PKG00252169-instructions.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Disability Employment Policy

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

ANNOUNCEMENT FOR:

Applications for a National Policy Development Center for Preparing Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities for Employment

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Initial

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: FOA-ODEP-19-02

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER: 17.720

KEY DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications under this Announcement is July 23, 2019. We must receive applications no later than 4:00:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

ADDRESSES: Address mailed applications to:

The U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration, Office of Grants Management Attention: Jimmie Curtis Grant Officer Reference FOA-ODEP-19-02 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room N4716 Washington, DC 20210

For complete application and submission information, including online application instructions, please refer to Section IV.

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

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor (DOL, or the

Department, or we), announces the availability of approximately $4,000,000 in grant funds authorized by the Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education

Appropriations Act, 2019 and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2019, Pub.L. No. 115-245 for one cooperative agreement to manage and operate a youth and young adult focused policy development and technical assistance center. The Center will expand upon the work of ODEP’s youth policy team’s efforts including the previously funded youth technical assistance center, the

National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Y).

A critical focus of the Center will be supporting the development, implementation, and integration of evidence-based effective practices and policies for improving transition outcomes for youth and young adults with disabilities. The Center will use the Guideposts for Success as a transition framework and recognize that youth, families, educators, workforce professionals, and other stakeholders must work together to increase employment expectations for youth with disabilities. The Center will build capacity within and across both general and disability-specific youth service delivery systems to improve employment and post-secondary education outcomes for youth with disabilities. To accomplish this goal, the Center will focus on the following three areas, which are described in detail in the Project Narrative. Section I.A:

• Strategic Partnerships and Systems Coordination:

• Career Pathways and Work-Based Learning Experiences:

• Professional Development:

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. PROGRAM PURPOSE

This Announcement solicits applications for one cooperative agreement to manage and operate a policy development center. The purpose of the Center is to increase the capacity of national, state, and local workforce systems to support improved transition and employment-related outcomes for youth and young adults with disabilities through the identification and dissemination of evidence-based policies and practices.

The awardee will accomplish this by: 1) engaging with general and disability-specific youth service delivery systems to identify their most pressing needs related to the transition of youth and young adults with disabilities; 2) conducting research and policy analysis to identify viable practices and policy solutions to address the barriers identified; and 3) collaborating with national, state, and local entities to develop and disseminate concise and user-friendly resources tailored to address their needs.

This FOA solicits innovative applications to improve the capacity within and across both general and disability-specific youth service delivery systems to improve employment and post-secondary education outcomes for youth and young adults with disabilities. Applicants are encouraged to think broadly about recent changes in national and state policy such as the implementation of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, reauthorization of the Perkins

Act, efforts to modernize the national apprenticeship system, and passage of the First Step Act as they consider new, strategic ways to remove barriers and promote access to employment for youth and young adults with disabilities.

B. BACKGROUND

Significant progress has been made in the past several decades in removing barriers to education and employment for youth and young adults with disabilities. Legislation such as the https://www.dol.gov/odep/categories/youth/

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act have all played a role in addressing the physical and programmatic barriers that prevent young Americans with disabilities from accessing the education, transition services, and training that can increase their employment success as they move into adulthood.iii Despite these legislative efforts, youth with disabilities experience poorer transition-related outcomes than their peers without disabilities. Moreover, these disparities persist into adulthood; at every age-group, research demonstrates that Americans with disabilities experience higher unemployment rates, lower earnings, and higher poverty rates than Americans without disabilities.iii

In 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, people without a disability ages 16 to

64 were more than twice as likely to participate in the labor force as people with a disability in the same age group, 76.9 percent versus 33.3 percent. iv The unemployment rate for people with a disability was still about twice that of people with no disability in 2018, 8.0 percent compared with 3.7 percent.v People with a disability were less likely to work in management, professional, and related occupations than those without a disability (33.7 percent, compared with 40.3 percent).vi These occupational employment patterns have changed little since data were first made available by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2009.vii

