Proposed Rules. Announcement of the availability of fiscal year 2006 cooperative agreement funds and request for applications
19,406 words·~88 min read·
/register/2006/05/16/06-4507·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
BILLING CODE 3210-01-M SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34-53783; File No. SR-ISE-2005-60] Self-Regulatory Organizations; International Securities Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing of a Proposed Rule Change and Amendment Nos. 1 and 2 Thereto Relating to the Criteria for Securities that Underlie Options Traded on the Exchange May 10, 2006. Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”), 1 and Rule 19b-4 thereunder, 2 notice is hereby given that on December 14, 2005, the International Securities Exchange, Inc.
(“Exchange” or “ISE”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) the proposed rule change, as described in Items I, II, and III below, which items have been prepared by the Exchange. On May 5, 2006, the Exchange filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change. 3 On May 9, 2006, the Exchange filed Amendment No. 2 to the proposed rule change. 4 The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change, as amended, from interested persons. 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b-4. 3 Amendment No. 1 replaced the original filing in its entirety. 4 Amendment No. 2 replaced the text of proposed ISE Rules 408(a) and 807(a) in their entirety.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes to amend ISE Rules 408(a), 502(h), 503(h), 807(a), and 1400 to enable the initial and continued listing and trading on the Exchange of Fund Shares that hold specified non-U.S. currency options, futures or options on futures on such currency, or any other derivatives based on such currency. The text of the proposed rule change is provided below ( *italics* indicates additions; [brackets] indicate deletions):
Rule 408. Prevention of the Misuse of Material Nonpublic Information
(a)Every Member, other than a lessor that is neither registered, nor required to be registered, as a broker-dealer under section 15 of the Exchange Act, shall establish, maintain and enforce written policies and procedures reasonably designed, taking into consideration the nature of the Member's business, to prevent the misuse of material nonpublic information by such Member or persons associated with such Member in violation of the Exchange Act and Exchange Rules.
(1)Misuse of material nonpublic information includes, but is not limited to:
(i)Trading in any securities issued by a corporation *or Funds, as defined in Rule 502(h), or a trust or similar entities* , or in any related securities or related options or other derivative securities, or *in any related non-U.S. currency, non-U.S. currency options, futures or options on futures on such currency, or any other derivatives based on such currency* while in possession of material nonpublic information concerning that corporation *or those Funds or that trust or similar entities* ;
(ii)Trading in an underlying security or related options or other derivative securities, or *in any related non-U.S. currency, non-U.S. currency options, futures or options on futures on such currency, or any other derivatives based on such currency* while in possession of material nonpublic information concerning imminent transactions in the *above* ; [underlying security or related securities;] and
(iii)Disclosing to another person any material nonpublic information involving a corporation *or Funds or a trust or similar entities* whose shares are publicly traded or an imminent transaction in an underlying security or related securities *or in the underlying non-U.S. currency or any related non-U.S. currency options, futures or options on futures on such currency, or any other derivatives based on such currency* for the purpose of facilitating the possible misuse of such material nonpublic information.
(2)No change. (b)-(c) No change. Rule 502. Criteria for Underlying Securities
(h)Securities deemed appropriate for options trading shall include shares or other securities (“Fund Shares”) that *(i)* represent interests in registered investment companies (or series thereof) organized as open-end management investment companies, unit investment trusts or similar entities that are [principally] traded on a national securities exchange or through the facilities of a national securities association and *are defined as an “NMS stock” under Rule 600 of Regulation NMS* [reported as “national market” securities], and that hold portfolios of securities comprising or otherwise based on or representing investments in broad-based indexes or portfolios of securities (or that hold securities in one or more other registered investment companies that themselves hold such portfolios of securities) *or
(ii)represent interests in a trust that holds a specified non-U.S. currency deposited with the trust when aggregated in some specified minimum number may be surrendered to the trust by the beneficial owner to receive the specified non-U.S. currency and pays the beneficial owner interest and other distributions on the deposited non-U.S. currency, if any, declared and paid by the trust* (“Funds”); provided that all of the following conditions are met:
(1)Any non-U.S. component securities of [the] *an* index or portfolio *of securities* on which the Fund Shares are based that are not subject to comprehensive surveillance agreements do not in the aggregate represent more than 50% of the weight of the index or portfolio;
(2)*Component* securities *of an index or portfolio of securities on which the Fund Shares are based* for which the primary market is in any one country that is not subject to a comprehensive surveillance agreement do not represent 20% or more of the weight of the index;
(3)*Component* securities *of an index or portfolio of securities on which the Fund Shares are based* for which the primary market is in any two countries that are not subject to comprehensive surveillance agreements do not represent 33% or more of the weight of the index; [and] *(4) For Funds that hold a specified non-U.S. currency deposited with the trust, the Exchange has entered into an appropriate comprehensive surveillance sharing agreement with the marketplace or marketplaces with last sale reporting that represent(s) the highest volume in derivatives (options or futures) on the specified non-U.S. currency, which are utilized by the national securities exchange where the underlying Funds are listed and traded; and* [(4)]( *5* ) The Fund Shares either
(i)meet the criteria and guidelines set forth in paragraphs
(a)and
(b)above; or
(ii)the Fund Shares are available for creation or redemption each business day from or through the *issuing trust, investment company or other entity* [Fund] in cash or in kind at a price related to net asset value, and the *issuer* [Fund] is obligated to issue Fund Shares in a specified aggregate number even if some or all of the [securities] *investment assets* required to be deposited have not been received by the *issuer* [Fund], subject to the condition that the person obligated to deposit the [securities] *investment assets* has undertaken to deliver them [securities] as soon as possible and such undertaking is secured by the delivery and maintenance of collateral consisting of cash or cash equivalents satisfactory to the *issuer of Fund Shares* [Fund], all as described in the *Fund Shares'* [Fund's] prospectus.
(i)through
(j)No change. Rule 503. Withdrawal of Approval of Underlying Securities
(h)Fund Shares approved for options trading pursuant to Rule 502(h) will not be deemed to meet the requirements for continued approval, and the Exchange shall not open for trading any additional series of option contracts of the class covering such Fund Shares if the [issuer is] *Fund Shares are* delisted from trading as provided in subparagraph (b)( *5* )[(6)] of this Rule *or the Fund Shares are halted from trading on their primary market.* In addition, the Exchange shall consider the suspension of opening transactions in any series of options of the class covering Fund Shares in any of the following circumstances:
(1)In the case of options covering Fund Shares approved pursuant to Rule 502(h)( *5* )[4](i), in accordance with the terms of subparagraphs (b)(1), (2),
(3)and
(4)of this Rule 503;
(2)In the case of options covering Fund Shares approved pursuant to Rule 502(h)( *5* )[(4)](ii), following the initial twelve-month period beginning upon the commencement of trading in the Fund Shares on a national securities exchange or [as NMS securities] through the facilities of a national securities association *and are defined as an “NMS stock” under Rule 600 of Regulation NMS* , there were fewer than 50 record and/or beneficial holders of such Fund Shares for 30 or more consecutive trading days; (3)-(4) No change.
(i)through
(j)No change. Rule 807. Securities Accounts and Orders of Market Makers
(a)Identification of Accounts. *A Primary Market Maker in the Fund Shares, as defined in Rule 502(h), is obligated to conduct all trading in the Fund Shares in account(s) that have been reported to the Exchange. In addition,* [I] *i* n a manner prescribed by the Exchange, each market maker shall file with the Exchange and keep current a list identifying all accounts for stock, options *, non-U.S. currency, non-U.S. currency options, futures or options on futures on such currency, or any other derivatives based on such currency* and related securities trading in which the market maker may, directly or indirectly, engage in trading activities or over which it exercises investment direction. No market maker shall engage in stock, options *, non-U.S. currency, non-U.S. currency options, futures or options on futures on such currency, or any other derivatives based on such currency* or related securities trading in an account which has not been reported pursuant to this Rule. (b)-(c) No change. Rule 1400. Maintenance, Retention and Furnishing of Books, Records and Other Information (a)-(b) No change. Supplementary Material to Rule 1400 * .01 In addition to the existing obligations under Exchange rules regarding the production of books and records, a Primary Market Maker in non-U.S. currency options, futures or options on futures on such currency, or any other derivatives based on such currency, shall make available to the Exchange such books, records or other information pertaining to transactions in the applicable non-U.S.-currency options, futures or options on futures on such currency, or any other derivatives on such currency, as may be requested by the Exchange. * II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements. A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose The purpose of the proposed rule change is to amend ISE Rules 408(a), 502(h), 503(h), 807(a), and 1400 to enable the initial and continued listing and trading on the Exchange of Fund Shares that hold specified non-U.S. currency options, futures or options on futures on such currency, or any other derivatives based on such currency. Currently, the term “Fund Shares,” as defined in ISE Rule 502(h), requires that the investment assets held by a trust, investment company, or other similar entity consist of portfolios of securities. As proposed, amended ISE Rule 502(h) would also permit the investment assets to consist of a trust that holds a specified non-U.S. currency deposited with the trust. In particular, the proposed amendment to ISE Rule 502(h) would permit the Exchange to list options on the Euro Currency Trust (“Trust”). The Trust issues Euro Shares (“Shares”) that represent units of fractional undivided beneficial interest in, and ownership of, the Trust. PADCO Advisors II, Inc., d/b/a Rydex Investments, is the sponsor of the Trust (“Sponsor”) 5 and may be deemed the “issuer” of the Shares pursuant to section 2(a)(4) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. 6 The Bank of New York is the trustee of the Trust (“Trustee”), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., London Branch, is the depository for the Trust (“Depository”), and Rydex Distributors, Inc. is the distributor for the Trust (“Distributor”). The Trust intends to issue additional Shares on a continuous basis through the Trustee. The Sponsor, Trustee, Depository, and Distributor are not affiliated with the Exchange or one another, with the exception that the Sponsor and Distributor are affiliated. 5 The Sponsor maintains a public Web site on behalf of the Trust, *http://www.currencyshares.com* , which contains information about the Trust and the Shares. 6 Rydex Investments is not an “issuer” as per ISE rules. As stated in the Trust's Registration Statement, 7 the investment objective of the Trust is for the Shares to reflect the price of the euro. The Shares are intended to provide institutional and retail investors with a simple, cost-effective means of gaining investment benefits similar to those of holding euro. 8 The Sponsor believes that the Trust is the first exchange traded fund (“ETF”) 9 whose assets are limited to a particular foreign currency. The Shares may be purchased from the Trust only in one or more blocks of 50,000 Shares, as described in the prospectus under “Creation and Redemption of Shares.” A block of 50,000 shares is called a Basket. The Trust issues Shares in Baskets on a continuous basis to certain authorized participants (“Authorized Participants”) as described in the prospectus under “Plan of Distribution.” Each Basket, when created, is offered and sold to an Authorized Participant at a price in euro equal to the net asset value (“NAV”) for 50,000 Shares on the day that the order to create the Basket is accepted by the Trustee. 7 The Sponsor, on behalf of the Trust, filed the Form S-1 (the “Registration Statement”) on June 7, 2005, Amendment No. 1 thereto on August 12, 2005, Amendment No. 2 thereto on October 25, 2005, Amendment No. 3 thereto on November 28, 2005, and Amendment No. 4 thereto on December 6, 2005. *See* Registration No. 333-125581. 8 The Exchange notes that the Commission has permitted the listing of prior securities products for which the underlying was a commodity or otherwise was not a security trading on a regulated market. *See* , *e.g.* , Exchange Act Release Nos. 50603 (October 28, 2004), 69 FR 64614 (November 5, 2004) (SR-NYSE-2004-22) (approving listing and trading on NYSE of StreetTRACKS® Gold Shares); 36505 (November 22, 1995), 60 FR 61277 (November 29, 1995) (SR-PHLX-95-42) (approving the listing of dollar-denominated delivery of foreign currency options on the Japanese Yen; 36165 (August 29, 1995), 60 FR 46653 (September 7, 1995) (SR-NYSE-94-41) (approving listing standards for, among other things, currency and currency index warrants); and 19133 (October 14, 1982), 47 FR 46946 (October 21, 1982) (SR-PHLX-81-4) (approving the listing of standardized options on foreign currencies). 9 The Exchanges notes that the Trust is not a registered investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”) and is not required to register under the 1940 Act. On December 12, 2005, the Shares were sold to the public by Authorized Participants at varying prices in dollars by reference to, among other things, the market price of euro and the trading price of the Shares on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) at the time of each sale. The Shares trade on the NYSE under the symbol “FXE.” The Shares may also trade in other markets. The Exchange believes that permitting options on foreign currency-based Fund Shares to be traded on the Exchange is consistent with the Commission's recent approval order of a rule change filed by the NYSE to list and trade shares of the Trust. 10 This rule change to ISE's listing criteria for Fund Shares is intended to provide appropriate listing standards for options on shares of these and similar types of foreign currency-based Fund Shares that may be listed in the future. 10 *See* Securities Exchange Act Release No. 52843 (November 28, 2005), 70 FR 72486 (December 5, 2005). Fund Shares will continue to need to satisfy the listing standards in ISE Rule 502(h). Specifically, the Fund Shares must be traded on a national securities exchange or through the facilities of a national securities association and must be an “NMS stock” as defined under Rule 600 of Regulation NMS. 11 The Fund Shares must also either:
(1)Meet the criteria and guidelines under ISE Rules 502(a) and 502(b) (Criteria for Underlying Securities); or
