Solicitation for Grant Applications (SGA) – PY 2006
Questions received in response to SGA/DFA-PY 05-06
Please note that this Question and Answer forum has been provided as
a resource to prospective applicants that have questions about the
required content of the SGA or about how the SCSEP is programmatically
administered. The Department will not respond to questions that are
outside of these topics.
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Note: Several SGA timelines have been amended due to FRN 4/7/06 and FRN 4/17/06. Therefore,
Q&As #6, 24, 47, 50, 51, 52, 54, and 60 have been revised.
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I am considering proposing operations in a number of different areas
and I am wondering which of the incumbent grantees are operating in
those areas. How can I get this information?
Response:
This information will be available on the SCSEP web site page
Solicitation for Grant Applications (SGA) – PY 2006.
The Other Resources section includes SCSEP 2005 Equitable
Distribution of State and National Authorized Positions. This file
includes a series of State charts that list counties and grantees
currently operating in those counties.
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Can State Agencies apply for the national funds
through this SGA?
Response:
No. State agencies are not eligible applicants.
The Older Americans Act specifically defines that there should be
an allocation for National Grantees and an allocation for State Grantees.
This SGA is for national non- profit organizations and not State agencies
which receive a non-competitive allocation.
- Am I to submit my grant application on a state by state basis
with a county by county count of the positions (I am assuming this defines
the number of candidates to be placed into the workforce)?
Response:
Yes. Respondents are to submit grant applications on a state-by-state
basis with a county-by-county count of the positions. However,
the authorized positions are not defined as the number of “
candidates” to be placed into the workforce, but rather "
slots" or authorized positions that are occupied by persons
who are placed in community service activities before eventually being
transitioned to unsubsidized employment. Thus, grantees are expected
to serve more participants each year than the number of authorized
positions.
The bidding-by-spreadsheet process is fairly simple.
Just open the spreadsheet and follow the instructions at the
top of the sheet. When completed, submit the spreadsheet
as instructed.
- In order to comply with the SGA requirement at Section IV,
F each applicant must submit a copy of the technical proposal and
the SF 424 to the Governor of each state where it intends to
operate. Does the applicant have to submit the entire
proposal (including the narrative technical proposal of possibly
45 pages) to the governor?
Response:
You do not have to submit the entire proposal
to each Governor in each State that your organization plans to
serve. However, you are required to submit the following
documentation to each potentially affected Governor: 1) the
entire narrative technical proposal or an executive summary
thereof; 2) a copy of the SF-424; and 3) a list of the
locations you propose to serve in the individual State,
as an attachment to the SF-424.
- What happens if all the national slots in a state are not applied for or won
by a national applicant?
Response:
In accordance with the requirements of the Older Americans Act Amendments of 2000,
approximately 78% of the SCSEP appropriation must be reserved for national grants.
As indicated in the SGA, the Department reserves the right to negotiate with successful
applicants on the final service areas. Accordingly, if no applicant applies for all the
national slots in a state or states, or if no suitable applicants apply for such slots, the
Department will negotiate with successful applicants concerning the distribution of these slots.
- Will we be able to print out the presentation following the webinar?
Response:
The PowerPoint presentation used in the webinar is available for printing and downloading
at the SCSEP/SGA website at
www.doleta.gov/seniors/sga/sga.cfm.
Note: The PowerPoint presentation used in the Bidders Conference Webinar has been revised
per SGA Amendments of 4/7/06 and 4/17/06.
- Does the budget for multiple state applications need to identify any line items by state, or can
the budget for each of the states be lumped together into one master budget?
Response:
The budget form of reference is the SF- 424A. Multiple state applications can be lumped together
as one master budget on that form. However, applicants may find it necessary or appropriate
to list separate operations on the detailed cost breakout for each of the states in which they
propose to operate. Nevertheless, applicants should not list separate operations by state
on the master budget; nor is it appropriate for applicants to submit a separate budget for every
state in which it proposes to operate.
- Regarding worker’s compensation, please explain what is meant by “successful applicants may want to consider grouping resources under an umbrella insurance plan.” Would the department initiate this [umbrella insurance plan]?
Response:
No. The Department is in no position to initiate an umbrella workers’ compensation
insurance plan for an applicant. As required at 20 CFR 641.565(b)(iii), grantees must have
worker’s compensation coverage for SCSEP participants. An applicant or grantee may
choose to obtain workers’ compensation coverage for its SCSEP participant through an umbrella
insurance policy, but such coverage would not be initiated through the Department.
- Will the Grant Officer consider special needs populations which would include individuals returning from incarceration 55 years and older?
Response:
Yes. Plans to serve special needs populations, such as incarcerated individuals, should be
outlined in the technical proposal, program service delivery criterion. The program service
delivery section is the appropriate venue in which an applicant would outline the population that
it proposes to serve and any special populations, such as individuals 55 years or older who are
returning from incarceration.
- How can an applicant obtain a list of sub-grantees to a particular national grantee or a
particular area, for example the
Philadelphia area?
Response:
The Division of Older Worker Programs does not have an updated list of sub-grantees
that serve particular areas. The “SCSEP 2005 Equitable Distribution of State
and National Authorized Positions”, (available in both Microsoft Excel and Adobe .pdf
formats) under Other Resources of the SGA Web page, lists the current national grantee operating
in every county in the nation. This file is located on the
www.doleta.gov/seniors/sga/sga.cfm website.
Please note: This file does not name particular sub-grantees, nor does it list
the number of participants served by sub-grantees of a national grantee. To date,
that information is not yet available.
- Please explain the service level performance requirement.
Response:
The ‘service level performance’ measure differs from the ‘community services provided’ performance measure.
This is the number of participants active at any time during the reporting period divided by the number of authorized positions. The numerator for this measure is cumulative but the denominator is fixed. Therefore the service level is not final until the final performance report of the program year. For example, the overall goal for Program Year 2005 is 160%. That is, a grantee should aim to serve 60% more participants during the year than the number of SCSEP positions it has been granted.
The Department also collects information on community service hours provided as referenced at 20 CFR 641.700(a)(2).
- Can a for-profit organization be an eligible national grantee?
Response:
No.
- Can a for-profit organization be a sub-grantee?
Response:
Yes. Please note that sub-grantees are required to follow all applicable Department rules, regulations, and policy advisories, and are accountable to grantees for the use of funds.
- Do MOUs with WIBS have to be negotiated by the time the grant proposal is submitted?
