GJC FY 24 NOFO FINAL 7.26.24.pdf

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• Federal Agency Name: Economic Development Administration (EDA or the Agency), U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC).

• Federal Funding Opportunity Title: FY 2024 Good Jobs Challenge Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) (FY24 Good Jobs Challenge NOFO).

• Announcement Type and Date: FY24 Good Jobs Challenge NOFO publishing EDA’s application submission requirements and review procedures under EDA’s Economic Adjustment Assistance program, as authorized by the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 3121 et seq.) (PWEDA).

• Effective date: July 29, 2024.

• Funding Opportunity Number: EDA-HDQ-FY2024GJC

• Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.307, Economic Adjustment Assistance

• Dates: The deadline for application submission is 4:59 pm Eastern Time on September 27, 2024. Proposals or applications received after the above deadlines will not be reviewed or considered. See section E of this Good Jobs Challenge NOFO regarding EDA’s review process and section G of the NOFO for EDA’s contact information.

• Eligible Applicants: Pursuant to section 3(4) of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. § 3122(4)(A)) and 13 C.F.R. § 300.3 (Eligible Recipient), eligible applicants under this NOFO include a(n):

(i) District Organization of an EDA-designated Economic Development District (EDD);

(ii) Indian Tribe or a consortium of Indian Tribes; (iii) State, county, city, or other political subdivision of a State, including a special purpose unit of a State or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions;

(iv) institution of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education; or (v) public or private non-profit organization or association, including labor unions, acting in cooperation with officials of a general purpose political subdivision of a State. Individuals and for-profit entities are not eligible for funding under this NOFO.

• Funding Opportunity Description: Subject to the availability of funds, EDA will support regional workforce training systems in designing and implementing activities for established sectoral partnerships that meet the existing and emerging skills needs of employers and that train and place program participants into good jobs. These systems will help to grow regional economies and their associated workforces and must advance technology-based industries that fortify the economic and national security of the United States.

FULL ANNOUNCEMENT TEXT

FY 2024 Good Jobs Challenge Notice of Funding Opportunity

A. Good Jobs Challenge Program Description 4

1. Definitions 4

2. Program Overview 6

3. Example Activities and Desired Outputs and Outcomes 15

4. Statutory Authority 17

B. Federal Award Information 17

1. What Funding Is Available Under this Announcement 17

2. What Type of Funding Instrument Will Be Used to Make Awards? How Long Will a Project’s Period of Performance Be?

C. Eligibility Information 18

1. Eligible Applicants 18

2. Cost Sharing or Matching Requirements 19

3. Distress Criteria 20

4. Other Criteria 24

D. Application Submission Information 25

1. Obtaining an Application or Electronic Submission through EDGE 25

2. Content and Form of Application 26

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) 41

4. Submission Dates and Times 41

5. Intergovernmental Review 41

6. Funding Restrictions 42

7. EDGE Systems Issues 43

E. Review and Selection Process 43

1. Criteria-Merit Review 43

2. Review and Selection Process 46

3. Review of Responsibility/Qualification Information in SAM.gov 47

F. Federal Award Administration Information 48

1. Federal Award Notice 48

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements 48

3. Reporting 49

G. Federal Awarding Contacts 50

H. Other Information 51

1. Right to Use Information 51

2. Disclosure of Information 51

3. Freedom of Information Act Disclosures 51

4. NOFO Changes Communicated on Grants.gov 52

5. Notice of Government-Wide Procurement Restriction 52

6. Past Performance and Non-Compliance with Award Provisions 52

7. Certifications Required by Annual Appropriations Acts 52

8. Requirements for Recipients with More than $10 Million in Federal-Wide Funding 53

9. EDA’s Non-Relocation Policy 53

10. Audit Requirements 54

11. Non-Discrimination and Equal Access by Those with Past Criminal Histories 54

12. Fraud Awareness Training 54

13. Office of Inspector General Rights and Responsibilities 54

A. Good Jobs Challenge Program Description

EDA’s mission is to lead the Federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness by preparing American regions, States, and Tribes for growth and success in the worldwide economy. Through this Fiscal Year 2024 Good Jobs Challenge Notice of Funding Opportunity (FY 2024 Good Jobs Challenge NOFO), EDA will support regional workforce training systems in designing and implementing activities for established sectoral partnerships that place program participants in good jobs and advance industries in the federal key technology focus areas. $25 million will be awarded through this FY24 Good Jobs Challenge NOFO. EDA anticipates awarding approximately between 5-8 grantees with awards ranging from $1 million to $8 million. This NOFO aims to fortify the economic and national security of the United States and advance the competitiveness of the applicant’s region.