(2)be available for creation or redemption each business day from and through the issuer in cash or in-kind at a price related to net asset value, and the issuer is obligated to issue Fund Shares in a specified aggregate number even if some or all of the investments required to be deposited have not been received by the issuer, subject to the condition that the person obligated to deposit the investments has undertaken to deliver the investment assets as soon as possible, and such undertaking is secured by the delivery and maintenance of collateral consisting of cash or cash equivalents satisfactory to the issuer, as described in the issuer's prospectus. 11 In light of the implementation of certain aspects of Regulation NMS, the Exchange hereby seeks to amend ISE Rule 502(h) to reflect that Fund Shares must be National Market System stocks as defined under Rule 600 of Regulation NMS, instead of “national market” securities. Under the applicable continued listing criteria in ISE Rule 503(h), the Fund Shares may be delisted as follows:
(1)Following the initial twelve-month period beginning upon the commencement of trading of the Fund Shares, there are fewer than 50 record and/or beneficial holders of the Fund Shares for 30 or more consecutive trading days;
(2)the value of the euro is no longer calculated or available; 12 or
(3)such other event occurs or condition exists that in the opinion of the Exchange makes further dealing on the Exchange inadvisable. Additionally, the Fund Shares shall not be deemed to meet the requirements for continued approval, and the Exchange shall not open for trading any additional series of option contracts of the class covering such Fund Shares, if the Fund Shares are halted from trading on their primary market. 12 Euro pricing information based on the euro spot price is available to investors on 24-hour basis from various financial information service providers. There are a variety of other public Web sites providing information on foreign currency and euro, including Bloomberg, CBS MarketWatch and Yahoo! Finance. The Trust Web site's euro spot price will be provided by The Bullion Desk ( *http://www.thebulliondesk.com* ). The Bullion Desk is not affiliated with the Trust, Trustee, Sponsor, Depository, Distributor or the Exchange. In the event that the Trust's Web site should cease to provide this euro spot price information, the Fund Shares shall fail this maintenance requirement and may be delisted by the Exchange. Finally, the Exchange represents that the expansion of the types of investments that may be held by a Fund Share under ISE Rule 502(h) will not have any effect on the rules pertaining to position and exercise limits 13 or margin. 14 13 *See* ISE Rules 412 and 414. 14 *See* ISE Rule 1202. The Exchange is also proposing to amend ISE Rule 408(a) to ensure that, in connection with trading in the applicable non-U.S. currency, non-U.S. currency options, futures or options on futures on such currency, or any other derivatives on such currency, the ISE Primary Market Maker does not use any material nonpublic information it might have or receive from any person associated with it in the applicable non-U.S. currency options, futures or options on futures on such currency, or any other derivatives on such currency. Finally, the Exchange is proposing to amend ISE Rules 807(a) and 1400 to ensure that market makers handling Fund Shares provide the Exchange with all necessary information relating to their trading in the applicable non-U.S. currency, non-U.S. currency options, futures or options on futures on such currency, or any other derivatives based on such currency. The Exchange represents that it has an adequate surveillance program in place for options on the Shares, and intends to apply those same program procedures that it applies to options on Fund Shares currently traded on the Exchange. In addition, the Exchange may obtain trading information via the Intermarket Surveillance Group (“ISG”) from other exchanges who are members or affiliates of the ISG. Specifically, ISE can obtain such information from the Philadelphia Stock Exchange (“Phlx”) in connection with euro options trading on the Phlx and from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”) and the London International Financial Futures Exchange (“LIFFE”) in connection with euro futures trading on those exchanges. 15 15 Phlx is a member of ISG. CME and LIFFE are affiliate members of ISG. 2. Basis The Exchange believes that, with the commencement of trading of a currency-based ETF on the NYSE, amending its rules to accommodate the listing and trading of options on publicly traded shares or other securities that hold investment assets consisting of foreign currency will benefit investors by providing them with the same valuable risk management tool that is currently available with respect to other publicly traded ETFs whose investment assets consist of securities. Accordingly, the proposed rule change is consistent with section 6(b) of the Act, in general and furthers the objectives of section 6(b)(5) in particular, in that it would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism for a free and open market in a manner consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition The proposed rule change does not impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others The Exchange has not solicited, and does not intend to solicit, comments on this proposed rule change. The Exchange has not received any unsolicited written comments from members or other interested parties. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action Within 35 days of the date of publication of this notice in the **Federal Register** or within such longer period
(i)as the Commission may designate up to 90 days of such date if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or
(ii)as to which the self-regulatory organization consents, the Commission will:
(a)By order approve such proposed rule change, as amended; or
(b)Institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change, as amended, should be disapproved. IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change, as amended, is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: Electronic Comments • Use the Commission's Internet comment form ( *http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml* ); or • Send an E-mail to *rule-comments@sec.gov* . Please include File No. SR-ISE-2005-60 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Nancy M. Morris, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-ISE-2005-60. This file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commissions Internet Web site ( *http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml* ). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for inspection and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Room. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the ISE. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-ISE-2005-60 and should be submitted by June 6, 2006. For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority. 16 16 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12). J. Lynn Taylor, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-7454 Filed 5-15-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8010-01-P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34-53780; File No. SR-NYSE-2006-24] Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Exchange Rule 104(d) Governing Specialist Trading in the NYSE Hybrid Market May 10, 2006. Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) 1 and Rule 19b-4 thereunder, 2 notice is hereby given that on April 7, 2006, the New York Stock Exchange LLC (“NYSE” or “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b-4. I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes to amend Exchange Rule 104(d) governing specialist trading in the NYSE HYBRID MARKET SM (“Hybrid Market”). 3 Specifically, the Exchange proposes to amend Exchange Rule 104(d) to provide that specialists shall have the ability to maintain undisplayed reserve interest on behalf of the dealer account at the Exchange best bid and offer, provided at least 1,000 shares of dealer interest is displayed at that price, on the same side of the market as the reserve interest. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's Web site ( *http://www.nyse.com* ), at the Exchange's Office of Secretary, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room. 3 On March 22, 2006, the Commission approved the Exchange's proposal to establish a “Hybrid Market.” *See* Securities Exchange Act Release No. 53539, 71 FR 16353 (March 31, 2006) (“Hybrid Market Approval Order”). In the Hybrid Market Approval Order, the Commission approved the Exchange's plan to implement the Hybrid Market in multiple phases. To date, the Exchange has not implemented the approved changes to Exchange Rule 104(d). The Commission notes that in this proposal, the Exchange proposes to amend the text of Rule 104(d) as approved in the Hybrid Market Approval Order. Further, the Commission notes that the Exchange's description of Rule 104(d) herein refers to the approved text of Rule 104(d). II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements. A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose The Exchange notes that the Hybrid Market was approved by the Commission on March 22, 2006. 4 In the Hybrid Market, Exchange Rule 104(d) provides that specialists may, but are not required to, have non-displayed “reserve” interest at the best bid and offer. Reserve interest is interest at the best bid or offer that is not displayed. Reserve interest will participate in automatic executions after displayed interest on that side trades. Currently, the specialist must have a minimum amount of 2,000 shares displayed at the best bid or offer in order to have reserve interest on that side of the quote. Floor brokers also are permitted to have reserve interest. 5 However, Floor brokers are only required to display 1,000 shares at the best bid or offer in order to have reserve interest. Accordingly, the Exchange proposes to conform the minimum display requirements for reserve interest for specialists and Floor brokers. Therefore, the Exchange proposes to amend Exchange Rule 104(d)(i) to provide that specialists shall have the ability to maintain undisplayed reserve interest on behalf of the dealer account at the Exchange best bid and offer, provided at least 1,000 shares of dealer interest is displayed at that price, on the same side of the market as the reserve interest. 4 *See* Securities Exchange Act Release No. 53539 (March 22, 2006), 71 FR 16353 (March 31, 2006) (SR-NYSE-2004-05). 5 *See* Exchange Rule 70.20(c)(ii). In addition, the Exchange proposes to amend Exchange Rule 104(d)(ii) to conform it to the 1,000 share minimum display requirement. Thus, this rule will require that after an execution, if specialist interest remains at the best bid or offer, the amount of such displayed interest will be replenished by the specialist's reserve interest, if any, so that at least a minimum of 1,000 shares (instead of the current 2,000 shares) of specialist interest is displayed or whatever specialist interest remains at the best bid or offer, if less than 1,000 shares (instead of the current 2,000 shares). The Exchange believes that it is best to have a uniform standard for the minimum amount of interest required to be displayed at the best bid or offer in order to have reserve interest as it will deter market participants from trying to deduce if a certain amount of liquidity on the Display Book® is associated with a Floor broker versus a specialist. 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with section 6(b)(5) of the Act 6 because it is designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change also is designed to support the principles of section 11A(a)(1) of the Act 7 in that it seeks to assure economically efficient execution of securities transactions, make it practicable for brokers to execute investors' orders in the best market, and provide an opportunity for investors' orders to be executed without the participation of a dealer. 6 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). 7 15 U.S.C. 78k-1(a)(1). B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others The Exchange has neither solicited nor received written comments on the proposed rule change. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action Within 35 days of the date of publication of this notice in the **Federal Register** or within such longer period
(i)as the Commission may designate up to 90 days of such date if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or
(ii)as to which the self-regulatory organization consents, the Commission will:
(A)By order approve such proposed rule change, or
(B)Institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be disapproved. IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: Electronic Comments • Use the Commission's Internet comment form ( *http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml* ); or • Send an e-mail to *rule-comments@sec.gov* . Please include File Number SR-NYSE-2006-24 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Nancy M. Morris, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSE-2006-24. This file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission's Internet Web site ( *http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml* ). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for inspection and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Room. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSE-2006-24 and should be submitted on or before June 6, 2006. 8 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12). For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority. 8 Nancy M. Morris, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-7392 Filed 5-15-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8010-01-P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34-53782; File No. SR-NYSE-2006-07] Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change and Amendment No. 1 Thereto To Amend Exchange Rule 104 Regarding the Requirement That Specialists Obtain Floor Official Approval for Destabilizing Dealer Account Transactions That Match the National Best Bid or Offer May 10, 2006. Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”), 1 and Rule 19b-4 thereunder, 2 notice is hereby given that on February 16, 2006, the New York Stock Exchange LLC (“NYSE” or “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the NYSE. On April 27, 2006, NYSE filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change. 3 The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change, as amended, from interested persons. 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b-4. 3 In Amendment No. 1, the Exchange made technical corrections to the rule text of the proposed rule change. I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange is proposing to amend NYSE Rule 104 (Dealings by Specialists) to permit specialists to effect destabilizing dealer account transactions when matching the national best bid or offer without requiring that they obtain Floor Official approval. The text of the proposed rule change is below. Proposed new language is in italics; proposed deletions are in [brackets]. Dealings by Specialists Rule 104 No change in
(a)through .10(4) (5)(i) Transactions on the Exchange for his own account of a member acting as specialist are to be effected in a reasonable and orderly manner in relation to the condition of the general market, the market in the particular stock and the adequacy of the specialist's position to the immediate and reasonably anticipated needs of the round-lot and the odd-lot market. The following types of transactions to establish or increase a position are not to be effected except when they are reasonably necessary to render the specialist's position adequate to such needs:
(A)A purchase at a price above the last sale in the same session:
(B)The purchase of more than 50% of the stock offered in the market at a price equal to the last sale where such transaction would be on a “zero plus tic” (i.e., the last sale price was above the previous different regular way sale price); and
(C)Failing to reoffer or rebid where necessary after effecting transactions described in
(A)and
(B)above. Transactions of these types may, nevertheless, be effected with the approval of a Floor Official or in less active markets where they are an essential part of a proper course of dealings and where the amount of stock involved and the price change, if any, are normal in relation to the market.
