FOA-ODEP-22-10_pdf.pdf

Signature Date

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Disability Employment Policy

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

ANNOUNCEMENT FOR: LEADERSHIP FOR THE EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC

ADVANCEMENT OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND

OPPORTUNITY ACT POLICY DEVELOPMENT CENTER

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Initial

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: FOA-ODEP-22-10

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER: 17.720

KEY DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications under this Announcement is 06/17/2022. We must receive applications no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

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

The U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (ETA), is responsible for the grant award process for the Office of Disability Employment Policy.

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Program Purpose

B. Program Authority

C. Geographic Scope

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. AWARD TYPE AND AMOUNT

B. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

B. COST SHARING OR MATCHING

C. OTHER INFORMATION

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. HOW TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION PACKAGE

B. CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

C. SUBMISSION DATE, TIME, PROCESS AND ADDRESS

D. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

E. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

F. OTHER SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. CRITERIA

B. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. AWARD NOTICES

B. ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS

C. REPORTING

VII. AGENCY CONTACTS

VIII. OTHER INFORMATION

IX. OMB INFORMATION COLLECTION

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL, or the Department, or we), announces the availability of approximately $2,000,000 in grant funds authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (Public Law 117-103) for the operation of the Leadership for the Employment and Economic Advancement of People with Disabilities Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Policy Development Center (LEAD WIOA

PDC).

The Department expects to award a total of approximately $8 million for one cooperative agreement, to be provided in annual increments of approximately $2 million during a four-year period of performance. This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) solicits applications for four years of funding; however, applicants must submit budget documents requesting no more than $2 million for the first year of operation. Subsequent incremental awards will be dependent upon federal funds availability, along with progressive project expenditures and progressive outcomes.

The entity selected to operate the LEAD WIOA PDC will continue and build upon the work of the existing LEAD WIOA PDC, called the LEAD Center, to work across the full range of workforce systems to develop policies and provide technical expertise that increases competitive integrated employment (CIE) services, opportunities, and outcomes for individuals with disabilities. The LEAD WIOA PDC will focus its work across three priorities related to WIOA: advancing economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities, creating career pathways to CIE as defined in WIOA, and improving data reporting on disability through WIOA programs. The selected awardee will ensure a strong focus on equity by engaging a group of experts with diverse experiences, focusing work on ensuring that historically marginalized communities are effectively served, and ensuring that materials generated through the work of this project directly address diversity and are marketed and accessible to a variety of audiences.

Eligible applicants are non-profit organizations or for-profit businesses that possess the demonstrated capacity, relationships, and expertise in workforce development and state workforce systems, as well as in disability employment and economic advancement. These qualifications will allow the funding recipient to conduct policy development and share technical expertise in the designated content areas. DOL anticipates that most eligible entities will not singularly possess the expertise or capacity to operate the project unassisted and will need to engage partners, with DOL's input.

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Program Purpose This Announcement solicits applications for the operation of Leadership for the Employment and Economic Advancement of People with Disabilities Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Policy Development Center.

The purpose of this program is to provide comprehensive policy development and technical expertise for the public workforce development system, as authorized under WIOA, in order to promote increased and equitable access to WIOA programs and services, CIE opportunities, and economic advancement and outcomes for individuals with disabilities. The successful applicant will not develop official DOL policy guidance for WIOA programs, but will develop adjunct resources relating to provision of meaningful, effective services to the full range of individuals with disabilities throughout this system. The successful applicant will continue and build on the work of the existing LEAD WIOA PDC. For background information on the current LEAD WIOA PDC, called the LEAD Center, please visit its website at www.leadcenter.org.

The successful applicant will operate the LEAD WIOA PDC by working across the full range of workforce systems to develop policies and provide technical expertise that increases CIE services, opportunities, and outcomes for individuals with disabilities. The successful applicant will ensure a strong focus on equity by engaging a group of experts with diverse experiences, focusing work on historically marginalized communities, and ensuring that materials created through the work of this project directly address diversity and are marketed and accessible to a variety of audiences.