1. Definitions

This NOFO uses the following terms:

“Backbone organization” is defined as the award recipient and lead entity of a sectoral partnership that serves as the intermediary across all partners in the sectoral partnership.

A “good job” is defined as a paid position of regular employment that aligns with the Good Jobs Principles. The Good Jobs Principles include jobs that ensure all workers are paid a stable, predictable living wage, receive basic benefits (e.g., paid leave, health insurance, retirement/savings plan), have safe working conditions, have the ability to form and join unions and engage in protected, concerted activity without fear of retaliation, and have equitable opportunities and tools to progress to future good jobs.

“Key Technology Focus Areas” as defined by 42 U.S.C. § 19107 are:

• Artificial intelligence, machine learning, autonomy, and related advances;

• High performing computing, semiconductors, and advanced computer hardware and software;

• Quantum information science and technology;

• Robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing;

• Natural and anthropogenic disaster prevention or mitigation;

• Advanced communications technology and immersive technology;

• Biotechnology, medical technology, genomics, and synthetic biology;

• Data storage, data management, distributed ledger technologies, and cybersecurity, including biometrics;

• Advanced energy and industrial efficiency technologies, such as batteries and advanced nuclear technologies, including but not limited to for the purposes of electric generation; and

• Advanced materials science, including composites 2D materials, other next generation materials, and related manufacturing technologies.

“Occupation” or “Job” is defined as a worker role that meets the needs of a region, an industry, or employer that requires specific training or skills and that creates a career pathway for a worker (e.g., a skilled machine technician, registered nurse).

“Sectoral partnership” is defined as a partnership of employers from the same industry that join with other strategic partners to collaboratively design sector strategies that train and place workers into good jobs that the employers need filled and intend to fill through the partnership. The strategic partners can include: government, education institutions (including community and technical colleges1), training organizations, economic development organizations, workforce development organizations, unions, union federations, worker-serving organizations, labor management partnerships, industry associations, employer-serving organizations, faith-based organizations, and/or community-based organizations. A sectoral partnership is focused on one specific industry within an identified economic region and one or more specific roles within that industry. See Figure 1 for a visualization of how different entities work together in a sectoral partnership.

“Tech Hub” is defined as a consortium, designated by EDA, to strengthen the country’s economic and national security, and global competitiveness by enabling the industries of the future to start, grow, and remain in regions across the United States. A listing of these designations can be found on the EDA website.2

1 See Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) for information reported to the U.S. Department of Education directly by recognized accrediting agencies and state approval agencies.

https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home

2 “2023 Tech Hubs Designees.” U.S. Economic Development Administration. 2023 Tech Hubs Designees and Strategy Development https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home https://www.eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023?utm_program=Impact&utm_subject=impact_april_2024&utm_year=2024#:%7E:text=The%20Tech%20Hubs%20Program%20invests%20in%20regions%20across,jobs%20and%20strengthen%20U.S.%20economic%20and%20national%20security https://www.eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023?utm_program=Impact&utm_subject=impact_april_2024&utm_year=2024#:%7E:text=The%20Tech%20Hubs%20Program%20invests%20in%20regions%20across,jobs%20and%20strengthen%20U.S.%20economic%20and%20national%20security

Figure 1 – Visualization of a Sectoral Partnership

2. Program Overview

EDA will support sectoral partnerships that train and place workers in good jobs and advance industries in key technologies that fortify the economic and national security of the United States and advance the competitiveness of the applicant’s region. To satisfy that objective, EDA anticipates making approximately 5-8 awards to backbone organizations totaling up to $25 million for training design and implementation. These awards will range from $1 million to $8 million. To compete for these awards, this NOFO requires applicants to propose sectoral partnerships that advance a key technology focus area (KTFA). Sectoral partnerships affiliated with a Tech Hub designee will be given benefits of that designation in this NOFO in both the merit evaluation of applications and as a selection factor. Further, awards from this NOFO will prioritize sectoral partnerships that include worker voice in design and execution through partnerships with labor unions or worker-serving organizations, and will prioritize aiding workers in fields impacted by changes in technology, and supporting their transition into good jobs.

EDA is committed to equitable economic development. EDA will prioritize sectoral partnerships that reach historically underserved populations and areas, communities of color, women, and other groups such as persons with disabilities, disconnected youth, individuals in recovery, individuals with past criminal records including justice-impacted and reentry participants, individuals participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Women, Infants and Children (WIC), and veterans and military spouses. EDA also encourages partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, or Minority-Serving Institutions.

a. This NOFO solicits proposals for the design and implementation of training for established or emerging sectoral partnerships.