Response:
No. There would be no purpose in negotiating an MOU if the applicant doesn’t receive a grant. Once the grants are awarded, the national grantees in a state will work with the state to negotiate the MOUs. The application should describe the strategy for ensuring negotiated MOUs, as stated in section V-A.
- Is it required that people coming through the program need to be placed in community or non-profit agencies?
Response:
Yes. All participants must be assigned to community service position. As provided at 20 CFR 641.535(a)(4), grantees are responsible for placing participants in appropriate community service activities at a host agency in the community in which they reside or in a nearby community. Participants will receive work-based training at the host agency which will prepare them for unsubsidized employment and economic self sufficiency.
- If the state or local minimum wage is higher than the Federal minimum wage, do grantees have to spend more than 75% of the total grant on wages and fringes, or does the grantee serve fewer slots?
Response:
No. Less than 75% of the federal award may be spent on wages and fringe benefits for participants. Grantees have some options. For instance, they may elect to have participants work fewer hours to accommodate State or local minimum wages that are higher than the Federal minimum wage. Alternatively, they may supplement the hours worked by leveraging local funds. The Department does not encourage grantees to provide fewer slots under such circumstances, but recognizes that fewer participants can be served under these conditions.
- Is there a wage requirement for the jobs we place seniors into?
Response:
No. However, as stated at 20 CFR 641.565, grantees must ensure that while participants are enrolled in the program, they must be paid the highest applicable minimum wage, Federal, State or local, or the prevailing rate of pay for persons employed in similar public occupations by the same employer.
- Can an applicant include a maximum length of participation in the program for eligible individuals, e.g. 2 years?
Response:
There is no time limit for SCSEP participation. However, as provided at 20 CFR 641.570, a grantee may establish a maximum duration of enrollment in the grant agreement, when authorized by the Department.
- What kinds of community service work programs are eligible?
Response:
Community work-based training assignments must be at appropriate host agencies. As provided at 20 CFR 641.140, a host agency means a public agency or a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, other than a political party, which provides a work site and supervision for one or more participants. A host agency may be a religious organization as long as the projects do not involve the construction, operation or maintenance of any facility used or to be used as a place for religious instruction or worship.
Participants can work in hospitals, senior centers, schools, government agencies and many other community organizations.
- What is the match requirement?
Response:
A non-Federal share, which may be in cash or in-kind, is required.
SCSEP funding will pay for 90% of the cost of a project, but the grantee must contribute the other
10%. This is explained in further detail at 20 CFR 641.809.
Non-Federal match is defined as funds made available through cash expenditures, cash
contributions, and/or in-kind contributions that are used to support allowable federal program
activities. Cash match can be in the form of additional non-Federal funds provided by the grantee
or cash donations by a third party; or cash contributions in the form of additional services to
participants that are provided and paid for by the grantee or by a third party from a non-Federal
source of funds.
- What happens if no one applies for a specific county?
Response:
If no successful applicant applies for a particular county,
the Department, at its discretion, will award that county to a successful national grantee
applicant.
- In the state of Tennessee, the minimum wage is under review. Will we pay the higher
of the wages, Federal and state?
Response:
Yes. As provided at 20 CFR 641.565(a), grantees must pay participants the highest applicable minimum wage: Federal, State, or local, OR the prevailing rate of pay for persons employed in similar public occupations by the same employer. So, if the State minimum wage is higher than the Federal minimum wage, the grantee must pay the participants the State minimum wage.
- If you intend to submit your application by mail, do you still have to go to grants.gov and register, or is this step only necessary if you intend to submit the application electronically?
Response:
The use of grants.gov is only necessary if you intend to submit the application electronically.
- Mr. Stockton said proposals could be hand-delivered, yet the SGA is silent.
Can they be hand delivered?
Response:
The SGA prohibits the submission of applications
by e-mail, telegram, or facsimile. Therefore, the Department will accept hand-delivered
applications provided that they are delivered no later than 4:45 pm Eastern Time on the
closing date, April 17, 2006. May 26, 2006 (per FRN 4/7/06).
- Will the size of the grant request in any way influence the grant award process, assuming that an organization applies for the minimum or above? So, would a higher request be given preference?
Response:
The SGA specifically makes reference to the criteria as the basis for evaluating and ranking applications for potential awards. The criteria do not discriminate on the basis of the size of the grant request; it is the quality of the responses to the criteria that is most important. The Department reserves the right to select applicants out of rank order, if that selection would result in the most effective and appropriate delivery of services.
- Are there bonus or priority points for programs that target older veterans or widows of veterans as part of the service plan?
Response:
No. However, this program is subject to the priority provisions of the Jobs for Veterans Act. As such, it is required that veterans be given priority over other candidates providing they meet the program’s eligibility requirements.
- The SGA requires that you state your staffing patterns and time allocation for tasks to be performed. Can this section be part of the organizational and job description attachments?
Response:
The organizational chart, including staffing plans, is a required attachment. The SGA states that all required attachments must be affixed as separate, clearly identified appendices to the application.
- Is a budget narrative required to accompany the SF 424A?
Response:
Yes. The applicant must provide a concise narrative explanation to support the funding request.
A detailed cost breakout is required for the 424-A. Please see Appendix C "Standard Form 424A Clarifying Instructions" Section F.
- Will all sub-grantees’ budgets be a part of the total grant application?
Response:
The budget line item identified as “contractual” includes the cost of any contract or sub- grant agreement.
- Will multi-state proposals be rated higher than a single state proposal?
Response:
A proposal will be rated based on the applicant’s quality of response to the criteria specified in section V of the SGA, and not on whether it is proposing to provide multi- state or single state services.
- In your response about transition and training costs, you referred to closing costs. Our understanding is that closing costs come at the end of a grant. What closing costs are included in transition costs?
Response:
The closing costs referred to in the SGA are not be confused with closeout activities associated with the post-90 day grant period in which the grantee is required to submit financial reports, performance and other reports to effect closure to the grant. Closing costs referenced in the SGA pertain to activities undertaken by the incumbent regarding the transfer of files and participants to the new successful applicant; the closing of facilities, where applicable; and other related activities such as termination of leases, vendor agreements, disposition of property, etc.
- I represent the New York City Housing Authority. We are defined as a “quasi-governmental public benefit organization.” We have a very large population of residents of age 55, and older, who are low-income and unemployed, who would benefit greatly through this funding. We are not a mayoralty agency, but an independent unit of government; therefore, are we
eligible for this funding opportunity?
Response:
The SGA states that applications for general SCSEP national grant funds will be accepted from public agencies. However, please note that “public agency” is defined as a Federal public agency with the statutory authority to receive other Federal grant funds.