Research has also shown that youth with disabilities have lower employment expectations than their peers without disabilities. They continue to feel the impact of pre-existing notions of limited career pathways available to people with disabilities, and are less likely to have work-based learning experiences than their peers without disabilities. Evidence consistently demonstrates that paid work-based learning experiences while still in secondary school are one of the biggest predictors of future earnings for youth with disabilities.viii These experiences are critical because they provide youth with the opportunities to experience and practice self-exploration, career exploration, and career planning and management that research has shown can impact the development of their skills and aspirations.ix

To address these issues and to help youth with disabilities successfully transition from high school to post-secondary education and/or employment, ODEP initiated a number of youth-focused policy development and technical assistance activities since the agency’s inception. A critical initiative of ODEP’s Youth Policy Team was the funding of the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Y) from 2001 to 2019. NCWD/Y conducted research and delivered training and technical assistance to youth-focused demonstration projects and workforce development and other service delivery systems.

During its operation, ODEP’s Youth Policy Team and NCWD/Y evolved into a leading resource in the United States on the transition process from school to employment for youth with disabilities. ODEP, in collaboration with the NCWD/Y, identified the Guideposts for

Success, which was originally published in 2005 and updated early in 2019. The Guideposts for

Success is a set of key educational and career development interventions that can make a positive difference in the lives of all youth, including youth with disabilities. Based on an extensive literature review of research, demonstration projects, and effective practices covering a wide range of programs and services, the Guideposts framework advances that all youth, including those with disabilities, need exposure to: 1) school-based preparatory experiences; 2) career preparation and work-based learning experiences; 3) youth development and leadership;

4) connecting activities, including knowledge of transportation, health care, and financial https://www.dol.gov/odep/categories/youth/ https://www.dol.gov/odep/categories/youth/ planning; and 5) family involvement and support. In addition to articulating the general needs of all youth, the Guideposts for Success also address the specific needs of youth with disabilities within each of the five categories. The Guideposts framework is used in policymaking and service design and delivery at the national, state and local levels.

The Center will build on the capacity developed by ODEP and NCWD/Y by conducting research and analysis; developing national, state, and local level policy solutions; and strategically delivering training and disseminating resources in support of improved transition and employment-related outcomes of youth and young adults with disabilities. Moreover, the

Center’s policy development efforts will leverage the opportunities presented by changes in the past five years in the legislative landscape for youth and adults with disabilities.

The Center funded through this funding opportunity will build upon the Youth Policy Team and

NCWD/Y’s past work in the following three areas:

Strategic Partnerships and Systems Coordination

Career Pathways and Work-Based Learning Experiences

Professional Development

C. PROGRAM AUTHORITY

The Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education

Appropriations Act, 2019 and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2019, Pub.L. No. 115-245 (pg

6157-79) authorizes this program.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. AWARD AMOUNT AND PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

We expect availability of approximately $4,000,000 to fund one cooperative agreement. Awards made under this Announcement are subject to the availability of Federal funds.

The period of performance is forty-eight (48) months with an anticipated start date of September

2019. This performance period includes all necessary implementation and start-up activities.

B. AWARD TYPE

Funding for the project will be provided in the form of a cooperative agreement, requiring close cooperation and coordination between DOL and the awardee. DOL will have substantial involvement in the administration of the cooperative agreement, and input and approval must be obtained prior to conducting most activities.

Monthly conference calls with awardees throughout the period of performance;

Prior approval of any related sub-contracts;

Prior approval of all key personnel appointments and changes;

Participation in site visits to project areas;

Providing advice and consultation to project development and management;

Providing awardees with technical and programmatic support, including training in DOL grant administration monitoring systems, and standard procedures regarding DOL management of cooperative agreements;

Reviewing, at reasonable times, cooperative agreement documents pertaining to the project, including required metrics, status and technical progress reports, and quarterly financial reports. DOL will provide the format for the technical progress reports;

Oversight and approval of all external work products, including but not limited to fact sheets, training materials, press releases, and publicity-related materials regarding the project;

Oversight and approval of all content for print and online resources developed through project activities including clearing topics for material production and final document production (e.g., outreach flyers, training materials, information about the project on the applicant’s website).

