FOA-WB-24-00.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Women’s Bureau

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

ANNOUNCEMENT FOR: FY24 WOMEN IN APPRENTICESHIP AND

NONTRADITIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WANTO) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANT

PROGRAM

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Initial

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: FOA-WB-24-00

ASSISTANCE LISTING NUMBER: 17.701

KEY DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications under this Announcement is 06/10/2024. 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, AND PROCESS

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

APPENDIX A: Past and Current WANTO Grantees

APPENDIX B: Acronyms and Definitions

APPENDIX C: Endnotes

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Women’s Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor (DOL, or the Department, or we), announces the availability of approximately $6,000,000 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 Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 for the WANTO Technical Assistance Grant Program.

This program aims to provide technical assistance (TA) to employers (which may include public sector entities) and labor unions in the United States and its territories 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 (as defined in Appendix B “Acronyms and Definitions”), 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 have been 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 Appendix B) 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, women at or below the federal poverty line, justice-involved women, immigrant women, transgender women, and women who live in rural geographic areas. Applicants that plan to accelerate local or state government agency efforts to increase women’s inclusion and equity in projects funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law or BIL), CHIPS and Science Act, Inflation Reduction Act, or other federal funding are also encouraged to apply. Further information on these criteria and the points awarded to them can be found in Section V. For the purposes of this FOA, the term “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.

To be eligible for funds under this grant program, an applicant must be a community-based organization (CBO) as defined in Appendix B. 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.

Applicants must submit a letter as an attachment to their application, detailing how their organization meets the definition of a CBO. Omission of this letter will result in the disqualification of an application. The Project Narrative section of this FOA is also designed to elicit information from the applicants to demonstrate the eligibility requirements.

Funding in the amount of $6,000,000 will be available to fund approximately 8 to 17 projects ranging from $350,000 to $750,000, with a 24-month period of performance. Each grant award may allow no more than 25 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 retaining women enrolled in Registered Apprenticeship Programs or employed in NTOs. While the primary purpose of these grants is to provide technical assistance to encourage employment and retention of women in apprenticeable and nontraditional occupations, all grant-funded programs must provide for equal opportunity without regard to race, color, national origin, disability, age, or sex (including gender identity or sexual orientation) in accordance with 29 C.F.R. Parts 31-32; 35-36.

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 the FY24 Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) Technical Assistance Grant Program.

The purpose of this program is to provide technical assistance (TA) to employers (which may include public sector entities) and labor unions in the United States and its territories 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. The features of Registered Apprenticeship also generally overlap with the Good Jobs Principles, a shared federal vision of job quality that has informed billions in generational investments in infrastructure and communities made through the Biden-Harris Administration’s Invest in America Agenda. Registered Apprenticeship Programs have a long history in skilled https://www.dol.gov/general/good-jobs/principles trades such as construction. They are also increasingly found in emerging and high-growth industries like advanced 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. Currently, more than 93,0001 women are enrolled in Registered Apprenticeship Programs nationwide, pursuing earn-and-learn experiences across a diverse spectrum of occupations and industries. The average starting wage for a fully proficient worker who completes a Registered Apprenticeship is about $80,0002 per year. A DOL study tracking apprentices a year before enrolling to 2.5 years after entering a registered apprenticeship found that average quarterly earnings for apprentices rose by 43% compared to only 16% for comparable workers during the same period.3 The study also found that in the same time period women apprentices’ earnings growth outpaced that of men apprentices, meaning apprenticeship could be a key strategy to closing the gender pay gap.4 Moreover, research indicates that employers’ median return on investments in apprenticeship training is $144 for every $100 invested, with benefits ranging from reduced turnover to increased productivity.5

Despite the promising research available, women are significantly underrepresented in Registered Apprenticeship Programs and in high-growth, high-wage occupations generally.

While women make up about half of the United States labor force,6 they compose only approximately 14 percent of Registered Apprenticeship Program participants.7 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. Pre-apprenticeship programs allow a community to have a steady pipeline of diverse, highly trained apprentices in a variety of sectors. Furthermore, a DOL study also indicates that pre-apprentices’ earnings nearly double between the year prior to starting the program and the year after it ends.8 This earnings growth was even higher for women and other underrepresented groups.9 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 a Registered Apprenticeship Program.

These opportunities provide the foundation for young people to choose from multiple career pathways.10

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 supportive 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.

