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2023 QUEST Dislocated Worker Grant funding, Change 2

Summary ETA announced 2023 funding for Quality Jobs, Equity, Strategy, and Training Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grants. It updated application and project requirements under TEGL 02-22, with awards of up to $5 million. Applications for this round were due August 4, 2023.
Document
Federal guidance
Agency
U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (ETA)
Document number
TEGL No. 02-22, Change 2
Date issued
May 5, 2023
Status
Active
ETA lists this change as active and it prints an expiration date of Continuing, although the August 4, 2023 application deadline has passed.
Status last verified October 24, 2026

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About this page: The full text below is the official document from U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (ETA). Ezel adds the plain-English summary and tracks the document's status. The official source linked on this page is authoritative for any reliance.
CLASSIFICATION
   EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION               DWG
               ADVISORY SYSTEM                          CORRESPONDENCE SYMBOL
          U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR                      OWI-DASG
                                                        DATE
             Washington, D.C. 20210
                                                        May 5, 2023

ADVISORY:       TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT GUIDANCE LETTER NO. 2-22
                CHANGE 2

TO:             STATE WORKFORCE AGENCIES
                STATE WORKFORCE ADMINISTRATORS
                STATE WORKFORCE LIAISONS
                STATE AND LOCAL WORKFORCE BOARDS AND CHAIRS
                STATE LABOR COMMISSIONERS
                INDIAN AND NATIVE AMERICAN PROGRAM GRANTEES

FROM:           BRENT PARTON
                Acting Assistant Secretary

SUBJECT:        2023 QUEST Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grants Funding
                Announcement

1. Purpose. To announce the availability of funding for 2023 Quality Jobs, Equity, Strategy,
   and Training (QUEST) Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grants (DWGs) and
   convey updated submission and project requirements.

2. Action Requested. ETA will award funds to responsive, high-quality applications on a first-
   come, first-served basis while funding remains available. Any eligible applicants should
   submit applications no later than August 4, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. EDT as described in Training
   and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) 2-22, section h., Grants.gov Submission Process.
   Please share with all staff who administer DWGs, Unemployment Insurance, and
   Employment Services to ensure high-quality applications. Please disseminate this guidance
   to all interested entities and potential partners.

3. Summary and Background.

       a. Summary – This Change 2 to TEGL 2-22 announces the availability of funding for
          2023 Quality Jobs, Equity, Strategy, and Training (QUEST) Disaster Recovery
          National Dislocated Worker Grants (DWGs) and conveys updated submission and
          project requirements. Award amounts for 2023 QUEST DWGs will be up to $5
          million for the grant period of performance. Updates to TEGL 2-22 are outlined in
          section 4 below.

       b. Background – While the public health emergency declaration has been rescinded, the
          uneven health, employment, and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic

  RESCISSIONS                                            EXPIRATION DATE
  None                                                   Continuing

         continue to create challenges for the nation’s full recovery. Many of the workers
         most impacted by the resulting economic downturn were employed in the care
         economy, hospitality, and transportation and logistics sectors. These sectors are
         dominated by people of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, individuals who
         were formerly incarcerated, women, and lower-wage workers. Furthermore, global
         supply chain disruptions caused the displacement of workers who would have been
         eligible for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program services; however, this
         program is not accepting new participants. These conditions continue the need for
         2023 QUEST DWG grants to support pandemic-impacted workers, industries, and
         communities now and for years to come.

         Applicants may propose 2023 QUEST grant activities that address workforce needs
         in the following sectors:
         • Infrastructure;
         • Care Economy;
         • Hospitality;
         • Climate and Environment (such as climate change mitigation, clean energy
             transition efforts, construction, manufacturing, and technology); or
         • Other industries or sectors relevant to their local economy.

4. 2023 QUEST DWG Funding Opportunity.

  a. Applicant Eligibility. Eligible applicants for all Disaster Recovery DWGs, including the
     2023 QUEST DWGs, are:
        i. the state;
       ii. an outlying area; or
      iii. Indian tribal governments as defined by the Stafford Act, 42 U.S.C. 5122(6).

