FOA-WB-26-01.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Women’s Bureau

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

ANNOUNCEMENT FOR: FY26 WOMEN IN APPRENTICESHIP AND

NONTRADITIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WANTO) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANT

PROGRAM

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Initial

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: FOA-WB-26-01

ASSISTANCE LISTING NUMBER: 17.701

Submit all applications in response to this announcement through https://www.grants.gov.

FUNDING DETAIL:

Expected Total Available Funding $10,000,000 Expected Number of Awards 13 to 28 grants Funding Range Per Award $350,000 - $750,000 Awards made under this Announcement are subject to the availability of federal funds. In the event that additional funds become available, we reserve the right to use these funds to select more grantees from the applications submitted in response to this Announcement.

KEY DATES:

Application Deadline 7/6/2026. We must receive applications no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time.

Expected Period of Performance Start Date 09/30/2026 Period of Performance Length 24 months

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration is responsible for the Women’s Bureau grant award process.

Table of Contents

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

II. ELIGIBILITY

A. Eligible Applicants B. Cost Sharing C. Period of Performance

III. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A. Purpose B. Program Goals and Objectives C. Expected Performance Outcomes D. Funding Type E. Eligible Participants F. Program Authority G. Definitions H. Funding Restrictions, Policies and Limitations I. Required Partnerships ............................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.

IV. APPLICATION CONTENT AND FORMAT

A. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance B. Project Budget (SF-424A and Budget Narrative) C. Project Narrative D. Attachments to the Project Narrative

V. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

A. How to Obtain an Application Package B. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management C. Submission Instructions D. Intergovernmental Review E. Other Submission Requirements

VI. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. Responsiveness Review B. Review Criteria C. Review and Selection Process D. Risk Review

VII. AWARD NOTICES

A. Award Document

B. Award Timing and Notification to Applicants

VIII. POST AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION

A. Administrative and National Policy Requirements B. Reporting

IX. RESOURCES

X. OMB INFORMATION COLLECTION

APPENDIX A: Past and Current WANTO Grantees

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Women’s Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor (DOL, or the Department, or we), announces the availability of approximately $10,000,000 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 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 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 apprenticeable occupations or nontraditional occupations (A/NTO), such as Advanced Manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Information Technology (IT), mining, and Shipbuilding and Defense Industrial Base, specifically in the following ways:

• Developing (establishing, expanding, and/or enhancing) pre-apprenticeships that lead to Registered Apprenticeships, Registered Apprenticeship (as defined in Section III.G.

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 III.H.3.) for women in A/NTO to improve their retention.

To be eligible for funds under this grant program, an applicant must be a community-based organization (CBO) as defined in Definitions (Section III.G.). Faith-based organizations that meet the definition of CBO are encouraged to apply.

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.

For further information or technical questions about this FOA, please email WB.OGM@dol.gov and specifically reference FOA-WB-26-01.

II. ELIGIBILITY

A. Eligible Applicants

1. The following organizations are eligible to apply:

• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education mailto:WB.OGM@dol.gov

• Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

Faith-based organizations are encouraged to apply, as are any eligible organizations. Those that meet the eligibility requirements may receive awards under this funding opportunity. DOL will not, in the selection of recipients and administration of the grant, discriminate on the basis of an organization’s religious character, affiliation, exercise, or lack thereof, or on the basis of conduct that would not be considered grounds to favor or disfavor a similarly situated secular organization.

Please see additional eligibility requirements below:

Eligible Entities:

Only CBOs as defined in Section III.G. 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.

In awarding grants, the Department will give priority to applications that meet the following eligibility criteria per the WANTO Act legislation:

• 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.

Current and Former Grantees:

Recipients of WANTO Act grant program funds awarded under the FY 2025 FOA are NOT eligible to apply for a FY 2026 WANTO grant. FY 2025 grantees will be eligible to apply again in FY 2027, 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 2025 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.C.1.), 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.

2. Number of Applications Applicants May Submit

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

B. Cost Sharing 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. provides more information on leveraged resources.

C. Period of Performance The performance period listed on the front page of this FOA includes all necessary implementation and start-up activities.

III. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A. Purpose This Announcement solicits applications for the FY26 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).

Projects funded through the WANTO program will help achieve the President’s goal of 1 million new active apprentices. Furthermore, to achieve the President’s strategy to reindustrialize America, dominate the AI frontier, and reclaim control over the levers of national prosperity, the FY26 WANTO program is giving preference, through bonus points, to applicants targeting high demand occupations with a labor shortage in the Advanced Manufacturing, AI, IT, mining, and Shipbuilding and Defense Industrial Base industries. Faith based organizations that meet the definition of CBO are encouraged to apply.

