SAEF2_FOA-ETA-24-03.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

ANNOUNCEMENT FOR: State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Initial

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: FOA-ETA-24-03

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER: 17.285

KEY DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications under this Announcement is 04/04/2024. We must receive applications no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time.

Submit all applications in response to this solicitation through https://www.grants.gov. For complete application and submission information, including online application instructions, please refer to Section IV.

On approximately March 8, 2024, a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page for this Funding Opportunity will be available at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/grants/apply/find-opportunities. Please check this link frequently for future updates, as additional FAQs may be added.

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/grants/apply/find-opportunities https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/grants/apply/find-opportunities

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. PROGRAM PURPOSE

B. PROGRAM AUTHORITY

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. AWARD TYPE AND AMOUNT

B. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

B. COST SHARING OR MATCHING

C. OTHER INFORMATION

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. HOW TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION PACKAGE

B. CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

C. SUBMISSION DATE, TIME, PROCESS AND ADDRESS

D. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

E. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

F. OTHER SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. CRITERIA

B. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. AWARD NOTICES

B. ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS

C. REPORTING

VII. AGENCY CONTACTS

VIII. OTHER INFORMATION

A. WEB-BASED RESOURCES

B. INDUSTRY COMPETENCY MODELS AND CAREER CLUSTERS

C. WORKFORCEGPS RESOURCES

D. SKILLSCOMMONS RESOURCES

E. REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP EVIDENCE-BASED RESEARCH

F. REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP RESOURCES

IX. OMB INFORMATION COLLECTION

APPENDIX A BASE FORMULA FUNDING

APPENDIX B BASE FORMULA FUNDING AMOUNTS

APPENDIX C SUGGESTED ABSTRACT TEMPLATE

APPENDIX D SUGGESTED PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES AND OUTPUTS TABLE ... 60

APPENDIX E SUGGESTED WORK PLAN TEMPLATE

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL, or the Department, or we), announces the availability of approximately $100,000,000 in grant funds authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, Public Law 117-328, Division H, Title I for Round Two of the State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula (SAEF2).

In this second installment of a larger five-year plan, the Department expects to award a total of $100,000,000 to states and territories to increase their ability to serve, improve, and strategically expand the National Apprenticeship system. Of the available funds, the Department intends to award up to $50,000,000 to states, as defined under 29 CFR 29.2. (Please see https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/part-29#p-29.2(State)), under what will be hereafter referred to as Base Formula Funding. The Department will also award approximately $50,000,000 through competitive funds, also referred to as Competitive Funding in this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), to those eligible applicants seeking to receive a combination of both Base Formula Funding and Competitive Funding. Competitive funds will be awarded through up to 10 grants, with individual grants ranging from $1,000,000 up to $6,000,000. All applicants responding to this FOA are required, at minimum, to submit an application for the Base Formula Funding and may choose to submit a separate and additional application for Competitive Funding. Applicants that received Competitive funding in Round One will not be eligible to apply for Competitive Funding in Round Two of this grant program.

For more information on applying for the Base Formula Funding, please see Appendix A.

Subject to the availability of funds, the Department intends to issue the SAEF Funding Opportunity Announcement for a total of five rounds to provide additional funding annually.

SAEF2 is the second of five rounds of SAEF grant funding.

On February 17, 2021, President Biden reaffirmed his commitment to expand the Registered Apprenticeship system, which includes Registered Apprenticeship Programs (hereinafter referred to as RAPs) and pre-apprenticeship programs leading to RAPs, to reward work, rebuild the middle-class, and connect a diverse workforce to family-supporting, living wage jobs. The President called for the jobs created by rebuilding America’s infrastructure to be filled by diverse, local, well-trained workers who have the free and fair choice to join a union. This starts by expanding the Registered Apprenticeship system and investing in pipelines into Registered Apprenticeship Programs. On January 20, 2021, President Biden, starting with Executive Order https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/part-29#p-29.2(State)u

13985, vowed to advance racial equity and support for underserved communities, including people with disabilities, through the federal government. Later that year, the President issued Executive Orders 14031, 14045, 14049, 14050, and 14075, highlighting and vowing to address the systemic barriers to equity, justice, education, excellence, economic opportunity, and equality faced by the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic and Latino, Native American, Black American, and LGBTQI+ populations.

President Biden underscored the need for a shared commitment between industries, including labor organizations, and the federal government to restore the country from the pandemic and ensure that “the future of America is made in America, by American workers.” With the “earn-while-you-learn” model, which acknowledges employers as the drivers of their hiring and training, RAPs are uniquely situated to remove barriers to economic opportunity and bring the potential for predictable and stable living wages to all members of their local communities.