(ii)Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraphs (5)(i)(A) and
(B)above, whenever a specialist effects a principal purchase of a [speciality] *specialty* stock, in another participating market center through ITS, at or above the price at which he holds orders to sell that stock, such orders which remain unexecuted on the Floor must be filled by the specialist buying the stock for his own account, at the same price at which he effected his principal transaction through ITS unless, effecting such a principal transaction on the Floor, at that price, would
(a)be inconsistent with the maintenance of fair and orderly markets; or
(b)result in the election of stop orders.
(iii)Whenever a specialist effects a principal sale of a specialty stock, in another participating market center through ITS, at or below the price at which he holds orders to buy that stock, such orders which remain unexecuted on the Floor must be filled by the specialist by selling the stock for his own account, at the same price at which be effected his principal transaction through ITS subject to the same conditions as set forth in (ii)(a) and
(b)above and provided further that effecting such a principal transaction on the Floor, at that price, would not be precluded by the short selling rules, or would not result in a sale to a stabilizing bid. *(iv) Notwithstanding the provisions of (5)(i)(A) and
(B)above, a specialist may effect a principal purchase of a specialty security to establish or increase a position at a price above the last sale in the same session at a price that matches the then current national best bid or, in the case of a sale, that matches the then current national best offer.* (6)(i) Transactions on the Exchange by a specialist for his own account in liquidating or decreasing his position in a specialty stock are to be effected in a reasonable and orderly manner in relation to the condition of the general market, the market in the particular stock and the adequacy of the specialist's positions to the immediate and reasonably anticipated needs of the round-lot and the odd-lot market and in this connection:
(A)The specialist may liquidate a position by selling stock on a direct minus tick or by purchasing stock on a direct plus tick only if such transactions are reasonably necessary in relation to the specialist's overall position in the stocks in which he is registered[;] , and the specialist has obtained the prior approval of a Floor Official; *(B) The specialist may liquidate a position by selling a security on a direct or zero minus tick or by purchasing a security on a direct or zero plus tick without the need to obtain Floor Official approval if such transaction is effected at a price that matches the then current national best bid or offer;* [(B)] *(C)* The specialist should maintain a fair and orderly market during liquidation and, after reliquifying, should re-enter the market to offset imbalances between supply and demand. The selling of stock on a direct minus tick or a zero minus tick, or the purchasing of stock on a direct plus tick or a zero plus tick should be effected in conjunction with the specialist's re-entry in the market on the opposite side of the market from the liquidating transaction where the imbalance of supply and demand indicates that immediately succeeding transactions may result in a lower price (following the specialist's sale of stock on a direct minus tick or a zero minus tick) or a higher price (following the specialist's purchase of stock on a direct plus tick or a zero plus tick). During any period of volatile or unusual market conditions resulting in a significant price movement in the subject security, the specialist's transactions in re-entering the market following a liquidating transaction effected by selling stock on a direct minus tick or zero minus tick, or purchasing stock on a direct plus tick or zero plus tick, should, at a minimum, reflect the specialist's usual level of dealer participation in the subject security. During such periods of unusual price movement in a security, any series of such transactions which may be effected in a brief period of time should be accompanied by the specialist's re-entry in the market and effecting transactions which reflect a significant degree of dealer participation; [(C)] *(D)* Transactions by a specialist for his or her dealer account in liquidating or decreasing a position in a specialty security must yield parity to and may not claim precedence based on size over a customer order in the crowd upon the request of the member representing such order, where such request has been documented as a term of the order, to the extent of the volume of such order that has been included in the quote prior to the transaction. However, this provision shall not apply to automatic executions involving the specialist dealer account.
(ii)Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (6)(i)(A) above, whenever a specialist effects a principal purchase
(sale)of a specialty stock, in another participating market center through ITS, at or above (at or below) the price at which he holds orders to sell
(buy)that stock, such orders which remain unexecuted on the Floor must be filled by the specialist by buying (selling) the stock for his own account, at the same price at which he effected his principal transaction through ITS subject to the same conditions as set forth in subparagraphs (5)(ii) and
(iii)above. [No change to remainder of Rule] II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, the NYSE included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change, as amended. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements. A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose NYSE Rule 104 governs specialists' dealings in their specialty stocks. In particular, NYSE Rules 104.10(5) and
(6)describe certain types of transactions that are not to be effected unless they are reasonably necessary to render the specialist's position adequate to the needs of the market. In effect, these restrictions generally require specialists' transactions for their own accounts to be “stabilizing” ( *i.e.* , against the trend of the market) and prohibit specialists from making transactions that are “destabilizing” ( *i.e.* , with the market trend by buying on plus ticks and selling on minus ticks), except with the approval of a Floor Official. The Exchange is proposing to allow specialists to effect proprietary transactions on a destabilizing basis for their own account when such trades are effected at a price that matches the current national best bid or offer (“NBBO”). In certain circumstances today, such as trading in exchange traded funds (“ETFs”), specialists are not currently restricted under NYSE Rule 104 from effecting proprietary destabilizing transactions that bring an ETF into parity with the value of the index on which the ETF is based. The Exchange believes that this recognizes that specialists are not leading the market through proprietary transactions in these instances, but rather following the market as set by the independent judgment of other market participants. 4 4 *See* Securities Exchange Act Release No. 49087 (January 15, 2004), 69 FR 3622 (January 26, 2004) (SR-Amex-2002-116) (“[T]he Commission believes that because ETFs are priced derivatively, an Exchange specialist would not be able to manipulate the pricing of an ETF.”). Similarly, the Exchange believes that amending NYSE Rules 104.10(5) and
(6)to permit specialists to effect a destabilizing proprietary trade in an equity security at a price established independent of the specialist should not be viewed as leading the market. The Exchange states that the standard of each specialist proprietary trade meeting the test of reasonable necessity would continue to apply to any such destabilizing trade. In addition, the Exchange notes that the time required to obtain Floor Official approval for such transactions can have the effect of delaying trading and could result in inferior execution prices for customer orders. Finally, the Exchange believes that removing these restrictions should enhance the specialist's ability to make competitive markets since the trades would be done at prices matching the then current national best bid or offer. 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that the basis under the Act for this proposed rule change is the requirement under section 6(b)(5) 5 that an exchange have rules that are designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in regulating, clearing, settling, processing information with respect to, and facilitating transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. 5 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change, as amended, would not impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others The Exchange has not solicited, and does not intend to solicit, comments regarding the proposed rule change, as amended. The Exchange has not received any unsolicited written comments from members or other interested parties. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action Within 35 days of the date of publication of this notice in the **Federal Register** or within such longer period
(i)as the Commission may designate up to 90 days of such date if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or
(ii)as to which the Exchange consents, the Commission shall:
(A)By order approve such proposed rule change, or
(B)Institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be disapproved. IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change, as amended, is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: Electronic Comments • Use the Commission's Internet comment form ( *http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml* ); or • Send an e-mail to *rule-comments@sec.gov* . Please include File No. SR-NYSE-2006-07 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Nancy M. Morris, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, Station Place, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-SR-NYSE-2006-07. This file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commissions Internet Web site ( *http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml* ). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for inspection and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Room. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the NYSE. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSE-2006-07 and should be submitted on or before June 6, 2006. 6 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12). For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority. 6 J. Lynn Taylor, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-7453 Filed 5-15-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8010-01-P SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Program: Cooperative Agreements for Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Projects; Program Announcement No. SSA-OESP-06-1 AGENCY: Social Security Administration. ACTION: Announcement of the availability of fiscal year 2006 cooperative agreement funds and request for applications. SUMMARY: The Social Security Administration
(SSA)announces its intention to competitively award cooperative agreements to establish community-based work incentives planning and assistance projects in every State, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. (Throughout this announcement, the term “'State”' will be used to refer to all U.S. States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.) The purpose of these projects is to disseminate accurate information to beneficiaries with disabilities (including transition-to-work aged youth) about work incentives programs and issues related to such programs, to enable them to make informed choices about working and whether or when to assign their Ticket to Work, as well as how available work incentives can facilitate their transition into the workforce. The ultimate goal of the work incentives planning and assistance projects is to assist SSA beneficiaries with disabilities succeed in their return to work efforts. DATES: The closing date for receipt of cooperative agreement applications under this announcement is July 1, 2006. Prospective applicants are also asked to submit, preferably by May 30, 2006, an e-mail, a fax, post card, or letter of intent that includes
(1)the program announcement number (SSA-OESP-06-1) and title (Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Program);
(2)the name of the agency or organization that is applying; and
(3)the name, mailing address, e-mail address, telephone number, and fax number for the organization's contact person. This notice of intent is not binding, and does not enter into the review process of a subsequent application. The purpose of the notice of intent is to allow SSA staff to estimate the number of independent reviewers needed and to avoid potential conflicts of interest in the review. The notice of intent should be faxed to
(410)966-1278; mailed to Social Security Administration, Office of Employment Support Programs, Office of Employment Policy, 107 Altmeyer Building, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21235 or e-mailed to *Jenny.Deboy@ssa.gov.* FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Internet is the primary means recommended for obtaining information on the program content of this announcement. If an applicant has a question about this announcement, that question should be referred to the following Internet e-mail address: *Jenny.Deboy@ssa.gov.* When sending in a question, applicants should include the program announcement number SSA-OESP-06-1 and the date of this announcement. In the rare instances when an organization may not have access to the Internet, an applicant with a question about the program content may contact: Jenny Deboy, Project Officer, or Regina Bowden, Team Leader, Social Security Administration, Office of Employment Support Programs, Office of Employment Policy, 107 Altmeyer Building, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21235. The telephone numbers are: Jenny Deboy,
(410)965-8658, or Regina Bowden,
(410)965-7145. The fax number is
(410)966-1278. To obtain an application kit, see the instructions under Part IV, Section A. For information regarding the application package where Internet access is not available, contact: Phyllis Y. Smith, Team Leader, or Gary Stammer, Grants Management Officer, Social Security Administration, Office of Acquisition and Grants, Grants Management Team, 7111 Security Boulevard, 1st Floor—Rear Entrance, Baltimore, Maryland 21244. The telephone numbers are Phyllis Y. Smith,
(410)965-9518, or Gary Stammer,
(410)965-9501. The fax number is
(410)966-9310. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Social Security Protection Act of 2004 (Pub. L. 108-203) reauthorized funding through FY 2009 for the WIPA program, which was initially authorized by the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 (Pub. L. 106-170), enacted on December 17, 1999. The WIPA Program is designed to provide work incentives planning, assistance, and outreach services to SSA's beneficiaries with disabilities nationwide, in all geographic areas and U.S. territories. SSA initially made announcements of cooperative agreement funds and requested applications for a 5-year period in FY 2000 and FY 2001. All currently funded Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach
(BPAO)cooperative agreement awards will expire on September 29, 2006. This announcement is to request applications for awards, which will begin on September 30, 2006, to provide work incentives planning, assistance and outreach services to all SSA beneficiaries with disabilities seeking employment nationwide. All currently funded BPAO cooperative agreements will expire on September 29, 2006. Subject to the availability of funds, SSA anticipates minimum awards of $100,000 for individual state WIPA projects (Minimum awards for territories remain at $50,000) and a maximum of $300,000 will be available to fund specific WIPA projects annually. Awardees are required to contribute a non-Federal match of project costs of at least 5% of the total project cost. The non-Federal share may be cash or in-kind (property or services). Awards made under this announcement may be renewed annually through FY 2009. Future funding will be contingent upon satisfactory progress in achieving the objectives of the project, the availability of fiscal year funds and the continued relevance of the project activity to the Social Security Administration. The total period of performance, if renewed annually, will be 3 years, September 30, 2006-September 29, 2009. SSA will conduct pre-application seminars to provide interested WIPA applicants with guidance and technical assistance in preparing their applications. Information about where and when the seminars will be held will be on SSA's Web site at: *http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work/WIPARFA.html.* Table of Contents I. Funding Opportunity Description A. Background B. Work Incentives Planning and Assistance
(WIPA)Service Plan C. Community Work Incentives Coordinator Responsibilities and Competencies D. Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Services Defined E. Additional Conditions for Award of a Cooperative Agreement II. Award Information III. Eligibility Information A. Eligible Applicants B. Policies Regarding Potential Conflict of Interest in WIPA Service Delivery C. Cost Sharing or Matching IV. Application and Submission Information A. Address To Request Application B. Content and Form of Application Submission C. Electronic Applications D. Mailed Applications E. Checklist for a Complete Application F. Guidelines for Application Submission G. Submission Dates and Times H. Intergovernmental Review I. Funding Restrictions J. Other Submission Requirements V. Application Review Information A. Criteria B. Review and Selection Process VI. Award Administration Information A. Award Notices B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements C. Reporting D. MI Program Data To Be Collected and Reported VII. Agency Contacts VIII. Other Information I. Funding Opportunity Description A. Background Section 1149 of the Social Security Act, as added by section 121 of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 (TWWIIA), requires the Commissioner of Social Security (the Commissioner) to establish a community-based work incentives planning and assistance program for the purpose of disseminating accurate information to beneficiaries with disabilities on work incentives programs and issues related to such programs to assist them in their employment efforts. The Commissioner has established a competitive program of cooperative agreements to provide work incentives planning, assistance and outreach. This SSA program is called the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance
(WIPA)Program, formerly referred to as the Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach
(BPAO)Program. The WIPA program also provides information on the availability of protection and advocacy services to beneficiaries with disabilities, including beneficiaries participating in the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program established under section 1148, the Supplemental Security Income
(SSI)program established under section 1619, and other programs that are designed to encourage beneficiaries with disabilities to seek, maintain and regain employment. The WIPA Program is an important part of SSA's employment strategy for beneficiaries with disabilities. One of SSA's goals in implementing TWWIIA is to help achieve a substantial increase in the number of beneficiaries with disabilities who return to work and achieve greater self-sufficiency. In support of this goal, SSA is seeking applications from any State or local government (excluding any State agency administering the State Medicaid program), public or private organization, or nonprofit or for-profit organization (for-profit organizations may apply with the understanding that no cooperative agreement funds may be paid as profit to any cooperative agreement awardee), as well as Native American tribal organizations that the Commissioner determines is qualified to provide work incentives planning services. Applicants will emphasize the WIPA Program's efforts to provide Social Security beneficiaries receiving Social Security Disability Insurance
(SSDI)and/or Supplemental Security Income
(SSI)based on disability and/or blindness with work incentives planning, assistance and outreach services to assist them in their return to work efforts. Applicants are also strongly encouraged to partner with their local Department of Labor
(DOL)One-Stop Career Center which serves as a “port of entry” for jobs for beneficiaries, as well as with other local partners that provide employment-related services to SSA beneficiaries with disabilities. Currently, DOL One-Stop Career Centers have many invaluable employment-related resources and supports that can help ensure a disabled beneficiary's success in seeking and maintaining employment. While SSA recognizes not every SSDI or SSI beneficiary with a disability will use work incentives planning and assistance services, awardees must make these services available to all eligible beneficiaries within a WIPA awardee's assigned geographic area. Note: All applications will be reviewed to determine completeness and conformity to the requirements of this announcement. Complete and conforming applications will then be forwarded to an independent panel of reviewers for evaluation. The results of this review and evaluation will assist the Commissioner in making award decisions. Although the results of this review and evaluation are a primary factor considered in making award decisions, the evaluated score is not the only factor used. In selecting eligible applicants to be funded, consideration may be given to issues such as experience, past performance, proposed costs, the need to achieve an equitable distribution of WIPA projects among geographic regions of the country, as well as, the need to achieve an equitable distribution of WIPA projects among disability and minority populations. B. Work Incentives Planning and Assistance
(WIPA)Service Plan In order to be considered for an award, WIPA applicants must provide a detailed written plan for how they will deliver the full range of work incentives planning and assistance services; have the resources, management, qualifications and experience necessary to successfully administer the project, as well as provide a written Quality Assurance
(QA)plan that demonstrates the efficacy of the service delivery plan. Applicants should also provide supporting documentation regarding how they will work with the Department of Labor
(DOL)One-Stop Career Centers; and a written assurance that they will work in collaboration with the Program Manager for Recruitment and Outreach (PMRO). Note: Additional information regarding how WIPA projects will work with the PMRO may be found at *http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work/WIPARFA.html.* Applicants should address in their written plan: • Their understanding of work incentives planning and assistance services as they relate to a beneficiary's return to work efforts, including other Federal, State, and local benefits programs (designed to assist beneficiaries with disabilities with employment) with which they have worked in the past; • How they will develop and maintain their partnering efforts and relationship with other employment-related local organizations, including DOL One-Stops, to maximize a beneficiary's return to work efforts; • Their ability to participate with the PMRO in conducting and coordinating outreach activities. [Note: Additional information regarding how WIPA projects will work with the PMRO may be found at *http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work/WIPARFA.html.* ] In view of the fact that the PMRO has primary responsibility for outreach, WIPA projects should designate no more than 10% of their project resources to other outreach efforts; • Provide a list of specific resources, services and supports that will be involved in the project and their roles as they relate to work incentives and a beneficiary's return to work efforts; • A detailed plan for monitoring beneficiary progress, case management and follow-up; • A documented process for collecting beneficiary-related Management Information
(MI)and assuring that a Quality Assurance
(QA)plan is in place that evaluates the work incentives planning and assistance services provided; [Note: Applicants should document that they agree to collect Social Security Numbers
(SSNs)of beneficiaries and include them in the SSA approved data collection system so that SSA may further evaluate the work incentives services provided.] • Written procedures for addressing potential organizational conflict of interest in regards to the delivery of WIPA services and other programs or services offered by the organization; and, • Written grievance procedures for beneficiaries and evidence of its compliance which will be submitted to SSA quarterly. Each applicant should address the proposed number of beneficiaries with disabilities it expects to serve. Awardees are encouraged to hire and staff their offices with individuals with disabilities who have used work incentives to successfully go to work. These individuals should conduct as many of the day-to-day operational functions as possible. Awardees must state how they will ensure equitable access and services for all beneficiary disability groups. This requirement may be met by partnering with other community-based organizations. In providing work incentives-related education and planning, WIPA projects must make concerted and aggressive efforts to address the needs of underserved individuals with disabilities from diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds (e.g., African Americans, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians or Other Pacific Islanders, Alaskan Natives, Asian-Americans, and Hispanics). In particular, applicants should show how they will collaborate with PMRO to conduct outreach in ways that ensure interaction with diverse communities specific to their requested geographic area. Applicants who serve tribal lands and sovereign nations must also provide documentation of how they will ensure equitable access and services for Native-American and Alaskan-Native populations. Applicants must indicate if formal agreements with tribal governments or Section 121 VR Programs, etc. are in place. The applicants must also describe how they will address any special cultural requirements of populations (e.g., Native Americans) within the targeted geographic area, as well as non-English speaking populations and SSI beneficiaries as young as age 14. Applicants must have established strong working relationships with other agencies that are already providing services designed to enhance the employability, employment and career advancement of beneficiaries with disabilities, particularly, DOL One-Stop Career Centers which provide employment support by assisting a beneficiary with interview techniques, resume writing, job coaching, and a variety of other support services that lead to employment. A full explanation of these collaborative efforts should be provided. In addition to DOL One-Stop Career Centers, awardees are encouraged to collaborate with other public and/or private organizations (e.g., SSA Field Offices, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Vocational Rehabilitation
(VR)Agencies, Employment Networks (ENs), Minority Commission, Public Schools, Department of Education, and Mental Health organizations), through interagency agreements or other mechanisms, to integrate and strengthen work incentives planning and assistance services with employment services available to beneficiaries with disabilities. Because of the life transitions that youth with disabilities experience, it is important to target specific services to this population. Each project must make WIPA services available to SSI beneficiaries as young as age 14 and state how they will target and serve transition-aged youth. Where applicable, applicants must indicate the ability to work closely with the SSA Youth Transition Process Demonstration
(YTD)projects that are currently located in California, Colorado, Iowa, New York, Maryland and Mississippi. These six states were awarded grants in October 2003 to develop service delivery systems that demonstrate how communities can integrate services and resources to achieve positive transition results for youth from secondary education to either post-secondary education and/or employment. The YTD projects work with youth ages 14-25 who receive SSI or SSDI benefit payments based on their own disability and/or blindness, or youth at risk of receiving such benefits. Additional information regarding the YTD projects may be found at *http://www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityresearch.* Applicants must provide evidence of collaborative relationships with relevant agencies through references in regards to work incentives experience, letters of intent, memoranda of understanding, etc. Applicants should not request references, letters of intent or commitment from SSA field offices as SSA will assure field office cooperation. The WIPA awardees will collect data pertaining to work incentives planning, assistance, and outreach activities as described in Part IV, Section C, Reporting; and cooperate with SSA in providing the information needed to evaluate the quality of the services being provided and for an assessment of the success of the WIPA Program. Where applicable, applicants should indicate if they are participants of the Disability Program Navigator
(DPN)initiative, a program established by the Social Security Administration
(SSA)and the Employment and Training Administration
(ETA)of the Department of Labor (DOL). Participants in the DPN initiative must fully explain how, with WIPA personnel and DPN personnel working collaboratively, they will provide seamless services to beneficiaries seeking employment. C. Community Work Incentives Coordinator Responsibilities and Competencies 1. Responsibilities The WIPA cooperative agreement awardees shall select individuals who will act as Community Work Incentives Coordinators (CWICs). The CWICs will provide work incentives planning and assistance directly to beneficiaries with disabilities to assist them in their employment efforts; and conduct outreach efforts in collaboration with SSA's Program Manager for Recruitment and Outreach
(PMRO)contractor to beneficiaries with disabilities (and their families) who are potentially eligible to participate in Federal or State work incentives programs. As part of work incentives planning and assistance, CWICs will also screen and refer beneficiaries with disabilities to the appropriate Employment Networks