The LEAD WIOA PDC will focus its work across three priorities related to WIOA and the workforce development system: advancing economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities, creating career pathways to CIE, and increasing data reporting on disability through WIOA programs. The LEAD WIOA PDC will conduct outreach on the specified priorities to state and local workforce systems, including American Job Centers, WIOA-required partners, and other essential but non-mandated partners (such as mental health, Medicaid, and others), to help those entities create inclusive programs and policies to promote employment and economic advancement of individuals with disabilities and to promote collaboration, cooperation and leveraging of resources across these systems. The successful applicant and ODEP will finalize the LEAD WIOA PDC workplan post-award, which will outline the specific work projects to be conducted during the project's period of performance. As noted above the work will focus on:

Advancing economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities. The successful applicant will expand the current LEAD Center’s focus on financial literacy and economic advancement through activities such as pilot programs, research, and resource development to address the various barriers to financial literacy and stability for people with disabilities, including in historically marginalized communities that may have large numbers of individuals who have limited or no connection to formal banking institutions.

This work will include but not be limited to research examining the connections between financial literacy services provided through the workforce system and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities. The LEAD WIOA PDC may leverage public-private programs to demonstrate and document strategies promoting economic advancement, ensuring that historically marginalized groups are also effectively served.

Creating career pathways to employment. The successful applicant will ensure the LEAD WIOA PDC assists workforce programs to develop and implement inclusive career pathways aligned with WIOA, such as apprenticeships, in areas of high job growth or areas essential for individuals with disabilities (for example, the direct care workforce and/or financial industries). Building on ODEP’s prior work, the LEAD WIOA PDC will increase access to services in American Job Centers (AJCs) for individuals with the full range of disabilities by increasing the understanding and use of strategies that promote the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity requirements of Section 188 of WIOA. The LEAD WIOA PDC will also provide training for AJC staff, job developers and others on customized employment strategies, including for serving veterans. Finally, the LEAD http://www.leadcenter.org https://www.dol.gov/agencies/oasam/centers-offices/civil-rights-center/statutes/section-188-workforce-innovation-opportunity-act/guide https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/program-areas/customized-employment

WIOA PDC will work with states to develop policy resources and products for AJCs to assist individuals in finding CIE opportunities and needed support staff, including those who are transitioning from subminimum wage employment or require assistance of direct care and direct support professionals.

Increasing data reporting on disability through WIOA programs. The LEAD WIOA PDC will provide research, policy products, and other assistance to improve WIOA data collection and reporting on service to individuals with disabilities through workforce development programs. The LEAD WIOA PDC will build on current ODEP work by developing and supporting adoption and implementation of model Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) to promote data sharing and coordination and alignment of services across State and local systems (such as Medicaid, Mental Health, Education, Rehabilitation, Intellectual/Developmental Disability and others as appropriate). Such MOUs may include disaggregation and analysis of racial/ethnic data across systems as it relates to disability. The LEAD WIOA PDC will also build resources to facilitate cross-agency sharing and application of data to improve customer experience, and provide necessary information and training on disability data to the WIOA system in order to assist them in more effectively reporting their disability-related data. Finally, the Center will be responsible for regularly updating existing data tools and resources (including but not limited to the Data Visualization Tool found on www.leadcenter.org) to ensure continuity of access for the field.

The successful applicant selected to operate the LEAD WIOA PDC will ensure that the proposed activities build on existing federal investments in disability employment. The LEAD WIOA PDC will also develop partnerships with other key entities to share information and outputs across related programs through continued implementation of the LEAD "Knowledge Translation (KT) Consortium.” The KT Consortium increases CIE and economic advancement for individuals with disabilities by bringing together multiple federal technical and policy assistance centers across Government that focus on disability employment in order to share information and ensure non-duplication of activities across these multiple technical assistance efforts.

In addition to executing the major areas of work outlined in this funding opportunity announcement, the Center will assist ODEP in the development of policy by performing, upon request, rapid responses to policy analysis requests and policy implementation questions.

