FOA-WB-22-14_.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Women's Bureau

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT

FOR: FOSTERING ACCESS, RIGHTS, AND EDUCATION (FARE) GRANT PROGRAM

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Initial

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: FOA-WB-22-14

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER: 17.700

KEY DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications under this Announcement is 07/01/2022. We must receive applications no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

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

The U.S. Department of Labor’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

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. HOW TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION PACKAGE

B. CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

C. SUBMISSION DATE, TIME, PROCESS AND ADDRESS

D. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

E. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

F. OTHER SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. CRITERIA

B. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. AWARD NOTICES

B. ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS

C. REPORTING

VII. AGENCY CONTACTS

VIII. OTHER INFORMATION

IX. OMB INFORMATION COLLECTION

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Women's Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor (DOL, or the Department, or we), announces the availability of approximately $2,000,000 in grant funds authorized by the 29 U.S.C. § 13 and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, FY2022, Pub. L. 117-103 for the Fostering Access, Rights, and Equity (FARE) grant initiative.

This program will allow award recipients to undertake projects to assist marginalized and underserved women workers in understanding and accessing their employment rights, public services, and benefits. The grants will build on the successes of recent promising initiatives to enlist trusted messengers and community groups to reach working women, including but not limited to women of color, women with disabilities, justice-impacted women, individuals who identify as LGBTQ, marginalized workers in female-dominated sectors hard-hit by the pandemic, ethnic minorities, immigrants, workers with limited English proficiency, older adults, and workers experiencing intimate partner violence, substance abuse issues, homelessness, or chronic poverty.

The primary purpose of these grants is to provide crucial outreach, education, and improved benefits access and must be used for:

Providing outreach to women who are paid low wages at work, and otherwise marginalized and underserved.

Disseminating educational materials through varied platforms, including social media, in-person or virtual events, brochures and leaflets, one-on-one consultations, and other outreach.

Assisting women workers with navigating and calculating benefits.

Connecting and referring women workers to additional services, benefits, and/or legal assistance as needed, reasonable, and/or available.

Helping women to become focal points for rights, benefits, and assistance in their own communities (i.e., a train-the-trainer model for navigation).

Collecting stories about how the grant activities have improved working women’s lives.

To be eligible for funds under this grant program, the applicant must be a nonprofit organization.

Applicants should provide evidence that they are a community-based organization, worker group, union, or other non-profit organization with deep ties to women-dominated, low-paid sectors of the workforce able to provide women workers with knowledge and improved access to workplace and safety net benefits, and can quickly implement their proposed activities under the FARE grant initiative.

The Women's Bureau expects availability of approximately $2 million to fund approximately six to eight grants, with a minimum value of $250,000. Applicants may apply for a ceiling amount of $350,000. The period of performance will be 18 months.

The Department is committed to producing strong evidence on the effectiveness of its grant programs; therefore, grant awards will come with a condition that recipients, as well as any subrecipients and subcontractors, must fully participate in any evaluation the Department initiates.

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Program Purpose This Announcement solicits applications for the Fostering Access, Rights, and Education (FARE) Grant Program.

The Women’s Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announces an opportunity for nonprofit organizations with strong ties to underserved communities to participate in the Fostering Access, Rights, and Equity (FARE) grant initiative. This program will allow award recipients to undertake projects to assist underserved and marginalized low-income women workers in understanding and accessing their employment rights, public services, and benefits. The grants will build on the successes of recent promising initiatives to enlist trusted messengers and community groups to reach working women, including but not limited to women of color, women with disabilities, and justice-impacted women.

Background

For many working women, especially underserved and marginalized low-income women workers, the current system of employment rights and benefits does not adequately protect or serve them. Studies have found that many women workers have not been able to assert their employment rights or access all of their available benefits. One study, for example, found that women, noncitizens, Hispanic, and Black workers were much more likely to experience minimum wage violations during the 2008 – 2010 recession. A 2021 survey found that nearly a third of Black women workers expressed concern about speaking up about unsafe working conditions, and that women of color were substantially more likely to have their requests for paid sick and family leave denied compared to other workers. Marginalized workers often cannot risk retaliation or losing their jobs and are reluctant to file a complaint.