(ENs)based on the beneficiary's expressed needs and types of impairments. CWICs are also required to work in cooperation with SSA's Area Work Incentives Coordinators (AWICs), Federal, State, local and private agencies and other nonprofit organizations that serve beneficiaries with disabilities seeking employment. CWICs will also provide general information on the adequacy of health benefits coverage that may be offered by an employer of a beneficiary with a disability; the extent to which other health benefits coverage may be available to that beneficiary in coordination with Medicare and/or Medicaid; and the availability of protection and advocacy services for beneficiaries with disabilities and how to access such services. 2. Competencies and Credentialing Applicants must ensure that CWICs have the skills required to competently provide work incentives planning and assistance services that assist beneficiaries in their employment efforts. WIPA awardees will be required to provide documentation to SSA that CWIC personnel meet the requirements below. SSA will use this documentation to credential CWIC personnel before they may begin providing beneficiary services. SSA prefers that CWICs have attained a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, or possess relevant experience. CWICs may possess a combination of education and experience if the experience provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of the position as shown below. Former beneficiaries may substitute up to two years of full-time work for the education requirement if they can demonstrate that they used SSA work incentives to successfully gain employment. All CWICs must demonstrate successful completion of required SSA sponsored work incentives training or shall complete said training within 3 months of hire. CWICs should bring the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to the position: • Basic math skills, with an emphasis on problem solving; • Deductive ability with analytical thinking and creative problem solving skills; • Demonstrate competent interviewing and partnering skills; • Demonstrated computer proficiency; • Demonstrated ability at linking individual's with disabilities with employment opportunities; • Ability to interpret Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and administrative code about public benefits; • Communication skills (written and verbal); • Knowledge of terminology used to describe certain disabilities and awareness of cultural and political issues pertaining to various populations and to various disabilities; and • Basic computer skills. CWICs are required to be proficient in the following knowledge, skills, and abilities: • Social Security Disability Insurance
(SSDI)and Supplemental Security Income
(SSI)disability programs; • Knowledge of SSA and other Federal, State and local work incentives programs; • Knowledge of all public benefits programs, basic operations and inter-relationships among the programs, specifically in terms of their impact upon employment; • Translating technical information for lay individuals; • Accessing information in a variety of ways (including the ability to be able to recognize when additional information is needed); • How to access specific Employment Network
(EN)information; • Interpersonal skills (e.g., recognize and help people manage anger and conflict, enjoy working with individuals); Counseling and evaluation-related skills (ability to listen, evaluate alternatives, advise on potential course of action); • Knowledge of SSA field office structure and how to work with various SSA work incentives specialists e.g., Area Work Incentives Coordinators (AWICs), Plan to Achieve Self Support
(PASS)Specialists, Work Incentives Liaisons (WILs); and • Knowledge of ethics (e.g., confidentiality, conflict of interest). • Ability to manage beneficiary case files and information electronically. The applicant must clearly explain how it will ensure all individuals hired as CWICs will possess or acquire the relevant knowledge, skills and abilities. SSA may contract with separate entities to provide technical assistance and training to awardees on an ongoing basis about SSA's programs and work incentives, Medicare and Medicaid, and other Federal work incentives programs. Note: Due to the fact that Community Work Incentives Coordinators (CWICs) will have access to confidential beneficiary information they may be subject to SSA conducted background checks and fingerprinting in accordance with SSA personnel suitability requirements. SSA will distribute the necessary forms and consents for completion upon award. D. Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Services Defined 1. Work Incentives Planning Services Work incentives planning services requires an in-depth understanding of the beneficiary's current situation and how available work incentives can impact on a beneficiary's employment efforts. CWICs will establish written benefits analysis plans for beneficiaries with disabilities outlining their employment options and develop long-term supports that may be needed to ensure a beneficiary's success in regards to employment. CWICs will also, based upon a beneficiary's needs, make referrals to Employment Networks
(ENs)or Vocational Rehabilitation
(VR)when appropriate. CWICs will also provide periodic, follow-up planning services to ensure that the information, analysis, and guidance is updated as new conditions (with regard to the applicable programs or to the beneficiary's situation) arise. To provide work incentives planning services, CWICs will: • Obtain and evaluate comprehensive information about a beneficiary with a disability on the following: —Beneficiary's background information, —Disabling Impairments/Conditions, —Educational and vocational background, —Employment and earnings, —Resources, —Federal, State and local benefits, —Health insurance, —Work expenses, —Work Incentives, and —Service(s) and supports; • Assess the potential impacts of employment and other changes on a beneficiary's Federal, State and local benefits eligibility and overall financial well-being; • Provide detailed information and assist the beneficiary in understanding and assessing the potential impacts of employment and/or other actions or changes on his/her life situation, and provide specific guidance regarding the effects of various work incentives; • Develop a comprehensive framework of possible options available to a beneficiary and projected results for each as part of the career development and employment process; and • Ensure confidentiality of all information provided. 2. Work Incentives Assistance Services Work incentives assistance involves the delivery of accurate information and direct supports for the purpose of assisting a beneficiary in determining the most advantageous work incentives to use in going or returning to work. Work incentives assistance also involves providing information and referral (specifically in terms of Ticket assignment to Employment Networks
(ENs)and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), as well as problem-solving services as needed. Work incentives assistance will generally build on previous planning services and include periodic updates of a beneficiary's specific information, reassessment of benefit(s) and overall impact, education and advisement, and additional services for monitoring and managing work incentives to ensure a beneficiary's success in their employment efforts. To provide work incentives assistance services, CWICs will: • Emphasize employment through the use of work incentives planning, leading to greater self-sufficiency and employment for beneficiaries with disabilities; • Refer beneficiaries to Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), Employment Networks (ENs), DOL One-Stop Career Centers, as well as other organizations that emphasize/provide seamless employment-related supports and ticket assignments. • Assist beneficiaries with disabilities to resolve problems related to work efforts, higher education and work attainment or continuation of work; • Provide ongoing, comprehensive work incentives monitoring and management assistance to beneficiaries who are employed or seeking employment; and • Provide long-term work incentives management on a scheduled, continuous basis, allowing for the planning and provision of supports at regular checkpoints, as well as critical transition points in a beneficiary's receipt of benefits, improvement of medical condition, work attempts, training and employment; • Provide ongoing direct assistance to a beneficiary in the development of a comprehensive, long-term work plan to guide the effective use of Federal, State and local work incentives. Specific components of the plan must address: —Desired return to work and self-sufficiency outcomes, —Related steps or activities necessary to achieve outcomes, —Associated dates or timeframes, —Building on initial work incentives planning efforts including information gathering, analysis and advisement, and —Benefits/financial analysis (pre and post-employment); • Provide intensive assistance to beneficiaries, their key stakeholders, and their support teams in making informed choices and establishing employment-related goals. Needed assistance may include, but is not limited to, the following: —Explanations, descriptions, and written plans on how SSDI and SSI work incentives programs may lead to self-supporting employment by developing a Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS); the use of Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWEs); the use of a Subsidy; Ability to claim Unincurred Business Expenses; Continued Payments Under a Vocational Rehabilitation Program (also known as Section 301); as well as the possibility of reinstatement of benefits when necessary without filing a new application; —Explanations, descriptions, and written plans on how the SSI 1619(a) and 1619(b) provisions and requirements may lead to self-supporting employment by allowing for continued medical assistance coverage; earned income exclusion; student earned income exclusion; property essential to self-support; as well as the possibility of reinstatement of benefits when necessary without filing a new application; —Explanations, descriptions, and written plans on how the SSDI trial work period
(TWP)and extended period of eligibility
(EPE)provisions may lead to self-supporting employment by allowing payment of benefits for a specified period of time dependent upon the amount of earnings; —Advocating for work supports on behalf of a beneficiary with other agencies and programs, which requires in-person, telephone and/or written communication with the beneficiaries, other individuals and other involved parties, generally, over a period of several weeks to several months. • Provide ongoing follow-up assistance to beneficiaries who have previously received work incentives planning and/or other types of work incentives assistance services, and assist them and other involved parties to: —Update information, —Refer to Employment Networks
(ENs)or Vocational Rehabilitation, when necessary, —Reassess impact of employment and other changes on benefits and work incentives, and —Provide additional guidance on work incentives options, issues and management strategies. • Assist beneficiaries to update work incentives management plans throughout their employment efforts; • Collaborate with SSA's Program Manager for Recruitment and Outreach
(PMRO)to conduct outreach to beneficiaries with disabilities about the use of work incentives to work. 3. Support to PMRO Work Incentives Education/Ticket Marketing/Recruitment The WIPA awardees will be required to provide local CWIC support to the PMRO in order to provide community-based Work Incentives Educational Seminars for beneficiaries with disabilities to learn about available work incentives. These local Work Incentives Education/Ticket Marketing/Recruitment meetings are intended to provide accessible, scenario based learning opportunities for beneficiaries with disabilities to understand the availability and use of work incentives to assist them in their return to work efforts. In addition, Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), Employment Networks
(ENs)and other employers will also be invited to participate to introduce their services at the end of these meetings so that beneficiaries who want to work will be informed about available employment support services and opportunities in the community. The PMRO has primary responsibility for outreach. In support of PMRO activities, WIPAs should designate a maximum of 10% of their staff time to ticket marketing/recruiting efforts under the direction of the PMRO. Note: Additional information regarding how WIPA projects will work with the PMRO may be found at *http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work/WIPARFA.html* . The WIPA should make staff resources available at least one day per week to assist the PMRO to: • Identify accessible local venues for holding meetings, preference should be given to DOL One-Stop Career Centers; • Conduct regular (at least weekly) work incentives education and Ticket to Work recruitment sessions in collaboration with the PMRO, SSA staff, the local Workforce Investment Board s Disability Program Navigators, local Employment Networks (ENs), Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), employers and other potential partners. • At the weekly sessions present with the assistance of local SSA staff (if available) a 60-90 minute scenario-based work incentives overview to be provided (in accessible formats) by the PMRO. 4. Additional Work Incentives Outreach Services Work incentives outreach activities are educational efforts to inform beneficiaries of available work incentives, as well as the services and supports available to enable them to access and benefit from those work incentives in terms of working. In view of the fact that the PMRO has primary responsibility for outreach, WIPA's should designate no more than 10% of their project resources for other local outreach efforts; excluding those resources allocated to the PMRO Work Incentives Educational Seminars. WIPA's will be provided such things as marketing materials, developed by the PMRO. Each project will support the PMRO in doing outreach, participate with them, and coordinate any outreach activities through them. Outreach activities should be targeted directly to SSDI and SSI beneficiaries with disabilities, their families, to advocacy groups, service provider agencies, and employers that have regular contact with them. Outreach activities should be directed toward and sensitive to the needs of individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, persons with English as their second language, as well as non-English speaking persons, individuals residing in highly urban or rural areas, and other traditionally underserved groups. To conduct ongoing local outreach, CWICs will: • Prepare and disseminate information explaining the Ticket to Work Program and other Federal, State or local work incentives programs and their interrelationships; and • Work in cooperation with the Program Manager Recruiting and Outreach
(PMRO)contractor to market the Ticket to Work Program, as well as other Federal, State, and private agencies and nonprofit organizations that serve beneficiaries with disabilities, such as DOL One-Stop Career Centers and with other agencies and organizations that focus on vocational rehabilitation and work-related training and counseling. To assist SSA in assessing the scope and usefulness of outreach and information provided under this program, each project is required to demonstrate a collaborative effort among other community-based organizations experienced in providing services to people with disabilities, particularly DOL One-Stop Career Centers. Applicants should provide proof that the assigned Project Director possesses work incentives management experience and has knowledge on all of SSA's work incentives available to beneficiaries with disabilities. In addition, projects will conduct regular work incentives education and Ticket to Work outreach sessions in collaboration with the PMRO, SSA staff, the local Workforce Investment Board's Disability Program Navigators, Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), local Employment Networks
(ENs)and other potential partners. Projects will also need to coordinate joint outreach services with the SSA Area Work Incentives Coordinator
