FOA-ILAB-23-38.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Bureau of International Labor Affairs

Program Office:

OTLA

Notice of Availability of Funds and Funding Opportunity Announcement for: Strengthening

Civil Society to Protect and Advocate for Migrant Workers

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: FOA-ILAB-23-38

Assistance Listing Number: 17.401

Key Dates: The closing date for receipt of applications under this announcement is 9/26/2023.

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 10/30/2023 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 $3,000,000 total costs (subject to the availability of Federal funds) for one (1) cooperative agreement to fund one technical assistance project to strengthen civil society capacity to protect migrant workers, particularly Mexican nationals participating in U.S. temporary foreign worker (TFW) programs, by supporting fair recruitment initiatives, improving civil society organizations’ and TFWs’ awareness of labor rights, and increasing the use of formal mechanisms to exercise those rights. The duration of the project will be 54 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 https://www.grants.gov/ public international organizations (PIOs). Please see section III of this funding opportunity announcement for complete eligibility requirements.

The project will also seek to increase women’s participation in temporary foreign worker programs and their access to rights and protections at work, with a focus on bringing practices in line with the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) General Principles and Operational

Guidelines for Fair Recruitment.

The project shall be designed to achieve the outcomes necessary to achieve the project objective and substantially contribute to the desired long-term impact(s). USDOL has identified the following outcomes as necessary to achieve the project objective:

• Outcome 1: Civil society organizations gain knowledge and capacity to advance issues surrounding migrant worker labor rights, including ethical recruitment, fair pay, occupational safety and health, gender equity, and remediation of unfair practices.

• Outcome 2: Civil society organizations provide improved services to migrant workers throughout their labor migration to ensure their labor rights are protected.

The award recipient should choose between two (2) to four (4) states in Mexico, focusing on high-sending communities, areas with documented recruiter fraud, and locations where the grantee and partner organizations have strong relationships. This project should be transnational and cross-border, with most activities in Mexico and some activities working with migrant workers, particularly TFW in the H-2A and H-2B programs, while they are in the United States.

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 promote a fair global playing field for workers in the United States and around the world by enforcing trade commitments, strengthening labor standards, and combating international child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking. ILAB’s Office of Trade and Labor Affairs (OTLA) works to make sure that U.S.

trade partners fulfill their promises and play by the rules, and that American workers are able to compete on a level playing field by negotiating strong labor provisions in trade agreements and preference programs, monitoring for compliance, enforcing trade agreement and preference program commitments, and sharing technical expertise. See ILAB’s webpage for additional information: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab.

This FOA solicits applications to implement one (1) project with the objective to strengthen civil society capacity to protect migrant workers, particularly Mexican nationals participating in U.S.

temporary foreign worker (TFW) programs, by supporting fair recruitment initiatives, improving civil society organizations’ and TFWs’ awareness of labor rights, and increasing the use of formal mechanisms to exercise those rights.

The project will also seek to increase women’s participation in temporary foreign worker programs and their access to rights and protections at work, with a focus on bringing practices in line with the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) General Principles and Operational

Guidelines for Fair Recruitment.

The project shall be designed to achieve the outcomes necessary to achieve the project objective and substantially contribute to the desired long-term impact(s). USDOL has identified the following outcomes as necessary to achieve the project objective:

• Outcome 1: Civil society organizations gain knowledge and capacity to advance issues surrounding migrant worker labor rights, including ethical recruitment, fair pay, occupational safety and health, gender equity, and remediation of unfair practices.

• Outcome 2: Civil society organizations provide improved services to migrant workers throughout their labor migration to ensure their labor rights are protected.

The award recipient should choose between two (2) to four (4) states in Mexico, focusing on high-sending communities, areas with documented recruiter fraud, and locations where the grantee and partner organizations have strong relationships. This project should be transnational and cross-border, with most activities in Mexico and some activities working with migrant workers, particularly TFW in the H-2A and H-2B programs, while they are in the United States.

This announcement is for the award of one (1) new cooperative agreement 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 USMCA

Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2019 (Pub. L. 116-113, title IX) to implement technical assistance to support reforms of the labor justice system in Mexico.

C. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

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

Temporary foreign workers (TFW) play a vital role in the U.S. economy by helping employers fill positions when no U.S. workers are available. In 2022, over 300,000 Mexican nationals participated in TFW programs. Participants in TFW programs often lack awareness of their rights and of the redress mechanisms available to them if their rights are violated. Women migrant workers face systemic barriers to accessing TFW programs, and face particular vulnerabilities to labor rights violations, including gender-based violence and harassment at work.

The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is the first free trade agreement ever to contain specific provisions focused on migrant worker protections, including temporary foreign workers.

Countries party to the agreement recognize the vulnerability of migrant workers and commit to ensuring that migrant workers are protected under their labor laws. In addition to protections with respect to minimum wages, hours of work, and occupational safety and health, Article 23.8 expressly requires the United States, Mexico, and Canada to “ensure that migrant workers are protected under its labor laws, whether they are nationals or non-nationals of the Party.”

Furthermore, USMCA includes provisions to promote gender equity and address discrimination.

Thus, protecting TFWs and addressing vulnerabilities in TFW programs helps fulfill USMCA trade obligations.

In support of implementation efforts of USMCA labor commitments related to migrant workers, the governments of the U.S. and Mexico signed a memorandum of understanding on labor mobility and the protection of participants in TFW programs (the U.S. Mexico Labor Mobility

MOU) on January 17, 2023.[i] This MOU seeks to strengthen protections for TFWs through measures including improving shared mechanisms to prevent, report and investigate worker rights violations, and promoting fair recruitment processes. It underscores the importance of ensuring rights and protections for particularly vulnerable populations of workers due to their gender, race, ethnicity, or other determining factors. The MOU highlights the important role of civil society organizations in educating and empowering TFWs.

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), TFWs are particularly vulnerable to exploitative practices by unethical recruiters who illegally demand payment from workers to obtain employment. These recruiters prey on communities with poverty and high unemployment.[ii] Participants who travel to the U.S. through these recruiters are not provided access to information on their labor rights and obligations and lack effective access to redress mechanisms in the event of labor violations.

This project seeks to further the objectives of the U.S.-Mexico Labor Mobility MOU by bringing together key stakeholders to disseminate knowledge and guidance about TFW programs and promote fair recruitment processes. It will also seek to prevent abuses and exploitation of

Mexican nationals participating in TFW programs, strengthen institutional contact between the

U.S. and Mexico, and increase civil society organizations’ capacity to provide assistance and support for TFWs to access their rights and redress mechanisms.

Project activities will be underpinned by the ILO’s General Principles and Operational

Guidelines for Fair Recruitment and the U.S.-Mexico Labor Mobility MOU. In particular, the project recognizes that governments, public employment services, employers and businesses, private employment agencies and recruiters all have a shared responsibility to protect and respect the labor rights of participants in temporary worker programs and remedy violations. The project recognizes the complementary and fundamental role that migrant workers and their advocates have in ensuring the realization of fair recruitment and decent work.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. AWARD TYPE AND AMOUNT

Funding will be provided in the form of a cooperative agreement. Approximately $3,000,000 total costs is expected to be available to fund one (1) award. Applicants may apply for a ceiling amount of up to $3,000,000 total costs. An award made under this announcement is 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 54 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.2.

Application does not exceed the ceiling amount of $3,000,000 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

• Abstract

• Work Plan

• Sustainability Strategy

Template

Section IV.B.1.f.

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)

• Relevant Grant and/or Contract

Experience

• Evidence of Country Presence

• Key Personnel Signed

Commitment Letters (2)

• Resume for Key Personnel (2)

• Project Management

Organizational Chart

Line-Item Budget Section IV.B.2.e.

Budget Narrative Section IV.B.2.e.

http://www.grants.gov/ 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 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 10 points)

a) Scope of the Problem (up to 3 points)

Applicants will be evaluated based on the extent to which their analysis demonstrates a systemic understanding of the worker-rights problem that the proposed project is designed to address. Applicants must describe in both quantitative and qualitative terms the need for assistance, including the nature, scope and root causes of the problem, and the consequences of not addressing the need. The analysis must reflect all the relevant conditions that are holding the problem in place, complicating or reinforcing it, including relevant cultural, economic, social, demographic, technological, historical, political, or environmental factors contributing to the problem. The problem analysis must demonstrate a cogent assessment of the boundaries of the “system” the project is seeking to transform, identify specific leverage points (transforming structures or processes) within the system that could drive change with respect to the problem, how they interact with one another and any related factors or barriers to change. Applicants must identify significant gaps in laws, policies, programs, and coordination efforts that contribute to the identified problem and that need to be addressed.