- How should transition costs be submitted? Should they be submitted as a highlighted part of the regular budget or as a separate attachment or separate portion of that attachment?
Response:
Transition costs should be submitted as an integral part of the budget and reflected on the “other” cost category with a narrative explanation.
See Appendix C , Standard Form 424-A Clarifying Instructions for additional instructions.
- Can a non-national organization with portions of its service delivery area located in two or more states satisfy the eligibility requirements?
Response:
Yes. The eligibility requirements can be satisfied if the organization is capable of administering a multi-state project and satisfies all other eligibility requirements.
- If utilizing a consortium, do all members of a consortium need to be capable of
operating in more than one state?
Response:
Yes. The SGA specifically states that each member
of the consortium must meet all eligibility and responsibility tests.
- The SGA requires that an applicant be capable of operating in more than one state but
does not preclude the applicant from applying in only one state. What is the definition of
"being capable?"
Response:
The SCSEP regulations require that to be eligible to apply as a national grantee, the applicant must be capable of administering a multi-state program, even if the applicant only applies to serve participants in one state. The applicant must have the administrative, financial and technical capabilities to function as a grantee in more than one state. This does not necessarily mean the applicant must be an interstate entity or must be operating interstate programs, but it must demonstrate qualities that exhibit a sufficient level of administrative competence and organizational sophistication to operate a multi-state program. The applicant cannot be prohibited, either under state law or its own charter, from operating in more than one state.
- What kinds of jobs or positions does SCSEP aim to provide to seniors?
Response:
Participants are placed in appropriate community service work-based training assignments at host agencies. These positions provide training specific to the community service assignment. The assignments can be in areas such as health care, day care, libraries, recreation, conservation, etc. The jobs may be teacher aides, conservation aides, clerks, handymen or other occupations. As a result of the on-the-job training, coupled with supplemental specialized training they receive, participants are prepared to obtain unsubsidized employment which will foster their economic self-sufficiency.
- If we are funded, will our local workforce development board monitor our program? Which one,
Memphis or Nashville office?
Response:
No. Your Local Workforce Investment Act Board will not monitor you, since it is not your funding
agency. The Department of Labor will be responsible for monitoring your grant.
- Re: Performance Measure -- Most in Need: I note that the description in
the SGA does not state the requirement for being age 60+; it only says "individuals who
qualify as having the greatest need.” Has there been any change in this performance
measure?
Response:
The measure has not changed. Most-in-need participants are 60 or over and have one or more of the specified barriers to employment.
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Maine has a reporting system that is used for WIA programs, and ties into the WIASARD program. Will this be an acceptable alternative to SPARQ?
Response:
Your system may be an acceptable alternative to SPARQ but additional guidance will be provided to successful applicants. Alternative systems must meet three basic criteria: the ability to collect and report all required data elements on spreadsheets; the ability to successfully submit those spreadsheets to SPARQ in a timely prescribed manner; and the ability to correct errors to meet data quality standards.
The applicant need only indicate its intention to use SPARQ directly or an alternative method for uploading information into SPARQ. The adequacy of its alternative will be determined if the applicant is awarded a grant.
- If our organization receives the grant, please describe how we will be required to document
the 10% in-kind or cash match.
Response:
The documentation of the non-Federal share is similar to the procedures for the
Federal share. Verifiable records need to be maintained and the source of the funding of
the cash or in-kind contribution documented. Applicants are advised to review 20 CFR 95.23
for information on cost sharing or matching. The provision of the non-Federal share is reported
on the SF 269 on a quarterly basis and is subject to the same audit as the Federal share.
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Subsection 2 of Section V. Application Review Information refers to Reporting Systems and states that "the applicant must describe how Enterprise Business Support System (EBSS) will be used.” What is EBSS and how do we find out about it?
Response:
The EBSS is the structure that contains and manages access to all financial and performance reporting for ETA programs. Among other purposes grantees will use it to report SCSEP financial and program information. Successful applicants will learn how to access EBSS and receive passwords at the appropriate time.
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Does SCSEP fall under the common performance measures?
Response:
SCSEP grantees must report on the three common measures—i.e., entered employment, retention in employment and average earnings. The SCSEP reporting system captures all the data needed for the common measures, which are then computed by the SPARQ system.
The performance measures currently subject to sanctions are: SCSEP placement rate, service level rate, service to most in need and retention in employment.
- Will errors in the Equitable Distribution (ED) Report be corrected?
Response:
The Department of Labor will make every effort to correct any errors in the ED Report or other charts if they are identified.
- Our state has several counties that currently have no national grantee slots and are
either equitably served or are underserved by one (reflected on current ED chart). The SGA
chart now shows authorized national grantee positions for these counties and in one case assigns
additional national slots that result in exceeding the equitable share for the jurisdiction.
Please explain the rationale.
Response:
A posting prior to 2/17/2006 contained some technical problems that have
now been addressed and may have caused the situation you noted.
In developing these charts, the intent was to balance the desire for equitable
distribution with the reality of how authorized positions are distributed at this
point in time. The county authorized position numbers are meant to be taken as a
general guide to help potential grantees put together a service area of contiguous
counties that meets the requirements of the SGA. Successful applicants will be assigned
positions and service areas that reflect final authorized position numbers based on the
2006 SCSEP appropriation, and in consultation with the relevant state grantees.
- For new applicants who are awarded grant funds, how will DOL assist in assuring participants are transitioned without being recertified? This occurred in the last RFP.
Response:
Transition will occur in accordance with section VII of the SGA, which states that the Department is responsible for providing technical assistance, including participant and host agency data. The Department expects that the incumbent grantee will transfer participant files promptly to the new provider. Existing participants may be transferred without recertification.
Recertification will be required within one year of the last income certification.
- How will we be able to determine how many transition participants there will be
in our State on
July 1? (October 1, 2006– Transition date per FRN 4/17/06)
Response:
Once the PY 2006 national grantees have been chosen, the actual process of transition of participants will begin among grantees. At that point, the Department will also have a more accurate picture of which grantees will be operating in specific locations. Through communication with the Governors' offices, as well as the assistance of the Department, grantees will be better able to determine how many participants will have to transition from one grantee to another.
- Should State Units on Aging (SUAs) be invited to attend the national 2006 Orientation and Training Conference to ensure national grantees and SUAs are aware of all requirements and to initiate collaboration and coordination as required under VIII. F?
Response:
The Orientation and Training Conference is intended to give all PY 2006 national grantees valuable programmatic information. The Department believes this is a good suggestion, and will try to include selected State staff on the agenda for the new orientation.
