SHTG-FY22-05_ ARPA COVID-19 FOA.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT/NOTICE OF AVAILABLE FUNDING:

Susan Harwood Training Grant Program Workplace Safety and Health Training on Infectious Diseases, Including COVID-19

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE NUMBER: 17.502

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: SHTG-FY-22-05

GRANT CATEGORY: Workplace Safety and Health Training on Infectious Diseases, Including COVID-19

ACTION: This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA)/Notice of Available Funding is for eligible non-profit organizations to submit proposals to deliver workplace safety and health training to eligible employers and workers on the topic of infectious diseases, including COVID-

19. Grant activities support conducting training on infectious diseases, including COVID-19 in a timely and efficient manner. Therefore, grantees must initially begin using existing training materials and guidance documents in order to deliver training as soon as practical following award. During the performance period, grantees may develop and use new tailored training materials (following OSHA approval of the new materials).

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: Non-profit organizations including qualifying labor unions, community-based and faith-based organizations, employer associations that are not an agency of a state or local government, institutions of higher education supported by a state or local government, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, Alaska Native entities, Indian-controlled organizations serving Indians, and Native Hawaiian organizations may apply.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must follow the guidelines stated in this FOA before submitting a complete application package including attachments at www.Grants.gov (Grants.gov). Submission instructions are available at Grants.gov.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: This FOA closes on May 6, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. eastern time.

Applications not validated by Grants.gov, or submitted after this deadline, are ineligible for consideration.

NOTICE OF CONCURRENT FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT: This FOA (SHTG-FY-21-05) is for Workplace Safety and Health Training on Infectious Diseases, Including COVID-19 grants only. Applications submitted for other Harwood grants will be invalid and not considered for an award under this FOA.

FURTHER INFORMATION: This FOA does not itself obligate any federal funds. Information about the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program is located on the OSHA website at www.osha.gov/harwoodgrants. Email your questions about this FOA to HarwoodGrants@dol.gov, or call 847-725-7805, weekdays between 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.osha.gov/harwoodgrants mailto:HarwoodGrants@dol.gov

Eastern Time. Questions about Grants.gov or problems submitting your application may be answered using the Grants.gov Support webpage, www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html, or by contacting them by email, Support@grants.gov, or telephone, 1-800-518-4726, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (except federal holidays).

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html mailto:Support@grants.gov

SHTG-FY-22-05 Workplace Safety and Health Training on Infectious Diseases, Including COVID-19 Instructions

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Executive Summary

II. Program Overview and Funding Opportunity Description

III. Award Information

A. Award Category

B. Performance Period

C. Funding

D. Training Topics

E. Eligible Trainees

F. Training Audiences

IV. Grant Application and Submission

A. Eligible Applicants

B. Application Submission

C. Required Application Content

1. SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance

2. SF-424A Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs

3. SF-424B Assurances – Non-Construction Programs

4. Project/Performance Site Location(s)

5. Grants.gov Certification Regarding Lobbying Form

6. SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if applicable)

7. Application Summary (not to exceed 2 pages)

8. Program Abstract (not to exceed 1/2 page)

9. Technical Proposal (not to exceed 20 double-spaced pages – Appendix G)

Table 1: Training projections by training type

Table 2: Training numbers and training contact hours

10. Fiscal Responsibility and Program Budgeting

D. Meetings, Reporting, and Documentation

Table 3: Grantee reporting due dates

E. Submission Format

F. Intergovernmental Review

G. Application Evaluation Criteria, Review, and Selection Process

H. Anticipated Award Announcement Date and Notification

I. Request for Application Comments

V. Post Award Administration

A. Applicable Federal Laws

B. Grant Program Conditions

Appendix A – Targeted Audiences

Appendix A – Targeted Audiences (cont.)

Appendix B – Application Checklist

Appendix C – Grants.gov Application Submission and Receipt Procedures

Appendix C – Grants.gov Application Submission and Receipt Procedures (Cont.)

Appendix C – Grants.gov Application Submission and Receipt Procedures (Cont.)

Appendix C – Grants.gov Application Submission and Receipt Procedures (Cont.)

Appendix D – Non-Viable Applications

Appendix E – Administrative and Program Costs Definition

Appendix E – Administrative and Program Costs Definition (Cont.)

Appendix E– Administrative and Program Costs Definition (Cont.)

Appendix F – Example of Budget Forms

Appendix F – Example of Budget Forms (Cont.)

Appendix G – Application Formatting Requirements

Appendix H – Application Summary Document Sample Outline

Appendix I – Program Abstract Narrative Example

Appendix J – Allowable/Unallowable Use of Grant Funds

Appendix J – Allowable/Unallowable Use of Grant Funds (Cont.)