Sectoral partnerships create and support training programs that connect the in-demand and emerging skills needs of employers with qualified workers and help workers find and keep good jobs that advance their chosen career path. Sectoral partnerships are effective because: they are carefully built to include all necessary partners before workforce solutions are designed; they cut across traditional economic development, workforce, education, and social services system silos; they target in-demand sectors with good jobs; and they consider the economic realities of a regional industry in assessing workforce demand and training needs.

The purpose of these partnerships is to implement strategies that meet employers’ workforce needs, advance the skills and employment prospects of workers and jobseekers, grow regional economies, and increase employment in resilient and good jobs. The key to effective partnerships is that they include a representative group of employers that are from the same industry or have a similar workforce need and are meaningfully engaged in the development of the system and/or partnership.

For example, a manufacturing trade association may bring multiple employers with common job openings that require similar skill sets together with a local training provider, workforce development board(s), union, and community college or a group of community colleges in the region. Together, they may form a sectoral partnership to jointly develop and implement career pathways and training programs to prepare workers to meet those needs. The sectoral partnership should also include one or more community-based organizations that connect to targeted populations and provide wraparound services (e.g., childcare, transportation, and healthcare, including behavioral healthcare) to support the workers during training. The partner businesses participate in the recruitment of individuals to enroll in the sectoral partnership’s training program and commit to hiring and retaining the workers who successfully complete the program.

Similarly, an existing sectoral partnership might tailor and expand a successful skills training program to serve other regions or industries or to target specific sets of workers facing systemic inequities or barriers to employment. Other examples might involve a labor union working with an employer or group of employers to create or scale a Registered Apprenticeship Program or an employer-led partnership that provides a work-and-learn model where workers can continue to work as they develop new skills. Training should teach foundational knowledge as well as skills. The training offered should be applicable to more than one employer as much as practicable and should help workers advance along a career path.

Finally, the activities of the sectoral partnerships should be well aligned with a region’s broader economic development strategy or other place based economic development strategies in a region. It should focus on hiring from local populations and prioritize pathways to good jobs for historically disadvantaged groups. Applicants should propose only one sectoral partnership in their applications.

b. Sectoral partnerships funded by this NOFO must be led by a backbone organization.

A backbone organization is an essential element to the success of a sectoral partnership.

A backbone organization serves as an intermediary that organizes and works with employers, training participants, worker-serving organizations, employees, government agencies, and other organizations to solve problems within sectors and help grow sectors by developing trust and a base of knowledge about the organizations and businesses, as well as leveraging available public and private resources. Backbone organizations ensure that strategies are developed and that programs get implemented, meet employer needs, produce long-term positive outcomes for workers and their communities, and meet agreed-upon milestones.

Backbone organizations funded under this NOFO should connect employers in an industry with key regional stakeholders, including State, Tribal, and local governmental entities, economic development organizations, workforce development boards, American Jobs Centers, employer-facing organizations and employer associations, education and training providers, community-based organizations (CBOs) (including faith-based organizations), worker-serving organizations (WSOs), labor unions or federations, and/or other key stakeholders with responsibilities in advancing the goals of the sectoral partnerships.

An effective backbone organization will have most or all the following characteristics:

• Convening power in the region;

• Committed support of the executive leadership from the region and buy-in from appropriate stakeholders (e.g., a governor, mayor or chief executive of a jurisdiction, chief executives of major employers, heads of labor unions, presidents of two- and four-year institutions of higher education, executive leadership of community organizations representing underserved populations in the industry and/or that face barriers to the labor market, etc.);

• Relationships and credibility with key players in the workforce ecosystem, including employers, governmental entities, state or local workforce development boards, educational institutions, and/or labor organizations, community-based organizations representing underrepresented populations in the industry and/or those that face barriers in the labor market, and/or labor organizations;

• A proven track record of coordinating across the sectors and partners and of driving stakeholders to successful action;

• Ability to translate various sectors’ objectives and key concerns to other sectors;

• Strong fundraising capabilities; and

• Dedicated full-time employee(s) focused on addressing regional workforce issues to support regional economic development.

c. Awards made from this NOFO will support activities related to program design and program implementation. Activities to support the establishment of new sectoral partnerships are not eligible for awards from this NOFO.

The FY 24 Good Jobs Challenge NOFO is designed to support established sectoral partnerships in designing workforce strategies and job training that are responsive to industry needs. In addition, sectoral partners may sponsor apprenticeships, design and deliver training, administer wraparound supports for program participants throughout their training, and ultimately support program completers with placement into a job. EDA anticipates funding activities related to:

Program/Training Design: funding for a sectoral partnership to identify the skills needed by industry and workers, develop the skills training curriculum and materials, and secure technical expertise needed to train workers with the skills needed by businesses, including providing professional development and capacity-building to trainers and educators, and

Program/Training Implementation: funding to deliver workforce training and wraparound services that place workers into good jobs through a new or expanded sectoral partnership.