Longstanding workplace discrimination and barriers have hampered women’s success in the workplace, and the COVID-19 pandemic greatly exacerbated these economic inequalities.

Essential women workers, who are disproportionately women of color, play a critical role in the economy, but are often paid less than men, and lack access to paid leave, child care, and other supports necessary for their economic stability and advancement.

Research has shown that targeted education and outreach can greatly improve women workers’ benefit take-up rates. Education and outreach are especially important in a pandemic economy, where many workers are struggling economically. These grants will build on the success of the DOL’s Susan Harwood Training Grant Program, which provides funding to nonprofit organizations to deliver training to eligible workers and employers on a single targeted occupational safety and health topic. The Harwood grants help workers recognize, avoid, and prevent safety and health hazards on the job, especially those in high-hazard industries or in small businesses.

Nonprofit organizations with strong ties to underserved communities are uniquely positioned to design place-based strategies that still can be scaled to address the needs of large populations of women workers who are paid low wages. Such efforts have shown success. For example, the Center for Law and Social Policy worked with the San Francisco Office of Labor Standards Enforcement and multiple key community-based organizations to investigate, conduct outreach, and improve access to sick leave among non-English speaking restaurant workers and other https://rooseveltinstitute.org/publications/american-workers-experiences-with-power-information-and-rights-on-the-job-a-roadmap-for-reform/ https://rooseveltinstitute.org/publications/american-workers-experiences-with-power-information-and-rights-on-the-job-a-roadmap-for-reform/ https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OASP/evaluation/pdf/WHD_FMLA2018SurveyResults_FinalReport_Aug2020.pdf https://www.ipr.northwestern.edu/documents/working-papers/2021/wp-21-09.pdf https://www.nelp.org/publication/foundations-for-a-just-and-inclusive-recovery/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/blog/2021/03/23/covid-19-has-exacerbated-the-economic-inequality-and-caregiving-crisis-facing-women-of-color-heres-how-the-american-rescue-plan-helps/ https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2021/03/unequally-essential-women-and-gender-pay-gap-during-covid-19.html https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/women/reports/2020/04/23/483846/frontlines-work-home/ https://www.epi.org/publication/state-and-local-labor-standards-enforcement-during-covid-19 https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/full/10.1377/hlthaff.2015.0215 https://www.osha.gov/harwoodgrants https://www.lhsfna.org/index.cfm/lifelines/may-2017/safety-training-grants-at-risk-in-proposed-budget/ https://www.clasp.org/sites/default/files/2017_paidsickleaveinvestigations.pdf workers.

Community partnerships are highly effective at boosting participation in social programs. The Affordable Care Act created new publicly-funded navigators to assist individuals—especially vulnerable and low-income populations—to learn about, and access, health coverage.

Subsequent research has indicated that navigators increased health insurance enrollment and also helped to build trust in the health reform program. U.S. Department of Agriculture-supported outreach for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, particularly through community-based organizations, has also increased take-up of benefits and expedites review and approval as applications arrive to state agencies in a more complete manner. Finally, labor organizations and other worker advocacy organizations facilitate access to unemployment insurance, and research indicates that union assistance to jobless workers helps to close racial and educational gaps in access to benefits—by making workers aware of their eligibility for unemployment insurance, helping workers to apply for benefits, and assisting workers with ongoing recertification requirements.

FARE Grants

The Women’s Bureau invites community-based organizations, worker groups, unions, and other non-profit organizations with deep ties to women-dominated, low-paid sectors of the workforce to provide women workers with knowledge and improved access to workplace and safety net benefits to apply under the FARE grant initiative. Applicants should propose a project to assist women who are paid low wages at work, and otherwise marginalized and underserved in understanding and accessing their employment rights, public services, and benefits.

