FOA-WB-25-01.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Women’s Bureau

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

ANNOUNCEMENT FOR: FY25 WOMEN IN APPRENTICESHIP AND

NONTRADITIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WANTO) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANT

PROGRAM

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Initial

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: FOA-WB-25-01

ASSISTANCE LISTING NUMBER: 17.701

KEY DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications under this Announcement is 08/08/2025. 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.

https://www.grants.gov/

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 $5,000,000 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 Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 for the WANTO Technical Assistance Grant Program.

This program aims to provide technical assistance (TA) to employers 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 TA to support women’s full and effective participation in apprenticeable and non-traditional occupations.

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, registered apprenticeship, or other nontraditional skills training programs designed to prepare women for careers in A/NTO; providing ongoing orientations or other resources for employers, unions, and workers on creating a successful environment for women in A/NTO; and 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 approximately $5,000,000 will be available to fund approximately 6 to 14 projects ranging from $350,000 to $750,000, with a 24-month period of performance. Each grant award may allow no more than 15 percent of funds to be used 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 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 FY25 Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) Technical Assistance Grant Program.

The purpose of this program is to provide technical assistance (TA) to employers and labor unions in the United States and its territories to encourage employment of women in Registered Apprenticeship and nontraditional occupations (A/NTO).

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.

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

They are also increasingly found in emerging and high-growth industries like advanced 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 97,000 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 $80,000 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. 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.

Despite the promising research available, women face barriers to entering and staying in Registered Apprenticeship Programs and in high-growth, high-wage occupations generally.

While women make up about half of the United States labor force, they compose only approximately 15 percent of Registered Apprenticeship Program participants. This statistic underscores both academic research and anecdotal evidence indicating that women face significant barriers to their full and effective participation in A/NTO.

https://www.apprenticeship.gov/data-and-statistics/apprentices-by-state-dashboard https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ https://www.urban.org/research/publication/did-apprentices-achieve-faster-earnings-growth-comparable-workers https://www.urban.org/research/publication/do-employers-earn-positive-returns-investments-apprenticeship https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t01.htm https://www.apprenticeship.gov/sites/default/files/DOLIndFSWomen_043024-508.pdf

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 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 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. 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.

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.

Applicants should familiarize themselves with current Department guidance regarding quality pre-apprenticeship programs. 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.

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 Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, Pub. L. 119-4 provides funding for fiscal year 2025.

https://www.apprenticeship.gov/sites/default/files/aai-infographics-pre-apprentices-11-11-22.pdf https://www.apprenticeship.gov/sites/default/files/youth-apprenticeship-fact-sheet.pdf https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/advisories/ten-23-23

II. AWARD INFORMATION

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

A. AWARD TYPE AND AMOUNT

We expect availability of approximately $5,000,000 to fund approximately 6 to 14 grants.

Awards made under this Announcement are conditional on final congressional appropriation action and 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 project may use no more than 15 percent of the grant award 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 September 30, 2025.

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)

Please see additional eligibility requirements below:

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 2024 FOA are NOT eligible to apply for a FY 2025 WANTO grant. FY 2024 grantees will be eligible to apply again in FY 2026, 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 2024 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.

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 in PDF format meeting the following requirements:

• digitally signed by the applicant organization’s authorized representative (must include PDF time and date stamp) OR an original handwritten signature not electronically produced;

• on organizational letterhead; and

• explains 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

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 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

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 https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2816

A. HOW TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION PACKAGE

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

B. CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

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

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

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

3. Project Narrative; and

4. Attachments to the Project Narrative.

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

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

You must complete the SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance” (available at https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/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 organization’s Employer Identification Number (EIN) and UEI Number should match its information in SAM.gov. If unsure of the EIN or UEI of your organization, visit SAM.gov to confirm.

• 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:

https://www.grants.gov/ https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/readonly/SF424_2_1-V2.1.pdf https://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupAction!input.action https://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family https://sam.gov/

• 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 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) Part 25.)

b. Requirement for Registration with SAM

Applicants must register with the System for Award Management (SAM) before applying. 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 10 to 15 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 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-424A. Applicants must use whole dollar amounts. The Budget Narrative should also include a section describing any leveraged resources provided (as applicable) to support grant activities. Leveraged resources are all resources, both cash and in-kind, in excess of this award. Valuation of leveraged resources follows the same requirements as match. Applicants are encouraged to leverage resources to increase stakeholder investment in the project and broaden the impact of the project itself.

