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Program Year 2019 state apprenticeship expansion grants
Summary ETA announced $73 million in Program Year 2019 funding to help states expand Registered Apprenticeship programs. The required first tier funded baseline state capacity, while an optional second tier supported innovations to spread the model. The letter gives application, award, and use-of-funds instructions; ETA now labels it Canceled.
Document
Federal guidance
Agency
U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (ETA)
Document number
TEGL No. 15-19
Date issued
April 14, 2020
Status
Withdrawn
ETA marks this listing entry Canceled as of October 24, 2026. The letter prints an expiration date of Continuing and does not identify a cancellation instrument.
Status last verified October 24, 2026
Topics
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CLASSIFICATION
EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION Funding Vehicle
ADVISORY SYSTEM CORRESPONDENCE SYMBOL
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR OA
Washington, D.C. 20210 DATE
April 14, 2020
ADVISORY: TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT GUIDANCE LETTER NO. 15-19
TO: STATE GOVERNORS
STATE WORKFORCE AGENCIES
STATE WORKFORCE ADMINISTRATORS
STATE APPRENTICESHIP AGENCIES
STATE DIRECTORS, OFFICE OF APPRENTICESHIP
STATE WORKFORCE LIAISONS
STATE AND LOCAL WORKFORCE BOARD CHAIRS AND DIRECTORS
STATE EDUCATION AGENCIES
FROM: JOHN PALLASCH
Assistant Secretary
SUBJECT: Availability of Program Year 2019 Funding for State Apprenticeship Expansion
Grants, "Building State Capacity to Expand Apprenticeship through Innovation" ·
1. Purpose. This Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) announces the
availability of $73 million in Program Year (PY) 2019 funds to States through tiered funding.
The goal of these funds is to expand the national Registered Apprenticeship system by
funding baseline activities that improve States' ability to serve, improve, and strategically
scale the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) model described in 29 C.F.R. parts 29,
Subpart A, and 29 C.F.R.30; and to fund innovations aimed at using RAPs as a tool for
developing the economy and building infrastructure.
Specifically, States will use grant awards to pursue the following goals and activities:
A: Tier I (Required): Baseline Goals and Activities: Every State applying that meets
the application requirements will receive a base amount of funding ($450,000 for States
and $300,000 for U.S. territories) to engage in activities to strengthen the structures
supporting RAPs in their State. See Appendix III for details.
B: Tier II (Optional): Innovation Goals and Activities: ETA will award States as
much as $9 million if their application demonstrates improvements and innovations to
RAPs in their State that spread the RAP model, develop infrastructure, and impact other
significant policy issues. Applications must also credibly demonstrate that stated goals
can be accomplished during the life of the grant. See Appendix III for details.
RESCISSIONS EXPIRATION DATE
None Continuing
This TEGL also announces application procedures and provides guidance on the use of
funds.
Beginning in Program Year 2020, the Department intends to award funds competitively
through a Funding Opportunity Announcement. Further, if additional funds remain available
after awards are made under this TEGL, ETA will use the remaining balance to award grants
through other competitively awarded RAP funding opportunities announced by the
Department in PY 2019.
Funds awarded come from the Department’s annual appropriated funds to develop and
expand RAPs. This appropriation allows the Department to grant funds to “[e]xpand
opportunities relating to apprenticeship programs registered under the National
Apprenticeship Act[.]” This means recipients must spend these funds on activities that will
create or assist in the creation of RAPs.
The term “State” means “any of the 50 States of the United States, District of Columbia, or
any Territory or possession of the United States.”1 For the purposes of this TEGL, territories
or possessions of the United States are defined as Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam,
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.
2. Action Requested. States must submit applications responding to TEGL 15-19 including all
required documents detailed in Appendix V to www.Grants.gov no later than 11:59:59 P.M.
E.D.T., May 21, 2020.
3. Summary and Background.
a. Summary – This TEGL solicits applications from States for the State Apprenticeship
Expansion Grants, “Building State Capacity to Expand Apprenticeship through
Innovation” grants.
b. Background – In June 2017, the President issued an Executive Order (E.O.) 13801,
Expanding Apprenticeship in America, with a focus on preparing workers to fill both
existing and newly created jobs, and to prepare workers for the jobs of the future.2
Apprenticeship is an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can
develop and prepare their future workforce, and apprentices can obtain paid work
experience, classroom instruction, and a portable, nationally-recognized credential. The
E.O. directs the federal government to “promote apprenticeships and effective workforce
development programs.”
1
e-CFR 29:29.2 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=b9997eeaeab45b77ad8522923a1e0567&mc=true&node=se29.1.29_12&rgn=div8.
2
Executive Order on Expanding Apprenticeships in America, available
at https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/3245/.
Expanding apprenticeships can help individuals gain the skills necessary to fill vacancies
and help employers find skilled workers more easily and quickly. Research
suggests several factors contribute to the current skills gap: a lack of people with
fundamental employability skills; a lack of workers who have the specialized skills
needed to fill many trade positions; and a lack of applicants in the fields of science,
technology, engineering, and math (STEM) needed for many of today’s jobs.3 To
address the skills gap, employers across all industries are increasingly turning to
apprenticeship as a workforce development solution. With a 94 percent retention rate and
proven return on investment, companies of all sizes are creating apprenticeship programs
to train students and adults for careers of today and tomorrow. 4 Research has also shown
a $1.47 5 return on investment for every dollar an employer spends on apprenticeship;
registered apprentices earn $300,000 6 more during their career than non-apprenticeship
workers; and registered apprentice completers earn on average $70,000 per
year,7 about $10,000 more than someone graduating with a degree.8
Other factors, including an aging workforce and technology changes, impact the
unemployment rate in the country. The E.O. provides a roadmap for the government to
address some of these concerns. Of note, the E.O. created a Task Force that provided
several recommendations to best expand the apprenticeship model in America, including
a recommendation on the identification and availability of capacity-building resources.
The Task Force report indicates that the government should provide “clarification or
alignment of funding availability (or both) via [Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
Act] (WIOA), the Carl D. Perkins Career & Technical Education Act, Federal Work-
Study, and/or the Federal Pell Grant Program, at a minimum.”9
In addition to federal efforts, States have taken actions to share capacity-building
resources and to encourage the alignment of multiple funding sources to support
individuals entering apprenticeships. Most States have already developed apprenticeship
3
Business Roundtable, Closing the Skills Gap, available at https://www.businessroundtable.org/policy-perspectives/building-americas-tomorrow-ready-workforce/closing-the-skills-gap
4
U.S. Department of Labor, Apprenticeship Toolkit Frequently Asked Questions, available at
https://www.dol.gov/apprenticeship/toolkit/toolkitfaq.htm#2e
5
U.S. Department of Labor, Apprenticeship Toolkit Frequently Asked Questions, available at
https://www.dol.gov/apprenticeship/toolkit/toolkitfaq.htm#2e
6
U.S. Department of Labor, Apprenticeship Toolkit Frequently Asked Questions, available at
https://www.dol.gov/apprenticeship/toolkit/toolkitfaq.htm#2e
7
https://www.doleta.gov/OA/data_statistics.cfm
8
U.S. Department of Labor, Apprenticeship Toolkit Frequently Asked Questions, available at
https://www.dol.gov/apprenticeship/toolkit/toolkitfaq.htm#2e
9
Taskforce on Apprenticeship Expansion Final Report to: the President of the United States, May 10,
2018, available at https://www.dol.gov/apprenticeship/docs/task-force-apprenticeship-expansion-report.pdf
programs, while others have formed temporary work groups, advisory councils, or
committees to study and better understand successes in apprenticeship and how state
legislation could create these programs. Some States have also enacted laws to promote
the alignment of apprenticeships with education systems, namely Career and Technical
Education (CTE) programs within high schools. In 2019, 26 States enacted 49 bills
promoting workforce development programs at the post-secondary educational level.
Additionally, at least nine States introduced bills related to education and workforce
development data.10
Since the passage of WIOA, the Department has published guidance, provided technical
assistance, and encouraged States to integrate apprenticeships into workforce
development strategies through their local workforce boards. Workforce boards are
ideally positioned to integrate apprenticeships in local work-based learning agendas;
boards and the American Job Centers (AJCs) they oversee already provide training, refer
job seekers to employment opportunities, and work with businesses to find talent
development solutions that meet the local labor demand.11 By taking advantage of
apprenticeship opportunities, boards and AJCs can expand work-based learning options
to their jobseeker customers.
As it continues to provide guidance, the Department has allotted funds to States to
promote the development or expansion of RAPs with a focus on integrating RAPs into
the local economy as a go-to workforce development solution.
Expanding Registered Apprenticeships means strategically scaling the RAP model into
new industries and occupations; increasing diversity of RAP populations by actively
recruiting veterans and their spouses, as well as those demographic groups historically
underrepresented within RAPs (including women, people of color, ex-offenders, and
persons with disabilities); and extending into new communities, including rural and
inner-city employers.
In 2016, the Department awarded $50.5 million in State Apprenticeship Expansion (SAE)
grants to expand RAPs to more workers and more companies and advance RAPs as a go-
to talent solution within States’ education and workforce development systems.
Subsequently, the Department also awarded $49 million to support continued state
apprenticeship expansion efforts.
In 2019, the Department awarded $73 million in Apprenticeship State Expansion grants
to States to advance three goals: (1) increase the number of apprentices in RAPs
nationwide; (2) support and encourage RAP diversification, including increasing the
10
Education Commission, Postsecondary Workforce Development Policy, https://www.ecs.org/wp-content/uploads/Postsecondary-Workforce-Development-Policies.pdf
11
National Association of Workforce Boards and Jobs for the Future, The State of Apprenticeship Among
Workforce Boards, available at https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/dc0a626e/files/uploaded/NAWB-Apprenticeship-092717_Final.pdf
diversity of apprentices and growing apprenticeship across industry sectors; and (3)
support the integration of RAPs into State workforce development, education, and
economic development strategies and programs, ensuring that Registered Apprenticeship
is a viable career path for youth, adults, and career seekers, as well as a valuable
workforce development strategy for businesses.
Building on these efforts, this TEGL creates a funding opportunity supporting statewide
RAP expansion through tiered funding as described above.
