FOA-WB-21-01_FINAL.pdf

ETA FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT

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-21-01

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER: 17.701

KEY DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications under this Announcement is June 4, 2021. We must receive applications no later than 4:00:00 pm Eastern Time.

ADDRESSES: 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’s Employment and Training Administration is responsible for the Women’s Bureau grant award process.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. PROGRAM PURPOSE

B. PROGRAM AUTHORITY

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. AWARD TYPE AND AMOUNT

B. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

B. COST SHARING OR MATCHING

C. OTHER INFORMATION

1. Acronyms and Definitions

2. Application Screening Criteria

3. Number of Applications Applicants May Submit

4. Eligible Participants

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. HOW TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION PACKAGE

B. CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

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

2. Project Budget

3. Project Narrative

4. Attachments to the Project Narrative

C. SUBMISSION DATE, TIME, PROCESS, AND ADDRESS

1. Hardcopy Submission

2. Electronic Submission through Grants.gov

D. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

E. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

1. Indirect Costs

2. Intellectual Property Rights

3. Credential Transparency

4. Supportive Services

F. OTHER SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. CRITERIA

1. Statement of Need

2. Diversity and Inclusion

3. Expected Outputs and Outcomes

4. Project Design

5. Performance Evaluation

6. Organizational, Administrative, and Fiscal Capacity

7. Past Performance – Programmatic Capability

8. Budget and Budget Narrative

B. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

1. Merit Review and Selection Process

2. Risk Review Process

VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. AWARD NOTICES

B. ADMISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS

1. Administrative Program Requirements

2. Other Legal Requirements

3. Other Administrative Standards and Provisions

4. Special Program Requirements

C. REPORTING

1. Quarterly Financial Reports

2. Quarterly Performance Reports

VII. AGENCY CONTACTS

VIII. OTHER INFORMATION

A. WEB-BASED RESOURCES

B. INDUSTRY COMPETENCY MODELS AND CAREER CLUSTERS

C. WORKFORCEGPS RESOURCES

D. SKILLSCOMMONS RESOURCES

IX. OMB INFORMATION COLLECTION

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Women’s Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor (DOL, or the Department, or we), announces the availability of approximately $3.5 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, 2021, for the WANTO Technical Assistance Grant Program.

This program aims to provide technical assistance (TA) to employers and labor unions to encourage employment of women in both apprenticeable occupations and nontraditional occupations (A/NTO), specifically in the following ways:

• Developing (establishing, expanding, and/or enhancing) pre-apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship, Registered Apprenticeship, or other nontraditional skills training programs designed to prepare women for careers in A/NTO;

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

• Setting up support groups, facilitating networks, and/or providing supportive services (as defined in section IV.E.3) 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 historically underrepresented or where women are disproportionately concentrated in the lower-wage occupations. Such industries include but are not limited to advanced manufacturing, construction, energy, health care, information technology, finance, and transportation. Applicants with experience working with or as an equity intermediary (as defined in section III.C.1) are encouraged to apply as well as applicants with a proposed focus on expanding outreach/recruitment to historically underrepresented communities including but not limited to women of color and women with disabilities. Further information on these criteria and the points awarded to them can be found in Section V.

To be eligible for funds under this grant program, an applicant must be a community-based organization (CBO) as defined in section III.C.1. In awarding grants, the Department will give priority to applications that meet the following criteria per the WANTO Act legislation (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 employees or board members; and

• Have experience delivering TA specifically as defined above, including developing

(establishing, expanding and/or enhancing) pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship, or other nontraditional skills training programs designed to prepare women for careers in A/NTO;

providing ongoing orientations or other resources for employers, unions, and workers on creating a successful environment for women in A/NTO; and setting up support groups, facilitating networks, and/or providing supportive services for women in A/NTO to improve their retention.