The primary purpose of these grants is to provide crucial outreach, education, and improved benefits access and must be used for the key program activities listed below:

Providing outreach to women who are paid low wages at work, and otherwise marginalized and underserved.

Disseminating educational materials through varied platforms, including social media, in-person or virtual events, brochures and leaflets, one-on-one consultations, and other outreach.

Assisting women workers with navigating and calculating benefits.

Connecting and referring women workers to additional services, benefits, and/or legal assistance as needed, reasonable, and/or available.

Helping women to become focal points for rights, benefits, and assistance in their own communities (i.e., a train-the-trainer model for navigation).

Collecting stories about how the grant activities have improved working women’s lives.

Applicants must partner with other community-based and non-profit organizations that will enable them to reach vulnerable workers, improve benefits take up and enrollment, deter violations, and improve compliance with worker protections in state and Federal law. Working together, the partners will serve as trusted intermediaries to disseminate information, educate workers, and help workers access benefits. The experience of health insurance navigation provides support for this model, and navigation has been most successful where community-based navigators have close and ongoing contact with state marketplaces and insurance agencies.

https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/full/10.1377/hlthaff.2015.0215 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953616300120 https://www.russellsage.org/publications/administrative-burden https://equitablegrowth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/100920-ui-workerpower-ib.pdf

The grant funds will be used to conduct outreach that focuses on women workers, including but not limited to women of color, women with disabilities, justice-impacted women, individuals who identify as LGBTQ, marginalized workers in female-dominated sectors hard-hit by the pandemic, ethnic minorities, immigrants, workers with limited English proficiency, older adults, and workers experiencing intimate partner violence, substance abuse issues, homelessness, or chronic poverty.

The applicant’s proposed project must address one of the following areas of focus:

Paid Family and Medical Leave/Sick Leave – Eleven states plus the District of Columbia have state laws for paid family and medical leave. Sixteen states plus the District of Columbia and 37 cities have enacted laws requiring paid sick days. Additionally, some state laws allow victims of domestic violence to take leave from work under certain circumstances. Women workers are not always aware of the laws providing paid sick and family leave, the purposes and family members it can be used for, or how to access the leave. The grantee can provide additional outreach and education on available rights and benefits based on state-level paid leave laws, plus facilitate benefit access.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) – Awareness of the FMLA’s benefits has increased over time since its passage in 1993, but there is still work to be done. A recent study found that while 76 percent of workers surveyed have heard of the FMLA, many misunderstood their eligibility for leave. Women workers often are more likely to bear the burden of caring for children, elders, and other family members and could benefit from greater understanding and access to FMLA leave. Women workers could also benefit from learning more about the available avenues for addressing domestic violence under the FMLA.

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) – Women don’t always know that they qualify for the earned income tax credit or the child tax credit benefits.

Recent and prospective changes to the CTC may be challenging and confusing for some workers. In addition, due to complex rules and frequent IRS audits, free tax help is vitally important.

Workplace Harassment – Studies show that survivors of gender-based harassment in the workplace often experience physical and mental health problems, career interruptions, and lower earnings, among other negative consequences. Women face an even higher risk of harassment in certain industries, including the restaurant and hospitality industries, and nontraditional industries such as construction and the trades. Women workers could benefit from learning more about the available avenues for addressing and preventing workplace harassment, as well as information and comprehensive services for survivors of workplace harassment. In addition, grantees could direct women to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s resources, including prevention programs, regarding workplace violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site.

Wage Payment/Overtime/Classification – Women who are paid low wages often are fearful about raising issues about proper payment of wages for fear of retaliation or losing their jobs, and could benefit from information and assistance from trusted intermediaries.