EDA plans to make awards to backbone organizations to fund the Program Design, and/or Program Implementation requirements of the system, as appropriate. EDA anticipates awarding approximately between 5-8 grants ranging from $1 to $8 million. The size of award available under this FY24 Good Jobs Challenge NOFO will depend on the proposed geographic, industry, and occupation coverage of a given regional system or partnership, and applicants should justify their budget requests by reference to those factors. Awards will be made through a single integrated award. The backbone organization may make subawards as necessary and as approved by EDA.

Awards available under this FY 24 Good Jobs Challenge NOFO are intended to support well-organized and coordinated workforce development and sectoral partnerships. EDA expects that the backbone organization is prepared to design training in partnership with employers and/or begin program implementation upon receipt of any award. Such lead entities or backbone organizations funded by this FY 24 Good Jobs Challenge NOFO will have:

• Identified necessary stakeholders and defined their roles and responsibilities in the prospective sectoral partnership;

• Established and developed processes for management of all potential subawardees in the sectoral partnership;

• Regularly convened and substantially engaged key stakeholders in the planning process;

• Established a plan to provide wraparound services to participants- specifically identifying the services (childcare, healthcare, transportation, etc.) applicants reasonably anticipate that participants will need to complete their participation and provided plans to work with community-based organizations, local government, and other key partners to deliver this work effectively to program participants. Plans should describe how providers will deliver these services quickly and equitably and avoid slower, ad-hoc approaches that could negatively impact participants recruitment, retention, and completion;

• Adopted a shared vision that is supported by documentation from key stakeholders as appropriate to the regional training system;

• Demonstrated ability and capacity to collect and report data on outcomes for program participants;

• Demonstrated capacity to engage employer sponsors and regional workforce system partners in an organized, consistent way to meet the needs of the region;

• Provided support to an industry with growing labor demand or gaps in labor supply, including industries funded by the Administration’s Investing in America agenda;3

• Provided training and placement activities for the historically disadvantaged groups in the local population; and

• Demonstrated capacity to engage with labor unions or worker-serving organizations.

The following examples are designed to help explain how EDA anticipates awarding funding. Note that awards available under this FY 24 Good Jobs Challenge NOFO will not support activities related to the planning and early creation of sectoral partnerships. Activities of this nature would include costs related to identifying key stakeholders, and initial planning activities.

Example 1: Region A has identified a group of employers across an industry. The backbone organization in Region A has already assembled key stakeholders in the region and identified labor shortages that are holding back industry growth. With this funding, the backbone organization will make subawards or contracts, as appropriate, to training providers that lead to placement into jobs and wraparound services for program participants. EDA may approve an award to the backbone organization for training program design and training implementation activities in the amount of $5 million total – $1.5 million for training design and $3.5 million for program implementation.

Example 2: Region B has already designed training that is aligned to industry needs in several in-demand occupations. Through EDA funding, they will be able to meet unmet demand for this training for a longer period. EDA may approve an award for program implementation activities in the amount of $3 million to expand training.

EDA recognizes that in many circumstances having adequate, modernized facilities is a critical component of a successful workforce training program that responds to industry needs today and into the future. As such, equipment costs, expenses related to securing adequate space (e.g., rent, leases), and other non-construction capital expenses are allowable expenses under this program. In addition, costs to install equipment, which may require minor building modifications, may be allowable with prior EDA approval. For example, costs to install electrical wiring to make equipment operable, or costs to adequately ventilate a space to support the use of the equipment, may be allowable. However, if approved, such costs may require compliance with laws and regulations relating to Federally financed construction projects, including environmental requirements. In addition, if funded, the recipient and any subrecipients must comply with the Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C. §§ 3141–3144, 3146, 3147; 42 U.S.C.

§ 3212). See Environmental and Historic Preservation Documentation in section D.2.c.vi of this

NOFO.

Unless related to equipment installation, costs for any activity that disturbs the ground or modifies a structure are not eligible under this NOFO. To the extent that a workforce training

3 “Investing in America.” The White House. https://www.whitehouse.gov/invest/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/invest/ project is focused only on a building-based construction project or the success of the system or partnership depends on the construction of a new facility, EDA encourages eligible entities to apply under EDA’s Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance NOFO. If a workforce training project develops or expands a regional workforce training system or sectoral partnership and there is a related, complementary construction project, EDA encourages applicants to submit the system or partnership project under this FY 2024 Good Jobs Challenge NOFO and the complementary construction project under EDA’s Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance NOFO.4

d. Awards made from this NOFO may support a diverse range of training models.