Assisting new and emerging industries by establishing RAPs contributes to a long-term hiring strategy for businesses that will promote prosperity and sustainability, regardless of where they are located.

The Department’s goals for the SAEF2 Grant program are threefold:

1) Help states and territories advance the Registered Apprenticeship system as a workforce development strategy and post-secondary education career pathway that maintains the nation’s strong, adaptable, and highly skilled workforce.

2) Support integrated, statewide Registered Apprenticeship strategies and state and territory capacity to engage industry and meet the demand for new programs in both traditional and non-traditional industries and occupations, such as the care economy (healthcare, childcare, home care, etc.), climate/clean energy, public sector, K-12 teacher occupations, technology/cybersecurity, hospitality, and the supply chain (logistics, warehouse, transportation, and manufacturing, including but not limited to the manufacturing of semi-conductors and biomanufacturing) and other sectors that align with President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda – including historic legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden such as the American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

3) Allow states and territories to build capacity to significantly increase Registered Apprenticeship opportunities for all American workers, particularly underrepresented populations, including women, people of color, and individuals with disabilities, and underserved communities, including veterans, justice-impacted individuals, youth, and those in rural communities, and to take steps to facilitate their successful start and completion of RAPs.

As a key partner within the National Apprenticeship system, states and territories are uniquely qualified to support the Administration’s priority goals of expanding, modernizing, and diversifying Registered Apprenticeship, ultimately leading to good jobs, good wages, and strong career pathways.

The Base Formula Funding option will have a grant Period of Performance (POP) of 12 months, and the Competitive Funding option will have a grant POP of 36 months. The Department intends this annual investment plan to form the basis of a longer-term strategic investment plan.

Subject to available funds, the Department is committed to awarding annual Base Formula Funding (based on a formula and dependent on availability) and providing opportunities for states and territories to apply for Competitive Funding on a yearly basis. Continuation of funding to grantees is subject to the discretion of DOL and contingent upon the availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the grantee’s project, and adequate stewardship of federal funds. As appropriated funding for Registered Apprenticeship has grown each year since 2016, the Department strongly believes that consistency and reliability of federal support is critical to the sustained growth, diversification, and modernization of the National Apprenticeship system.

Eligible entities are states. The term “State” means any of the 50 States of the United States, District of Columbia, or any Territory or possession of the United States. For the purposes of this FOA, the eligible 54 U.S. States and territories include all 50 States of the United States, District of Columbia, and territories whose Active Apprentices exceeds 100 apprentices, i.e., Guam, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa. Only territories with more than 100 active registered apprentices (as of FY 23 data) are eligible to apply for Base and Competitive funds. For those territories not eligible to apply under this FOA (have fewer than 100 active registered apprentices), OA will provide dedicated technical assistance to increase their capacity to apply for future year funding. Please see Section III.A Eligible Applicants and Appendix B for the list of eligible applicants. To view the Office of Apprenticeship’s FY 2023 Data and Statistics, please visit https://www.apprenticeship.gov/data-and-statistics.

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. PROGRAM PURPOSE

This announcement solicits applications for Round Two of the SAEF (SAEF2) grant program.

As part of the second installment of this continued five-year investment plan, the Department will award the next round of State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula grants for (1) Base Formula Funding to all States that apply (to be provided on an annual basis, subject to available funding and the submission of a responsive application), and in addition to the Base Formula Funding, (2) an opportunity to apply separately for additional competitive funding for States with the capacity and readiness to adopt and expand in key innovation priority areas. The Base Formula Funding awards are a continuation of the funding awarded through Round 1 of the SAEF (SAEF1) grant (FOA-ETA-23-09) and are intended to provide annual funding to States to increase their ability to serve, improve, and strategically expand the National Apprenticeship System. This approach ensures that funding supports the Administration’s goals to modernize and strengthen the National Apprenticeship System, while also providing opportunities for those States that have the capacity and can commit to adopting and expanding new opportunities for innovation, equity, expansion, and modernization in Registered Apprenticeship. Subject to available funding, the Department intends to provide, on an ongoing basis, an annual formula-funded base grant to all States that apply and that meet application requirements, as well as an opportunity for States to apply for additional Competitive Funding annually. States may apply for annual Base Formula and Competitive Funding grants through separate applications, contingent upon funding availability in future years. For States that apply for and receive competitive funding, they may only receive Competitive funding once during the five-year investment planning cycle. Continuation of Base Formula Funding to grantees is subject to the discretion of DOL and contingent upon the availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the grantee’s project, and adequate stewardship of federal funds.

