Notices. Request for comments

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BILLING CODE 4160-01-S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Health Resources and Services Administration Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request Periodically, the Health Resources and Services Administration

(HRSA)publishes abstracts of information collection requests under review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). To request a copy of the clearance requests submitted to OMB for review, call the HRSA Reports Clearance Office on

(301)443-1129. The following request has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for review under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995: Proposed Project: The Health Education Assistance Loan

(HEAL)Program Regulations (OMB No. 0915-0108): Extension The Health Education Assistance Loan

(HEAL)Program has regulations that contain notification, reporting and recordkeeping requirements to insure that the lenders, holders and schools participating in the HEAL program follow sound management procedures in the administration of federally-insured student loans. While the regulatory requirements are approved under the OMB number referenced above, much of the burden associated with the regulations is cleared under the OMB numbers for the HEAL forms and electronic submissions used to report required information. The table listed at the end of this notice contains the estimate of burden for the remaining regulations. The estimates of burden are as follows: Number of respondents Number of transactions Total transactions Hours per response (minutes) Total burden hours Reporting Requirements 17 Holders 5 78 12 17 190 Schools .4 76 10 13 Total Reporting 30 Notification Requirements 7,930 Borrowers 1 7,930 10 1,322 17 Holders 7,910 134,470 10 22,412 190 Schools .89 170 14 40 Total Notification 23,774 Recordkeeping Requirements 17 Holders 3,568 60,656 14 14,153 190 Schools 257 48,830 15 12,208 Total Recordkeeping 26,361 Total 50,165 Written comments and recommendations concerning the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of this notice to: Karen Matsuoka, Human Resources and Housing Branch, Office of Management and Budget, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503. Dated: December 28, 2006. Caroline Lewis, Acting Associate Administrator for Administration and Financial Management. [FR Doc. E7-94 Filed 1-8-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4165-15-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Health Resources and Services Administration National Advisory Council on Migrant Health; Notice of Meeting In accordance with section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463), notice is hereby given of the following meeting: *Name:* National Advisory Council on Migrant Health. *Dates and Times:* February 5, 2007, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.;February 6, 2007, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. *Place:* 5600 Fishers Lane, Potomac Room, 3rd Floor, Rockville, Maryland 20857, Telephone:

(301)594-0367, Fax:

(301)443-0248. *Status:* The meeting will be open to the public. *Purpose:* The purpose of the meeting is to discuss services and issues related to the health of migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their families to be able to formulate recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. *Agenda:* The agenda includes an overview of the Council's general business activities. The Council will also hear presentations from experts on farmworker issues, including the status of farmworkers health at the local and national level. Agenda items are subject to change as priorities indicate. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anyone requiring information regarding the Council should contact Gladys Cate, Office of Minority and Special Populations, Bureau of Primary Health Care, Health Resources and Services Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20857; telephone

(301)594-0367. Dated: December 28, 2006. Caroline Lewis, Acting Associate Administrator for Administration and Financial Management. [FR Doc. E7-95 Filed 1-8-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4165-15-P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard [USCG-2006-26741] Collection of Information Under Review by Office of Management and Budget: OMB Control Numbers 1625-0007, 1625-0049, 1625-0064 and 1625-0074 AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. ACTION: Request for comments. SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the U.S. Coast Guard intends to submit Information Collection Requests

(ICRs)to the Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)to request an extension of their approval of the following collections of information:

(1)1625-0007, Characteristics of Liquid Chemicals Proposed for Bulk Water Movement;

(2)1625-0049, Waterfront Facilities Handling Liquefied Natural Gas

(LNG)and Liquefied Hazardous Gas (LHG);

(3)1625-0064, Plan Approval and Records for Subdivision and Stability Regulations—Title 46 CFR Subchapter S; and

(4)1625-0074, Direct User Fees for Inspection or Examination of U.S. and Foreign Commercial Vessels. Before submitting these ICRs to OMB, the Coast Guard is inviting comments on them as described below. DATES: Comments must reach the Coast Guard on or before March 12, 2007. ADDRESSES: To make sure that your comments and related material do not enter the docket [USCG-2006-26741] more than once, please submit them by only one of the following means:

(1)By mail to the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001.

(2)By delivery to room PL-401 on the Plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202-366-9329.

(3)By fax to the Docket Management Facility at 202-493-2251.

(4)Electronically through the Web site for the Docket Management System at *http://dms.dot.gov.* The Docket Management Facility maintains the public docket for this notice. Comments and material received from the public, as well as documents mentioned in this notice as being available in the docket, will become part of this docket and will be available for inspection or copying at room PL-401 on the Plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also find this docket on the Internet at *http://dms.dot.gov.* Copies of the complete ICRs are available through this docket on the Internet at *http://dms.dot.gov,* and also from Commandant (CG-611), U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, room 10-1236 (Attn: Mr. Arthur Requina), 2100 2nd Street, SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001. The telephone number is 202-475-3523. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Arthur Requina, Office of Information Management, telephone 202-475-3523, or fax 202-475-3929, for questions on these documents; or telephone Ms. Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, 202-493-0402, for questions on the docket. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Participation and Request for Comments We encourage you to respond to this request for comments by submitting comments and related materials. We will post all comments received, without change, to *http://dms.dot.gov;* they will include any personal information you have provided. We have an agreement with DOT to use the Docket Management Facility. Please see the paragraph on DOT's “Privacy Act Policy” below. *Submitting comments:* If you submit a comment, please include your name and address, identify the docket number [USCG-2006-26741], indicate the specific section of the document to which each comment applies, and give the reason for each comment. You may submit your comments and material by electronic means, mail, fax, or delivery to the Docket Management Facility at the address under ADDRESSES ; but please submit them by only one means. If you submit them by mail or delivery, submit them in an unbound format, no larger than 8 1/2 by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing. If you submit them by mail and would like to know that they reached the Facility, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. We will consider all comments and material received during the comment period. We may change the documents supporting this collection of information or even the underlying requirements in view of them. *Viewing comments and documents:* To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this notice as being available in the docket, go to *http://dms.dot.gov* at any time and conduct a simple search using the docket number. You may also visit the Docket Management Facility in room PL-401 on the Plaza level of the Nassif Building,400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. *Privacy Act:* Anyone can search the electronic form of all comments received in dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review the Privacy Act Statement of DOT in the **Federal Register** published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477), or you may visit *http://dms.dot.gov.* Information Collection Request 1. *Title:* Characteristics of Liquid Chemicals Proposed for Bulk Water Movement. *OMB Control Number:* 1625-0007. *Summary:* The Coast Guard requires manufacturers of new chemicals to submit data on new materials. From the data, the Coast Guard determines the appropriate precautions to take. *Need:* Title 46 CFR parts 30 to 40, 151, 153, and 154 govern the transportation of hazardous materials. The chemical industry constantly produces new materials that must be moved by water. Each of these new materials has unique characteristics that require special attention to their mode of shipment. *Respondents:* Manufacturers of chemicals. *Frequency:* On occasion. *Burden Estimate:* The estimated burden has decreased from 108 hours to 78 hours a year. 2. *Title:* Waterfront Facilities Handling Liquefied Natural Gas

(LNG)and Liquefied Hazardous Gas (LHG). *OMB Control Number:* 1625-0049. *Summary:* Liquefied Natural Gas

(LNG)and other Liquefied Hazardous Gases

(LHG)present a risk to the public when handled at waterfront facilities. These rules should either prevent accidental releases at waterfront facilities or mitigate their results. They are necessary to promote and verify compliance with safety standards. *Need:* Title 33 CFR Part 127 prescribe safety standards for the design, construction, equipment, operations, maintenance, personnel training, and fire protection at waterfront facilities handling LNG or LHG. *Respondents:* Owners and operators of waterfront facilities that transfer LNG or LHG. *Frequency:* On occasion. *Burden Estimate:* The estimated burden has decreased from 3,540 hours to 2,838 hours a year. 3. *Title:* Plan Approval and Records for Subdivision and Stability Regulations—Title 46 CFR Subchapter S. *OMB Control Number:* 1625-0064. *Summary:* This collection of information requires owners, operators, or masters of certain inspected vessels to obtain and/or post various documents as part of the Coast Guard commercial vessel safety program. *Need:* Title 46 U.S.C. 3306 authorizes the Coast Guard to prescribe rules for the safety of certain vessels. Title 46 CFR Subchapter S, parts 170 through 174, contain the rules regarding subdivision and stability. *Respondents:* Owners, operators, or masters of vessels. *Frequency:* On occasion. *Burden Estimate:* The estimated burden has decreased from is 6,474 hours to 4,539 hours a year. 4. *Title:* Direct User Fees for Inspection or Examination of U.S. and Foreign Commercial Vessels. *OMB Control Number:* 1625-0074. *Summary:* This collection requires the submission of identifying information such as a vessel's name and identification number, and of the owner's choice whether or not to pay fees for future years. A written request to the Coast Guard is necessary. *Need:* Section 10401 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 [Pub. L. 101-508], which amended 46 U.S.C. 2110, requires the Coast Guard to collect user fees from inspected vessels. To properly collect and manage these fees, the Coast Guard must have current information on identification. This collection helps to ensure we get that information and manage it efficiently. *Respondents:* Owners of vessels. *Frequency:* Annually. *Burden Estimate:* The estimated burden has increased from 3,167 hours to 4,268 hours a year. Dated: January 3, 2007. R.T. Hewitt, Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant Commandant for Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Information Technology. [FR Doc. E7-57 Filed 1-8-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-15-P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA-3269-EM] Illinois; Emergency and Related Determinations AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, DHS. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of an emergency for the State of Illinois (FEMA-3269-EM), dated December 29, 2006, and related determinations. DATES: *Effective Date:* December 29, 2006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Magda Ruiz, Recovery Division, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Washington, DC 20472,