Appendix K – SHTG-FY-22-05 Evaluation Criteria

References

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Under the authority of Section 21 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act), the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) established its discretionary grant program in 1978. In 1997, OSHA renamed the program in honor of the late Susan Harwood, former director of the OSHA Office of Risk Assessment. The grant program offers opportunities for nonprofit organizations to compete annually for funding so they may develop and conduct training and educational programs for small business employers and workers on the recognition, avoidance, and prevention of occupational safety and health hazards in their workplaces, and to inform workers of their rights and employers of their responsibilities under the OSH Act.

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 appropriated $200,000,000 to the Secretary of Labor for specified agencies to carry out COVID-19-related worker protection activities and allocated not less than $100,000,000 of those funds for OSHA. ARPA also specified that $10,000,000 of OSHA’s funds be for the Susan Harwood training grants.

The Susan Harwood Training Grant Program awards funds to qualifying organizations who have demonstrated capabilities to achieve the program’s performance expectations outlined in this FOA. This includes experience in the subject matter, administering and delivering adult training programs, recruiting students, and managing grants. Following the grant awards, OSHA monitors each organization’s progress in achieving their performance goals and training targets.

OSHA accomplishes this by conducting orientation meetings, training material reviews, training observations, program and financial monitoring visits, and quarterly and year-end report reviews.

For FY 2022, OSHA announces the availability of $3,257,710 to train employees and employers on infectious disease, including COVID-19 exposure in the workplace through the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program. OSHA expects to award multiple grants to eligible nonprofit organizations under this competitive FOA. Program funding is for a 12-month grant performance period. The maximum award for a Workplace Safety and Health Training on Infectious Diseases, Including COVID-19 grant is $160,000. This FOA does not itself obligate any federal funds. The obligation of funds occurs when grant recipients acknowledge receipt and acceptance of award documents.

Applications submitted under this FOA are competing for a Workplace Safety and Health Training on Infectious Diseases, Including COVID-19 grant. Organizations may receive an FY 2021 and/or FY 2022 Susan Harwood Training Grant (i.e., a Targeted Topic Training, Training and Educational Materials Development, or one of the Capacity Building grants) and a Workplace Safety and Health Training on Infectious Diseases, Including COVID-19 grant in the same year. If an organization submits multiple applications for a Workplace Safety and Health Training on Infectious Diseases, Including COVID-19 grant, OSHA will review the last viable application. An application is not available for additions, corrections, or revisions once it is submitted at Grants.gov. To make changes to a submitted application, the applicant must submit a new application package. This FOA closes on May 6, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

Applications not validated by Grants.gov, or submitted after this deadline, are ineligible for consideration.

Eligible non-profit applicants include qualifying labor unions, community-based and faith-based organizations, and employer associations that are not an agency of a state or local government.

However, institutions of higher education that are supported by a state or local government are eligible to apply in accordance with OMB 2 CFR 200 and DOL exceptions in 2 CFR 2900. In addition, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, Alaska Native entities, Indian-controlled organizations serving Indians, and Native Hawaiian organizations are eligible to apply in accordance with Executive Order 13175. Individuals, for profit organizations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations are not eligible to apply.

Information and forms needed to apply for this funding opportunity are published on the www.grants.gov website (hereinafter “Grants.gov”). Prior to submitting an application, the applicant’s registration must be accurate, up-to-date, and active with Grants.gov and the System for Award Management (SAM).

The required SAM registration may take from two to more than five weeks to complete and requires an employer identification number (EIN) and a notarized letter from the organization’s authorized representative. It is free to register with SAM at www.sam.gov. To maintain an active registration in the SAM database, an applicant must review and update their information every 12 months. Inaccurate or expired information may result in rejection of the grant application.

If an applicant is using Grants.gov for the first time, it is strongly recommended that the organization complete the steps to “Register as an Organization” with Grants.gov at www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html as soon as possible. It can take up to five weeks to complete the registration process. Grants.gov requires applicants to have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number that may be acquired in one or two business days from the Dun & Bradstreet at fedgov.dnb.com/webform.

Starting on April 4, 2022, the DUNS number will be replaced by a “new, non-proprietary identifier” requested in, and assigned by, the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). This new identifier is being called the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). If you have any questions on the UEI please reach out to SAM.gov for assistance. The required SAM registration may take from two to more than five weeks to complete and requires an employer identification number (EIN) and a notarized letter from the organization’s authorized representative. It is free to register with SAM at www.sam.gov

To avoid delays that could result in the rejection of the application, the applicant must factor these processes into their plans for submitting their application. It is strongly recommended that applicants/organizations register with SAM themselves, and not rely on third parties to engage in SAM registration on their behalf. Third parties may misrepresent (intentionally or unintentionally) that they have obtained a SAM registration for the applicant/organization when they have not in fact done so. In cases where an applicant does not obtain and maintain an active bona-fide SAM registration, a grant application will be denied even if the applicant relied in good faith on a third party’s representation that an active bona-fide SAM registration was obtained. Additional information about these requirements is located in Appendix C.

httsp://www.grants.gov/ https://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform https://www.sam.gov/