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. They are also increasingly found in emerging and high-growth industries. Many of these opportunities lead to careers or career ladders that provide high, family-sustaining wages and quality fringe benefits. Currently, more than 96,000 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 $86,000 per year. 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.

Pre-apprenticeship programs can play a valuable role in expanding pathways to entering Registered Apprenticeships and improving apprenticeship retention and completion. Pre-apprenticeship programs are designed to prepare individuals to enter and succeed in a Registered Apprenticeship program and have documented partnerships with at least one, if not more, https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/preparing-americans-for-high-paying-skilled-trade-jobs-of-the-future/ https://www.apprenticeship.gov/data-and-statistics/apprentices-by-state-dashboard https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ https://www.urban.org/research/publication/do-employers-earn-positive-returns-investments-apprenticeship

Registered Apprenticeship programs. CBOs are well positioned to develop pre-apprenticeship programs that help women prepare for and succeed in A/NTO.

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. Projects will be expected to leverage other DOL funding dedicated to expanding Registered Apprenticeships, including funding available to Registered Apprenticeship program sponsors through the Pay-for-Performance Incentive Payments Program, as appropriate, to maximize the impact of the TA provided and support the growth and expansion of Registered Apprenticeship programs serving women. 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 Goals and Objectives This program aims to provide TA to employers and labor unions in the United States and its territories to encourage employment of women in A/NTO, specifically in the following ways:

• 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/or

• Setting up support groups, facilitating networks, and/or providing supportive services (as defined in section III.H.3.) for women in A/NTO to improve their retention.

C. Expected Performance Outcomes The Women’s Bureau is asking for the following outcomes to track recipient progress.

Applicants are expected to identify outcomes that are realistic, clear, and consistent (see Section IV.C.3. for details) and will report on the progress in quarterly performance reports.

1. The number of women expected to enroll in pre-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. The number and percentage of enrollees expected to complete pre-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;

3. The number and percentage of enrollees expected to remain in a Registered Apprenticeship program at the end of the grant program as a result of TA you propose to provide;

4. Number and percentage of women seeking full-time employment who secure full-time employment as a result of TA you provide;

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

6. Number of new Registered Apprenticeship programs that are developed and enroll new apprentices that are women by the end of the grant period as a result of the TA you provide.

https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361087

D. Funding Type Funding will be provided in the form of a Grant. Throughout this FOA, all references to grants are applicable to cooperative agreements.

E. 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 Registered Apprenticeship, or nontraditional skills training programs.

Applicants must propose a project that focuses on developing (establishing, expanding, or enhancing) a pre-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 DOL grantees to provide priority to veterans and spouses of certain veterans for 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://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/advisories/training-and-employment-guidance-letter-no-10-09.

F. 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 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, Pub. L. 119-75 provides funding for fiscal year 2026.

G. Definitions For the purposes of this FOA, the following terms are defined for the convenience of prospective applicants: Apprentice: A worker at least 16 years of age, except where a higher minimum age standard is otherwise fixed by law, who is employed to learn an apprenticeable occupation as provided in 29 C.F.R § 29.4 under standards of apprenticeship fulfilling the requirements of 29 C.F.R § 29.5.

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

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

o Be clearly identified and commonly recognized throughout an industry;

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title38-section4215&num=0&edition=prelim https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/advisories/training-and-employment-guidance-letter-no-10-09 o Involve the progressive attainment of manual, mechanical, or technical skills and knowledge which, in accordance with the industry standard for the occupation, would require the completion of at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning to attain; and o Require related instruction to supplement the on-the-job learning.

• Apprenticeship Agreement: A written agreement that contains the terms and conditions of the employment and training of the apprentice.

• Community-Based Organization: A private non-profit organization (which may include a faith-based organization) that is representative of a community or a significant segment of a community, that has demonstrated expertise and effectiveness in the field of workforce development, and that has demonstrated experience administering programs that train women for apprenticeable occupations or other nontraditional occupations.

• National Guidelines for Apprenticeship Standards (NGS): A template of high-quality apprenticeship program standards submitted by a labor union, trade or industry association, employer, workforce intermediary, education provider, or other organizations with national scope; these apprenticeship standards may be certified by the Office of Apprenticeship (OA) in instances where they are (1) found suitable for adoption or adaptation by State or local affiliates of the submitting organization, and (2) fully satisfy the regulatory requirements set forth at 29 CFR Part 29 and any sub-regulatory guidance issued thereunder. NGS that receive certification by OA may be registered subsequently on a local basis by the applicable Registration Agency (either by an OA State Office or by a State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA)) within a particular State or jurisdiction where a program adopting the NGS standards is situated.