The LEAD WIOA PDC will have a national reach. For each focus area, the Center will develop resources that meet the needs of all states and territories, and design and implement a promotion and dissemination plan that ensures materials are available through multiple avenues. This includes activities such as maintaining a fully accessible website, conducting innovative and accessible webinars, participating in national conferences, conducting successful social media outreach, collaborating with similar organizations to accomplish the Center's mission. Potential stakeholders of LEAD WIOA PDC resources may include, but are not limited to, state and local workforce development agencies and staff, federal agencies, state agencies working toward employment and economic advancement for individuals with disabilities, organizations that serve individuals with disabilities including those serving historically marginalized communities, and individuals with disabilities and their families. It also includes potential partners in the http://www.leadcenter.org https://leadcenter.org/about-us/knowledge-translation-kt-consortium/ https://leadcenter.org/about-us/knowledge-translation-kt-consortium/ private sector, including but not limited to employers, service providers, financial institutions, and others, in order to build opportunities for collaboration between the public and private sectors.

For each major project, the LEAD WIOA PDC will work with ODEP to identify relevant, measurable outcomes, which may include policy outcomes, implementation tools, and research as appropriate. In addition to these outcomes, ODEP expects the Center to measure the reach of its resources by tracking webinar, website, and social media metrics to be determined in coordination between ODEP and the grantee. Collecting data describing service to or impact on diverse communities of individuals with disabilities is a required component across all project areas.

B. Program Authority The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (Public Law 117-103), and 29 U.S.C.

§ 557b, authorizes this program.

C. Geographic Scope

The LEAD WIOA PDC will focus on providing policy development and technical assistance on a national scale. The LEAD WIOA PDC will primarily engage the workforce system and its partners through a virtual platform/online presence.

Applicants must demonstrate comprehensive strategies to provide policy development and technical assistance across the public workforce system (i.e., capacity to service and reach multiple geographic locations, as applicable).

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. AWARD TYPE AND AMOUNT

Funding will be provided in the form of a CA (Cooperative Agreement).

We expect availability of approximately $2,000,000 to fund approximately 1 grant(s). You may apply for a ceiling amount of up to $2,000,000. Awards made under this Announcement are subject to the availability of federal funds. In the event that additional funds become available, we reserve the right to use such funds to select additional grantees from applications submitted in response to this Announcement.

We anticipate total availability of approximately $8,000,000 over a 48-month period of performance. The selected recipient will receive approximately $2,000,000 annually, subject to productive program outcomes based on the LEAD WIOA PDC workplan and the availability of federal funds.

B. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance is 48 months with an anticipated start date of 08/25/2022. This performance period includes all necessary implementation and start-up activities.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

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

13 (Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education)

22 (For profit organizations other than small businesses)

23 (Small businesses)

Eligible applicants listed above include nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, which may include labor organizations and unions as applicable. Among eligible applicants, the applicant agency or organization must also possess demonstrated capacity, relationships, experience, and expertise in:

workforce development and state workforce systems and their partner programs;

advancing economic self-sufficiency and financial literacy for individuals with disabilities;

increasing equity in disability employment services;

strategies for increasing CIE for jobseekers across the spectrum of disability through the workforce development system (including assisting states as appropriate in cooperating and coordinating across systems, phasing out subminimum wages or increasing access to direct care and direct support professional staff);

the direct care and direct support workforce;

customized employment;

services for target audiences, such as veterans and/or American Indians and Alaska

Natives with disabilities;

WIOA data collection and interpretation; and career pathways (including apprenticeships) as these areas relate to increasing employment for jobseekers with disabilities.

