Notice of availability of funds

Instructions and Forms

• 
  Proposal Instructions
  
• 
  Proposal Narrative Form (DOC)
  
• 
  SFP Cover/Signature Page (DOC)
  

• 
  SFP Form 1 – Project Work Plan (DOC)
  
• 
  SFP Form 2 – Performance Objectives Matrix (XLS)
  
• 
  SFP Form 3 – Partner Roles, Responsibilities and Resources Chart (DOC)
  
• 
  SFP Form 4 – Budget Summary Plan (XLS)
  
• 
  SFP Form 5 – Supplemental Budget Form (if Applicable) (DOC)
  
• 
  SFP Form 6 – Past/Present Performance Veterans’ Project Form (XLS)
  

Section 1 – Overview

• 
  Recently Separated Veterans
  

received a DD214 for conditions other than dishonorable. Applicants must follow the

participant eligibility guidelines outlined under WIOA Title I.

• 
  Disabled Veterans
  

• 
  Campaign Veteran
  Veterans that served on active duty in the United States Armed Forces during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge or medal has been authorized. A list of the Wars, Campaigns, and Expeditions can be found at the Office of Personnel Management website.
  

• 
  Veterans with Significant Barriers
  Veterans that may be served through this SFP include disabled veterans; homeless veterans; recently separated service members who have been unemployed for 27 or more weeks in the previous 12 months; an offender as identified in WIOA Section 3 (38), who is currently incarcerated or who has been released from incarceration; a veteran lacking a high school diploma or equivalent certificate; or a low income individual (as defined by WIOA Section 3 [36]).
  
  
  

Significant Barriers are defined in WIOA as characteristics that may hinder an individual's hiring, promotion, or participation in the labor force. Some examples of individuals who may face barriers to employment include: single parents, displaced homemakers, youth, public assistance recipients, older workers, substance abusers, teenage parents, and those with limited English speaking ability, criminal record, mental health barriers, or with a lack of education, work experience, credentials, child care arrangements, or transportation.

• 
  Eligible Spouses
  As defined in the Jobs for Veterans Act, Public Law 107-288.
  

D. Funding

Matching funds may include, but are not limited to, funds/in-kind support committed by Local Area, local government, other partners and/or private foundation funds.

Section 2 – Significant Dates

Section 3 – Questions and Answers Website

Section 4 – Proposal Submission Instructions

Proposal Delivery Method and Addresses

Workforce Services Branch, MIC 88

Employment Development Department

P.O. Box 826880 Sacramento, CA 94280-0001

Workforce Services Branch

Employment Development Department

722 Capitol Mall, Room 2099

Sacramento, CA 95814
Hand deliver to: ATTN: WIOA VEAP SFP

Workforce Services Branch, MIC 88

Employment Development Department

722 Capitol Mall, Room 1100, Building Agents Office

Sacramento, CA 95814

Section 5 – Required Proposal Content

1. 
   Application Requirements
   All proposals must adhere to the required format in order to be competitive, and must include all of the requested information, completed forms, and required attachments. The proposal must meet all requirements listed in this section. Proposals that do not adhere to these requirements will not be reviewed or considered for funding.
   

1. 
   Instructions and forms
   Follow the specific instructions and complete all requested forms available on the Proposal Package Instructions and Forms page.
   

2. 
   Single Proposal
   Submit only one application per applicant for funding.
   

3. 
   Partnerships
   The applicant must form a regional partnership with the following required partners: 1) a Local Area and 2) the local EDD JVSG Program staff, and demonstrate that a high level of coordination already exists or that formalized linkages are in the process of being established. Additionally, the applicant must secure and attach a signed “Partnership Ageement” letter from the required partners noted above. The letter must include the following information:
   

• 
  Describe in detail the specific roles/responsibilities each of these partners will have in the grant.
  

• 
  Describe how the services will differ from what already exists locally.
  

• 
  Identify an agency contact person and telephone number.
  

• 
  Be dated between March 18 and April 22, 2016.
  

• 
  Be signed by an authorized signatory representative of the partner agency.
  

• 
  Demonstrate that a high level of coordination exists and the extent of that partnership and its anticipated outcomes.
  

Applications that do not attach the Partnership Ageement from each required partner will be considered non-responsive and will not be considered for funding.

4. 
   Match
   Applicants are required to demonstrate a dollar-for-dollar cash and/or in-kind match. For example, if the proposal is requesting $500,000, the match amount must be a minimum of $500,000 for a total project of at least $1,000,000.
   

For the purposes of this SFP, match may include WIOA or non-WIOA funds made available to the applicant to be used specifically for your proposal’s activities.

• 
  Matching funds will be subject to reporting requirements contained in the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Directive WSD12-3 Quarterly and Monthly Financial Reporting Requirements. The policies and procedures may be subject to change upon the issuance of the final WIOA regulations.
  

• 
  Cash and/or in-kind matches must be documented with a Letter of Commitment verifying the match and attached to the proposal.
  

• 
  All Letters of Commitment must be dated within the months of March or April 2016 signed by an authorized signatory agency authority, include a description of the match, the match dollar amount, and a contact person and phone number.
  

• 
  Match amounts will be verified by the State prior to selection of the grant award.
  

• 
  Match amounts in excess of the required dollar-for-dollar match that do not include Letters of Commitment will not be counted.
  

The definition of cash match is a contribution of funds made available to the subrecipient to be used specifically for these project activities and must be consistent with the allowable activities of the fund source. The awarded Subrecipient must have control over and be able to disburse these funds. For example: money received from employers, foundations, private entities or local governments. The definition of in-kind match is a contribution of non-cash resources used specifically for project activities. For example: include donated personnel, services or use of equipment or space.

5. 
   Training
   

industry and sector talent pipelines. Training elements of the proposal must include “Earn and Learn” components (i.e. On-the-Job Training, internships, apprenticeships, etc.). Grant applications that do not offer at least one training which leads to an industry-recognized certificate will be considered non-responsive and will not be reviewed or considered for funding.

1. 
   Knowledge and Experience
   Applicants are required to demonstrate knowledge, experience, and the capacity to provide services to veterans. Applicants must demonstrate under Section VI of the VEAP SFP Proposal Narrative, that the WIOA resources awarded under this SFP will be dedicated to serving the needs of veterans and their families in accordance with Military and Veterans Code, Section 999.80.
   

2. 
   Data and Provisions
   Clearly describe its capability to conduct and administer a federally funded project including the ability to collect and report financial and participant data as required. Applicants must be aware of the State and federal disability laws and procedures for ensuring universal access. Applicants must also be willing to adhere to various assurances and certifications that all subrecipients must abide by.
   

3. 
   Additional Requirements
   Proposals that do not adhere to these additional requirements will be scored, however, for each requirement not met, a penalty deducting points will be assessed as detailed below.
   

1. 
   Format and Document Order
   Proposal Package instructions are available on the EDD Website and contain links to each required form. The following chart lists the order of documents that must be included in the proposal package. This may also be used as a checklist.
   

Section 6 – Award and Contracting Process

1. 
   Proposal Evaluation and Recommendation for Funding
   Proposals will be scored and ranked by teams of independent reviewers based on the criteria set forth in this SFP. The scoring value of each section of the SFP is as follows:
   

The ranked scores will serve as the primary basis for making recommendations for funding in conjunction with other factors such as geographic distribution of funds, uniqueness, and innovative aspects of the proposal.

A proposal may be disqualified for not meeting the application requirements under Section 5 (A). An appeal of the disqualification decision may be filed.

• 
  There is no appeal process for not meeting the proposal submission deadline.
  

• 
  Final funding decisions cannot be appealed.
  

• 
  The application requirements, which are listed in Section 5 (A) of this SFP, are those conditions that must be met in order for the proposal to be forwarded for evaluation and scoring.
  

The EDD will mail disqualification letters to applicants no later than May 6, 2016. Any appeals must be received in the EDD office designated below by 3 p.m. on May 13 , 2016. The appellant must submit the facts in writing. The review will be limited to the information provided in writing.

To be considered for review, the appeal must contain the following information:

1. 
   Appealing party’s, full name, address, and telephone number.
   

2. 
   A brief statement of the reasons for appeal, including citations to the SFP and any other pertinent documents.
   

3. 
   A statement of the relief sought.
   

4. 
   Original signature of the authorized signatory authority of the organization.
   

The appellant must provide a copy of the appeal letter and the supporting documents to EDD’s WSB. The WSB will respond in writing to the appeals by May 20, 2016. The review will be limited to determining whether the proposal met the Application Requirements of the SFP. The appeal must be in writing, with the appropriate signatory authority, and submitted to the following:

Mail to: ATTN: WIOA VEAP SFP/Appeals

Workforce Services Branch, MIC 88

Employment Development Department

P.O. Box 826880 Sacramento, CA 94280-0001

By courier to: ATTN: WIOA VEAP SFP/Appeals

Workforce Services Branch

Employment Development Department

722 Capitol Mall, Room 2099

Sacramento, CA 95814
Hand deliver to: ATTN: WIOA VEAP SFP/Appeals

Workforce Services Branch

Employment Development Department

722 Capitol Mall, Room 1100, Building Agents Office

Sacramento, CA 95814

Section 8 – Administrative Requirements

Awardees must adher to the WIOA Title I requirements, the OMB’s Title 2 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200: Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principals, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards; Final Rule Uniform Guidance and OMB’s Title 2 CFR Part 2900 (DOL Exceptions).

1. 
   Monitoring and Audits
   Awardees will be monitored and/or audited by the State, in accordance with existing policies, procedures, and requirements governing the use of WIOA funds. Awardees are expected to be responsive to all reviewers’ requests, provide reasonable and timely access to records and staff, facilitate access to subcontractors, and communicate with reviewers in a timely and accurate manner.
   

2. 
   Record Retention
   Awardees will be required to maintain project and fiscal records sufficient to allow federal, State, and local reviewers to evaluate the project’s effectiveness and proper use of funds. The record retention system must include both original and summary (e.g., computer generated) data sources. Awardees will retain all records pertinent to this contract for a period of three years from the date of final payment on this contract Uniform Guidance.
   

3. 
   Reporting
   Awardees must have the capability to report expenditures, participant, and outcome data to the State, in a manner that is timely, thorough, and accurate through the State’s required reporting system: California Jobs Online Browse System (CalJOBSSM). The State will provide training on how to use CalJOBS^SM. See Appendix E for the State Reporting System Hardware and Software Requirements.
   

Awardees will be required to submit monthly financial and participant reports, data elements including participant information, project activities and expenditures using CalJOBSSM. In addition, awardees will be required to submit monthly progress reports which include narrative on the status of the projects. Upon closeout of the project an “End of Project” report will be required.

4. 
   Performance Objectives
   

The State’s Performance Objectives are proposed but not limited the following:

5. 
   Closeout
   

6. 
   Compliance
   

7. 
   Evaluation
   

APPENDIX A

1. 
   Determinations of whether the individual is eligible to receive assistance from the adult, dislocated worker, or youth programs.
   

2. 
   Outreach, intake, and orientation to information and other services available through the one-stop delivery system.
   

3. 
   Initial assessment of skill levels including literacy, numeracy, and English language proficiency, as well as aptitudes, abilities (including skills gaps), and supportive service needs.
   

4. 
   Job search and placement assistance, and, when needed by an individual, career counseling, including:
   

1. 
   Information on in-demand industry sectors and occupations.
   

2. 
   Information on nontraditional employment.
   

3. 
   Appropriate recruitment and other business services on behalf of employers, including information and referrals to specialized business services other than those traditionally offered through the one-stop delivery system.
   

5. 
   Provision of referrals to and coordination of activities with other programs and services including: programs and services within the one-stop delivery system and, when appropriate, other workforce development programs.
   

6. 
   Provision of workforce and labor market employment statistics information, including the provision of accurate information relating to local, regional, and national labor market areas, including:
   

1. 
   Job vacancy listings in labor market areas.
   

2. 
   Information on job skills necessary to obtain the vacant jobs listed.
   

3. 
   Information relating to local occupations in demand and the earnings, skill requirements, and opportunities for advancement for those jobs.
   

7. 
   Provision of performance information and program cost information on eligible providers of training services by program and type of providers.
   

8. 
   Provision of understandable and accurate information about how the Local Workforce Development Area is performing on local performance accountability measures, as well as any additional performance information relating to the area’s one-stop delivery system.
   

9. 
   Provision of understandable and accurate information relating to the availability of supportive services or assistance including: child care, child support, medical or child health assistance available through the State’s Medicaid program and Children’s Health Insurance Program, benefits under the CalFRESH Program (federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), assistance through the earned income tax credit, and assistance under a State program for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and other supportive services and transportation provided through that program.
   

10. 
    Provision of information and assistance regarding filing claims for unemployment insurance (UI), by which the America’s Job Center of CaliforniaSM must provide “meaningful assistance” to individuals seeking assistance in filing a UI claim. The term “meaningful assistance” means:
    

1. 
   Providing assistance on-site using staff who are well-trained in UI claim filing and the rights and responsibilities of claimants; or
   

2. 
   Providing assistance by phone or via other technology, as long as the assistance is provided by trained and available staff and within a reasonable time.
   

3. 
   Assistance in establishing eligibility for programs of financial aid assistance for training and education programs not provided under WIOA.
   

Individualized Career Services

1. 
   Comprehensive and specialized assessments of the skill levels and service needs of adults and dislocated workers, which may include:
   

1. 
   Diagnostic testing and use of other assessment tools.
   

2. 
   In-depth interviewing and evaluation to identify employment barriers and appropriate employment goals.
   

2. 
   Development of an individual employment plan, to identify the employment goals, appropriate achievement objectives, and appropriate combination of services for the participant to achieve their employment goals, including the list of, and information about, the eligible training providers.
   

3. 
   Group counseling.
   

4. 
   Individual counseling.
   

5. 
   Career planning.
   

6. 
   Short-term pre-vocational services including development of learning skills, communication skills, interviewing skills, punctuality, personal maintenance skills, and professional conduct services to prepare individuals for unsubsidized employment or training.
   

7. 
   Internships and work experiences that are linked to careers.
   

8. 
   Workforce preparation activities.
   

9. 
   Financial literacy services.
   

10. 
    Out-of-area job search assistance and relocation assistance.
    

11. 
    English language acquisition and integrated education and training programs.
    

Follow-up Services

Follow-up services, such as counseling regarding the workplace, are provided for participants in adult or dislocated worker workforce investment activities who are placed in unsubsidized employment, for up to 12 months after the first day of employment.
Each proposal should include follow-up services for participants after they are placed in unsubsidized employment and after they have exited from the project. The follow-up is intended to support the client in retaining employment and continuing to improve their employment success after exit. The final follow-up design will be negotiated with each successful applicant during contract negotiations based on the length of the contract and the funding available to the applicant. While follow-up services must be made available, not all participants who are registered and placed into unsubsidized employment will need or want such services.

APPENDIX B

1. 
   The costs of administration are expenditures incurred by direct grant recipients, as well as local grant recipients, local grant subrecipients, local fiscal agents, and which are not related to the direct provision of WIOA services, including services to participants and employers. These costs can be both personnel and non-personnel and both direct and indirect.
   
   
2. 
   The costs of administration are the costs associated with performing the following functions:
   
   

1. 
   Performing the following overall general administrative functions and coordination of those functions under WIOA Title I:
   

1. 
   Accounting, budgeting, financial and cash management functions
   
2. 
   Procurement and purchasing functions
   
3. 
   Property management functions
   
4. 
   Personnel management functions
   
5. 
   Payroll functions
   
6. 
   Coordinating the resolution of findings arising from audits, reviews, investigations and incident reports
   
7. 
   Audit functions;
   
8. 
   General legal services functions;
   
9. 
   Developing systems and procedures, including information systems, required for these administrative functions; and
   
10. 
    Fiscal agent responsibilities
    

2. 
   Performing oversight and monitoring responsibilities related to WIOA administrative functions.
   

3. 
   Costs of goods and services required for administrative functions of the program, including goods and services such as rental or purchase of equipment, utilities, office supplies, postage, and rental and maintenance of office space.
   

4. 
   Travel costs incurred for official business in carrying out administrative activities or the overall management of the WIOA system.
   

5. 
   Costs of information systems related to administrative functions (for example, personnel, procurement, purchasing, property management, accounting and payroll systems) including the purchase, systems development and operating
   

3. 
   Awards to subrecipients or contractors that are solely for the performance of administrative functions are classified as administrative costs.
   
   

1. 
   Personnel and related nonpersonnel costs of staff that perform both administrative functions specified in paragraph (b) of this section and programmatic services or activities must be allocated as administrative or program costs to the benefitting cost objectives/categories based on documented distributions of actual time worked or other equitable cost allocation methods.
   

2. 
   Specific costs charged to an overhead or indirect cost pool that can be identified directly as a program cost are to be charged as a program cost. Documentation of such charges must be maintained.
   

3. 
   Except as provided at paragraph (c)(1) of this section, all costs incurred for functions and activities of subrecipients and contractors are program costs.
   
   
4. 
   Continuous improvement activities are charged to administration or program category based on the purpose or nature of the activity to be improved. Documentation of such charges must be maintained.
   

5. 
   Costs of the following information systems including the purchase, systems development, and operational costs (e.g., data entry) are charged to the program category:
   

1. 
   Tracking or monitoring of participant and performance information.
   
2. 
   Employment statistics information, including job listing information, job skills information, and demand occupation information.
   
3. 
   Performance and program cost information on eligible providers of training services, youth activities, and appropriate education activities.
   
4. 
   Local Workforce Development Area performance information.
   
5. 
   Information relating to supportive services and unemployment insurance claims for program participants.
   

d. Where possible, entities identified in item (a) must make efforts to streamline the

services in paragraphs (b)(1) through (5) of this section to reduce administrative costs by minimizing duplication and effectively using information technology to improve services.

APPENDIX C

Allowable Costs and Cost Items Matrix
An entity that receives funds under Title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is required to comply with the Office of Management and Budget Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements Final Rule (Uniform Guidance) (2 CFR Part 200) and Department of Labor (DOL) exceptions (2 CFR Part 2900). In general, to be an allowable charge under WIOA, a cost must meet the following criteria:

1. 
   Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the award.
   

2. 
   Be allocable to the award.
   

3. 
   Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in the award.
   

4. 
   Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed and other activities of the non-federal entity.
   

5. 
   Be accorded consistent treatment.
   

6. 
   Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
   

7. 
   Not be used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any other federally-financed program (without prior approval from the State).
   

8. 
   Be adequately documented.
   

Below is a high level cost items matrix with six columns. The first four columns identify cost items and various entity types. The remaining two columns are reserved for the specific Uniform Guidance sections and DOL exceptions (if applicable). It should be noted that the matrix is intended to be used as an initial tool or quick reference guide, rather than a final authority for making a determination of whether or not a cost would be considered allowable.

If a cost item is denoted with two or more legend keys, users should delve further into the various information sources as they may provide the additional clarity that is needed. If this effort does not provide the necessary information, then the project manager or Regional Advisor should be contacted. The “NS” legend key means that information may not be readily available. In this event, other information sources should be sought out before attempting to contact the project manager or Regional Advisor.

The “AP” legend key means that, in some instances, prior written approval will be required. In this event, the user should adhere to the Uniform Guidance Section 200.407, DOL exceptions Section 2900.16, and contact their project manager or Regional Advisor.
Cost Items Matrix

APPENDIX D

Internet Resources
The following websites provide additional information that may help on developing project plans, building partnerships, obtaining data, and responding to questions in the Veterans’ Employment-Related Assistance Program SFP.