FOA-WB-17-01.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

ANNOUNCEMENT FOR: Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (“WANTO”) Technical Assistance Grant Program

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Initial

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: FOA-WB-17-01

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER: 17.201

KEY DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications under this Announcement is August 23, 2017. We must receive applications no later than 4:00:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

ADDRESSES: Address mailed applications to:

The U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration, Office of Grants Management Attention: Mr. Jimmie Curtis, Grant Officer Reference FOA-WB-17-01 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room N4716 Washington, DC 20210

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 this Women’s Bureau grant program.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The Women’s Bureau (“WB”), U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL,” or “the Department,” or “we”), announce the availability of approximately $1.294 million in grant funds authorized by the Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (“WANTO”) Act of 1992, Pub. L. 102-530, 29 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.; 29 U.S.C. § 13; and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017, for the WANTO Technical Assistance Grant Program.

This program is intended to provide technical assistance (“TA”) to employers and labor unions to encourage employment of women in apprenticeable occupations and nontraditional occupations (“A/NTO”), specifically by:

Developing (establishing, expanding or enhancing) pre-apprenticeship or nontraditional skills training programs designed to prepare women for careers in

A/NTO;

Providing ongoing orientations for employers, unions, and workers on creating a successful environment for women in A/NTO; and/or

Setting up support groups and facilitating networks for women in A/NTO, to improve their retention.

Applicants may propose to provide technical assistance to support women’s participation and success in the full range of industries in which women are traditionally underrepresented or disproportionately concentrated in the lower-wage occupations.

Such industries include but are not limited to: advanced manufacturing, energy, healthcare, information technology, and transportation.

To be eligible for funds under this grant program, an applicant must be a community-based organization (“CBO”). In awarding grants, the Department will give priority to applications that (the application requirements for this grant can be found in Section IV.B):

Demonstrate experience preparing women to gain employment in A/NTO;

Demonstrate experience working with the business community to prepare them to place women in A/NTO;

Have tradeswomen or women in nontraditional occupations as active members of the organization, as either employed staff or board members; and Have experience delivering TA.

Up to four (4) grants of $250,000 to $500,000 each will be awarded. Selection of grantees will be determined based on the strength of the proposal and on other factors as set forth in the evaluation criteria in Section V.A.

The Department is committed to producing strong evidence on the effectiveness of its grant programs, and full participation (by grantee and any sub-grantees or sub-contractors) in any evaluation initiated by the Department is a condition of all grant awards.

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. PROGRAM PURPOSE

This announcement solicits applications for the Women’s Bureau’s WANTO Technical Assistance Grant Program. The purpose of this program is to provide technical assistance (“TA”) to employers and labor unions to encourage employment of women in apprenticeable occupations and nontraditional occupations (“A/NTO”).

Registered Apprenticeship (“RA”) is a proven “earn-and-learn” training model that offers workers a pathway to the middle class and helps companies recruit, develop, and retain a highly skilled workforce. The average starting wage for a fully proficient worker who completes an apprenticeship is more than $60,000 per year, and apprentices who complete their training have significantly higher lifetime earnings than similar individuals who do not participate in apprenticeships.1 Moreover, research indicates that businesses enjoy a return of approximately $1.50 for every dollar invested in apprenticeship, with benefits ranging from reduced turnover to increased productivity.

RA programs have a long history in skilled trades such as construction. They are also increasingly found in emerging and high-growth industries like energy, healthcare, and information technology. Many of these opportunities lead to careers that provide high, family-sustaining wages and quality fringe benefits.

Women are severely underrepresented in RA programs, and in high-growth, high-wage occupations generally. While women make up nearly half of the United States labor force, they comprise less than 10 percent of RA program participants. This statistic underscores both academic research and anecdotal evidence indicating that women face significant barriers to their full and effective participation in A/NTO.

Quality pre-apprenticeship programs can play a valuable role in removing some of those barriers. Pre-apprenticeship programs are designed to prepare individuals to enter and succeed in an RA program. They typically have a documented partnership with at least one RA program, and employ a variety of approaches and strategies to meet the specific needs of the populations being trained, the various employers and sponsors they serve, and the local labor market. As such, they are an important starting point toward a successful career in A/NTO, particularly for under-represented job seekers who may not be aware of these options for obtaining good jobs with opportunity for advancement.