Eligible applicants must also have the demonstrated capacity and experience in conducting policy development activities and implementing technical expertise on the key work areas identified in this announcement. DOL anticipates that most eligible entities will not singularly possess the expertise or capacity to operate the project unassisted and will need to engage partners. As such, the lead applicant’s implementation plan must include a description of the associated partners, if engaged, to supplement program activities to fully address and execute all of the required grant funded activities and deliverables. DOL has made equity in programs a priority; therefore, DOL encourages partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), minority-owned small businesses, registered apprenticeship intermediaries, and/or labor organizations. Those applicants proposing partnerships must describe the roles and expected contributions of the partners, as well as provide signed letters of commitment or MOUs with any proposed partner organizations, as outlined in the Requested Attachments to this notice. See Section IV.B.4 for more details.

Applicants must identify their institution type in Section 9 of the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance. Please note that all elements of 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards) and 2 CFR Part

2900 (DOL’s Supplement to 2 CFR Part 200) apply to any entity that carries out a federal award as a recipient or subrecipient, including for-profit organizations. This includes the monitoring and the examination of their records.

Award recipients will serve as DOL’s counterpart in the cooperative agreement. The recipient must be the organization specified in Section 8 of the SF-424 Application Form. Additionally, the recipient must be: (1) DOL’s point of contact to receive and respond to all inquiries or communications under this FOA and any subsequent cooperative agreement; (2) the entity with authority to withdraw or draw down funds through the Department of Health and Human Services - Payment Management System (HHS-PMS); (3) the entity responsible for coordinating with DOL on all deliverables, including all technical and financial reports related to the project, regardless of which partnership member performed the work; (4) the entity that may request or agree to a revision of the cooperative agreement; (5) the entity with overall responsibility for carrying out the programmatic functions of the cooperative agreement, as well as for the stewardship of all expenditures under the cooperative agreement; (6) the entity responsible for coordinating with any evaluator, including participating in an evaluation and other studies; and

(7) the entity responsible for working with DOL to close out the cooperative agreement.

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

Application Screening Criteria

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

Application Requirement Instructions Complete?

The deadline submission requirements are met Section IV.C

Eligibility Section III.A

If submitted through Grants.gov, the components of the application are saved in any of the specified formats and are not corrupt. (We will attempt to open the document, but will not take any additional measures in the event of problems with opening.)

Section

IV.C.2

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

3. Allowable Use of Funds

This funding will provide one cooperative agreement to a recipient working collaboratively with associated partners to conduct policy development and technical assistance on disability employment issues for the workforce system, as specified in this funding opportunity announcement.

The recipient of this cooperative agreement may use awarded funding to cover their organization’s reasonable, necessary, and allocable expenses required for the effective implementation of program requirements associated with this initiative. Recipients may use funding to pay project staff to perform work associated with the program requirements of the cooperative agreement. Recipients may also use funds to conduct routine, internal program management activities.

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. HOW TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION PACKAGE

This FOA, found at www.Grants.gov contains all of the information and links to forms needed to apply for grant funding.

B. CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

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

1. SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance”;

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

Application for federal funds request does not exceed the ceiling amount of $2,000,000 Section II.A

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

Section

IV.B.1

SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance Section

SF-424 includes a Unique Entity Identifier Section

SF-424A, Budget Information Form Section

IV.B.2

Budget Narrative Section

IV.B.2

Project Narrative Section

IV.B.3

http://www.grants.gov/

3. Project Narrative; and

4. Attachments to the Project Narrative.

You must ensure that the funding amount requested is consistent across all parts and sub-parts of the application.

1. SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance”

You must complete the SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance” (available at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1).

In the address field, fill out the nine-digit (plus hyphen) zip code. Nine-digit zip codes can be looked up on the USPS website at https://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupAction!input.action.

The SF-424 must clearly identify the applicant and must be signed by an individual with authority to enter into a grant agreement. Upon confirmation of an award, the individual signing the SF-424 on behalf of the applicant is considered the Authorized Representative of the applicant. As stated in block 21 of the SF-424 form, the signature of the Authorized Representative on the SF-424 certifies that the organization is in compliance with the Assurances and Certifications form SF-424B (available at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1). You do not need to submit the SF-424B with the application.

a. Requirement for Unique Entity Identifier

As of April 4, 2022, the DUNS Number has been replaced by a new, non-proprietary identifier requested in and assigned by SAM.gov. This new identifier is being called the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), or the Entity ID. To learn more about UEI requirements, visit the U.S. General Service Administration (GSA), Unique Entity Identifier Update webpage:

https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-systems-information-kit/unique-entity-identifier-update.