Research shows that minimum wage violations and failing to pay workers for all hours worked (i.e. overtime, paid breaks, legislatively required leave, etc.), increases in times of https://familyvaluesatwork.org/media-center/timeline-of-wins/ https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OASP/evaluation/pdf/WHD_FMLA2018SurveyResults_FinalReport_Aug2020.pdf https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OASP/evaluation/pdf/WHD_FMLA2018SurveyResults_FinalReport_Aug2020.pdf https://www.propublica.org/article/irs-now-audits-poor-americans-at-about-the-same-rate-as-the-top-1-percent https://iwpr.org/iwpr-publications/briefing-paper/sexual-harassment-and-assault-at-work-understanding-the-costs https://iwpr.org/iwpr-publications/briefing-paper/sexual-harassment-and-assault-at-work-understanding-the-costs https://hbr.org/2018/01/sexual-harassment-is-pervasive-in-the-restaurant-industry-heres-what-needs-to-change https://www.osha.gov/workplace-violence https://www.osha.gov/workplace-violence economic downturns. Workers who are paid low wages, in particular women of color, are especially vulnerable because they fear an inability to find new employment if they lose their jobs after raising issues. Moreover, the pandemic caused a rise in the “platform based” economy as more people are ordering in or using shopping apps. Women workers could benefit from learning more about their workplace rights and the available avenues for addressing and remedying violations.

Pay Equity and Pay Transparency – Women continue to earn less than men and the wage gap is even greater for women of color. Many systemic issues are at the root of lower wages for working women across nearly all occupations and at every level of education.

Pay transparency is one tool that can help close the gap. Although federal law and many state laws protect the right to discuss salaries, many employers discourage the practice, preventing workers from being paid fairly. Women workers could benefit from outreach, education, and assistance on these issues.

Discrimination in the Workplace – Workers are not always aware of the employment rights available to them. They also may be hesitant or fearful to invoke their rights or obtain the legal assistance they need. For example, a pregnant woman in a low-paid, physically demanding job may not know she can request a reasonable accommodation or what steps to take if it is denied. Employment rights are based on a wide range of federal and state laws, which include, but are not limited to, protection against discrimination based on pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion, sex, disability, age, and status as a protected veteran. In some instances, discrimination against employees or job applicants who experience domestic or dating violence may be considered sex-based discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and/or disability discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Workers have reported increased discrimination since the pandemic, as well as an increased economic toll on vulnerable populations. Women workers could benefit from education and referral to legal assistance on these issues.

Worker Organizing – Unionized women earn higher wages, experience a smaller wage gap, and have better employer-sponsored benefits and greater job security during economic crises. Union membership also ensures workers that their voices are heard in their workplaces, their communities, and beyond. Women who have been struggling economically could benefit from worker organizing and resulting assistance on these issues.

Unemployment Insurance – Many women workers who are paid low wages have seen their unemployment benefits held up or are uncertain if they are eligible. In some cases, they may also need help finding legal representation. Additionally, some states have laws that explicitly provide unemployment insurance to domestic violence victims in certain circumstances. Depending on the jurisdiction and circumstances, women who are impacted by domestic violence in the workplace could benefit from resources and assistance in navigating claims for unemployment insurance.

Health Care – Community health workers, including Promotores (community health workers who work in Spanish-speaking communities), help vulnerable communities get access to needed services. Most recently, community health workers have assisted with COVID-19 information and access to testing and vaccines in rural and urban areas for undocumented and marginalized communities.

https://www.nelp.org/publication/policies-worker-power-well-covid-19-era-beyond https://blog.dol.gov/2021/03/19/5-facts-about-the-state-of-the-gender-pay-gap https://source.wustl.edu/2021/07/mothers-may-face-increased-workplace-discrimination-post-pandemic-research-warns/ https://source.wustl.edu/2021/07/mothers-may-face-increased-workplace-discrimination-post-pandemic-research-warns/ https://www.eeoc.gov/newsroom/eeoc-examines-connections-between-covid-19-and-civil-rights https://iwpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Stronger-Together-Union-Membership-Boosts-Womens-Earnings-and-Economic-Security_FINAL.pdf https://www.cdc.gov/minorityhealth/promotores/index.html