Funding in the amount of $3.5 million will be available to fund projects from $350,000 to $750,000 for a two year grant. Each grant award may allow no more than 15 percent for supportive services, as defined in section IV.E.3, to ensure participation in trainings, focus groups, and other technical assistance activities aimed at increasing and maintaining women enrolled in apprenticeships or employed in NTOs. The period of performance is 24 months.

The Department is committed to producing strong evidence on the effectiveness of its grant programs, and full participation (by grantee and any subgrantees or subcontractors) in any evaluation the Department initiates will be a condition of all grant awards.

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. PROGRAM PURPOSE

This Announcement solicits applications for 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 Registered Apprenticeship and nontraditional occupations (A/NTO).

Registered Apprenticeship 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. Currently, more than 79,000 women are enrolled in Registered Apprenticeship Programs nationwide, pursuing earn-and-learn experiences across a diverse spectrum of occupations and industries.1 The average starting wage for a fully proficient worker who completes a Registered Apprenticeship is about $70,000 per year,2 and apprentices who complete their training have significantly higher lifetime earnings than similar individuals who do not participate in apprenticeships.3 Moreover, research indicates that businesses enjoy a return of approximately $1.47 for every dollar invested in Registered Apprenticeship, with benefits ranging from reduced turnover to increased productivity.4

Registered Apprenticeship programs have a long history in skilled trades such as construction.

They are also increasingly found in emerging and high-growth industries like advanced

1 U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Office of Apprenticeship.

2 U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Office of Apprenticeship.

3 An Effectiveness Assessment and Cost-Benefit Analysis of Registered Apprenticeship in 10 States. Mathematica Policy Research, July 2012.

4 U.S. Department of Labor American Apprenticeship Grants Fact Sheet, 2015.

manufacturing, energy, health care, and information technology. Many of these opportunities lead to careers or career ladders that provide high, family-sustaining wages and quality fringe benefits.

Women are significantly underrepresented in apprenticeship programs, and in high-growth, high-wage occupations generally. While women make up nearly half of the United States labor force,5 they compose only 12 percent of Registered Apprenticeship Program participants.6 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 a Registered Apprenticeship program. They have a documented partnership with at least one Registered Apprenticeship 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 underrepresented job seekers who may not be aware of these options for obtaining good jobs with opportunity for advancement. Youth participating in pre-apprenticeship programs can participate in on-the-job learning opportunities beginning at age 16, and these experiences can count towards entry into an apprenticeship program. These opportunities provide the foundation for young people to choose multiple career pathways.7

CBOs are well positioned to develop quality pre-apprenticeship programs that help women prepare for and succeed in A/NTO. CBOs may be well known in their local area and frequently serve as the entry point for 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 such as critical thinking, and referral to and placement in training programs and jobs. Many also offer certificates and credentialing in conjunction with community colleges. These are the elements necessary for quality pre-apprenticeship programs as well.

Applicants should familiarize themselves with current Department guidance regarding quality pre-apprenticeship programs.8 TA provided through this grant program should reinforce 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

5 “Employment status of the civilian population by sex and age: September 2019.” Employment Situation, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.

6 U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Office of Apprenticeship.

7 “Youth Apprenticeship Fact Sheet.” U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Office of Apprenticeship.

8 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.

include leveraged resources in their program design.9 These may include, but are not limited to, public sources including WIOA or other Department funding, such as apprenticeship grants and contracts, as well as private funding through foundations, CBOs, or other funding streams. More generally, the Department emphasizes the importance of aligning and integrating WANTO grant activities into broader apprenticeship system expansion and diversification efforts.

The TA provided through this grant program will prepare employers and labor unions to successfully recruit, mentor, train, and retain women in A/NTO and 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 for themselves and their families and the overall strength of the nation’s economy.

B. PROGRAM AUTHORITY

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, 2021, Pub. L. 116-260 authorizes this program.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. AWARD TYPE AND AMOUNT

Funding will be provided in the form of a grant.

