[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 62 (Wednesday, April 1, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15889-15896]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8494]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
Job Training Partnership Act: Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker
Housing Programs
AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Department of Labor.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of Funds and Solicitation for Grant
Applications.
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SUMMARY: This notice contains all information required to submit a
grant application. The U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and
Training Administration (ETA), announces the availability of $2,460,383
to award competitive grants for projects that assist farmworkers in
seeking and securing temporary or permanent housing. This program is
supported by funds made available pursuant to Title IV, section 402, of
the Job Training Partnership Act.
DATES: Applications for grant awards will be accepted commencing May 1,
1998. The closing date for receipt of applications shall be May 18,
1998, at 2 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) at the address below.
ADDRESSES: Submit an original and four (4) copies of the application
to: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration,
Office of Grants and Contract Management, Division of Acquisition and
Assistance, Room S-4203, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC
20210. ATTN: Ms. Irene Taylor-Pindle, Reference SGA/DAA 98-008.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Irene Taylor-Pindle, Division of Acquisition and Assistance,
Telephone: (202) 219-8702 ext. 114 (this is not a toll-free number).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Solicitation for Grant Applications
(SGA) consists of five parts. Part I provides the background and
objectives of the Farmworker Housing Assistance Program. Part II
identifies allowable housing services. Part III describes the content
of the technical proposal and the selection criteria used in reviewing
proposals. Part IV sets forth the application process. Part V describes
the reporting requirements.
Part I--Background
To meet the problems of agriculture-related underemployment and
unemployment, the Congress has directed the Secretary of Labor to
establish employment and training programs specifically for migrant and
seasonal farmworkers. Under section 402 of the Job Training Partnership
Act (JTPA), the Department of Labor (DOL or the Department) provides
employment, training and supportive services to eligible migrant and
seasonal farmworkers and their families in the conterminous forty-eight
(48) States, the State of Hawaii, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
In accordance with the intent of Congress and JTPA section
402(c)(3), the services include, but are not limited to, classroom
training, on-the-job training, work experience, job search assistance,
counseling, job development, relocation assistance, training-relating
and non-training-related supportive services. Among the services
provided over the years has been farmworker housing assistance.
The Department awarded six grants in Program Year (PY) 1994, for
farmworker housing assistance. Some of the grant recipients have
operated farmworker housing assistance programs, while others have
served chiefly as facilitating
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agents who provide assistance in planning, grantsmanship and management
of housing operations to agencies and organizations chartered to assist
farmworker families with either temporary rental housing or new
construction for permanent residency and ownership.
Many of the organizations funded by the Department of Labor provide
assistance and services to farmworker communities within their service
delivery areas, while others serve farmworker communities confined to
small residential pockets within and extending over large geographical
regions. In some instances, these service areas have extended over
several contiguous States.
In calling for grant applications, the Department is not limiting
or suggesting specific geographic regions as service areas for the
implementation of farmworker housing assistance programs. In making the
award(s), the Department will take into consideration the needs of the
eligible migrant and seasonal farmworkers throughout the conterminous
forty-eight (48) States, the State of Hawaii, and the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico which may result in the award of up to six grants.
The Department will consider applications from regional consortia
or applications that feature subgrant arrangements for specified
geographic regions. Inasmuch as some grant applications may contain
proposed service areas which overlap the service areas of the other
prospective grantees, the Department reserves the right to negotiate
the proposed service area with each prospective grantee in order to
maximize the number of farmworkers to be served.
Organizations are discouraged from competing for more than one
geographic area of the country. Preference will be given to those
organizations demonstrating prior farmworker housing experience within
the proposed service area.
Overall Objectives
As this farmworker housing grant program continues into a new
program year, there will be an increased emphasis on efficiency, cost
effectiveness and measurable outcomes.
Part II--Statement of Work
This Statement of Work sets forth the objectives, general
specifications, and conditions for providing farmworker housing
assistance during the 12-month Program Year 1998 grant period.
The Department recognizes that all of the activities listed below
may not be necessary for a prospective grantee's proposed service area.