In alignment with SAEF1 grants, and as explained above, SAEF2 funding will be awarded through two avenues. Applicants will, therefore, have two options when applying for this grant program:

https://www.apprenticeship.gov/data-and-statistics https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/345785 https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/345785 https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ETA/grants/State%20Apprenticeship%20Expansion%20Formula_FOA-ETA-23-09.pdf

(1) Base Formula Funding will support States in implementing and expanding key cross-cutting principles, including: expanding access, equity, and career awareness to increase participation of underrepresented populations and underserved communities; employer engagement to increase RAP adoption for in-demand industries and occupations within the State (such as the K-12 teacher occupations and other priority industries and occupations); system alignment, particularly with the career and technical education system; alignment with and support for jobs required to implement President Biden's Investing in America Agenda - including historic legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden, such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, and CHIPS and Science Act; and commitment to data sharing, system change, and governance requirements to comply with the law and ensure a strong and modernized Registered Apprenticeship system.

States will be considered for SAEF2 Base Formula Funding based on level of implementation of their proposed project activities for SAEF1 Base Formula Funding. Continuation of funding to grantees is subject to the discretion of DOL and contingent upon the availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the grantee’s project, and adequate stewardship of federal funds. If the applicant received SAEF1 grant and is applying for SAEF2 grant funding, the applicant must show how they have expended SAEF1 grant moneys up to the SAEF2 application deadline. The applicant must also demonstrate how they will expend the combined remaining SAEF1, if applicable, and SAEF2 to meet their project goals

Applicants may choose to apply for the Base Formula Funding, as described in Appendix A.

Base Formula Funding amounts are specified in Appendix B.

(2) Competitive Funding will be awarded based on States’ readiness to adopt multiple innovative research and evidence-based elements including:

• Strategies to increase Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in RAPs;

• Strategies to align or incorporate Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs with

RAPs;

• Expanding pre-apprenticeships leading to RAPs;

• Supporting efforts to expand RAPs and pre-apprenticeships leading to RAPs in the care economy sector and K-12 teacher occupations and other key industries and sectors that align with President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda including BIL, CHIPS and Science Act, and IRA;

• Using funds to pay for Related Instruction (RI) and incentives to employers to directly fund new or expand existing RAPs in targeted industries in which they are serving; and

• Establishing statewide intermediary or apprenticeship hubs.

Subject to available funding, States that apply for and are awarded a competitive grant will be able to receive this competitive funding one time (not on an annual basis) over the five-year investment period. States awarded a competitive grant under the SAEF1 grant program are not eligible to apply for competitive funding under SAEF2. The Department will adjust the amount of competitive funding and number of grants available annually, based on an analysis of States’ readiness for competitive funding and availability of funds.

Further, applicants must incorporate the following cross-cutting principles into their projects to ensure these projects will help expand the availability of Good Jobs for all:

• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA): Focus on embedding DEIA principles into RAPs and RAP expansion, including expanding the RAP model into new and traditional industries to improve outcomes for workers from underrepresented populations and underserved communities. Underrepresented populations include women, people of color, and individuals with disabilities, as established in 29 CFR Part 30, where the population’s participation in RAPs is significantly less than would be reasonably expected given the availability of such individuals for apprenticeship in the relevant industry, occupation, or recruitment area.

• Job quality: Focus on promoting RAPs as a key strategy to move workers into good jobs across all industries and promoting the hallmarks of RAPs (e.g., progressive wage increases and worker safeguards), promoting working conditions for apprentices that are consistent with The Good Jobs Principles—a shared federal vision of job quality published by the Departments of Labor and Commerce, and promoting adaptable approaches to training workers.

• Support for high-quality, sustainable programs: Focus on ensuring that all RAPs have the features of high-quality apprenticeships, such as progressive wage increases and national industry-recognized credential attainment upon program completion, and that those efforts support a broader workforce development agenda to support a sustainable apprenticeship system on a national scale.

• Research and evidence-based approaches: Incorporate strategies to improve the efficient and effective use of evidence- and research-based approaches to support workforce development initiatives involving RAPs. Please see section VIII.E. Registered Apprenticeship Evidence-Based Research and VIII.F. Registered Apprenticeship Resources for prior research and resources that have been published.

• New opportunities for innovation, engagement, and ease of access: Focus on innovative strategies that support the expansion and modernization of RAPs, which may include, but are not limited to, engaging with an array of new and diverse organizations in RAPs;

developing RAPs in emerging industries based on labor market demands; increasing access to RAPs; developing innovative program delivery models; and leveraging technology to provide technical assistance, increase ease of access, remove employment and training barriers, and improve system alignment.

