[Federal Register: June 10, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 110)][Notices] [Page 27562-27570]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10jn09-87]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Susan Harwood Training Grant Program, FY 2009
AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Initial announcement of availability of funds and solicitation
for grant applications (SGA).
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Funding Opportunity No.: SHTG-FY-09-02.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No.: 17.502.
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) awards funds to nonprofit organizations to
provide training and educational programs for employers and workers
about safety and health topics selected by OSHA. Nonprofit
organizations, including qualifying labor unions and community-based
and faith-based organizations that are not an agency of a State or
local government are eligible to apply. Additionally, State or local
government-supported institutions of higher education are eligible to
apply in accordance with 29 CFR part 95. This notice announces grant
availability for Susan Harwood Training Program grants. All information
and forms needed to apply for this funding opportunity are published as
part of this SGA or are available on the Grants.gov site.
DATES: Grant applications must be received electronically by the
Grants.gov system no later than 4:30 p.m., E.T., on Friday, July 24,
2009, the application deadline date.
ADDRESSES: Applications for grants submitted under this competition
must be submitted electronically using the government-wide Grants.gov
Apply site at: http://www.grants.gov. If applying online poses a
hardship to any applicant, the OSHA Directorate of Training and
Education will provide assistance to ensure that applications are
submitted online by the closing date. Applicants must contact the OSHA
Directorate of Training and Education office listed on the announcement
at least one week prior to the application deadline date (or no later
than 4:30 p.m., E.T., on July 17, 2009) to speak to a representative
who can provide assistance to ensure that applications are submitted
online by the closing date. Requests for extensions to this deadline
will not be granted. Further information regarding submitting your
grant application electronically is listed in Section IV, Item 3,
Submission Date, Times, and Addresses.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Any questions regarding this SGA
should be directed to Cynthia Bencheck, Program Analyst, e-mail
address: bencheck.cindy@dol.gov, tel: 847-297-4810 (note that this is
not a toll-free number), or Jim Barnes, Director, Office of Training
and Educational Programs, e-mail address: barnes.jim@dol.gov, tel: 847-
297-4810 (note that this is not a toll-free number). To obtain further
information on the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program of the U.S.
Department of Labor, visit the OSHA Web site at: http://www.osha.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Overview of the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program
The Susan Harwood Training Grant Program provides funds for
programs to train workers and employers to recognize, avoid, and
prevent safety and health hazards in their workplaces. The program
emphasizes four areas:
Educating workers and employers in small businesses. For
purposes of this grant program, a small business is one with 250 or
fewer employees.
Training workers and employers about new OSHA standards.
Training at-risk worker and employer populations.
Training workers and employers about high risk activities
or hazards identified by OSHA through the Department of Labor's
Strategic Plan, or as part of an OSHA special emphasis program.
Grant Category Being Announced
Under this solicitation for grant applications, OSHA will accept
applications for the Targeted Topic training grant category. The
emphasis for applications submitted for the Target Topic training grant
category should be on conducting training for multiple employers and
their workers addressing safety and health hazards associated with one
of the selected training topic areas listed below.
Topics for the Targeted Topic Training Category
Organizations funded for Targeted Topic training category grants
are expected to develop and provide occupational safety and health
training and/or educational programs addressing one of the topics
selected by OSHA; recruit workers and employers for the training; and
conduct and evaluate the training. Grantees are also expected to
conduct follow-up evaluations with individuals trained by their program
to determine what, if any, changes were made to reduce hazards in their
workplaces as a result of the training. If your organization plans to
train workers or employers in any of the 26 states operating OSHA-
approved State Plans, State OSHA requirements for that state must be
included in the training.
Twenty-four different training topics were selected for this grant
announcement. OSHA may award grants for some or all of the listed
Targeted Topic training topics.
Applicants are required to focus their grant application proposal
to address only one of the training topics from the list of 24 training
topics OSHA has selected for this grant solicitation. Applicants
wishing to address more than one of the announced grant training topics
must submit a separate grant application for each topic. Each
application must propose a plan for developing and conducting training
programs addressing the recognition and prevention of safety and health
hazards that focuses on one of the training topics listed below.
Training Topics That Address Construction Industry Hazards
Programs that train workers and employers in the recognition and
prevention of safety and health hazards addressing one of the following
training topic areas.
1. Crane Safety, including but not limited to the following subtopics:
safety hazards relating to Derricks, Overhead Hazards, and Tower Cranes
2. Fall Protection, including but not limited to the following
subtopics:
Ladders, Roofs, Scaffolds, and Steel Erection
3. Construction Focus Four hazards, integrating all four elements in
training programs: Falls, Electrocution, Caught-in and Struck-by
4. Health Hazards in Construction, including but not limited to the
following subtopics: Hexavalent Chromium, Lead, Noise, Silica with a
special emphasis on training non-English speaking/limited-English-
proficient workers
5. Safety Hazards related to Mechanized, Over-the-Road and Heavy
Construction Equipment, including but not limited to the following
subtopic: Compactor Rollovers
6. Work Zone Safety
Training Topics That Address General Industry Hazards
Programs that train workers and employers in the recognition and
prevention of safety and health hazards addressing one of the following
training topic areas.