- If a sponsor utilizes program participants as staff and the sponsor would like to
implement a 2-year duration limit for program participation, would these participant
staff persons also have to exit the program at the end of the 2-year program also or
could they be “grand fathered” or otherwise kept on the program?
Response:
As provided at 20 CFR 641.570, grantees are permitted to implement a
maximum duration limit for participant, when authorized by the Department. Grantees
must apply the same maximum duration limit for all program participants regardless of the
site of the work-based community service assignment. Further, if there is such a time
limit established the grantee must provide for a system to transition participants to
unsubsidized employment or other assistance before the maximum enrollment duration has
expired.
- Regarding the “right of first refusal” for current participants
– the SGA states that current participants may remain in the program under the same conditions
in which they are found…Thus, if participants currently receive more than minimum wage and/or
if they receive fringe benefits such as holidays, would they need to continue these for the duration
of their enrollment? And if they are participant staff, does the new sponsor need to keep them as
participant staff?
Response:
The “right of first refusal” is intended to give current participants the first
opportunity to continue in an authorized position for a minimum of 90 days,
in the same geographic area and at the same host agency, but under a new grantee’s
administration. Right of first refusal requires a new grantee to continue paying
current participants the same wages and fringe benefits that he or she was earning before
the transition. The 90 day period for the participant’s rights of first refusal
will begin on August 1, 2006 (FRN 4/17/06 ).
For example, if a participant earned $6.15 hour and was paid time-off for national holidays,
then that participant would continue earning no less than $6.15 per hour for a minimum of 90
days and receive time-off with pay for
July 4th and Labor Day any grantee-observed holidays that fall within the
90 day transition period. Participants placed in host agencies at the time of
transition would continue working at the same host agency, for the same rate of pay for up to 90
days; however, after 90 days, all participants may be subject to the procedures of the new grantee,
which may include a new rate of pay, a new fringe benefit policy and/or a new host agency.
Participant staff should be offered the opportunity to continue in that role with the new grantee,
to the extent possible; otherwise they must be offered another position for the duration
of the 90 day right of first refusal period.
- Regarding the
April 17 May 26 due date, the SGA states that US Mail/Next Day
submissions must be sent no later than 4:45 p.m. at the place of mailing, two (2) working days
(excluding weekends, etc.) prior to the closing date. Would this mean it should be sent on April
12 or April 13 May 24, 2006?
Response:
See section IV-C of the SGA for rules governing U.S. Postal Mail and Overnight Submissions. The two-day rule specifically applies to applications sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail/Next Day Service received after the closing date but before awards are made. In order for the application to be considered, the postmark must reflect that it was mailed no later than 4:45 p.m.,
April 12 May 24 per FRN 4/7/06.
- Regarding the transition of participants, the SGA as amended by FRN 4/17/06 states that
the Department expects the transition period to take place from
June 1 – June 30,
2006 August 1 – September 30, 2006. It further states that the Department will provide
pre-award cost approval. Does this mean that a new sponsor may begin using this cost approval
June 1 August 1?
Response:
The Department will strive to ensure a seamless pre-award transition for new and incumbent grantees
by providing technical assistance, participant and host agency data, and pre-award cost approval.
If awarded a grant, national grantees will be allowed to draw-down for transition and start-up costs
as early as June 1 August 1, 2006. The Department will also
convene a national Orientation and Training conference to inform all national grantees about program
administration, management, SCSEP policies, and transition procedures. The planned date for this
conference is mid-June early August.
See additional Q&As, beginning with #105, for details on budget implications of revised SGA dates.
- What existing participant paperwork will be made available from USDOL and/or the
existing sponsor e.g. IEP, host site info, income eligibility info?
Response:
The Department does not maintain this information. Successful applicants will work
with incumbent national and state grantees in the transition process. In addition,
as provided in section VIII, E of the SGA, the Department will support the transition by
providing technical assistance, and facilitating the transfer of participant and host agency
data.
- Regarding recertification, if a participant is enrolled 4/1/06 and is transferred to a
new sponsor
7/1/06 10/1/06, would recertification be due 4/1/07 or 7/1/07
10/1/06.
Response:
A participant’s date for recertification will not be affected by this SGA. If a participant’s last recertification was 04/01/2006, that participant’s next recertification date must occur on
or before 04/01/2007. However, grantees may choose to recertify participants more frequently
than once every twelve months.
- “Are we required to establish an indirect cost rate if all our funding
operates under the US Department of Labor (USDOL)? We currently have two grants from
USDOL. One is a work incentive grant (ETA) and the other is a Customized Employment Project
(OEDP).”
Response:
Yes, the organization needs an indirect cost rate approved by USDOL. Even though all funding is from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), it receives funding
from more than one DOL program. Accordingly, an allocation methodology would need
to be approved to properly determine the distribution of the common costs (overhead salaries
and benefits, personnel administration, accounting, indirect rent, supplies, travel, etc.) that this organization generates. OMB Circular A-122 (cost principles applicable
to non- profits) supports the allocation of indirect costs through the simplified,
direct, or multiple allocation methods. More details are available in the Circular:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/a122/a122_2004.html
- Are there any special rules for placements in new industries, such as geospatial
technology?
Response:
There are no special rules or conditions for participant placements in new industries, such as
geospatial technology. However, the Department encourages applicants to develop partnerships
with One-Stop Career Centers and community college programs that promote employment through high
growth job opportunities. In addition, applicants must describe how they plan to place
participants in high growth jobs according to local labor market data (see Section V-A-4, Unsubsidized
Employment).
- Should SCSEP participants be co-enrolled in WIA Adult programs
Response:
SCSEP participants are not required to be co-enrolled in WIA Adult Services, although successful applicants must establish partnerships and memoranda of understanding with local Workforce Investment Boards.
- Are nurse aides, teacher aides, library aides and delivering meals on wheels considered
high growth industries? How do we provide high growth industry positions for part-time,
low-income high need individuals?
Response:
Positions such as teacher aides, library aides, and delivering meals on wheels are not considered
high growth industries, but may be high growth occupations in some local labor markets.
Organizations that are awarded grants are expected to devise strategies and strive toward placing
low-income seniors in high growth occupations. The community service assignments offer participants
an opportunity to learn many transferable skills leading to other opportunities. In order to
develop the skills needed to compete for vacancies in emerging high growth industries, the Department
recommends that grantees expand partnerships with One-Stop Career Centers, community colleges and
institutions for continuing education. Grantees should also collaborate with regional business
and industry councils to identify needed skills in high growth occupations and establish relationships
with employers in high growth industries.