Accordingly, prospective grantees should include appropriate
justification for not including particular activities in their
proposals. The desired activities sought under this solicitation should
address all of the following areas:
A. Farmworker Housing Technical Assistance
--Providing technical assistance to agencies or organizations
specifically chartered to provide local assistance to farmworkers
seeking permanent or temporary housing.
--Providing technical assistance and training to agencies and
organizations concerning legislative and regulatory changes affecting
farmworker housing programs, applications and funding.
B. Farmworker Housing Rehabilitation
--Providing assistance either directly to eligible farmworkers or
indirectly to agencies or organizations engaged in the provision of
housing services to farmworkers with regard to housing rehabilitation
through Community Development Block Grants and other applications;
target area identification for program activities; program design for
farmworker housing rehabilitation services; assuring farmworker
community participation; performing environmental reviews prior to
rehabilitation activities; program design and administration.
--Providing assistance with weatherization of farmworker housing;
assisting in either conducting outreach farmworker eligibility
certification or training agencies and organization on ``how to''
engage in the same; providing assistance with actual weatherization,
program administration, client identification, the preweatherization
process involving applications, work writeups, bid process, contract
negotiations, monitoring and fund disbursements.
C. Farmworker Single Family Housing Assistance
--Providing either direct assistance to individuals and communities or
indirect assistance through the provision of technical assistance and
training regarding the following:
1. Preparation of Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) 523
applications for self-help technical assistance grants; securing land
and recruiting eligible farmworker families; developing housing plans,
specifications and cost estimates.
2. Site development, including site identification and acquisition,
engineering selection, preliminary mapping, zoning and planning
reviews, FmHA site review and contractor selection.
3. FmHA 502 Single Family Loans, including outreach and eligibility
determination of farmworkers, loan packaging and filing, training on
the FmHA review process and finally on the loan award and closing.
4. Construction (all aspects), ownership and family accounting; and
local program management.
D. Farmworker Rental Housing Development Assistance
--The provision of assistance either directly to farmworkers or
indirectly through training and technical assistance to agencies and
organizations chartered to assist farmworkers in developing or
obtaining rental housing through FmHA 514, 515 and 516 programs.
--Through the provision of assistance in the following areas related to
rental housing: Sponsor development and incorporation; housing surveys
and market analyses; site identification and property acquisition;
architectural selection; involvement starting pre-application and
continuing through approval; zoning permits acquisition; development of
management plans; advertising for bids on construction through the
loan/mortgage, closing, and rental process.
E. Sewer and Water for Farmworker Housing
--Assisting agencies and organizations engaged in the development and
provision of assistance of farmworkers seeking either temporary or
permanent housing as it applies to water and sewer lines.
--Providing technical assistance in the following associated areas:
Project identification, needs assessment, preliminary applications,
engineering selection, land acquisition, easement, district formation,
design, final applications and letters of conditions, hookup funding,
environmental reviews, bidding and contract negotiations, construction,
grants management, board training, revenue and budget management and
finally operation and maintenance training.
F. Farmworker Housing Counseling
--The grant recipient(s) will engage in training and provide technical
assistance to organizations working with farmworkers, or directly to
farmworkers providing counseling concerning the following issues as
they apply to home ownership: ownership rights and responsibilities,
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effects of mortgage payment delinquency and default, preoccupation,
referrals for other forms of assistance along with foreclosure
assistance.
G. New Housing Program Development
--Will provide training to agencies and/or organizations chartered to
assist farmworkers obtain housing ownership, or directly to farmworkers
with regard to building coalitions that will aid home ownership,
researching resources, developing new farmworker housing programs and
how to network with other farmworker housing organizations and housing
programs for the mutual benefit of all concerned.
In listing these activities, the Department recognizes that all of
the activities may not be necessary for a prospective grantee's
proposed service area. Accordingly, prospective grantees should include
appropriate justification for not including any of these activities in
their proposal.
Part III--Contents of Technical Proposals and Rating Criteria
1. Technical Capability of Contractor
The technical proposal should document the applicant's capacity to
develop a technical approach which accomplishes the objectives
described in the Statement of Work (See Part II, above).