CBOs are well-positioned to develop quality pre-apprenticeship programs that help women prepare for and succeed in A/NTO. CBOs are well-known in their local area, and frequently serve as the entry point for under-skilled individuals seeking to establish a solid career path. Many workforce-oriented CBOs already provide services such as career counseling, access to support services, remedial math and language education, job-readiness skills, and referral to and placement in training programs and jobs. These are the elements necessary for quality pre-apprenticeship programs, as well.

Grants issued through this program must be used by CBOs to provide TA to employers and/or labor unions, specifically through one or more of the following activities:

Developing (establishing, expanding or enhancing)pre-apprenticeship or nontraditional skills training programs designed to prepare women for careers in

A/NTO;

Providing ongoing orientations for employers, unions, and workers on creating a successful environment for women in A/NTO; and/or

1 “An Effectiveness Assessment and Cost-Benefit Analysis of Registered Apprenticeship in 10 States,” July 25, 2012, prepared for the U.S. Department of Labor by Mathematica Policy Research, available at:

https://wdr.doleta.gov/research/fulltext_documents/etaop_2012_10.pdf

Setting up support groups and facilitating networks for women in A/NTO, to improve their retention.

Applicants may propose to provide TA to support women’s participation and success in the full range of industries in which women are traditionally underrepresented or disproportionately concentrated in the lower-wage occupations. Such industries include but are not limited to: advanced manufacturing, energy, healthcare, information technology, and transportation.

Applicants should familiarize themselves with current Department guidance regarding quality pre-apprenticeship programs2 as well as any future DOL guidance on pre-apprenticeship that establishes a definition and quality framework for these programs.

TA provided through this grant program should reinforce the DOL guidance.

Consistent with the Department’s emphasis on funding projects that reflect a broad strategy that incorporates all available resources, applicants are strongly encouraged, but are not required, to include leveraged resources in their program design.

The TA provided through this grant program will prepare employers and labor unions to successfully recruit, train, and retain women in A/NTO, and also expand women’s employment opportunities and labor force participation. As such, this grant program will help employers meet their workforce needs while bolstering women’s economic security and the overall strength of the nation’s economy.

B. PROGRAM AUTHORITY

This program is authorized by the Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) Act of 1992, Pub. L. 102-530, 29 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.; 29 U.S.C. § 13; and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. AWARD TYPE AND AMOUNT

Funding will be provided in the form of a grant.

We expect availability of approximately $1.294 million to fund up to four (4) grants of between $250,000 and $500,000 each. You may apply for a ceiling amount of up to $500,000. Awards made under this Announcement are subject to the availability of Federal funds. In the event that additional funds become available, we reserve the right to use such funds to select additional grantees from applications submitted in response to this Announcement.

2 U.S. Department of Labor, Training and Employment Notice No. 13-12 (Nov. 30, 2012): Defining a Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Program and Related Tools and Resources, https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/attach/TEN/TEN_13-12.pdf https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/attach/TEN/TEN_13-12.pdf

B. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance is twelve (12) months with an anticipated start date of October 1, 2017. This performance period includes all necessary implementation and start-up activities.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

A.1. Eligible Entities Only CBOs are eligible to apply. For the purposes of this grant program, the term CBO means a private nonprofit organization (which may include a faith-based organization or a Native American organization), that is representative of a community or a significant segment of a community and that has demonstrated expertise and effectiveness in the field of workforce development.

A consortium of CBOs may apply as a single applicant, provided the applicant includes a copy of the consortium agreement that specifies which entity will administer the grant.

In awarding grants, the Department will give priority to applications that (the application requirements for this grant can be found in Section IV.B):

Demonstrate experience preparing women to gain employment in A/NTO;

Demonstrate experience working with the business community to prepare them to place women in A/NTO;

Have tradeswomen or women in nontraditional occupations as active members of the organization, as either employed staff or board members; and

A.2. Current and Former Grantees Recipients of funds awarded under previous WANTO Act grant programs are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity. Former WANTO Act grantees must explain, in their “Statement of Need” (see Section IV.B.3), how their proposed TA activities are materially different from those already performed using funds awarded through a WANTO Act grant program.

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. Acronyms and Definitions For the purposes of this FOA, the following terms are defined for the convenience of prospective applicants:

Apprentice: A worker at least 16 years of age, except where a higher minimum age standard is otherwise fixed by law, who is employed to learn an apprenticeable occupation as provided in 29 CFR 29.4 under standards of apprenticeship fulfilling the requirements of 29 CFR 29.5.