- Will DOL award slots to Applicant "A" that do not meet the minimum state slot
requirement that was a direct result of DOL's awarding Applicant "B" a cluster that took/stole
one or more counties that were in Applicant "A's" original cluster bid?
Example: County #1 in FL is 270 slots. To get the 10% in FL, Applicant "A"
needs 353 slots in a cluster. So if Applicant "A" bids for County #2 (all 178 slots)
in order to meet the 353 minimum cluster and Applicant "B" is awarded County #2 (all 178)
as part of their separate cluster that does not include County #1, will Applicant A also then lose
County #1 as well since Applicant "A" does not now meet the 353 minimum cluster?
Response:
The Department may award grants to two applicants in adjacent
county clusters with each cluster being less than the minimum funding
requirement. The Department also reserves the right to award
grants to more than one applicant per county, and anticipates multiple
awards in large counties that exceed 10 percent of state funding for
that state. The Department will negotiate with successful
applicants on the final service areas, and therefore, may award a grant
to only one applicant or a combination of applicants per county.
- With the requirements that grantees must apply for all slots in a county, the State Unit
on Aging (SUA) is concerned that a tribal or API grantee could eliminate a well-administered,
non-minority grantee in a specific county. How will DOL address this situation?
Response:
Applications will be ranked based on the point scoring system and the rating criteria format specified in Section V of the SGA. Scores assigned by the grantee review panels will be the primary basis for identifying potential grantees. Nevertheless, as specified in the SGA Summary, at least one Indian organization and at least one Asian Pacific Islander organization will receive an award through this SGA. However, any SCSEP grantee serving an area is expected to serve the eligible population of that area.
The Department does not necessarily intend to eliminate non-minority applicants in a specific county by accommodating Indian and Asian Pacific Islander organizations. However, through this SGA, the Department reserves the right to select applicants out of rank order if such a selection would result in the most effective and appropriate service coverage. That Section states that the Department shall reserve sums for national grants with public and nonprofit Indian and Asian American aging organizations with the ability to provide employment to older Pacific Island and Asian Americans.
- Why did the Department change the “bidders” appendix K in the SGA on March 17?
Response:
The Department wants to provide the best possible information to applicants.
Unfortunately, the first version of Appendix K, which provides the location of current national
sponsor positions, was incorrect. We replaced it with a more accurate and current version so
that applicants could bid on areas where participants are located.
- The March 17 revised bid sheet (Appendix K) now shows numerous counties with zero national slots, making the contiguous county requirement difficult or even impossible in some instances. For example,
El Paso County, Texas is now an isolated island. There are similar situations south and west of Houston and on the southwestern coast of Florida. Should we treat these zero counties like water and put them on our bid sheet to show we are maintaining a contiguous stream of counties despite the fact that one or more counties in that stream have zero national slots available? Can the counties with zero national slots be overlooked so an applicant can plan to serve contiguous counties around them?
Response:
Applicants are responsible for clearly explaining which counties they are bidding on
or using to meet the contiguous county requirement. If it is necessary to take a county with
zero national positions into consideration in order to satisfy the contiguous county requirement,
the Department suggests that applicants “bid” on these counties by entering “0”
for the counties on their Appendix K bid sheet.
- Can the wage budget (75%) pay for supportive services such as reimbursing the
participant’s transportation cost to and from the training site?
Response:
No, that would not be an appropriate charge to this cost category. Enrollee wages and fringe
benefits do not include transportation costs, which are allowable as participant supportive services
under 20 CFR 641.545 and 641.864.
- How do DOL’s rating criteria give consideration to national grantees that are
serving in urban counties versus those who are serving in mostly rural communities in comparing
performance and cost per participant?
Response:
With reference to the Program Service Delivery criterion in section V.A. 4 of the SGA, applicants
applying to serve in mostly rural areas or mostly urban areas will not be
disadvantaged in the competition. Applicants should be prepared to deliver services to diverse
populations as well as diverse geographic areas rather than specializing in a particular type
of area. In the past, some grantees attempted to focus their programs on economically viable areas
while ignoring other more depressed areas.
The SGA reserves the Department’s right to configure service areas, and applicants should
be prepared to serve rural, urban and mixed areas. Our interest is in assuring an equitable
distribution of positions throughout the State in all areas. Part of the reason for the SGA
requirement of contiguous counties is that grantees will be given clusters which contain urban,
rural and mixed areas.
- How do DOL’s rating criteria give consideration to national grantees that are
proposing to serve in states with highest minimum wage versus those who are serving in states
with the Federal minimum wage? Are the costs per participant the same?
Response:
With reference to Program and Grant Management Systems criterion in section V.A. 2 of the SGA,
applicants applying to serve in states with a higher minimum wage will not be disadvantaged in the
competition. The standard cost per authorized position, $7,153, will be the same for all participants
in all states but its use is primarily for planning and budgeting purposes.
- Can you publish a list of what organizations participated in the Bidders Conference
Webinar on Tuesday, March 14, 2006?
Response:
Since we did not request organizational affiliation information from the participants, it is not
possible for us to publish a list of organizations participating.
- Please explain the agencies that may not apply once more.
Response:
See Questions #2 and #12.
- Can an applicant apply as a sole applicant as well as a participant in a collaborative proposal?
Response:
Yes. There is nothing in the SGA that prohibits this.
- Must the non-profit operate nationally, or can it be a local nonprofit under a national umbrella?
Response:
Any local non-profit must be capable of operating in more than one state,
even if it chooses to apply to serve one state only. See Question #36 for
a definition of “being capable.” The local non-profit should
use this definition to assess its eligibility to compete for funds under
this SGA.
- Several people have asked if their specific situation made them eligible to apply for
a national SCSEP grant, specifically if they meet the requirement that they be capable of
serving more than one state.
Response:
A basic requirement is that an applicant be capable of serving in more
than one state, even if the applicant chooses to apply for positions in
only one state. The answer in Question #36 on the definition on “
being capable” should be used by a potential applicant to determine
if it meets the criteria.
- Why is it necessary for an applicant to be capable of administering programs in multiple states?
Response:
This requirement is in the SCSEP regulations at 20CFR 641.400(a) –
based on the statute governing Title V of the Older Americans Act.
- Can we use counties in a tri-state area?
Response:
We assume that the question is asked to determine if the applicant
meets the requirement of serving the minimum level for positions in
contiguous counties. All eligibility requirements must be met for
each state in which the applicant seeks to provide
services. These requirements state that the applicant bid for the minimum
level of funding ($1.6M or 10% of the national funding in the state,
whichever is higher). To reach that funding minimum, all positions in a
county must be bid for and all counties bid for must be contiguous.