(202)646-2705. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is hereby given that, in a letter dated December 29, 2006, the President declared an emergency declaration under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121-5206 (the Stafford Act), as follows: I have determined that the impact in certain areas of the State of Illinois resulting from the record snow during the period of November 30 to December 1, 2006, is of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant an emergency declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121-5206 (the Stafford Act). Therefore, I declare that such an emergency exists in the State of Illinois. In order to provide Federal assistance, you are hereby authorized to allocate from funds available for these purposes such amounts as you find necessary for Federal disaster assistance and administrative expenses. You are authorized to provide emergency protective measures, including snow removal, under the Public Assistance program to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety. Other forms of assistance under Title V of the Stafford Act may be added at a later date, as you deem appropriate. This emergency assistance will be provided for any continuous 48-hour period during or approximate to the incident period. You may extend the period of assistance, as warranted. This assistance excludes regular time costs for the sub-grantees' regular employees. Consistent with the requirement that Federal assistance be supplemental, any Federal funds provided under the Stafford Act for Public Assistance will be limited to 75 percent of the total eligible costs in the designated areas. Further, you are authorized to make changes to this declaration to the extent allowable under the Stafford Act. The Federal Emergency Management Agency

(FEMA)hereby gives notice that pursuant to the authority vested in the Director, Department of Homeland Security, under Executive Order 12148, as amended, Michael H. Smith, of FEMA is appointed to act as the Federal Coordinating Officer for this declared emergency. I do hereby determine the following areas of the State of Illinois to have been affected adversely by this declared emergency: Adams, Boone, Brown, Bureau, DeKalb, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Kendall, Knox, LaSalle, Lee, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McHenry, Menard, Ogle, Peoria, Pike, Putnam, Scott, Stark, Stephenson, Tazewell, and Winnebago Counties for emergency protective measures (Category B) under the Public Assistance program for any continuous 48-hour period during or approximate to the incident period. (The following Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers

(CFDA)are to be used for reporting and drawing funds: 97.030, Community Disaster Loans; 97.031, Cora Brown Fund Program; 97.032, Crisis Counseling; 97.033, Disaster Legal Services Program; 97.034, Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA); 97.046, Fire Management Assistance; 97.048, Individuals and Households Housing; 97.049, Individuals and Households Disaster Housing Operations; 97.050, Individuals and Households Program—Other Needs; 97.036, Public Assistance Grants; 97.039, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.) R. David Paulison, Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management and Director of FEMA. [FR Doc. E7-117 Filed 1-8-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110-10-P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA-1672-DR] Oregon; Major Disaster and Related Determinations AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, DHS. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: This is a notice of the Presidential Declaration of a major disaster for the State of Oregon (FEMA-1672-DR), dated December 29, 2006, and related determinations. DATES: *Effective Date:* December 29, 2006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Magda Ruiz, Recovery Division, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Washington, DC 20472,

(202)646-2705. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is hereby given that, in a letter dated December 29, 2006, the President declared a major disaster under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121-5206 (the Stafford Act), as follows: I have determined that the damage in certain areas of the State of Oregon resulting from severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides during the period of November 5-8, 2006, is of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121-5206 (the Stafford Act). Therefore, I declare that such a major disaster exists in the State of Oregon. In order to provide Federal assistance, you are hereby authorized to allocate from funds available for these purposes such amounts as you find necessary for Federal disaster assistance and administrative expenses. You are authorized to provide Public Assistance in the designated areas, Hazard Mitigation throughout the State, and any other forms of assistance under the Stafford Act you may deem appropriate. Consistent with the requirement that Federal assistance be supplemental, any Federal funds provided under the Stafford Act for Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation will be limited to 75 percent of the total eligible costs. If Other Needs Assistance under Section 408 of the Stafford Act is later requested and warranted, Federal funding under that program will also be limited to 75 percent of the total eligible costs. Further, you are authorized to make changes to this declaration to the extent allowable under the Stafford Act. The Federal Emergency Management Agency

(FEMA)hereby gives notice that pursuant to the authority vested in the Director, under Executive Order 12148, as amended, Glen R. Sachtleben, of FEMA is appointed to act as the Federal Coordinating Officer for this declared disaster. I do hereby determine the following areas of the State of Oregon to have been affected adversely by this declared major disaster: Clatsop, Hood River, Lincoln, and Tillamook Counties for Public Assistance. All counties within the State of Oregon are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. (The following Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers

(CFDA)are to be used for reporting and drawing funds: 97.030, Community Disaster Loans; 97.031, Cora Brown Fund Program; 97.032, Crisis Counseling; 97.033, Disaster Legal Services Program; 97.034, Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA); 97.046, Fire Management Assistance; 97.048, Individuals and Households Housing; 97.049, Individuals and Households Disaster Housing Operations; 97.050, Individuals and Households Program—Other Needs; 97.036, Public Assistance Grants; 97.039, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.) R. David Paulison, Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management, and Director of FEMA. [FR Doc. E7-116 Filed 1-8-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110-10-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Medicine Lake, MT AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent; request for comments. SUMMARY: This notice advises that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) intends to gather information necessary to prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan

(CCP)and associated environmental documents for the Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge

(NWR)Complex in Northeast Montana, which includes Medicine Lake NWR, Lamesteer NWR, and the Northeast Montana Wetland Management District. The Service is furnishing this notice in compliance with Service CCP policy to advise other agencies and the public of its intentions, and to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to be considered in the planning process. DATES: Written comments must be received by February 8, 2007. ADDRESSES: Comments or requests for more information regarding the Medicine Lake NWR Complex should be sent to Laurie Shannon, Planning Team Leader, Division of Refuge Planning, P.O. Box 25486, Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laurie Shannon, 303-236-4317, or John Esperance, Chief, Branch of Comprehensive Conservation Planning, 303-236-4369. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Service has initiated the CCP for the Medicine Lake NWR Complex with headquarters in Medicine Lake, Montana. The Medicine Lake NWR Complex is located within the highly productive prairie pothole region of the Northern Great Plains, along the western edge of the Missouri Coteau, in northeastern Montana. It is composed of three individual units: Medicine Lake NWR, Lamesteer NWR, and the Northeast Montana Wetland Management District. Together these units are dispersed across four counties and require management of more than 73,532 acres of Service-owned lands, wetland and/or grassland easements, or leases on privately owned land. Medicine Lake NWR encompasses 31,534 acres including 11,360 acres of designated wilderness and was established in 1935 as “* * * a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife” (Executive Order 7148, dated August 29, 1935). The Wetland Management District was established in 1968 and consists of Waterfowl Production Areas and wetland and grassland easements. The purpose of these acquired Waterfowl Production Areas and easements is to function as “waterfowl production areas subject to * * * all of the provisions of the Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp Act * * * except the inviolate sanctuary provisions” (16 U.S.C. 718). Lamesteer NWR, established in 1942 as an easement refuge, was described as “800 acres in Wibaux County, Montana, * * * as refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife” (Executive Order 9166, dated May 19, 1942). The Medicine Lake NWR Complex is home to more than 270 species of birds, 38 species of mammals, and 17 species of reptiles and amphibians. Each unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System, including the Medicine Lake NWR Complex, has specific purposes for which it was established and for which legislation was enacted. Those purposes are used to develop and prioritize management goals and objectives within the National Wildlife Refuge System mission, and to guide which public uses will occur on these refuges. The planning process is a way for the Service and the public to evaluate management goals and objectives for the best possible conservation efforts of this important wildlife habitat, while providing for wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities that are compatible with the refuges' establishing purposes and the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The Service will conduct a comprehensive conservation planning process that will provide opportunity for Tribal, State, and local governments; agencies; organizations; and the public to participate in issue scoping and public comment. The Service is requesting input for issues, concerns, ideas, and suggestions for the future management of the Medicine Lake NWR Complex. Anyone interested in providing input is invited to respond to the following three questions.