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

• Independent School District

• Public/State Controlled Institution of Higher Education

• Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Federally Recognized)

• Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Other than Federally Recognized)

• Indian/Native American Tribally Designated Organization

• Public/Indian Housing

• Nonprofit Organization with IRS 501(c)(3) Status

• Private Institution of Higher Education

• Hispanic-serving Institution

• Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

• Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)

• Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions

Eligible applicants must be consortia made up of a minimum of three (3) and any combination of the above entities. Among the consortia partners, there must be demonstrated experience and expertise in conducting research and policy analysis;

developing viable policy solutions, developing and sustaining collaborative relationships with national and state level organizations focused on transition-age youth; disseminating information using a variety of methods appropriately tailored to audiences; effectively engaging youth and young adults in leadership roles influencing the work of the organization; and delivering training on issues related to increasing employment opportunities for youth with disabilities.

Consortia partners must bring different transition expertise either by representing a specific stakeholder group (i.e., policymakers, educators, families, and youth) and/or a different system (e.g., juvenile justice, mental health, education, workforce development, etc.). There must be a member of the consortium designated as the lead grant recipient responsible for overall grant management and serving as the fiscal agent.

All applications must clearly identify the lead grant recipient as well as all other members of the consortium and specify what expertise each member brings to the consortium.

Furthermore, applicants will receive priority consideration of two (2) bonus points if the lead applicant is physically located within a census tract designated by the Secretary of Treasury as a qualified opportunity zone. For more information on Opportunity

Zones, go to: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/opportunity-zones-frequently-asked-questions.

B. COST SHARING OR MATCHING

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

C. OTHER INFORMATION

1. Application Screening Criteria

You should use the checklist below as a guide when preparing your application package to ensure that the application has met all of the screening criteria. Note that this checklist is only an aid for applicants and should not be included in the application package. We urge you to use this checklist to ensure that your application contains all required items. If your application does not meet all of the screening criteria, it will not move forward through the merit review process.

Application Requirement Instructions Complete?

The deadline submission requirements are met Section IV.C

Eligibility Section III.A

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

Section IV.C.

Application Federal funds request does not exceed the ceiling amount of $4,000,000 Section II.A

SAM Registration Section IV.B.1

SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance including a DUNS Number Section IV.B.1

SF-424A, Budget Information Form Section IV.B.2

Budget Narrative Section IV.B.2

Project Narrative Section IV.B.3

Project Logic Model Section IV.B.4

Resumes of Key Personnel Section IV.B.4

Organization Chart Section IV.B.4

Letter of Support and Commitment from three (3)

Consortium Partners Section IV.B.4

2. Number of Applications Applicants May Submit

We will consider multiple applications from each organization. Specifically, we will consider multiple applications from the same university if the lead applicant is different—for example, if one application is from the university’s business school and the other application is from the university’s public policy school housed at the same university. However for duplicate applications from the same business school or public policy school for the same project are successfully submitted, only the last application received by the deadline will be reviewed. If the most recent version of an application is disqualified for any reason, we will not replace it with an earlier version of the application.

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. HOW TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION PACKAGE

This FOA, found at www.Grants.gov and https://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm , contains all of the information and links to forms needed to apply for grant funding.

B. CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

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

(1) the SF-424 “Application for Federal Assistance;”

(2) Project Budget;

(3) Project Narrative; and

(4) attachments to the Project Narrative.

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

(1) SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance”

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

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

The SF-424 must clearly identify the applicant and must be signed by an individual with authority to enter into a grant agreement. Upon confirmation of an award, the individual signing the SF-424 on behalf of the applicant is considered the Authorized Representative of the applicant. As stated in block

21 of the SF-424 form, the signature of the Authorized Representative on the

SF-424 certifies that the organization is in compliance with the Assurances and

Certifications form SF-424B (available at https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424B-V1.1.pdf ). You do not need to submit the SF-424B with the application.

http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424_2_1-V2.1.pdf https://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupAction!input.action http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424B-V1.1.pdf

- Requirement for DUNS Number All applicants for Federal grant and funding opportunities must have a DUNS number, and must supply their DUNS Number on the SF-424. The DUNS Number is a nine-digit identification number that uniquely identifies business entities. If you do not have a DUNS Number, you can get one for free through the Duns &

Bradstreet (D&B) website: https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do .