We expect availability of approximately $3.5 million to fund between four and ten grants with a minimum value of $350,000. You may apply for a ceiling amount of up to $750,000. Each grant award may allow no more than 15 percent for supportive services to ensure participation in trainings, focus groups, and other technical assistance activities aimed at increasing and retaining women enrolled in Registered Apprenticeships or employed in NTOs. Awards made under this Announcement are subject to the availability of federal funds. In the event that additional funds become available, we reserve the right to use such funds to select additional grantees from applications submitted in response to this Announcement.

B. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance is 24 months and an anticipated start date of October 1, 2021. This performance period includes all necessary implementation and start-up activities.

9 See Section III.B for the definition of leveraged resources.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

A.1 Eligible Entities Only CBOs as defined in Section III.C.1 are eligible to apply for these grants. 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.

A.2. Current and Former Grantees Recipients of WANTO Act grant program funds awarded under the FY 2020 FOA are NOT eligible to apply for a FY 2021 WANTO grant. These former grantees will be eligible to apply again in FY 2022. Recipients of funds awarded under previous WANTO Act grant programs outside of those who were awarded funds under the FY 2020 FOA 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. Though materially different, these activities can still build on past performance activities, strengthening or bolstering them, to achieve further results.

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 § 29.4 under standards of apprenticeship fulfilling the requirements of § 29.5.

• Apprenticeable Occupations: Occupations that are specified by industry and which must meet the following criteria:

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 § 29.7, 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.

• 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) 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.

• Equity Intermediary: An organization with documented experience and expertise in outreach, recruitment, and engagement of underrepresented communities, including but not limited to women of color and women with disabilities. This organization should have demonstrated experience in the particular barriers and challenges facing these populations, particularly in regards to employment.

• National Guidelines for Apprenticeship Standards: Standards that are suitable for organizations that seek to provide some level of consistency in standards across their affiliates, but wish to allow for some ability to customize programs at the local level.

While National Guidelines for Apprenticeship Standards are approved and certified by the Office of Apprenticeship at a national level, programs are registered by local jurisdictions.

• National Program Standards: Apprenticeship programs that are generally appropriate for large national employers that wish to implement the same apprenticeship program across the country in multiple jurisdictions. National Program Standards is a Registered Apprenticeship business model which affords a program sponsor a uniform approach for training nationally with a single point of registration.

• 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 office designated by the Employment and Training Administration to administer the National Apprenticeship System or its successor organization.

• Pre-Apprenticeship Program: A program or set of strategies designed to prepare individuals to enter and succeed in a Registered Apprenticeship program and has a documented partnership with at least one, if not more, Registered Apprenticeship program(s).

• Registered Apprenticeship (RA): A proven model of job preparation that combines paid on-the-job learning with related instruction to progressively increase workers’ skill levels and wages. For additional information, see https://www.apprenticeship.gov/.

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

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

• Registration Agency: OA or a recognized State Apprenticeship Agency that has responsibility for registering apprenticeship programs and apprentices, providing TA, conducting reviews for compliance with 29 CFR part 29 subpart A and part 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 OA as an agency which has been properly constituted under an acceptable law or Executive Order, and authorized by OA to register and oversee apprenticeship programs and agreements for federal purposes.

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

• Youth Apprenticeship: Apprenticeship programs for youth between the ages of 16-24 which combine academic and technical classroom instruction with work experience through an apprenticeship program. It provides the foundation for youth to choose among multiple pathways – to enroll in college, begin full-time employment, or a combination.

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.

https://www.apprenticeship.gov/

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 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.

4. Eligible Participants

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

Application Requirement Instructions Complete?