Apprenticeable Occupations: As defined in 29 CFR 29.4, occupations that are specified by industry and which must:

o Involve skills that are customarily learned in a practical way through a structured, systematic program of on-the-job supervised learning;

o Be clearly identified and commonly recognized throughout an industry;

o Involve the progressive attainment of manual, mechanical or technical skills and knowledge which, in accordance with the industry standard for the occupation, would require the completion of at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning to attain; and o Require related instruction to supplement the on-the-job learning.

Apprenticeship Agreement: A written agreement, complying with 29 CFR 29.7, between an apprentice and either the apprentice's program sponsor, or an apprenticeship committee acting as agent for the program sponsor(s), which contains the terms and conditions of the employment and training of the apprentice.

Apprenticeship Committee: As defined in 29 CFR 29.2, those persons designated by the sponsor to administer the program. A committee may be either joint or non-joint, as follows:

o A joint committee is composed of an equal number of representatives of the employer(s) and of the employees represented by a bona fide collective bargaining agent(s).

o A non-joint committee, which may also be known as a unilateral or group non- joint (which may include employees) committee, has employer representatives but does not have a bona fide collective bargaining agent as a participant.

Apprenticeship Program: A plan containing all terms and conditions for the qualification, recruitment, selection, employment and training of apprentices, as required under 29 CFR parts 29 and 30, including such matters as the requirement for a written apprenticeship agreement.

Community-Based Organization: A private non-profit organization (i.e., incorporated under Internal Revenue Service (IRS) §§ 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4)) (except for § 501(c)(4) organizations that engage in lobbying as described in section VI.B. of this FOA), or an entity that is actively pursuing IRS nonprofit tax-exempt status (which may be a faith-based organization or a Native American organization), that is representative of a community or a significant segment of a community, and which may provide job training services.

National Guidelines for Apprenticeship Standards: Standards that are developed by national committees or organizations, joint or unilateral, and that are “certified” by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship (“OA”). The OA Administrator, based on consultation with the OA, Division of Standards and National Industry Promotion (“DSNIP”), signs the documentation necessary to “certify:” the National Guideline Standards as substantially conforming to the requirements of Title 29, CFR parts 29 and 30. The purpose of National Guideline Standards is to provide policy and guidance to local affiliates of national organizations in developing local standards for approval and registration. When local affiliates develop local standards for registration, even though the local standards may be based upon the organizations’ National Guideline Standards, they must meet all the requirements of and be approved by the Registration Agency in that State.

National Program Standards: Standards that are developed and “registered” for multi-state programs. Such registration is for Federal purposes and is approved for each State covered by the National Program Standards. Apprentices are registered into these National Program Standards. The National OA is the Registration Agency for National Programs.

Non-Traditional Occupations (NTO): Those occupations where women account for less than 25 percent of all persons employed in a single occupational group.

Office of Apprenticeship (OA): The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship.

Pre-Apprenticeship Program: A program designed to prepare individuals to enter and succeed in an RA program, and which has a documented partnership with at least one RA program, and employs a variety of approaches and strategies to meet the specific needs of the populations being trained, the various employers and sponsors they serve, and the local labor market.

Registered Apprenticeship (RA): A formal employment relationship designed to promote skill training and learning on the job. “Hands on” learning takes place in conjunction with related theoretical instruction (often in a classroom setting). An apprentice who successfully completes a registered apprenticeship program (completion averages three to five years) is awarded a certificate of completion of apprenticeship. A registered program is one in which any person, association, committee, business, or organization operating an apprenticeship program and in whose name the program is (or is to be) registered or approved (known as program sponsors) design, organize, manage, and finance apprenticeship programs under the standards developed and registered with OA or a DOL-recognized State Apprenticeship Agency. Program sponsors also select apprentices, who are trained to meet certain predetermined occupational standards. For additional information, see https://www.doleta.gov/OA/apprenticeship.cfm

Registered Apprenticeship Program: Consists of any person, association, committee, business, or organization operating an apprenticeship program and in whose name the program is (or is to be) registered or approved (known as program sponsors) design, organize, manage, and finance apprenticeship programs under the standards developed and registered with OA or a DOL-recognized State Apprenticeship Agency.