II. PROGRAM OVERVIEW AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

The Susan Harwood Training Grant Program funds eligible nonprofit organizations to develop and deliver training on the recognition, abatement, and prevention of occupational safety and health hazards in workplaces. For this funding opportunity, the applicant must focus on providing training on infectious diseases, including COVID-19, to workers and employers from multiple small businesses. Trainings must focus either on COVID-19 specifically or infectious diseases broadly, including COVID-19. When providing training, consider these four program emphasis areas:

• Training workers and employers in small businesses with 250 or fewer employees;

• Training that focuses on identifying and preventing occupationally-related infectious diseases, including COVID-19 illnesses in industries with high illness rates, for frontline workers, or for susceptible populations;

• Training on OSHA standards that address infectious diseases, including COVID-19 hazards; and

• Training on workplace hazards identified in OSHA special emphasis programs or other priorities associated with infectious diseases, including COVID-19.

Applicants who demonstrate in their proposal that at least one census tract within their physical service area is designated by the Secretary of Treasury as a qualified Opportunity Zone will receive 2 points toward their overall application score. Applicants will not receive additional points for multiple Opportunity Zones within the proposed physical service area. For more information on Opportunity Zones, go to https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/opportunity-zones-frequently-asked-questions. Please be aware the IRS list provides the full 11-digit census tract numbers. Use the example below to identify your census tract number(s):

III. AWARD INFORMATION

OSHA may award a grant with or without negotiations with the applicant.

A. AWARD CATEGORY

Grants awarded under this FOA will support the delivery of workplace safety and health training on infectious diseases, including COVID-19. Proposals must emphasize delivering quality occupational safety and health training with existing training materials.

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/opportunity-zones-frequently-asked-questions https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/opportunity-zones-frequently-asked-questions

B. PERFORMANCE PERIOD

The performance period will begin immediately upon award and last 12 months.

C. FUNDING

There is $3,257,710 available for Workplace Safety and Health Training on Infectious Diseases, Including COVID-19 grants. Applicants may request federal funding up to $160,000.

D. TRAINING TOPICS

The training topic for this funding opportunity is workplace safety and health hazards, prevention, and control for infectious diseases, including COVID-19. Training topics must focus either on COVID-19 specifically or infectious diseases broadly, including COVID-19. To conduct infectious disease, including COVID-19 training in a timely and efficient manner, grantees must initially begin using existing training materials and guidance documents in order to deliver training as soon as practical following award.

During the performance period, grantees may develop and use new tailored training materials (following OSHA approval of the new materials).

E. ELIGIBLE TRAINEES

OSHA covers most private sector employers and workers. Under this grant program, grantees may train only eligible workers and their employers covered under the OSH Act of 1970, SEC. 4, codified at 29 U.S.C. 653 (for more information, see Appendix A).

Grant funds may not be used to train the applicant’s staff or employees, or train workers to qualify for employment.

This grant program does not cover activities that benefit state and local government employees unless the employees are responsible for occupational safety and health duties within their agency. These employees include agency safety and health trainers/program managers/committee members, or other employees who may be responsible for the abatement of unsafe and unhealthy working conditions in their agency. Most state and local government employees are ineligible trainees under this program, including those who may have occupational safety and health protection because they work in a state operating an OSHA-approved State Plan occupational safety and health program. For information about OSHA-approved State Plan occupational safety and health programs, go to www.osha.gov/dcsp/osp/index.html.

F. TRAINING AUDIENCES

Training and training materials must be in a language the participants can understand, and must serve employers and workers from multiple small businesses as well as at-risk workers in other workplaces. In addition to training on OSHA guidance and applicable federal standards related to infectious diseases, including COVID-19, training planned for https://www.osha.gov/dcsp/osp/index.html workers and employers in any of the 28 OSHA-approved State Plans may include a reference to that state’s occupational safety and health infectious disease, including COVID-19 requirements or guidance. Training must reach workers and employers in one or more of the following target audiences:

• Small businesses in industries at high risk of infectious diseases, including COVID-19 exposure;

• Small businesses in industries with high fatality rates from infectious diseases, including COVID-19; or

• Workers with limited access to occupational safety and health training, e.g., young workers (ages 16-24), temporary, workers of color, low literacy, limited English speaking, domestic workers, or other hard-to-reach workers and small businesses employing such workers.

IV. GRANT APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION

This announcement includes instructions for developing and organizing the application package.

Application submission information and standard forms are on the Grants.gov website.

Applying for and receiving an FY 2021 and/or FY 2022 Susan Harwood training grant (i.e., a Targeted Topic Training, Training and Educational Materials Development, or one of the Capacity Building grants) does not disqualify organizations from applying for and receiving a Workplace Safety and Health Training on Infectious Diseases, Including COVID-19 grant.

OSHA allows organizations to receive both grants. If an organization submits more than one application for this funding opportunity, OSHA will review the last application accepted by Grants.gov.