The deadline submission requirements are met Section IV.C

Eligibility Section III.A

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

Section IV.C.2

Application for Federal funds request does not exceed the ceiling amount of $750,000 and is above the floor amount of $350,000 Section II.A

SAM Registration Section IV.B.1

SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance 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

Project Work Plan Section IV.B.4 Memorandum of Understanding/Letter of

Commitment Section IV.B.4

Consortium Agreement (where applicable) Section IV.B.4

Applicants must propose a project that focuses on developing (establishing, expanding, or enhancing) a pre-apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship, Registered Apprenticeship, or nontraditional skills training program designed to prepare women for careers in A/NTO, and that 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. SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance”;

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

3. Project Narrative; and

4. Attachments to the Project Narrative.

You must ensure that the funding amount requested is consistent across all parts and subparts 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).

https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2816 http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm https://usdol-my.sharepoint.com/personal/luetkenhaus_eric_dol_gov/Documents/All%20FOAs%202020/Application_for#_SF-424,_ 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 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 unless the entity has provided its DUNS number.

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

(See Appendix A to 2 CFR Part 25.)

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

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

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

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

Each category should include the total cost for the period of performance. Use the following guidance for preparing the Budget Narrative.

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

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

Travel: For grantee staff only, specify the purpose, number of staff traveling, mileage, per diem, estimated number of in-state and out-of-state trips, and other 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 200.1 for the definition of Equipment). List the item, quantity, and the unit cost per item.

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

Supplies: Identify 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).

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

Contractual: Under the Contractual line item, delineate contracts and subawards separately.

Contracts are defined according to 2 CFR 200.1 as a legal instrument by which a non-federal entity purchases property or services needed to carry out the project or program under a federal award. A subaward, defined by 2 CFR 200.1, means an award provided by a pass-through entity to a subrecipient for the subrecipient to carry out part of a federal award received by the pass-through entity. It does not include payments to a contractor or payments to an individual that is a beneficiary of a federal program.

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

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

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

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

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

or

b) If you intend to claim indirect costs using the 10 percent de minimis rate, please confirm that your organization meets the requirements as described in 2 CFR 200.414(f). Clearly state that your organization does not have a current negotiated (including provisional) rate, and is not one described in 2 CFR 200, Appendix VII(D)(1)(b).

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

• 2 CFR 200.1 Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) means all direct salaries and wages, applicable fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, and up to the first $25,000 of each subaward (regardless of the period of performance of the subawards under the award). MTDC excludes equipment, capital expenditures, charges for patient care, rental costs, tuition remission, scholarships and fellowships, participant support costs and the portion of each subaward in excess of $25,000. Other items may 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.

The definition of MTDC in 2 CFR 200.1 no longer allows for any subcontracts 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.

Note that the SF-424, SF-424A, and Budget Narrative must include the entire federal grant amount requested (not just one year).

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

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

3. Project Narrative

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

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

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.

a) Statement of Need Describe in both quantitative and qualitative terms the need for technical 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 following:

• 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.

b) Diversity and Inclusion

Clearly identify any proposed focus on expanding outreach/recruitment to historically underrepresented communities including but not limited to women of color and women with disabilities. Also document any plans to successfully increase the number of women from underrepresented communities in pre-apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship, Registered Apprenticeship, and/or nontraditional occupations.

c) Expected Outputs and Outcomes Clearly identify the output(s) and outcome(s) that will result from the project. Outputs are tangible products or services that result from the project. Outcomes are the positive benefits or measurable results that occur as the result of project activities or outputs.10 Applications must specifically address each of the below in addition to any other proposed outputs and outcomes:

• The number of and percentage increase in women expected to enroll in and complete pre-apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship, Registered Apprenticeship, or other nontraditional skills training programs by the end of the grant period as a result of the TA you propose to provide;

• Number of and percentage increase in women served through the grant from underrepresented communities including but limited to women of color and women with disabilities.

• Number of women who secure employment as a result of TA you provide;

• Number of women who secure a job with a higher wage as a result of TA you 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; and

d) Project Design Propose methods that the project will use to address the stated outputs and outcomes, including those mentioned in IV.B.3.c “Expected Outputs and Outcomes” above and VI.C.2 “Quarterly Reporting” below. 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 address the following:

• 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 federal and state agencies to ensure your TA is provided in accordance with federal and state law, policy, guidance, and regulations;

• Provide and outline a logic model for how your TA delivery will lead to the employment and/or retention of women in Registered Apprenticeship and nontraditional occupations

(A/NTO);

• 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; and

• Identify key partners to promote sustainability of the TA after the project concludes.