Grant recipients authorized to make subawards must meet these requirements related to DUNS Numbers

• Grant recipients must notify potential subawardees that no entity may receive a subaward from you unless the entity has provided its DUNS number to you.

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

(See, Appendix A to 2 CFR section 25.)

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

A recipient must maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application under consideration. To remain registered in the SAM database after the initial registration, the applicant is required to review and update the registration at least every 12 months from the date of initial registration or subsequently update its information in the SAM database to ensure it is current, accurate, and complete.

For purposes of this paragraph, the applicant is the entity that meets the eligibility criteria and has the legal authority to apply and to receive the award. If an applicant has not fully complied with these requirements by the time the Grant Officer is ready to make a Federal award, the Grant Officer may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another applicant.

(2) Project Budget You must complete the SF-424A Budget Information Form (available at:

https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424A-V1.0.pdf). In preparing the Budget Information Form, you must provide a concise narrative explanation to support the budget request, explained in detail below.

Budget Narrative: The budget narrative must provide a description of costs associated with each line item on the SF-424A. It should also include a description of leveraged resources provided (as applicable) to support grant activities.

Use the following guidance for preparing the budget narrative:

Personnel: – List all staff positions by title (both current and proposed). Give the annual salary of each position, the percentage of each position’s time devoted https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do https://www.sam.gov/ http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424A-V1.0.pdf to the project, the amount of each position’s salary funded by the grant, and the total personnel cost for the period of performance.

Fringe Benefits: Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages that comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA, retirement, etc.

Travel: Specify the purpose, mileage, per diem, estimated number of in-state and out-of-state trips, and other costs for each type of travel.

Equipment: Identify each item of equipment you expect to purchase which has an estimated acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit (or if your capitalization level is less than $5,000, use your capitalization level) and a useful lifetime of more than one year (see 2 CFR 200.33 for the definition of Equipment). List the quantity and unit cost per item. Items with a unit cost of less than $5,000 are supplies, not “equipment”. In general, we do not permit the purchase of equipment during the last funded year of the grant.

Supplies: Identify categories of supplies (e.g. office supplies) in the detailed budget and list the quantity and unit cost per item. Supplies include all tangible personal property other than “equipment” (see 2 CFR 200.94 for the definition of

Supplies).

Contractual: Under the Contractual line item, delineate contracts and subawards separately. Contracts are defined according to 2 CFR 200.22 as a legal instrument by which a non-Federal entity purchases property or services needed to carry out the project or program under a Federal award. A subaward, defined by 2 CFR

200.92, means an award provided by a pass-through entity to a subrecipient for the subrecipient to carry out part of a Federal award received by the pass-through entity. It does not include payments to a contractor or payments to an individual that is a beneficiary of a Federal program.

For each proposed contract and subaward, specify the purpose and estimated cost.

Construction: Construction costs are not allowed and this line must be left as zero. Minor alterations to adjust an existing space for grant activities (such as a classroom alteration) may be allowable. We do not consider this as construction and you must show the costs on other appropriate lines such as Contractual.

Other: Provide clear and specific detail, including costs, for each item so that we are able to determine whether the costs are necessary, reasonable and allocable.

List any item, such as stipends or incentives, not covered elsewhere here.

Indirect Costs: If you include indirect costs in the budget, then include one of the following:

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

or

b) If you intend to claim indirect costs using the 10 percent de minimis rate, please confirm that your organization meets the requirements as described in 2 CFR 200.414(f). Clearly state that your organization has never received a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA), and your organization is not one described in Appendix VII of 2 CFR 200, paragraph

(D)(1)(b).

Applicants choosing to claim indirect costs using the de minimis rate must use Modified Total Direct Costs (see 2 CFR 200.68 below for definition) as their cost allocation base. Provide an explanation of which portion of each line item, along with the associated costs, are included in your cost allocation base. Note that there are various items not included in the calculation of Modified Total Direct Costs. See below the definitions to assist you in your calculation.