(1)What do you value most about the Medicine Lake NWR Complex?

(2)What problems or issues do you want to see addressed in the CCP?

(3)What changes, if any, would you like to see in the management of the Medicine Lake NWR Complex? The Service has provided the above questions for your optional use; you are not required to provide information to the Service. The planning team developed these questions to facilitate finding out more information about individual issues and ideas concerning these three units of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Comments received by the planning team will be used as part of the planning process; individual comments will not be referenced in our reports or responded to directly. An opportunity will be given to the public to provide input at the open house to scope issues and concerns (schedules can be obtained from the planning team leader at the above address). Comments may also be submitted anytime during the planning process by writing to the above address. All information provided voluntarily by mail, phone, or at public meetings becomes part of the official public record ( *i.e.* , names, addresses, letters of comment, input recorded during meetings). If requested under the Freedom of Information Act by a private citizen or organization, the Service may provide informational copies. The environmental review of this project will be conducted in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act

(NEPA)of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 *et seq.* ); NEPA Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508); other appropriate Federal laws and regulations; and Service policies and procedures for compliance with those regulations. All comments received from individuals on Service Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements become part of the official public record. Requests for such comments will be handled in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, NEPA (40 CFR 1506.6(f)), and other Departmental and Service policies and procedures. When requested, the Service generally will provide comment letters with the names and addresses of the individuals who wrote the comments. However, the telephone number of the commenting individual will not be provided in response to such requests to the extent permissible by law. Dated: November 17, 2006. James J. Slack, Deputy Regional Director, Region 6, Denver, Colorado. [FR Doc. E7-72 Filed 1-8-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [AZ-931-1430-ET; AZA 33447] Notice of Proposed Withdrawal and Opportunity for Public Meeting; Arizona AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The United States Forest Service has filed an application requesting the Secretary of the Interior to withdraw 62.08 acres of National Forest System land from mining to protect the Red Rock Ranger District Administrative Site, Coconino National Forest. This notice segregates the land for up to 2 years from location and entry under the United States mining laws. The land will remain open to all other uses which may by law be authorized on these National Forest System lands. DATES: Comments and requests for a public meeting must be received on or before April 9, 2007. ADDRESSES: Comments and meeting requests should be sent to the Bureau of Land Management, Attn: Lands Program Lead, Resources Division, One North Central Avenue, Suite 800, Phoenix, Arizona 85004 and to the Forest Supervisor, Coconino National Forest, 1824 S. Thompson Street, Flagstaff, Arizona 86001. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pete Mourtsen, Coconino National Forest, at the above address or at

(928)527-3414. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The United States Forest Service has filed an application with the Bureau of Land Management, pursuant to Section 204 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, 43 U.S.C. 1714, to withdraw the following-described National Forest System land within the Coconino National Forest for a period of 20 years from location and entry under the United States mining laws, subject to valid existing rights: Gila and Salt River Meridian T. 16 N., R. 5 E., Sec. 25: S 1/2 SE 1/4 NE 1/4 and T. 16 N., R. 6 E., Sec. 30, lot 2. The area described contains 62.08 acres in Yavapai County, Arizona. The purpose of the proposed withdrawal is to protect the significant Federal investment in administrative facilities to be built at the Forest Service Red Rock Ranger District Administrative Site (Administrative Site) within the Coconino National Forest. The use of a right-of-way, an interagency agreement, or a cooperative agreement would not adequately constrain nondiscretionary mining locations and related uses and therefore would not provide adequate protection of the Federal investment in the Administrative Site. There are no suitable alternative sites that can be considered because the land proposed for withdrawal contains the Administrative Site. No additional water rights will be needed to fulfill the purpose of the requested withdrawal. Records relating to the application may be examined by interested parties at the address of the Bureau of Land Management office stated above. For a period of 90 days from the date of publication of this notice, all persons who wish to submit comments, suggestions, or objections in connection with the proposed withdrawal may present their views in writing, by the date specified above, to both the Bureau of Land Management, Attn: Lands Program Lead, Resources Division, and the Forest Supervisor, Coconino National Forest, at the addresses stated above. Notice is hereby given that an opportunity for a public meeting is afforded in connection with the proposed withdrawal. All interested persons who desire a public meeting for the purpose of being heard on the proposed withdrawal must submit a written request, by the date specified above, to both the Bureau of Land Management, Attn: Lands Program Lead, Resources Division, and the Forest Supervisor, Coconino National Forest, at the addresses stated above. Upon determination by the authorized officer that a public meeting will be held, a notice of time and place will be published in the **Federal Register** and in at least one newspaper having a general circulation in the vicinity of the lands involved at least 30 days before the scheduled date of the meeting. The application will be processed in accordance with the regulations set forth in 43 CFR part 2300. Comments, including names and street addresses of respondents, will be available for public review at the Coconino National Forest (address above), during regular business hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Individual respondents may request confidentiality. If you wish to withhold your name or address from public review or from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comments. Such requests will be honored to the extent allowed by law. All submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be made available for public inspection in their entirety. On January 9, 2007 the above-described land will be segregated from location and entry under the United States mining laws. The segregative effect of the publication of this notice shall terminate upon denial or cancellation of the subject application, approval of the application, or January 8, 2009, whichever occurs first. (Authority: 43 CFR 2310.3-1(b)). Dated: November 6, 2006. Michael A. Taylor, Deputy State Director, Resources. [FR Doc. E7-82 Filed 1-8-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-11-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service National Register of Historic Places; Notification of Pending Nominations and Related Actions Nominations for the following properties being considered for listing or related actions in the National Register were received by the National Park Service before December 23, 2006. Pursuant to section 60.13 of 36 CFR part 60 written comments concerning the significance of these properties under the National Register criteria for evaluation may be forwarded by United States Postal Service, to the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service, 1849 C St., NW., 2280, Washington, DC 20240; by all other carriers, National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service, 1201 Eye St., NW., 8th floor, Washington, DC 20005; or by fax: 202-371-6447. Written or faxed comments should be submitted by January 24, 2007. John W. Roberts, Acting Chief, National Register/National Historic Landmarks Program. ARIZONA Maricopa County Pioneer Military and Memorial Park, 13th to 15th Aves., Jefferson to Harrison Aves., Phoenix, 06001317 ARKANSAS Baxter County Horace Mann School Historic District, (New Deal Recovery Efforts in Arkansas MPS), City Hall Circle, Norfolk, 06001311 Greene County Linwood Mausoleum, Jct. of W. Kingshighway and Linwood Dr., Paragould, 06001314 Independence County School Additon Historic District, 560-770 Water, 210-293 N. 7th, 709-897 Rock, 215-280 N. 8th, Batesville, 06001315 Miller County Mullins Court, 605 Hickory St., Texarkana, 06001313 Mississippi County Widner-Magers Farm Historic District, (Cotton and Rice Farm History and Architecture in the Arkansas Delta MPS), 3398 AR N St. 181, Dell, 06001325 Van Buren County Joclin-Bradley-Bowling House, 160 AR 95 W, Clinton, 06001316 White County Fredonia Cemetery Historic Section, (White County MPS), Roughly 0.5 mi. down Fredonia Rd., past the jct of Fredonia and Honeysuckle Rds., Stevens Creek, 06001312 FLORIDA Columbia County Sikes House, 288 Ellis St., Fort White, 06001318 Sarasota County Nolen, John, Plan of the City of Venice, Laguna Dr., Home Park Rd., The Corso on South, The Esplanade on West, Venice, 06001319 GUAM Guam County Guam Congress Building, Chalan Santo Papa, Hagatna, 06001320 IOWA Benton County Youngville Cafe, 2409 73rd St., Watkins, 06001321 MICHIGAN Delta County Nahma and Northern Railway Locomotive #5, Main St. at River St., Nahma Township, 06001327 Emmet County Saint Ignatius Church and Cemetery, 101 N. Lamkin Rd., Readmond Township, 06001328 Kent County Whitney Tavern Stand, 5283 Whitneyville Ave., Cascade Township, 06001326 Lenawee County Horton, George B. and Amanda Bradish, Farmstead, 4650 W. Horton Rd., Fairfield Township, 06001333 Macomb County Packard Proving Grounds Gateway Complex, 49965 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township, 06001322 Oakland County Detroit Finnish Co-operative Summer Camp, 2524 Loon Lake Rd., Wixom, 06001331 Pleasant Ridge East Historic District, Bounded generally by Woodward, 10 Mile Rd., Conrail and east city limits and south city limits, Pleasant Ridge, 06001329 Wayne County Eastern Market Historic District (Boundary Increase), Roughly bounded by Gratio Ave., Ropelle St., Wilkins St. Grand Trunk RR, and Division St., Detroit, 06001330 West Side Dom Polski, 3426 Junction Ave., Detroit, 06001332 MISSISSIPPI Hinds County Southern Christian Institute, 18449 Old U.S. 80 W, Edwards, 06001323 Lincoln County Handy, Capt. Jack C., House, 205 Natchez Ave., Brookhaven, 06001324 MISSOURI Boone County Columbia Cemetery, 30 East Broadway, Columbia, 06001335 Jackson County A.B.C. Storage and Van Company Building, 1015 E. 8th St., Kansas City, 06001334 PENNSYLVANIA Chester County Oxford Historic District, Roughly bounded by Church Rd. Chase St., Hodgson St., Oxford-Borough, 06001336 TENNESSEE McMinn County Clear Springs Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Clear Springs Rd., Calhoun, 06001337 [FR Doc. E7-121 Filed 1-8-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-70-P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Office of the Secretary Strengthening Labor Law Compliance in the Agricultural Sector in Central America and the Dominican Republic AGENCY: Bureau of International Labor Affairs, Department of Labor. *Announcement Type:* New. Notice of Availability of Funds and Solicitation for Cooperative Agreement Applications. *Funding Opportunity Number:* SGA XX-XX. *Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