If the grant award or cooperative agreement recipient is authorized to make subawards under this award, then the recipient: 1.) must notify potential subrecipients that no entity (see definitions below) may receive a subaward from the grant award recipient until the entity has provided its Unique Entity Identifier to the recipient; and 2.) may not make a subaward to an entity unless the entity has provided its Unique Entity Identifier to the grant or cooperative agreement recipient.

Subrecipients are not required to obtain an active SAM registration but must obtain a Unique Entity Identifier.

(See Appendix A to 2 CFR Part 25.)

b. Requirement for Registration with SAM

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

A recipient must maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active federal award or an application under consideration. To remain registered in the SAM database after the initial registration, the applicant is required to review https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1 https://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupAction!input.action https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1 https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-systems-information-kit/unique-entity-identifier-update https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-systems-information-kit/unique-entity-identifier-update https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-systems-information-kit/unique-entity-identifier-update https://www.sam.gov and update the registration at least every 12 months from the date of initial registration or subsequently update its information in the SAM database to ensure it is current, accurate, and complete. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicant is the entity that meets the eligibility criteria and has the legal authority to apply and to receive the award. If an applicant has not fully complied with these requirements by the time the Grant Officer is ready to make a federal award, the Grant Officer may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a federal award to another applicant.

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

a. Budget Narrative The Budget Narrative must provide a description of costs associated with each line item on the SF-424A. The Budget Narrative should also include a section describing any leveraged resources provided (as applicable) to support grant activities. Leveraged resources are all resources, both cash and in-kind, in excess of this award. Valuation of leveraged resources follows the same requirements as match. Applicants are encouraged to leverage resources to increase stakeholder investment in the project and broaden the impact of the project itself.

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

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

Travel: For grantee staff only, specify the purpose, number of staff traveling, mileage, per diem, estimated number of in-state and out-of-state trips, and other costs for each type of travel.

Equipment: Identify each item of equipment you expect to purchase that has an estimated acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit (or if your capitalization level is less than $5,000, use your capitalization level) and a useful lifetime of more than one year (see 2 CFR 200.1for the definition of Equipment). List the item, quantity, and the unit cost per item.

Items with a unit cost of less than $5,000 are supplies, not “equipment.” In general, we do not permit the purchase of equipment during the last funded year of the grant.

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

Contractual: Under the Contractual line item, delineate contracts and subawards separately. Contracts are defined according to 2 CFR 200.1 as a legal instrument by which a non-federal entity purchases property or services needed to carry out the project or program under a federal award. A subaward, defined by 2 CFR 200.1, means an award provided by a pass-through entity to a subrecipient for the subrecipient to carry out part of a federal award received https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1 by the pass-through entity. It does not include payments to a contractor or payments to an individual that is a beneficiary of a federal program.

For each proposed contract and subaward, specify the purpose and activities to be provided, and the estimated cost.

Construction: Construction costs are not allowed, and this line must be left as zero. Minor alterations to adjust an existing space for grant activities (such as a classroom alteration) may be allowable. We do not consider this as construction, and you must show the costs on other appropriate lines such as Contractual.

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

Indirect Costs: If you include an amount for indirect costs (through a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement or De Minimis) on the SF-424A budget form, then include one of the following:

a) If you have a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA), provide an explanation of how the indirect costs are calculated. This explanation should include which portion of each line item, along with the associated costs, are included in your cost allocation base. Also, provide a current version of the NICRA.

or

If you intend to claim indirect costs using the 10 percent de minimis rate, please confirm that your organization meets the requirements as described in 2 CFR 200.414(f). Clearly state that your organization has never received a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA), and your organization is not one described in 2 CFR 200, Appendix VII(D)(1)(b).

b) Applicants choosing to claim indirect costs using the de minimis rate must use Modified Total Direct Costs (see 2 CFR 200.1 below for definition) as their cost allocation base. Provide an explanation of which portion of each line item, along with the associated costs, are included in your cost allocation base. Note that there are various items not included in the calculation of Modified Total Direct Costs. See the definitions below to assist you in your calculation.