Registered Apprenticeship Sponsor: Any person, association, committee, business, or organization operating an apprenticeship program in whose name the program is (or is to be) registered or approved.

Registration Agency: The Office of Apprenticeship, or a recognized State

Apprenticeship Agency that has responsibility for registering apprenticeship programs and apprentices; providing TA; conducting reviews for compliance with 29 CFR parts 29 and 30 and quality assurance assessments.

State Apprenticeship Agency: An agency of a State government that has responsibility and accountability for apprenticeship within the State. Only a State Apprenticeship Agency may seek recognition by the Office of Apprenticeship as an agency that has been properly constituted under an acceptable law or Executive Order, and authorized by the Office of Apprenticeship to register and oversee apprenticeship programs and agreements for Federal purposes.

Women’s Bureau: The U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau.

2. 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 https://www.doleta.gov/OA/apprenticeship.cfm

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

Section IV.C.

Application Federal funds request does not exceed the ceiling amount of $500,000 Section II.A

SAM Registration Section IV.B.1

SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

Section IV.B.1

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

SF-424A, Budget Information Form

Section IV.B.2

Budget Narrative Section IV.B.2

Project Narrative Section IV.B.3

Abstract Section IV.B.4

Memorandum of Understanding/Letter of

Commitment Section IV.B.4

Consortium Agreement (where applicable)

Section IV.B.4

3. Number of Applications Applicants May Submit

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

4. Eligible Participants

a) Participants Eligible to Receive Technical Assistance The intent of this FOA is to fund projects that provide TA to employers and/or labor unions to prepare them to recruit, train, and employ women in A/NTO, specifically through the development of pre-apprenticeship or nontraditional skills training programs.

Applicants must propose a project that focuses on developing (establishing, expanding or enhancing) a pre-apprenticeship or nontraditional skills training program designed to prepare women for careers in A/NTO, and which will assist employers and/or labor unions in the recruitment, training, and employment of women in A/NTO.

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

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. HOW TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION PACKAGE

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

B. CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

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

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

(2) Project Budget;

(3) Project Narrative; and

(4) Attachments to the Project Narrative.

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

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

You must complete the SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance” (available at https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424_2_1- V2.1.pdf http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2816 http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424_2_1-V2.1.pdf http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424_2_1-V2.1.pdf

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://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424B-V1.1.pdf ).

You do not need to submit the SF-424B with the application.

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

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

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

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

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

(See, Appendix A to 2 CFR section 25.)

- 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 can at https://www.sam.gov

A recipient must maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application under consideration. To remain registered in the SAM database after the initial registration, the applicant is required to review and update the registration at least every 12 months from the date of initial registration or subsequently https://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupAction!input.action http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424B-V1.1.pdf https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do https://www.sam.gov/ 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://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424A-V1.0.pdf). In preparing the Budget Information Form, you must provide a concise narrative explanation to support the budget request, explained in detail below.

Budget Narrative: The budget narrative must provide a description of costs associated with each line item on the SF-424A. It should also include a description of leveraged resources provided (as applicable) to support grant activities.

Use the following guidance for preparing the budget narrative:

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

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

Travel: Specify the purpose, mileage, per diem, estimated number of in-state and out-of-state trips, and other costs for each type of travel.

Equipment: Identify each item of equipment you expect to purchase which has an estimated acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit (or if your capitalization level is less than $5,000, use your capitalization level) and a useful lifetime of more than one year (see 2 CFR 200.33 for the definition of Equipment). List the quantity and unit cost per item. Items with a unit cost of less than $5,000 are supplies, not “equipment”. In general, we do not permit the purchase of equipment during the last funded year of the grant.

Supplies: Identify categories of supplies (e.g. office supplies) in the detailed budget and list the quantity and unit cost per item. Supplies include all tangible personal property other than “equipment” (see 2 CFR 200.94 for the definition of Supplies).

http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424A-V1.0.pdf

Contractual: Under the Contractual line item, delineate contracts and subawards separately. Contracts are defined according to 2 CFR 200.22 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 200.92, means an award provided by a pass-through entity to a subrecipient for the subrecipient to carry out part of a Federal award received by the pass-through entity. It does not include payments to a contractor or payments to an individual that is a beneficiary of a Federal program.

For each proposed contract and subaward, specify the purpose and 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 any item, such as stipends or incentives, not covered elsewhere here.