(CFDA)Number:* Not applicable. *Key Dates:* The closing date for receipt of applications is February 23, 2007. Applications must be received by 4:45 p.m. (Eastern Time) at the address below. ADDRESSES: Application forms will not be mailed. They are published as part of this **Federal Register** notice and in the **Federal Register** , which may be obtained from your nearest U.S. Government office or public library or online at *http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/index.html* . Applications must be delivered to: U.S. Department of Labor, Procurement Services Center, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room N-5416,Attention: Lisa Harvey, Reference: SGA XX-XX, Washington, DC 20210. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: This notice contains all of the necessary information and forms needed to apply for grant funding. The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of International Labor Affairs, announces the availability of funds to be granted by cooperative agreement to one or more qualifying organizations. The Department will award up to U.S. $2.5 million through one or more grants to an organization or organizations to improve labor law compliance in the agricultural sector in Central America (Nicaragua and either Honduras or Guatemala) and the Dominican Republic, with particular emphasis on safety and health standards. Partnerships and Associations between more than one organization are also eligible and encouraged, in particular with qualified, regionally-based organizations in order to build local capacity. In such a case, a lead organization must be identified. The award of any subaward will be subject to the Department's policies and procedures. 1. Funding Opportunity Description The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), announces the availability of funds to be awarded by Cooperative Agreement (hereinafter referred to as “grant” or “Cooperative Agreement”) to one or more qualifying organizations for the purpose of improving labor law compliance in the agricultural sector in Central America (Nicaragua and either Honduras or Guatemala) and the Dominican Republic, with particular emphasis on safety and health standards. ILAB is authorized to award and administer this program by the Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2006, Pub. L. 109-102, 119 Stat. 2172

(2005)and U.S.C. 2392(a). Cooperative Agreements awarded under this initiative will be managed by ILAB's Office of Trade and Labor Affairs. The duration of the projects funded by this solicitation is four years. The start date of program activities will be negotiated upon award of the Cooperative Agreement. Statement of Work USDOL is seeking qualified organizations that will implement a project, in cooperation with USDOL, to improve labor law compliance in the agricultural sector in the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and either Honduras or Guatemala, with particular emphasis on safety and health standards. Specific project objectives are identified in this section. Applicants should submit proposals that are regional in scope and demonstrate the organization's capabilities to implement a project in accordance with the Statement of Work and the selection criteria. USDOL encourages applicants to be creative in proposing innovative and cost-effective interventions that will produce a demonstrable and sustainable impact. Note: Selection of an organization as a grantee does not constitute approval of the grant application as submitted. Before the actual grant is awarded, USDOL may enter into negotiations about such items as program components, funding levels, and administrative systems in place to support grant implementation. If the negotiations do not result in an acceptable submission, the Grant Officer reserves the right to terminate the negotiation and decline to fund the application. A. Background and Problem Statement The Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) between the United States and five Central American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua) and the Dominican Republic obligates each country to effectively enforce its labor laws. The countries also reaffirm their obligations as members of the International Labor Organization

(ILO)and their commitments under the *ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and its Follow-Up* (1998). In the Department of State's FY2006 budget, Congress provided funding for labor and environmental capacity building activities in support of CAFTA-DR. A portion of these funds were transferred to USDOL to administer projects related to labor capacity building in CAFTA-DR countries. This project provides assistance to improve the effective enforcement of labor laws in the agricultural sector by training workers and employers about national labor laws and improving the ability of workers to exercise their rights. This strategy addresses concerns identified in the April 2005 “White Paper” of the Working Group of the Vice Ministers Responsible for Trade and Labor in the countries of Central America and the Dominican Republic. Numerous initiatives are currently underway in these countries to support efforts by the Ministries of Labor to improve labor law compliance and provide information and assistance to workers and employers regarding the effective compliance with national and international labor laws and standards. Most of these efforts have focused on the more populated urban areas. However, nearly half the population in Central America lives in rural areas and relies on agriculture for its livelihood. Agricultural activities include the production of exports such as sugar, bananas, coffee, and tobacco. There is a great need to expand public awareness campaigns and outreach efforts on labor rights to include the difficult to reach agricultural sectors. Given the geographic isolation of the agricultural workers, many workers are unaware of their labor rights and/or are unable to exercise those rights. Ministries of Labor face significant financial and personnel constraints impacting their ability to reach many of these workers.. Examples of common labor violations include failure to provide proper wages, poor occupational safety and health standards, illegal use of child labor, denial of freedom of association, and discrimination. Poor occupational safety and health conditions are particularly common and result in significant lost wages and productivity for the employer and workers. Many workers and employers lack training in how to minimize the risk of injury for the workers while implementing better production techniques. Given the limited number of labor inspectors and the wide geographic expanse of the agricultural sector, there is a need to reach out to local organizations that can provide direct assistance and training to workers on understanding and exercising their labor rights. These organizations can support the Ministries of Labor by ensuring that workers and employers receive accurate information and training on workers' and employers' labor rights and obligations, and how workers can effectively exercise their rights. If and when it becomes necessary to file a complaint with the Ministry of Labor, the organizations can help the workers appropriately document the alleged labor violations and provide innovative links to the Ministry of Labor's enforcement mechanisms. This project builds on the significant work already being undertaken on raising workers' awareness about their rights and ability to exercise their rights. Given the multiple labor compliance projects in Central American and the Dominican Republic that are underway or soon to be launched, close coordination among donors, implementing organizations, and government and non-government stakeholders will be critical to ensure that there is no duplication of efforts and that resources are being utilized as effectively as possible. B. Target Population The Grantee(s) must target workers and employers in targeted agricultural communities (including indigenous populations where relevant), local community-based organizations, and other local stakeholders. Grantee and/or subawardees are expected to consult with the Ministries of Labor as much as possible to share information on a regular basis, receive legal information from the Ministries, and review priority issues for the workers. C. Objectives The Grantee(s) must implement, in cooperation with USDOL, a project whose overarching objective is to improve labor law compliance in targeted areas in the agricultural sector in the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and either Honduras or Guatemala. Intermediate objectives include: i. Increased awareness among workers and employers in targeted agricultural communities about national labor laws, with particular emphasis on safety and health regulations. ii. Increased ability of workers in targeted agricultural communities to exercise their labor rights. D. Relationship to USDOL Program Strategy By helping to improve labor law compliance in the agricultural sector in the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and either Honduras or Guatemala, the proposed project supports achievement of USDOL's Government Performance and Results Act