2 CFR 200.68 Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) means all direct salaries and wages, applicable fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, and up to the first $25,000 of each subaward (regardless of the period of performance of the subawards under the award). MTDC excludes equipment, capital expenditures, charges for patient care, rental costs, tuition remission, scholarships and fellowships, participant support costs and the portion of each subaward in excess of $25,000. Other items may only be excluded when necessary to avoid a serious inequity in the distribution of indirect costs, and with the approval of the cognizant agency for indirect costs.

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

2 CFR 200.75 Participant Support Cost means direct costs for items such as stipends or subsistence allowances, travel allowances, and registration fees paid to or on behalf of participants or trainees (but not employees) in connection with conferences, or training projects.

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

Rates at DOL: https://www.dol.gov/oasam/boc/dcd/index.htm.

http://www.dol.gov/oasam/boc/dcd/index.htm

Note that the SF-424, SF-424A, and budget narrative must include the entire

Federal grant amount requested (not just one year). Applicants must also show cost sharing or match 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 should list the same requested Federal grant amount on the SF-424, SF-

424A, and budget narrative. If minor inconsistencies are found between the budget amounts specified on the SF-424, SF-424A, and the budget narrative, 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 match if applicable) is within the responsive range.

(3) Project Narrative A. Preparing the Project Narrative

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

The Project Narrative is limited to 25 double-spaced single-sided 8.5 x 11 inch pages with Times New Roman 12 point text font and 1 inch margins. You must number the Project Narrative beginning with page number 1.

We will not read or consider any materials beyond the specified page limit in the application review process.

The following instructions provide all of the information needed to complete the

Project Narrative. Carefully read and consider each section, and include all required information in your Project Narrative. The agency will evaluate the

Project Narrative using the evaluation criteria identified in Section V.A. You must use the same section headers identified below for each section of the Project

Narrative:

(1) Statement of Need The successful applicant will describe their comprehensive plan for providing the services and accomplishing the goals discussed in sections I.A. (Program Purpose) of the FOA.

(2) Project Design The successful applicant will describe their comprehensive plan for providing the services and accomplishing the goals discussed in sections I.A. (Program Purpose) of the FOA.

i. Comprehensive Project Work Plan The Project Narrative must include a detailed Project Work Plan describing the goals, strategies, activities, objectives, measures, and timelines that the consortium will use in implementing the project.

ii. Required Components and Services.

a. Research and Policy Analysis Development

Applicants must have extensive experience and demonstrated capacity to perform evidence-based research and policy analysis necessary to advance youth-focused policy development. To demonstrate this, the project narrative should include:

A detailed explanation of how the consortium is prepared and qualified to conduct high quality research, policy analysis, and policy development activities (including analysis of legislation, regulations, and bills) on a wide variety of topics related to improving employment outcomes for youth and young adults with disabilities. Relevant topics could include disability disclosure, mental health, serving youth and young adults with disabilities in juvenile justice system, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Workforce Innovation and

Opportunity Act; and promoting the inclusion of youth with disabilities in pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship opportunities, JobCorps, YouthBuild or other topics that the applicants deem relevant to the employment prospects of youth and young adults with disabilities.

Additionally, the consortium should explain how it is skilled to do and demonstrate results in translating the research into high-quality, user-friendly resources and tools to assist workforce systems, states, and other relevant stakeholders in integrating effective policies and practices into their systems. It is anticipated that the bulk of the topics that will ultimately be the focus of the Center’s research and policy development activities will be determined in conjunction with ODEP, based on input provided through engagement and consultation with the Subject Matter

Experts and stakeholders discussed previously. Specific examples of prior related research and policy work should be included in the

Appendix.

A detailed description of the overall strategy the consortium will use to identify, develop and validate new and innovative policy and practice models.