Note: Applicants must provide letters of commitment from employers and/or labor unions to which they propose to provide TA.

10 For example, if a community college receives a grant to address a need for more workers in all health-related fields, an output of the project is the creation of three additional courses in health-related fields whereas an outcome of the project is a five percent increase in graduates in health-related fields.

e) Performance Evaluation Describe the measures, methods, techniques, and tools that will be used to evaluate the project to determine whether (1) the project achieved its anticipated outcomes and (2) 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. Where applicable to their project goals and objectives, applicants should describe a plan to report on the outcome and output indicators listed in the VI.C.2 (Quarterly Performance Report) section.

f) 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 this section, also discuss the organization’s experience and capability in the below areas:

• Experience preparing women to gain employment in A/NTO;

• Experience working with the business community to prepare them to place women in

A/NTO;

• Experience delivering TA such as establishing, expanding and/or enhancing pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship, or other 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 setting up support groups, facilitating networks, and/or providing supportive services for women in A/NTO to improve their retention;

• Has tradeswomen or women in nontraditional occupations as active members of the organization, as either employees or board members; and

• Experience working with or as an equity intermediary. If no prior experience in this area, then provide documentation of a partnership with an equity intermediary going forward.

Also include information on any existing or proposed partnerships with Minority Serving Institutions including: Hispanic Serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

g) Past Performance – Programmatic Capability If you have received federally and/or non-federally funded assistance agreements (assistance agreements include federal grants and cooperative agreements) 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.

h) Budget and Budget Narrative The Budget and Budget Narrative will be used to evaluate this section. Please see Section IV.B.2 for information on the requirements. The Budget and Budget Narrative do not count against the page limit requirements for the Project Narrative.

4. Attachments to the Project Narrative In addition to the Project Narrative, you must submit attachments. All attachments must be clearly labeled. We will exclude only those attachments listed below from the page limit. The Budget and Budget Justification do not count against the page limit requirements for the Project Narrative.

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 fewer and use only 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 (e.g., no other attachment may have the same file name). You may use an underscore (example:

My_Attached_File.pdf) to separate a file name.

a) Required Attachments

(1) Abstract You must submit an up to two-page abstract summarizing the proposed project including, but not limited to, the scope of the project and proposed outcomes. Omission of the abstract will not result in your application being disqualified; the lack of the required information in the abstract, however, may impact scoring. See III.C.1 for a list of items that will result in the disqualification of your application. The abstract must include the following:

• the applicant’s name;

• the project title;

• a description of the area to be served;

• the number of participants to be served;

• the funding level requested;

• the total cost-per-participant;

• a statement of whether the applicant received other ETA grant(s), and if so, a list of other ETA grant(s) funded; and

• a brief summary of the proposed project including, but not limited to, the scope of the project and proposed outcomes.

(2) Memorandum of Understanding / Letter of Commitment Applicants must provide letters of commitment from entities to which they propose to provide TA. These letters must be uploaded as an attachment to the application package and labeled “Letters of Commitment.”

(3) Project Work Plan Applicants must provide a project work plan detailing how and when 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, list activities you will undertake to achieve these objectives, and provide the estimated cost of each activity with a separate break-out of WANTO funds and outside funds (if applicable). Be sure to address plans for reaching the population of interest. Lastly, identify any outcomes you propose to measure, including those required by the FOA as detailed in the Reporting Section VI.C.

(4) Consortium Agreement (if 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. A breakdown in the responsibilities of each CBO should also be included to ensure that the applicant covers all aspects of the proposed TA (see Section III.A).

b) Requested Attachments We request the following attachments, but their omission will not cause us to disqualify the application. Furthermore, the omission of the attachment will impact scoring unless otherwise noted.

(1) Indirect Cost Rate Agreement If you are requesting indirect costs based on a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement…