resources to different cultural contexts in other countries…