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

Personnel: List all staff positions by title (both current and proposed) including the roles and responsibilities. For each position give the annual salary, the percentage of time devoted to the project, and the amount of each position’s salary funded by the grant. See 2 CFR §200.430 for more information on allowable compensation for personnel costs.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/appendix-Appendix%20A%20to%20Part%2025 https://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.430 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.430

Fringe Benefits: Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages that comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), retirement, etc. For more information on fringe benefits, please refer to 2 CFR §200.431.

Travel: For grant recipient 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. Full day per diem rates should not be claimed for the first and last day of travel. Lodging and per diem expenditures must not exceed the rates established by the U.S.

General Services Administration (GSA) for the location of your trip. Mileage reimbursements must not exceed the current federal mileage reimbursement rate and can be verified at GSA privately owned vehicle mileage reimbursement rate page. For additional information, please refer to 2 CFR §200.475.

Equipment: Identify each item of equipment you expect to purchase that has an estimated acquisition cost of $10,000 or more per unit (or if your capitalization level is less than $10,000, 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.

Items with a unit cost of less than $10,000 are supplies, not “equipment.” In general, we do not permit the purchase of equipment during the last funded year of the grant.

Supplies: Supplies means all tangible personal property other than those described in the definition of Equipment. A computing device (laptop) is a supply if the acquisition cost is below the lesser of the capitalization level established by the recipient (or subrecipient for financial statement purposes) or $10,000, regardless of the length of its useful life. 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).

Cost allocations for supplies that are not broken down by individual item in the narrative must document the methodology used in determining the amount allocated for this line item, per 2 C.F.R. § 200.405(d).

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 contribute to the goals and objectives of the project by carrying out part of the 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. A subaward may be provided through any form of legal agreement consistent with criteria in with 2 CFR §200.331, including an agreement the pass-through entity considers a contract. For each proposed contract and subaward, specify the purpose and activities to be provided and the estimated cost. Phone and copier contracts, agreements, or leases should not be included in this section.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.431 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.475 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.405#p-200.405(d) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.331

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 construction, and you must show the costs on other appropriate lines such as Contractual.

Other: Provide clear and specific detail, including cost methodology, 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 15 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 Part 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 $50,000 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 $50,000.

• Note that participant support costs are not included in MTDC. Participant support costs are defined below.

• Participant Support Cost, defined at 2 CFR §200.1, means direct costs that support participants and their involvement in a federal award, such as stipends or subsistence allowances, registration fees, temporary dependent care, and per diem paid to or on behalf of participants.

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.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.414 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-F/subject-group-ECFR4424206eaecf751/appendix-Appendix%20VII%20to%20Part%20200 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 (up to 10 points)

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. This section of the Project Narrative must include:

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), using both quantitative and qualitative terms (3 points);

2. Demonstration of a comprehensive understanding of the need for TA to help employers and/or labor unions prepare women to enter and succeed in A/NTO (3 points);

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

3. A clear description of how the proposed TA will assist employers and/or labor unions in preparing women to enter and succeed in A/NTO. Incorporate demographic data and participant/beneficiary information whenever possible (2 points); and

4. A clear description of the consequences of not addressing this need, based on the quantitative and qualitative information provided (2 points).

b. Geographic Diversity (3 points)

The Geographic Diversity section of the Project Narrative must clearly identify the geographic area the project will serve. Applicants proposing a project to serve a state not served in the last two years by prior WB WANTO grant recipients will receive the full three points for this section. Applicants proposing a project to serve a state that has been previously served in either of the last two years will result in zero points. A list of WB recipients and the states served can be found in Appendix A (3 points).

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

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.1 This section must:

1. Demonstrate that the identified outputs and outcomes are realistic, clear, and consistent with the expressed TA need (5 points).

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 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 (2 points);

2. The number and percentage of enrollees 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 (2 points);

3. Number and percentage of women seeking full-time employment who secure full-time employment as a result of TA you provide (2 points);

4. Number and percentage of women seeking full-time employment who secure a job with a higher wage as a result of TA you provide (2 points); and

5. Whether, to what extent, and how products or services developed with TA provided under this grant can or will be sustained beyond the grant period (2 points).

d. Project Design (up to 22 points)

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 (5 points);

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 (5 points);

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 (2 points);

4. A clear and convincing assessment identifying any potential barriers that may impact the project’s success and a description of how the project can overcome those barriers (3 points);

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 (1 point);

6. A clear logic model that outlines how your TA delivery will lead to the employment and/or retention of women in Registered Apprenticeship and nontraditional occupations (2 points); and

7. Identification of the 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, as well as key partners to promote sustainability of the TA after the project concludes.