b) Population / Institutions Served (up to 4 points)

The analysis must include discussion of specific actors within the system

(individuals, groups, institutions, coalitions, or networks) that have influence and/or interest in addressing the problem, giving particular attention to underserved, underrepresented, and historically marginalized communities or groups. This discussion should clearly describe how the targeted population(s) to be served in the project will meet the requirements of this FOA by increasing their access to and/or demand for services, benefits, protections or programs associated with improved workers’ rights. The analysis must address considerations of harm and equity sufficient to demonstrate the applicant’s understanding of how the problem affects different groups, with particular attention to gender and racial equity. For projects involving institutional strengthening, the problem analysis should clearly describe institutional barriers (or “pain points”) encountered by the target population(s) in accessing services, benefits, protections or programs associated with improved workers’ rights. The problem analysis must be supported by relevant empirical data, including citations.

c) Proposed Geographic Scope (up to 3 points):

The applicant must identify and provide a justification for the proposed target service area(s) and the number of individuals and institutions/groups that the applicant expects to serve. Applicants may choose one or more of the following scopes: local

(municipal or provincial), regional (contiguous area within country), sectoral or supply chain (within country), national, multi-country (contiguous or non-contiguous), industry or supply chain (regional or global). Within the chosen geographic scope, applicants must identify the specific site(s) where awarded applicants will implement project interventions.

Applicants should choose 2-4 states in Mexico, focusing on high-sending communities, areas with documented recruiter fraud, and locations where the applicant and partner organizations have strong relationships. High-sending states include Guanajuato, Michoacan, Veracruz, Chiapas, and Jalisco. This project should be transnational and cross-border, with most activities in Mexico and some activities working with migrant workers, particularly TFW in the H-2A and H-2B programs, while they are in the United States.

Within the chosen geographic scope, applicants must identify the specific site(s) where awarded applicants will implement project interventions.

Applicants should consult the Theory of Sustained Change Guidebook for ILAB’s

Worker Rights Programs for more information on systems approaches:

https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ILAB/TOsC-Guidebook-March-Updates-

032723-Clean-508.pdf.

2) Project Design (up to 25 points)

a) Project Strategy and Sustainability Strategy (up to 20 points)

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

The project-level objective is to strengthen civil society capacity to protect migrant workers, particularly Mexican nationals participating in U.S. temporary foreign worker (TFW) programs, by supporting fair recruitment initiatives, improving civil society organizations’ and TFWs’ awareness of labor rights, and increasing the use of formal mechanisms to exercise those rights..

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

https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ILAB/TOsC-Guidebook-March-Updates-032723-Clean-508.pdf https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ILAB/TOsC-Guidebook-March-Updates-032723-Clean-508.pdf

• Outcome 1: Civil society organizations gain knowledge and capacity to advance issues surrounding migrant worker labor rights, including ethical recruitment, fair pay, occupational safety and health, gender equity, and remediation of unfair practices.

• Outcome 2: Civil society organizations provide improved services to migrant workers throughout their labor migration to ensure their labor rights are protected.

Requirements Across Outcomes

Applicants must propose a strategy to achieve the project-level objective and expected outcomes stated above. Applicants may suggest additional outcomes they deem necessary to achieve the project-level objective and a rationale for how they contribute to the achievement of the project’s overall objective. One or more existing outcomes may be revised during the project validation process post-award in consultation with ILAB. A subsequent amendment to the cooperative agreement will formally reflect the incorporation of revised outcomes.

Applicants must describe all major areas of project intervention. In describing project interventions, applicants are expected to describe specific outputs and activities and how such activities should logically lead to the project’s expected objective and outcomes in an interrelated and holistic manner. Applicants must demonstrate how their proposed strategy will address gaps identified in the problem analysis, identify any potential barriers, and describe how the project will work to overcome those barriers. Applicants must provide evidence of the effectiveness of their proposed 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).

In addition, applicants must clearly describe in their proposed strategy how they will integrate sustainability into their project strategy, beginning in the early stages of project implementation (please see Appendix B for a definition of sustainability).

Applicants are not required to develop an integrated sustainability strategy for every outcome or sub-outcome proposed, but rather, only where appropriate and needed to maximize long term impact. Applicants shall use the Sustainability Strategy

Template (please see Appendix G) to show how they plan to build sustainability into their design for applicable outcomes/elements. Successful applicants will have an opportunity to update and elaborate on this template post-award.