7. Combustible Dust, including but not limited to the following
subtopics: Controlling Ignition Sources, Controlling Dust
Accumulations, Grain Handling Operations
8. Emergency Preparedness and Response, including but not limited to
the following subtopics: Pandemic Flu and Continuity of Operations
9. Falls in General Industry
10. Materials Handling, including but not limited to the following
subtopics: Cranes, Hazardous Materials, and Slings
11. Health Hazards in General Industry, including but not limited to
the following subtopics: Isocyanates, and Metal Working Fluids
12. Landscaping and Tree Service Safety, including but not limited to
the following subtopic: Hearing Conservation with a special emphasis on
training non-English speaking/limited-English-proficient workers
13. Night time Sanitation, Maintenance and Cleanup Crews working the
Third Shift in Food Processing Industries such as red meat, poultry,
and fish, including but not limited to the following subtopics:
Lockout/Tagout, Confined Spaces, Carbon Monoxide Hazards
14. Powered Industrial Trucks
15. Process Safety Management, including but not limited to the
following subtopics: Chemical Plants, Ethanol Plants, Refineries, and
Anhydrous Ammonia
16. Safety and Health Management Systems for Small and Medium-Sized
Businesses
Training Topics That Address Other Safety and Health Topic Areas
Programs that train workers and employers in the recognition and
prevention of safety and health hazards addressing one of the following
training topic areas.
17. Alternative Energy Industry Hazards, including but not limited to
the following subtopics: Biofuels, Elevated Tower Work, Hydrogen
Production and Distribution, Solar Farming, and Wind Farming
18. Electrical Safety, including but not limited to the following
subtopics: Arc Flash and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Arc
Flash, Proper Grounding Techniques, and Electrical Transmission and
Distribution
19. Ergonomics, including but not limited to the following subtopics:
Nursing Homes, Poultry Processing, Retail Grocery Stores, Masonry
Construction, and Solid Waste Removal
20. Heat Stress Exposure, including but not limited to migrant workers
21. Maritime, including but not limited to the following subtopics:
Maritime Standards, Longshoring, Marine Terminals, Shipbreaking,
Shipyard Safety Hazards including Electrical Hazards and Arc Flash,
Ergonomics, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including Flotation
Devices, and Emergency Procedures
22. Native American Tribal Safety and Health Issues, including but not
limited to the following subtopics: Confined Space, Bloodborne
Pathogens, Construction Safety, Health and Safety in Waste Water
Treatment Facilities, and in the Health Care Industry
23. Oil and Gas, including but not limited to the following subtopics:
Exploration, Production, and Well Development
24. OSHA Recordkeeping Process. Develop materials and conduct training
to train workers and employers in the recognition and compliance
requirements of the Recordkeeping system to accurately record cases and
respond to injury or illness information appropriately in the following
sections contained under Part 1904: General Recording Criteria
(1904.7), Covered Employees (1904.31), Employee Involvement (1904.35),
and Prohibition Against Discrimination (1904.36)
II. Award Information
Targeted Topic training grants will be awarded for a 24-month
project performance period. The 24-month project period for these
grants begins no later than September 30, 2009. There is approximately
$6.9 million available for the Targeted Topic grant category in 2009.
The average Federal award will be approximately $250,000. Historically,
the Harwood Grant Program has been reauthorized from year to year. The
Department of Labor expects, but cannot guarantee, that this will be so
in the future. If Congress appropriates the necessary funds, the
Department of Labor will award second year grants to eligible
applicants.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
Nonprofit organizations, including qualifying labor unions and
community-based and faith-based organizations that are not an agency of
a State or local government are eligible to apply. Additionally, State
or local government-supported institutions of higher education are
eligible to apply in accordance with 29 CFR part 95. Eligible
organizations can apply independently for funding or in partnership
with other eligible organizations, but in such a case, the lead
organization must be identified. Sub-grants are not authorized.
Subcontracts, if any, must be awarded in accordance with 29 CFR 95.40-
48, including OMB circulars requiring full and open competition for
procurement transactions, to the maximum extent practicable.
A 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization, as described in 26 U.S.C.
501(c)(4), that engages in lobbying activities will not be eligible for
the receipt of Federal funds constituting an award, grant or loan. See
1 U.S.C. 1611.
Applicants other than State or local government supported
institutions of higher education will be required to submit evidence of
nonprofit status from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
Applicants are not required to contribute non-Federal resources.
3. Other Eligibility Requirements
Legal rules pertaining to inherently religious activities by
organizations that receive Federal financial assistance.
The U. S. Government is generally prohibited from providing
"direct" financial assistance for inherently religious activities.\1\
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\1\ In this context, the term direct financial assistance means
financial assistance that is provided directly by a government
entity or an intermediate organization, as opposed to financial
assistance that an organization receives as the result of the
genuine and independent private choice of a beneficiary. In other
contexts, the term "direct" financial assistance may be used to
refer to financial assistance that an organization receives directly
from the Federal government (also known as "discretionary"
assistance), as opposed to assistance that it receives from a State
or Local government (also known as "indirect" or "block" grant
assistance). The term "direct" has the former meaning throughout
this solicitation for grant applications (SGA).
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The Grantee may be a faith-based organization or work with and
partner with religious institutions; however, "direct" federal
assistance provided under grants with the U.S. Department of Labor may
not be used for religious instruction, worship, prayer, proselytizing
or other inherently religious practices. 29 CFR Part 2, Subpart D
governs the treatment in Department of Labor government programs of
religious organizations and religious activities; the Grantee and sub-
contractors are expected to be aware of and observe the regulations in
this subpart.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Application Package
All information and forms needed to apply for this funding
opportunity are published as part of this SGA or are available on the
Grants.gov site. For informational purposes, the complete Federal
Register notice is also posted on the OSHA Susan Harwood Training Grant
Program Web site at: http://www.osha.gov/dte/sharwood/index.html.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
Each grant application must address only one of the 24 announced
training topics. Organizations interested in applying for grants for
more than one of the announced grant training topics must submit a
separate application for each grant training topic.