- Can a network apply (individual organizations who have formally formed a network) if the network meets all the requirements?
Response:
There is a definition of a consortium found in the SGA in section III
(4) that addresses this question. Entities (e.g., a group of individual
organizations formally affiliated in a “network”) may apply as
a consortium, but each member of the consortium must meet all the
eligibility and responsibility tests. The entities are also jointly and
severally liable for meeting all requirements for administering this
Federally-funded program.
- Please elaborate on the definition of “contiguous” in the requirement to bid
for positions in “contiguous counties” to meet the minimum number required.
Response:
The phrase “contiguous counties” means that each county must touch at least one other
county within the state to be considered contiguous. In the few instances of counties within a state
that are separated by water (e.g., Duke and Nantucket off the coast of Massachusetts, Accomack and
Northampton in Virginia, Anne Arundel and Kent in Maryland, the upper and lower peninsular in Michigan),
an applicant can choose counties to meet the minimum number required as if the water did
not exist.
- We currently serve NY and NJ. Does this meet the requirement of operating in more than
one state?
Response:
Yes. See the definition of “being capable” in Question #36
above to more fully assess your eligibility to apply.
- How does a state demonstrate a capacity to serve in more than one state if it is not
required to bid for positions in more than one state?
Response:
See the definition of “being capable” in Question #36 above.
- Is a local WIB that operates in one state only, along with selected non-profit
agency partners, eligible to apply for these funds?
Response:
See the definition of “being capable” in Question #36 above. In addition, see the
requirements in the SGA in Section III (4) for applying as a consortium.
- When the SGA says that eligible entities include any agency that has the ability to operate in more than one state, does that mean the agency must be prepared to offer services in multiple states or simply be able to demonstrate that it could have multi-state capacity?
Response:
An applicant must be capable of operating in more than one state, even if
it chooses to apply to provide services in only one state. See the
definition of “being capable” in Question #36 above.
- Will DOL allow optional attachments of supporting data,
over and above the 45 page limit, with the proviso that the grading
groups do not have to use them, but if submitted, it will not prejudice
the rating?
Response:
If an applicant submits additional material over and above the 45
page limit and required attachments, the additional material will not
be considered by the review panels. Merely submitting additional material
will not, in and of itself, disqualify the applicant.
- Does a cover page, Executive Summary, or Table of Contents count in the 45 page limit
for the narrative?
Response:
No. Neither a cover page, an Executive Summary, or Table of Contents is
required by the SGA. However, an applicant may choose to provide any of
these, and they would not count as part of the 45 page narrative limit.
Note Question #4, which permits an executive summary as an option for
required submissions to Governors.
- If an applicant chooses to use some of the 45 pages allotted for the narrative for "optional attachments" and those attachments are already formatted and do not meet the formatting requirements on page 10802, must they be changed? Some are existing manuals or pieces of existing manuals and spreadsheets that may be inserted as part of the 45 pages to validate written statements in the body of the submission.
Response:
The formatting requirements, e.g., spacing, apply to the narrative portion and not to the attachments.
- Question 50 on the web page states that we must continue wages and fringes for 90 days. What if we don't currently offer that fringe-e.g., health? How do we contract for health care or create a sick time policy that differs from ours given the need for all of this to be integrated into payroll.
Response:
You will be expected to follow the holiday and sick time benefits of the participant's former grantee through the 90 day transition period. No national grantee is currently offering health benefits.
- Please elaborate on the definition of "national nonprofit." Must the nonprofit operate nationally, or can it ban a local nonprofit under a national umbrella?
Response:
Any local nonprofit must be capable of operating in more that one state, even if it chooses to apply to serve one state only. See Question #36 for a definition of "being capable." The local nonprofit should use this guidance to assess its eligibility to compete for funds under this SGA.
- When will year-one awardees be notified of second year award?
Response:
The normal grant cycle calls for grantees to be advised in April of the procedures for the upcoming program year.
- If we receive the grant and serve the transition participants, will they count toward our participant goals, i.e., total number served?
Response:
Yes.
- Are applicants required to state their proposed goals for each performance measure?
Response:
No. That is not a requirement of the SGA.
- In a four-year apprenticeship program, will participants satisfy the grant service requirements?
Response:
As we understand the question, the answer would be "No." All participants must be initially assigned to community service positions in a public agency or private nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Generally, apprenticeship programs are with individual private for profit employers or groups of such employers and, as such, would not qualify as host agencies.
- Southern New Jersey is a rural area. Cumberland County consists of 3 cities. Is it necessary to work in (with) another county?
Response:
If we understand your question properly, the answer is "Yes." In each state, applicants
must apply for whichever is greater: $1.6 million or a minimum of 10% of the national
funds in the state. According to our current Equitable Distribution Report, Cumberland
County only has 34 of 1,349 authorized positions for national grantees in the state. At an
estimated $7,153 per position, those 34 positions would only amount to $243,202. That would not meet the minimum level for an application. Therefore, the applicant would have to work with enough counties to meet the minimum threshold.
- If an applicant fulfills the state minimum slot count all in a metropolitan area, and does not take any contiguous "rural" slots outside of that metropolitan area, will that prejudice the decision on this cluster?
Response:
The Grant Officer's technical panel will review grant applications solely against the criteria listed in Section V of the SGA. Each application will be ranked on its merit, and not its proposed geographic areas of operation. Applicants are permitted to bid for select areas, (e.g., metropolitan clusters), but each cluster must meet the minimum funding requirements for that state. Applications will be ranked based on the scores assigned by the review panels; ranked applications will become the basis for identifying potential grantees.
- I have a Planning District. We have 10+ neighborhoods, which are administered by senior citizens. The neighborhoods are learning to complete development government programs. Can I use this Grant to help these neighborhoods gain knowledge, set-up offices, and maintain their development plans?
Response:
The purpose of SCSEP is to promote part-time work-based training opportunities in local communities for unemployed, low-income individuals who are age 55 and over, and to increase their prospect for economic self-sufficiency. Each SCSEP participant must have a paid work-based community assignment with a host agency that will assist the participant in developing the targeted skills and training specified in that participant's IEP (Individualized Employment Plan).
Applicants for funding through this grant must meet all eligibility and minimum bid requirements (see SGA itself and Question #36). However, your neighborhood agency could well be an appropriate host agency for SCSEP participants through a state or national grantee.