Responsive applications will move forward through the merit review process. Those applications that are not selected for the Competitive Funding will only be eligible for the Base Formula Funding. Further, applicants that only apply for Competitive Funding but do not apply for Base Formula funding will be found nonresponsive. If applicants are not selected for Competitive Funding in one funding cycle, applicants are encouraged to re-apply for Competitive Funding in future cycles under this grant program, subject to the availability of future funds.

Every State applying for a grant under this FOA that meets the application requirements, as described in Appendix A, will receive the Base Formula Funding amount described in Appendix B, to engage in activities to strengthen the structures supporting RAPs in their State. For Base Formula Funding allowable activities, please refer to Appendix A.

Each State has their own unique demographics, and each State must provide pertinent data to show and consider shortages and/or saturation in occupations. DOL wants to ensure States https://www.dol.gov/general/good-jobs/principles receive appropriate funding and resources to build up and expand their Registered Apprenticeship ecosystem.

States that wish to only apply for the Base Formula Funding should refer to Appendices A and B for additional information on the Project Narrative requirements, allowable activities, and the Base Formula Funding amounts. Section IV.B.3. Project Narrative is only applicable to applicants wishing to apply for the Competitive Funding. States must submit separate applications (SF-424, SF-424A, Abstract, Project Narrative, Budget Narrative, and any other relevant application materials) for the Base Formula Funding and Competitive Funding, if applicable. For Base Formula Funding applicants, if the applicant received a SAEF1 grant and is applying for SAEF2 grant funding, the applicant must show how they have expended SAEF1 grant funding up to the SAEF2 application deadline. The applicant must also demonstrate how they will expend the combined remaining SAEF1, if applicable, and SAEF2 funding to meet their project goals.

PROGRAM DESIGN

The SAEF grant will expand opportunities in RAPs, as well as pre-apprenticeships that lead to RAPs. While grantees and their strategies will be diverse, within each State, they will share a set of common design elements. These common design elements include the requirements for RAPs, the quality framework for pre-apprenticeship programs, and cross-cutting principles.

A. Registered Apprenticeship Programs

RAPs are a proven model of job preparation, validated by DOL or a DOL-recognized State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA), which combine paid on-the-job learning (OJL) with related instruction (RI) to progressively increase workers’ skill levels and wages. RAPs are also a business-driven model that provide an effective way for employers to recruit, train, and retain highly skilled workers. RAPs allow workforce partners, educators, and employers to develop and apply industry standards to training programs, thereby increasing the quality and productivity of the workforce. RAPs offer job-seekers immediate employment opportunities that pay sustainable wages and offer advancement along a career path as they complete their training. Graduates of RAPs receive nationally recognized, portable credentials, and their training may be applied toward further post-secondary education.

RAPs are authorized through regulations issued under the National Apprenticeship Act of 1937 (29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.), which are located at 29 C.F.R. Parts 29 and 30. The Office of Apprenticeship (OA), in conjunction with SAAs, registers programs for federal purposes, ensures that RAPs meet applicable federal and State laws and regulations covering RAPs, issues certificates of completion to apprentices, encourages the development of new programs throughout each and technical assistance, protects the safety and welfare of apprentices, and ensures equal employment opportunity for apprentices.

Applicants may refer to https://www.apprenticeship.gov/employers/registered-apprenticeship-program for more information on the key elements of a RAP.

B. Quality Pre-apprenticeship Programs

A pre-apprenticeship program is defined as a set of strategies designed to prepare individuals for entry into a RAP. Pre-apprenticeship programs differ from internships, job shadowing, externships, and co-ops, which may also offer individuals an opportunity to experience firsthand https://www.apprenticeship.gov/employers/registered-apprenticeship-program https://www.apprenticeship.gov/employers/registered-apprenticeship-program a profession or practice, but do not always engage in “real world” experiential learning. For the purposes of this FOA, pre-apprenticeship programs must include the following five elements to be considered a quality pre-apprenticeship program:

• Designed in Collaboration with RAP Sponsors. Quality pre-apprenticeship programs are designed by organizations with input from a RAP sponsor. A pre-apprenticeship program’s educational and pre-vocational services prepare individuals to meet the entry requisites of one or more RAPs. They have training goals to teach participants a defined set of skills required and agreed upon by the RAP sponsor for entry into their programs.

The start date and length of specific pre-apprenticeship programs may vary. Ideally, pre-apprenticeship programs provide an industry-recognized credential and stipends or wages.