A. Required Contents
A complete application will contain the following mandatory forms,
mandatory document attachments and optional attachments.
(1) Application for Federal Assistance form (SF 424). The
individual signing the SF 424 form on behalf of the applicant must be
authorized to bind the applicant.
Your organization is required to have a Data Universal Number
System (DUNS) number from Dun and Bradstreet to complete this form.
Information about "Obtaining a DUNS Number--A Guide for Federal Grant
and Cooperative Agreement Applicants" is available at: http://
www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/duns_num_guide.pdf.
(2) Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants (Faith-
Based EEO Survey) form OMB No. 1890-0014.
(3) Program Summary (described further in subsection B below). The
program summary is a short one-to-two page single-sided abstract that
succinctly summarizes the proposed project and provides information
about the applicant organization.
(4) Budget Information form (SF 424A).
(5) Detailed Project Budget Backup. The detailed budget backup will
provide a detailed breakout of the costs that are listed in Section B
of the SF 424A Budget Information form. If applicable, provide a copy
of approved indirect cost rate agreement and statement of program
income. Indirect costs may only be requested if your organization
already has a current approved indirect cost rate agreement.
(6) A description of any voluntary non-federal resource
contribution to be provided by the applicant, including source of funds
and estimated amount.
(7) Technical Proposal program narrative (described further in
subsection B below), not to exceed 30 single-sided pages, double-
spaced, 12-point font, containing: Problem Statement/Need for Funds;
Administrative and Program Capability; and Work Plan.
(8) Assurances form (SF 424B).
(9) Combined Assurances form (ED 80-0013).
(10) Organizational Chart.
(11) Evidence of Non-Profit status from the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS), if applicable. (Does not apply to State and local
government-supported institutions of higher education.)
(12) Accounting System Certification, if applicable. Organizations
that receive less than $1 million annually in Federal grants must
attach a certification signed by your certifying official stating that
your organization has a functioning accounting system that meets the
criteria below. Your organization may also designate a qualified entity
(include the name and address in the documentation) to maintain a
functioning accounting system that meets the criteria below. The
certification should attest that your organization's accounting system
provides for the following:
(a) Accurate, current and complete disclosure of the financial
results of each Federally sponsored project.
(b) Records that identify adequately the source and application of
funds for Federally sponsored activities.
(c) Effective control over and accountability for all funds,
property and other assets.
(d) Comparison of outlays with budget amounts.
(e) Written procedures to minimize the time elapsing between the
transfer of funds.
(f) Written procedures for determining the reasonableness,
allocability and allowability of costs.
(g) Accounting records, including cost accounting records that are
supported by source documentation.
(13) Any attachments such as resumes of key personnel or position
descriptions, exhibits, information on prior government grants, and
signed letters of commitment to the project. Please limit the number of
attachments to essential documents only.
To be considered responsive to this solicitation, the application
must consist of the above mentioned separate parts. Major sections and
sub-sections of the application should be divided and clearly
identified, and all pages shall be numbered. Standard forms,
attachments, exhibits and the Program Summary abstract are not counted
toward the page limit.
The forms listed above are available through the www.Grants.gov
site and must be submitted electronically as a part of your grant
application. In the Grants.gov system, there is a window containing a
menu of "Mandatory Documents" which must be completed and submitted
online within the system. For all other attachments such as the Program
Summary, Detailed Budget Backup, Technical Proposal, etc., please scan
these documents into a single Adobe Acrobat file and attach the
document in the area for attachments.
B. Budget Information
Applicants must include the following required grant project budget
information.
(1) Budget Information form (SF 424A).
(2) A Detailed Project Budget that clearly details the costs of
performing all of the requirements presented in this solicitation. The
detailed budget will break out the costs that are listed in Section B
of the SF 424A Budget Information form. Applicants are asked to plan
for a funding level based on funds needed to perform work plan and
administrative activities for the grant project performance period.
Applicants are reminded to budget for compliance with the
administrative requirements set forth. (Copies of all regulations that
are referenced in this solicitation for grant applications (SGA) are
available on-line at no cost at: http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/ote/
sharwood.html.) This includes the costs of performing activities such
as travel for two staff members, one program and one financial, to the
Washington, DC, area to attend a new grantee orientation meeting;
financial audit, if required; project closeout; document preparation
(e.g., quarterly progress reports, project documents); and ensuring
compliance with procurement and property standards.
The Detailed Project Budget should break out administrative costs
separately from programmatic costs for both federal and non-federal
funds. Administrative costs include indirect costs from the costs pool
and the cost of activities, materials, meeting close-out requirements
as described in Section VI, and personnel (e.g., administrative
assistants) who support the management and administration of the
project but do not provide direct services to project beneficiaries.
Indirect cost charges, which are considered administrative costs, must
be supported with a copy of a current approved Indirect Cost Rate
Agreement form. Administrative costs cannot exceed 25% of the total
grant budget. The project budget should clearly demonstrate that the
total amount and distribution of funds are sufficient to cover the cost
of all major project activities identified by the applicant in its
proposal, and must comply with Federal cost principles (which can be
found in the applicable OMB Circulars).
(3) A description of any voluntary non-federal resource
contribution to be provided by the applicant, including source of funds
and estimated amount.
C. Program Summary and Technical Proposal
The Program Summary and the Technical Proposal will contain the
narrative segments of the application. The Program Summary abstract is
not to exceed two single-sided, 12-point font, typed pages. The
Technical Proposal program narrative section is not to exceed 30
single-sided (8\1/2\" x 11" or A4), double-spaced, 12-point font,
typed pages, consisting of the Problem Statement/Need for Funds,
Administrative and Program Capability, and Work Plan. Reviewers will
only consider Technical Proposal information up to the 30-page limit.