An application submitted by a consortium of farmworker housing
agencies/organizations, or which involves a sub-grantee arrangement,
should detail the arrangements between the parties. Further, the
application must explain how these arrangements will strengthen the
overall technical capabilities of the applicant. Total of 20 Points.
2. Administrative Capability
In reviewing this criterion, the reviewers will consider the
applicant's qualifications in terms of relevant experience, facilities
and other resources. Applicant should describe their experience
providing farmworker housing technical assistance in order to
illustrate their skills and their ability to administer a grant under
the MSFW housing program. An application which is submitted by a
consortium or which involves a sub-grantee arrangement shall describe
how the program components would be linked, administered, and
monitored, and how the applicant would provide oversight and assure
that goals are met. The applicant must document its experience by
providing the Department of Labor with the name(s) and telephone
number(s) of any entity which has awarded funds to the applicant for
the administration of farmworker housing assistance program(s).
Furthermore, the proposal should include a staffing chart which lists
name, qualifications and pertinent experience of each key staff person,
along with amount of time each such staffer would spend on the project
if involved less than full-time. Total of 20 Points.
3. Program Design
In reviewing this criterion, the reviewers will consider the
applicant's description of the following:
(a) The proposed service area, providing the rationale for the
service area proposed (e.g. the State(s) or political subdivision to be
served).
(b) The main problems relating to farmworker housing in the
targeted area(s); how the problems have been identified and how the
proposed activities will address and resolve them.
(c) The housing activities (See Part II, above) that the applicant
plans to undertake, and the rationale for selecting those activities.
The applicant should relate each proposed activity to the problems
affecting farmworkers in the identified geographic areas within the
proposed overall service area.
The applicant shall set measurable (quantifiable) goals for each
activity identified, covering each quarter within the program year
(funding period). The Department will consider this information during
grant negotiations and will incorporate it into the grant award
documents. The applicant should include in this section an itemized
annual budget indicating personnel and all other administrative costs
to be charged to the grant. Proposed expenditures must be consistent
with and fully supported by the proposed housing activities. Total of
50 Points.
4. Linkages & Coordination
In reviewing this criterion, the reviewers will consider the
applicant's description of the following:
Any and all linkages that the applicant (be it a single applicant,
a consortium or an applicant with sub-grantee arrangements) has
established within the identified service area to further the proposed
farmworker housing assistance activities. The applicant should identify
and demonstrate (including letters of support) linkages with farmworker
organizations and JTPA, section 402, employment and training recipients
and effected farmworker communities, and any organizations chartered to
provide services and assistance to farmworks in the designated service
area of the proposed housing assistance program. Additionally, the
applicant should describe how these linkages will benefit the program.
Total of 10 Points.
Applicants are advised that discussions may be necessary in order
to clarify any inconsistencies in their applications, as well as to
negotiate proposed service areas. Applications may be rejected where
the information required is not provided in sufficient detail to permit
adequate assessment of the proposal.
The final decision on the award(s) will be based on what is most
advantageous to the Federal Government as determined by the ETA Grant
Officer. This determination will include an assessment of the need for
farmworker assistance in seeking and securing both temporary and
permanent housing throughout the conterminous forty-eight (48) States,
the State of Hawaii, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Part IV--Application Process
A. Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants for grant funds under this SGA include public
organizations and private nonprofit organizations authorized by their
charters or articles of incorporation to provide housing assistance
services to the migrant and seasonal farmworker community. Entities
described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage
in lobbying activities are not eligible to receive funds under this
SGA. The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, 2 U.S.C. 1601 et seq,
prohibits the award of federal funds to 501(c)(4) entities engaged in
lobbying activities.
B. Application Procedures
(1) Submission of Proposal
All instructions and forms required for submittal of applications
are included in this announcement.