• Meaningful Hands-on Training that Does Not Displace Paid Employees. Quality pre-apprenticeship programs provide hands-on training to individuals in 1) a workplace, 2) simulated lab experience, or 3) work-based learning environment, and which also do not supplant a paid employee, while accurately simulating the industry and occupational conditions of the partnering RAPs, which includes observing proper supervision and safety protocols.

• Facilitated Entry and/or Articulation. The purpose of a pre-apprenticeship program is to train individuals for entry into a RAP. A quality pre-apprenticeship program assists in exposing participants to local, State, and national apprenticeship programs and provides direct assistance to participants applying to those programs. When possible, formalized agreements exist with RAPs that enable individuals who have successfully completed the pre-apprenticeship program to enter directly into a RAP. These may also include articulation agreements that allow the individual to earn advanced credit/placement for skills and competencies already acquired. For the purposes of this FOA, pre-apprenticeship programs must lead to enrollment in a RAP.

• Sustainability through Partnerships. To support the ongoing sustainability of a quality pre-apprenticeship partnership, such partnerships collaboratively promote the use of RAPs as a preferred means for employers to develop a skilled workforce and to create career opportunities and pathways for individuals.

• Access to Appropriate Supportive Services. Quality pre-apprenticeship programs facilitate access to appropriate supportive services during the program; these supportive services may continue after the participant leaves the pre-apprenticeship program and enters a RAP. Services may include counseling, transportation assistance, childcare, and rehabilitative services, among others.

PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

Applicants must serve a statewide geographic scope. The geographic scope is the physical service area in which awarded applicants will serve participants.

In addition to grant funded activities listed in Appendix A Base Formula Funding, States applying for the Competitive Funding will also select relevant activities that build sustainability and substantially increase the total number and diversity of Registered Apprentices and RAPs within their State. Activities proposed for the Competitive Funding portion must build and expand on activities identified in Base Formula Funding proposals.

For States applying for the Competitive Funding, applicants must select two program activities below, in addition to the five-year plan as required for Base Formula Funding, which is a required activity for all applicants.

A five-year plan is a required activity for all applicants. Please ensure that your five-year plan for the Competitive Funding option builds upon the five-year plan for the Base Formula Funding option. Please refer to the guidelines below for more details on the five-year plan.

Competitive Funding will be targeted to those States with immediate readiness to adopt multiple innovative research- and evidence-based elements that drive equity in Registered Apprenticeship, as well as the capacity to expend additional funding.

States must have the ability to provide evidence of robust plans for DEIA and workforce system alignment. For the purposes of this FOA, DEIA and workforce system alignment refers to the alignment of the workforce, education, and the National Apprenticeship system. System alignment should also focus on RAP and/or pre-apprenticeship efforts in support of President Biden's Investing in America Agenda implementation and/or targeting industries in which the Administration is particularly interested, such as, K-12 teacher occupations, hospitality, care economy (Healthcare, Childcare, etc.), climate/clean energy, technology/cybersecurity, public sector, and/or occupations in the Supply Chain sector (logistics, warehouse, transportation, and manufacturing, including but not limited to the manufacturing of semi-conductors and biomanufacturing) and other sectors that align with President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda. Robust plans should also include strategizing and implementing employer engagement methodologies to increase RAP adoption for in-demand industries and occupations within the State; conducting internal assessments as the basis of continuous improvement (i.e., improving time frame for registering new programs); and committing to data sharing, system change, and governance requirements to comply with the law and ensure a strong and modernized Registered Apprenticeship system.

The Department is also interested in those who demonstrate a commitment to environmental sustainability, environmental justice, or a just transition (i.e., supporting and committing to a decent-job-creating net-zero-carbon-emission economy), such as by adhering to green building practices, training in green construction practices, or otherwise demonstrating climate-friendly sustainability practices. Activities will support the building and nurturing of partnerships with new and emerging industry partners, to include labor organizations, that lead to good jobs with family-sustaining wages for registered apprentices.

The five-year plan must include the following:

1. Be designed to include elements that address DEIA, workforce system alignment, and RAP and/or pre-apprenticeship leading to enrollment in a RAP. This includes plans to meet Utilization Goals for individuals with Disabilities under 29 C.F.R. 30.7.

2. Consider the State population distribution and how the State can better serve its underrepresented populations and communities.

3. Describe how pipelines to opportunities across industries will be built and how the State intends to reach new and emerging industries and occupational sectors, and how States will build buy-in from stakeholders.

4. For applicants who were not awarded SAEF1 funding, they must still submit a plan that outlines five years of activities. The plan must include a detailed description of the first year of activity, charting out quarterly milestones. Subsequent years (i.e., years two through five) can be less detailed, providing bi-annual milestones. When an applicant applies for subsequent rounds of funding in later years, they will expand on the details of that specific year in their plan. Additionally, applicants who are applying for a second round of SAEF funding must also include updates on SAEF1 implementation in their five-year plan and adjust, accordingly, years two through five of their five-year plan.