The Technical Proposal must demonstrate the capability to successfully
administer the grant and to meet the objectives of this solicitation.
The Technical Proposal will be rated in accordance with the selection
criteria specified in Section V.
The Program Summary and Technical Proposal must include the
following sections.
(1) Program Summary. An abstract of the application, not to exceed
two single-sided pages, that must include the following information.
Applicant organization's full legal name.
Project Director's name, title, street address for
overnight delivery service, and mailing address if it is different from
the street address, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail address. The
Project Director is the person who will be responsible for the day-to-
day operation and administration of the program. The Project Director's
name should also be the same name you list on the Application for
Federal Assistance form (SF-424) in section f. Name and contact
information of person to be contacted on matters involving this
application.
Authorized Representative/Certifying Representative's
name, title, street address for overnight delivery service, and mailing
address if it is different from the street address, telephone and fax
numbers, and e-mail address. The Authorized Representative/Certifying
Representative is the official in your organization who is authorized
to enter into grant agreements. The Authorized Representative/
Certifying Representative's name should also be same name you list on
the Application for Federal Assistance form (SF-424) in section 21 for
Authorized Representative.
If someone other than the Authorized Representative/
Certifying Representative described above will be authorized by your
organization to submit and sign off on quarterly financial reports (SF
269 forms) for OSHA, provide their name, title, street address for
overnight delivery service, and mailing address if it is different from
the street address, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail address.
Funding Amount. List the amount of Federal funding you are
requesting to perform work plan and administrative activities for the
grant project performance period. If your organization is contributing
non-Federal resources, also list the amount of non-Federal resources
and the source of those funds.
Grant Topic. List the one grant training topic and
industry your organization has selected to target in its application.
Summary of the Proposed Project. Write a brief program
summary of your proposed grant project.
Applicant Background. Describe your applicant
organization, including its mission, identify the type of non-profit
organization it is, and provide a description of your membership, if
any. Your description should indicate how many full-time and part-time
employees your organization employs.
(2) The Technical Proposal program narrative segment, which is not
to exceed 30 single-sided, double-spaced, 12-point font pages in
length, must address each section listed below.
Problem Statement/Need for Funds. Describe the hazards
that will be addressed in your program, the target population(s) that
will benefit from your training and educational program, and the
barriers that have prevented this population from receiving adequate
training. When you discuss target populations, include geographic
location(s) to be served, and the number of workers and employers to be
reached.
Administrative and Program Capability. Briefly describe
your organization's functions and activities. Relate this description
of functions to your organizational chart that you will include in the
application. If your organization is conducting, or has conducted
within the last five years, any other government (Federal, State, or
local) grant programs, the application must include an attachment
(which will not count towards the page limit) providing information
regarding previous grants including a) the organization for which the
work was done, and b) the dollar value of the grant. If your
organization has not had previous grant experience, you may partner
with an organization that has grant experience to manage the grant. If
you use this approach, the management organization must be identified
and its grant program experience discussed.
Program Experience. Describe your organization's
experience conducting the type of program that you are proposing.
Include program specifics such as program titles, numbers trained and
duration of training. Experience includes safety and health experience,
training experience with adults, and programs operated specifically for
the selected target population(s). Nonprofit organizations, including
community-based and faith-based organizations, that do not have prior
experience in safety and health may partner with an established safety
and health organization to acquire safety and health expertise.
Staff Experience. Describe the qualifications of the
professional staff you will assign to the program. Include resumes of
staff already on board. If some positions are vacant, include position
descriptions/minimum hiring qualifications instead of resumes. Qualified
staff is generally defined as persons with safety and health experience
and a) training experience with adults or b) experience working with the
target population.
Work Plan. Develop a 24-month work plan that is broken out
by calendar year quarters. An outline of specific items required in
your work plan follows.
Each educational institution that receives Federal funds
for a fiscal year shall hold an educational program on the United
States Constitution on September 17 of such year for the students
served by the educational institution. Per Section 111 of Division J of
Public Law 108-447, the "Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005,"
December 8, 2004; 118 Stat. 2809, 3344-45, requires "educational
institutions" that receive Federal funds to hold an educational
program on the United States Constitution on September 17
("Constitution Day and Citizenship Day") of each year. The Office of
Personnel Management has placed relevant materials on its Web site at
the following address: http://opm.gov/constitution_initiative. Also,
the U.S. Department of Education's Federal Register Notice of the
Implementation of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day on September 17
of Each Year, published on May 24, 2005, can be found at: http://
edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/05-10355.htm. Please note that this site
primarily addresses educational institutions that receive funds from
the U.S. Department of Education. However, it also discusses other
materials that may be helpful to your organization.
Work Plan Overview. Describe your plan for grant
activities and the anticipated outcomes. The overall plan will describe
such things as the development of training materials or the plan to use
existing training materials, the training content, recruiting of
trainees, where or how training will take place, and the anticipated
benefits to workers and employers receiving the training.
Work Plan Activities. Break your overall plan down into
activities or tasks. For each activity, explain what will be done, who
will do it, when it will be done, and the results of the activity. When
you discuss training, include the subjects to be taught, the length of
the training sessions, and training location (classroom, worksites).
Describe how you will recruit trainees for the training. If your
organization is an educational institution, also describe the
educational activities your organization will conduct on Constitution
Day, September 17.
Work Plan Quarterly Projections. For training and other
quantifiable activities, estimate how many (e.g., number of advisory
committee meetings, classes to be conducted, workers and employers to
be trained, etc.) you will accomplish each quarter of the grant (grant
quarters match calendar quarters, i.e., January to March, April to
June) and provide the training number totals for the grant.