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Eligible applicants are eligible nonprofit organizations. Eligible applicants include qualifying labor unions, community-based and faith-based organizations, employer associations (may not be an agency of a state or local government), institutions of higher education supported by a state or local government, and Indian tribes, tribal organizations, Indian-controlled organizations serving Indians, Alaska Native entities, and Native Hawaiian organizations. Individuals, 501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations, and for-profit entities are not eligible for a Susan Harwood training grant.

All organizations listed in an application as a partner, or as a part of a consortium, must be eligible to be a non-profit grantee as defined by this FOA, and must adhere to program requirements. An organization cannot be a grantee and a partner/contractor for another grantee for this grant award. Grant duties may not be sub-awarded or passed through to other organizations or contractors. Organizations may not use grant funds from another federal program to benefit an OSHA training program. If contracting services, applicants must provide a description of the duties of each contractor and justify why the contractor is necessary and how the contractor will support grant goals. These contracts may require a full and open competition to meet the requirements of the award and 2 CFR 200.

The applicant is the lead partner and must have the ability to perform the program activities. The authorized representative and the financial certifying official must be identified in the application and employed by the lead partner. The authorized representative must have the authority to enter into a grant agreement, and will be the primary contact for OSHA communication regarding the grant.

B. APPLICATION SUBMISSION

Prepare your grant application package using the checklist in Appendix B. After reviewing the Grants.gov application submission and receipt procedures in Appendix C, submit your application at www.Grants.gov (Grants.gov) prior to this announcement’s closing date and time. Refer to Appendix D for important information about application viability.

For Grants.gov questions, use the online answers section at Grants.gov Support (www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html), or contact Grants.gov Applicant Support by emailing Support@grants.gov, or calling 1-800-518-4726. Grants.gov support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week except federal holidays.

If applying online poses a hardship, applicants must contact the OSHA Office of Training and Education (OTE) office at least three weeks prior to the application closing date. An OSHA representative will advise the applicant on how to submit an application online prior to the closing date. Send an email to HarwoodGrants@dol.gov, or call the Susan Harwood Grants Coordinator at 847-725-7805, weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time excluding federal holidays.

C. REQUIRED APPLICATION CONTENT

OSHA will review complete applications only. Use the checklist in Appendix B to ensure you submit all the required documents listed below.

1. SF-424 APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE

• Funds requested must be rounded to the nearest whole dollar.

• The amount entered on the SF-424, box 18a, is the official federal funding request.

• The applicant information must be consistent on all documents.

• The authorized representative’s electronic signature on the SF-424, block 21, constitutes a binding offer by the applicant.

• The authorized representative listed on the SF-424 must be the same authorized representative listed on the application summary document.

2. SF-424A BUDGET INFORMATION – NON-CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS

• The projected budget must cover the entire performance period.

https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html mailto:Support@grants.gov

• The projected budget must be allocated by cost categories on the detailed budget support documentation as shown on the SF-424A.

• Projected costs in each cost category must be shown as either a program or an administrative cost (defined in Appendix E).

• Budget information provided on the SF-424A must match the information provided by the applicant on the detailed budget support and budget narrative documents. Examples of the SF-424A and the detailed budget support documents are in Appendix F.

3. SF-424B ASSURANCES – NON-CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS

The authorized representative’s electronic signature certifies the applicant’s agreement to comply with federal laws, executive orders, regulations, policies, grant requirements, certifications, and assurances governing this program.

4. PROJECT/PERFORMANCE SITE LOCATION(S)

The completed form identifies the sites and locations where grant activities will take place. Any plans or contingencies for remote training delivery are identified here.

5. GRANTS.GOV CERTIFICATION REGARDING LOBBYING FORM

The authorized representative’s electronic signature certifies the applicant agrees to comply with lobbying restrictions. If item 2 is applicable, complete the SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form.

6. SF-LLL, DISCLOSURE OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES (IF APPLICABLE)

Complete only if the organization makes payments to lobbying entities with the intent to influence an officer, employee, or member of any federal agency or Congress in connection with a covered federal action.

Refer to Appendix G for approved formatting for the following documents:

7. APPLICATION SUMMARY (NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES)

Follow the example in Appendix H to provide basic information about the application.

8. PROGRAM ABSTRACT (NOT TO EXCEED 1/2 PAGE)

Follow the guidance in Appendix I and briefly describe the proposed training plan and expected outcome.

9. TECHNICAL PROPOSAL (NOT TO EXCEED 20 DOUBLE-SPACED PAGES – APPENDIX G)

Describe the applicant’s business, training experience, interaction with the target audience, successes in completing program obligations, staff’s occupational safety and health knowledge and experience, and planned activities for accomplishing project training goals. Use the following outline for the proposal.