2 CFR 200.1 Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) means all direct salaries and wages, applicable fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, and up to the first $25,000 of each subaward (regardless of the period of performance of the subawards under the award). MTDC excludes equipment, capital expenditures, charges for patient care, rental costs, tuition remission, scholarships and fellowships, participant support costs and the portion of each subaward in excess of $25,000. Other items may be excluded only when necessary to avoid a serious inequity in the distribution of indirect costs, and with the approval of the cognizant agency for indirect costs.

The definition of MTDC in 2 CFR 200.1 no longer allows any sub-contracts to be included in the calculation. You will also note that participant support costs are not included in modified total direct cost. Participant support costs are defined below.

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

See Section IV.B.4. and Section IV.E.1 for more information. Additionally, the following link contains information regarding the negotiation of Indirect Cost Rates at DOL:

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/oasam/centers-offices/business-operations-center/cost-determination.

The SF-424, SF-424A, and Budget Narrative must reflect the federal funding request for the first year of the cooperative agreement, which may not exceed $2 million.

Do not show leveraged resources on the SF-424 and SF-424A. You should describe leveraged resources in the Budget Narrative.

Applicants should list the same requested federal grant amount on the SF-424, SF-424A, and Budget Narrative. If minor inconsistencies are found between the budget amounts specified on the SF-424, SF-424A, and the Budget Narrative, ODEP will consider the SF-424 the official funding amount requested. However, if the amount specified on the SF-424 would render the application nonresponsive, the Grant Officer will use his or her discretion to determine whether the intended funding request (and match if applicable) is within the responsive range.

3. Project Narrative

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

The Project Narrative is limited to 30 double-spaced single-sided 8.5 x 11 inch pages with Times New Roman 12-point text font and 1-inch margins. You must number the Project Narrative beginning with page number 1.

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

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

a. Statement of Need (up to 5 points)

Applicants must demonstrate their understanding of the need for the program described within this Announcement. Scoring is based on the extent to which the applicant addresses the following:

i. Describe in both quantitative and qualitative terms the need for the proposed project, demonstrating the applicant’s understanding of the nature and scope of the need for developing policies addressing the economic self-sufficiency of individuals with https://www.dol.gov/agencies/oasam/centers-offices/business-operations-center/cost-determination https://www.dol.gov/agencies/oasam/centers-offices/business-operations-center/cost-determination disabilities, the development of career pathways for people with disabilities (including through increasing capacity of the workforce development system to provide meaningful, effective services to this group of individuals), as well as improving the quality of the data reporting on WIOA services provided to them. Incorporate outcome and demographic data whenever possible.

ii. Describe how the applicant will determine the needed policy assistance for a range of stakeholders to increase employment and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities, including the proposed outreach strategies used to assess and prioritize the identified areas for policy assistance

iii. Describe planned strategies to build upon the existing work of the current LEAD WIOA PDC (LEAD Center), which is exhibited at www.leadcenter.org, to address current policy needs.

b. Expected Outcomes and Outputs (up to 15 points)

DOL expects proposed projects will deliver relevant and effective policies and tools focusing on addressing the economic self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities, the development of career pathways for individuals with disabilities, as well as increasing and improving the data relating to disability reported on the WIOA services provided to them. The applicants’ approach to policy development and technical assistance must include methods for measuring and assessing outcomes and outputs resulting from those activities. To illustrate how an applicant’s proposed work plan will provide a results-based design, applicants will be scored on the extent to which they address the information required below:

i. Logic Model: Submit a logic model demonstrating how the applicant anticipates that the project work streams will lead to the proposed outcome and outputs. For each area of focus (addressing the economic self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities, the development of career pathways for individuals with disabilities, as well as increasing and improving the data reporting on disability under WIOA), applicants must provide one potential need the project will address and use the logic model to demonstrate how it will develop and refine policies and technical assistance tools throughout the period of performance. For example, the LEAD WIOA PDC will (a) select at least three workforce development areas to implement projects that develop and test strategies to increase the earning potential of individuals with disabilities through leveraging public-private partnerships with workforce development; (b) implement appropriate activities to measure the effectiveness of these strategies; and (c) disseminate widely the learning from these projects including by developing appropriate draft policy materials for consideration by the Department of Labor. The proposed logic model description must include the following categories:

1. Drivers – What challenges/problems will the policy development/technical assistance address/solve?

2. Activities – What types of activities will take place in the policy and/or technical assistance development.

3. Inputs – What are the resources the applicant will use to support the activities?

4. Outputs – How will the applicant quantify the activities performed? Examples of outputs include development of implementation tools or guides, practical webinars, pilot projects, and policy products.

http://www.leadcenter.org/

5. Outcomes/success factors – Identify the key outcomes or success factors for those audiences receiving the policy development/technical assistance.

6. Impacts – What impacts will the policy development/technical assistance have for individuals with disabilities as they navigate the workforce system?

ii. Evaluation: Provide a thorough and comprehensive description of the measures, methods, techniques, and tools the applicant will use to evaluate the effectiveness of policy development and technical assistance, in order to determine if project activities are achieving their anticipated outcomes. Describe how the applicant will ensure timely and accurate data collection and reporting, including when feasible demographic data, to track the achievement of identified outputs and outcomes.

c. Project Design (up to 45 points) The Project Design must provide a description of a coherent and feasible work plan addressing the five required components below. Applicants are scored according to the extent to which they address the required information below:

i. Describe in detail the planned activities to address the three key focus areas below, as well as the proposed outcomes and outputs for these focus areas. This section must also include reasonable timelines for the completion of the proposed activities across the full 48-month period of performance. (15 points)

1. Advancing economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities:

1. Describe the applicant’s expansion of the current LEAD Center’s focus on financial literacy, detailing strategies to address barriers to financial literacy and stability for individuals with disabilities, including those with limited or no connection to formal banking institutions.

2. Explain the applicant’s strategies to facilitate financial literacy, such as pilot programs or resource development, and include a plan for researching the connection between financial literacy services provided by the workforce development system and increasing economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities.

2. Creating career pathways to employment:

1. Describe the strategy for assisting workforce programs to develop and implement inclusive career pathways aligned with WIOA, such as apprenticeships in high job-growth fields or in jobs essential for individuals with disabilities (e.g., the direct care and direct support professional workforce and/or financial industries).

2. Describe the methods planned to increase access to American Job Centers (AJCs) and WIOA services by increasing the understanding and use of strategies promoting the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity requirements of WIOA Section 188, including strategies targeted at ensuring that historically marginalized individuals and communities are effectively served.

3. Describe training methods for AJC staff, job developers, etc. regarding customized employment strategies (including veterans).

4. Describe how the applicant will work with states to develop policy resources and products for AJCs to assist individuals in finding CIE opportunities – including those transitioning from subminimum wage employment.

3. Increasing data reporting on disability through WIOA programs:

1. Describe the applicant’s plan to provide research, policy products, and other assistance to improve WIOA data collection and reporting on service to individuals with disabilities through workforce development programs.

2. Describe the applicant’s plan to develop model Memorandums of Understanding to promote data sharing and coordination and alignment of services across state and local systems.

3. Describe proposed resources the applicant will develop to facilitate cross-agency sharing and application of data to improve customer experience.

4. Describe the applicant’s plan to provide necessary information and training on disability data to the WIOA system in order to assist them in more effectively reporting their disability-related data.

5. Describe the applicant’s plan to regularly update existing data tools and resources to ensure continuity of information access for the field (including the Data Visualization Tool found on www.leadcenter.org).

ii. Provide the applicant’s design and implementation plan to provide resources/policy development/technical assistance on a national level, to a broad range of stakeholders.