The application package shall consist of two (2) separate and
distinct parts. Part I, The Financial Proposal and Part II, the
Technical Proposal. The Financial Proposal, Part I, shall contain the
SF-424. ``Application for Federal Assistance'' (Attachment No. 1) and
SF424-A, ``Budget'' (Attachment No. 2). The Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance Number is 17.247. The budget shall include on separate
page(s) a cost analysis of the budget, identifying in detail the amount
of each budget line item attributable to each cost category.
The technical proposal, Part II, shall demonstrate the applicant's
capability to provide the services described in this announcement.
Applicants should
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describe the proposed technical approach including phasing of tasks and
scheduling of time and personnel. Under Program Design (See Part III
(3)(c), above), we request the submission of a budget to accompany the
technical proposal.
In addition, the Technical Proposal shall be limited to (fifty) 50
doubled spaced, single-side, 8.5 inch x 11 inch pages with 1 inch
margins. Appendices shall not exceed twenty (20) pages. Text type shall
be 12 point or larger. Applications not meeting these requirements may
not be considered. The Technical Proposal must also contain activity
and outcome information.
(2) Hand-Delivered Proposal
Proposals may be mailed or delivered by hand. Hand delivered
proposals will be accepted if they are received by 2 p.m., Eastern
Standard Time on May 18, 1998. All overnight mail will be considered to
be hand-delivered and must be received at the designated place by the
specified time on the closing date. Grant applications transmitted by
electronic mail, telegraph, facsimile and/or faxed will not be honored.
Failure to adhere to the above instructions will be a basis for
determining that an application is non-responsive.
(3) Late Proposals
Any proposal not reaching the designated place, by the specified
time and date of the delivery requirements will not be considered,
unless it is received before the award is made and was either:
(a) Sent by U.S. Postal Service registered or Certified mail not
later than the fifth (5th) calendar day before the date specified for
receipt of application; or
(b) Sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail Next Day Service--Post
Office to addressee, not later than 5 p.m. at the place of mailing two
working days prior to the date specified for receipt of proposals. The
term ``working days'' excludes weekends and U.S. Federal holidays.
The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of a
late proposal sent by either Express Mail or U.S. Postal Service
Registered, Certified Mail is the U.S. Postmark both on the envelope or
wrapper and on the original receipt from the U.S. Postal Service. Both
postmarks must show a legible date or the proposal shall be processed
as if mailed late. ``Postmark'' means a printed, stamped, or otherwise
placed impression (exclusive of postage meter machine impression) that
is readily identifiable without further action as having been supplied
and affixed by employees of the U.S. Postal Service on the date of
mailing.
Therefore, applicants should request the postal clerk to place a
legible hand cancellation ``bull's eye'' postmark on both the receipt
and the envelope.
(4) Period of Performance
The period of performance will be 12 months beginning July 1, 1998,
and continuing through June 30, 1999.
(5) Option to Extend
The Department reserves to extend this grant for an additional one
or two years, based on the availability of funds, a grantee's success
in completing work under this SGA, and the needs of the Department.
Part V--Reporting Requirements
Recipients of grants under this solicitation will be required to
submit reports, as set forth below, to the Division of Migrant and
Seasonal Farmworker Programs, Office of National Programs, Employment
and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor.
A. Quarterly Reports
Three copies of the first quarterly report will be due 45 days
after the first three months of program operation, and should reflect
program activities and financial outlays. The reports will record and
measure agreed-upon activities in quantifiable terms, providing a means
by which performance under the grants can be evaluated. Subsequent
reports will be due on a quarterly basis and will follow the format and
content of the first such report. Additional and more specific items
and forms will be shared at the time of grant negotiations.
B. Final/Annual Status Reports
The Grant Recipient shall submit three copies of a report which
summarizes the grantee's activities under this grant during the program
year, within 45 days after the end of the program year.
Signed at Washington, DC. this 26th day of March, 1998.
James C. De Luca,
Grant Officer, Office of Grants and Contract Management, Division of
Acquisition and Assistance.
Attachments
1. Appendix A--``Application for Federal Assistance'' (Standard Form
424)
2. Appendix B--``Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs''
(Standard Form 424-A)
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[FR Doc. 98-8494 Filed 3-31-98; 8:45 am]
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