This plan will be used to measure States’ progress, which will affect future funding decisions.

The intent of the five-year plan is to have States strategically think about how they will use subsequent years’ funding to build on and improve their current activities, accomplishments, and goals. Should Congress appropriate additional funds for this purpose, we may consider up to three additional rounds of continuation awards under this solicitation. Applicants that received the SAEF1 grant will assess and revise years two through five of their five-year plan, as necessary, for future rounds of funding for the SAEF grant.

In addition to the five-year plan, applicants for the Competitive Funding option must plan a project that involves a minimum of two activities from the list below:

1. Provide a range of training services that support individuals, particularly from underrepresented populations and underserved communities, enrolled in a RAP, that may include: Related Instruction reimbursement; OJL reimbursement; development of curricula and standards for apprenticeship; online and technology-based learning;

accelerated and competency-based training that integrates academic and occupational skills training; and apprenticeship training costs and other supportive services. Examples of supportive services include, but are not limited to, housing, transportation, childcare, counseling, and other needs. (See Section IV.E. Funding Restrictions for more information).

2. Provide incentive funding to employers to support new or expand existing RAPs in targeted industries in which they are serving.

3. Establish statewide intermediaries or hubs to facilitate industry adoption of RAPs.

4. Provide direct funding for a range of pre-apprenticeship programs that lead directly to enrollment in a RAP. Includes pre-apprenticeship activities that support underrepresented populations and underserved communities and increase opportunities to create career pathways for youth and adults.

5. Expand RAP opportunities for youth (between the ages of 16 and 24). Includes establishing and expanding partnerships that commit to expanding RAPs and/or pre-apprenticeship programs that lead to RAP enrollment for youth through coordination with industry, workforce intermediaries, labor organization, State Educational Agencies (SEAs) and Local Educational Agencies (LEAs), community colleges, youth-serving and community-based organizations, CTE programs, and other stakeholders.

6. Assist industries in creating RAPs in lower wage, entry level occupations across industries that are critical to the nation, but currently do not provide strong career pathways or credentials that encourage people to stay and grow.

7. Assist employers in creating a forward-thinking, specialized RAP that embraces available technology, targeted at addressing people with disabilities.

8. Build stronger partnerships with the State and local workforce system. Additionally, consider ways to align and support the jobs required to implement President Biden's

Investing in America Agenda. This can include working with employers to increase their awareness of Registered Apprenticeship opportunities in the state and identify opportunities for them to join existing RAPs and/or starting new RAPs.

ETA will prioritize projects that are focused on the industries in which the Administration is particularly interested, such as K-12 teacher occupations that includes teacher voice, hospitality, care economy (Healthcare, Childcare, Home Care, etc.), climate/clean energy, technology/cybersecurity, public sector, and/or occupations in the Supply Chain sector (logistics, warehouse, transportation, and manufacturing, including but not limited to the manufacturing of semi-conductors and biomanufacturing) and other sectors that align with President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda.

B. PROGRAM AUTHORITY

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, Public Law 117-328, Division H, Title I authorizes this program.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. AWARD TYPE AND AMOUNT

Funding will be provided in the form of a grant.

For this second round of SAEF funding, we expect availability of approximately $100 million to award to states, as defined under 29 CFR 29.2, with Base Formula Funding described in Appendix B and up to 10 additional grants through the competitive portion of this announcement described above. You may apply for: (1) an amount up to the Base Funding amount specified in Appendix B, or (2) the Base Funding amount specified in Appendix B plus a separate application for a ceiling amount of up to $6 million for the competitive portion. Awards made under this Announcement are subject to the availability of federal funds. In the event that additional funds become available, we reserve the right to use such funds to select additional grantees from applications submitted in response to this Announcement. The Department reserves the right to change this amount depending on the quantity and quality of applications submitted.

B. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance is 12 months with an anticipated start date of 07/01/2024. This performance period includes all necessary implementation and start-up activities.

As specified above, the period of performance (POP) for the Base Formula Funding option is 12 months. States that are awarded the Competitive Funding will receive a second grant that will have a grant POP of 36 months. States that are awarded both the Base and Competitive funding options will need to manage their grants to ensure that the Base Formula Funding is expended within 12 months of the award start date and the Competitive Funding is expended within 36 months of the award start date.

Should Congress appropriate additional funds for this purpose, we may consider additional rounds of continuation Base Formula Funding and Competitive Funding awards. Continuation of funding to grantees is subject to the discretion of DOL and contingent upon the availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the grantee’s project, and adequate stewardship of federal funds.