(AWIC)to include attendance at quarterly Training and Technical Assistance meetings with the AWIC. 5. Costs Federal cooperative agreement funds may be used for allowable costs incurred by WIPA awardees in conducting direct work incentives planning and assistance services to SSA's beneficiaries with disabilities. These costs could include administrative and overall project management costs, within the limitations discussed in Section II, Award Information. Federal cooperative agreement funds are not intended to cover costs that are reimbursable under an existing public or private program, such as social services, rehabilitation services, or education. No SSDI or SSI beneficiary can be charged for any service delivered under a WIPA project cooperative agreement, including the preparation of a PASS. Work incentives planning and assistance services are intended to be free and must be made accessible to all SSA beneficiaries with disabilities in the project's geographical area. E. Additional Conditions for Award of a Cooperative Agreement Upon award, the WIPA cooperative agreement awardees shall: 1. Employ CWICs and require them to complete an approved initial four day training session within 3 months of award. SSA, or its designated technical assistance and training contractor, will provide technical assistance and training to WIPA projects about SSA's programs and work incentives (e.g., TWP, EPE, IRWE, PASS, 1619(a) and (b), and Medicaid buy-in provisions/Balanced Budget Act; Medicare and Medicaid; and on other Federal work incentives programs. CWICs will be trained on how to screen and refer beneficiaries with disabilities to the appropriate ENs based on the beneficiary's expressed needs and types of impairments. WIPA awardees must provide training and technical assistance to their CWICs about applicable State and local programs and the effects that these programs have on other programs' eligibility and benefits. 2. Ensure that CWICs are provided periodic refresher, update and new hire training sessions, as needed, and take part in the evaluation of training activities and the evaluation of ongoing training needs evaluation by SSA or its designated contractor. 3. Ensure that CWICs have completed work incentives training within 3 months of award, develop a local outreach strategy and begin to implement outreach, in collaboration with PMRO, within 3 months of award. 4. Obtain approval from SSA of management information system data collection elements and procedures with SSA to assure compatibility with the national data base collection program (within 60 days after award); [ **Note:** Applicants should document that they agree to collect Social Security Numbers
(SSNs)of beneficiaries and include them in the SSA approved data collection system so that SSA may further evaluate the work incentives services provided.] 5. Develop and submit quarterly program progress reports that contain management information to SSA's Office of Acquisition and Grants
(OAG)and SSA's Office of Employment Support Programs; 6. Develop and submit bi-annual financial reports to SSA, OAG; 7. Provide to SSA for approval and prior to implementation a detailed description of any and all planned changes to the project design; 8. Cooperate with SSA in scheduling and conducting site visits, and allow SSA immediate access to WIPA facilities, personnel, and SSA beneficiaries upon request; 9. Develop and maintain a collaborative working relationship with the local servicing SSA field offices; 10. Implement an ongoing management and quality assurance process set by SSA. II. Award Information Legislative authority for this cooperative agreement program is in section 1149 of the Social Security Act (the Act), as established by section 121 of Public Law 106-170 and subsequent reauthorization in section 407 of Public Law 108-203. The regulatory requirements that govern the administration of SSA awards are in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 20, parts 435 and 437 (as published in the May 27, 2003 **Federal Register** at 68 FR 28710 and 28727). Applicants are urged to review the requirements in the applicable regulations. All awards made under this program are in the form of cooperative agreements. A cooperative agreement anticipates substantial involvement between SSA and the awardee during the performance of the project. Involvement shall include SSA collaboration or participation in the management of the activity as determined at the time of the award. For example, SSA will be involved in decisions involving project design and scope, hiring of personnel, service delivery priorities, deployment of resources, release of public information materials, quality assurance, and coordination of activities with other offices. Actual funding availability during this period is subject to annual appropriation by Congress. SSA anticipates that the award under this announcement will be made by September 30, 2006. SSA will award cooperative agreements to qualified entities based on the number of beneficiaries with disabilities receiving SSDI and /or SSI benefits who reside in the geographic area to be served. Subject to the availability of funds, SSA anticipates that a minimum of $100,000 for individual state WIPA projects (Minimum awards for territories remains at $50,000) and a maximum of $300,000 will be available to fund specific WIPA projects annually. Attached is a chart which depicts state-by-state beneficiary populations. SSA may suspend or terminate any cooperative agreement in whole or in part at any time before the date of expiration, whenever it determines that the awardee has failed to comply with the terms and conditions of the cooperative agreement. SSA will promptly notify the awardee in writing of the determination and the reasons for suspension or termination, and the effective date of the suspension or termination. III. Eligibility Information A. Eligible Applicants A cooperative agreement may be awarded to any State or local government (excluding any State administering the State Medicaid program), public or private organization, or nonprofit or for-profit organization (for profit organizations may apply with the understanding that no cooperative agreement funds may be paid as profit to any awardee), as well as Native American tribal organizations that the Commissioner determines is qualified to provide work incentives planning, assistance and outreach services to all SSDI and SSI beneficiaries with disabilities, within the targeted geographic area. Partners may include; but are not limited to, Centers for Independent Living established under title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, protection and advocacy organizations, Native American tribal entities, client assistance programs established in accordance with section 112 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, State Developmental Disabilities Councils established in accordance with section 124 of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, and State agencies administering the State program funded under part A of title IV of the Act. The Commissioner may also award a cooperative agreement to a State or local Workforce Investment Board, a Department of Labor
(DOL)One-Stop Career Center System established under the Workforce Improvement Act of 1998, or a State Vocational Rehabilitation
(VR)agency. Note: SSA will not further consider applications for independent panel review that do not meet the organizational eligibility criteria as noted above. Note: For-profit organizations may apply with the understanding that no cooperative agreement funds may be profit to an awardee of a cooperative agreement. Profit is considered as any amount in excess of the allowable costs of the cooperative agreement awardee. A for-profit organization is a cooperation or other legal entity that is organized or operated for the profit or benefit of its shareholders or other owners and must be distinguishable or legally separable from that of an individual acting on his/her own behalf. Applications will not be further considered for independent panel review that do not meet all eligibility criteria at the time of submission of applications. Cooperative agreements may not be awarded to: • Any individual; • Social Security Administration Field Offices; • Any State agency administering the State Medicaid program under title XIX of the Act; • Any organization described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1968 that engages in lobbying (in accordance with section 18 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, 2 U.S.C. 1611) B. Policies Regarding Potential Conflict of Interest in WIPA Service Delivery All applicants applying for a cooperative agreement must fully document how they will ensure there will be no conflict of interest between providing work incentives planning and assistance services and delivering employment network-related services or protection and advocacy-related services to beneficiaries with disabilities in their employment efforts. In particular, they must demonstrate how issues will be resolved when a complaint or issue is against a Community Work Incentives Coordinator
(CWIC)or WIPA organization. Also, State Vocational Rehabilitation
(VR)agencies and other organizations that are, or will apply to be a WIPA project, under SSA's Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program, must fully explain how they will resolve potential conflict of interest issues in the event it also receives a cooperative agreement to provide work incentives planning and assistance services. This is especially important in the areas of providing beneficiaries complete information regarding other organizations from which they may choose to receive employment services. Note: SSA will not accept for further consider applications for independent panel review that do not include documented policies and procedures regarding the resolution of potential conflict of interest issues as noted above. C. Cost Sharing or Matching Awardees of SSA cooperative agreements are required to contribute a non-Federal match of at least 5 percent toward the total cost of each project. The total cost of the project is the sum of the Federal share (up to 95 percent) and the non-Federal share (at least 5 percent). The non-Federal share may be cash or in-kind (property or services) contributions. Note: SSA will not accept for further consideration applications for independent panel review that do not document their agreement to cost sharing/matching as noted above. IV. Application and Submission Information A. Address To Request Application It is required that an electronic application be submitted through *http://www.grants.gov* for Funding Opportunity Number SSA-OESP-06-1. The *http://www.grants.gov* , “Get Started” webpage is available to help explain the registration and application submission process. In addition, new Federal grant applicants may find the Grants.gov Registration Brochure on the above noted Web site to be helpful. If you experience problems with the steps related to registering to do business with the Federal government or application submission, your first point of contact is the Grants.gov support staff at *support@grants.gov,* 1-800-518-4726. If your difficulties are not resolved, you may also contact the SSA Grants Management Team for assistance: Gary Stammer, 410-965-9501; Dave Allshouse, 410-965-9262; Audrey Adams, 410-965-9469; Mary Biddle, 410-965-9503; Ann Dwayer, 410-965-9534; Phyllis Y. Smith, 410-965-9518. If extenuating circumstances prevent you from submitting an application through *http://www.grants.gov* , please contact the SSA Grants Management Team for possible prior approval to download, complete and submit an application by mail. Please fax inquiries regarding the application process to the Grants Management Team at 410-966-9310 or mail to: Social Security Administration, Office of Acquisition and Grants, Grants Management Team, Attention: SSA-OESP-06-1, 1st Floor—Rear Entrance, 7111 Security Blvd., Baltimore, Md. 21244. To ensure receipt of the proper application package, please include program announcement number SSA-OESP-06-1 and the date of this announcement. B. Content and Form of Application Submission Prospective applicants are asked to submit, preferably by May 30, 2006, an e-mail, a fax, post card, or letter of intent that includes:
(a)The program announcement number (SSA-OESP-06-1) and title, Work Incentives Planning and Assistance
(WIPA)Program;
(b)The name of the agency or organization that is applying; and
(c)The name, mailing address, e-mail address, telephone number, and fax number for the organization's contact person. The notice of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the review process of a subsequent application. The purpose of the notice of intent is to allow SSA staff to estimate the number of independent reviewers needed and to avoid potential conflicts of interest in the review. The notice of intent should be faxed to
(410)966-1278; mailed to Social Security Administration, Office of Employment Support Programs, Office of Beneficiary Outreach and Employment Support, 107 Altmeyer Building, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21235-6401; or e-mailed to *Jenny.Deboy@ssa.gov* or *Regina.Bowden@ssa.gov.* C. Electronic Applications When submitting an application electronically *http://www.grants.gov* automatically ensures a complete application is submitted. D. Mailed Applications Applications that are not submitted by July 1, 2006 are considered late applications. SSA will not waive or extend the deadline for any application unless the deadline is waived or extended for all applications. SSA will notify each late applicant that its application will not be considered. Applicants that do not have not have access to the internet should contact the Office of Acquisitions and Grants Management Team for further details on how to complete an application. All applications that meet the deadline of July 1, 2006 will be screened to determine completeness and conformity to the requirements of this announcement. Complete and conforming applications will then be evaluated. • Length: The program narrative portion of the application may not exceed 50 double-spaced pages (or 25 single-spaced pages) on one side of the paper only, using standard (8 1/2 ″ x 11″) size paper, and 12-point font. Attachments that support the program narrative count towards the 50-page limit; resumes and letters of support do not count within the 50-page limit. E. Checklist for a Complete Application The checklist below is a guide to ensure that the application package has been properly prepared. • An original, signed and dated application plus at least two copies (if submitting paper application as opposed to an electronic application.) If submitting paper application, seven additional copies are optional but will expedite processing. Note: When submitting an application electronically *http://www.grants.gov* automatically ensures a complete application is submitted. • The project narrative portion of the application, which includes the applicant's detailed service delivery plan, may not exceed fifty double-spaced pages (twenty-five single-spaced pages) on one side of the paper only, using standard (8 1/2 ″ x 11″) size paper, and 12-point font. Attachments that support the program narrative count towards the 50-page limit; resumes and letters of support do not count in the 50-page limit. • Attachments/Appendices, when included, should be used only to provide supporting documentation. Please do not include books or videotapes as they are not easily reproduced and are therefore inaccessible to reviewers. • A complete application, which consists of the following items in this order:
(1)Part I (Face page)—Application for Federal Assistance;
(2)Table of Contents;
(3)Brief Project Summary or Synopsis (not to exceed one page);
(4)Part II—Budget Information, Sections A through G;
(5)Budget Justification (in Section B Budget Categories, explain how amounts were computed), including subcontract organization budgets;
(6)Part III—Application Narrative and Appendices; [ **Note:** Project Narrative should include the required detailed service delivery plan.]