As part of their strategy, applicants must undertake an initial assessment of any unique needs of underserved or historically marginalized populations and the most at risk or vulnerable groups and describe how any identified needs will be addressed.

Applicants should propose a strategy to achieve Outcomes 1 and 2 in both Mexico and the United States for the entirety of the award time frame. While this project is focused on civil society, the applicant must consider the role of Mexico’s Servicio

Nacional de Empleo (SNE) in improving fair recruitment practices in Mexico and, if able to be involved in a greater capacity in years two (2) through four (4) of the project, should be considered for participation in project activities. Additionally, in consultation with USDOL, applicants can propose additional activities during the duration of the project to allow for greater involvement of key government stakeholders.

Expected Outcomes

Outcome 1: Civil society organizations gain knowledge and capacity to advance issues surrounding migrant worker labor rights, including ethical recruitment, fair pay, occupational safety and health, gender equity, and remediation of unfair practices.

Applicants must propose evidence-based interventions targeting specific leverage points that will result in new or strengthened civil society organizations’ ability to organize and advocate for migrant workers’ rights. Activities could include, but are not limited to:

• Train civil society organizations and trade unions on migrant worker issues, rights, and TFW programs.

• Develop mechanisms of local-to-transnational networking, collaboration, information-sharing and advocacy among civil society organization concerning migrant workers’ labor rights.

• Conduct technical exchanges with U.S. government agencies and offices whose mandate covers labor rights (Wage and Hour Division, Occupational

Safety and Health Administration, Equal Employment Opportunity

Commission, National Labor Relations Board, EEOC, NLRB, etc.) to share information about TFW visa application processes, labor rights and protections under U.S. law, and mechanisms for alleging violations and seeking remedy.

• Organize pre-departure training for migrant workers, with a focus on TFWs.

• Educate potential migrant workers on the recruitment and application process, including verification of recruiters on the Government of Mexico’s registration platform.

• Train workers on labor rights, the structure of the TFW programs, their rights under the program, and the terms and conditions of their contracts.

• Provide information about US domestic agencies, consulates, advocacy organizations, and anti-trafficking hotlines they can contact while in the

United States or Mexico.

• Increase engagement with SNE and employers to address systemic barriers to participation and advocate for the inclusion of more eligible female workers in the TFW programs.

The project should center non-discrimination and equal opportunity, women, and other historically marginalized, underrepresented, and vulnerable groups. Applicants must propose plans to increase the knowledge of migrant workers’ issues among civil society actors and improve their ability to advocate migrant workers’ rights in a transnational manner. Applicants must clearly identify barriers and entry points and describe how proposed interventions will strengthen civil society’s capacity to advance issues surrounding migrant worker labor rights. Applicants must include specific citations to evidence used to support their proposed strategies.[iii] Evidence can include lessons learned and promising practices from labor programming as well as other relevant initiatives. 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) through complexity-aware monitoring, to be approved by USDOL post-award.[iv]

In both countries, the applicant’s interventions will result in strengthening civil society organizations to be able to better articulate and advocate for priorities through evidence-based assessments of labor rights abuses both in Mexico and the United

States.

Outcome 2: Civil society organizations provide improved services to migrant workers throughout their labor migration to ensure their labor rights are protected.

Applicants must propose evidence-based interventions targeting specific leverage points that will result in strengthened networks among individuals and/or institutions to achieve systemic improvements in fundamental labor rights and improved working conditions. These interventions should be part of a strategy that includes collaboration with individuals, communities, and institutions such as the relevant government agencies at the national, regional, and/or local level and other key stakeholders, such as the private sector, workers’ and employers’ organizations, and other civil society organizations. Activities may include, but are not limited to:

• Provide sustained support for migrant workers throughout the labor mobility experience from recruitment and pre-departure, to work in the U.S., and return and reinsertion.

• Assist migrant workers in navigating Mexican and U.S. grievance mechanisms and potential remedies.

• Elevate female migrant workers to serve as leaders in their workplaces and communities and provide resources for other female workers who have experienced labor rights violations, including discrimination, harassment, and workplace violence.

• Support former TFWs owed backpay to navigate the Wage and Hour Division

(WHD) Workers Owed Wages (WOW) system.