The anticipated start date for the second round of funds is 07/01/2024.

Subject to available funding, OA plans to award annual Base Formula Funding and Competitive Funding, contingent upon funding remaining available over a total of five years, which began in 2023. For States that receive Competitive Funding, they may only receive the Competitive Funding once during the five years.

Please find below a visual POP calendar:

Y1 Y2 Y3 Y4 Y5 Y6 Y7

POP

(7/1/23- 6/30/24)

(7/1/24- 6/30/25)

(7/1/25- 6/30/26)

(7/1/26- 6/30/27)

(7/1/27- 6/30/28)

Base Funding*

Competitive Funding - Round 1^

4+

5+

*States must reapply each year to receive continuous base funding. The funding announcement for the SAEF Base Funding will be announced each year.

^States can only receive Competitive Funding once during the five years of the SAEF grant. If states were not awarded Competitive Funding, they may (re)apply for Competitive Funding in subsequent rounds, subject to the availability of funds and application scores.

+Competitive Funding that is awarded to States in Year 4 and Year 5 will be completed beyond the life of the grant

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

The term “State” means any of the 50 States of the United States, District of Columbia, or any Territory or possession of the United States, as defined under 29 CFR 29.2 “State”. For the purposes of this FOA, the eligible 54 U.S. States and territories include all 50 States of the United States, District of Columbia, and territories whose Active Apprentices exceeds 100 apprentices, i.e., Guam, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa. Only territories with more than 100 active registered apprentices (as of FY 23 data) are eligible to apply for Base and Competitive funds. For those territories not eligible to apply under this FOA (have less than 100 active registered apprentices), the designated Regional Office will continue to provide technical assistance. To view the Office of Apprenticeship’s FY 2023 Data and Statistics, please visit https://www.apprenticeship.gov/data-and-statistics.

States (the Governor’s Office) must identify the State agency that will be the grant recipient (e.g., State Workforce Agency eligible for funding under Title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), State Educational Agency, or an SAA). This entity will have sole responsibility for administering the project and will serve as the grant’s fiscal agent. For States with federally recognized SAAs and where the SAA is not the State agency that will be the grant recipient, the SAA must be included as a partner. Each State is limited to one Base Formula Funding application and one Competitive Funding application (if not previously awarded Competitive Funding under SAEF1) for consideration under this opportunity.

A letter from the Governor (or chief elected official) must be included in both the Base Formula Funding application and the Competitive Funding application to designate the Agency authorized to submit the State’s application(s).

The Governor or another chief elected official must provide a commitment letter demonstrating the State’s commitment to this grant effort. The letter must:

1. Designate the State agency to be the recipient of the award(s) (e.g., State Workforce Agency eligible for funding under Title I of WIOA, State Educational Agency, or an SAA). For states with federally recognized SAAs and where the SAA is not the State agency that will be the grant recipient, the SAA must be included as a partner. For states that do not have a federally recognized SAA, the State must commit to work in partnership with the federal Office of Apprenticeship within the State.

2. Describe specifically how the Governor or chief elected official plans to support the expansion of quality and innovative RAPs being developed or expanded.

Applications that do not include this letter with their Base Formula application and Competitive Funding application will be considered nonresponsive and will not move forward through the merit review process. If more than one state entity applies from a State, ETA, in consultation with the Governor (or chief elected official), will make the determination of which agency will be considered. No more than one Base Formula Funding award and Competitive Funding award per State will be executed. A State awarded Competitive Funding under SAEF1 is not eligible to apply for Competitive Funding under this announcement.

This letter from the Governor must be submitted as an attachment and clearly labeled as “Governor’s Letter.”

Letters sent separately from the application will not be considered.

If States do not apply this year for Competitive Funding under SAEF2, they will not be precluded applying for this funding in future years, contingent upon the availability of funding.

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 https://www.apprenticeship.gov/data-and-statistics 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

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

Section IV.C.2

The Application for Federal Assistance request for Base Formula Funding does not exceed the amount specified in

Appendix B

Section II.A

The Application for Federal Assistance request for Competitive Funding does not exceed $6 million (if applicable)

Section II.A

SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance for Base Formula Funding

Section IV.B.1

SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance for Competitive Funding (if applicable)

Section IV.B.1

SF-424 forms include a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Section IV.B.1

SF-424A, Budget Information Form for Base Formula Funding option

Section IV.B.2

SF-424A, Budget Information Form for Competitive Funding option (if applicable)

Section IV.B.2

Governor's Letter For Base Formula Funding option Section III.A

Governor's Letter For Competitive Funding option (if applicable)