Increasing women’s employment in apprenticeable and nontraditional occupations is especially crucial with the billions of dollars going to states and territories for infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and other spending. In the first two years of his administration, President Biden has signed a host of spending bills, including, but not limited to, the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA), CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022. Already billions of dollars have been allocated to states and territories to improve roads and highways, bridges, airports, ports, and water systems, and to bolster US semiconductor capacity. To encourage equitable spending of these dollars, we will give preference, through bonus points, to applicants that plan to provide TA to public sector employers and/or labor unions to increase the number of women employed in projects funded, in whole or in part, under the IIJA, CHIPS and Science Act, IRA, or other federally funded projects.

Applicants should familiarize themselves with current Department guidance regarding quality pre-apprenticeship programs.11 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 include leveraged resources in their program design (see section IV.B.2 for additional information). These may include, but are not limited to, public sources including the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (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 authorizes this program; and the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, Pub. L. 118-47 provides funding for fiscal year 2024.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

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

A. AWARD TYPE AND AMOUNT

We expect availability of approximately $6,000,000 to fund approximately 8 to 17 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.

Applications for funding must be a minimum of $350,000 and maximum of $750,000. Each grant award may allow no more than 25 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.

B. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance is 24 months with an anticipated start date of 09/30/2024. 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) 25 (Others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” for clarification)

Eligible Entities:

Only CBOs as defined in Appendix B are eligible to apply for these grants. A consortium of CBOs may apply as a single applicant; in such instances, the applicant should provide a copy of the consortium agreement that specifies which entity will administer the grant.

Current and Former Grantees:

Recipients of WANTO Act grant program funds awarded under the FY 2023 FOA are NOT eligible to apply for a FY 2024 WANTO grant. FY 2023 grantees will be eligible to apply again in FY 2025, contingent upon the availability of funds. Recipients of funds awarded under previous WANTO Act grant programs outside of those who were awarded funds under the FY 2023 FOA are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity. Although scaling a previous WANTO-funded program is acceptable, former WANTO Act grantees must explain, in their “Statement of Need” (see Section IV.B.3), how their proposed TA activities are materially different and improved from those already performed using funds awarded through a previous WANTO Act grant program. All past and current WANTO grantees after 2006 are listed in Appendix A for reference.

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.

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

Requirement Instructions Complete?

The deadline submission requirements are met Section IV.C

Eligibility as a non-profit organization Section III.A

Inclusion of a letter, signed by the authorized representative of the applicant organization, explaining how the applicant meets the definition of a CBO with “demonstrated experience administering programs that train women for apprenticeable or nontraditional occupations.”

Section IV.B.4.a.2

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 $750,000 and is above the floor of $350,000

Section II.A

Applicant has registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) and maintains an active account Section IV.B.1

SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance Section IV.B.1 SF-424 includes a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) 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

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, youth apprenticeship, Registered Apprenticeship, or nontraditional skills training programs.

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, 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” https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2816 https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.dol.gov/grants

You must complete the SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance” (available at https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/readonly/SF424_2_1-V2.1.pdf).

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

• The organization’s legal name on the SF-424 must match the name registered in the System for Award Management at https://www.sam.gov.

• 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/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family). You do not need to submit the SF-424B with the application.

a. Requirement for Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Number

All applicants for federal grant and funding opportunities must have a UEI and must supply their UEI on the SF-424. The UEI is a 12-character alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies all entities. Any entity registering to do business with the government is required to have one.

UEIs are issued by SAM.gov and are a part of an entity’s record in the Entity Information section of SAM.gov. If your organization does not have a UEI, one can be obtained for free at https://sam.gov.

Grant recipients authorized to make subawards must meet these requirements related to UEIs:

• Grant recipients must notify potential subawardees that no entity may receive a subaward unless the entity has provided its UEI.

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

UEI.

(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. If you do not renew your SAM registration, it will expire. An expired registration can delay or prevent application submission in Grants.gov. Registration and renewal can take up to ten business days to 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 https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/readonly/SF424_2_1-V2.1.pdf https://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupAction!input.action https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family https://sam.gov/ https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/appendix-Appendix%20A%20to%20Part%2025 https://www.sam.gov/ applicant has not fully complied with these requirements by the time the Grant Officer is ready to approve the 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 approving a federal award to another applicant.

2. Project Budget You must complete the SF-424A Budget Information Form (available at https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family). 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-424The 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 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 https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family 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, incentives, or language assistance services, 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:

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

or

• If you intend to claim indirect costs using the 10 percent de minimis rate, please confirm that your organization meets the requirements as described in 2 CFR 200.414(f).