There are several different skills training models that have proved to be effective if the fundamental characteristics we have described in previous sections are in place.

Models may differ in the type of worker skills training they provide and will differ based on the sectors or occupations that the trainings are aligned to. Examples that meet the interests of this Good Jobs Challenge – to develop and strengthen regional partnerships and systems and train workers with in-demand skills that lead to good jobs – include:

• Registered Apprenticeship Programs: These programs combine paid on-the-job training under the direction of a mentor with classroom instruction and result in an industry-recognized credential certifying occupational proficiency. Registered Apprenticeship Programs are industry-vetted, approved, and validated by either the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship or a recognized State Apprenticeship agency.5

• Skills Training Programs: Programs that train workers with the foundational skills needed for in-demand, good jobs and prepare workers for employment that provides career pathways after completion of the program. These include career and technical education programs at the secondary and postsecondary levels as well as adult education programs, and other programs offered at community and technical colleges. This NOFO will support program participants that are placed into jobs by the end of the period of performance.

• Pre-apprenticeship Programs: Programs that are designed to assist individuals who do not currently possess the minimum academic credentials or skills requirements for selection into a Registered Apprenticeship Program to meet the minimum selection criteria established in a program sponsor’s apprenticeship standards and which maintains at least one documented partnership with a Registered Apprenticeship Program.

• Other Work-and-Learn Models: These programs include those when a worker is conditionally hired for a specific training period and earns wages while receiving on-the-job

4 “Fical Year 2023 Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance (PWEAA) Application Submission and Program Requirements.” U.S. Economic Development Administration. https://www.eda.gov/funding/funding-opportunities/fiscal-year-2023-public-works-and-economic-adjustment-assistance

5 Elements of a quality pre-apprenticeship program are described in DOL ETA Training Employment Notice 23-23 (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/advisories/ten-23-23). More information about Pre-Apprenticeship can be found at: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/employers/explore-pre-apprenticeship. More information about Registered Apprenticeship Programs can be found at: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/employers/registered-apprenticeship-program https://www.eda.gov/funding/funding-opportunities/fiscal-year-2023-public-works-and-economic-adjustment-assistance https://www.eda.gov/funding/funding-opportunities/fiscal-year-2023-public-works-and-economic-adjustment-assistance https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/advisories/ten-23-23 https://www.apprenticeship.gov/employers/explore-pre-apprenticeship https://www.apprenticeship.gov/employers/registered-apprenticeship-program https://www.apprenticeship.gov/employers/registered-apprenticeship-program training in foundational skills as well as applied concepts. After successful completion of the training period, the worker is officially hired as a full-time employee.

• Certification or Credentialing Programs: Programs in which participants obtain an industry-recognized certificate or certification and/or a license recognized by the State involved or the Federal Government.

• Labor Management Training Program: Programs that are sponsored or developed jointly by labor and management through collective bargaining in accordance with applicable law.

What all models have in common is demonstrated track records of success in other contexts and the opportunity for employers to make strong commitments to hiring in the context of the program. Programs may target unemployed and/or underemployed workers as well as incumbent workers with opportunity for increased wages through targeted upskilling. All models should include access to wraparound supports to support successful completion of training and placement into good jobs.

e. Awards made from this NOFO will have strong employer engagement and commitments that result in the placement of participants in good jobs.

One of the primary goals of the Good Jobs Challenge program is to provide training to Americans that results in good jobs. To that end, EDA is seeking applications that have firm employer commitments to hire and will be holding grantees accountable to meeting or exceeding those commitments. The employer commitment may come in different formats. Some examples include:

• Work-and-Learn, including Registered Apprenticeships: See descriptions above.

• Conditional Hire: Employer hires workers on the condition of successful completion of the training program and demonstration of skill acquisition.

• Employer Commitments: Employers commit to hiring a specific number of workers who successfully complete the training program provided through the regional workforce training partnership.

In addition to these commitments, employers should be leading partners in the sectoral partnership and contribute significantly to the sectoral partnership’s agenda. While sectoral partnerships contain a broad-based team of partners and are a “team effort” made up of education, community, and worker serving organizations, workforce development, and economic development leaders who collaborate to support the partnership, the partnership should focus on building a program that is supportive of the industry’s workforce needs. Doing this successfully requires strong leadership and engagement from employers. Employers should help to define the priorities and be integrally involved in crafting the solutions (as opposed to providing input only). Employers should define their skills needs and suitable responses for addressing them.

Employers and the other partners should all commit resources to identify and solve the problems.