• Monitor TFW recruiters and share information about fraudulent practices with the public and government authorities, including the Servicio Nacional de Empleo (SNE).

Activities must include:

• Advocate for greater recruitment agency transparency and improved recruiter verification processes with the Servicio Nacional de Empleo (SNE).

Applicants should identify gaps, barriers, and entry points, and describe how the proposed interventions will increase the likelihood that civil society organizations improve services to migrant workers to ensure their labor rights are upheld. Applicants must include specific citations to evidence used to support their proposed strategies.

Evidence can include lessons learned and promising practices from labor programming as well as other relevant initiatives. 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) through complexity-aware monitoring, to be approved by USDOL post-award.

USDOL has informed host government officials of the proposed project. Applicants must propose strategies for collaborating with the relevant government agencies in each country.

Efforts must be made to avoid duplication and to build upon relevant previous or ongoing activities in Mexico and the United States. Applicants must include a mapping of the landscape of current relevant programming in Mexico and the United

States. Applicants must also demonstrate how they intend to coordinate with other relevant projects and initiatives, including those funded by the host government

(where applicable), USDOL, other USG, and other donor governments and organizations. Applicants must include a brief description of the consultative process undertaken in preparing their proposal.

Applicants must demonstrate that they have undertaken an initial assessment of the needs, resources, interests, influence and capabilities of all target groups, institutions, organizations or structures that are deemed vital to sustaining project outcomes, by describing the process of conducting the assessment and the results. The needs assessment and discussion of results should give particular attention to structural inequities and vulnerable groups, and should include a gender analysis.

Applicants must plan for long-term sustainability of outcomes in their proposed strategies. The applicant’s description of the project strategy should:

• Explain the flow of inputs to activities, activities to outputs, outputs to outcomes, outcomes to the project objective, and the sustained impact on worker rights that the project will contribute to.

• Fully justify proposed interventions by explaining their purpose and the problems they are intended to address. If available, note any applicable research that establishes evidence of a causal relationship or correlation between interventions and expected outcomes. Proposed interventions, including the activities and outputs that comprise them, should be fully described and should be ambitious but realistic given the implementing environment, scope of the problems to be addressed, and proposed budget.

• Demonstrate knowledge of political, gender, cultural, or other traditions and norms pertaining to and impacting the interventions proposed in the target sectors, including how these issues will be considered while implementing project activities.

• Demonstrate the long-term sustainability of all efforts and outcomes in the design of the proposal, including which outcomes have the potential to be sustained after the end of the project and explain how the responsibility for sustaining them is expected to transition to local stakeholders, systems and institutions.

• Identify risks and opportunities inherent in the project design that could impact the likelihood of achieving or sustaining project outcomes, and describe appropriate mitigation and response strategies.

• Recognize possible external factors or shocks and their potential influence on the project, expected outcomes, and their sustainability.

Sustainability must be the centerpiece of the project strategy. “Sustainability” is concerned with measuring whether the benefits of an activity are likely to continue after donor funding has been withdrawn. Applicants must take into account the likelihood that the benefits or effects of a particular output or outcome will continue after donor funding ends. In developing the project strategy, applicants must consult with key stakeholders to ensure that the proposed strategy takes into account the factors, partners and institutions that are likely to have the strongest influence over, and the capacity and willingness to sustain the desired outcomes and impacts.

Applicants should embed sustainability success factors into the project design in accordance with the Sustainability Guide available on ILAB’s website at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/resources/grants.

After award, the selected recipients will be required to refine the Sustainability

Strategy, report on it in each of their progress reports and modify or update the strategy as needed. Although there are restrictions on the awarding of subawards or contracts to government entities, to the extent possible, recipients should consider engaging relevant government agencies through other mechanisms, as well as partnering with other local organizations or associations to strengthen their capacity.

b) Project Targets (up to 5 points)

The applicant's Project Targets section will be evaluated based on how well it supports the overall project strategy, as well as for how reasonable project targets are https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/resources/grants with consideration to the allocation of project resources (e.g., budget, staffing) to support the meeting of those targets.

USDOL has established a set of standard outcome indicators that OTLA-funded worker rights projects are expected to achieve or substantially contribute to, which should be sustained after the project ends. Together these indicators measure outcomes that are expected to have a lasting impact on the systemic worker rights problem identified in the project objective.