A proposal for at least two new research and policy development ideas that the consortium believes will be critical areas of focus for general and disability-specific youth serving systems based on their experience and expertise along with related proposed activities and deliverables that will assist and engage the target audience in implementing policy solutions and practices identified in the research.

b. Strategic Partnerships and Systems Coordination

In this section, the applicant should provide a detailed explanation of why and how the consortium is prepared and qualified to conduct research;

develop policy recommendations; and deliver training and technical assistance in a highly collaborative approach to promote increased coordination of youth- serving systems including education and workforce-related entities in support of improved employment-related outcomes for youth and young adults with disabilities. In addition, it should also provide a detailed description of its plan for carrying out each of the following activities:

Conduct an initial assessment followed by ongoing research and policy analysis on the current state of national and state-level legislation, regulations, and bills that impact the transition and employment-related outcomes of youth and young adults with disabilities.

Develop a strategy for the Center to advance, through stakeholder engagement activities, policy solutions and practices aligned with the

Guideposts for Success and designed to increase states and workforce systems knowledge of, and capacity to support, competitive integrated employment outcomes for youth and young adults with disabilities.

Engage in collaborative relationships with workforce, disability, and other transition-related stakeholders to support the development, dissemination, and adoption of policy solutions that improve employment outcomes for youth with disabilities.

Create and maintain a group of subject matter experts (SME) equipped to provide policy development guidance around effective practices in systems coordination, career pathways and work-based learning experiences, and professional development designed to improve transition outcomes for youth with disabilities for target audiences that include national, state, and local level systems serving youth; and disability organizations.

Develop and disseminate policy solutions and practices to support meaningful inclusion of youth and young adults, with and without identified disabilities, in the policymaking process.

Develop a strategy for ensuring sustained engagement, leadership, and influence of youth with disabilities in all the Center’s policy development work.

c. Career Pathways and Work-Based Learning Experiences In this section, the applicant should provide a detailed explanation of how they plan to increase the capacity of states, regions, and local workforce areas, along with the educational, workforce-related entities that support their efforts to improve the access of youth and young adults with disabilities into opportunities including career pathways; apprenticeships including registered apprenticeship programs, industry-recognized apprenticeship programs, and pre-apprenticeships; internships;

externships; and other types of work based learning experiences. In addition, it should also provide a detailed description of its plan for carrying out each of the following activities:

Increase the capacity of the workforce system (including education) to prepare youth with disabilities for college and career readiness and explore in-demand career pathways.

Develop strategic partnerships between workforce and disability organizations to improve delivery and coordination of transition-related services, including those provided through Pre-Employment

Transition Services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act.x

Research, develop, and evaluate policies, practices, and tools needed to enhance the capacity of workforce systems to support youth and young adults with disabilities to access a variety of career pathways such as pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship, and other work-based learning experiences.

Identify and develop a strategy to address systems-level gaps of knowledge around how to assist youth with disabilities in career exploration, management, and planning as they explore and access career pathways and other work-based learning experiences.

Convene a community of practice for youth employment policy to increase the capacity of the workforce system to prepare youth and young adults with disabilities for college and career readiness and to explore and gain access to various career pathways.

d. Professional Development In this section, the applicant should provide a detailed explanation of how they intend to conduct analyses, develop recommendations, and deliver expertise and resources in a highly collaborative manner to increase the capacity of youth-serving systems to provide quality professional development and training to their workforce, which will result in improved services and better outcomes for all youth including youth with disabilities. In addition, it should also provide a detailed description of its plan for carrying out each of the following activities:

Conduct an analysis of the current state of professional development for youth service professionals that includes an examination of national and state-level policy trends influencing the credentialing;

development and delivery of pre-service and in-service training to individuals employed in various workforce settings, including but not limited to vocational rehabilitation, juvenile justice, foster care, mental health, and other systems serving youth and young adults with disabilities.

Develop and implement a strategy for advancing the adoption of policies and practices that support the delivery of comprehensive professional development for youth service professionals through the use of national, state, or other intermediary organizations.

Assess the impact of implementation of this comprehensive professional development strategy on the capacity of youth-serving systems to provide quality professional development and training to their workforce in support of improved outcomes for transition age youth and young adults.

Provide ongoing subject matter expertise to national and state level stakeholders, including ODEP partners, and perform evidence-based research and policy analysis related to disability employment as it relates to comprehensive professional development work and the continued need to increase alignment of professional development trainings across youth systems at national, state, and local levels.

e. Website and Broader Dissemination Plan In this section, applicants must describe their experience with and capacity to:

host and maintain a complex, robust and accessible website;

create expert-level training and outreach documents and materials regarding transition for youth with disabilities including in accessible formats (samples of these materials should be included in the attachments); and

Deliver expert-level, accessible training sessions regarding a broad range of disability employment and transition-related topics.