• National Program Standards (NPS): Programs that are registered by OA on a national basis and that consist of occupational standards which: (1) are developed and sponsored by an employer, national trade or industry organization, labor organization, educational institution, or consortium; (2) are demonstrably national or multi-State in their design, suitability, and scope based on consideration of the National Program Standards criteria;

and (3) comply with the regulatory requirements contained in 29 CFR Part 29.

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

• Office of Apprenticeship (OA): The office designated by the DOL Employment and Training Administration to administer the National Apprenticeship System or its successor organization.

• Pre-Apprenticeship Program: A pre-apprenticeship is a program designed to prepare individuals to enter and succeed in an apprenticeship program registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the “National Apprenticeship Act”; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et. seq.) (referred to in this part as a “registered apprenticeship” or “registered apprenticeship program”) and includes the following elements:

o Training and curriculum that aligns with the skill needs of employers in the economy of the State or region involved;

o Access to educational and career counseling and other supportive services, directly or indirectly;

https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/29/50 o Hands-on, meaningful learning activities that are connected to education and training activities, such as exploring career options, and understanding how the skills acquired through coursework can be applied toward a future career;

o Opportunities to attain at least one industry-recognized credential; and o A partnership with one or more Registered Apprenticeship programs that assists in placing individuals who complete the pre-apprenticeship program in a Registered Apprenticeship program.

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

• Registered Apprenticeship Program: Registered Apprenticeship programs are registered programs with OA or a DOL-recognized State Apprenticeship Agency as set out in 29 CFR Part 29. For additional information, see https://www.apprenticeship.gov/.

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

• Registration Agency: OA or a recognized State Apprenticeship Agency that has responsibility for registering apprenticeship programs and apprentices, providing TA, conducting reviews for compliance with 29 CFR part 29, and quality assurance assessments.

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

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

H. Funding Restrictions, Policies and Limitations All proposed project costs must be necessary and reasonable and in accordance with federal guidelines.

Determinations of allowable costs will be made in accordance with the Cost Principles, now found in the Office of Management and Budget’s Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), codified at 2 CFR Part 200 and at 2 CFR Part 2900 (Uniform Guidance-DOL specific). Disallowed costs are those charges to a grant that the grantor agency or its representative determines not to be allowed in accordance with the Cost Principles or other conditions contained in the grant. Applicants, whether successful or not, will not be entitled to reimbursement of pre-award costs.

1. Indirect Costs

As specified in the Uniform Guidance Cost Principles, indirect costs are those costs incurred for a common or joint purpose benefitting more than one cost objective and not readily assignable to the cost objectives specifically benefitted, without effort disproportionate to the results achieved.

It may be necessary to establish multiple pools of indirect costs to facilitate equitable distribution of indirect expenses to the cost objectives served. Indirect cost pools must be distributed to benefitted cost objectives on basis that will produce an equitable result in consideration of relative benefits derived. An indirect cost rate is required when an organization operates under more than one grant or other activity, whether federally-assisted or not. You have two options to claim reimbursement of indirect costs.

Option 1: You may use a NICRA or Cost Allocation Plan (CAP) supplied by the Federal Cognizant Agency. If you do not have a NICRA/CAP or if you have a pending NICRA/CAP, and in either case choose to include estimated indirect costs in your budget, at the time of award the Grant Officer will release funds in the amount of 15 percent of Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC) (see DOL's definition below) to support indirect costs. Within 90 days of award, you are required to submit an acceptable indirect cost proposal or CAP to your Federal Cognizant Agency to obtain a provisional indirect cost rate. (See Section IV.B. for more information on NICRA submission requirements.)

Option 2: Any organization that does not have a current negotiated (including provisional) rate, with the exceptions noted at 2 CFR Part 200.414(f) in the Cost Principles, may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 15 percent of MTDC (see DOL's definition below). The de minimis rate may be used indefinitely. When applying the de minimis rate, costs must be consistently charged as either direct or indirect costs and may not be double charged or inconsistently charged as both.

Once elected, the recipient or subrecipient must use the de minimis rate for all Federal awards until such time as the award recipient or subrecipient chooses to receive a negotiated rate. (See 2 CFR Part 200.414(f) for more information on use of the de minimis rate.)

Modified Total Direct Cost 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 contract (regardless of the period of performance of the subawards and contracts 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.