     DWG projects are funded by Title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
     (WIOA) Dislocated Worker Program and are therefore considered required partners in
     the American Job Center (AJC) network. Grant recipients that are not already AJC
     partners through the WIOA Dislocated Worker Program must engage with the local
     workforce development board within six months of the grant award to become a partner
     in the AJC network, which may include contributing to operating costs of the one-stop
     delivery system as described in Training and Employment Guidance Letter no. 17-16...

     In addition, applicants are strongly encouraged to review performance accountability and
     grant management requirements and technical assistance resources in the reference
     section below to understand performance reporting requirements for the DWG program.

  b. Participant Eligibility. Individuals who are eligible for WIOA Disaster Recovery
     DWGs are:
        i.  individuals temporarily or permanently laid off as a consequence of the COVID-
            19 pandemic disaster;
       ii. long-term unemployed individuals, as defined by the applicant;
      iii. dislocated workers as defined by WIOA Section 3(15); and,

    iv.    self-employed individuals who became unemployed or significantly
           underemployed due to the disaster.

   To maximize benefits to individuals and communities affected by the COVID-19
   pandemic, ETA encourages grant recipients to strive to enroll the largest number of
   eligible participants possible under the 2023 QUEST DWG. The participant eligibility
   categories above provide grant recipients with substantial flexibility in how to apply them
   for purposes of a Disaster Recovery DWG.

   For example, the "individuals temporarily or permanently laid off as a consequence of the
   pandemic” group provides grantees with the flexibility to determine whether individuals
   who were working before but became unemployed because of the health or economic
   impacts of the pandemic may be eligible to participate in grant activities. This definition
   also notes that such a “layoff” may be temporary in nature, and grant recipients have the
   authority to determine how that term is interpreted for Disaster Recovery DWGs
   including 2023 QUEST DWGs.

   Another definition that provides grant recipients a good deal of latitude to apply to
   individual eligibility determination is “long-term unemployed individuals.” Under DWG
   guidance per TEGL 16-21, “long-term unemployed individual” is defined by the
   applicant and is not required to align with the Bureau of Labor Statistics definition.
   Grantee recipients may interpret this to include individuals who have no work history,
   have been incarcerated, have otherwise not worked for an extended period, or in other
   ways that ensure that they can enroll the largest number of participants.

   In addition, grantee recipients are reminded that workers who became unemployed or are
   threatened with job loss because of foreign trade are, by definition, dislocated workers
   and therefore eligible to participate in a 2023 QUEST DWG. While not a replacement
   for the TAA program, 2023 QUEST DWG applicants may serve individuals who were
   certified or would have been eligible for TAA program services had the TAA Program
   not entered termination.

   2023 QUEST DWG grantee policies should include, define, and describe all participant
   eligibility criteria.

   Lastly, in 2022, the Departments of Labor and Commerce published The Good Jobs
   Principles, a shared federal vision of job quality describing the core elements of a good
   job. ETA recommends each applicant frame their project’s job quality components using
   these Principles.

c. Required Grant Activities. The 2023 QUEST DWG required activities are the same as
   those described in TEGL 2-22. However, the Department emphasizes the importance of
   providing comprehensive, necessary supportive services, including childcare,
   transportation, housing, mental health supports, and other allowable services, to program

   participants to enable them to successfully complete grant activities and meet their
   planned employment and training goals.

d. Availability of Funds and Application Review and Award. The period of
   performance for the 2023 QUEST DWG grants is 36 months. Grants will start on
   October 1, 2023, and conclude on September 30, 2026.

e. Attachment A, QUEST DWG Terminology. The 2023 QUEST DWG replaces the
   term “High-quality jobs” in TEGL No. 2-22 Attachment A with the definition of Good
   Jobs provided in Training and Employment Guidance Letter No. 7-22. The
   characteristics of good jobs and the importance of integrating good job strategies in the
   public workforce development system are incorporated into this Change 2 by reference.
   These characteristics align with The Good Jobs Principles, a shared federal vision of job
   quality published in 2022 by the Departments of Labor and Commerce. ETA
   recommends each applicant frame their project’s job quality components using these
   Principles.

f. Application Requirements. This Change 2 clarifies that the information requested in
   Attachment 1, the 2023 QUEST DWG Suggested Grant Application, replaces
   Attachment B QUEST DWG Project Synopsis form that was published in TEGL 2-22.
   The following four items must be submitted through grants.gov at www.grants.gov:

        i. An electronically signed copy of an SF-424 - Application for Federal Assistance
           (OMB Control No. 4040-0004);

       ii. An SF-424A - Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs (OMB Control
           No. 4040-0006);

      iii. A Budget Narrative to explain the projected costs reflected in each line item of the
           SF-424A demonstrating how grant funds will be used. See Attachment 2 for
           instructions on completing the budget narrative; and

      iv. A completed 2023 QUEST DWG Suggested Application (Attachment 1) or
          another file format with the information requested in Attachment 1.

g. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Information Collection

   OMB Information Collection No 1225-0086, Expires July 31, 2025.