Substantiate the methodology used to develop your projections. Grantees
are accountable for accomplishing the activities listed in their work
plans and meeting quarterly projections. Quarterly projections are used
to measure your actual performance against your plans. If you plan to
conduct a train-the-trainer program, estimate the number of individuals
you expect to be trained during the grant period by those who received
the train-the-trainer training. These second tier training numbers
should only be included if your organization is planning to formally
follow up with the trainers to obtain this data during the grant
project performance period.
Materials. Describe each training material you will
produce under the grant, if not treated as a separate activity under
Activities above. Provide a timetable for developing and producing the
material. OSHA must review and approve training materials for technical
accuracy and suitability of content before the materials may be used in
your grant program. Therefore, your timetable must include provisions
for an OSHA review of draft and camera-ready products. Acceptable
formats for training materials include Microsoft Office 2003 or 2007
and Adobe Reader version 9.0, 8.1.3 and 8.1.2. Any previously developed
training materials you are proposing to utilize in your grant training
must also go through an OSHA review before being used.
Evaluations. There are three types of evaluations that
should be conducted. First, describe plans to evaluate the training
sessions. Second, describe your plans to evaluate your progress in
accomplishing the grant work activities listed in your application.
This includes comparing planned vs. actual accomplishments. Discuss who
is responsible for taking corrective action if plans are not being met.
Third, describe your plans to assess the effectiveness of the training
your organization is conducting. This will involve following-up, by
survey or on-site review, if feasible, with individuals who attended
the training to find out what changes were made to abate hazards in
their workplaces. Include timetables for follow-up and for submitting a
summary of the assessment results to OSHA.
(3) An organizational chart of the staff that will be working on
this grant and their location within the applicant organization.
Attachments: Summaries of other relevant organizational
experiences; information on prior government grants;
résumés of key personnel and/or position descriptions;
and signed letters of commitment to the project. Please limit the
number of attachments to essential documents only.
Acceptable formats for document attachments submitted as a part of
a Grants.gov grant application include Microsoft Office 2003 or 2007
and Adobe Reader version 9.0, 8.1.3 and 8.1.2.
3. Submission Date, Times, and Addresses
Date: The deadline date for receipt of applications is Friday, July
24, 2009. Applications must be received by 4:30 p.m., E.T., on the
closing date at: http://www.grants.gov. Any application received after
the deadline will not be accepted.
Electronic Submission of Applications: Applications for Susan
Harwood grants under this competition must be submitted electronically
using the government-wide Grants.gov Apply site at: http://
www.grants.gov. Through this site you will be able to download a copy
of the application package, complete it offline, and then upload and
submit your full application. Acceptable formats for document
attachments submitted as a part of a Grants.gov grant application
include Microsoft Office 2003 or 2007 and Adobe Reader version 9.0,
8.1.3 and 8.1.2. In the Grants.gov system, there is a window containing
a menu of "Mandatory Documents" which must be completed and submitted
online within the system. For all other attachments such as the Program
Summary, Detailed Budget Backup, Technical Proposal, etc., please scan
these documents into a single Adobe Acrobat file and attach the
document in the area for attachments. Applications sent by mail or
other delivery services, e-mail, telegram, or facsimile (FAX) will not
be accepted. Applications that do not meet the conditions set forth in
this notice will not be honored.
For applicants using Grants.gov for the first time, it is strongly
recommended that they immediately initiate and complete the "Get Registered" steps to register with
Grants.gov at: http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp.
These steps will probably take multiple days to complete, which should
be factored into an applicant's plans for electronic application
submission in order to avoid unexpected delays that could result in the
rejection of the application.
If your organization is already registered with Grants.gov and
there have been any changes to your organization users, such as the E-
Business Point of Contact or Authorized Organization Representatives,
please be sure that the necessary updates are made with Grants.gov to
prevent delay in submission of the electronic application. Please note
that registered organizations must also renew their Central Contractor
Registration (CCR) registration once a year. This process takes five
days to complete, so it should be factored into an applicant's plans
for electronic application submission in order to avoid unexpected
delays that could result in the rejection of the application.
If you have questions regarding the process for updating your
organization users or submitting your application through Grants.gov,
or are experiencing problems with electronic submissions, you may
contact the Grants Program Management Office via one of the methods
below:
E-mail at: support@grants.gov.
Telephone the Grants.gov Contact Center Phone: 1-800-518-
4726. The Contact Center hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.
to 9 p.m., Eastern Time; closed on Federal holidays.
When contacting the Grants Program Management Office, the
following information will help expedite your inquiry.
• Funding Opportunity Number (FON).
• Name of Agency You Are Applying To.
• Specific Area of Concern.
If applying online poses a hardship to any applicant, the OSHA
Directorate of Training and Education will provide assistance to ensure
that applications are submitted online by the closing date. Applicants
must contact the OSHA Directorate of Training and Education office
listed on the announcement at least one week prior to the application
deadline date (or not later than 4:30 p.m., E.T., on July 17, 2009) to
speak to a representative who can provide assistance to ensure that
applications are submitted online by the closing date. Requests for
extensions to this application deadline will not be granted.
4. Intergovernmental Review
The Harwood Training Grant Program is not subject to Executive
Order 12372 Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.
5. Funding Restrictions
Grant funds may be spent on the following.
(a) Conducting training.
(b) Conducting other activities that reach and inform workers and
employers about workplace occupational safety and health hazards and
hazard abatement.
(c) Conducting outreach and recruiting activities to increase the
number of workers and employers participating in the program.
(d) Developing and/or purchasing training materials for use in
training.