Section III.A

Abstract for Base Formula Funding option Section IV.5 Abstract for Competitive Funding option (if applicable) Section IV.5

Budget Narrative for Base Formula Funding option Section IV.B.2 Budget Narrative for Competitive Funding option (if applicable) Section IV.B.2

Project Narrative for Base Formula Funding detailed in Appendix A

Appendix A

Project Narrative for Competitive Funding (if applicable) Section IV.B.3

Five-year State Work Plan Appendix A or Section

IV.B.3.c.(1)

2. Number of Applications Applicants May Submit

We will consider only one Base Formula Funding application and one Competitive Funding application from each organization. If we receive multiple applications of either the Base Formula Funding or Competitive Funding from the same organization, we will consider only the most recently received.

3. Eligible Participants

For the purposes of this program, eligible participants are persons 16 years of age and older who receive a direct grant-funded service. To encourage active apprentices to stay in their program and increase retention, grant funds may be used for registered apprentices already enrolled in a RAP. The purpose of these funds is to support new apprentices, new opportunities for registered apprentices and pre-apprentices in programs leading to enrollment in a RAP, retention of registered apprentices, and apprentice completion of a RAP.

Participants may be directly served with grant funds under the Base Formula Funding option.

However, targets for participants served will not be required for Base Formula Funding.

Applicants must set targets for Participant and Apprentice Outcomes and Expanding Registered Apprenticeship Program Outputs for the Competitive Funding option. Please see Section IV.B.3.b Expected Outcomes and Outputs and Appendix D Suggested Performance Outcomes and Outputs Table. If applicants select activities that do not directly result in Participant Outcomes or Program Outputs, they must propose targets related to their proposed activities.

For the purposes of the SAEF2 FOA, reportable individuals are not participants. A “reportable individual” is 1) an individual that has been impacted by the development or expansion of a grant-funded registered apprenticeship program; and 2) is enrolled in a RAP; and 3) is at least 16 years old. This individual is enrolled in a RAP that was developed or expanded with grant funds and is, therefore, impacted by the grant, but does not receive a direct, grant-funded participant-level service. For the purposes of this FOA, the target under “Participant and Apprentice Outcomes” entitled “Total number of individuals enrolled in a RAP that was developed using SAEF grant funds” is the target for reportable individuals. For reporting purposes, participants as well as reportable individuals are reported into WIPS.

Among the individuals eligible to receive services, the Department is particularly interested in the following groups:

1. Unemployed workers: For the purposes of this FOA, we define “unemployed worker” as an individual who is without a job and who wants and is available to work. This can include the long-term unemployed, such as individuals who have been unemployed for six months or more, and youth who have dropped out of school and are seeking their first full-time job.

2. Dislocated workers: For the purposes of this FOA, this term refers to individuals who were terminated or laid-off or have received a notice of termination or lay-off from employment or were self-employed but are now unemployed.

3. Incumbent workers: For the purposes of this FOA, incumbent workers are individuals already employed with a registered apprenticeship program sponsor before program enrollment, but who need training to upgrade their skills, advance in their careers, or retain their current position in apprenticeship occupations and industries. To qualify as an incumbent worker, an individual must have an established and documented employment history with the employer for six months or more.

4. Underemployed workers: This term refers to individuals who are not currently connected to a full-time job commensurate with the individual’s level of education, skills, or wage and/or salary earned previously, or who have obtained only episodic, short-term, or part-time employment. The RAPs must include components that will assist those who do not have particular educational prerequisites and/or experience.

You may also propose projects that could include some services for individuals who do not fall into one of the four targeted categories listed above, as long as services for these individuals align with the primary intent and focus of the proposed project and support placement into a RAP within the grant period of performance. This includes proposing projects to meet Utilization Goals for Individuals with Disabilities under 29 C.F.R. 30.7. As noted in 30.7(a), "The Administrator of OA has established a utilization goal of 7 percent for employment of qualified individuals with disabilities as apprentices for each major occupation group within which the sponsor has an apprenticeship program" (eCFR :: 29 CFR Part 30 -- Equal Employment Opportunity in Apprenticeship). While this is permissible, you may only provide services to a limited number of individuals who do not fall into one of the four targeted categories listed above, and your project must still primarily focus on providing services to workers in one or more of those four targeted categories.

Veterans’ Priority for Participants

38 U.S.C. 4215 requires grantees to provide priority of service to veterans and spouses of certain veterans for the receipt of employment, training, and placement services in any job training program directly funded, in whole or in part, by DOL. The regulations implementing this priority of service are at 20 CFR Part 1010.