- How will State Units on Aging (SUAs) monitor as well as have time to submit comments under
requirement IV.F. which requires that applicants MUST submit applications to governors? What can
we expect from DOL on guidance to applicants and SUAs?
Response:
An applicant must submit a copy of the technical proposal and the SF-424 to the Governor in each state
that it proposes to serve. However, Governors are not required to provide comments to applicants.
Therefore, an applicant should not wait for communication from the Governor before submitting its
application to the Department.
The Department will welcome comments from Governors. The Grant Officer will consider such comments
when making final decisions concerning the distribution of service areas among successful
applicants.
- Please provide examples of allowable costs for the Other Program Costs category. Does that include staff, equipment, supportive services, etc.?
Response:
An explanation of “Other Program Costs” is found at 20 CFR 641.864 of the SCSEP
regulations. The explanation includes costs such as enrollee wages and fringe benefits and costs
associated with program participants including the staff costs for counseling, job referral and
training.
However, please be advised that for budget purposes (including the 424A) and reporting, enrollee
wages and fringe benefits are treated separately in a single cost category. The costs for participant
training, tools, counseling, job referral and job development are called “Other Participant
Costs.” They are included in another separate cost category.
- What are the guidelines and minimum funding requirements for those organizations
seeking to serve Asian and American Indian participants (i.e., areas to serve and minimum amounts
required to bid for)?
Response:
The SGA amendments published in the Federal Register on April 17, 2006 clarify the minimum funding
requirements and bid guidelines for organizations applying under the “I” or
“AP” categories to serve American Indians or Asian Pacific Islanders. Eligible
organizations applying in the “I” or “AP” categories do not have to
meet the state funding minimums, or the requirements to serve contiguous counties and all
the positions in those counties. However, any organization, including those serving Indians
or Asian Pacific Islanders, that wishes to also apply in the “G’” category
must meet all the minimum bid requirements.
- Does the application have to be shared with the State agency operated SCSEP programs,
and if so, when? What is the responsibility of the state agency SCSEP program in the USDOL
approval process?
Response:
No. The requirement is to send to the governor for his/her disposition. See Question #4.
- Do we have to have evidence of submissions to Governors, such as a certified mail receipt?
Response:
No.
- Are transition and training costs listed on one line on the 424A detail or is it two separate lines?
Response:
Transition Costs and Training Costs should be included in the Budget. On the 424A, Training Costs
could be listed in total as a line item in “Other,” or the travel portion could be
broken out and listed in the line item “Travel.” The applicant can make this
determination. Transition Costs, on the other hand, should only be listed as a line
item of “Other.” Depending on the applicant, both items could be listed
in either the local administrative or headquarters administrative column or a combination thereof.
In addition, the costs for each should be broken out in the Detailed Cost Breakout attachment.
- In responding to the SGA, may applicants reference the information contained in the
Older Americans Act and regulations when preparing a response, rather than specifying in total
the information contained therein? For example, in the description of priorities for
enrollment, the regulations are very specific and detailed. May applicants reference
those priorities and indicate they will follow those priorities for enrollment, or should the
entire description as specified in the regulations be included in the body of the response.
Response:
Applicants may reference the information contained in the Older Americans Act and the SCSEP Final
Rule when preparing a response to the SGA. It is not necessary to specify in total the
information contained in the statute and the regulations. However, Section 5, Evaluation
Criteria, reinforces that applicants should do more than reiterate the requirement statement or
merely state how it will be accomplished. The applicant should demonstrate a strategic vision
for how these requirements (e.g., description of priorities for enrollment) will be achieved.
- IV B.I.(b) For list of government grants, does DOL want the latest full
performance periods, which in our case would mean grants that ended in 2003-2005? Or
should we provide a list that shows last two full performance period grants, and grants we are
currently operating, those that will end in June 2006 or later (grants operated during
2004-2006)? If the later, we will have incomplete performance data for grants ending
in 2006.
Response:
As provided at Section IV.B.1. (b) of the SGA, applicants are required to submit a list of all
government grants and contracts the applicant and its affiliates have operated in the past 3 years
(i.e. grants that ended 2003-2005); this includes a list of grants and contracts that it is
currently managing (i.e. grants ending in 2006), even if there are incomplete or no performance
data available for these grants.
- Section IV.B.2 (p10803): Please clarify what is meant by the requirement
that applicant budget “sufficient training costs for local staff that may be
required by the Department throughout the program year.” Is DOL planning
training that it will provide to local staff or require the applicant to provide, and
if yes, can DOL offer more details?
Response:
The Department will be providing training to grantees after the awards are made and the new
grant period has begun. The actual schedule and content of such training has not yet
been determined. Some of the training information will be intended for local project
staff. Accordingly, applicants should include an estimated amount for training of key local
staff in its budget submission.
- Does DOL plan to conduct a mandatory Awardees conference? If yes, should we plan
this as part of our budget submittal or does DOL assist with the basic costs of travel and hotel?
Response:
Yes. As noted in Section VIII. F. of the SGA, Transition Roles and Responsibilities,
the Department will be responsible for convening a national SCSEP Program Year 2006 Orientation
and Training Conference to inform all national grantees about program administration and management.
The estimated date of this week-long conference, originally planned for mid-June prior to the
extension of the proposal submission deadline, will now take place in early August.
Applicants should include costs associated with travel and lodging to the conference in their budget
submission.
- How does one find out about current performance of current grantees?
Response:
This information can be found on the SCSEP Web page under “Grantee Information/Performance
Reporting Information.”
- If we are planning to use subgrantees in carrying out the SCSEP project,
do we need to submit detailed budgets for each subgrantee with our application?
Response:
No. See Question #29.
- In meeting the placement performance target, what would be considered an
unsubsidized placement? Could eight hours a month at minimum wages be considered employment?
Response:
SCSEP grantees collect information on both SCSEP specific performance measures and common measures.
Under SCSEP specific measures, which are subject to sanctions, it would not be
considered a placement. The SCSEP specific measure for placement into public or private unsubsidized
employment is defined at 20 CFR 641.140 as meaning: “full or part-time paid employment in the
public or private sector by a participant for 30 days within a 90-day period,
without using Federal funds.
The common measures apply to all Department-funded employment and job training programs,
including SCSEP. The common measures’ “entry into employment measure”
is based on any employment in the first quarter after exit. It is defined at 20 CFR 641.715(a)
as: “the percentage employed in the first quarter after program exit.”
- SCSEP has an OJE feature to allow the participant to get job related training with an employer
before permanent hiring. Without going through the route of an OJE, could a participant try
out a temporary part-time position (less than 15 hours a week) paid for fully by the employer while
doing SCSEP community services training the other 20 hours?