(3) Expected Outcomes, Outputs, and Performance Evaluation The applicant should clearly identify the outcome(s) and output(s) that will result from the project. Outcomes are the measurable results of the project. They are the positive benefits, negative changes, or measurable characteristics that occur as a result of project activities or outputs. Outputs are tangible products or services that result from the project.

In addition, applicants should describe the measures, methods, techniques, and tools that will be used to evaluate the project and determine whether or not the project achieved its anticipated outcomes. Moreover, a description should be provide as to how the data will be used to inform program delivery and document the “lessons learned,” both positive and negative, from the project.

(4) Organizational, Administrative and Fiscal Capacity Applicants must describe their capacity to effectively manage and carry out the programmatic, fiscal, administrative, and evaluation-related activities described in this FOA. The application must describe the expertise of the members of the consortium and the lead organization as it relates to the Guideposts for Success and experience and track record of performance in conducting relevant policy analysis and research and/or delivering technical assistance in the priority areas of this FOA;

and in collaborating with and providing technical assistance to entities to help improve transition and employment-related outcomes for youth and young adults with disabilities. The applicant must demonstrate a minimum of five years prior experience in managing and implementing projects of similar size and scope. It http://www.ncwd-youth.info/publications/guideposts/ must also demonstrate an understanding of the needs of the business community as they relate to disability employment.

Applicants must provide evidence of the following:

A list of the members of the consortium and the lead organization, and documentation of their commitment to work together. This should include a description of the strengths that each consortium member brings to the Center.

Such documentation can be provided through signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs), letters of commitment, or other similar documents included as Appendix Exhibits;

A list of any additional optional partners, a description of the value they bring to the project, and documentation of their commitment to work together with the consortium and other optional partners;

Documentation of the consortium members’ relevant experience and expertise for carrying out the activities required under the FOA; and

Documentation in the Appendix Exhibits of previous federally and/or non-federally funded assistance agreements, to include grants and cooperative agreements, similar in size, scope, and relevance to the proposed project, completed within the last five years. If you have not received these types of awards in the last five years, instead describe and document accomplishments while operating a comparable program.

The Project Narrative must also describe the proposed staffing for the project and must identify and summarize the qualifications of the personnel who will carry it out. In addition, the applicant must provide an organizational chart for staff that will operate the proposed project. In instances where the project is part of the work of a larger organization, please include a diagram that indicates where the proposed project will fit within the larger organization. (The organizational chart can be an attachment and does not count toward the page limit for the Project Narrative).

Resumes of key personnel must be included in the attachments. Key personnel include all individuals playing a substantial role in the project. In addition, the applicant must specify in the application the percentages of time to be dedicated by each key person on the project.

For key personnel named in the application and dedicating greater than 20% effort on the project, documentation must also be provided of all internal and external time commitments. In instances where a staff person is committed on another federally supported project, please provide the project name, federal office, and the amount of committed time for the project year. This information (e.g., Staff: Jane

Doe; Project Name: Succeeding in the General Curriculum; Federal Office: Office of Special Education Programs; Time Commitments: 30 percent) can be provided as an attachment to the application. We will not consider for funding any application where key staff are bid above a time commitment level that staff have available to bid (i.e., 100 percent).

(5) Management Operational Plan

Applicants must submit a detailed Management/Operational Plan that explains their overall project management approach and provides a description of the governance, organizational, and structural functions that will be in place to implement, monitor, and operate the new Center.

Applicants must provide an organizational chart (see required attachments below) demonstrating how the lead applicant will successfully manage this cooperative agreement and how the lead applicant will manage and facilitate the relationships between that entity and all other partnering or participating organizations needed to successfully carry out the requirements of this funding opportunity announcement.