Grant funds may not be used for the following activities under the
terms of the grant program.
(a) Any activity that is inconsistent with the goals and objectives
of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.
(b) Training individuals not covered by the Occupational Safety and
Health Act.
(c) Training workers or employers from workplaces not covered by
the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Examples include: State and
local government employees in non-State Plan States, and employees
referenced in section 4 (b)(1) of the Act.
(d) Training on topics that do not cover the recognition,
avoidance, and prevention of unsafe or unhealthy working conditions.
Examples of unallowable topics include: workers' compensation, first
aid, and publication of materials prejudicial to labor or management.
(e) Assisting workers in arbitration cases or other actions against
employers, or assisting employers and workers in the prosecution of
claims against Federal, State or local governments.
(f) Duplicating services offered by OSHA, a State under an OSHA-
approved State Plan, or consultation programs provided by State
designated agencies under section 21(d) of the Occupational Safety and
Health Act.
Grant applicants cannot propose to conduct 10-hour and 30-hour OSHA
Construction Outreach Program courses or 10-hour and 30-hour OSHA
General Industry Outreach courses as a part of their grant activities.
Applicants also cannot propose to conduct the courses presented by the
OSHA Training Institute or its OSHA Training Institute Education
Centers.
(g) Generating membership in the grantee's organization. This
includes activities to acquaint nonmembers with the benefits of
membership, inclusion of membership appeals in materials produced with
grant funds, and membership drives.
(h) The cost of lost-time wages paid by you or other organizations
to students while attending grant-funded training.
(i) Administrative costs cannot exceed 25% of the total grant
budget.
While the activities described above may be part of an
organization's regular programs, the costs of these activities cannot
be paid for by grant funds, whether the funds are from non-Federal
matching resources or from the Federally funded portion of the grant.
Determinations of allowable costs will be made in accordance with
the applicable Federal cost principles, e.g., Nonprofit Organizations--
2 CFR Part 230, formerly OMB Circular A-122; Educational Institutions--
2 CFR Part 220, formerly OMB Circular A-21. Disallowed costs are those
charges to a grant that the grantor agency or its representative
determines to not be allowed in accordance with the applicable Federal
cost principles or other conditions contained in the grant.
No applicant at any time will be entitled to reimbursement of pre-
award costs.
V. Application Review Information
Grant applications will be reviewed by technical panels comprised
of OSHA staff. The results of the grant reviews will be presented to
the Assistant Secretary of OSHA, who will make the selection of
organizations to be awarded grants. OSHA may award grants for some or
all of the listed topic areas. It is anticipated that the grant awards
will be announced no later than September 2009.
1. Evaluation Criteria
The technical panels will review grant applications against the
criteria listed below on the basis of 100 maximum points. Targeted
Topic training grant category applications will be reviewed and rated
as follows.
A. Technical Approach, Program Design--50 points total
Program Design
(1) The proposed training and educational program must address the
recognition and prevention of safety and health hazards for one of the
Targeted Topic subject areas identified in Section I of this SGA. (1
point)
(2) The proposal plans to train workers and/or employers, clearly
estimates the numbers to be trained, and clearly identifies the types
of workers and employers to be trained. The training will reach workers
and employers from multiple employers who are covered by the OSH Act.
Substantiate the methodology used to develop your projections. Grantees
are accountable for accomplishing the activities listed in their work
plans and meeting quarterly projections. (4 points)
(3) If the proposal contains a train-the-trainer program, the
following information must be provided. (4 points)
What ongoing support the grantee will provide to new
trainers;
The number of individuals to be trained as trainers during
the grant period;
The estimated number of courses to be conducted by the new
trainers during the grant period;
The estimated number of students to be trained by these
new trainers during the grant period; and
A description of how the grantee will obtain data via a
reporting system from the new trainers to document their classes and
student numbers.
(4) There is a well-developed work plan, and activities and
training are adequately described. The planned activities and training
are appropriately tailored to the needs and levels of the workers and
employers to be trained. The target audience to be served through the
grant program is described. (20 points)
(5) The training materials and training programs are tailored to
the training needs of one or more of the following target audiences;
and the need for training is established: small businesses; new
businesses; non-English speaking/limited English proficient, non-
literate and low literacy workers; youth; immigrant and minority
workers, and other hard-to-reach workers; and workers in high-hazard
industries and industries with high fatality rates.
Grant proposals which include training programs and training
materials for hard-to-reach and non-English speaking/limited English
proficient workers will receive special consideration.