A. PROPOSAL IDENTIFICATION

• Applicant/organization name

• Grant category (Workplace Safety and Health Training on Infectious

Diseases, Including COVID-19)

• Training topic

• Audience

B. PROPOSAL NARRATIVE

a. ORGANIZATION AND PARTNERS BACKGROUND

Provide an overview of the organization, its purpose, function, usual business activities, and the past five years of experience with governmental (federal, state, or local) grant programs. Discuss the organization’s experience with occupational safety and health, conducting training, and interacting with adults. Include a list of organizational activities that are specific to the selected training topic.

Organizational experience includes recruitment, training, and other services related to the selected training topic. If an organization has experience conducting the proposed type of training, attach a list of the training conducted over the past five years. Describe the training conducted and include the program titles, type(s) of training materials used, numbers of workers and/or employers trained, the training contact hours, and whether the training was part of a previous Harwood grant. Describe the organization’s experience in conducting and using level 1 training session reaction evaluations and level 2 trainee learning assessments.

b. STAFF EXPERIENCE

The applicant must use knowledgeable staff to support this grant program.

Describe key personnel and professional staff who will be working on project activities. Describe their experience in conducting training and/or developing training materials for adult learners, occupational safety and health qualifications, experience with the targeted audience, and other experience relevant to the work activities proposed in the application. Include the following attachments:

• Organizational chart (may be an attachment) o Identify by name and position the staff working on the grant

• Resumes, curricula vitae (CVs), position description/minimum hiring qualifications (limited each to no more than seven pages each) o Show occupational safety and health knowledge and experience;

Key personnel (authorized representative, project director, and others who spend more than 50% of their time working on grant activities)

Professional staff (material developers, trainers, etc.)

c. PROBLEM, PURPOSE, AND FUNDING NEEDS STATEMENT

Provide a clear and concise statement describing the goals for the project, issues addressed by the training, and organizational need for federal assistance.

d. WORK PLAN PROPOSAL

The work plan allows the applicant to detail the grant activities required to complete the project requirements and goals during the performance period. The proposal is comprised of two components, a matrix table that identifies the activities by quarter, and a descriptive narrative about the planned activities. The work plan must address the following:

• Training materials;

• Targeted audience, including workers and employers;

• Recruitment of trainees;

• Proposed training sessions ;

• Training location(s) (general);

• Training delivery methods;

• Anticipated number of trainees and training contact hours per training; and

• Planned activities for conducting level 1 evaluations and level 2 trainee assessments.

The work plan must be reasonable and achievable within the grant performance period. Grantees are accountable for completing the activities listed in the work plan and meeting the proposed quarterly training projections. The work plan goals are the basis for measuring actual quarterly performance reported to the Assistant Secretary of Labor. Grantees must be mindful of performance issues and consult with OSHA as early as possible. Organizations applying for an FY 2021 and/or FY 2022 Susan Harwood Training Grant (i.e., a Targeted Topic Training, Training and Educational Materials Development, or one of the Capacity Building grants) and a Susan Harwood Workplace Safety and Health Training on Infectious Diseases, Including COVID-19 grant (i.e., the grant advertised in this FOA) in the same year must describe and demonstrate the capacity to manage the increased programmatic and financial activity associated with multiple grants.

A WORK PLAN ACTIVITY TABLE divided by program quarter for the performance period must include the activities and tasks projected for each performance quarter. The project’s quarters are:

Quarter 1: July 1, 2022 – September 30, 2022

Quarter 2: October 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022 Quarter 3: January 1, 2023 – March 31, 2023 Quarter 4: April 1, 2023 – June 30, 2023

Develop the work plan activity table to identify the expected results and who, what, when, where, or how the activity or task supports accomplishing the work plan goals. Include all required grant-related activities in your work plan. These include attending OSHA-required meetings and monitoring visits, submitting training materials for OSHA review, submitting quarterly reports, projecting training sessions, projecting trainee numbers and training contact hours, and other grant related activities.

WORK PLAN DETAILED NARRATIVE describes the activities, tasks, and expected results of the project’s performance goals. Program requirements are:

1. TRAINING MATERIALS

This funding opportunity focuses on delivering infectious disease, including COVID-19 workplace safety and health training to workers and employers.

Applicants must identify the training materials they plan to use and explain how they will acquire the materials. Training materials include promotional flyers, advertisements, training objectives, presentation/training materials, instructor guides/presenter notes, videos, student manuals/handouts, student exercises, sign-in sheets, pre- and post-tests (or other methods for assessing changes in the student’s safety and health knowledge and skills), and evaluations for training material content, instructor, and training environment.

This funding opportunity requires the grantee to conduct workplace safety and health training on infectious diseases, including COVID-19. Grantees are expected to conduct training as soon as possible. Applicants are to use existing training materials and guidance documents initially and may propose developing new tailored training or educational materials for later training sessions. Grantees must adhere to all copyright laws.

Training materials must address the recognition, abatement, and prevention of infectious disease, including COVID-19 in the workplace. Training planned for workers and employers in any of the 28 OSHA-approved State Plans must include a reference to that state’s OSHA requirements or guidelines and Federal OSHA guidelines or requirements.