2. Evaluation and Data-Related Costs

Organization costs related to data and evaluation are allowable, as defined in 2 CFR Part

200.455. Evaluation costs may include (but are not limited to) evidence reviews, evaluation planning, feasibility assessment, conducting evaluations, sharing evaluation results, and other costs related to the effective building and use of evidence and evaluation for program design, administration, or improvement. Related data costs may include (but are not limited to) expenditures needed to gather, store, track, manage, share, publish, or otherwise use data to administer or improve the program. Further, grantees may charge allowable data activities to Federal grants as direct or indirect costs, as long as they are applicable to the Federal grant award.

3. Supportive Services

Grantees may spend no more than 15 percent of funds awarded for supportive services to ensure women’s participation in technical assistance activities (e.g., outreach sessions, orientation sessions, focus groups, support groups, and apprenticeable/nontraditional occupations skills training) intended to assist labor unions and employers with increasing and retaining women in Registered Apprenticeships and NTOs. Examples of supportive services may include allowances for childcare, housing, transportation, and/or language assistance services to ensure participation at technical assistance activities; job-related equipment and gear to the extent it is provided as a consequence of a technical assistance activity (e.g., a training session on work-related equipment that improves women workers’ ability to be employed or retained in a A/NTO); or job-related training tuition costs to the extent the training is provided as technical assistance to an employer or labor union. Please note that while supportive services dollars may be used towards ensuring women’s participation at apprenticeable/nontraditional occupations skills training, these funds may not be used to support women’s continued enrollment in apprenticeship programs. In offering supportive services, grantees must provide counseling and resource referral so that participants are aware of other programs and funding sources offering the services that could provide the supports needed for women to be successful in apprenticeship and NTOs in the long term. These include programs such as the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), Head Start and Early Head Start, as well as sources of funding potentially available under WIOA and other statutes the Department administers.

IV. APPLICATION CONTENT AND FORMAT

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

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

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

C. Project Narrative; and D. Attachments to the Project Narrative.

You must ensure that the funding amount requested is consistent across all parts and sub-parts of the application. 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. All application components must be contained in the official submission package. Items not included in the application package, including but not limited to websites that must be accessed from a link, will not be considered.

A. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance You must complete the SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance” (sample available at https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family).

• 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 should match its name registered in the System for Award Management at www.sam.gov. If unsure of the legal name of your organization, visit www.sam.gov to confirm.

• The organization’s Employer Identification Number (EIN) and Unique Entity Identification (UEI) Number should match its information in www.sam.gov. If unsure of the EIN or UEI of your organization, visit www.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 https://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupAction!input.action 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.

B. Project Budget (SF-424A and Budget Narrative) You must complete the SF-424A Budget Information Form and a Budget Narrative. The Budget and Budget Narrative do not count against the page limit requirements for the Project Narrative.

Project Budget You must complete the SF-424A Budget Information Form (sample available at grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family). In addition to the Budget Information Form, you must provide a concise narrative explanation to support the budget request, see requirements below.

a. Budget Narrative The Budget Narrative must provide a description of costs associated with each line item on the SF-424A. If required by the FOA, it must also include a section on the required cost sharing (including match) with a complete description of projected cost sharing, the source and how it will be spent on the project. The Budget Narrative should also include a section describing any leveraged resources provided (as applicable) to support grant activities.

Leveraged resources are all resources, including cash and in-kind, in excess of the award and associated cost sharing. Valuation of leveraged resources follows the same requirements as cost sharing. 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 estimated cost for the period of performance. Use the following guidance for preparing the Budget Narrative.

Personnel: List all staff positions by title (including individuals hired by an employment contract as an independent contractor) 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 estimated costs for each type of travel.

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 Part 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 $10,000 are supplies, not “equipment.” In general, we do not permit the purchase of equipment during the last funded year of the grant.

https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family

Supplies: Identify the cost 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 Part 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 Part 200.1 as a legal instrument by which a recipient or subrecipient conducts procurement transactions under a federal award. A subaward, defined by 2 CFR Part 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 a Federal award received by the pass-through entity. This should include payments to a contractor for third-party evaluations that are not already accounted for elsewhere, if applicable. 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 can determine whether the costs are necessary, reasonable, and allocable. List items, such as stipends or incentives, not covered elsewhere.

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

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

or

b) If you intend to claim indirect costs using the 15 percent de minimis rate of modified total direct costs (MTDC) (defined by DOL below), please confirm that your organization meets the requirements as described in 2 CFR Part 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 MTDC (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 MTDC. 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 contract (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 contract in excess of $50,000.

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

• 2 CFR Part 200.1 Participant Support Cost means direct costs that support participants (see definition for Participant in § 200.1) and their involvement in a Federal award, such as stipends, subsistence allowances, travel allowances, registration fees, temporary dependent care, and per diem paid directly to or on behalf of participants.