   According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond
   to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control
   number. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to
   average 20 hours per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching
   existing data sources, gathering, and maintaining the data needed, and completing and
   reviewing the collection of information.

       Send comments about the burden estimated or any other aspect of this collection of
       information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the U.S. Department of
       Labor, to the attention of the Departmental Clearance Officer, 200 Constitution Avenue,
       NW, Room N-1301, Washington, D.C. 20210. Comments may also be emailed to:
       [email protected].

       PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR GRANT APPLICATION TO THIS ADDRESS.
       SEND ONLY COMMENTS ABOUT THE BURDEN CAUSED BY THE
       COLLECTION OF INFORMATION TO THIS ADDRESS. SEND YOUR GRANT
       APPLICATION TO THE SPONSORING AGENCY AS SPECIFIED EARLIER IN
       THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

       The information being collected through this Training and Employment Guidance Letter
       is for the purpose of awarding a grant. This information is required to be considered for
       this grant.

5. Inquiries. Questions regarding this guidance should be directed to the Grant Specialist, Ms.
   Diane Easterling, at [email protected] with 2023 QUEST DWG in the subject line.

6. References.
      • Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), sec. 170, Pub. L. No. 113-128,
         128 STAT. 1425, 1573-1576 (July 22, 2014);
      • 20 CFR pt. 687;
      • Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 7-22, Increasing Employer
         and Workforce System Customer Access to Good Jobs (January 18, 2023);
      • Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 2-22, QUEST Disaster
         Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grants Funding Announcement (July 5, 2022);
      • Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 16-21, Updated National
         Dislocated Worker Grant Program Guidance (June 16, 2022);
      • TEGL No. 14-18 – Aligning Performance Accountability Reporting, Definitions, and
         Policies Across Workforce Employment and Training Programs Administered by the
         U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) (March 25, 2019);
      • Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 19-16 – Guidance on
         Services Provided through the Adult and Dislocated Worker Programs under the
         Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and the Wagner-Peyser Act
         Employment Service (ES), as amended by title III of WIOA, and for the
         implementation of the WIOA Final Rules (March 1, 2017);
      • Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 17-16 – Infrastructure
         Funding of the One-Stop Delivery System (January 18, 2017);
      • Department of Commerce and Department of Labor Good Jobs Principles site
         https://www.dol.gov/general/good-jobs/principles;
      • Employment and Training Administration Performance site
         https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/performance;
      • National Dislocated Worker Grant WorkforceGPS Community of Practice,
         Performance Reporting Resources

          https://dwg.workforcegps.org/resources/2022/05/18/13/44/DWG-Performance-
          Reporting-Resources; and
      •   Employment and Training Administration Grants site
          https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/grants/management

7. Attachments.

      •   Attachment I - 2023 QUEST DWG Suggested Application Form
      •   Attachment II - Instruction Sheet for Completing the Budget Narrative

                                                                                                      ATTACHMENT I
   2023 Quality Jobs, Equity, Strategy, and Training (QUEST) Disaster Recovery National Dislocated
                        Worker Grants (DWGs) Suggested Grant Application