Training sessions should include a brief overview of OSHA Whistleblower Protection Programs (www.whistleblowers.gov/) regarding employee rights and employer responsibilities. The overview must be included in the workplace safety and health training on infectious diseases, including COVID-19, but limited to no more 30 minutes.

file://osha.dir.labor.gov/FieldSites/OSHA-DTE-Public/PROGRAMS/SH/2021-SH0/2020%20CCU_OAS/02.20.2020%20CCU%20rev%20Docs/www.whistleblowers.gov/

TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS from an outside source must be identified. These materials must follow the commonly accepted Instructional Systems Design. Grantees must adhere to all copyright laws and provide a written certification that materials are free from copyright infringements.

Acquired materials may be subject to OSHA review and approval.

Grantees are encouraged to review the guidance document “Best Practices for the Development, Delivery, and Evaluation of Harwood Training Grants” at www.osha.gov/harwoodgrants/best-practices. An updated publication, “Resource for Development and Delivery of Training to Workers,” is available at www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3824.pdf. These resources address proven adult learning techniques, effective models for worker training, and training evaluation documentation.

Each training session must include a statement that acknowledges OSHA funding for this workplace safety and health training on infectious diseases, including COVID-19 as follows:

This training is presented under grant number SH-____-SH_ from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

OSHA MUST APPROVE THE ENGLISH VERSION OF GRANT MATERIALS before the grantee may use the materials to conduct training or translate them into another language. Allow at least three weeks for OSHA to review materials for technical accuracy and suitability. If the grantee revises the materials after receiving OSHA approval, the grantee must submit the updated materials to OSHA for re-approval.

OSHA reserves the right to review the translated materials prior to their use.

OSHA may request the grantee to certify accuracy of the translation by identifying the translator and providing the translator’s qualifications.

Organizations proposing to use Spanish-language training materials must use appropriate terminology from the OSHA dictionaries located at www.osha.gov/dcsp/compliance_assistance/spanish_dictionaries.html.

2. TRAINING PLAN AND PROJECTIONS

RECRUITMENT PLAN for reaching trainees must be provided. Additionally, describe past successes in reaching the training audience as well as any plans to enlist other organizations during the recruiting efforts. Grantees may not train an individual more than once during the grant period. Harwood grant funds may not be used to conduct training at conferences.

https://www.osha.gov/harwoodgrants/best-practices https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3824.pdf file://osha.dir.labor.gov/FieldSites/OSHA-DTE-Public/PROGRAMS/SH/2021-SH0/2020%20CCU_OAS/02.20.2020%20CCU%20rev%20Docs/www.osha.gov/dcsp/compliance_assistance/spanish_dictionaries.html

THE TRAINING PROPOSAL must focus on conducting training on workplace safety and health infectious diseases, including COVID-19. Describe the teaching methods, training locations, geographical impact, and quarterly projection for the number of trainees and trainee contact hours. Describe the methodology used to develop the projections for total number trained and total contact hours for each type of training (worker, employer, and train-the-trainer). Explain how you plan to involve workers during the training to create a participatory learning environment.

TRAINING SESSIONS must last a minimum of 30 minutes, but may not exceed 7½ trainee contact hours per day. Contact hours refer to time spent conducting training on workplace safety and health infectious diseases, including COVID-19 and whistleblower protection topics. Trainee contact hours do not include breaks, lunchtime, or instructor-led time used for administrative activities such as trainee sign-in, general training site information, training presentation evaluation, or presentation of certificates of completion. If the training occurs over multiple days, the trainee must attend the entire training before the grantee may count them as trained, or include their contact hours in the quarterly report. Training that begins in one quarter, but ends in the next quarter is reported only in the quarter the training is completed.

TRAINING CLASS SIZE must be no fewer than 3 and no more than 40 trainees per class. The ideal class size to facilitate participatory learning with actively involved trainees is between 10 – 30 trainees. OSHA infectious disease including COVID-19 guidelines for workplaces, such as distancing, masking, and other protection requirements, and all state and local guidelines and requirements must be enforced during trainings where multiple trainees are in one location. Should these guidelines necessitate remote delivery of training, training must remain participatory and interactive.

TRAINING EVALUATIONS AND ASSESSMENTS are important in validating training materials and presentation. Occasionally, the Department of Labor conducts a separate study on the impact of the program’s training. In accepting grant funding under this program, the grantee agrees to fully cooperate with and provide any data needed for the federally sponsored evaluation(s) of the training. Grantees must administer a training evaluation and learning assessments at each training session.

LEVEL 1 – TRAINING SESSION EVALUATION measure how trainees react to the training experience including trainees’ perceptions of the training environment, instructor(s), and quality and usefulness of the training. A level 1 evaluation must be in writing and completed by the trainee. If language or literacy is an issue, the evaluation may include an instructor-documented verbal satisfaction survey.