The Management/Operational Plan submitted must:

Describe the activities to be conducted for the full 48-month period of performance, with detailed information provided for the first 12-month period;

Include a detailed timeline for implementation with major milestones;

and

Articulate an effective strategy for self-monitoring, risk management, and Continuous Quality Improvement.

(6) Past Performance – Programmatic Capability If an applicant has received federally and/or non-federally funded assistance agreements (assistance agreements include Federal grants and cooperative agreements, but not Federal contracts) similar in size, scope, and relevance to the proposed project that have been completed within the last five years of the closing date of this Announcement, please submit a list of no more than three such agreements and include a grantor contact name and telephone number for each.

In evaluating applicants under these factors in Section V, we will consider the information you provided and may also consider relevant information from other sources, including information from our files and from current/prior grantors (e.g., to verify and/or supplement the information you provided).

(7) Budget and Budget Justification Please see Section IV.B.2 for information on requirements related to the budget and budget justification.

(8) Opportunity Zone – Priority Consideration Bonus Points

Opportunity Zones are economically-distressed communities designated under the authority of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Public Law 115-97, enacted December

22, 2017). There are over 8700 of these highest poverty communities across the country. Lead applicants physically located within a census tract designated by the Secretary of Treasury as a qualified opportunity zone will receive priority consideration of two (2) bonus points.

Applicants must clearly state in the abstract if their physical address is located in a qualified Opportunity Zone. The list of designated Opportunity Zones can be found at: https://www.cdfifund.gov/Pages/Opportunity-Zones.aspx.

(4) Attachments to the Project Narrative

In addition to the Project Narrative, the applicant must submit attachments. All attachments must be clearly labeled as Attachments. We will only exclude those attachments listed below from the page limit.

You must not include additional materials such as resumés or general letters of support.

You must submit your application in one package because documents received separately will be tracked separately and will not be attached to the application for review.

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

Required Attachments

a. Project Logic Model1

b. Abstract

You must submit an up to two-page abstract summarizing the proposed project, including, but not limited to, the scope of the project and proposed outcomes. Omission of the abstract will not result in your application being screened out, however the lack of the required information in the abstract may. See III.C.1 for a list of items that will result in the screening out of your application. The abstract must include the applicant’s name, project title, a description of the area to be served, number of participants to be served, the total cost per participant, and the funding level requested. Lead applicants that are physically located in a qualified Opportunity Zone must clearly state so in the abstract. The Abstract is limited to two-page double-spaced single sided 8.5x11 inch pages with 12 point text font and 1 inch margins. When submitting in grants.gov, this document must be uploaded as an attachment to the application package and specifically labeled “Abstract.”

c. Prior Experience, Staffing, and Management Structure

i. Documentation of prior relevant research and policy work and past experience

ii. Resumes of Key Personnel

iii. Organizational Charts

1 See these links for additional information on logic models: https://www.cals.uidaho.edu/edcomm/pdf/CIS/CIS1097.pdf and https://www.cdc.gov/std/Program/pupestd/Components%20of%20a%20Logic%20Model.pdf https://www.cals.uidaho.edu/edcomm/pdf/CIS/CIS1097.pdf https://www.cdc.gov/std/Program/pupestd/Components%20of%20a%20Logic%20Model.pdf

Applicants must provide an organizational chart for staff that will operate the proposed project. In instances where the project is part of the work of a larger organization, please include a diagram that indicates where the proposed project will fit within the larger organization.

d. Applicants must also include letters of commitment and support from the three consortia partners.

Requested Attachments

We request the following attachments, but their omission will not cause us to screen out the application. Furthermore, if the omission of the attachment will impact scoring, the description of the attachment will note such an impact.

a. Indirect Cost Rate Agreement: If you are requesting indirect costs based on a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement approved by your

Federal Cognizant Agency, then attach the most recently approved

Agreement. (For more information, see Section IV.B.2. and Section

IV.E.1.) This attachment does not impact scoring of the application.

C. SUBMISSION DATE, TIMES, PROCESS AND ADDRESSES

We must receive applications under this Announcement by July 23, 2019. We must receive your application either electronically on https://www.grants.gov or in hard copy by mail or in hard copy by hand delivery (including overnight delivery) no later than 4:00:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their application before the closing…