2023 QUEST DWG Suggested Application Form
Instructions: The information in this form must be submitted along with other required application
materials as described in the 2023 QUEST DWG Training and Employment Guidance Letter
(TEGL) No. 2-22 Change 2. This attachment replaces the Suggested Application, Attachment B, to
TEGL No. 2-22. If more space is required than this form provides, please attach up to five
additional pages of information. Note that ETA will not review any information that exceeds five
additional pages.
   A. Applicant Contact Information
   B. Instructions: Provide the information requested below that mirrors the information provided on the SF-
       424.
      i. Legal Name of Grant Applicant (SF-424, line 8a)

     ii. Authorized Representative (SF-424, line 21)
     Name                                                         Phone
     Title                                                        Email
    iii. Other Project Point of Contact (SF-424, line 8f)
     Name                                                      Phone
     Title                                                        Email
     iv. Type of Applicant (Reference TEGL 16-21, Attachment I, page 4)
Instructions. Select the box for the eligible entity type below.
        ☐ State
        ☐ Outlying area
        ☐ Federally-Recognized Indian tribal governments as defined by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief
          and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122(6))
  C. Experience with National Dislocated Worker Grants
Instructions. Mark the box below that reflects the applicant’s experience as a direct DWG grantee.
      ☐ The applicant is currently or has been a direct recipient of a DWG award within the past five years.
      ☐ The applicant has not been a direct recipient of a DWG award.

    D. Planned Participants
 Instructions. Provide the number of participants expected to be enrolled in the project during the period of performance
 and identify the eligible individuals or populations to be prioritized for recruitment and enrollment as requested below.
 Number of Participants Projected to be Served by
 the Proposed Project At right, provide the number
 of participants planned for the total funding request
 and period of performance.

                                                                                          ATTACHMENT I
  2023 Quality Jobs, Equity, Strategy, and Training (QUEST) Disaster Recovery National Dislocated
                       Worker Grants (DWGs) Suggested Grant Application

Please note: Planned participant totals may not be
decreased after a grant is awarded.
Priority Participants. At right, identify those
individuals or populations of eligible participants
who will be prioritized for participation in the
QUEST DWG, including individuals from
historically marginalized or underserved
communities. Please also describe why these
populations were chosen.
   E. Industries and Geographic Areas to be Served
Priority Industries. At right, indicate which
                                                            ☐ Infrastructure
industries the project will engage by checking the
relevant boxes and providing additional                     ☐ Care Economy
information as necessary.                                   ☐ Climate and Environment
                                                            ☐ Hospitality
                                                            ☐ Other Growth Industry (Please name):

Project Service Area. At right, indicate the
                                                            ☐ Outlying Area
geographic areas to be served by the proposed
grant. See section 4.d.iii of TEGL 2-22 for                 ☐ A subset of the state’s Local Workforce
additional information.                                        Development Areas (list the LWDAs):
                                                            ☐ Counties/Parishes (list the counties/parishes):
                                                            ☐ Other geographic areas such as Statewide
                                                              and Native American Employment and
                                                              Training areas (please define):

                                                                                           ATTACHMENT I
  2023 Quality Jobs, Equity, Strategy, and Training (QUEST) Disaster Recovery National Dislocated
                       Worker Grants (DWGs) Suggested Grant Application

The rationale for Project Service Area: At right,
provide a brief (no more than 250 words)
description of why the service area for this
proposed project was chosen, including how
providing services in the areas will address the goal
of the QUEST DWG.

F. Project Summary: Alignment with QUEST DWG Goal
Instructions: Per section 4.d.iii of TEGL 2-22, applicants must briefly describe their proposed project and
how it will achieve the goal of the QUEST DWG. Please address:
   • The strategic partners who have or will inform a successful project design.
   • The individuals, communities, industries, and companies the project will engage or serve.
   • The required, and any allowable, activities that will be used.
   • How the proposed project will achieve the QUEST DWG goal.

Please limit the Project Summary length to no more than 500 words using the space below or include it as an
attachment.

                                                                                            ATTACHMENT I
  2023 Quality Jobs, Equity, Strategy, and Training (QUEST) Disaster Recovery National Dislocated
                       Worker Grants (DWGs) Suggested Grant Application

G. Required Grant Activity: Developing Strategic Partnerships
Instructions: Briefly describe existing and planned partnerships that will inform the project design and
ensure successful outcomes. Please note each partner’s area of expertise (business, training and education,
community service provider, other), and their expected contribution to the QUEST DWG project’s
successful design, implementation, and outcomes.

Please limit this description to no more than 300 words using the space below or as an attachment.