LEVEL 2 – TRAINEE LEARNING ASSESSMENTS measures the skills, knowledge, and safety attitude the trainee acquires and retains. The instructor must document the pre- and post-training assessment results of each trainee. Level 2 assessments may be written tests, or instructor-documented oral pre- and post-training assessments. All pre- and post-assessments must measure the training objectives and match in content, format, and approach. This will accurately document changes in trainees’ knowledge and skills because they participated in the training.

The grantee/instructor must maintain documentation of all verbal- or activities-based assessments. Alternative pre- and post-test assessment methods may include having the trainees perform a task or interactive activity that demonstrates their knowledge before and after their participation in the training. Evaluations and assessments must be retained for OSHA monitoring purposes.

TRAINING PROJECTIONS define the proposed training sessions by type of training, course duration, projected number of trainees, and training contact hours. Provide a description of the method you will use to reach multiple employers and their workers. Include a table similar to the following:

TABLE 1: TRAINING PROJECTIONS BY TRAINING TYPE

Type of Training Length of training (hours)

Projected Number of Trainees

Total Contact hours

Employer 4 50 200 Worker 4 500 1,000 Train-the-Trainer 8 50 200

Total 600 1,400

TRAINEE NUMBERS AND TRAINING CONTACT HOURS are estimates based on proposed training for each quarter. Describe the methodology used to develop your estimates. Grantees must limit the grant expenses to no more than $500 per trainee. Projections must be a single number estimate (not a range) as shown in the table below.

TABLE 2: TRAINING NUMBERS AND TRAINING CONTACT HOURS

Quarter Performance Period Projected Trainees

Projected Contact Hours

Quarter 1 July 1 to September 30 100 300 Quarter 2 October 1 to December 31 180 460 Quarter 3 January 1 to March 31 200 400 Quarter 4 April 1 to June 30 120 240

Totals 600 1,400 Total funding (federal and non-federal) $160,000 $160,000

*Costs per Trainee/Contact Hour $267 $114 *Cost per trainee is determined by dividing the total grant funding (federal and non-federal funds) by the total number of trainees.

A TRAIN-THE-TRAINER PROGRAM allows the grantee to expand the distribution of their occupational safety and health training, ultimately reaching more workers. However, a train-the-trainer program requires more effort by the grantee to monitor the trainers, and to acquire quarterly training and evaluation results.

Grantees provide “tier-one training” to workers, employers, and trainees under the train-the-trainer component of the grant. The train-the-trainer component does not include training the applicant’s staff.

After trainees complete a train-the-trainer class, they may conduct “tier-two training” under the supervision of the grantee. Tier-two trainers may train workers and employers, but may not conduct additional tiers of train-the-trainer classes.

Grantees may not use grant funds to compensate tier-two trainers. Tier-two trainers must follow grant requirements and provide appropriate supporting documents to the grantee for inclusion in the quarterly reports. Grantees must formally monitor the training provided by the tier-two trainers to validate the quality of the training and to ensure the training numbers and contact hours are reported correctly.

In the technical proposal, provide the following information about the tier-two training:

• proposed tier-two training audience;

• proposed number of trainings;

• proposed number of trainees (workers and employers);

• proposed training contact hours;

• proposed process for acquiring the quarterly training, assessments, and evaluation data from the tier-two trainers;

• planned support by the grantee to the tier-two trainers; and

• planned monitoring of the tier-two trainers by the grantee to validate training quality and reporting accuracy.

INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION must observe Constitution Day and Citizenship Day on September 17 in accordance with 36 USC 106, Consolidated Appropriations Act. The U.S. Department of Education requires every school and college receiving federal money to teach about the U.S.

Constitution on the anniversary date of the adoption of the Constitution in 1787. Visit Commemorating Constitution Day for relevant information. This grant does not include funding these activities.

10. FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND PROGRAM BUDGETING

Briefly describe the organization’s financial management process including any separation of fiscal duties and internal funds controls.

https://www2.ed.gov/policy/fund/guid/constitutionday.html

THE FUNDS REQUESTED ON THE SF-424, APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE,

BOX 18, TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER FUNDS SHOWN ON ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS.

Funds requested must be rounded to the nearest whole dollar. It is important the supporting budget information match the requested funding stated on the SF-424.

Supporting budget documents include the SF-424A, Budget Information – Non- Construction Programs, the project funding stated on the application summary document, and the total funding allocated in the detailed budget and budget narrative.

The applicant’s budget and budget narrative must demonstrate that the funds requested are necessary and sufficient to cover the cost of the project activities identified in the proposal. The federal share of the budget shall not exceed the maximum award established in this FOA. No additional federal funds will be available during this grant performance period.

Proposed costs must be necessary, reasonable, and in accordance with federal guidelines. Allowable costs support recruiting activities, training preparation, and conducting training. All costs must comply with federal cost principles found in the Uniform Guidance in 2 CFR 200 and 2 CFR 2900. Appendices E and J identify allowable costs for this program.