Clearly state that your organization 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 (defined by DOL below) 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.

• Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) definition: To avoid a serious inequity in the distribution of indirect costs, DOL defines MTDC as all direct salaries and wages, applicable fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, and up to the first $25,000 of each subaward or subcontract (regardless of the period of performance of the subawards and subcontracts 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 or subcontract in excess of $25,000.

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

• Participant Support Cost, defined at 2 CFR Part 200.1, 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, 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 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

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. The applicant must also include the following:

1. A clear description of the geographic region where the TA will be provided and a clear description of the workforce needs of the local economy (particularly with respect to

A/NTO);

2. Demonstration of a comprehensive understanding of the need for TA to help public sector entities, employers, and/or labor unions prepare women to enter and succeed in

A/NTO;

3. Description of the consequences of not addressing this need, based on the quantitative and qualitative information provided; and

4. A clear description of how the proposed TA will assist public sector entities, employers, and/or labor unions in preparing women to enter and succeed in A/NTO. Although scaling a previous WANTO funded program is acceptable, former WANTO grantees must explain how their proposed TA activities are materially different and improved from those already performed using funds awarded through a prior WANTO grant. All past and current WANTO grantees after 2006 are listed in Appendix A for reference.

b. Diversity and Inclusion

The Diversity and Inclusion section must include the following:

1. Description of the plan in the proposed geographic service area to focus on expanding outreach/recruitment to historically underrepresented communities, including but not limited to women of color and women with disabilities, justice-involved women, immigrant women, transgender women, and women who live in rural geographic areas.

2. Description of a specific strategy to target women at or below the federal poverty line in the proposed service area.

3. Description of the applicant’s plan to increase the number of women from underrepresented communities in pre-apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship, Registered Apprenticeship, and/or nontraditional occupations.

c. Expected Outcomes and Outputs

Clearly identify outputs and outcomes 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.12 This section must:

1. Demonstrate that the identified outputs and outcomes are realistic, clear, and consistent with the expressed TA need.

2. Propose targets for each of the outcomes below, in addition to other proposed outcomes/outputs of the applicant’s choosing, and how the applicant will track these outcomes/outputs:

1. The number of women expected to enroll in, and the number and percentage of women expected to 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. Applicants must propose a minimum number of participants enrolled that meets or exceeds the minimum required for the requested funding amount, according to Figure 1 (see section III.C.4.);

2. Number and percentage of women served through the grant from underrepresented communities, including but not limited to women of color and women with disabilities, women at or below the federal poverty line, justice-involved women, immigrant women, transgender women, and women from rural geographic areas;

3. Number and percentage of women who secure employment consistent with the Good Jobs Principles as a result of TA you provide;

4. Number and percentage of women who secure a job with a higher wage as a result of TA you provide; and

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

d. Project Design

The Project Design section must include the following:

1. A description of feasible and coherent methods the project will use to facilitate the outputs and outcomes identified by the applicant in response to section IV.B.3.c “Expected Outputs and Outcomes” and section VI.C.2 “Quarterly Reporting” along with how the applicant will track results.

2. A plan of action that describes the scope and detail of how the project will accomplish the proposed work and reasonable timelines for completion of work. The plan must account for all functions and activities identified in the application.

3. A description of the factors that might accelerate or decelerate the work and the reason for taking the proposed approach rather than other approaches. A description of any potential barriers and how the project can overcome those barriers.

4. A description of the full nature and scope of each type of TA you propose to provide, including the frequency of delivery.

5. A description of 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.

6. 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).

7. Identification of the public sector entities, employers, and/or labor unions to which you intend to provide TA, and a description of the extent of their engagement in and commitment to your project. Note: Applicants should provide letters of commitment from public sector entities, employers, and/or labor unions to which they propose to provide TA. Omission of these letters will not cause disqualification of the application;

however, the omission may impact scoring.

8. Identification of the key partners to promote sustainability of the TA after the project concludes.

e. Performance Evaluation

The Performance Evaluation section must:

1. Describe clearly and fully 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.

2. Provide details on how project participants will participate in evaluation activities.

3. Describe how the data will be used to inform program delivery and how “lessons learned”, both positive and negative, will be documented.