The Department of Labor has developed a map that spotlights existing programs where labor and employers have collaborated to develop and administer training. Many of these programs offer training in industries and occupations relevant to the key technology focus areas of this NOFO. Applicants may find this map useful to identify potential sectoral partners.6

f. Awards made through this NOFO will provide skills for and connect unemployed or underemployed workers to good jobs in existing and emerging industries that do not necessarily require a four-year degree.

According to the United States Department of Labor, in the year 2022, about 7 out of 10 jobs were in occupations that did not require a 4-year degree to obtain the job. Some of these jobs are expected to pay higher than average wages. These jobs may include roles like health information technologists and medical registrars, computer numerically controlled tool programmers, and forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists.7 Awards made through this NOFO should also provide workers with the ability to advance in their skills and career through their training and their placement into a good job. This means that their job provides opportunities for promotion and advancement within their organization or access to additional training and education.

Awards can also aid workers in fields that are impacted by changes in technology, supporting their transition into good jobs. Innovation driven by new technologies, from artificial intelligence to advanced energy and industry efficiency technology has the potential to create new jobs but may also cause disruption for incumbent workers. This NOFO will prioritize serving workers who may be underemployed or unemployed due to a technological shock, ensuring they benefit from the technological shock, and ensuring they benefit from technological growth in their region. This can include incumbent worker training allowing them to continue employed in their current company. It also can include training to prepare workers at the risk of layoff to transition to good jobs in other companies in their area. Sectoral partnerships supported by this NOFO can create structures that bring together companies that may need to lay off workers and companies interested in training and hiring those workers into new growth careers.

g. Job training provided through this NOFO must lead to placement in jobs that align with the Good Jobs Principles.

It is imperative that job training leads to placement into good jobs. A good job provides workers and their families with stability, security, and dignity. Access to good jobs is foundational to an equitable economy. That’s why the Departments of Commerce and Labor published their Good Jobs Principles.8 These eight principles create a framework for workers, businesses, labor unions, advocates, researchers, state and local governments, and Federal agencies for a shared vision of job quality. Applicants must demonstrate that the education and training supported by this NOFO leads to jobs that align with these principles The Job Quality

6 “Introducing the High Road to the Middle Class Map.” U.S. Department of Labor Blog.

https://blog.dol.gov/2023/07/13/introducing-the-high-road-to-the-middle-class-map 7 “10 Growing Jobs That Pay Well and Don’t Need A 4-Year Degree.” U.S. Department of Labor Blog.

https://blog.dol.gov/2023/11/14/10-growing-jobs-that-dont-need-a-4-year-degree

8 Good Jobs Principles. U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Department of Labor.

https://www.dol.gov/general/good-jobs/principles https://www.dol.gov/general/good-jobs/high-road-to-the-middle-class?

https://blog.dol.gov/2023/07/13/introducing-the-high-road-to-the-middle-class-map https://blog.dol.gov/2023/11/14/10-growing-jobs-that-dont-need-a-4-year-degree https://www.dol.gov/general/good-jobs/principles

Toolkit is an actionable tool that applicants may find useful when assessing and improving the quality of jobs supported by awards made through this NOFO.9

h. Awards made through this NOFO will prioritize sectoral partnerships that advance technologies advancing economic and national security.

Through this NOFO, EDA will support the advancement of technology-based industries that are responsive to societal, national, and geostrategic challenges. Examples of these industries include those that are in the key technology focus areas (KTFAs) as established by and updated pursuant to the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.10 Strong applications will have sectoral partnerships that advance an industry in a KTFA. For example:

Region A has a well-developed life sciences manufacturing cluster. Significant investment in life sciences manufacturing has come into the region bringing thousands of new jobs. Products in life sciences manufacturing require specialized training because they are produced in standardized and regulated production facilities to ensure product integrity. Many of these jobs do not require a bachelor’s or advanced degree and many early career salaries pay a family sustaining wage in the region. Region A, having already formed a sectoral partnership in this industry, is looking to advance the biotechnology, medical technology, genomics, and synthetic biology key technology focus area.

Region B has made significant investment in advanced packaging semiconductor manufacturing. These semiconductors are highly specialized and support the defense and aerospace industry. The region has made investments in high-quality, skills-based, rapid credentialing programs with a community college that will upskill workers who are paid low wages for jobs in the semiconductor industry. Region B is aiming to advance the high-performance computing, semiconductors, and advanced computer hardware and software key technology focus area.

Region C is investing in the offshore wind industry. The offshore wind industry relies on employees in skilled trades like welding and construction. Offshore wind power is generated through the use of wind turbines. Region C will need a labor supply of welders to expand the industry. In partnership with a registered local labor union, Region C will use a Registered Apprenticeship model to train welders in this industry. Region C is aiming to advance the advanced energy and industrial efficiency technologies key technology focus area.