A DETAILED PROJECT BUDGET SUPPORT NARRATIVE must describe and justify the projected costs stating the methodology for each cost allocation. This includes providing a budget and cost allocation details for non-profit partners, if applicable.

Explain where the partners’ costs are included in the proposed grant budget. Clearly describe the costs related to the program and administrative activities for the performance period as shown on the SF-424A, Budget Information. Cost categories must match the SF-424A categories, and be identified as either administrative or program costs, as defined in Appendix E. The budget must include all grant funding (federal award and non-federal funds, if applicable).

The personnel and benefits cost categories of the detailed budget and narrative must include the names, positions, and percent of time the staff works on grant activities.

For the other cost categories, provide detailed lists such as travel locations, supplies, services, and other costs necessary for the project. Show how the costs are calculated.

For service contracts, state the purpose of the contract, anticipated duties, and the method for calculating the costs. Grantees are expected to execute the majority of the grant administration and program activities with little or no assistance from contractors. Contracts must meet the requirements stated in Appendix E.

ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS are costs that support the management of the grant and administration of the project. These include salaries and benefits for the authorizing representative, financial certifying representative, administrative assistants, and others who manage the grant and/or complete the reporting requirements, travel costs to attend OSHA-required meetings, and cost of supplies and materials used for administrative tasks. Indirect costs are inherently administrative and are applicable to the budget as an administrative cost only.

The focus of this program is occupational safety and health training associated with infectious diseases, including COVID-19 in the workplace. OSHA has established a maximum allowance for administrative costs under this funding opportunity of no more than 25 percent of the total funding amount (federal award and applicant’s non-federal funds).

PROGRAM COSTS are identifiable costs necessary to conduct training on infectious diseases, including COVID-19. These include salaries and benefits for the project director, trainers, travel costs to conduct training, and costs to purchase supplies and material needed for the training presentation. Grantees may not use grant funds to compensate employers or worker trainees during the grant period, including refreshments, gift cards, stipends, lost salaries, or other enticements.

APPLICANTS PROPOSING TO PURCHASE INFECTIOUS DISEASE, INCLUDING COVID-

19 SAFETY OR TRAINING ITEMS FOR DEMONSTRATION PURPOSES must justify how the purchase will enhance the program or training. Items must be used during the training and may not be given as gifts, incentives, or awards to trainees. Grant funds may not be used to purchase an item with a useful life of more than one year, cost more than $5000, or is depreciable for tax purposes. Grant funds may not be used to purchase items to establish or update offices or training spaces, including desks, tables, chairs, file cabinets, room dividers, technical equipment, machinery, or models. If reasonable and justified, informational technology (IT) equipment purchases such as a laptop or projector are allowed for training presentation purposes only. Information about allowable administrative and program costs is included in Appendix J.

APPLICANTS MUST IDENTIFY ALL VOLUNTARY RESOURCE CONTRIBUTIONS used to support the project. Describe the source(s) of funds and amount(s). Explain how these funds will be used to support the goals and objectives of this grant program.

The voluntary contributions may not include federal funds received from another agency nor may grant funds be used to pay consultants who are federal employees, or federally funded state employees such as OSHA 21(d) consultants or 23(g) compliance officers.

INDIRECT OR 10 PERCENT DE MINIMIS COSTS ALLOCATED TO THE BUDGET require appropriate supporting documentation. Applicants must submit a current copy of their approved negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (ICRA) with their application. The effective dates in the ICRA must cover the entire grant performance period.

Applicants without an approved ICRA, and who have never had an ICRA, may add a 10 percent de minimis rate to their budget based on their Modified Total Direct Costs

(MTDC) as described in 2 CFR 200.68 and 2 CFR 200.414. If allocating a 10 percent de minimis rate to their budget, applicants must provide their method for identifying and calculating the MTDC. All indirect or 10 percent de minimis costs are administrative costs for this grant.

THIS PROGRAM REQUIRES EVIDENCE OF AN ORGANIZATION’S NON-PROFIT STATUS.

An institution of higher education supported by a state or local government is exempt.

Applicants must attach a legible copy of one of the following documents:

• Internal Revenue Service letter recognizing the applicant as tax exempt under the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3);

• State taxing body or Secretary of State letter certifying that the organization is a nonprofit organization operating within the state and that no part of its net earnings benefits any private shareholder or individual;

• Certified copy of the applicant’s certificate of incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes the nonprofit status of the applicant;

• Parent (state or national) organization’s proof of non-profit status listed above, and a statement from the parent organization that the applicant is a local nonprofit affiliate; or

• Comparable documentation to that listed above supporting the non-profit status for Indian tribes and other tribal organizations.

D. MEETINGS, REPORTING, AND DOCUMENTATION

Grantees must participate in OSHA meetings and monitoring/observation visits, maintain training documentation, and submit quarterly progress reports.