Note: Applicants should provide letters of commitment from 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 (4 points).

e. Performance Evaluation (up to 10 points)

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 (4 points);

2. Provide details on how project participants will participate in evaluation activities (1 point);

3. Clearly explain how the data will be used to inform program delivery and how “lessons learned,” both positive and negative, will be documented (2 points);

4. 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 (3 points).

f. Organizational, Administrative, and Fiscal Capacity (up to 22 points)

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

1. A clear 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 (5 points);

2. A description of the fiscal and administrative controls in place to properly manage federal funds, and include the current operating expenses and revenues in this description (3 points);

3. A description of the applicant’s experience and capability in developing training programs designed to prepare women to gain employment in apprenticeable or other nontraditional occupations (4 points);

4. A description of the applicant’s experience and capability working with the business community to provide resources on creating a successful environment for women in A/NTO (4 points);

5. A description of the applicant’s experience and capability with setting up support groups, facilitating networks, and/or providing supportive services for women in A/NTO to improve their retention (3 points); and

6. An explanation of whether or not the applicant organization has tradeswomen or women in nontraditional occupations as active members of the organization, as either employees or board members (3 points).

g. Past Performance – Programmatic Capability (up to 12 points)

Applicants will be assessed on programmatic capabilities to implement the WANTO grant program, as demonstrated through past performance in comparable programs of similar size and scope. Applicants must choose only one of the two categories listed below to demonstrate their capabilities, each of which are worth 12 total points. Applicants that neglect to clearly specify the scoring category will receive zero points.

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

Applicants must:

1. Submit a list of three such grants/cooperative agreements that are similar in size, scope, and relevance to the proposed project. All grants/cooperative agreements must have been completed by June 27, 2020. Applicants must include a grantor contact name and telephone number for each grant/cooperative agreement listed. Do not submit more than three grants/cooperative agreements to demonstrate past performance. If more than three are included, only the three most recent will be considered.

2. For each grant/cooperative agreement, provide two significant performance goals and the outcomes of those goals to demonstrate if and how the applicant successfully completed and managed the project. The outcomes must clearly demonstrate if the goals were met or exceeded.

Points will be assigned for each goal (up to two goals per agreement requested) that was met or exceeded (2 points per goal).

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 (up to 2 points).

b. Whether the program(s) or project(s) included delivering TA to employers, labor 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 (up to 2 points).

c. How many women were served, or the typical number served in each cohort, and whether proposed program(s) or project(s) will be of a similar scale (1 point).

d. How long the program(s)/project(s) have been operational (1 point).

2. Clear and convincing explanation as to how your experience operating a comparable program(s) or project(s) prepared you to undertake the complexities of operating the proposed project (6 points).

h. Budget and Budget Narrative (up to 6 points)

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 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 (2 points);

2. Provide a clear description of costs associated with each SF-424A line item, and includes the required level of detail as outlined in section IV.B.2 (2 points); and

3. Explain and estimate proposed participant supportive service costs, which must not exceed 15 percent of the requested funding (2 points).

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

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

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

My_Attached_File.pdf) to separate a file name.

a. Required Attachments

1. Abstract

You must submit an up to two-page abstract summarizing the proposed project. This attachment does not impact the scoring of the application; however, if your organization is selected for an award, the information you include in the abstract will be published on USASpending.gov, a public-facing website that acts as the official open data source for Federal spending information.

The abstract must include the following:

• the applicant’s name;

• purpose of the project;

• activities to be funded by the grant;

• expected outcomes of the project;

• intended beneficiaries of the project; and

• subrecipient activities, if applicable.

2. Letter demonstrating CBO eligibility

Per the WANTO Act, “the term ‘community-based organization’ means a community-based organization…that has demonstrated experience administering programs that train women for apprenticeable occupations or other nontraditional occupations.” More can be read about the definition in Appendix B. Only applicants that meet this definition of CBO will be eligible for a grant under this Funding Opportunity Announcement. To confirm that applicants meet the definition of CBO, applicants must submit a letter from the applying organization detailing how the applicant meets the criteria of a CBO. For applicants applying on behalf of a CBO consortium, the applying organization must be the one to provide the letter detailing how they meet the criteria of a CBO. Letters must be on organizational letterhead, and be digitally signed by the applicant organization’s authorized representative (must include PDF time and date stamp) or an original signature not electronically produced. Omission of this letter will cause disqualification. Letters must include:

1. How long the applicant has been in operation and during that time, how many years of experience the applicant has administering programs that train women for apprenticeable or nontraditional occupations. Please also provide details on this experience, i.e., the specific work done in this area and how many women have been served each year as well as how many cohorts of women-centered training the applicant has taught…