(7)Part IV—Assurances;
(8)Additional Assurances and Certifications—regarding Lobbying and regarding Drug-Free Workplace; and F. Guidelines for Application Submission All applications for this cooperative agreement project must be submitted on the prescribed forms. The application shall be executed by an individual authorized to act for the applicant organization and to assume for the applicant organization the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the cooperative agreement award. Submission through Grants.gov generates signatures in all required fields. It is important that only an authorized representative submit the application. In item 12 of the Face Sheet (SF 424), the applicant must clearly indicate the application submitted is in response to this announcement (SSA-OESP-06-1). The applicant also is encouraged to select a short descriptive project title. Prospective applicants are asked to submit, preferably by May 30, 2006, an e-mail, fax, post card, or letter of intent that includes
(1)the program announcement number (SSA-OESP-06-1) and title (Work Incentives Planning and Assistance
(WIPA)Program);
(2)the name of the agency or organization that is applying; and
(3)the name, mailing address, e-mail address, telephone number, and fax number for the organization's contact person. The notice of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the review process of a subsequent application. The purpose of the notice of intent is to allow SSA staff to estimate the number of independent reviewers needed and to avoid potential conflicts of interest in the review. The notice of intent should be faxed to
(410)966-1278; mailed to Social Security Administration, Office of Employment Support Programs, Division of Employment Policy, 107 Altmeyer Building, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21235-6401; or e-mailed to *Jenny.Deboy@ssa.gov* or *Regina.Bowden@ssa.gov.* G. Submission Dates and Times All applications must be submitted by the closing date of July 1, 2006. When authorized by the SSA Grants Management Team, applications may be mailed or hand-delivered to: Grants Management Team, Office of Acquisition and Grants, OAG, Social Security Administration, Attention: SSA-OESP-06-1, 1st Floor—Rear Entrance, 7111 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21244. Hand-delivered applications are accepted between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. An application will be considered as meeting the deadline if it is either: • Received from Grants.gov on or before the deadline date; or • When a mailed application has been authorized by the Grants Management Team, received at the above address on or before the deadline date; or • When a mailed application has been authorized by the Grants Management Team, mailed through the U.S. Postal Service or sent by commercial carrier on or before the deadline date and received in time to be considered during the competitive review and evaluation process. Packages must be postmarked by July 1, 2006. Applicants are cautioned to request a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark or to obtain a legibly dated receipt from a commercial carrier as evidence of timely mailing. Private-metered postmarks are not acceptable as proof of timely mailing. H. Intergovernmental Review The applicant organization is to check with your State's Single Point of Contact
(SPOC)to find out about and comply with your State's process under Executive Order 12372. SPOCs are listed in the Office of Management and Budget's home page at: *http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.* I. Funding Restrictions Construction expenses: SSA programs do not have construction authority but may support limited alteration and renovation costs. Amounts included under this category must be fully explained under Section F of the application. J. Other Submission Requirements Application packages are provided at *http://www.grants.gov.* If extenuating circumstances prevent you from submitting an application through *http://www.grants.gov* please contact the SSA Grants Management Team (at the Office of Acquisitions and Grants (OAG), Social Security Administration, Grants Management Team, Attention: SSA-OESP-06-1, 1st Floor—Rear Entrance, 7111 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21244) for possible prior approval to download, complete and submit an application package by mail. All applicants for Federal grants and cooperative agreements on or after October 1, 2003 are required to provide a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Number System
(DUNS)number. The DUNS number is required whether an applicant is submitting a paper application or using the government-wide electronic portal (Grants.gov). Organizations should verify that they have a DUNS number or take the steps needed to obtain one as soon as possible. Organizations can receive a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS number request line at 1-866-705-5711. V. Application Review Information A. Criteria Upon receipt, all applications will be reviewed to determine completeness and conformity to the requirements of this announcement. If an applicant is determined to be ineligible or the application is incomplete or nonconforming to the requirements of this announcement, the application will be returned to the applicant and will no longer be considered for award. Applications that are complete and conform to the requirements of this announcement will then be forwarded to an independent panel of reviewers for evaluation. B. Review and Selection Process The results of this review and evaluation will assist the Commissioner of Social Security in making the award decision. Although the results of this review and evaluation are a primary factor considered in making the decisions, the evaluated score is not the only factor used. In selecting eligible applicants to be funded, consideration will be given to issues such as experience, past performance, proposed costs, the need to achieve an equitable distribution of WIPA projects among geographic regions of the country, as well as the need to achieve an equitable distribution of WIPA projects among disability and minority populations. There are four categories of criteria used to score applications: Relevance/adequacy of project design and scope; resources and management; quality assurance, and collaboration/partnerships. The total points possible for an application are 100. Following are the evaluation criteria that SSA will use in reviewing all applications (relative weights are shown in parentheses): 1. Relevance/Adequacy of Project Design and Scope (50 Points) The adequacy of the project design and scope will be evaluated based on the following criteria in descending order of priority: • The applicant's description of the project operations, including the project's documented knowledge of work incentives as they relate to employment and how the project will provide services to beneficiaries with disabilities regarding employment (e.g., identify how project will notify potential beneficiaries about the availability of work incentives planning and assistance services, location(s) for providing services, ability to travel to the beneficiary, etc.) and the quality of the project design; • Applicant's evidence that their project design and scope will successfully assist beneficiaries with disabilities obtain, regain or maintain gainful employment; • The applicant's clear and concise statement of the project goals and objectives; and process(es) for collecting SSA required management information; specification of data sources; including how they will interact with the SSA approved national data base; • The applicant's description of how the project will address provision of work incentives planning, assistance and outreach to populations with special cultural or language requirements specific to their geographic area; • The applicant's plan for providing work incentives planning, assistance and outreach to transition-to-work-aged SSI youth; • The applicant's identification of problems that may arise and how they will be resolved; e.g., how dropouts and inadequate numbers of beneficiary participants will be handled. • If appropriate in the applicant's State or Region, a plan for providing seamless employment services to individuals seeking to enter the workforce through the SSA DOL/ETA Disability Program Navigator
(DPN)initiative and existing Employment Networks (ENs). [ **Note:** Applicants in a State or Region that do not have a DPN or EN need not address this issue in their application and may receive all available points for this criteria. Evaluation panels will not use this sub-criteria in the application evaluation for those States or Regions where it is not applicable.] • If appropriate in the applicant's State, a plan for providing work incentives planning, assistance and outreach to States involved in the Youth Transition Process Demonstration; [ **Note:** Applicants in a State or Region that do not have a YTD need not address this issue in their application and may receive all available points for this criteria. Evaluation panels will not use this sub-criteria in the application evaluation for those States or Regions where it is not applicable.] 2. Resources and Management (20 Points) Resources and management will be evaluated based on the following: • The applicant's documentation that the Project Directors and CWICs have the necessary experience to successfully implement the program requirements described in this RFA; (Specifically, projects successfully involving return-to-work initiatives for SSDI and SSI beneficiaries with disabilities.) • The applicant's description and adequacy of the proposed infrastructure and organization of the project, including the existence of the necessary administrative resources to effectively carry out the program requirements; • The applicant's plan for providing personnel who meet the qualification criteria cited in this RFA under Section I as evidenced by training and experience which indicates that they have the skills required to competently provide work incentives planning and assistance services; • The applicant's plan for providing staff members who are individuals with disabilities to conduct the day-to-day operational functions; • The applicant's evidence of sufficient resources, including personnel, time, funds, and facilities that will be available to support beneficiaries with disabilities obtain, maintain or regain employment under this program. The applicant's evidence of adequate facilities should include accessibility to public transportation, elevators, and ramps. 3. Quality Assurance (20 Points) The applicant's quality assurance plan will be evaluated based on the following: • The applicant's plan for ensuring ongoing training needs (refresher and update training) of CWICs and other personnel, as appropriate, to ensure that personnel maintain knowledge, skills, and abilities as required to perform their job duties; • The applicant's plan for using management information data and caseload reviews to improve processes such as beneficiary case-management and follow-up services and to ensure that all work incentives information given to beneficiaries is accurate and applicable. The applicant's plan must include how it intends to track the progress and outcomes of beneficiaries based on services provided by the CWIC. SSA is interested in identifying beneficiary outcomes under the WIPA Program to determine the extent to which beneficiaries with disabilities achieve their employment, financial, and health care goals. Therefore, SSA is requiring that cooperative agreement awardees collect beneficiary specific data regarding the employment status, benefit status, and income of beneficiaries before and after providing services under these cooperative agreements; • The applicant's evidence of existing case management and monitoring systems and techniques, including a management information system; • The applicant's detailed quality assurance plan and how well it complies with the requirements of this RFA in terms of data collection, reporting, and ensuring that only accurate information is provided to beneficiaries with disabilities and others interested parties, as appropriate. 4. Collaboration/Partnerships (10 Points) The applicant s collaborative activities and partnerships will be evaluated based on the following: • Evidence of the applicant s working relationship with the local DOL One-Stop Career Center; • Applicant s evidence of other collaborative activities with relevant agencies, (e.g., Vocational Rehabilitation, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Dept. of Education, Minority Commission, Workforce Centers, Employment Networks, Mental Health organizations) in providing work incentives planning and assistance services; and extent to which the applicant partnered in collaborative efforts with these organizations, including letters of intent or written assurances from cited organizations; • The applicant s plan to work in collaboration/cooperation with the PMRO. [ **Note:** Additional information regarding how WIPA projects will work with the PMRO may be found at *http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work/WIPARFA.html.