Region D is investing in robotics and autonomy. The demand for autonomous technology has led to a need for mechatronics technologists and technicians who operate, test, maintain, or adjust robotics. The region is proposing an earn- and- learn model for training in these occupations as well as wraparound supports such as public transportation support to help participants access training. Region D is advancing the robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing key technology focus area.

9 “Job Quality Toolkit.” U.S. Department of Commerce. https://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/2022-08/Job- Quality-Toolkit.pdf 10 42 U.S.C. § 19107(c), (e).

https://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/2022-08/Job-Quality-Toolkit.pdf

Region E is investing in predictive healthcare technologies and healthcare information technology (IT). To advance that industry, the region needs more non-traditional pathways. This region proposes a healthcare sectoral partnership that will support the training of radiologic and biological technicians. Region E is aiming to advance the biotechnology, medical technology, genomics, and synthetic biology key technology focus area.

The sectoral partnerships proposed in an application must advance an industry in a KTFA. The sectoral partnerships may train participants for a wide range of jobs in those industries. Applicants will need to identify their industry’s associated KTFA and explain how the sectoral partnership advances that KTFA.

Further, the activities supported by this NOFO may enhance projects funded by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, which spans the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS for America, and Inflation Reduction Act. Applicants that are recipients of funding relating to the Investing in America agenda may use funds available from this NOFO to enhance projects that align to the KTFAs.

i. Tech Hub designees are provided a benefit of designation through this FY 24 Good Jobs Challenge NOFO.

The Tech Hubs Program aims to strengthen U.S. economic and national security with investments in regions across the country that have the potential to become globally competitive in the future. EDA designated Tech Hubs by assessing whether applicants had the assets, resources, and capabilities to emerge as globally competitive in a particular technology area within 10 years.11 The benefits to designation applies to any designated Tech Hub as of the date of this NOFO’s application deadline (see section D.4). Sectoral partnerships affiliated with a Tech Hub designee will be given benefits of that designation in this NOFO in both the merit review (see section E.1) and as a selection factor (see section E.2.c.). Further note that other sectoral partnerships aligned with the key technology focus areas (KTFAs) but unaffiliated with Tech Hubs may also apply. For instance, applicants that support workforce development efforts in regions hosting CHIPS Incentives Program semiconductor manufacturing clusters may be able to demonstrate strong alignment with economic and national security goals and key KTFAs.

3. Example Activities and Desired Outputs and Outcomes

This NOFO supports projects that lead to the following outcomes:

• Increase in employment rate for the proposed region;

• Wage gains for program participants;

• An increase in underrepresented populations in industry (for example, women in construction, people of color in information technology, and persons with disabilities in science and engineering professions); and

11 “2023 Tech Hubs Designees.” U.S. Economic Development Administration. 2023 Tech Hubs Designees and Strategy Development https://www.eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023?utm_program=Impact&utm_subject=impact_april_2024&utm_year=2024#:%7E:text=The%20Tech%20Hubs%20Program%20invests%20in%20regions%20across,jobs%20and%20strengthen%20U.S.%20economic%20and%20national%20security https://www.eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023?utm_program=Impact&utm_subject=impact_april_2024&utm_year=2024#:%7E:text=The%20Tech%20Hubs%20Program%20invests%20in%20regions%20across,jobs%20and%20strengthen%20U.S.%20economic%20and%20national%20security

• Increase in production of key technologies that fortify the economic and national security of the United States.

Proposed activities, outputs, and outcomes may exist for a project based on the proposed project’s regional, sectoral, and economic contexts. These may include but may not be limited to the following:

• Developing and delivering quality skills training that places workers into jobs that provide working conditions aligned with the Good Jobs Principles;

• Staffing for the backbone organization to carry out key functions outlined in section A.2 of this NOFO;

• Developing and executing outreach and recruitment plans to secure workers, with emphasis on those from underserved populations, to participate in the skills training program in the targeted industry;

o These plans should be developed in partnership with stakeholders from underserved populations, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, or Minority-Serving Institutions, or community-based organizations, unions, vocational rehabilitation service providers, or national nonprofits that represent these populations to the greatest extent possible.