(5)years and continue to receive from bilateral donors and international organizations and the need to ensure that any effort builds on and complements previous and current work without duplication; • The need to ensure that the project strategy is consistent with any national strategy to increase labor law compliance; • The need to sustain project improvements, including retaining the new knowledge and practices of institutions and individuals trained by the project; • The need to engage key stakeholders of the project, including Ministries of Labor, employer associations, trade unions, and local community organizations in the design and implementation of the project strategy. In order to ensure achievement of these project objectives and respect the most effective use of the Labor Ministries' time, the Grantee(s) must first coordinate with the U.S. Government

(USG)and other projects in the region to avoid any duplication of efforts and ensure input from Labor Ministries on project designs. In addition, the Grantee(s) must meet with key local stakeholders to further develop the project strategy and Work plan. This strategy must be implemented with local stakeholder guidance. The project is required to utilize existing training and public awareness materials produced by other USG-funded projects, particularly the USDOL funded “Cumple y Gana” project. USDOL will consider the production of new materials if the Grantee(s) can demonstrate that the existing materials are not sufficient or appropriate for the activity being carried out. *An outline of illustrative activities under each objective could include the following:* *Intermediate Objective 1* : Increased awareness among workers and employers in targeted agricultural communities about national labor laws, with particular emphasis on safety and health regulations. • Coordinate with the USG and other projects in the region to avoid any duplication of efforts. • Ensure input from Labor Ministries on project designs. • Meet with relevant stakeholders in target communities and further define the project strategy and Work plan. • Develop relationships with key agricultural producers, agricultural communities and other local organizations. • Conduct a baseline survey of workers in target communities to measure their understanding of their rights. • Develop and implement outreach strategies to effectively reach workers and employers and to address the most prevalent labor law compliance concerns. • Develop the capacity of local organizations to train workers in target communities on labor laws, including a particular emphasis on occupational safety and health practices. • Explore/develop innovative links for workers and local communities to the Ministry of Labor's enforcement mechanisms. • If developing new outreach or training materials, coordinate with Ministries of Labor to ensure that the materials accurately reflect the labor laws. • Implement training programs for workers that address the worker's most prevalent labor rights concerns, including a particular emphasis on occupational safety and health practices. • Develop a network of organizations to further develop and implement outreach strategies in additional communities. *Intermediate Objective 2:* Increased ability of workers in targeted agricultural communities to exercise their labor rights. • Develop and/or strengthen coordination mechanisms between the Ministries of Labor and other relevant government entities and local community organizations providing services to workers. • Train local community organizations to assist workers in exercising their rights, including helping the workers appropriately document and process alleged labor violations. • Support the outreach efforts of the Ministries of Labors' mobile inspection units and/or regional offices (where applicable) by promoting Ministry of Labor services and helping workers to access them. F. Expected Outcomes/Project Outputs • Improved awareness among workers and employers about labor laws in targeted agricultural areas. • Workers in targeted agricultural areas better understand, and are able to exercise their labor rights. • Improved compliance with labor laws in targeted agricultural communities. • Improved occupational safety and health conditions in targeted agricultural communities. • Local organizations in targeted areas are able to assist workers in exercising their labor rights. • Strengthened coordination mechanisms between local organizations in the agricultural sector and Ministries of Labor and other relevant government entities. G. Conditions Precedent Applicants are requested to indicate in their technical proposal the proposed organizations with which they will work to implement their strategy and the merits of these organizations, and to describe their relationship with the different stakeholders. Award agreements entered into after the Cooperative Agreement is signed, and not proposed in the application, must be awarded through a formal competitive bidding process, unless prior written approval is obtained from USDOL. II. Award Information *Type of Assistance Instrument:* Cooperative Agreement. USDOL's involvement in project implementation and oversight is outlined in Section VI.3. The duration of the project(s) funded by this solicitation is up to four

(4)years. The start date of program activities will be negotiated upon awarding of the Cooperative Agreement, but will be no later than September 30, 2007. Up to U.S. $2.5 million will be awarded under this solicitation. USDOL may award more than one Cooperative Agreement to one, several, or a partnership or Association (see Section III) of more than one organization(s) that may apply to implement the program. A Grantee must obtain prior USDOL approval for any subawardee not proposed in the application. *See* Section IV.E.3 for further information on subawards. III. Eligibility Information A. Eligible Applicants Any commercial, international, educational, or non-profit organization(s), including any faith-based, community-based, or public international organization(s) with experience in effectively implementing projects in the relevant technical field(s) and working with foreign national government ministries, regional and local government entities, employers and employer organizations, workers and labor organizations, and non-governmental and community-based organizations is eligible for this grant(s). Neutral, non-religious criteria that neither favor nor disfavor religion will be employed in the selection of Cooperative Agreement recipients. Applications from foreign government and quasi-government agencies will not be considered. An applicant must demonstrate a country presence, independently or through a relationship with another organization(s) with country presence, which gives it the ability to initiate program activities upon award of the Cooperative Agreement. *See* Section V (Institutional Qualifications/Past Performance). If it is deemed the most effective and efficient strategy for achieving the goals outlined in the Scope of Work, USDOL may award one or more Cooperative Agreements to a partnership of more than one organization. If two or more applicants, who do not constitute a single legal entity (hereinafter referred to as “Associations”), join in applying for an award, each member of the Association (hereinafter referred to as an “Associate”) must be individually eligible for award. All references to “the applicant” refer to Associations as well as individual applicants. All Associates must sign, and agree to be bound jointly and severally by, the awarded Cooperative Agreement, and all must designate one Associate as the “Lead.” Any such Association must submit to USDOL, as an attachment to the application, an Association agreement, reflecting an appropriate joint venture, partnership, or other contractual agreement and outlining the deliverables, activities, and corresponding timeline for which each Associate will be responsible. Copies of such agreements will not count toward the page limit. If any entity identified in the application as an Associate does not sign the Cooperative Agreement, the Lead must provide, within 60 days of award, either a written subaward agreement with such entity, acceptable to USDOL, or an explanation as to why that entity will not be participating in the Cooperative Agreement. USDOL reserves the right to re-evaluate the award of the Cooperative Agreement in light of any such change in an entity's status, and may terminate the award if USDOL deems appropriate. For the purposes of this proposal and the Cooperative Agreement award, the Lead will be:

(1)The primary point of contact with USDOL to receive and respond to all inquiries, communications and orders under the project;

(2)the only entity with authority to withdraw or draw down funds through the HHS system;

(3)responsible for submitting to USDOL all deliverables, including all technical and financial reports related to the project, regardless of which Associate performed the work;

(4)the sole entity to request or agree to a revision or amendment of the award or the project document; and

(5)responsible for working with USDOL to close out the project. Note, however, that each Associate is ultimately responsible for overall project performance, regardless of any assignment of specific tasks, but Associates may agree, among themselves only, to apportion the liability for such performance. Each Associate must comply with all applicable federal regulations, and is individually subject to audit. In accordance with 29 CFR Part 98, entities that are debarred or suspended from receiving federal contracts or grants shall be excluded from Federal financial assistance and are ineligible to receive funding under this solicitation. B. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds This solicitation does not require applicants to share costs or provide matching funds. However, the leveraging of resources and in-kind contributions is strongly encouraged and is a rating factor worth up to five

(5)additional points. *See* Section V (Leveraging of Grant Funds). C. Dun and Bradstreet Number The organizational unit section of Block 8 of the SF-424 must contain the Dun and Bradstreet Number

(DUNS)of the applicant. Beginning October 1, 2003, all applicants for Federal grant funding opportunities are required to include a DUNS number with their application. See OMB Notice of Final Policy Issuance, 68 **Federal Register** 38402 (June 27, 2003). Applicants' DUNS number is to be entered into Block 8 of SF-424. The DUNS number is a nine-digit identification number that uniquely identifies business entities. There is no charge for obtaining a DUNS number. To obtain a DUNS number call 1-866-705-5711 or access the following Web site: *http://www.dunandbradstreet.com/* Requests for exemption from the DUNS number requirement must be made to the Office of Management and Budget. If no DUNS number is provided without such an exemption then the grant application will be considered non-responsive. After receiving a DUNS number, all grant applications must also register as a vendor with the Central Contractor Registration

(CCR)through the following Web site: *http://www.ccr.gov* or by phone at 1-888-227-2423. CCR registration should become active within 24 hours of completion. If grant applicants have questions regarding registration, please contact the CCR Assistance Center at 1-888-227-2423. After registration, grant applicants will receive a confirmation number. The Grantee listed as the Point of Contact will receive a Trader Partnership Identification Number

(TPIN)via mail. The TPIN is, and should remain, a confidential password. IV. Application and Submission Information A. Application Package This solicitation contains all of the necessary information and forms needed to apply for Cooperative Agreement funding. This solicitation is published as part of this **Federal Register** notice. Additional copies of the **Federal Register** may be obtained from your nearest U.S. Government office or public library or online at *http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/index.html* . B. Content and Form of Application Submission Applicants must submit one