The applicant must explain how it will ensure materials are available through multiple avenues, such as maintaining a fully accessible website, conducting innovative and accessible webinars, national conferences, social media outreach, etc. (5 points)

iii. Describe the applicant’s strategy to engage a group of experts with diverse experiences in order to ensure a strong focus on policies addressing equity, as well as historically marginalized communities. The strategy must include how materials created through the work of the proposed project directly addresses diversity and will be marketed and accessible to a variety of audiences. (10 points)

iv. Describe how the applicant’s identified partnerships will assist the primary applicant achieve project success, as documented through the Letters of Commitment or MOUs between the applicant and each identified partner. Describe how these relationships increase the capacity to address identified activities. (10 points)

v. Describe the applicant’s methods to ensure all produced materials are accessible and high quality and will comply with the requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

(5 points)

d. Organizational, Administrative, and Fiscal Capacity (up to 15 points) Applicants must provide a detailed description demonstrating their experience and capacity to effectively manage all components of this program at the national level. Applicants must provide the information below in a separate attachment that does not count against the Project Narrative page limit. Scoring is based on the extent to which the applicant demonstrates the following:

i. The applicant must describe how the organization’s experience conducting technical and policy assistance activities and initiatives in the disability employment and/or workforce system and financial sectors, as well as in collaborating with disability employment organizations to achieve project goals, demonstrates the applicant’s ability to conduct the http://www.leadcenter.org type of work described in this funding opportunity. Applicants must demonstrate capacity, relationships, experience, and expertise in the following areas (5 points):

1. workforce development and state workforce systems and their partner programs;

2. advancing economic self-sufficiency and financial literacy for individuals with disabilities;

3. increasing equity in disability employment services;

4. strategies for increasing CIE for jobseekers across the spectrum of disability through the public workforce development system;

5. the direct care and direct support professional workforce;

6. customized employment;

7. services for target audiences, such as Veterans and/or American Indians and

Alaska Natives with disabilities;

8. WIOA data collection and interpretation; and

9. career pathways (including apprenticeships) as these areas relate to increasing employment for jobseekers with disabilities.

ii. The applicant must provide a project staffing organizational chart demonstrating it has the experience and capacity to carry out this proposed project. The chart must provide the qualifications and experience of executive, programmatic and administrative staff required to fulfill the needs of the project. Qualifications and experience must demonstrate the ability to manage the project, including fiscal and administrative management, programmatic work, and outreach/communication. (5 points)

iii. The applicant must submit the following information for each identified key personnel and subject matter expert (do not include personally identifiable information) (5 points):

1. Title

2. Position description in proposed project

3. Resume summarizing qualifications

4. Percent of time dedicated to the project

e. Past Performance - Programmatic Capability (up to 10 points)

Applicants will receive points based on past performance data. Applicants must provide the information below in a separate attachment that does not count against the Project Narrative page limit. Scoring is based on the extent to which the applicant demonstrates the following:

i. Demonstrate past performance managing federal and/or non-federal grants and contracts by providing a list of each project conducted within the last five years; the funding source name and contact information; the type of funding vehicle; the type of work performed, including the scope and scale of the projects; the period of performance; and a summary of project outcomes and outputs. This list will not count towards the page limit for the project narrative. (5 points)

ii. Describe in detail the applicant’s experience measuring the success or impact of prior work in this field, and how it contributes to the applicant’s ability to track the success of the work described in this Announcement. (5 points)

f. Bonus Point for the Applicant’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) (up to 1 point) Applicants that submit their organization’s equity plan demonstrating the extent to which DEIA is institutionalized within their operations will receive one bonus point. Applicants must submit the plan as a separate attachment to the Grants.gov application package and label it DEIA Plan.

Acceptance of an applicant’s DEIA submission does not in any way constitute legal review and/or approval of such plan.

DOL and this FOA define equity as follows:

The term “equity” means the consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied such treatment, such as Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities;…