Organizations proposing to develop Spanish-language training
materials must utilize the OSHA Dictionaries (English-to-Spanish and
Spanish-to-English) for terminology. The dictionaries are available on
the OSHA Web site at: http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/compliance_assistance/
spanish_dictionaries.html. Organizations proposing to develop
materials in languages other than English will also be required to
provide an English version of the materials. (10 points)
(6) There is a sound plan to recruit trainees for the program. (4
points)
(7) If the proposal includes developing training materials for use
in the training program, there is a plan for OSHA to review the
training materials for technical accuracy and suitability of content
during development. If previously-developed training products will be
used for the Targeted Topic training program, applicants have a plan
for OSHA to review the materials before using the products in their
grant program. (1 point)
(8) There are plans for three different types of evaluation. The
plans include evaluating your organization's progress in accomplishing
the grant work activities and accomplishments, evaluating your training
sessions, and evaluating the program's effectiveness and impact to
determine if the safety and health training and services provided
resulted in workplace change. This includes a description of the
evaluation plan to follow up with trainees to determine the impact the
program has had in abating hazards and reducing worker injuries. (5
points)
(9) The application is complete, including forms, budget detail,
narrative and work plan, and required attachments. (1 point)
B. Budget--20 points total
(1) The budgeted costs are reasonable. No more than 25% of the
total budget is for administration. (12 points)
(2) The budget complies with federal cost principles (which can be
found in the applicable OMB Circulars) and with OSHA budget
requirements contained in the grant application instructions. (3
points)
(3) The cost per trainee is less than $500 and the cost per
training hour is reasonable. (5 points)
C. Experience of Organization--15 points total
(1) The organization applying for the grant demonstrates experience
with occupational safety and health. Applicants that do not have prior
experience in providing safety and health training to workers or
employers may partner with an established safety and health
organization to acquire safety and health expertise. (4 points)
(2) The organization applying for the grant demonstrates experience
training adults in work-related subjects or in recruiting, training and
working with the target audience for this grant. (4 points)
(3) The application organization demonstrates that the applicant
has strong financial management and internal control systems. (4
points)
(4) The applicant organization has administered, or will work with
an organization that has administered, a number of different Federal
and/or State grants over the past five years. (3 points)
D. Experience and Qualification of Personnel--15 points total
(1) The staff to be assigned to the project has experience in
occupational safety and health, the specific topic chosen, and in
training adults. (10 points)
(2) Project staff has experience in recruiting, training, and
working with the target population your organization proposes to serve
under the grant. (5 points)
2. Review and Selection Process
OSHA will screen all applications to determine whether all required
proposal elements are present and clearly identifiable. Incomplete
applications may be deemed non-responsive and may not be evaluated. A
technical panel will objectively rate each complete application against
the criteria described in this announcement. The panel recommendations
to the Assistant Secretary are advisory in nature. The Assistant
Secretary may establish a minimally acceptable rating range for the
purpose of selecting qualified applicants. The Assistant Secretary will
make a final selection determination based on what is most advantageous
to the government, considering factors such as panel findings,
geographic presence of the applicants, Agency priorities, the best
value to the government, cost, and other factors. The Assistant
Secretary's determination for award under this solicitation for grant
applications (SGA) is final.
3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates
Announcement of these awards is expected to occur no later than
September 30, 2009.
The grant agreements will be awarded by no later than September
2009.
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Process
Organizations selected as grant recipients will be notified by a
representative of the Assistant Secretary. An applicant whose proposal
is not selected will be notified in writing.
Notice that an organization has been selected as a grant recipient
does not constitute approval of the grant application as submitted.
Before the actual grant award, OSHA will enter into negotiations concerning
such items as program components, staffing and funding levels, and
administrative systems. If the negotiations do not result in an acceptable
submittal, the Assistant Secretary reserves the right to terminate the
negotiation and decline to fund the proposal.
Note: Except as specifically provided, OSHA's acceptance of a
proposal and an award of Federal funds to sponsor any program(s)
does not provide a waiver of any grant requirement or procedures.
For example, if an application identifies a specific sub-contractor
to provide services, the USDOL OSHA award does not provide the
justification or basis to sole-source the procurement, i.e., to
avoid competition.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
All grantees, including faith-based organizations, will be subject
to applicable federal laws and regulations (including provisions of
appropriations law) and the applicable Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) Circulars. The grant award(s) awarded under this SGA will be
subject to the following administrative standards and provisions, as
applicable to the particular grantee:
29 CFR Part 2, Subpart D, new equal treatment regulations.
29 CFR Parts 31, 32, 35 and 36 as applicable.
29 CFR Part 93, new restrictions on lobbying.
29 CFR Part 95, which covers grant requirements for nonprofit
organizations, including universities and hospitals. These are the
Department of Labor regulations implementing 2 CFR Part 215, formerly
OMB Circular A-110.
29 CFR Part 98, government-wide debarment and suspension
(nonprocurement) and government-wide requirements for drug-free
workplace (grants).
2 CFR Part 220, formerly OMB Circular A-21, which describes
allowable and unallowable costs for educational institutions.
2 CFR Part 230, formerly OMB circular A-122, which describes
allowable and unallowable costs for other nonprofit organizations.
OMB Circular A-133, 29 CFR parts 96 and 99, which provide
information about audit requirements.
Certifications. All applicants are required to certify to a drug-
free workplace in accordance with 29 CFR part 98, to comply with the
New Restrictions on Lobbying published at 29 CFR part 93, to make a
certification regarding the debarment rules at 29 CFR part 98, and to
complete a special lobbying certification.
Training Audience. Grant-funded training programs must serve
multiple employers and their workers. Grant-funded training programs
must serve individuals covered by the Occupational Safety and Health
Act of 1970. Grant-funded training and services cannot serve employees
of other federal agencies or OSHA employees. As a part of the grant
close-out process, grantees must self-certify that their grant-funded
programs and materials were not provided to ineligible audiences.
Other. In keeping with the policies outlined in Executive Orders
13256, 12928, 13230, and 13021 as amended, the grantee is strongly
encouraged to provide subcontracting opportunities to Historically
Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and
Tribal Colleges and Universities.
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Submission of the grant
application information is required in order for the applicant to be
considered for a grant award. Information submitted in the respondent's
application is not considered confidential. Awarded grant application
packages are releasable under the Freedom of Information Act. However,
information protected from disclosure under the Privacy Act will be
withheld.
3. Special Program Requirements
OSHA review of training materials. OSHA will review all educational
materials produced by the grantee for technical accuracy and
suitability of content during development and before final publication.
OSHA will also review previously-developed training curricula and
purchased training materials for technical accuracy and suitability of
content before the materials are used. Grantees developing training
materials must follow all copyright laws and provide written
certification that their materials are free from copyright
infringements.