4. Program Authority. Funds awarded come from the Department’s annual appropriated
funds to develop and expand RAPs. This appropriation allows the Department to grant funds
to “[e]xpand opportunities relating to apprenticeship programs registered under the National
Apprenticeship Act[.]” This means recipients must spend these funds on activities that will
create or assist in the creation of RAPs. Funding is authorized under the Department of
Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019
and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2019 (Public Law 115-245, Division B, Title I) and will
be awarded under CFDA Number 17.285.
5. Inquiries. Please direct questions regarding this funding opportunity to Anu Mathew, Grants
Management Specialist, Office of Grants Management, at [email protected],
specifically referencing “ETA-TEGL-15-19.” Applicants should include a contact name,
phone number and email with all questions to provide a means of response. This
announcement is available on the ETA website at http://www.doleta.gov/grants and at
https://www.grants.gov.
6. References.
National Apprenticeship Act (Fitzgerald Act)
o Original Version (https://www.doleta.gov/oa/history.cfm#original)
o Amended Version (https://www.doleta.gov/oa/history.cfm#amendments)
Labor Standards for the Registration of Apprenticeship Programs (Title 29, CFR Part 29,
Subpart A) (https://www.doleta.gov/OA/pdf/FinalRule29CFRPart29.pdf)
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) in Apprenticeship (Title 29, CFR Part 30)
(https://www.doleta.gov/oa/eeo/)
Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) 13-16: Guidance on Registered
Apprenticeship Provisions and Opportunities in the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (WIOA) (https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=9125)
7. Attachments.
Attachment I (Required): Applies to all applicants:
o I-1: Project Narrative Requirements – Tier I Baseline Goals and Activities
o I-2: Work Plan Template
o I-3: Template: Performance Outputs and Outcomes
o I-4: Budget Narrative Guidance
o I-5: Governor’s Letter
o I-6: Abstract
Attachment II (Optional): Applies only to applicants applying for Tier II funding:
o II-1: Project Narrative Requirements – Tier II: Innovation Goals and
Activities
Select Only One Option: Up to $3 million; $3,000,001 to $6 million;
or $6,000,001 to $9 million
o II-2: Work Plan Template
o II-3: Template: Performance Outputs and Outcomes
o II-4: Budget Narrative Guidance
Attachment III: Application Submission Checklist
8. Appendices.
Appendix I: Primary Goals and Activities of this Funding Opportunity and
Definitions
Appendix II: Award Information
Appendix III: Goals and Activities
o A: Tier I (Required): Baseline Goals and Activities
o B: Tier II (Optional): Innovation Goals and Activities
Appendix IV: Funding Restrictions
Appendix V: Application Submission
Appendix VI: Application Review and Award
Appendix VII: Administrative Program Requirements
Appendix VIII: ETA Evaluation
Appendix IX: Reporting Requirements
Appendix X: Grant Recipient Training
Appendix XI: Agency Contacts
Appendix XII: OMB Information Collection
Appendix XIII: Resources
Attachment I-1
A: Project Narrative Requirements – Tier I: Baseline Goals and Activities (all applicants)
The Project Narrative must demonstrate your capability to implement the grant project in
accordance with the provisions of this TEGL. It must provide a comprehensive framework and
description of all aspects of the proposed project. It must be succinct, self-explanatory, and well
organized so that reviewers can understand the proposed project.
Please use the format below to develop your project narrative.
For applicants applying to Tier I, the Tier I final narrative is limited to 10 double-spaced
single-sided 8 x 11 inch pages with 12 point Times New Roman font and 1 inch margins.
Applicants must number the Project Narrative beginning with page number “1”.
We will not read or consider any materials beyond the specified page limit in the application
review process.
The following instructions provide all of the information needed to complete the Project
Narrative. Carefully read and consider each section, and include all required information in your
Project Narrative. You must use the same section headers identified below for each section of
the Project Narrative.
i. Current State Capacity of Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAP) in the State:
Provide a background on the landscape of current apprenticeship in your State, based on the most
recent annual data:
Number of Existing RAP Sponsors;
Number of Existing RAPs;
Key Industries and Occupations with RAPs;
Number of registered apprentices;
o Aggregate Apprentice Demographic Information (i.e., gender, race, ethnicity,
underrepresented populations, including women, people of color, ex-offenders,
and persons with disabilities)
Current State Capacity/Structure for RAP Development/Outreach/Etc.;
Current Pipelines into RAPs; and
Current gaps, barriers, and challenges to develop or expand RAPs and/or the number of
enrolled apprentices in a fiscal year.
ii. Tier I Baseline Goals and Activities (Required):
Each grant proposal must include strategies that address the required baseline goals and activities
as described in Appendix III.
How do your proposed strategies address activities regarding governance and operations
of RAPs within your State?
How do your proposed strategies address gaps in system alignment for RAP expansion?
How do your proposed activities improve data sharing and data integrity?
Note: Grantees must reach agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) on how they
will report performance under this list of activities.
iii. Staffing Plan and Organizational Structure:
Provide a detailed description demonstrating your capacity to effectively manage each
component of the program including a narrative portion and functional organizational chart
as indicated below:
Provide a detailed description demonstrating the lead applicant’s capacity to effectively
manage each component of the program. Include a project management plan and a
communications plan for efficient and effective management of the project with all
partners and staff. Demonstrate the capacity to establish effective procurement
processes, systems, and procedures and those of any partners who will be providing any
services or conducting any activities under the grant (if applicable); and
Provide a detailed organizational chart that identifies the lead applicant, apprenticeship
partnerships, and other proposed partners. The chart must describe the structure of the
relationships of all partners involved in the project. The chart must also identify the
proposed project’s staffing plan to illustrate that partners have the capacity to support the
lead applicant to carry out the proposed project. The staffing plan must describe the
qualifications and experience of all executive and administrative staff, as well as other
personnel such as board members, advisors, and consultants, to fulfill the needs and
requirements of the proposed project. Such qualifications and experience must
demonstrate the ability to manage a strategic partnership, including fiscal and
administrative management, outreach, and promotion. The chart should be included as
an attachment to the project narrative and does not count toward the 10-page limit for
Tier I.
Attachment I-2
B: Suggested Work Plan Template for Base Funding Goals and Activities (all applicants)
Using the suggested work plan table format below, provide an overview of the activities,
timelines, and key milestones. The work plan must clearly describe short-term, mid-term, and
long-term milestones, and must include all of the following:
Project Goals: The overarching achievements that will be pursued;
Milestones: The key markers of grant progress. These are typically expressed in the
form of an action or event marking a significant change or stage in development;
Key Activities: The major activities of the State’s apprenticeship expansion
strategies, including timeframes for expanding existing RAPs, deployment of new
apprenticeship programs, and/or enrollment of new participants in apprenticeship
training;
Outcomes and Deliverables: The number of participants served, the required annual
report, and other outcomes and deliverables of the project; and
Key partners: The partners identified for key activities.
EXAMPLE GOAL: Baseline Goal 1: National Apprenticeship System Building
States can spend base funding on developing structures that ensure that all
RAPs in the State have the features of high-quality apprenticeship described in
29 C.F.R. parts 29 and 30.
Activity: Lead/Support
Implementer(s):
Deliverable(s):
Milestones Timeframe Deliverable Dates
EXAMPLE GOAL: Baseline Goal 2: System Alignment for Apprenticeship Expansion
States can spend base funding to build statewide capacity to increase the
number and quality of Registered Apprenticeships through stronger alignment
with the education and workforce systems.
Activity: Lead/Support
Implementer(s):
Deliverable(s):
Milestones Timeframe Deliverable Dates
Attachment I-3
C: Performance Outputs and Outcomes (all applicants)
The performance outcomes measures indicated below must be included as an Attachment to the
application. Applicants should provide performance outputs and outcomes, as appropriate for
their proposed project.
DOL suggests the following format for applicants’ ease of use, although using this precise
format is not required to receive a grant award:
A. Apprenticeship Employment & Training Apprentice Performance Outcomes
Total participants served Total:
Year 1:
1. Year 2:
Total number of all participants served (receiving a
Year 3:
grant-funded service) in the program
Increasing Diversity of RAP Total:
Total percentage of participants served in the program who are Year 1:
1a. veterans and veterans’ spouses, as well as those demographic Year 2:
groups historically underrepresented within RAPs, including Year 3:
women, people of color, ex-offenders, and persons with
disabilities.
Total participants who enter a RAP Total:
Year 1:
Year 2:
2. Note: The total apprentices newly enrolled in education/training activities
should not exceed the total apprentices served.
Year 3
Year 1: Total:
Total registered apprentices who complete a RAP Year 2:
3.
Year 3
Total participants who receive a degree, or other type of Year 1: Total:
4. credential during the period of performance (including RA Year 2:
Completion Certificate) Year 3
B. Expanding Apprenticeship Program Outputs
Year 1: Total:
1. Total number of newly created RAPs Year 2:
Year 3:
Year 1: Total:
2. Total number of newly created RAPs in a new industry Year 2:
Year 3:
Attachment I-4
D: Budget Narrative Guidance (all applicants)
The Budget Narrative must provide a description of the costs associated with each line item
on the SF-424A.
The Budget Narrative should also include a section describing any leveraged resources
provided (as applicable) to support grant activities; however, any indicated leveraged
resources will have no bearing on the proposal review, or funding decision. Do not show
leveraged resources on the SF-424 and SF-424A.
Each category should include the total cost for the period of performance. Use the following
guidance for preparing the Budget Narrative:
1. Personnel – List all staff positions by title including the roles and responsibilities. State
the annual salary of each person, the percentage of each person’s time devoted to the project,
the amount of each person’s salary funded by the grant and the total personnel cost for the
period of performance.
2. Fringe Benefits – Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages that comprise
fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA, retirement, etc.
3. Travel – Specify the purpose, number of staff traveling, mileage, per diem, estimated
number of in-state and out-of-state trips and other costs for each type of travel.
4. Equipment – Equipment is not an allowable cost under this funding announcement and this
line must be left as zero.
5. Supplies – Supplies include all tangible personal property other than “equipment.” The
detailed budget should identify categories of supplies (e.g., office supplies). List the quantity
and unit cost and total cost per item.
6. Contractual – For each proposed contract and subaward, specify the purpose, activities,
and estimated cost. Under the Contractual line item, delineate contracts and subawards
separately. Contracts are defined according to 2 CFR 200.22 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 200.92, 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.
7. 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. DOL does not consider this as construction and the costs must be shown on
other appropriate lines such as Contractual.
8. Other – List each item in sufficient detail for DOL to determine whether the costs are
reasonable or allowable. List item, such as stipends or incentives, not covered elsewhere.
9. Indirect Charges – If indirect charges are included on the SF-424A budget form, a
Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) or Cost Allocation Plan (CAP) must be
included as well as 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 the applicants cost allocation base. Also, a current version of the NICRA or CAP should
be provided as an attachment to the project narrative.
Note:
The SF-424, SF-424A, and Budget Narrative must include the entire federal grant Tier I
Baseline amount requested (not just one year).
Applicants should list the same requested federal grant amount on the SF-424, SF-424A,
and Budget Narrative.
Attachment I-5
E: Governor’s Letter (all applicants)
The Governor or another chief elected official must provide a leadership commitment letter – to
be uploaded to Grants.gov separately from the project narrative and work plan – demonstrating
the State’s commitment to this effort. The letter must do the following:
Designate the State Agency to be the recipient of the award.
o Must be one of the eligible entities (see Appendix II: Award Information, Eligible
Applicants).
o Must commit to work in partnership with the State Apprenticeship Agency or
federal Office of Apprenticeship working within the State.
Describe specifically how the Governor or chief elected official plans to support the
expansion of quality and innovative apprenticeship training programs that are aligned
with the WIOA State Plan.
The letter must be addressed to Brinda Ruggles, Grant Officer, U.S. Department of Labor,
Employment & Training Administration Office of Grants Management, 200 Constitution Ave,
NW Room N-4716, Washington, D.C. 20210.
For State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) States, applicants must identify and detail their
engagement and collaboration with the SAA.
Attachment I-6
F: Abstract (all applicants)
Suggested Abstract Format
Please feel free to tailor the template as needed to fit your information.
2019 State Apprenticeship Expansion Grant
Lead Applicant Organization’s Name:
Tier I Funding Amount: State can receive a base
amount of $450,000; U.S. territories receive $300,000.
If applicable, Tier II Funding Amount Request: Up to
$3 million, $3,000,001 to $6 million; or $6,000,001 to $9
million. Identify specific amount requested.
Tier I Baseline Goals:
1. National Apprenticeship System Building. States must spend base funding on developing
structures that ensure all RAPs in the State have the features of high-quality apprenticeship
described in 29 C.F.R. parts 29 and 30.
2. System Alignment for Apprenticeship Expansion. States must spend base funding to build
statewide capacity to increase the number and quality of apprenticeships through stronger
alignment with the education and workforce systems.
3. Improving Data Sharing and Data Integrity. States must spend base funding to improve
data collection and sharing and data integrity.
Short Project Summary: Include identifying targeted industry(ies) and/or occupation(s).
Tier II Innovation Goals and Activities (if applicable):
Up to $3 million:
Select two of the Tier II Goals
o Goal 1: Example B.vi. Establish statewide RAP industry intermediaries
(minimum of two).
o Goal 2: Example E.i. Establish or expand the role of the business service
representative /apprenticeship navigator with the promotion of apprenticeship
to partner systems (e.g., education, workforce, and economic development).
Set a goal of at least 10 percent growth of new apprentices registered above the current
State baseline during the life of the grant and credibly demonstrate in the application
that you will make substantial progress toward meeting this goal.
Short Project Summary: Include identifying targeted industry(ies) and/or occupation(s).
$3,000,001 to $6 million:
Select four of the Tier II Goals
o Goal 1:
o Goal 2:
o Goal 3:
o Goal 4:
Set a goal of at least 20 percent growth of new apprentices registered above the current
State baseline during the life of the grant and credibly demonstrate in the application
that you will make substantial progress toward meeting this goal; and
Develop and operationalize at least one innovation using the Internet, software, and
other technological resources to improve RAP marketing/promotion, business
outreach, apprenticeship standards development, and apprenticeship access for under-
represented populations.
Short Project Summary: Include identifying targeted industry(ies) and/or occupation(s).
$6,000,001 to $9 million
Select six of the Tier II Goals
o Goal 1:
o Goal 2:
o Goal 3:
o Goal 4:
o Goal 5:
o Goal 6:
Set a goal of at least 25 percent growth of new apprentices registered above the current
State baseline during the life of the grant and credibly demonstrate in the application
that you will make substantial progress toward meeting this goal;
Develop and operationalize at least one innovation using the Internet, software, and
other technological resources to improve RAP marketing/promotion, business
outreach, apprenticeship standards development, and apprenticeship access for under-
represented populations; and
Develop a 5-year plan making RAP a central workforce development strategy and tool
for employers within the State.
Short Project Summary: Include identifying targeted industry(ies) and/or occupation(s).
Attachment II-1
A: Project Narrative Requirements – Tier II: Innovation Goals and Activities (Applicants
applying for Tier II funding only)
Applicants may also apply for Tier II funding: Up to $3 million; $3,000,001 to $6 million; or,
$6,000,001 to $9 million.
The Project Narrative must credibly demonstrate your capability to implement the grant project
in accordance with the provisions of this Announcement. This demonstration must be included
in the narrative response, and include evidence supporting it by attachment, reference, or
hyperlink to the Project Narrative. The inclusion of evidence will count toward the page limit on
the Project Narrative. The Project Narrative must provide a comprehensive framework and
description of all aspects of the proposed project. It must be succinct, self-explanatory, and well-
organized so that reviewers can understand the proposed project.
Please use the following format to develop your project narrative. For Tier II funding, the final
narrative is limited to 15 double-spaced single-sided 8 x 11 inch pages (in addition to your Tier I
narrative) with 12 point Times New Roman font and 1 inch margins. Applicants must number
the Project Narrative beginning with page number “1”.
We will not read or consider any materials beyond the specified page limit in the application
review process.
The following instructions provide all of the information needed to complete the Project
Narrative. Carefully read and consider each section, and include all required information in your
Project Narrative. You must use the same section headers identified below for each section of
the Project Narrative.
i. Tier II Required Goals and Activities
Each grant proposal must include strategies that address the required goals and activities (see
Appendix III for a detailed list of categories). Clearly identify which goals and activities you
select and identify strategies for how you will achieve each of the selected goal and activity.
Up to $3 million: Two goals from different categories;
$3,000,001 to $6 million: Four goals from different categories; or
$6,000,001 up to $9 million: Six goals from different categories.
As described in Attachment II-3, the applicant must identify measurable performance outputs
and outcomes for each goal and activity selected in the narrative above.
ii. Evidence of Past Performance:
In addition to identifying the goals from Appendix III, applicants must also provide evidence of
past performance related to establishment or expansion of RAPs. Applicants must use the
information below and provide the applicable past performance information in the project
narrative. Supporting evidence must be included in the narrative response by attachment,
reference, or hyperlink. Supporting evidence will count toward the page limit on application
materials.
Full description of the applicant’s prior experience in the development of Registered
Apprenticeships or capacity to expand Registered Apprenticeships to local, state, regional
or national scale. This could include evidence of existing partnerships, prior experience
in expanding RAPs, and the number of apprentices placed in prior programs; and
Demonstration that partners have experience in engaging industry and employers in the
adoption of RAPs, or in the development of work-based learning programs.
iii. State Apprenticeship 5-year Plans: (Only required for applicants applying for funding
level greater than $6 million)
Identify a timeline for development and integration of a 5-year State Registered
Apprenticeship expansion plan, including key partners who will be involved in the
process. Applicants who developed plans through the Apprenticeship Accelerator Grants
(TEGL-19-15) should ensure they are effectively integrating and/or expanding those
plans as a result of these funds. Applicants should also ensure state plan development is
reflected in the project work plan, including identifying target dates for the development,
integration, and submission of a final outline and final plan submitted to DOL. States
must commit to submitting a final outline for DOL approval at the end of year one, with a
final plan submitted to DOL for approval 6 months prior to the end of the grant.
Attachment II-2
B: Suggested Work Plan Template for Additional Tiered Funding Applicants (Applicants
applying for Tier II funding only)
Identify which funding amount you are applying for:
o Up to $3 million (select two goals); OR
o $3,000,001 to $6 million (select four goals); OR
o $6,000,001 to $9 million (select six goals);
Each goal must be reflected in the work plan.
EXAMPLE GOAL: Tier II Goals: $3 million
Goal #1:
Category D: Incorporate specific strategies to support or expand RAP
opportunities among all workers, including women, minorities, veterans,
individuals with disabilities, and individuals with a criminal record.
Activity: Lead/Support
Implementer(s):
Deliverable(s):
Milestones Timeframe Deliverable Dates
EXAMPLE GOAL: Tier II Goals: $3 million
Goal #2:
Category B: Launch or expansion of sector strategy(ies) to expand RAPs to new
industries and/or new or non-traditional occupations within existing sectors.
Activity: Lead/Support
Implementer(s):
Deliverable(s):
Milestones Timeframe Deliverable Dates
Attachment II-3
C: Performance Outputs and Outcomes (Applicants applying for Tier II funding only)
In alignment with the goals and activities identified in the Tier II narrative, applicants must
identify measurable performance outputs and outcomes for each goal and activity selected.
Performance outputs and outcomes must be clearly defined and measurable.
Note: Grantees must reach agreement with the Department on how they will report performance.
Upon award, the Department will work with grantees to ensure performance outputs and
outcomes are clearly defined and measurable.
Attachment II-4
D: Budget Narrative Guidance (Applicants applying for Tier II funding only)
The Budget Narrative must provide a description of the costs associated with each line item
on the SF-424A.
The Budget Narrative should also include a section describing any leveraged resources
provided (as applicable) to support grant activities; however, any indicated leveraged
resources will have no bearing on the proposal review, or funding decision. Do not show
leveraged resources on the SF-424 and SF-424A.
Each category should include the total cost for the period of performance. Use the following
guidance for preparing the Budget Narrative:
1. Personnel – List all staff positions by title including the roles and responsibilities. State
the annual salary of each person, the percentage of each person’s time devoted to the project,
the amount of each person’s salary funded by the grant and the total personnel cost for the
period of performance.
2. Fringe Benefits – Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages that comprise
fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA, retirement, etc.
3. Travel – Specify the purpose, number of staff traveling, mileage, per diem, estimated
number of in-state and out-of-state trips and other costs for each type of travel.
4. Equipment – Equipment is not an allowable cost under this funding announcement and this
line must be left as zero.
5. Supplies – Supplies include all tangible personal property other than “equipment.” The
detailed budget should identify categories of supplies (e.g., office supplies). List the quantity
and unit cost and total cost per item.
6. Contractual – For each proposed contract and subaward, specify the purpose, activities,
and estimated cost. Under the Contractual line item, delineate contracts and subawards
separately. Contracts are defined according to 2 CFR 200.22 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 200.92, 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.
7. 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. DOL does not consider this as construction and the costs must be shown on
other appropriate lines such as Contractual.
8. Other – List each item in sufficient detail for DOL to determine whether the costs are
reasonable or allowable. List items, such as stipends or incentives, not covered elsewhere.
9. Indirect Charges – If indirect charges are included on the SF-424A budget form, a
Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) or Cost Allocation Plan (CAP) must be
included as well as 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 the applicants cost allocation base. Also, a current version of the NICRA or CAP should
be provided as an attachment to the project narrative.
Note:
The SF-424, SF-424A, and Budget Narrative must include the entire Tier II federal grant
amount requested (not just one year).
Applicants should list the same requested federal grant amount on the Tier II SF-424, SF-
424A, and Budget Narrative.
Attachment III-1
Application Submission Checklist (all applicants)
Applicants should use the checklist below as a guide when preparing your application package to
ensure that the submitted application has all of the required documents. Note that this checklist
is only an aid for applicants and should not be included in the application package. We urge you
to use this checklist to ensure your application contains all required items.
Tier I Funding Request: required for all applicants
SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance”
o CFDA 17.285, Apprenticeship Grants
o This funding opportunity is not subject to Executive Order 12372,
“Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.”
Project Budget, to include:
o The SF-424A “Budget Information Form”
o Budget Narrative
Project Narrative
Work Plan: This must be submitted as an attachment and clearly labeled as “Tier I Work
Plan”
Participants served goals, and Performance Outputs and Outcomes: This must be
submitted as an attachment and clearly labeled as “Tier I Performance Outputs and
Outcomes
A letter from the Governor or chief elected for official: This must be submitted as an
attachment and clearly labeled as “Governor’s Letter”
Organizational Chart: This must be submitted as an attachment and clearly labeled as
“Organizational Chart”
Abstract. This must be submitted as an attachment and clearly labeled as “Abstract”
Tier II Funding Request: optional
All additional documents for Tier II funding should be uploaded in www.grants.gov as
Other Attachments
Additional Tiered funding SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance” – must be
labeled as “Tier II SF424”
o CFDA 17.285, Apprenticeship Grants
o This funding opportunity is not subject to Executive Order 12372,
“Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.”
Additional tiered funding Project Budget, to include:
o The SF-424A “Budget Information Form” – must be labeled as “Tier II SF-
424A”
o Budget Narrative – must be labeled as “Tier II Budget Narrative”
Additional tiered funding Project Narrative – must be labeled as “Tier II Project
Narrative”
Additional tiered funding Work Plan – must be labeled as “Tier II Work Plan”
Participants served goals, and Performance Outputs and Outcomes – must be labeled as
“Tier II Performance Outcomes and Outputs”
APPENDIX
In this appendix, you will find the guidelines from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL or
Department) for the State grants awarded under TEGL-15-19.
Appendix I: Primary Goals and Activities of this Funding Opportunity and Definitions
Appendix II: Award Information
Appendix III: Goals and Activities
o A: Tier I (Required): Baseline Goals and Activities
o B: Tier II (Optional): Innovation Goals and Activities
Appendix IV: Funding Restrictions
Appendix V: Application Submission
Appendix VI: Application Review and Award
Appendix VII: Administrative Program Requirements
Appendix VIII: ETA Evaluation
Appendix IX: Reporting Requirements
Appendix X: Grant Recipient Training
Appendix XI: Agency Contacts
Appendix XII: OMB Information Collection
Appendix XIII: Resources
Appendix I
Primary Goals and Activities of this Funding Opportunity and Definitions
All States that meet the application requirements will receive a base amount of funds to improve
the structures supporting Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAP) in their State. If States
wish to receive more funds above this base amount, States must demonstrate in their application
projects that address the goals and activities in Appendix III.
This tiered approach provides States maximum flexibility to address local apprenticeship needs
while meeting the Department’s RAP priorities. Over the past decade, States have significantly
invested in RAPs. However, the nature of how the Registered System is administered—in some
States by DOL-recognized State Apprenticeship Agencies (SAA) and in others directly by
DOL—means that States have different needs in terms of governance, infrastructure, and support
structures that are critical to successful RAP systems. Additionally, States have differing
resources, labor markets, and compositions, meaning each State faces individualized challenges
in ensuring all RAPs have the features of high-quality apprenticeship required by the
Department’s regulations at 29 C.F.R. parts 29 and 30. Thus, the first tier of baseline funding
allows ETA to equitably divide funds allocated in this TEGL for RAPs to address each State’s
most pressing needs in supporting Registered Apprenticeship. If applicants receive funding in
the amounts described in Tier II, States may spend more than the base amount to
accomplish these baseline goals and activities; however, they still must meet the goals and
requirements for Tier II funding.
This funding opportunity has the following goals and activities:
A: Tier I: Baseline Goals and Activities (Required): Every State can receive a base
amount of $450,000; U.S. territories receive $300,000; and all entities must use these funds
to address the following three required baseline goals and activities. See Appendix III for
details.
1. National Apprenticeship System Building. States must spend base funding on
developing structures that ensure that all RAPs in the State have the features of high-
quality apprenticeship described in 29 C.F.R. parts 29 and 30.
2. System Alignment for Apprenticeship Expansion. States must spend base funding to
build state-wide capacity to increase the number and quality of apprenticeships
through stronger alignment with the education and workforce systems.
3. Improving Data Sharing and Data Integrity. States must spend base funding to
improve data collection and sharing and data integrity.
B: Tier II (Optional): Innovation Goals and Activities: ETA will award States as much as
$9 million to carry out activities above-and-beyond supporting the basic RAP structures in
the State. There are three funding levels for this tier, and ETA will determine the award
amount based on the goals selected by applicants from a list in Appendix III. Applications
must credibly demonstrate that applicants could accomplish these goals during the life of the
grant, as well as credibly demonstrate they can make substantial progress toward increasing
the number of individual registered apprentices in the State by the end of the period of
performance. Accordingly, all applications for Tier II funds must be supported by
strong evidence of an applicant’s past performance in establishing and expanding
RAPs, in alignment with the criteria in Attachment II-1.
The following list details what applicants must do to receive awards at each funding level in
this tier.
a. Up to $3 million:
Select two of the “Tier II Goals” in Appendix III and credibly demonstrate
that these goals can be accomplished during the life of the grant using
these funds; and
Set a goal of at least 10 percent growth of new apprentices registered
above the current State baseline during the life of the grant and credibly
demonstrate in the application that you will make substantial progress
toward meeting this goal. 1
b. $3,000,001 to $6 million:
Select four of the “Tier II Goals” in Appendix III and credibly
demonstrate that these goals can be accomplished during the life of the
grant using these funds;
Set a goal of at least 20 percent growth of new apprentices registered
above the current State baseline during the life of the grant and credibly
demonstrate in the application that you will make substantial progress
toward meeting this goal; and
Develop and operationalize at least one innovation using the Internet,
software, and other technological resources to improve RAP
marketing/promotion, business outreach, apprenticeship standards
development, and apprenticeship access for under-represented
populations.
c. $6,000,001 to $9 million:
Select six of the “Tier II Goals” in Appendix III and credibly demonstrate
that these goals can be accomplished during the life of the grant using
these funds;
Set a goal of at least 25 percent growth of new apprentices registered
above the current State baseline during the life of the grant and credibly
demonstrate in the application that you will make substantial progress
toward meeting this goal;
1
Baseline: Defined by current number of active apprentices registered as indicated in RAPIDS for the
quarter ending September 30, 2019 or by stick counts submitted to the DOL for the quarter ending
September 30, 2019.
Develop and operationalize at least one innovation using the Internet,
software, and other technological resources to improve RAP
marketing/promotion, business outreach, apprenticeship standards
development, and apprenticeship access for under-represented
populations; and
Develop a 5-year plan making RAP a central workforce development
strategy and tool for employers within the State.
For Tier I and Tier II goals and activities, States must use the funding provided to expand RAPs,
which are described in more detail below.
Registered Apprenticeship Programs:2
Apprenticeships registered by DOL or a recognized SAA are a proven model of job preparation
that combine paid on-the-job learning (OJL) with related instruction to progressively increase
workers’ skill levels and wages. RAPs are also a business-driven model that provides an
effective way for employers to recruit, train, and retain highly skilled workers. RAPs allow
employers to develop and apply industry standards to training programs, thereby increasing
productivity and the quality of the workforce. RAPs offer job seekers immediate employment
opportunities that pay sustainable wages and offer advancement along a career path. Graduates
of RAPs receive nationally recognized, portable credentials, and their training may be applied
toward further post-secondary education.
The regulations for RAPs at 29 C.F.R. parts 29, subpart A, and 30 are authorized through the
National Apprenticeship Act of 1937 (29 U.S.C. 50). The Office of Apprenticeship (OA), in
conjunction with SAAs, are responsible for: RAPs that meet federal and State standards,
issuing certificates of completion to apprentices, encouraging the development of new programs
through outreach and technical assistance, protecting the safety and welfare of apprentices, and
assuring that all programs provide high-quality training.
All RAPs consist of the following five core components: direct business involvement, OJL,
related instruction, rewards for skill gains, and a national occupational credential. Funds can
only be used to support RAPs and quality pre-apprenticeships leading to RAPs as described
below.
Quality Framework for Pre-Apprenticeship Programs
2
See 29 CFR 29 on Labor Standards for the Registration of Apprenticeship Programs, available at
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/29/part-29. See also 29 CFR 30, Equal Employment Opportunity in
Apprenticeship, available at https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/29/part-30.
A pre-apprenticeship program is defined as a set of strategies designed to prepare individuals for
entry into a RAP. 3 Pre-apprenticeships differ from internships, job shadowing, externships, and
co-ops, which may also offer individuals an opportunity to experience firsthand a profession or
practice, but do not always engage in “real world” experiential learning.
For the purposes of this TEGL, pre-apprenticeship programs must include the following five
elements to be considered a quality pre-apprenticeship program:
Designed in Collaboration with RAP Sponsors. Quality pre-apprenticeship programs are
designed by organizations with input from a RAP sponsor. A pre-apprenticeship
program’s educational and pre-vocational services prepare individuals to meet the entry
requisites of one or more apprenticeship programs. They have training goals to teach
participants a defined set of skills required and agreed upon by the RAP sponsor for entry
into their programs. The start date and length of specific pre-apprenticeship programs
may vary. Ideally, pre-apprenticeship programs provide an industry-recognized
credential and, possibly, stipends or wages.
Meaningful Hands-on Training that does not displace paid employees. Quality pre-
apprenticeships provide hands-on training to individuals in 1) a workplace, 2) simulated
lab experience, or 3) work-based learning environment, and which also do not supplant a
paid employee, while accurately simulating the industry and occupational conditions of
the partnering RAPs, which includes observing proper supervision and safety protocols.
Facilitated Entry and/or Articulation. The purpose of a pre-apprenticeship program is to
train individuals for entry into a RAP. A quality pre-apprenticeship program assists in
exposing participants to local, state, and national apprenticeship programs and provides
direct assistance to participants applying to those programs. When possible, formalized
agreements exist with RAPs that enable individuals who have successfully completed the
pre-apprenticeship program to enter directly into a RAP. These may also include
articulation agreements that allow the individual to earn advanced credit/placement for
skills and competencies already acquired.
Sustainability through Partnerships. To support the ongoing sustainability of a quality
pre-apprenticeship partnership. Such partnerships collaboratively promote the use of
RAPs as a preferred means for employers to develop a skilled workforce and to create
career opportunities and pathways for individuals.
Access to Appropriate Supportive Services. Quality pre-apprenticeship programs
facilitate access to appropriate supportive services during the program; these supportive
services may continue after the participant leaves the pre-apprenticeship and enters a
RAP. Services may include counseling, transportation assistance, childcare, and
rehabilitative services.
3
Describing a Quality Pre-Apprenticeship and Related Tools and Resources Training and Employment
Notice No. 13-12, available at https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=5842
Appendix II
Award Information
Funding is authorized under the Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education Appropriations Act, 2019 and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2019 (Public Law
115-245, Division B, Title I).
Applications are due by 11:59:59 P.M. EDT, Wednesday, May 20, 2020. Should an application
not be received by 11:59:59 P.M. EDT on the closing date of the funding opportunity, the State
will forfeit the opportunity to receive this funding. This funding will be treated by ETA as a
discretionary grant and will be subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Grant Agreement. To
the extent that program or policy issues need to be addressed, DOL may provide additional
guidance through Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), or through special conditions.
Applicants may only submit one application, which must include a funding request for Tier I (see
Appendix V for requirements) and, if also applying for Tier II, must include a funding request
for Tier II (see Appendix V for requirements).
Eligible Applicants:
Eligible applicants are States. The term “State” means “any of the 50 States of the United States,
District of Columbia, or any Territory or possession of the United States.” For the purposes of
this TEGL, territories or possessions of the United States are defined as: Puerto Rico, U.S.
Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American
Samoa. States may only submit one application in response to this TEGL.
Fiscal and Administrative Responsibility:
Upon award, the grantee will have overall fiscal and administrative responsibility for the award,
including any performance of sub-awardees. This responsibility may not be delegated. As part
of their responsibility for the award, the recipient shall be:
the point of contact with the Department to receive and respond to all inquiries or
communications under this award and any sub-awards;
the entity with authority to withdraw or draw down funds;
the entity responsible for submitting to the Department all deliverables under the award,
including all related technical and financial reports, regardless of which partnership
member performed the work;
the entity that may request modifications to the award or statement of work;
the entity with overall responsibility for carrying out programmatic functions of the
award, as well as the stewardship of all expenditures under the award;
the entity responsible for coordinating with the national evaluator; and
the entity responsible for working with the Department to close out the award at the end
of the period of performance.
Appendix III
Tier I and Tier II Funding Goals and Activities
A: Tier I: Baseline Goals and Activities (Required): Each State meeting application
requirements after applying will receive a base funding amount of $450,000, and territories
$300,000; and all entities must use these funds to address the following three required
baseline goals and activities:
1. National Apprenticeship System Building. States must spend base funding on
developing structures that ensure that all RAPs in the State have the features of high-
quality apprenticeship described in 29 C.F.R. parts 29 (Subpart A) and 30.
a. SAA States. SAA States must use grant funds to support structures, resources,
and activities that strengthen compliance with parts 29, subpart A, and 30 by all
programs in the State. Examples of these activities include:
i. Building or renovating oversight systems that allow apprenticeship
sponsors to register or update their standards quickly and allow SAAs
to better ensure compliance with parts 29, subpart A,) and 30; and
ii. Establishing a SAA presence in key economic hubs to provide more
responsive and localized technical assistance to registered programs in
that hub.
b. OA States. States where OA directly operates RAPs must propose only projects
that involve closely coordinating with OA to improve access to RAPs in the State.
This includes developing programs and initiatives that make secondary education
institutions and key employers aware of RAPs, and empower workers and
employers to participate in RAPs. Examples of these activities include:
i. Developing OA-approved frameworks for registering occupations that
are growing or in-demand in the State to ease registration of new
programs; and
ii. Creating other systems and tools that allow new and existing programs
to more easily reach or stay in compliance with parts 29 (Subpart A)
and 30.
2. System Alignment for Apprenticeship Expansion. States must spend base funding to
build state-wide capacity to increase the number and quality of Registered
Apprenticeships through stronger alignment with the education and workforce
systems. Activities must demonstrate coordination with secondary education CTE
programs, local workforce development programs, and post-secondary educational
institutions. Example activities include:
Developing new, formal partnerships with secondary education and
postsecondary education and training institutions to create a pipeline to Registered
Apprenticeship opportunities in in-demand professions in the state;
Creating new systems and structures to maximize programs and apprentices’
access to WIOA and GI Bill benefits and other resources available for Registered
Apprenticeship in the state;
Creating formal opportunities for education and training institutions to gauge
individuals’ experience, employability, interests, and aptitudes, and present to
them Registered Apprenticeship opportunities that fit their profile;
Aligning career and technical education programs with the quality apprenticeship
features described in Registered Apprenticeship regulations;
Developing standardized training that uses Registered Apprenticeship as a work-
based learning and vocational training program (e.g., development of a National
Career Clusters Framework standardized career training by providing sample
study programs and minimum competency skills in 79 career fields, including
architecture, construction, hospitality and tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, and
finance); 4
Promoting the use of Registered Apprenticeship in post-secondary educational
institutions/workforce development institutions, and leveraging workforce
intermediaries to expand access to Registered Apprenticeship in secondary and
post-secondary institutions;
Expanding the use of integrated education and training approaches across the
State;
Building the capacity of adult education and higher-education partners to
incorporate Registered Apprenticeship into their education and training programs;
Increasing alignment between State education and workforce systems through the
development of policies that facilitate the transition from school to Registered
Apprenticeship; and
Increasing awareness of Registered Apprenticeship as a solution to align
employment, training, education, and support services for adults and youth, and
other underrepresented populations (including women, people of color, ex-
offenders, and persons with disabilities).
Note: Grantees must reach agreement with the Department on how they will report
performance under this list of activities.
3. Improving Data Sharing and Data Integrity. States must commit to improving data
sharing and data integrity regarding registration activities. Example activities include:
a. Adoption of RAPIDS as the State’s case management system for registration
activities;
b. Taking the infrastructural steps necessary for the State to enter a MOU regarding
the sharing of data on RAPs and registered apprentices that provides the
equivalent disaggregated data that is available to DOL via RAPIDS. Grantees
will provide this data quarterly in an individual record format agreed upon
4
https://careertech.org/career-clusters
between OA and the grantee. Grantees will upload the data to RAPIDS via an
SAA Data Upload Portal, wherein the submitted data will be stored in RAPIDS
and incorporated into DOL public and internal reporting (i.e., in RAPIDS data
dashboards and canned reports);
c. In accordance with adoption of the above item b, creating or updating State data
collection systems that allow better tracking of apprentices and apprenticeship
programs in the state so as to match the depth of individual record level data
already recorded in the RAPIDS case management system;
d. Reaching out to employers to encourage listing Registered Apprenticeship
opportunities on the Finder app;5
e. Participating in quarterly DOL RAPIDS group data reviews/validation sessions
(RAPIDS Weeks) to verify and clean up existing data; and
f. Participating in weekly RAPIDS Power User Group (PUG) meetings to
collaborate on improving the RAPIDS user experience and data governance.
B: Tier (Optional): II Innovation Goals and Activities: ETA will award States as much as
$9 million to carry out activities above-and-beyond supporting the basic Registered
Apprenticeship structures in the State. There are three funding levels for this tier, and ETA
will determine award amount based on goals selected by applicants from the list below,
according to whether the applicant credibly demonstrates it can meet this goal. Applications
must credibly demonstrate that applicants could accomplish these goals during the life of the
grant, as well as credibly demonstrate they can make substantial progress toward increasing
the number of individual registered apprentices in the State by the end of the grant’s life—as
described in the requirements for each funding level below. Accordingly, all applications
for Tier II funds must be supported by strong evidence of an applicant’s past
performance in establishing and expanding RAPs, in alignment with the criteria in
Attachment II.
The following details what applicants must do to receive awards at each funding level in this
tier.
a. Up to $3 million:
Select two of the “Tier II Goals” and credibly demonstrate that these goals can be
accomplished during the life of the grant using these funds; and
Set a goal of at least 10 percent growth of new apprentices registered above the
current State baseline during the life of the grant and credibly demonstrate in the
application that you will make substantial progress toward meeting this goal. 6
5
For more information on the Finder app, please see https://www.apprenticeship.gov/list-your-apprenticeship-jobs
6
Baseline: Defined by current number of active apprentices registered as indicated in RAPIDS for the
quarter ending September 30, 2019 or by stick counts submitted to the DOL for the quarter ending
September 30, 2019.
b. $3,000,001 to $6 million:
Select four of the “Tier II Goals” and credibly demonstrate that these goals can be
accomplished during the life of the grant using these funds;
Set a goal of at least 20 percent growth of new apprentices registered above the
current State baseline during the life of the grant and credibly demonstrate in the
application that you will make substantial progress toward meeting this goal; and
Develop and operationalize at least one innovation using the Internet, software,
and other technological resources to improve RAP marketing/promotion, business
outreach, apprenticeship standards development, and apprenticeship access for
under-represented populations.
c. $6,000,001 to $9 million:
Select six of the “Tier II Goals” and credibly demonstrate that these goals can be
accomplished during the life of the grant using these funds;
Set a goal of at least 25 percent growth of new apprentices registered above the
current State baseline during the life of the grant and credibly demonstrate in the
application that you will make substantial progress toward meeting this goal;
Develop and operationalize at least one innovation using the Internet, software,
and other technological resources to improve RAP marketing/promotion, business
outreach, apprenticeship standards development, and apprenticeship access for
under-represented populations; and
Develop a 5-year state plan making Registered Apprenticeship a central
workforce development strategy and tool for employers within the State
Tier II Goals
To access Tier II awards, applicants must choose and credibly demonstrate that they can
accomplish goals necessary for each funding level. A list of allowable goals is below.
The goals are categorized by policy area and/or topic. Applicants may not choose more than
two (2) Goals from the same category.
Category A: General Business Outreach, Technology and/or Technical Assistance (TA)
Goals
i. In alignment with the Department’s national marketing campaigns, launch Registered
Apprenticeship multi-media statewide marketing and outreach efforts targeted at new
employers and career seekers.
ii. Establish an employer incentive plan to expand or scale RAPs. (These can be financial
or non-financial incentives but must be designed to increase employer demand.)
iii. Leverage technology to develop innovative TA strategies/approaches for Registered
Apprenticeship sponsors (e.g., tools to increase access for entry of women and
minorities; e-tools that remove administrative barriers or improve existing processes).
iv. Identify and implement specific TA strategies that change existing or create new
effective processes and/or services, in the delivery of TA to sponsors for the purposes of
increasing efficiency, improving overall impact, and removing barriers in expanding
RAPs.
v. Identify specific strategies to support engagement with small businesses in non-
traditional industries in Registered Apprenticeship. Strategies could include establishing
incentives for employers to form consortia; developing specific intermediaries that serve
as the sponsor of apprenticeship programs for small businesses (e.g., Chambers of
Commerce, Community Colleges, Workforce Boards); and, any other strategy identified
by the State.
Category B: Apprenticeship Diversification/New Industry Goals
i.
Launch or expand sector strategy(ies) to expand RAPs to new industries and/or new or
non-traditional occupations within existing sectors.
ii. Launch or expand sector strategy(ies) to expand RAPs to new occupations in traditional
industries. Efforts should demonstrate how existing apprenticeship sponsors may expand
and scale their programs by including new occupations within their enterprise (e.g., IT
apprentices within a manufacturing employer).
iii. Launch or expand RAPs in health care, mental health care, addiction treatment, or
alternative pain management occupations providing support to individuals living in rural
areas. Applicants must demonstrate that (i) apprentices trained in these registered
programs serve or will serve “rural populations,”7 (ii) apprentices trained in these
registered programs serve or will serve at rural hospitals;8 or (iii) both.
iv. Launch or expand RAPs in occupations providing support to individuals who are
affected by substance-use disorder (SUD), regardless of whether these individuals live in
rural or urban areas.
v. Launch or expand RAPs to support expansion of 5G across the country, particularly in
rural areas, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, by training in occupations that will
develop or build infrastructure for 5G. 9
Category C: General Apprenticeship Quality Improvement Goals
i. Launch efforts to improve core components of RAPs, including on-the-job learning,
classroom instruction, mentorship/supervision, and assessments leading to the issuance
of industry recognized credentials.
7
For the purposes of this TEGL, rural populations are 1) populations that meet the criteria defined by the Health
Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) at
https://www.hrsa.gov/rural-health/about-us/definition/index.html, 2) counties that do not have “Urbanized Areas”
(as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, Urbanized Areas (UAs) have 50,000 or more people); or 3) any federally
recognized Indian tribe.
8
For the purposes of this TEGL, rural hospital is defined as 1) hospitals located in eligible rural areas, 2) hospitals
with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) designations as Critical Access Hospitals, Sole
Community Hospitals, or Rural Referral Centers, or 3) tribal-operated and Indian Health Service (HIS)-operated
hospitals and medical facilities.
9
https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/geography/guidance/geo-areas/urban-rural.html
The applicant must propose specific strategies to improve the quality of any of these core
components and identify specific measurements of improvement.
ii. Launch efforts to improve the overall quality of apprenticeship standards and classroom
instruction curriculum, including the development or adoption of competency-based
apprenticeship standards.
This could include adopting or converting DOL’s competency-based occupational
frameworks (CBOFs) and making them available for use by existing and potential
sponsors, or other efforts that include the development of standards that are shared with
other States and DOL.
iii. Launch new efforts to increase the general quality of RAPs within the State with a goal
(at a minimum) to improve RAP completion rates. Efforts could include increased
capacity for technical assistance, increased access to quality mentorship pre-
apprenticeship, or other strategies.
State must propose a specific outcome goal.
Category D: Diversity and Inclusion and/or Special Population Goals
i. Incorporate specific strategies to support or expand RAP opportunities among all
workers, including women, minorities, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and
individuals with a criminal record. These activities must be in compliance with all state,
local, and federal equal-employment laws and civil rights protections.
For this goal, baseline is defined as the current inclusion of the target group in their State
workforce. Applicants must use LMI data when providing this information.
ii. Incorporate specific strategies to support or expand youth RAP development and/or
scaling of existing programs.
Category E: System Alignment or Partnership Goals
i. Establish or expand the role of the business service representative/apprenticeship
navigator with the promotion of apprenticeship to partner systems (e.g., education,
workforce, and economic development).
ii. Promote apprenticeship through partner engagement activities that outline concrete
deliverables, such as setting new performance measures, signing of MOUs, shared
development of curricula, commitments to hire, and leveraging resources.
iii. Increase integration and alignment with existing Community Workforce Development
Boards and their partners, to include alignment with state and local plans.
Category F: Innovative State-Proposed Goals
i. States can propose a goal not listed here, provided its application credibly demonstrates:
This goal is innovative, meaning that it is an approach to RAPs, or their creation or
expansion, that has not been tried before or not tried in the State before;
This goal is uniquely tailored to the employment or economic needs of the State; and
The State has a detailed, achievable plan for meeting this goal during the life of the grant.
Appendix IV
Funding Restrictions
All proposed project costs must be necessary and reasonable and in accordance with federal
guidelines. Determinations of allowable costs will be made in accordance with the Cost
Principles found at 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance) and 2 CFR Part 2900 (Uniform
Guidance – DOL Specific). Compensation, including salaries, must be handled consistently with
the Uniform Guidance, including 2 CFR 200.430. Disallowed costs are those charges to a grant
that the grantor agency or its representative determines not to be allowed in accordance with the
Cost Principles or other conditions contained in the grant. Applicants, whether successful or not,
will not be entitled to reimbursement of pre-award costs. Wherever possible, States must make
efforts to streamline the programmatic and administrative activities and services listed in this
section by minimizing duplication and effectively using information technology to improve
services and leveraging resources across programs. The following limitations apply to funds
awarded under this TEGL:
Apprentice Participant Wages: Grant funds may not be used to directly pay wages for
apprentices.
On-the-Job Learning: Grant funds may be used to support on-the-job learning (OJL),
(also known as on-the-job training), to reimburse employers for the extraordinary costs of
apprenticeship OJL. Reimbursement can be calculated up to 50 percent of the apprentice
wage. Grantees must document the terms of reimbursement, including the length of time
the reimbursement will occur.
Salary caps: None of the funds appropriated under the heading “Employment and
Training” in the appropriation statute(s) may be used by a recipient or subrecipient of
such funds to pay the salary and bonuses of an individual, either as direct costs or indirect
costs, at a rate in excess of Executive Level II. This limitation does not apply to
contractors providing goods and services as defined in the Audit Requirements of the
OMB Uniform Guidance (see 2 CFR 200 Subpart F). Where States are recipients of such
funds, States may establish a lower limit for salaries and bonuses of those receiving
salaries and bonuses from subrecipients of such funds, taking into account factors
including the relative cost-of-living in the State, the compensation levels for comparable
State or local government employees, and the size of the organizations that administer
federal programs involved, including Employment and Training Administration
programs. See Public Law 113-235, Division G, Title I, section 105, and Training and
Employment Guidance Letter number 05-06 for further clarification:
https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2262.
Supportive services for apprentices who enrolled in a Registered Apprenticeship
program: Supportive services for participants enrolled in apprenticeships include
services such as transportation, childcare, dependent care, housing, and needs-related
payments that are necessary to enable an individual to participate in apprenticeship
activities funded through this grant. Supportive services activities may include, but are
not limited to, provision of the actual supportive service (e.g., childcare); providing
participants with a voucher for the service (e.g., public transportation cards or tokens); or
providing a stipend directly to the apprentice. No more than 10 percent of the grant funds
can be used for supportive services.
Equipment: Equipment purchases and other capital expenditures (as defined in 2 CFR
200.439, 200.89 and 200.48) are not an allowable cost under this announcement. DOL
will not approve any such expenses using funds from this grant.
Intellectual Property Rights: Pursuant to 2 CFR 2900.13, to ensure that the federal
investment of DOL funds has as broad an impact as possible and to encourage innovation
in the development of new learning materials, the grantee will be required to license to
the public all work created with the support of the grant under a Creative Commons
Attribution 4.0 (CC BY) license. Work that must be licensed under the CC BY includes
both new content created with the grant funds and modifications made to pre-existing,
grantee-owned content using grant funds.
This license allows subsequent users to copy, distribute, transmit, and adapt the
copyrighted work and requires such users to attribute the work in the manner specified by
the grantee. Notice of the license shall be affixed to the work. For general information
on CC BY, please visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0.
Instructions for marking your work with CC BY can be found at
https://wiki.creativecommons.org/Marking_your_work_with_a_CC_license.
Questions about CC BY as it applies to this specific funding opportunity should be
submitted to the ETA Grants Management Specialist.
Only work that is developed by the recipient in whole or in part with grant funds is
required to be licensed under the CC BY license. Pre-existing copyrighted materials
licensed to or purchased by the grantee from third parties, including modifications of
such materials, remain subject to the intellectual property rights the grantee receives
under the terms of the particular license or purchase. In addition, works created by the
grantee without grant funds do not fall under the CC BY licensing requirement.
The purpose of the CC BY licensing requirement is to ensure that materials developed
with funds provided by these grants result in work that can be freely reused and improved
by others. When purchasing or licensing consumable or reusable materials, the grantee is
expected to respect all applicable federal laws and regulations, including those pertaining
to the copyright and accessibility provisions of the Federal Rehabilitation Act.
Separate from the CC BY license to the public, the federal government reserves a paid-
up, nonexclusive, and irrevocable license to reproduce, publish, or otherwise use, and to
authorize others to use for federal purposes: i) the copyright in all products developed
under the grant, including a subaward or contract under the grant or subaward; and ii) any
rights of copyright to which the recipient, subrecipient, or a contractor purchases
ownership under an award (including, but not limited to, curricula, training models,
technical assistance products, and any related materials). Such uses include, but are not
limited to, the right to modify and distribute such products worldwide by any means,
electronically or otherwise. The grantee may not use federal funds to pay any royalty or
license fee for use of a copyrighted work, or the cost of acquiring by purchase a copyright
in a work, where the Department has a license or rights of free use in such work. If
revenues are generated through selling products developed with grant funds, including
intellectual property, DOL treats such revenues as program income. Such program
income is added to the grant and must be expended for allowable grant activities.
If applicable, the following standard ETA disclaimer needs to be on all products
developed in whole or in part with grant funds.
“This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of
Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the
grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of
Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of
any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information
on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its
completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership.
This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it.”
Appendix V
Application Submission
Applications must be received by 11:59:59 PM EDT on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 to be
considered for funding. ETA plans to award these grants by July 1, 2020 with a 36-month period
of performance ending June 30, 2023.
a. Required Documents
In an effort to achieve greater efficiency and as part of ETA’s on-going effort to streamline the
grant award process, applicants are required to submit the following items through Grants.gov at
https://www.grants.gov/. Submission via other electronic mediums will not be accepted, nor will
hard copy submissions.
Applicants should submit one application in response to the TEGL, which must include a
funding request for Tier I. If applying for Tier II, the application must include a funding request
for Tier II that describes how the project will address all required activities of the grant.
Tier I Funding Request: required for all applicants
1) SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance”
The SF-424 (available at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html)
must clearly identify the applicant entity and must be submitted by an individual with
authority to enter into a grant agreement. Upon confirmation of an award, the individual
‘signing’ the SF-424 on behalf of the applicant is considered the Authorized
Representative of the applicant. As stated in block 21 of the SF-424 form, the signature
of the Authorized Representative on the SF-424 certifies that the organization is in
compliance with the Assurances and Certifications form SF-424B (available at the above
link). Applicants do not need to submit the SF-424B with the application.
2) Project Budget, to include:
The SF-424A “Budget Information Form” (available at
https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html); and
Budget Narrative: The Budget Narrative must provide a concise description of costs
associated with each line item on the SF-424A (see Attachment I-4 for further guidance).
3) Project Narrative. Tier I Baseline Goals (see Attachment I-1 for details).
4) Work Plan (see Attachment I-2 for details). This must be submitted as an attachment and
clearly labeled as “Tier I Work Plan.”
5) Participants served goals, and Performance Outputs and Outcomes (see Attachment I-3 for
details). This must be submitted as an attachment and clearly labeled as “Tier I Performance
Outputs and Outcomes.”
6) Organizational Chart (see Attachment I-1 for details). The chart must be included as an
attachment to the project narrative and does not count towards the 10-page limit for Tier I.
7) A letter from the Governor or chief elected official (see Attachment I-5 for details). This must
be submitted as an attachment and clearly labeled as “Governor’s Letter.”
8) Abstract (see Attachment I-6). An abstract adhering to guidelines in Attachment I-6 must be
submitted as an attachment and clearly labeled “Abstract.” The abstract must identify the
funding requested for Tier I and provide a high-level project summary. Applicants applying for
Tier II must also include total Tier II funding requested, Tier II goals selected, and a high-level
project summary. The abstract can be up to two pages summarizing the proposed project,
including, but not limited to, the scope of the project and proposed outcomes. Omission of the
abstract will not result in your application being disqualified.
Tier II Funding Requests:
All documents for Tier II funding should be uploaded in www.grants.gov as Other
Attachments.
1) SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance” - must be labeled as “Tier II SF424”
The SF-424 (available at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html)
must clearly identify the applicant entity and must be submitted by an individual with
authority to enter into a grant agreement. Upon confirmation of an award, the individual
‘signing’ the SF-424 on behalf of the applicant is considered the Authorized
Representative of the applicant. As stated in block 21 of the SF-424 form, the signature
of the Authorized Representative on the SF-424 certifies that the organization is in
compliance with the Assurances and Certifications form SF-424B (available at the above
link). Applicants do not need to submit the SF-424B with the application.
2) Project Budget, to include:
The SF-424A “Budget Information Form” (available at
https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html) must be labeled as “Tier II
SF-424A”; and
Budget Narrative: The Budget Narrative must provide a concise description of costs
associated with each line item on the SF-424A (see Attachment II-4 for further guidance)
and must be labeled as “Tier II Budget Narrative.”
3) Project Narrative – Tier II (see Attachment II-1 for details) must be labeled as “Tier II Project
Narrative.” Where this TEGL states in Appendix III that applicants must “credibly demonstrate”
an activity or goal, this evidence must be included in the narrative response. This can also
include—by attachment, reference, or hyperlink—materials or documentation supporting your
proposal. The Project Narrative must address the required criteria identified in Attachment II-1 –
Tier II required goals and activities, evidence of past performance, and state apprenticeship 5-
year plan.
4) Work Plan (see Attachment II-2) must be labeled as “Tier II Work Plan.” This plan must
credibly demonstrate that the applicants’ chosen goals and projects are realistic (based on past
performance or other evidence) and can be accomplished within the life of the grant. This can be
accomplished through, for example, plans for realistic or organized outreach or descriptions of
partner organizations and their role in operationalizing your proposal.
5) Participants served goals, and Performance Outputs and Outcomes (see Attachment II-3 for
details) must be labeled as “Tier II Performance Outcomes and Outputs.”
Save all files with descriptive file names of 50 characters or less and only use standard characters
in file names: A-Z, a-z, 0-9, and underscore (_). File names may not include special characters
(e.g., &, –, *, %, /, #), periods (.), blank spaces or accent marks, and must be unique (i.e. no other
Attachment may have the same file name). You may use an underscore (example:
My_Attached_File.pdf) to separate a file name.
b. Grants.gov Submission Process
Applicants must submit the application package through Grants.gov. Submission via other
electronic mediums will not be accepted, nor will hard copy submissions. This submission
process may at times be complicated and time-consuming. As such, DOL strongly encourages
applicants to initiate the process as soon as possible in order to allow time to resolve
unanticipated technical problems. Applicants needing to register with Grants.gov may do so at
https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html. Registration is a one-time process, and
applicants that already have a Grants.gov account do not need to register again. Grants.gov
applicants can apply online using Workspace. Workspace is a shared, online environment where
members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different web forms within an
application. For complete workspace overview, refer to
https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html.
Requirement for DUNS Number
Submission requirements stipulate that all applicants for federal grant and funding opportunities
must have a DUNS Number, and must supply their DUNS Number on the SF-424. The DUNS
Number is a nine-digit identification number that uniquely identifies business entities. If
applicant does not have a DUNS Number, the applicant can get one for free through the D&B
website https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/index.jsp. Grant recipients authorized to make sub-
awards must meet these requirements related to DUNS Numbers:
Grant recipients must notify potential sub-awardees that no entity may receive a sub-
award from applicant unless the entity has provided its DUNS Number to applicant; and
Grant recipients may not make a sub-award to an entity unless the entity has provided its
DUNS Number to applicant. (See, Appendix A to 2 CFR section 25.)
Requirement for Registration with SAM
Applicants must register with the System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting an
application. Find instructions for registering with SAM at https://www.sam.gov.
A recipient must maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times
during which it has an active federal award or an application under consideration. To remain
registered in the SAM database after the initial registration, the applicant is required to review
and update the registration at least every 12 months from the date of initial registration or
subsequently update its information in the SAM database to ensure it is current, accurate, and
complete. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicant is the entity that meets the eligibility
criteria and has the legal authority to apply and to receive the award. If an applicant has not fully
complied with these requirements by the time the Grant Officer is ready to make a federal award,
the Grant Officer may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a federal award and
use that determination as a basis for making a federal award to another applicant.
For technical issues encountered during application submission, applicants may call 800-518-
4726 or 606-545-5035 to speak to a Customer Support Representative, or email
[email protected]. The Contact Center is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but closes
on federal holidays.
Appendix VI
Application Review and Award
Proposals will first be screened to determine if the applicant meets the eligibility
requirements enumerated in Appendix II, Award Information. All required elements outlined
in Appendix III, Application Submission, of this announcement must be submitted.
Applications that do not include an SF-424, SF-424A, Budget Narrative, and Project
Narrative for Tier I Baseline Goals will be considered non-responsive and will not be
reviewed. Submissions will only be accepted via www.grants.gov. Submissions via other
electronic mediums will not be accepted, nor will hard copy submissions.
ETA officials will form a Technical Evaluation Committee to assess the response of an
accepted application’s associated documents as indicated below (see Attachment I and
Attachment II). ETA intends to fund awards for any applicant (i) who adequately
demonstrates their ability to achieve grant goals through a clear, detailed, and reasonable
program narrative, (ii) whose budget and budget narrative are sufficient to support the
activities in the program narrative, and (iii) who properly follows guidelines in applying for
funding is available. This includes adequate staffing levels to support grant goals and grant
management.
The review and selection process will proceed as follows:
1) An initial review of proposals for eligibility, required document components will be
conducted by the Office of Grants Management (OGM) staff;
2) Evaluations of the technical merits of each accepted proposal addressing the items
indicated in Attachments I-1 through I-6 and II-1 through II-4 (the Technical Review)
will be conducted by the Technical Evaluation Committee;
a. For Applicants that apply for Tier II funding, funds will be awarded based on
the number and quality of Tier II applications received and the funding
available, as well as geographic, industry, and Tier II goal distribution.
3) Evaluations of the cost components of each accepted proposal (the Budget Review)
will be conducted by the Technical Evaluation Committee; and
4) Proposals recommended for award will be funded via Notices of Award attached to a
Grant Agreement issued by the Grant Officer of Record and may or may not have
“Special Conditions” requiring additional response, based on the outcome of the
Technical Evaluation Committee review.
ETA may elect to award a grant with or without discussions with the applicant. Should a grant
be awarded without discussions, the award will be based on the applicant’s signature on the
SF-424, including electronic signature, which constitutes a binding offer by the applicant.
NOTE: The Department will determine if the applicant had any restriction on spending for any
ETA grant due to adverse monitoring findings within the past three years. Depending on the
severity of the findings, the Grant Officer may elect to not provide the applicant a grant award or
to impose conditions on the award.
All applications deemed to be complete and responsive by the Grant Officer will go through a
risk review process. Before making an award, ETA will review information available through
any OMB-designated repository of government-wide eligibility qualification or federal integrity
information, such as the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity System (FAPIIS), Dun and
Bradstreet, and “Do Not Pay.” Additionally, ETA will comply with the requirements of 2 CFR
Part 180 (Government-wide Debarment and Suspension (Non-Procurement)). This risk
evaluation may incorporate results of the evaluation of the applicant’s eligibility (application
screening), or the quality of its application (technical review). If ETA determines that an entity
is responsible and an award will be made, special conditions that correspond to the degree of risk
assessed may be applied to the award. Risk-related criteria evaluated include:
(1) Financial stability;
(2) Quality of management systems and ability to meet the management standards
prescribed in the Uniform Grant Guidance;
(3) History of performance. The Applicant’s record in managing awards, cooperative
agreements, or procurement awards, if it is a prior recipient of such federal awards,
including timeliness of compliance with applicable reporting requirements, and if
available, the extent to which any previously awarded amounts will be expended prior to
future awards;
(4) Reports and findings from audits performed under Sub-part F – Audit Requirements
of the Uniform Grant Guidance (2 CFR Sections 200.500 – 200.520) or the reports and
findings of any other available audits and monitoring reports containing findings, issues
of non-compliance, or questioned costs; and
(5) The applicant’s ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other
requirements imposed on recipients.
Selection of an organization as a recipient does not constitute approval of the grant application as
submitted. Before the actual grant is awarded, DOL may enter into negotiations about such
items as program components, staffing and funding levels, and administrative systems in place to
support grant implementation. If the negotiations do not result in a mutually acceptable
submission, the Grant Officer reserves the right to terminate the negotiations and decline to fund
the application. The Department reserves the right to not fund any application related to this
TEGL.
Except as specifically provided in this TEGL, acceptance of an application and an award of
federal funds to sponsor any programs(s) does not provide a waiver of any grant requirements
and/or procedures. For example, the OMB Uniform Guidance requires that an entity’s
procurement procedures ensure that all procurement transactions are conducted, as much as
practical, to provide full and open competition. If an application identifies a specific entity to
provide goods or services, the award does not provide the justification or basis to solely source
the procurement, (i.e., avoid competition).
Appendix VII
Administrative Program Requirements
All grantees will be subject to all applicable federal laws, regulations (including the OMB
Uniform Guidance), and the terms and conditions of the award. The grant(s) awarded under this
TEGL will be subject to the following administrative standards and provisions:
i. Non-Profit Organizations, Educational Institutions, For-profit entities and State,
Local and Indian Tribal Governments - 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Administrative
Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards) and 2
CFR 2900 (DOL's Supplement to 2 CFR Part 200).
ii. All entities must comply with 29 CFR Part 93 (New Restrictions on Lobbying), 29
CFR Part 94 (Government-wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Financial
Assistance)), 2 CFR Part 180 (OMB Guidance to Agencies on Government-wide
Debarment and Suspension (Non-procurement), and, where applicable, 2 CFR Part
200 (Audit Requirements).
iii. 29 CFR Part 2, subpart D-Equal Treatment in Department of Labor Programs for
Religious Organizations; Protection of Religious Liberty of Department of Labor
Social Service Providers and Beneficiaries.
iv. 29 CFR Part 31-Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs of the Department
of Labor-Effectuation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
v. 29 CFR Part 32-Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap in Programs or
Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance.
vi. 29 CFR Part 35- Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Age in Programs or Activities
Receiving Federal Financial Assistance from the Department of Labor.
vii. 29 CFR Part 36-Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or
Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance.
viii. 29 CFR Parts 29 and 30-Labor Standards for the Registration of Apprenticeship
Programs, and Equal Employment Opportunity in Apprenticeship and Training, as
applicable.
ix. General Terms and Conditions of Award - https://www.doleta.gov/grants/resources.cfm
Appendix VIII
ETA Evaluation
As a condition of grant award, grantees are required to participate in an evaluation, if undertaken
by DOL. The evaluation may include an implementation assessment across grantees, an impact
and/or outcomes analysis of all or selected sites within or across grantees, and a benefit/cost
analysis or assessment of return on investment. Conducting an impact analysis could involve
random assignment (which involves random assignment of eligible participants into a treatment
group that would receive program services or enhanced program services, or into control
group(s) that would receive no program services or program services that are not enhanced). We
may require applicants to collect data elements to aid the evaluation. As a part of the evaluation,
as a condition of award, grantees must agree to (1) make records available to the evaluation
contractor on participants, employers, and funding; (2) provide access to program operating
personnel, participants, and operational and financial records, and any other pertaining
documents to calculate program costs and benefits; (3) in the case of an impact analysis,
facilitate the assignment by lottery of participants to program services (including the possible
increased recruitment of potential participants); and (4) follow evaluation procedures as specified
by the evaluation contractor under the direction of DOL.
Appendix IX
Reporting Requirements
You must meet DOL reporting requirements. Specifically, you must submit the reports and
documents listed below to DOL electronically:
1) Quarterly Financial Reports
A Quarterly Financial Status Report (ETA 9130) is required until such time as all funds
have been expended or the grant period has expired. Quarterly reports are due 45 days
after the end of each calendar year quarter. On the final Financial Status Report, you
must include any subaward amount so we can calculate final indirect costs, if applicable.
You must use DOL’s Online Electronic Reporting System, and information and
instructions will be provided to grantees. For other guidance on ETA’s financial
reporting, reference Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) 02-16 and our
webpage at https://www.doleta.gov/grants/financial_reporting.cfm.
2) Quarterly Performance Reports
Grant recipients must submit a quarterly progress report within 45 days after the end
of each calendar year quarter. This report includes a quarterly narrative report that
details all grant activities that occurred during the quarter (provides an analysis of the
industry sectors and occupations participating in Registered Apprenticeship; summarizes
progress against grant goals; and updates the work plan to include key goals and
milestones for the coming year), as well as a quarterly performance report. In order
to submit these quarterly reports, the grant recipient will be required to track and report
participant-level data to ETA, including Social Security Numbers (SSNs), on all
individuals who are provided grant-funded services. The SSN information allows ETA
to efficiently match employment data from State unemployment insurance and other
wage records. Thus, the collection of participant SSNs lessens the burden
on grant recipients when tracking exit-based employment measures, while reporting
consistent and reliable outcome information. Performance reporting for these grants will
align with the DOL-Only Performance Accountability Information and Reporting System
(OMB Control No. 1205-0521) information collection request (ICR). As part
of quarterly performance reporting, DOL requires grant recipients to conduct data
validation to ensure the validity of data submitted to DOL. Grant recipients are
encouraged to fully implement the data validation framework published in forthcoming
DOL data validation guidance.
The last quarterly progress report will serve as the grant’s Final Performance Report.
This report must provide both quarterly and cumulative information on the grant
activities. It must summarize project activities, employment outcomes and other
deliverables, and related results of the project, and it must thoroughly document the
training or labor market information approaches that grant recipients used.
DOL will provide the grant recipient with an online reporting system along with detailed
formal guidance about the data and other information required to be collected and
reported on, either on a regular basis or special request basis. As noted above, these
grants will align with WIOA performance reporting requirements, including the online
reporting system. Grantees must agree to meet DOL reporting requirements.
Appendix X
Grant Recipient Training
Grantees are required to participate in all ETA training activities related to grantee orientation,
financial management and reporting, performance reporting, product dissemination, and other
technical assistance training as appropriate during the grant period. These sessions may occur
via conference calls, virtual events such as webinars, and in-person meetings. Applicants should
budget for two staff members to attend one in-person event in Washington, D.C. of two-night
duration, and one in-person event within their DOL Region of two-night duration, during the life
of the award. For grantees whose apprenticeship programs are federally administered, this will
include a meeting between the State, the ETA Office of Apprenticeship, and the OA State
director to discuss the State’s grant goals and the role OA can play in supporting those goals.
This meeting will take place within the first quarter of grant award.
Appendix XI
Agency Contacts
Please direct questions regarding this funding opportunity to Anu Mathew, Grants Management
Specialist, Office of Grants Management, at [email protected], specifically referencing
“ETA-TEGL-15-19”. Applicants should include a contact name, phone number and email with
all questions to provide a means of response. This announcement is available on the ETA
website at http://www.doleta.gov and at https://www.grants.gov.
Appendix XII
OMB Information Collection
OMB Information Collection No 1225-0086, Expires July 31, 2022.
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 N1301,
Washington, D.C. 20210. Comments may also be emailed to: [email protected].
Appendix XIII
Resources
Grants Application and Management:
o Applying for ETA Competitive Grants: A Web-Based Toolkit for Prospective
Applicants
(https://grantsapplicationandmanagement.workforcegps.org/resources/2017/Apply
ing_for_ETA_Competitive_Grants-_A_Web-Based_Toolkit-
for_Prospective_Applicants)
o SMART 3.0 Webinar Training Series
(https://grantsapplicationandmanagement.workforcegps.org/resources/2019/12/15
/21/50/SMART_3-0_Webinar_Training_Series)
o Effectively Managing ETA Competitive Grants (Grantee Handbook)
(https://www.doleta.gov/grants/docs/ETA_Grantee_Handbook.pdf)
o Standard Grant Agreement Template
(https://www.doleta.gov/grants/pdf/2019_Terms_Template.pdf) (Note: Updated
every year; link provided is the most current as of the publication of the TEGL)
Apprenticeship Resources
o Registered Apprenticeship 101 Boot Camp
(https://ase.workforcegps.org/resources/2019/11/05/17/14/Registered-
Apprenticeship-101-Bootcamp)
o Defining a Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Program and Related Tools and Resources
(https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?docn=5842)
o Industry and Equity Contracts
o AACC Expanding Community College Apprenticeships (ECCA)
Other Resources:
o Skills Commons
(https://h1bap.workforcegps.org/resources/2018/06/07/18/53/Skills-Commons)
o Competency Model Clearinghouse
(https://ase.workforcegps.org/sitecore/content/global/resources/2014/06/10/06/59/
competency-model-clearinghouse)
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