Indirect Costs: If you include indirect costs in the budget, then include one of the following:

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

or

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

Applicants choosing to claim indirect costs using the de minimis rate must use Modified Total Direct Costs (see 2 CFR 200.68 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 below the definitions to assist you in your calculation.

2 CFR 200.68 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 only be excluded when necessary to avoid a serious inequity in the distribution of indirect costs, and with the approval of the cognizant agency for indirect costs.

You will note that participant support costs are not included in modified total direct cost. Participant support costs are defined below.

2 CFR 200.75 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/oasam/boc/dcd/index.htm

Note that the SF-424, SF-424A, and budget narrative must include the entire Federal grant amount requested (not just one year).

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

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

(3) Project Narrative A. Preparing the Project Narrative http://www.dol.gov/oasam/boc/dcd/index.htm

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 15 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:

(1) Statement of Need Describe in both quantitative and qualitative terms, the need for assistance, including the nature and scope of the problem, and the consequences of not addressing the need. Incorporate demographic data and participant/beneficiary information whenever possible. In particular, be sure to describe:

The geographic region where the TA will be provided, and the workforce needs of the local economy (particularly with respect to A/NTO);

The need for TA to help employers and/or labor unions prepare women to enter and succeed in A/NTO; and

How the TA you propose to deliver will assist employers and/or labor unions in preparing women to enter and succeed in A/NTO.

Former WANTO Act Grantees: Also explain how your proposed TA activities are materially different from those already performed using funds awarded through a WANTO Act grant program.

(2) Expected Outcomes and Outputs Clearly identify the outcome(s) and output(s) that will result from the project. Outcomes are the measurable results of the project. They are the positive benefits or negative changes or measurable characteristics that occur as a result of project activities or outputs.

Outputs are tangible products or services that result from the project.3 In particular, be sure to address:

The number of and percentage increase in women expected to apply for, be accepted into, enroll in, and/or complete RA programs by the end of the grant period as a result of the TA you propose to provide;

Whether and to what extent products or services developed with TA provided under this grant can or will be sustained beyond the grant period;

The systemic change anticipated to result from the TA.

(3) Project Design Propose methods that the project will use to address the stated outcomes and outputs. Outline a plan of action that describes the scope and detail of how the project will accomplish the proposed work and include timelines for completion of work. Account for all functions or activities identified in the application. Cite factors that might accelerate or decelerate the work and state the reason for taking the proposed approach rather than other approaches. Identify any potential barriers and describe how the project will be able to overcome those barriers. Be sure to:

Describe the full nature and scope of each type of TA you propose to provide, including the frequency of delivery;

Describe how you will collaborate with the appropriate or applicable Apprenticeship Registration Agency, or Agencies, as defined in Section III.C.1, to ensure your TA is provided in accordance with Federal and State law, policy, guidance, and regulations; and

Identify the employers and/or labor unions to which you intend to provide TA, and describe the extent of their engagement in and commitment to your project. Note:

Applicants must provide letters of commitment from employers and/or labor unions to which they propose to provide TA. At least one of these employers and/or labor unions must be a National RA program or an organization that has certified National Guidelines for Apprenticeship Standards, as defined in Section III.C.1.

(4) Performance Evaluation

3 For example, say a community college receives a grant to address a need for more workers in all health-related fields. An outcome of the project is an increase in graduates in health-related fields by 5%. An output of the project is the creation of 3 additional courses in health-related fields.

Describe the measures, methods, techniques, and tools that will be used to evaluate the project and determine whether or not the project achieved its anticipated outcomes and to what extent those outcomes can be attributed to the project. Include details on how project participants will participate in evaluation activities. Describe how the data will be used to inform program delivery and document the “lessons learned,” both positive and negative, from the project that will be useful to people interested in replicating the project, if it proves successful.

(5) Organizational, Administrative, and Fiscal Capacity Provide information on the applicant organization’s current mission, structure, staffing, and relevant experience. Describe how these factors contribute to the ability of the organization to conduct the program requirements and meet program expectations. Include information about any organization(s) under contract with the applicant that will have a significant role in implementing the project.

Describe the fiscal and administrative controls in place to properly manage Federal funds. Include the organization’s capability to sustain some or all project activities after Federal financial assistance has ended.