(1)blue ink-signed original, complete application in English plus two

(2)copies of the application to the U.S. Department of Labor, Procurement Services Center, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room N-5416, Washington, DC 20210, no later than 4:45 p.m. Eastern Time on the established due date. To aid with review of applications, applicants may elect to submit three

(3)additional paper copies of the application (five total). Applicants who do not provide additional copies will not be penalized. The application must consist of two

(2)separate parts. Part I of the application must contain the Standard Form

(SF)424, “Application for Federal Assistance” and sections A-F of the Budget Information Form SF 424A (see Appendix A). These forms are also available at *http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants* . Part II must contain a technical proposal that demonstrates capabilities in accordance with the statement of work (Section I) and the selection criteria (Section V). The application should include the name, address, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail address (if applicable) of a key contact person at the applicant's organization in case questions should arise. To be considered *responsive* to this solicitation, the application must consist of the above-mentioned separate sections with Part II not to exceed 45 single-sided (8 1/2 ″ x 11″ or A4), double-spaced, 12-point font, typed pages. Major sections and sub-sections of the application should be divided and clearly identified (e.g., with tab dividers), and all pages must be numbered. Applicants are required to propose that a project address the project objectives identified in the Statement of Work in Section I. Any applications that do not conform to these standards may be deemed non-responsive to this solicitation and may not be evaluated. The application must include a table of contents and an abstract summarizing the application in not more than two

(2)pages. Standard forms, attachments, résumés, exhibits, letters of support, and the abstract are not counted towards the page limit. *If an applicant exceeds the stated page limit, the review panel has the discretion to deduct 10 points* . Upon completion of negotiations, the individual signing the SF 424 on behalf of the applicant must be authorized to bind the applicant. C. Submission Dates, Times, and Address The grant application package must be received at the designated place by February 23, 2007, or it will not be considered. Applications sent by e-mail, telegram, or facsimile

(FAX)will not be accepted. Applications sent by other delivery services, such as Federal Express, UPS, etc., will be accepted; the applicant, however, bears the responsibility for timely submission. Applications that do not meet the conditions set forth in this notice will not be honored. No exceptions to the mailing, delivery, and hand-delivery conditions set forth in this notice will be granted. Any application received at the Office of Procurement Services after 4:45 pm Eastern Time on February 23, 2007 will not be considered unless it is received before the award is made and: • It was sent by registered or certified mail no later than the fifth calendar day before the closing date; or • It was sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail/Next Day Service from the post office to the addressee no later than 5 p.m. at the place of mailing two

(2)working days (excluding weekends and Federal holidays), prior to the closing date; or • It is determined by the USG that the late receipt was due solely to mishandling by the USG after receipt at the U.S. Department of Labor at the address indicated. The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of a late application sent by registered or certified mail is the U.S. Postal Service postmark on the envelope or wrapper and on the original receipt from the U.S. Postal Service. If the postmark is not legible, an application received after the above closing time and date shall be processed as if mailed late. “Postmark” means a printed, stamped, or otherwise placed impression (not a postage meter machine impression) that is readily identifiable without further action as having been applied and affixed by an employee of the U.S. Postal Service on the date of mailing. Therefore, applicants should request that the postal clerk place a legible hand cancellation “bull's-eye” postmark on both the receipt and the envelope or wrapper. The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of a late application sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail/Next Day Service from the post office to the addressee is the date entered by the Post Office receiving clerk on the “Express Mail/Next Day Service—Post Office to Addressee” label and the postmark on the envelope or wrapper on the original receipt from the U.S. Postal Service. “Postmark” has the same meaning as defined above. Therefore, applicants should request that the postal clerk place a legible hand cancellation “bull's-eye” postmark on both the receipt and the envelope or wrapper. The only acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt at the USDOL is the date/time stamp of the Procurement Service Center on the application wrapper or other documentary evidence or receipt maintained by that office. All applicants are advised that U.S. mail delivery in the Washington DC area has been slow and erratic due to concerns involving anthrax contamination. Applicants must take this into consideration when preparing to meet the application deadline. It is recommended that you confirm receipt of your application with your delivery service from Lisa Harvey ( *see* Section VII for contact information). Applicants may also apply online at www.grants.gov. Applicants submitting proposals online are requested to refrain from mailing a hard copy application as well. It is strongly recommended that applicants using www.grants.gov immediately initiate and complete the “Get Started” registration steps at *http://www.grants.gov/GetStarted* . These steps may take multiple days to complete, and this time should be factored into plans for electronic submission in order to avoid facing unexpected delays that could result in the rejection of an application. If submitting electronically through www.grants.gov, the applicants must save application document as a .doc, .pdf, .txt or .xls file. Any application received on grants.gov after the deadline will be considered as non-responsive and will not be evaluated. D. Intergovernmental Review This funding opportunity is not subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.” E. Funding Restrictions, Unallowable Activities, and Specific Prohibitions In addition to those specified under OMB Circular A-122, the following *costs* and *activities* are also unallowable or contain specific restrictions: 1. Pre-award Costs Pre-award costs are not reimbursable. 2. Alternative Income-Generating Activities USDOL funds awarded under all USDOL Cooperative Agreements may not be used to provide micro-credits, revolving funds, or loan guarantees. Permissible costs related to alternative income-generating activities for workers may include, but are not limited to, vocational or skills training, incidental tools and equipment, guides, manuals, and market feasibility studies. USDOL reserves the right to negotiate the exact nature, form, or scope of alternative income-generating activities and to approve or disapprove these activities at any time after award of the Cooperative Agreement. 3. Subawards to Organizations, Groups, and/or Persons Grantees may procure sub-contracts or sub-grants with other organizations to fulfill the purpose and activities of the Cooperative Agreement award. Subawards may be included as a budget line item. Subawards must be awarded in accordance with 29 CFR 95.40-48 and are subject to audit, in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 95.26(d). Subawards awarded after the Cooperative Agreement is signed, and not proposed in the application, must be awarded through a formal competitive bidding process, unless prior written approval is obtained from USDOL. In addition, all subawards are subject to the restrictions and prohibitions related to prostitution, inherently religious activities, and terrorism as outlined in this section (6-8). Detailed information on subawards should be provided during the project document review process. Copies of all subawards above $100,000 must be provided to USDOL prior to implementation of the contract. 4. Lobbying or Fund-raising the U.S. Government With Federal Funds Under the Cooperative Agreements, no activity, including awareness raising and advocacy activities may include fund-raising, or lobbying of all Government entities ( *see* OMB Circular A-122). Cooperative Agreement Applicants classified under the internal revenue code as A 501(c)(4) entity ( *see* 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(4)), may not engage in lobbying activities. According to the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, as codified at 2 U.S.C. 1611, an organization, as described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, that engages in lobbying activities directed toward the USG will not be eligible for the receipt of Federal funds constituting an award, grant, Cooperative Agreement, or loan. 5. Funds To Host Country Governments USDOL funds awarded under this solicitation are not intended to duplicate or substitute for host-country government efforts or resources. Therefore, in general, Grantees may not provide any of the funds obligated under the Cooperative Agreement to foreign government entities, ministries, officials, or political parties. However, subcontracts with foreign government agencies may be awarded to provide direct services or undertake project activities subject to applicable laws and only after a competitive procurement process has been conducted and no other entity in the country is able to provide these services. Grantees must receive *prior* USDOL approval before subcontracting to foreign government agencies for the provision of direct educational services. 6. Prostitution The USG is opposed to prostitution and related activities, which are inherently harmful and dehumanizing, and contribute to the phenomenon of trafficking in persons. U.S. non-governmental organizations, and their subawardees, cannot use USG funds to lobby for, promote or advocate the legalization or regulation of prostitution as a legitimate form of work. Foreign non-governmental organizations, and their subawardees, that receive USG funds cannot lobby for, promote or advocate the legalization or regulation of prostitution as a legitimate form of work; this includes organizations receiving both general and trafficking-related grants. It is the responsibility of the Grantee(s) to ensure its subawardees meet these criteria. 7. Inherently Religious Activities The USG is generally prohibited from providing direct financial assistance for inherently religious activities. Federal funds provided under a USDOL-awarded Cooperative Agreement may not be used for religious instruction, worship, prayer, proselytizing or other inherently religious activities. Neutral, non-religious criteria that neither favor nor disfavor religion must be employed by the Grantee in the selection of subawardees. This provision must be included in all subawards issued under the Cooperative Agreement. 8. Terrorism Applicants are reminded that U.S. Executive Orders and U.S. law prohibit transactions with, and the provision of resources and support to, individuals and organizations associated with terrorism. It is the legal responsibility of Grantees to ensure compliance with these Executive Orders and laws. This provision must be included in all subawards issued under the Cooperative Agreement. V. Application Review Information USDOL will screen all applications to determine whether all required elements are present and clearly identifiable, including the technical proposal, cost proposal, recent audits, partnership agreements where applicable, the Curricula Vitae of key personnel, and personnel agreements. A Technical Panel will objectively rate each complete application against the criteria described in this announcement. The panel recommendations to the Grant Officer are advisory in nature. The Grant Officer may elect to select one or more Grantees on the basis of the initial proposal submission, or the Grant Officer may establish a competitive or technically acceptable range for the purpose of selecting qualified applicants. If deemed appropriate, following the Grant Officer's call for the preparation and receipt of final revisions of proposals, the evaluation process described above will be repeated to consider such revisions. The Grant Officer will make a final selection determination based on what is most advantageous to the USG, considering factors such as panel findings based on the criteria listed below and the best value to the government, cost, and other factors. The Grant Officer's determination for award under this SGA is final. A. The Review Process The criteria below will serve as the basis upon which submitted applications will be evaluated. Technical aspects of the application will constitute 100 points of the total evaluation. Up to five