Instructions: Per section 4.d.iv of TEGL 2-22, applicants must provide the name of each partner
(organization or individual) and their anticipated role in grant activities. Where applicable, applicants
should also include a plan for how new partners are identified and included in the project as needed. Please
provide the requested information using the table below or as an attachment.
Partner Name                         Partner Type                     Partner Role(s) In Proposed Project
                                     (Employer/industry,
                                     education, economic
                                     development, community
                                     organization, etcetera.)
Ex. Community Health                 Community organization           Outreach to potential participants
Association

Strategic Partner Commitment Letters:
                                                                      ☐ Yes
Select the relevant box at right to indicate whether commitment       ☐ No
letters from at least two of the Strategic Partners are included in
the grant application.

                                                                                                                                                     ATTACHMENT I
  2023 Quality Jobs, Equity, Strategy, and Training (QUEST) Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grants (DWGs) Suggested
                                                         Grant Application

G. Required Grant Activity: Community and Potential Participant Outreach
Instructions. In the space below, or as an attachment, insert your preliminary Community and Potential Participant Outreach Plan including
objectives to attain the identified goals; timelines; expected outcomes; any anticipated challenges to reaching goals; and other information that will
enable ETA to support the grant recipient. An example is provided.

                                                                                                                                      D. Potential Challenge(s) and
    A. Outreach Goals and Objective(s)                        B. Project Timeline            C. Anticipated Outcome(s)
                                                                                                                                                Solutions
Goal #1:                                                1.   Start Date – Completion Date   Obtain commitment of community          Challenge: A partner may not be able to
Develop a focused outreach campaign with partners to    2.   Start Date – Completion Date   partners with expertise in and          quickly focus resources as described in
reach historically marginalized communities within 50   3.   Start Date – Completion Date   capacity for quickly engaging the       the partner agreement creating a delay in
days of grant application submission.                   4.   Start Date – Completion Date   targeted participant populations in a   project startup.
                                                        5.   Start Date – Completion Date   culturally appropriate manner in the
Objectives for Goal #1:                                                                     2023 QUEST DWG.                         Solution: Renegotiate the partner’s role
    1. Identify potential outreach partners.                                                                                        and tasks and move tasks to other, more
    2. Create and send planning meeting invitations                                                                                 able partners.
        to potential outreach partners.
    3. Host a planning meeting and outline 2023
        QUEST DWG goals, potential partner roles
        and tasks, and obtain initial commitments to
        collaborate on participant outreach.
    4. Draft partner agreements to delineate roles,
        activities, timelines, communication
        frequency, and communication channels.
    5. Host follow-up planning meeting with partner
        meeting to finalize partner commitments and
        refine next steps as needed.

                                                                                                                                   ATTACHMENT I
  2023 Quality Jobs, Equity, Strategy, and Training (QUEST) Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grants (DWGs) Suggested
                                                         Grant Application

G. Required Grant Activity: Community and Potential Participant Outreach
Instructions. In the space below, or as an attachment, insert your preliminary Community and Potential Participant Outreach Plan including
objectives to attain the identified goals; timelines; expected outcomes; any anticipated challenges to reaching goals; and other information that will
enable ETA to support the grant recipient. An example is provided.

                                                                                                                       D. Potential Challenge(s) and
    A. Outreach Goals and Objective(s)                B. Project Timeline          C. Anticipated Outcome(s)
                                                                                                                                 Solutions

                                                                                          ATTACHMENT I
  2023 Quality Jobs, Equity, Strategy, and Training (QUEST) Disaster Recovery National Dislocated
                       Worker Grants (DWGs) Suggested Grant Application

   H. Required Grant Activity: Business Engagement
Instructions: Per section 4.d.iv of TEGL 02-22, please
    • Describe the business engagement strategy including how the project will identify business needs and
        provide examples of the services and solutions the QUEST DWG will offer.
    • Note how business engagement activities (both strategic and operational) support the goal of the
        QUEST DWG project.
    • Highlight how the business engagement strategy aligns with any existing business engagement
        strategies and activities underway in the proposed project’s geographic area.
    • Identify any employers or industries that the QUEST DWG project anticipates engaging, and why
        they were selected.
    • Note which, if any of the employers, currently offer good jobs (as described in TEGL No. 7-22).

Please limit the following narrative to no more than 300 words using the space below or as an attachment.