Response:
The purpose of SCSEP is to foster and promote useful part-time opportunities for unemployed low-income
persons 55 years of age or older. Any individual who is employed or gains employment is
ineligible for SCSEP. The only exception for a participant to be employed on a temporary,
part-time, or trial basis is through an OJE. If a participant intentionally or unintentionally
secures employment other than through an OJE, that participant should be terminated from SCSEP.
Note: Several questions have been received seeking guidance and clarification of implications on
budgets, performance goals, and transition since the date changes published in the Federal Register
April 7, 2006 and April 17, 2006 as amendments to the SGA. Because similar questions have come from
multiple sources, the following Q&As #105 through #119 summarize the essential elements of these
questions.
- If my organization has already submitted a proposal that includes a budget for 1 year,
will it still be accepted?
Response:
The application will not be disqualified on this basis. Successful applicants will be allowed to
revise the budget to reflect an 11 month grant period.
- When will successful applicants assume payroll responsibilities for current
participants?
Response:
Successful applicants will be responsible for payroll payment to participants in the positions they
are awarded beginning on October 1, 2006 with the first payroll payment due in the first or second
week of October 2006.
- If I have not yet submitted my application, should I submit a budget for 11 months only?
Response:
Yes. Recalculating the cost per participant for the authorized positions you are bidding for at
11/12th of $7153 is one way an applicant can calculate an 11 month budget. However, the grant
officer will negotiate a final budget with successful applicants.
- How will the performance goals for PY 2006 be determined if the grant period is now
11 months instead of 1 year?
Response:
The PY 2006 performance goals will be developed and negotiated based on the 9 month period in which
new 2006 grantees are fully responsible for services to participants, beginning with the transition
of program participants on October 1, 2006 through the end of the program year.
- What is the performance period for current grantees for PY 2005?
Response:
The PY 2005 performance period for all current national and state grantees has not changed.
It is July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006.
- Will a successful applicant be held accountable for meeting the state performance goals as
required under the statute and regulations?
Response:
Yes. The Department will adjust the performance goals to reflect the October 1, 2006 transition for
each successful National grantee in each state where it operates.
- If a participant changes grantee as a result of the competition, which grantee will get
credit for any placement that happens, especially during the transition period, the former grantee
or the new grantee?
Response:
The SCSEP data collection system will give both grantees credit for the placement.
This is how the system currently works with any participant transfer from one grantee to
another grantee.
- For incumbent grantees, will placements made in July 2006 be counted toward
performance in PY 2005 or PY 2006?
Response:
The data collection system rules for when placements count remain the same. For a participant
who exits in July 2006, any successful placement will be counted in PY 2006.
- Will grants to states be on the same performance period as the new national SCSEP
grants?
Response:
State grants will have a full year performance period in PY 2006. PY 2006 national grantees will have
a nine month performance period beginning on October 1, 2006
- The April 17, 2006 SGA modification states that participants “must be able to continue
community service work-based training with the same host agency for a minimum of 90 days beginning
on August 1, 2006.” What is meant by “minimum” and under what
conditions/circumstances would a participant have a right of refusal that extends beyond the 90-day period beginning August 1, 2006?
Response:
See Question #50 on the right of first refusal. The right of first refusal guarantees that a
participant can remain in the same host agency under the same conditions for at least 90 days following
August 1, 2006. Assignments of participants at the end of the 90 day period will be subject to usual program
operating procedures of the new grantee.
- How will the 90 day “right of refusal period” affect a participant who
occupies a project administrative staff position with their current grantee? For example, if a new
grantee takes over a project on October 1, 2006 would this result
in the current grantee and host agency assignment ending on September 30, 2006?
Response:
Specific individual circumstances will be addressed by the old and new grantees during the
August-September timeframe. If the situation set forth in the example occurs, ETA will work with the
transitioning grantees to find a workable solution. In that case the participant will be offered a
new position, possibly as a participant staff aide with the new grantee. See Question #50 on the
right of first refusal.
- Is it the intent of the SGA to prohibit transfers by a current grantee which are called
for in the current grantee policy, by the participant’s IEP, or by overwhelming problems between
the host agency and the participant?
Response:
Specific extreme or extenuating circumstances for a particular participant will be examined on a
case-by-case basis during the transition period. If situations such as those described above
occur, ETA will work with the transitioning grantees to find a workable solution. See Question #50 on
the right of first refusal.
- At the end of the 90 day right of first refusal period that begins August 1, 2006,
can “transitioned” participants be transferred to a new host agency by a new grantee after
only 30 days with the new grantee?
Response:
Yes. The participants’ right of first refusal applies during the transition period and
through October 31, 2006. See response to Question #50.
- How will DOL assure the continued operation of local projects during the transition
period if there is a change in grantee?
Response:
All current participant slots will be allocated to a successful applicant. As was the case in the 2003
transition of national grantees, the continued operation of participant slots in any area will be the
subject of consultation with the affected grantees and the Department during the transition period.
- Will DOL use the additional time generated by the extension of the timeline to collect
information on current sub-grantees to expedite the start-up process for new grantees who may want
to continue to sub-contract the operation of the grant?
Response:
This inquiry relates to issues outside the SGA, therefore cannot be answered in this forum.
SCSEP technical and programmatic questions should be directed to a Federal Project Officer in the
SCSEP office.
- If a sponsor ends up 2nd or 3rd in the state based on the competitive ranking and all
the counties they have applied for have been taken by those who ranked ahead of them, but there are
enough slots in the state to still meet the minimum cluster requirement, will DOL give those counties
to that sponsor despite the fact that they did not apply for them?
Response:
The grant officer may consider the geographic proximity of other grantees, among other factors,
when making final decisions on position assignments for areas that may not have been bid upon by
another winning grantee.
- How will you standardized the grading practices of the 3 separate rating groups to ensure
that one group does not grade harder than the other? And what oversight does DOL intend to
exercise during the grading exercise to ensure standardized rating systems both among the 3
rating groups as well as between the 3 individuals within each rating group?
Response:
Please refer to Section V of the SGA which describes the application review process and rating
criteria.
- Once the grading is done, who will make the actual state-by-state and county-by-county
sponsor assignments—the rating groups or a DOL entity like ETA who has knowledge of the program
operations?
Response:
The Department will assure that all areas currently served continue to be served through the
selection and negotiation processes. The Grant Officer expects to negotiate the final assignments
of slots by mid-July 2006.
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