Eligible Benefits, including Child Care, under the American Rescue Plan and other Federal Legislation – Cash assistance and worker protection policies passed under COVID response packages went woefully under-utilized. Grassroots organizations, government officials, employers, and other intermediaries can facilitate greater use of these benefits by working to educate workers and other eligible populations about their availability and application processes. For example, the $15 billion in the American Rescue Plan for the Child Care Development Block Grant, which can be accessed for three years after enactment, represents a critical benefit for working parents if they know about it and can access it. In addition, working women would benefit from information on child care financial assistance options and other programs to help with the cost of child care.

Promoting access to these benefits and rights in turn promotes women’s ability to attach and ascend through the workforce, and therefore is aligned with Congress’ authorization that the Women’s Bureau grant funds “to serve and promote the interests of women in the workforce,” in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, FY2022, Pub. L. 117-103. The Women’s Bureau will award funds to qualifying organizations whose application demonstrates capabilities to achieve the program’s objectives and performance expectations, including relevant experience in recruiting women who have been severely impacted by the pandemic and who will benefit from the proposed activities; delivering and administering adult training programs; managing grants;

and employing subject matter experts. Applicants are required to submit proposals outlining project design and cost; existing organizational capacity; the capability to reach the target population; and the ability to execute quickly and produce results in the near term.

Through the grant reporting process described in VI.C.2, the grantees will report on the ground-level barriers faced by workers in accessing rights and benefits, as well as the grantees’ challenges, best practices, outputs, and outcomes. The Women’s Bureau will facilitate the sharing of this information with other FARE grantees, community partners, and within DOL to further broaden women’s access to employment rights and benefits.

Fair and equal employment and access to benefits are a core pre-requisite to women’s economic security, and are cornerstones of the Women’s Bureau’s mission, which was created in 1920 by Public Law 66-259. Our mission is to develop policies and standards and conduct inquiries to safeguard the interests of working women, advocate for their equality and economic security for themselves and their families, and promote quality work environments.

The FARE grant program supports the Women’s Bureau’s and the Department of Labor’s mandate to implement the provisions of Executive Order 13985, which charges the Department with identifying and addressing barriers to more equitable access to public benefits, services, and protections. Not only will the navigation and assistance services help to directly connect workers with needed assistance, but the process will help inform a more complete picture of the burdens faced by disadvantaged populations and the approaches that hold promise for improving outcomes on each of these domains. More generally, evidence gathered will be applied to future grant programs at DOL aimed at other community partnerships.

B. Program Authority This program is authorized by 29 U.S.C. § 13 and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, FY2022, Pub. L. 117-103.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

Funding will be provided in the form of a G (Grant)

A. AWARD TYPE AND AMOUNT

We expect availability of approximately $2,000,000 to fund approximately six to eight grants.

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.

Applicants must apply for at least $250,000 in grant funds. Funding requests must not exceed $350,000.

B. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance is 18 months with an anticipated start date of 09/30/2022. This performance period includes all necessary implementation and start-up activities.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

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

B. COST SHARING OR MATCHING

This program does not require cost sharing or matching funds. Including such funds is not one of the application screening criteria and applications that include any form of cost sharing or match will not receive additional consideration during the review process. Instead, the agency considers any resources contributed to the project beyond the funds provided by the agency as leveraged resources. Section IV.B.2 provides more information on leveraged resources.

C. OTHER INFORMATION

1. Application Screening Criteria

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

2. Number of Applications Applicants May Submit

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

3. Eligible Participants

a. Participants Eligible to Receive Training The intent of this grant is to fund projects that will benefit and assist working women, with a particular focus on underserved and marginalized women workers who are paid low wages at work, including but not limited to women of color, women with disabilities, justice-impacted women, individuals who identify as LGBTQ, marginalized workers in female-dominated sectors hard-hit by the pandemic, ethnic minorities, immigrants, workers with limited English proficiency, older adults, and workers experiencing workplace harassment or domestic violence, substance abuse issues, homelessness, or chronic poverty. For purposes of this FOA, “woman” or “women” is to be interpreted in the most inclusive manner, with participant eligibility to be inclusive of transgender women and non-binary individuals.