                                                                                           ATTACHMENT I
  2023 Quality Jobs, Equity, Strategy, and Training (QUEST) Disaster Recovery National Dislocated
                       Worker Grants (DWGs) Suggested Grant Application

I. Required Grant Activity: Employment & Training Activities
Applicants must describe the employment and training activities included in the proposed QUEST project
design. These activities should enable participants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic including its social
and economic inequities to gain the skills and experience necessary to qualify for, obtain, and advance in
safe and sustainable jobs, particularly good jobs (as defined in TEGL No. 7-22) in infrastructure, care,
hospitality, climate and environment, and other growth industry sectors. This information must also include
the applicant’s approach to providing comprehensive, necessary supportive services, including childcare,
transportation, housing, mental health supports, and other allowable services, to program participants to
enable them to successfully complete grant activities and meet their planned employment and training goals.

Please limit the narrative description to no more than 250 words using the space below or as an attachment.

                                                                                             ATTACHMENT I
  2023 Quality Jobs, Equity, Strategy, and Training (QUEST) Disaster Recovery National Dislocated
                       Worker Grants (DWGs) Suggested Grant Application

J. Allowable Grant Activity: Disaster-Relief Employment
Instructions: If the applicant’s project design includes allowable disaster-relief employment, the application
must include a description of:
    •   the disaster-relief employment that will be created;
    •   impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic that created the need for these jobs;
    •   how the work done in each job will directly address the health, employment, or economic impacts of
        the pandemic; and
    •   how the wage, employment duration, and other requirements defined in Training and Employment
        Guidance Letter 16-21 published on June 16, 2022, will be met.

Please limit the following narrative to no more than 300 words using the space below or as an attachment.

                                                                                          ATTACHMENT I
  2023 Quality Jobs, Equity, Strategy, and Training (QUEST) Disaster Recovery National Dislocated
                       Worker Grants (DWGs) Suggested Grant Application

K. Achieving the QUEST Goal
Instructions. Applicants must demonstrate that proposed projects will achieve the goal of the QUEST DWG
and enable participants adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the social and economic
inequities that the pandemic exacerbated, to enter, return to, or advance in good jobs (as defined in TEGL
No. 7-22) in growth industries including Infrastructure, the Care Economy, Hospitality, Climate and
Environment, and other growth sectors defined by the applicant. The TEGL’s characteristics of good jobs
align with The Good Jobs Principles, a shared federal vision of job quality published in 2022 by the
Departments of Labor and Commerce. ETA recommends each applicant frame their project’s job quality
components using these Principles as they document how the activities of the proposed QUEST DWG
project should result in improved individual and community resilience to the ongoing effects of the COVID-
19 pandemic.

Please limit the following narrative to no more than 300 words using the space below or as an attachment.

                                                                                              ATTACHMENT I
  2023 Quality Jobs, Equity, Strategy, and Training (QUEST) Disaster Recovery National Dislocated
                       Worker Grants (DWGs) Suggested Grant Application

L. Attestations for Project Implementation – All grant recipients must comply with WIOA statute and
   regulations (including DWG regulations at 20 CFR part 687), TEGL 16-21, grant award terms and
   conditions, and Uniform Guidance (2 CFR parts 200 and 2900). Below are some, but not all, of the
   requirements relevant to project implementation. Select the appropriate box to confirm
   understanding of and compliance with specified requirements. If selecting “no”, provide additional
   information to support the response.
      i. Participant Eligibility
Check the appropriate box to the right to acknowledge that QUEST DWG projects
will only serve eligible individuals described below and in section 4.b.iii of TEGL 2-
22.
 • Dislocated workers as defined by WIOA Section 3(15) including workers who
      were adversely affected (i.e., workers who become unemployed or are
      threatened with job loss) by foreign trade.
                                                                                            ☐ Yes ☐ No
  •     Individuals temporarily or permanently laid off because of the COVID-19
        pandemic disaster.
  •     Long-term unemployed individuals, as defined by the applicant.
  •    Self-employed individuals who became unemployed or significantly
       underemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic disaster.
    ii. Policies and Procedures
Instructions. DWG applicants must have policies and procedures in accordance with 20 CFR 687.170(b) and
TEGL 19-16 to support the allowability of project activities. For each element below, check the appropriate
box. (Reference TEGL 16-21, Attachment I, Section 5)