In awarding grants, the Department will give priority to applications from CBOs that:

Demonstrate experience preparing women to gain employment in A/NTO;

Demonstrate experience working with the business community to prepare them to place women in A/NTO;

Have tradeswomen or women in nontraditional occupations as active members of the organization, as either employed staff or board members; and

(6) Past Performance – Programmatic Capability If you have received federally and/or non-federally funded assistance agreements (assistance agreements include Federal grants and cooperative agreements but not Federal contracts) similar in size, scope, and relevance to the proposed project that have been completed within the last five years of the closing date of this Announcement, please submit a list of no more than three such agreements and include a grantor contact name and telephone number for each. For each agreement, provide two significant performance goals and the outcomes of those goals in order to demonstrate if and how the applicant successfully completed and managed each agreement. The outcomes must clearly demonstrate in numerical form if, in fact, the goals were met or exceeded. In evaluating applicants under these factors in Section V, we will consider the information you provided and may also consider relevant information from other sources, including information from our files and from current/prior grantors (e.g., to verify and/or supplement the information you provided).

If you have not received any federally and/or non-federally funded assistance agreements or have received fewer than three agreements, then you must describe and document past accomplishments achieved operating a comparable program. Explain how your experience operating a comparable program prepared you to undertake the complexities of operating the proposed project.

Describe how long the comparable program has been in operation, and include a grantor or third party contact name and telephone number for each, as applicable.

(7) Budget and Budget Justification Please see Section IV.B.2. for information on requirements related to the budget and budget justification.

(4) Attachments to the Project Narrative In addition to the Project Narrative, you must submit attachments. All attachments must be clearly labeled as Attachments. We will only exclude those attachments listed below from the page limit.

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

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

Required Attachments

a. Abstract You must submit an abstract of no more than two pages summarizing the proposed project, including, but not limited to, the scope of the project and proposed outcomes. The Abstract must include the applicant’s name, project title, a description of the area to be served, number of participants to be served, the total cost per participant, and the funding level requested. The Abstract is limited to two double-spaced, single-sided 8.5x11-inch pages with

12-point text font and 1-inch margins. When submitting in grants.gov, this document must be uploaded as an attachment to the application package and specifically labeled “Abstract.”

b. Memorandum of Understanding/ Letter of Commitment Applicants must provide letters of commitment from entities to which they propose to provide TA. At least one of these entities must be a National RA program or an organization that has certified National Guidelines for Apprenticeship Standards, as defined in Section III.C.1.

c. Consortium Agreement (where applicable) Applicants applying on behalf of a CBO consortium must include a copy of the consortium agreement that specifies which entity will administer the grant (see Section III.A).

Requested Attachments

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

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

b. A Project Work Plan detailing how you will implement your project. State your project goal; describe the strategies and/or tactics you will use to achieve this goal; identify specific and measurable objectives; and list activities you will undertake to achieve these objectives. Review panelists will consider the Project Work Plan when evaluating your application; thus, omission of the Project Work Plan may impact scoring.

C. SUBMISSION DATE, TIMES, PROCESS AND ADDRESSES

We will accept applications under this Announcement until August 23, 2017. You must submit your application either electronically on https://www.grants.gov or in hard copy by mail or in hard copy by hand delivery (including overnight delivery) no later than 4:00:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date.

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

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

If an application is physically submitted by both hard copy and through https://www.grants.gov , a letter must accompany the hard-copy application stating which application to review. If no letter accompanies the hard copy, we will review the copy submitted through https://www.grants.gov

We will grant no exceptions to the mailing and delivery requirements set forth in this notice. Further, we will not accept documents submitted separately from the application, before or after the deadline, as part of the application.

Address mailed applications to the

U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration Office of Grants Management Attention: Jimmie Curtis, Grant Officer Reference FOA-WB-17-01 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room N4716

Please note that mail decontamination procedures may delay mail delivery in the Washington DC area. We will receive hand-delivered applications at the above address at the 3rd Street Visitor Entrance. All overnight delivery submissions will be considered to be hand-delivered and must be received at the designated place by the specified closing date and time.

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

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

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

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

- We strongly recommend that you download the Guide at https://www.grants.gov/documents/19/18243/GrantsgovOrganizationRegist rationGuide.pdf/be70525d-59aa-45ee-b196-5e8951faca0a and prepare the information requested before beginning the registration process. Reviewing and assembling required information before beginning the registration process will alleviate last minute searches for required information and save time.

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

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

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

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

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

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

To learn more about AOR…