When grant recipients produce training materials, they must provide
copies of completed final-product materials to OSHA before the end of
the grant period. OSHA has a lending program that circulates grant-
produced audiovisual materials. Audiovisual materials produced by the
grantee as a part of its grant program may be included in this lending
program. In addition, all materials produced by grantees must be
provided to OSHA in hard copy as well as in a digital format (CD Rom/
DVD) for possible publication on the Internet by OSHA. Two copies of
the materials must be provided to OSHA. Acceptable formats for training
materials include Microsoft Office 2003 or 2007 and Adobe Reader
version 9.0, 8.1.3 and 8.1.2.
As stated in 29 CFR 95.36, the Department of Labor reserves a
royalty-free, nonexclusive and irrevocable right to reproduce, publish,
or otherwise use for federal purposes any work produced under a grant,
and to authorize others to do so. Applicants should note that grantees
must agree to provide the Department of Labor a paid-up, nonexclusive
and irrevocable license to reproduce, publish, or otherwise use for
federal purposes all products developed, or for which ownership was
purchased, under an award including, but not limited to, curricula,
training models, technical assistance products, and any related
materials, and to authorize the Department of Labor to do so. Such uses
include, but are not limited to, the right to modify and distribute
such products worldwide by any means, electronic or otherwise.
Acknowledgment of USDOL Funding. In all circumstances, all approved
grant-funded materials developed by a grantee shall contain the
following disclaimer:
This material was produced under grant number -------- 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.
Public reference to grant: When issuing statements, press releases,
requests for proposals, bid solicitations, and other documents
describing projects or programs funded in whole or in part with federal
money, all grantees receiving federal funds must clearly state:
The percentage of the total costs of the program or
project that will be financed with federal money;
The dollar amount of federal financial assistance for the
project or program; and
The percentage and dollar amount of the total costs of the
project or program that will be financed by non-governmental sources.
Use of U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) OSHA Logo: The USDOL-OSHA
logo may not be applied to any grant products developed with grant
funds.
4. Reporting
Grantees are required by Departmental regulations to submit program
and financial reports each calendar quarter. All reports are due no later
than 30 days after the end of the fiscal quarter. Program reports shall
be submitted to the appropriate OSHA Regional Office. Financial reports
shall be submitted via the DOL E-Grants system. The Grantee(s) shall submit
financial reports on a quarterly basis. The first reporting period shall
end on the last day of the fiscal quarter (December 31, March 31, June 30,
or September 30) during which the grant was signed. Financial reports are
due within 30 days of the end of the reporting period (i.e., by January
30, April 30, July 30, and October 30).
The Grantee(s) shall use Standard Form (SF) 269, Financial Status
Report, to report the status of funds, at the project level, during the
grant period. A final SF269 shall be submitted no later than 90 days
following completion of the grant period. The SF269 reports will be
submitted electronically through the Department of Labor (DOL) E-Grants
system. It is expected that the Federal Financial Report (FFR) will
replace the SF269 by October 1, 2009, as mandated by the Office of
Management and Budget. When available, the FFR will replace the SF269
in DOL E-Grants. The quarterly and final reporting requirements will
not change.
Technical Progress Reports: After signing the agreement, the
Grantee(s) shall submit technical progress reports to USDOL/OSHA
Regional Offices at the end of each fiscal quarter. Technical progress
reports provide both quantitative and qualitative information and a
narrative assessment of performance for the preceding three-month
period. OSHA Form 171 shall be used for reporting training numbers. In
addition, a narrative report shall be provided that details grant
activities conducted during the quarter, provides an assessment of how
the project is progressing in achieving its stated objectives, and
notes any problems or delays along with corrective actions proposed.
The first reporting period shall end on the last day of the fiscal
quarter (December 31, March 31, June 30, or September 30) during which
the grant was signed. Quarterly progress reports are due within 30 days
of the end of the report period (i.e., by January 30, April 30, July
30, and October 30.) Between reporting dates, the Grantees(s) shall
also immediately inform USDOL/OSHA of significant developments and/or
problems affecting the organization's ability to accomplish planned
grant activities.
Authority: The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, (29
U.S.C. 670), Public Law 111-8, and the Omnibus Appropriations Act,
2009.
Signed at Washington, DC, this 4th day of June, 2009.
Jordan Barab,
Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health.
Application Document Checklist
Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424 form)
Budget Information (SF 424A form)
Assurances (SF 424B form)
Combined Assurances for (ED 80-0013 form)
Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants (Faith-Based EEO
Survey), (OMB No. 1890-0014 form)
Attachments (Please attach in the following order):
Program Summary (not to exceed two single-sided pages)
Detailed Project Budget Backup
If applicable: provide a copy of approved indirect cost rate
agreement, statement of program income, and a description of any
voluntary non-federal resource contribution to be provided by the
applicant, including source of funds and estimated amount.
Technical Proposal, program narrative, not to exceed 30 single-
sided pages, double-spaced, 12-point font, containing: Problem
Statement/Need for Funds; Administrative and Program Capability; and
Work plan.
Organizational Chart Evidence of Nonprofit status, (letter from the
IRS), if applicable Accounting System Certification, if applicable;
Other Attachments such as: Resumes of key personnel or position
descriptions, exhibits, information on prior government grants, and
signed letters of commitment to the project.
Note: In the Grants.gov system, there is a window containing a
menu of "Mandatory Documents" which must be completed and
submitted online within the system. For all other attachments such
as the Program Summary, Detailed Budget Backup, Technical Proposal,
etc., please scan these documents into a single Adobe Acrobat file
and attach the document in the area for attachments.
[FR Doc. E9-13516 Filed 6-9-09; 8:45 am]