Note: A response of “no” to any element below will not be disqualifying for a 2023 QUEST DWG award,
but a recipient will be required to resolve any issues following an award.
Participant Eligibility: Participant eligibility determinations follow existing policies.   ☐ Yes ☐ No
Employment and Training Services: Employment and training activities follow
                                                                                            ☐ Yes ☐ No
existing policies.
Supportive Services: Supportive services, including childcare, will be provided as
                                                                                            ☐ Yes ☐ No
described in existing policies.
Worksite Selection and Management (including Health and Safety Standards):
Activities related to disaster-relief employment and worksite management (including
health and safety standards, and other relevant factors) follow existing policies and
are in compliance with DWG requirements.                                                    ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A

Check “N/A” if no disaster-relief employment is planned.

                                                                                                       ATTACHMENT I
      2023 Quality Jobs, Equity, Strategy, and Training (QUEST) Disaster Recovery National Dislocated
                           Worker Grants (DWGs) Suggested Grant Application

    Subrecipient Monitoring: Subrecipient monitoring to ensure that subrecipients (where
    applicable) are meeting grant terms and conditions, applicable guidance and             ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
    regulations, and follow existing policies.
    As appropriate, include additional narrative regarding policies & procedures affecting DWG project
    activities below.

       iii. Grant-funded Activities (Reference TEGL 16-21, Attachment I, pages 2 – 12)

    The highest priority will be given to the cleanup of the disaster areas’ most severely
    damaged public communities, facilities, and property, and to the cleanup and the
    provision of humanitarian assistance to economically disadvantaged areas. Where
    possible, grant recipients should prioritize enrollment of eligible participants most in        ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
    need of economic support or workforce development services.

    Check “N/A” if no Disaster Relief Employment is planned.
    Documentation will be maintained for all worksites, including the dates and hours
    worked by each participant. For work on private property, documentation will include
    the rationale for the determination that such work was allowable under this guidance. ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A

    Check “N/A” if no Disaster Relief Employment is planned.
    As appropriate, include additional narrative regarding grant-funded activities below.

        iv.  Partnership in the American Job Center (AJC) Network (Reference TEGL 16-21, Attachment
             I, pages 21 - 22)
    DWG grants are funded through Title I of WIOA and are considered required partners
    in the local AJC network.1 Grant recipients other than Indian tribal governments are ☐ Yes ☐ No
    required to be existing or become new one-stop partners.
    As appropriate, include additional narrative regarding AJC partnership activities below.

1
    Guidance related to required WIOA partners, MOUs, and IFAs can be found in TEGL 16-16 and TEGL 17-16.

                                                                                 ATTACHMENT I
 2023 Quality Jobs, Equity, Strategy, and Training (QUEST) Disaster Recovery National Dislocated
                      Worker Grants (DWGs) Suggested Grant Application

   v.   Performance Accountability. (Reference TEGL 16-21, Attachment I, page 26)

2023 QUEST DWG grantee performance goals will mirror the relevant state’s current
WIOA State Negotiated Levels of Performance for the title I Dislocated Worker     ☐ Yes ☐ No
Program.
2023 QUEST DWG grant recipients must submit Quarterly Performance and
                                                                               ☐ Yes ☐ No
Quarterly Narrative Reports in accordance with TEGL 14-18.

                                                                                             ATTACHMENT II
                2023 QUEST DWG Instruction Sheet for Completing the Budget Narrative

You must complete the SF-424A Budget Information Form (available at
https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1). In preparing the Budget Information
Form, you must provide a concise narrative explanation to support each line item on the SF‐424A, which
includes an itemization of the component costs adding up to the total projected cost for each line item. The
calculations provided in the Budget Narrative must be accurate, and the line item cost projections in the
narrative must match the associated cost identified on the SF‐424A. Each category should include the total cost
for the period of performance. Use the following guidelines for preparing the Budget Narrative.
   Personnel: List all staff positions by title (both current and proposed) including the roles and
   responsibilities. For each position give the annual salary, the percentage of time devoted to the project, and
   the amount of each position’s salary funded by the grant.
   Fringe Benefits: Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages that comprise fringe benefit costs
   such as health insurance, FICA, retirement, etc.
   Travel: For grantee staff only, specify the purpose, number of staff traveling, mileage, per diem, the
   estimated number of in-state and out-of-state trips, and other costs for each type of travel.
   Equipment: Identify each item of equipment you expect to purchase that has an estimated acquisition cost
   of $5,000 or more per unit (or if your capitalization level is less than $5,000, use your capitalization level)
   and a useful life of more than one year (see 2 CFR 200.1 for the definition of Equipment). List the item,
   quantity, and unit cost per item.
   Items with a unit cost of less than $5,000 are supplies, not “equipment.” In general, we do not permit the
   purchase of equipment during the last funded year of the grant.
   Supplies: Identify categories of supplies (e.g., office supplies) in the detailed budget and list the item,
   quantity, and unit cost per item. Supplies include all tangible personal property other than “equipment” (see
   2 CFR 200.1 for the definition of Supplies).
   Contractual: Under the Contractual line item, delineate contracts and subawards separately. Contracts are
   defined according to 2 CFR 200.1 as a legal instrument by which a non-federal entity purchases property or
   services needed to carry out the project or program under a federal award. A subaward, defined by 2 CFR
   200.1 means an award provided by a pass-through entity to a subrecipient for the subrecipient to carry out
   part of a federal award received by the pass-through entity. It does not include payments to a contractor or
   payments to an individual that is a beneficiary of a federal program.
   For each proposed contract and subaward, specify the purpose and activities to be provided, and the
   estimated cost.
   Construction: Construction costs are not allowed and this line must be left as zero. Minor alterations to
   adjust an existing space for grant activities (such as a classroom alteration) may be allowable. We do not
   consider this construction and you must show the costs on other appropriate lines such as Contractual.
   Other: Provide clear and specific detail, including costs, for each item so that we can determine whether
   the costs are necessary, reasonable, and allocable. List items, such as stipends or incentives, not covered
   elsewhere.

                                                                                               ATTACHMENT II

Indirect Costs: If you include an amount for indirect costs (through a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement
or De Minimis) on the SF-424A budget form, then include one of the following:
a) If you have a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA), provide an explanation of how the indirect
costs are calculated. This explanation should include which portion of each line item, along with the associated
costs, are included in your cost allocation base. Also, provide a current version of the NICRA.
or
b) If you intend to claim indirect costs using the 10 percent de minimis rate, please confirm that your
organization meets the requirements as described in 2 CFR Part 200.414(f). Clearly state that your organization
does not have a current negotiated (including provisional) rate, and is not one described in 2 CFR Part 200,
Appendix VII(D)(1)(b).
Applicants choosing to claim indirect costs using the de minimis rate must use Modified Total Direct Costs (as
defined by DOL below) as their cost allocation base. Explain which portion of each line item, along with the
associated costs, are included in your cost allocation base. Note that there are various items not included in the
calculation of Modified Total Direct Costs. See the definitions below to assist you in your calculation.
     •   Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) Definition: To avoid a serious inequity in the distribution of
         indirect costs, DOL defines MTDC as all direct salaries and wages, applicable fringe benefits, materials
         and supplies, services, travel, and up to the first $25,000 of each subaward or subcontract (regardless of
         the period of performance of the subawards or subcontracts under the award). MTDC excludes
         equipment, capital expenditures, charges for patient care, rental costs, tuition remission, scholarships
         and fellowships, participant support costs, and the portion of each subaward or subcontract in excess of
         $25,000.
             • You will also note that participant support costs are not included in modified total direct costs.
                 Participant support costs are defined below.
             • 2 CFR Part 200.1 Participant Support Cost means direct costs for items such as stipends or
                 subsistence allowances, travel allowances, and registration fees paid to or on behalf of
                 participants or trainees (but not employees) in connection with conferences or training projects.
See Section IV.B.4. and Section IV.E.1 for more information. Additionally, the following link contains
information regarding the negotiation of Indirect Cost Rates at DOL:
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/oasam/centers-offices/office-of-the-senior-procurement-executive/cost-price-determination-division.
Indirect-type costs (such as top management salaries, financial oversight, human resources, payroll, personnel,
auditing costs, accounting and legal, etc. used for the general oversight and administration of the organization)
must not be classified as direct costs; these types of costs are recovered as part of charging the de minimis or
NICRA rate. Note that the SF-424, SF-424A, and Budget Narrative must include the entire federal grant
amount requested (not just one year).

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