(5)additional points will be given for leveraging non-Federal resources. In order to assist USDOL in assessing the efficient and effective allocation of project funding, the applicants must submit a project budget that clearly details the costs for performing all of the requirements presented in this solicitation, including producing all deliverables, reporting on implementation and progress, and monitoring progress. The budget does not count against the page limit. Applicants are reminded to budget for compliance with the administrative requirements set forth (copies of all regulations referenced in this solicitation are available at no cost, on-line, at *http://www.dol.gov* ). This includes the costs of performing activities such as travel to Washington, DC to meet with USDOL/ILAB, financial audit, project closeout, project evaluation, document preparation ( *e.g.* , progress reports, project document), and ensuring compliance with procurement and property standards. The Project Budget must identify administrative costs separately from programmatic costs. In addition to the costs identified previously, administrative costs include indirect costs from the costs pool and the cost of activities, materials ( *e.g.* , project car), and personnel ( *e.g.* , administrative assistants, office drivers) that support the management and administration of the project, but do not provide direct services to project beneficiaries. *See* Annex I for a sample budget. Technical Approach—65 points The extent to which the application sets forth a clear and supportable course of action to improve labor law compliance in Central America, in particular those laws that address the issues raised in the Statement of Work by strengthening the capacity of local organizations to improve labor law compliance in the agricultural sector through A) Increased awareness among workers and employers in targeted agricultural communities about national labor laws, with particular emphasis on safety and health regulations; and B) Increased ability of workers in targeted agricultural communities to exercise their labor rights. In developing the strategy, applicants are expected to take into consideration the following issues: • The level of technical assistance that Central American Ministries of Labor have received in the past five

(5)years and continue to receive from bilateral donors and international organizations; • The need to ensure that the project strategy is consistent with any national strategy to increase labor law compliance. • The need to sustain project improvements, including retaining the new knowledge and practices of project-trained local staff. • The need to engage local stakeholders in the design and implementation of the project strategy. • The need for information exchange with the Ministries of Labor. Points Applicants will be evaluated on the clear identification and description of the specific strategy(s) the applicant proposes to use, and the effectiveness and attainability of project objectives by the end of the grant period. Proposals should include Work plans that are practical, manageable, and can achieve project results. Applicants must include an implementation plan that lists a schedule of activities and list of deliverables that would be completed by the Grantee each quarter. The strategy must include a sustainability plan outlining clearly how the project activities will be sustained when the project has been completed. (15 points) Demonstrated familiarity with the major issues related to the components being addressed ( *e.g.* , labor laws, providing assistance to workers, with particular emphasis on the agricultural sector, conducting training, building networks, outreach and informational campaigns), key problems and/or needs in the relevant country/area, the specific problem(s) and/or need(s) that will be addressed by this project(s), and relevant constraints. Applicants will be evaluated on the thorough and accurate assessment of the implementing environment and the problems that exist and clear identification of the specific problem(s) the applicant proposes to address. (10 points) Applicants must provide a monitoring and evaluation plan for measuring project performance that includes challenging but realistic targets and measurable, verifiable project indicators that measure achievement of project objectives and performance in project implementation. The plan should show how the information and data will be collected and what systems will be put in place for self-assessment, monitoring, and continuous improvement. (5 points) Applicants must provide a description of the proposed approach to expending funds in the most cost-effective method possible in order to achieve the project objectives. Applicants must submit an Outputs-based Budget, a sample of which is provided in Annex 1. Applicants must refer to the submitted budget in explaining how the budgeted funds will be utilized cost-effectively. In order to assist USDOL in assessing the efficient and effective allocation of project funding, the applicant must submit, at minimum, supporting budget information indicating how the applicant arrived at estimating the costs of the following items/activities: salaries and benefits for all key personnel; 2-3 key activities proposed by the applicant under its project design; and meeting all USDOL close-out requirements. Applicants will be evaluated based on the clear identification of all project costs and efficient and effective allocation of funding. The project budget should clearly demonstrate that the total amount and distribution of funds is sufficient to cover the cost of all major project activities identified by the applicant in its proposal, management of the project, monitoring and evaluation, and project close-out and that the distribution of funds maximizes the provision of equipment and/or services to project beneficiaries. Higher ratings may be given to applicants with low administrative costs and with a budget breakdown that provides a larger amount of resources to project activities. The Grant Officer reserves the right to negotiate administrative cost levels prior to award. Indirect cost charges should be based on allowable, allocable, and reasonable costs based on the applicable cost principles included in the OMB Circular A-122 and Indirect Charges Instructions included in Annex 2. This section will be evaluated in accordance with applicable Federal laws and regulations. Applicants should submit output-based budgets. A sample of an output-based budget format is included in Annex 1. The budget must comply with Federal cost principles (which can be found in the applicable OMB Circulars) and with ILAB budget requirements contained in the application instructions in Section VI of this solicitation. Applicants must also be required to include an indirect cost certification, the SF 424, SF 424A, and the Equal Employment Opportunity survey. (15 points) Applicants will be evaluated on their use of existing expertise from the recipient country in order to reduce costs and further develop local capacity. The proposal should identify specific organizations to carry out the work in each country. Local organizations will be rated on their technical ability to effectively carry out the proposed work, their experience working with the project beneficiaries and stakeholders in target communities, and ability to implement activities in a timely fashion. (15 points) Applicants will be evaluated on their proposed submission of a schedule of quarterly deliverables that will serve to determine the level of performance of the awardee. The identification of deliverables that are presented in the proposal should be objective, verifiable, and demonstrate progress in achieving project objectives. (5 points) • Institutional Qualifications/Past Performance—20 points Applicants will be evaluated on the prior experience of all organizations included in their proposal, including prime and sub-awardees, in designing and implementing activities in developing countries, especially in Central America, related to labor law compliance, occupational safety and health, work in the agricultural sector, strategic planning, outreach and education, and capacity building. Applicants must include information as an attachment (that will not count towards the page limit) regarding previous grants, contracts, or grants, including:

(a)The organization for which the work was done;

(b)a contact person in that organization with his/her current phone number;

(c)the dollar value of the grant or contract for the project(s);

(d)the time frame and professional effort, either directly by key personnel, by consultants, or under contractual arrangements involved in the project(s);