See Section III.H. 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/office-of-the-senior-procurement-executive/cost-price-determination-division.

Indirect-type costs (such as top management salaries, financial oversight, human resources, payroll, personnel, auditing costs, accounting and legal, etc. used for the general oversight and administration of the organization) must not be classified as direct costs; these types of costs are recovered as part of charging the de minimis or NICRA rate. Note that the SF-424, SF- 424A, and Budget Narrative must include the entire federal grant amount requested (not just one year).

If cost sharing is required, applicants must show cost sharing on the SF-424 (line 18b), SF-424A, and Budget Narrative.

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

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

C. Project Narrative You must include a Project Narrative with your application. The Project Narrative demonstrates an applicant’s ability to implement the grant project in accordance with the requirements of the Announcement. Applicants must describe, in their own words, how they will meet the stated requirements in the FOA, and convincingly demonstrate that they are using a sound approach.

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/oasam/centers-offices/office-of-the-senior-procurement-executive/cost-price-determination-division https://www.dol.gov/agencies/oasam/centers-offices/office-of-the-senior-procurement-executive/cost-price-determination-division

As appropriate, applicants should see Section IX. Resources, and specifically IX.E. DOL’s Clearinghouse for Evaluation and Research (CLEAR) and IX.F. Data and Other Evidence Resources for starting places to find research that provides evidence of a sound approach.

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. It must include the section headers listed below. The agency will evaluate the Project Narrative using the evaluation criteria identified in Section VI.B. We will not read or consider any materials beyond the specified page limit (except for attachments listed in Section IV.D. that impact the scoring of the application).

1. 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:

a. 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);

b. 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);

c. 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

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

2. Geographic Diversification (3 points or 0 points)

The Geographic Diversification section of the Project Narrative must clearly identify the geographic area the project will serve. To bolster opportunity in the WB’s Southcentral region, which has received the fewest WANTO grants compared to other regions in the past 10 years, organizations serving states in this region will receive the full three points for this section. States in WB’s Southcentral region include: Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. Applicants proposing a project to serve a state outside the Southcentral region will result in zero points (3 points or 0 points).

3. Expected Outcomes and Outputs (up to 16 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. This section must:

a. Demonstrate that the identified outputs and outcomes are realistic, clear, and consistent with the expressed TA need (3 points).

b. 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:

i. The number of women expected to enroll in pre-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);

ii. The number and percentage of enrollees expected to complete pre-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);

iii. The number and percentage of enrollees that expect to remain in Registered Apprenticeship by the end of the grant period as a result of the TA you propose to provide (1 point);

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

v. 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

vi. Number of new Registered Apprenticeship programs that are developed and enroll new apprentices that are women by the end of the grant period as a result of the TA you provide; (2 points);

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

4. Project Design (up to 22 points)

The Project Design section must include the following:

a. 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.C.3. “Expected Outputs and Outcomes” and section VIII.5.B.2. “Quarterly Performance Reports,” along with how the applicant will track results (4 points);

b. 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 (4 points);

c. A description of the factors that might accelerate or decelerate the work and the reason for taking the proposed approach rather than other approaches (1 points);

d. 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 (2 points);

e. 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);

f. A description of how you plan to leverage other DOL funding dedicated to expanding Registered Apprenticeships, including funding available to Registered Apprenticeship program sponsors through the Pay-for-Performance Incentive Payments Program, to maximize the impact of the TA provided and support the growth and expansion of Registered Apprenticeship programs serving women (4 points);

g. 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

h. Identification of the employers and/or labor unions to which you intend to provide TA.

In addition, for employers and/or labor unions that provide a pre-apprenticeship or nontraditional occupation skills training program, the Project Design section must include identification of employers who have an agreement to hire program graduates or to provide entry into a Registered Apprenticeship program. Applicants should provide 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. In addition, for employers and/or labor unions that provide a pre-apprenticeship or nontraditional occupation skills training program, applicants should provide letters of commitment from employers who have an agreement to hire program graduates or to provide entry into Registered Apprenticeship. Omission of these letters will not cause disqualification of the application; however, the omission may impact scoring under this criterion (4 points).

5. Performance Evaluation (up to 9 points)

The Performance Evaluation section must:

a. 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);

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

c. Clearly explain how the data will be used to inform program delivery and how “lessons learned,” both positive and negative, will be documented (1 points);

d. Applicants should provide a clear and comprehensive plan on tracking the progress of reaching the proposed outcome and output indicators listed in the IV.C.3. (Expected Outcomes and Outputs) and VIII.5.B.2. (Quarterly Performance Reports) sections (3 points).

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

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

a. 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);

b. 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);

c. 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);

d. A…