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

Section

IV.C.2

Application federal funds request does not exceed the ceiling amount of $350,000 and is at or above the floor of $250,000 Section II.A

SAM Registration Section

IV.B.1

SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance Section

SF-424 includes a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Number Section

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

Letter of Commitment Section

IV.B.4

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, contains all of the information and links to forms needed to apply for grant funding. Additional resources on how to apply for grants can be found at www.dol.gov/grants.

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 sub-parts of the application.

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

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

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

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

https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2816 https://www.grants.gov file:///C:/Users/Fraga.Lynn/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/VMVE58XH/www.dol.gov/grants https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1 https://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupAction!input.action https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1

a. Requirement for Unique Entity Identifier

As of April 4, 2022, the DUNS Number has been replaced by the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), a new, non-proprietary number assigned by SAM.gov. Applicants must list this number on the SF-424. To learn more about UEI requirements, visit the U.S. General Service Administration (GSA), Unique Entity Identifier Update webpage: https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-systems-information-kit/unique-entity-identifier-update.

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

(See Appendix A to 2 CFR Part 25.)

b. Requirement for Registration with SAM

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

A recipient must maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active federal award or an application under consideration. To remain registered in the SAM database after the initial registration, the applicant is required to review and update the registration at least every 12 months from the date of initial registration or subsequently update its information in the SAM database to ensure it is current, accurate, and complete. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicant is the entity that meets the eligibility criteria and has the legal authority to apply and to receive the award. If an applicant has not fully complied with these requirements by the time the Grant Officer is ready to make a federal award, the Grant Officer may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a federal award to another applicant.

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

a. Budget Narrative

The Budget Narrative must provide a description of estimated 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.

file:///C:/Users/Fraga.Lynn/Downloads/%20https/www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-systems-information-kit/unique-entity-identifier-update file:///C:/Users/Fraga.Lynn/Downloads/%20https/www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-systems-information-kit/unique-entity-identifier-update file:///C:/Users/Fraga.Lynn/Downloads/%20https/www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-systems-information-kit/unique-entity-identifier-update https://www.sam.gov https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1

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 the cost categories of supplies (e.g., general office supplies, desk/chairs, laptops/printers, other specialty items) in the detailed budget, per category. Except for general office supplies, list the item, quantity, and the unit cost per item. Supplies include all tangible personal property other than “equipment” (see 2 CFR 200.1 for the definition of Supplies).

Contractual: Under the Contractual line item, delineate contracts and subawards separately. Contracts are defined according to 2 CFR 200.1 as a legal instrument by which a non-federal entity purchases property or services needed to carry out the project or program under a federal award. A subaward, defined by 2 CFR 200.1 means an award provided by a pass-through entity to a subrecipient for the subrecipient to carry out part of a federal award received 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 be excluded only when necessary to avoid a serious inequity in the distribution of indirect costs, and with the approval of the cognizant agency for indirect costs.

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

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

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

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

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 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 on the SF-424, SF-424A, and the Budget Narrative, DOL will consider the SF-424 the official funding amount requested. However, if the amount specified on the SF-424 would render the application nonresponsive, the Grant Officer will use his or her discretion to determine whether the intended funding request (and match if applicable) is within the responsive range.