* ] VI. Award Administration Information A. Award Notices A cooperative agreement award will be issued within the constraints of available Federal funds and at the discretion of SSA. The official award document is the “Notice of Cooperative Agreement Award.” It will provide the amount of the award, the purpose of the award, the term of the agreement, the total project period for which support is contemplated, the amount of financial participation required, and any special terms and conditions of the cooperative agreement. The Notice of Cooperative Agreement Award signed by the Grants Officer is the authorizing document. These awards will be issued via e-mail. B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements No administrative or national policy requirements have been identified by SSA for the WIPA Program. C. Reporting Entities must provide all collected data and report the results to SSA's Office of Acquisition and Grants, Grants Management Team (OAG, GMT), as described below. The entities awarded a cooperative agreement under this notice shall submit quarterly progress reports to OAG, GMT. SSA expects that the project will need a period of time to begin providing services and collecting management information. Therefore, the first quarterly program report shall include a description of the project, a status of data collection operations, actions that were taken, planned actions, and a description of how the project is addressing the needs of individuals with disabilities from diverse ethnic and racial communities, both in work incentives planning and in carrying out outreach activities. Subsequent quarterly program reports shall provide: A status of the project, any problems or proposed changes in the project (e.g., requests for technical assistance from contractor, interagency agreement change); specific information (baseline data/program statistics) required by SSA, including that listed above; a description of how the project is addressing the needs of individuals with disabilities from diverse ethnic and racial communities, both in work incentives planning and outreach activities; quality assurance measures, goals achieved, collaboration activities, outcomes achieved by beneficiaries served/success stories involving employment, actions that were taken, and planned actions. The quarterly program reports shall be submitted to SSA, OAG, within 30 days after the end of the quarter. Financial status reports shall be submitted bi-annually, within 30 days after the end of the six month period. SSA personnel (SSA Project Officer and/or other staff) expect to visit projects at least once in each year of the cooperative agreement. The SSA Project Officer shall review site operations, collect management information, assess the quality assurance plan and goal achievement, and evaluate how projects are finding ways to make work incentives planning and assistance activities more effective in achieving SSA's program goals. Staff members shall attend an initial orientation meeting that will include an orientation session by SSA and subsequent scheduled conferences at SSA headquarters or alternate sites chosen by SSA. Those meetings will provide the awardee of the cooperative agreement with the opportunity to exchange information with SSA and other awardees. D. MI Program Data To Be Collected and Reported Common data elements will be collected through a national on-line database. The awardees and SSA will use the management information
(MI)data to manage the project and to determine what additional resources or other approaches may be needed to improve the process. The data will also be valuable to SSA in its analysis of and future planning for the SSDI and SSI programs. SSA is interested in identifying participant outcomes under the WIPA Program to determine the extent to which participants achieve their employment, financial, and health care goals. Therefore, SSA is requiring that cooperative agreement awardees collect data regarding the employment status, benefit status, and income of beneficiaries before and after providing services in order to help ensure that SSA beneficiaries with disabilities are gaining effective supports and follow-up services needed to move towards gainful employment. Data to be collected will include information about: Beneficiaries' demographic characteristics, including Social Security Numbers (SSNs); Beneficiaries' income support characteristics (including earnings and SSA and non-SSA benefits); Beneficiaries' non-income support characteristics (including access to public and private health care); Beneficiaries' work goals and strategies; Beneficiaries' use of SSA's work incentives and; Isolated outreach activities for evaluation purposes; Employment outcomes. The projects will collect, analyze, and summarize the specific data elements listed below: A. Beneficiary information: 1. Beneficiary/recipient name (Last, First, Middle) 2. Date of birth 3. Gender 4. Special language or other consideration 5. Mailing address 6. Telephone number 7. Social Security Number
(SSN)8. Representative payee
(RP)name (if applicable) 9. RP address 10. Current level of education 11. Whether pursuing education currently and at what level (e.g., post secondary, continuing adult education, special education, vocational education) 12. Proposed educational goals 13. Primary diagnosis 14. Secondary diagnosis (if applicable) 15. Employer health care coverage at outset (if working) 16. Other health care coverage B. Employment Information and Outcomes: (current and proposed goals—when applicable.) 1. Self-employed or employee 2. Type of work 3. Beginning date 4. Hours per week 5. Monthly gross earned income 6. Monthly net earned income 7. Work-related expenses C. Program Manager for Recruitment and Outreach
(PMRO)Activities: 1. Dates, times, location and attendance information on work incentives education seminars and other Ticket to Work Marketing sessions conducted in collaboration with the PMRO; 2. Beneficiaries' income support characteristics (including earnings and SSA and non-SSA benefits); 3. Beneficiaries' non-income support characteristics (including access to public and private health care); 4. Beneficiaries' identified work goals and strategies for attaining successful employment outcomes (For example, will a beneficiary need to seek additional training or education in order to attain an identified employment outcome?); 5. Other local outreach activities conducted by the project for further evaluation purposes; D. Benefits: (current and expected changes if employment goals are reached) 1. SSDI 2. SSI 3. Concurrent (SSDI and SSI) 4. Medicare 5. Medicaid 6. Private Health Insurance 7. Subsidized housing or other rental subsidies 8. Food Stamps 9. General Assistance 10. Workers Compensation benefits 11. Unemployment Insurance benefits 12. Other Federal, State, or local supports, including TANF (specify) E. Incentives to be used: 1. Trial-work period
(TWP)2. Extended period of eligibility
(EPE)3. Impairment-related work expenses
(IRWE)4. Plan for achieving self-support
(PASS)5. 1619(a) 6. Continuing Medicaid (1619(b)) 7. Medicaid buy-in provisions/Balanced Budget Act 8. Blind Work Expense 9. Student Earned Income Exclusion 10. Subsidy Development 11. Extended Medicare 12. Property Essential to Self-Support 13. Earned Income Exclusion 14. SGA limits (unsuccessful work attempt, subsidy, unincurred business expenses, etc.) F. Services to be used: 1. Vocational Rehabilitation services 2. Para-transit services 3. Protection and Advocacy services 4. Work-related training/counseling program 5. USDOL/ETA One-Stop Career Center services 6. Transitioning youth services (from school to post-secondary education or to work) 7. Employment Network services 8. Services for beneficiaries with visual impairments (i.e. service animals) 9. Employer Assistance and Referral Network
(EARN)10. Other Advocacy-related Services G. Monthly Work Incentives Planning and Assistance
(WIPA)activities performed: 1. Number of SSDI/SSI beneficiaries (over age 18) requesting assistance (initial and repeat requests) 2. Number of SSDI/SSI beneficiaries (ages 14 to 18) requesting assistance (initial and repeat requests) 3. Number of new work incentives plans prepared 4. Number of updated work incentives plans prepared 5. Number of presentations given at forums, conferences, meetings, etc. 6. Number of work incentives education and Ticket to Work marketing sessions conducted in collaboration with the PMRO. 7. Number of follow-up contacts with beneficiaries 8. Number of times exhibited at forums, conferences, meetings, etc. 9. Number of contacts with Area Work Incentives Coordinators (AWICs) Additional information such as the time spent per beneficiary/recipient, beneficiary's waiting time for a response, an appointment and for services, the reason for service request, the level of service provided, and any anticipated or verified employment status change of the beneficiary will also be reported by awardee. All data elements are to be collected through an SSA approved national online database, in order to allow for analysis of project efficacy and the comparability of the data across project sites. The application requirements in Part IV are the minimum amount of required project information. Projects will be responsible for collecting management information (MI), producing regular reports, and producing a final report which analyzes the successes and/or failures of the methodology used to provide work incentives planning and assistance services to SSDI and SSI beneficiaries. Note: Reporting guidelines are outlined in Section VI (Award Administration Information) Part 2: Reporting; and, Part 3: Management Information Program Data to be Collected and Reported. All projects must adhere to SSA's Privacy and Confidentiality Regulations (20 CFR part 401) for maintaining records of individuals, as well as provide specific safeguards surrounding beneficiary information sharing, paper/computer records/data, and other issues potentially arising from providing work incentives planning and assistance services to SSDI and SSI beneficiaries with disabilities. Beneficiary data should be accessible only to project personnel via locked file cabinets, computer password protections, etc. VII. Agency Contacts Send questions about this announcement to the following Internet e-mail addresses: *Jenny.Deboy@ssa.gov* or *Regina.Bowden@ssa.gov* . When sending in a question, reference program announcement number SSA-OESP-06-1 and the date of this announcement. For information regarding the application submission process, you may also contact: Phyllis Y. Smith or Gary Stammer, Grants Management Team, Office of Acquisition and Grants, Social Security Administration, 1st Floor—Rear Entrance, 7111 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21244. The telephone numbers are: Phyllis Y. Smith,
(410)965-9518, or Gary Stammer,
(410)965-9501. The fax number is
(410)966-9310. VIII. Other Information Process Evaluation SSA plans to conduct a formal independent process evaluation of the WIPA Program, as well as individual projects, beginning in FY2007 to further assess the overall efficacy of the program in terms of assisting beneficiaries with disabilities return to work. The purpose of a process evaluation is for SSA and the awardees to assess how the WIPA Program functions and how the process
(es)might be improved to provide more efficient and effective work incentives services, as required under section 1149 of the Act. The process evaluation will require both data collection and qualitative observational evaluation through site visits and/or project reporting. Participant Experience The goal of these cooperative agreements is the provision of services to enhance beneficiary awareness and understanding of SSA work incentives and thereby enhance a beneficiaries' ability to make informed choices regarding work. The goal is not to provide employment services however, employment is ultimately the key for many beneficiaries with disabilities in terms of gaining greater self-sufficiency. Projects shall submit periodic reports to SSA, OAG. Data and information that are used in preparing the reports can be used, for example, to improve the efficiency of the project's operations, use of staff, and linkages between the project and the programs for which work incentives planning is needed to better meet the needs of target populations. In addition, the evaluation results will be disseminated to other projects to promote learning, program refinements, and facilitate partnership and achievement of project objectives. Timely comprehensive MI data also allows for cost accounting, which helps improve the efficiency of service approaches and may inform future policy decisions. Paperwork Reduction Act This notice contains reporting requirements. The information is collected by the Grants.gov Apply facility. However, in rare circumstances, the information may be collected using form SSA-96-BK, Federal Assistance Application, which has the Office of Management and Budget clearance number 0960-0184. Dated: May 8, 2006. Martin H. Gerry, Deputy Commissioner for Disability and Income Security Programs. [FR Doc. 06-4507 Filed 5-15-06; 8:45 am]
Connectionstraces to 7
Traces to 7 documents
U.S. Code
- Registration, responsibilities, and oversight of self-regulatory organizations§ 78s
- Public information; agency rules, opinions, orders, records, and proceedings§ 552
- National securities exchanges§ 78f
- National market system for securities; securities information processors§ 78k–1
- Exempt organizations§ 1611
register
4 references not yet in our index
- 17 CFR 240.19
- Pub. L. 108-203
- Pub. L. 106-170
- 20 CFR 401
Citation graph
cites case law
Proposed Rules
Announcement of the availability of fiscal year 2006 cooperative agreement funds and request for applications
Cite17 CFR 240.19
Pub. L.Pub. L. 108-203
Pub. L.Pub. L. 106-170
Cite20 CFR 401
Cites 11Cited by 0 across 0 sources