4. Where applicable to their project goals and objectives, applicants should provide a clear and comprehensive plan on tracking the progress of reaching the proposed outcome and output indicators listed in the IV.B.3.c (Expected Outcomes and Outputs) and VI.C.2 (Quarterly Performance Reports) sections.

f. Organizational, Administrative, and Fiscal Capacity

This section must include the following information pertaining to the applicant organization:

i. A description of 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. Include the organization’s capability to sustain some or all project activities after Federal financial assistance has ended;

ii. Describe the fiscal and administrative controls in place to properly manage federal funds, including current operating expenses and revenues in description;

iii. A description of the applicant’s experience and capability in preparing women to gain employment in A/NTO;

iv. A description of the applicant’s experience and capability working with the business community to prepare them to place women in A/NTO;

v. A description of the applicant’s experience and capability 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 public sector entities, 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;

vi. Identification of whether the applicant organization has tradeswomen or women in nontraditional occupations as active members of the organization, as either employees or board members; and

vii. A description of the applicant’s experience and capability 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 through a letter of commitment.

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

Category 1: Applicants who have received at least three grants or cooperative agreements.

Applicants must:

1. Submit a list of no more than three such agreements and include a grantor contact name and telephone number for each agreement 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. Additional agreements included will not be considered.

2. 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).

Category 2: Applicants who have NOT received at least three grants or cooperative agreements.

Applicants must:

1. Describe in detail and document past accomplishments achieved operating a comparable program(s), grant(s), or cooperative agreement(s). Description of a comparable program or projects should include:

a. Whether the program(s) or project(s) developed a pre-apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship, Registered Apprenticeship or other nontraditional skills training programs designed to specifically prepare women for careers in A/NTO.

b. How many women were served, or the typical number served in each cohort, and whether program(s) or project(s) were of a similar or expanded scale.

c. How long the program(s)/project(s) have been operational.

d. Whether the program(s) or project(s) included delivering TA to employers, unions, and workers on creating a successful environment for women in A/NTO;

in addition to setting up support groups, facilitating networks, and/or providing supportive services for women in A/NTO to improve their retention.

2. Explain how your experience operating a comparable program(s) or project(s) prepared you to undertake the complexities of operating the proposed project.

3. 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 SF-424A Budget and Budget Narrative do not count against the page limit requirements for the Project Narrative. The SF-424A and Budget narrative must:

1. Demonstrate realistic and reasonable costs that are both in alignment with the activities outlined in the project narrative, and necessary to implement the project; and

2. Include the required budget information for each SF-424A line item, as outlined in section IV.B.2.

i. Organizational Job Quality Factors (Bonus Section)

The Women’s Bureau and the Department of Labor are committed to its funds creating good jobs not only for grant participants and beneficiaries, but for the staff of funding recipients.

When they provide their own staff strong working conditions, applicants demonstrate credibility and expertise on workforce development. An organization that provides a supportive environment for its employees brings subject-matter expertise that puts it in the best position to help promote the interests of women in the workforce. Women’s Bureau also believes that improved working conditions for funding recipient staff will lead to more effective grant administration and long-term impact of grant projects.

Accordingly, applicants may submit, for bonus points, information on their organization’s operation and management practices to demonstrate that they are best positioned to be effective grantees. Demonstrate your organization's commitment to quality jobs and equity for your employees by either explaining the use of the following practices, or by including your organization’s equity plan as a separate document. Please note acceptance of an applicant’s materials responsive to this section does not in any way constitute legal review and/or approval of such materials.

1. Describe whether workers can form and join unions of their choosing, exercising their collective voice.

2. Describe any violations found within the past two years under the National Labor Relations Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act, Service Contract Act, Davis-Bacon Act, or Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, excluding those that are currently under appeal or have otherwise been vacated, and any steps taken to improve your workforce practices following these violations.

3. Describe what steps you have taken to protect against discrimination or unequal treatment for your workers and remove discriminatory barriers within your organization. These can include evidence of fair opportunities for qualified workers with transparent, non-discriminatory, reportable job applicant screening methods and encourage the hiring of people who have exposure to the criminal justice system when this information is voluntarily shared, without requiring that criminal background check be shared to make this determination.

4. Describe any practices pertaining to family-sustaining pay, pay equity, and fair opportunities for wage progression; set starting wages at a minimum of $15 an hour, and provide clear opportunities for wage progression with skill progression or increased experience.

5. Describe any family-sustaining benefits that promote economic security and mobility, including health insurance, retirement savings plans, work-family benefits (such as paid family and medical leave), paid sick leave, other paid time off, mental health supports, and caregiving supports such as flexible schedules, telework, childcare facilitation, and/or back-up childcare.

6. Describe any…