3. Project Narrative

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

The Project Narrative is limited to 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

(Up to 10 points)

i. Identify one area of focus from the list in Section I.A.2 (reiterated below) and clearly define the proposed geographic service area. Explain clearly in both qualitative and quantitative terms the need to address the chosen area of focus by documenting the needs of working women impacted by the pandemic in a proposed geographic service area, as well as the challenges and barriers they faced before the pandemic. (Up to 5 points)

Paid Family and Medical Leave/Sick Leave, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC), Workplace Harassment, Wage Payment/Overtime/Classification, Pay Equity and Pay Transparency, Discrimination in the Workplace, Worker Organizing, Unemployment Insurance, Healthcare, or

Eligible Benefits, including Child Care, under the American Rescue Plan and Other Federal Legislation

ii. Explain clearly how the proposed grant activities will make a difference in the lives of marginalized women, as well as those of their families. (Up to 5 points)

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

i. 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. Identify the outcomes and outputs in a manner that is realistic, clear, and consistent with the expressed need, and in alignment with the proposed project and activities. (Up to 5 points)

ii. This section must specifically address the following measures, with a focus on underserved and marginalized women workers who are paid low wages, including but not limited to women of color, women with disabilities, justice-impacted women, individuals who identify as LGBTQ, marginalized workers in female-dominated sectors hard-hit by the pandemic, ethnic minorities, immigrants, workers with limited English proficiency, older adults, and workers experiencing intimate partner violence, substance abuse issues, homelessness, or chronic poverty (Up to 10 points):

Number of women who will be reached through outreach activities;

Number of women and/or size and type of the audience to whom educational information will be disseminated;

Number of women who will be connected to navigation services and to benefit calculator services;

Number of women who will benefit from rights and benefits activities, including those who gain access to or enroll in benefits, and those who are referred to additional services, benefits, and/or legal assistance;

Whether and to what extent best practices or services developed under this grant can or will be sustained beyond the grant period; and

Any systemic change anticipated to result from the grant activities.

c. Project Design (Up to 25 points)

Propose methods and activities that the project will use to address the objectives of the grant. Outline a plan of action that describes the scope and detail of how the project will accomplish the proposed work. Describe a coherent and feasible approach for achieving the outputs and outcomes identified by the applicant in response to section IV.B.3.b “Expected Outputs and Outcomes” and section VI.C.2 “Quarterly Reporting." (Up to 5 points)

In addition, this section must specifically:

i. Describe in detail a feasible and realistic approach for successfully addressing the identified need/area of focus. The overall design must clearly reflect the FARE initiative’s goals and demonstrate the ability for a quick start-up. Include anticipated challenges and barriers, plus a contingent strategy addressing the potential delays and barriers. (Up to 5 points)

ii. Clearly identify how the project will reach the target population and how it will expand outreach to and recruitment of those historically underrepresented communities. (Up to 5 points)

iii. Describe fully the activities to take place in each of the following categories, demonstrating a robust project that supports both the objectives of the grant initiative and the identified area of focus. The activity description for each category must include the proposed deliverables, the major milestones, the methods used to calculate/track participant counts, and a timeline for implementation of all grant activities throughout the grant period of performance (Up to 10 points):

Outreach Activities: Describe fully that the applicant's deep ties, as well as the partner organizations' ties to women-dominated, low-paid sectors of the workforce, demonstrating that the entities can effectively connect with the target populations using various methods. Clearly explain the outreach strategy proposed to reach and assist the maximum number of women within the target population. Include a description of any community-based navigators/efforts used to reach vulnerable populations.

Dissemination of Educational Information: Describe in detail the challenges pertaining to the targeted population in the proposed geographic service area, and the information/educational materials required to address the identified needs. Explain fully the applicant’s ability to communicate effectively and serve as a trusted intermediary to the targeted participants. Explains clearly the applicant’s ability and experience in using varied dissemination methods across multiple platforms, such as social media, in-person or virtual events, brochures and leaflets, one-on-one consultations, etc.

Rights and Benefits Activities: Describe in detail the applicant’s ability to help women access their rights and benefits, with a clear, viable plan to improve benefits take-up and enrollment, deter violations, improve compliance, and connect/refer women to additional services, benefits, and assistance.