• Reaching historically underserved populations and areas, communities of color, women, and other groups facing labor market barriers such as persons with disabilities, disconnected youth, individuals in recovery, individuals with past criminal records, including justice-impacted and reentry participants, serving trainees participating in the SNAP, TANF, and WIC, and veterans and military spouses;

• Identifying and recruiting workers that are underemployed, unemployed, or at the risk of layoff due to technological transition, and training and placing these workers in good jobs in advanced technology sectors as defined under the KTFAs;

• Working with employers and other stakeholders, including education and training providers, labor unions, and workers, to identify in-demand occupations and skills and securing employer commitments to hire workers who successfully complete skills training, including earning relevant industry-sought credentials;

• Making the information on in-demand occupations, the local training programs aligned to those occupations, and the funding/support opportunities to workers to better afford the training programs easily accessible for job seekers;

• Developing processes to translate employers’ needs for worker skills into training models and to identify skills that could be useful to employers that they are not currently using;

• Working with employers to adopt high-wage, high-skill workforce strategies;

• Developing systems and processes to measure and track key outcomes and metrics of skills training program;

• Securing and offering wraparound services for workers to participate in skills training programs (e.g., transportation, childcare, career coaching/navigation services, healthcare or behavioral healthcare);

• Delivering technical assistance for employers on skills-based hiring practices to reduce bias, improve return on investment, and promote people-centered practices;

• Partnering with employers, unions, and workers to ensure that jobs are safe, healthy, and accessible and built with input from workers and representatives;

• Engaging employers, unions, worker-serving organizations, and workers to establish long-term training partnerships to transition workers from jobs impacted by technological change and advances; and

• Leveraging Federal and non-Federal funds to expand reach.

All awardees should produce concrete, measurable impacts for workers in the region (e.g., employer commitments to hire, job placements, wage gain) within the period of performance. These metrics should also be broken down by demographics of participants.

4. Statutory Authority

The statutory authority for this program is section 209 of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (PWEDA) (42 U.S.C. § 3149).

B. Federal Award Information

1. What Funding Is Available Under this Announcement?

Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Public Law 118-42), Congress provided $25 million for the Good Jobs Challenge program. Publication of this announcement does not obligate DOC or EDA to award any specific grant or cooperative agreement or to obligate all or any part of available funds. The granting of any award is subject to the availability of funds at the time of award as well as to DOC priorities at the time of award. Neither DOC nor EDA will be held responsible for application preparation costs. If an applicant is awarded funding, neither DOC nor EDA is under any obligation to provide any future funding in connection with that award or to make any future award(s). Amendments or renewals of an award to increase funding or to extend the period of performance are at the sole discretion of DOC and EDA.

EDA anticipates making approximately 5 to 8 awards ranging from $1 million to $8 million under this FY 2024 Good Jobs Challenge NOFO. EDA will scale awards as appropriate to the proposed geographic, industry, and worker role coverage of a given regional system.

While there is no maximum amount of funding that can be requested for any phase or combination of phases, the following estimates can help guide your funding request. An applicant could request, for example:

$2 million for Program Design to design an industry-driven skills training program and make the capacity building investments necessary to enable its implementation, including securing the needed capital (e.g., equipment, leased space) per region, industry, and worker role.

$6 million for Program Implementation to implement an industry-driven skills training program per region, industry, and worker role.

This example is only for illustrative purposes. EDA will evaluate funding requests based on the criteria outlined in section E.1.

2. What Type of Funding Instrument Will Be Used to Make Awards? How Long Will a Project’s Period of Performance Be?

a. Funding Instrument

Funding Instrument: Subject to the availability of funds, EDA will award grants to eligible applicants.

b. Period of Performance

Period of Performance: The project period of performance depends on the nature of the project for which the grant is awarded. Because of the need for recipients to meet identified benchmarks to proceed through project phases, EDA expects projects to range in duration from 24 months to 36 months. EDA will work closely with award recipients to accommodate their projected timelines within reason and allowances of regulations and grant policies, though EDA will prioritize programs that are able to place workers into good jobs within 24 months of the award. EDA expects that all projects will proceed efficiently and expeditiously, and EDA encourages applicants to clearly document how quickly they will be able to start and complete the proposed project scope of work.

C. Eligibility Information

To be considered for funding under this NOFO, applicants must meet the eligibility requirements in this section.

1. The applicant must be an Eligible Applicant.

Eligible applicants12 for investment assistance include a(n):

• District Organization of an EDA-designated Economic Development District

(EDD);

• Indian Tribe or a consortium of Indian Tribes;

• State13, county, city, or other political subdivision of a State, including a special purpose unit of a State or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions;

• Institution of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education;

or

12 See section 3(4) of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. § 3122) and 13 C.F.R. § 300.3.

13 Under section 3(10) of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. § 3122), the term “State” includes any State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.

• Public or private non-profit organization or association acting in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a State.14

Under this FY 2024 Good Jobs Challenge NOFO, EDA is not authorized to provide grants to individuals or to for-profit entities, and such requests will not be considered for…