To receive full points for this section, applicants must include numerical outcome projections for each of the OTLA standard outcome indicators identified in Appendix

F and defined in Appendix B. Applicants should complete Appendix F by providing raw numerical targets for each year of the project as well as the cumulative number;

otherwise, they will not receive full points. If an applicant considers one or more outcome indicators inapplicable to their project, enter zeroes for the yearly and cumulative targets and provide a justification for excluding it. Percentages, percent increases or other types of data projections are not acceptable. In the narrative, applicants should explain their rationale for the targets.

Applicants must describe the target populations, institutions, systems or processes that will be impacted by the project. Applicants must describe how target populations, institutions, sectors and/or geographic areas, etc. reflect the problem to be addressed and the overall strategy being proposed by the applicant.

Applicants must provide a justification for their selection of a target geographical area(s), as applicable. Applicants must describe how geographic areas reflect the problem to be addressed and the overall strategy being proposed by the applicant.

Applicants must put forward a proposed approach to ensure the safety of participants and implementers within the target geographic area(s). Applicants must describe how they will administer services in a safe environment.

3) Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Agreement and Capacity Statement (up to 5 points)

The applicant's M&E Agreement and Capacity Statement will be evaluated based on how well it addresses OTLA M&E requirements (outlined below). Applicants must confirm in their proposal their commitment to strong project M&E. They must also confirm their agreement to collaborate with USDOL in developing and revising required M&E deliverables, including the project’s Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP).

M&E requirements include:

• development and implementation of the PMP, which includes indicator definitions and collection, reporting, and analysis of data on project-specific and

USDOL-required performance indicators;

• establishing targets for performance indicators;

• development of baseline values for performance indicators;

• development and refinement of a Sustainability Strategy with its own specific theories, assumptions, and indicators to measure and report progress, including a

Stakeholder Register and Risk Management Plan;

• evaluations, studies, or other learning/accountability activities, such as behavioral intervention studies, action research, externally conducted midterm and final performance evaluations, or post-hoc evaluations to pursue specific evidence-building activities that will help advance ILAB’s institutional learning; and

• an end-of-project analysis of PMP indicator data and final outcomes, usually part of the Final Technical Progress Report (TPR).

After the award is made, USDOL will work with the recipient to develop the PMP and to identify project-specific indicator definitions, targets, units of measure and data disaggregation. All agreed upon indicators and disaggregation must be reported in the semi-annual progress reports in a spreadsheet format. USDOL will also work with the recipient on plans for data collection, analysis, learning, and usage.

4) Work Plan (up to 9 points)

The applicant's Work Plan will be evaluated based on how clearly and realistically it outlines major activities and their related deadlines. The Work Plan must identify major project activities, deadlines for completing these activities, and person(s) or institution(s) responsible for completing these activities for the entire life of the project, as well as a sustainability plan. The Work Plan must be included graphically as an attachment and correspond to activities identified in the Project Design, Budget and Budget Narrative.

Applicants may choose an appropriate format for their Work Plan, but the format must include a field/column where the applicant, if funded, would report on the status of plan items (e.g., not yet started, on track, delayed, completed).

d. Organizational Capacity (up to 40 points)

This section must describe the qualifications of the proposed applicant and/or any proposed subrecipients to implement the project.

1) Relevant Grant and/or Contract Experience (up to 5 points)

The applicant's Relevant Grant and/or Contract Experience will be evaluated based on how well it reflects their ability to address the requirements of the FOA (including the ability to meet USDOL monitoring, oversight, and reporting requirements) and implement the applicant’s proposed Project Strategy. Applicants must describe any experience they or their proposed subrecipients have with implementing projects relevant to this FOA and provide references for past performance, as well as ask their references to complete and submit a past performance questionnaire. Each of these requirements is further explained in the corresponding bulleted item below. Projects included must have been active within seven years of the issuance date of the FOA and no more than a combined total of six (6) projects for the primary applicant and proposed subrecipients should be provided in the description or used for references.

• Project descriptions should be included in this section of the technical proposal.

• References must be included as an attachment in a Relevant Grant and/or

Contract Experience table (see Appendix C for a sample format). USDOL reserves the right to contact any references included in the chart and/or any other references that come to our attention.

• Applicants must ask all listed references to provide information about project performance and administration such as that suggested in the sample past performance questionnaire included as Appendix E.