(e)a brief summary of the work performed; and

(f)a brief summary of accomplishments. Applicants must also address their organization's country presence; ability to work directly with government and Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), including local and community-based organizations. Applicants may submit supporting documentation with their application demonstrating country presence and/or outreach to host government ministries and non-governmental organizations in the country. Said documentation will not count against the page limit. (10 points) Applicants will be evaluated on their demonstration of strong financial management and internal control systems. If the applicant is a U.S.-based NGO already subject to the single audit requirements, the applicant's most recent single audit, as submitted to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse, must accompany the application as an attachment. In addition, applications must show that they have complied with report submission timeframes established in OMB Circular A-133. If an Applicant is not in compliance with the requirements for completing their single audit, the application will be considered nonresponsive and will be rejected. If the applicant is a for-profit or foreign-based organization, a copy of its most current independent financial audit must accompany the application as an attachment. Applicants must also submit a copy of the most recent single audit report for all proposed U.S.-based, non-profit partners, Associates and subawardees that are subject to the Single Audit Act. If the proposed Associate(s) or partner(s) is a for-profit or foreign-based organization, a copy of its most current independent financial audit should accompany the application as an attachment. If the audit submitted by the applicant reflects any adverse opinions, the application will not be further considered by the technical review panel and will be rejected. USDOL reserves the right to ask further questions on any audit report submitted as part of an application. USDOL also reserves the right to place special conditions on Grantees if concerns are raised in their audit reports. In order to expedite the screening of applications and to ensure that the appropriate audits are attached to the proposals, the applicant must provide a cover sheet to the audit attachments listing all proposed partners and subawardees. These attachments will not count toward the application page limit. (10 points) • Experience of Personnel/Management Plan—15 points Applicants will be evaluated on their inclusion of key personnel with prior experience directly related to the proposed work, including technical and language qualifications, professional competence, relevant academic background, and demonstrated experience. Applicants must submit a résumé for each key personnel proposed, which includes the individual's current employment status and previous work experience, including position title, duties performed, salary history, dates in position, employing organizations, and educational background. Duties must be clearly defined in terms of role performed ( *i.e.* , manager, team leader, consultant). Résumé must be included as attachments, which do not count against the page limitation. Management and professional technical staff members comprising the applicant's proposed team must be individuals who have prior experience with organizations working in similar efforts, and who are fully qualified to perform the work specified in the Scope of Work. (10 points) Successful performance of the proposed work depends heavily on the management of the project. Accordingly, in its evaluation of each application, USDOL will place emphasis on the applicant's management approach involved in accomplishing the assigned tasks. This section of the application must include sufficient information to judge management and staffing plans. Where subawards or outside assistance are proposed, organizational lines of authority and responsibility should be clearly delineated to ensure responsiveness to the needs of USDOL. (5 points) • Leveraging of Grant Funding—5 points USDOL will award up to five

(5)additional rating points to applications that include non-Federal resources that significantly expand the size and scope of project-related activities. These programs must not be financed by the project, but can complement and enhance project objectives. To be eligible for the additional points, the applicant must list the resource(s), the nature, and possible activities anticipated and any partnerships, linkages, or coordination of activities, cooperative funding, etc., including the specific value of such contributions. • Suggested Outline for Technical Proposal This outline is provided as a guideline. Organizations may elect a format of their choosing, subject to the requirements of this announcement. i. Executive Summary ii. Program Description iii. Goal and Objectives iv. Background v. Technical Approach and Implementation Timetable (Proposed Intervention) vi. Monitoring and Evaluation Plan vii. Experience of Personnel viii. Identification of Deliverables and Quarterly Schedule of their submission to determine contractor performance ix. Staffing Pattern and Project Management Organizational Chart x. Leveraging of non-Federal Resources xi. Budget xii. *Attachments:* • Summaries of other relevant organizational experiences • Résumés of key personnel and signed letters of commitment to the project • Audit reports Successful proposals submitted in response to this solicitation will be incorporated into the text of the grant with the selected applicant(s). Measuring the Performance of the Grantee The performance of the Grantee will be assessed based on the timely completion of one or more deliverables that will be due to USDOL at the end of each quarter of the Grant (as described in Section VI.3). These deliverables should reflect the outcomes of the project that are expected to help achieve the project's objective(s). Applicants are requested to include in their proposal a project implementation plan and approach to monitor the performance of the project throughout the period of the grant. The implementation plan is to consist of a quarterly schedule of activities and list of deliverables that would be completed by the Grantee each quarter. The defined list and schedule of deliverables is viewed by USDOL as a key component of the technical proposal. Applicants are requested to include in their proposal a process for project evaluation, using an independent evaluation method, strategy and costs for mid-term and final evaluations. VI. Award Administration Information 1. Award Notices The Grant Officer will notify applicants of designation results as follows: *Designation Letter:* The designation letter signed by the Grant Officer will serve as official notice of an organization's designation. The designation letter will be accompanied by a Cooperative Agreement and ILAB's Management Procedures and Guidelines (MPG). *Non-Designation Letter:* Any organization not designated will be notified formally of the non-designation and given the basic reasons for the determination. Notification of designation by a person or entity other than the Grant Officer is not valid. 2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements A. General Grantees are subject to applicable U.S. Federal laws (including provisions of appropriations law) and regulations, Executive Orders, applicable OMB Circulars, and USDOL policies. If during project implementation a Grantee is found in violation of USG laws and regulations, the terms of the Cooperative Agreement awarded under this solicitation may be modified by USDOL, costs may be disallowed and recovered, the Cooperative Agreement may be terminated, and USDOL may take other action permitted by law. Determinations of allowable costs will be made in accordance with the applicable U.S. Federal cost principles. B. Audits After award, Grantees must also submit an annual independent audit regardless of grant amount. i. For U.S. based non-profit organizations expending $500,000 or more in a year in Federal awards: a “single” or “program specific” audit conducted under the provisions of OMB Circular A-133 is required. ii. For all other organizations (including foreign-based and private for-profit grantees): an audit conducted in accordance with the U.S. Government Accountability Office's

(GAO)“ *Government Auditing Standards* ” is required. The audit must address the following:

(a)Compliance with the Department's regulations and the provisions of the Cooperative Agreement; and

(1)A-133 “single audit” costs as part of the indirect cost rate/pool for organizations with *more than* one Federal source of funding. Organizations with only one Federal source could charge the A-133 single audit cost as direct costs;

(2)A-133 “ *compliance supplement* ” costs—as direct costs for Federal sources only through a cost allocation methodology approved by the Federal cognizant agency; or

(3)A-133 *program specific* audits as direct costs. Any deviations from the above must be explained and justified in the application. C. Administrative Standards and Provisions The Cooperative Agreements awarded under this solicitation are subject to the following administrative standards and provisions, and any other applicable standards that come into effect during the term of the Cooperative Agreement, if applicable to a particular Grantee: i. 29 CFR Part 2 Subpart D—Equal Treatment in Department of Labor Programs for Religious Organizations; Protection of Religious Liberty of Department of Labor Social Service Providers and Beneficiaries. ii. 29 CFR Part 31—Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs of the Department of Labor—Effectuation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. iii. 29 CFR Part 32—Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap in Programs and Activities Receiving or Benefiting from Federal Financial Assistance. iv. 29 CFR Part 33—Enforcement of Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap in Programs or Activities Conducted by the Department of Labor. v. 29 CFR Part 35—Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Age in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance from the Department of Labor. vi. 29 CFR Part 36—Federal Standards for Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance. vii. 29 CFR Part 93—New Restrictions on Lobbying. viii. 29 CFR Part 95—Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals and other Non-Profit Organizations, and with Commercial Organizations, Foreign Governments, Organizations Under the Jurisdiction of Foreign Governments and International Organizations. ix. 29 CFR Part 96—Federal Standards for Audit of Federally Funded Grants, Contracts and Agreements. x. 29 CFR Part 98—Federal Standards for Government-wide Debarment and Suspension(Nonprocurement). xi. 29 CFR Part 99—Federal Standards for Audits of States, Local Governments, and NonProfit Organizations. xii. CFR 29 Part 94—Govermnentwide Requirements for Drug Free Workplace. Copies of all regulations referenced in this solicitation are available at no cost, on-line, at *http://www.dol.gov.* D. Key Personnel As noted in Section V, the applicant must list all key personnel candidates. After the Cooperative Agreement has been awarded and throughout the life of the project, the Grantee agrees to inform the Grant Officer's Technical Representative

(GOTR)whenever it appears impossible for key personnel to continue work on the project as planned. The Grantee must nominate, through the submission of a formal project revision, new personnel; however, the Grantee must obtain approval from the Grant Officer before all changes to key personnel are formalized. If the Grant Officer is unable to approve the key personnel change, she or he reserves the right to terminate the Cooperative Agreement or disallow costs. E. Encumbrance of Grant Funds Grant funds may not be encumbered/obligated by the Grantee(s) before or after the period of performance. Encumbrances/obligations outstanding as of the end of the grant period may be liquidated (paid out) after the end of the grant period. Such encumbrances/obligations may involve only commitments for which a need existed during the grant period and that are supported by approved contracts, purchase orders, requisitions, invoices, bills, or other evidence of liability consistent with the Grantee's purchasing procedures and incurred within the grant period. All encumbrances/ obligations incurred during the grant period must be liquidated within 90 days after the end of the grant period, if practicable. F. Acknowledgement on Printed Materials In all circumstances, the following shall be displayed on printed materials: *Preparation of this item was funded by the United States Department of Labor under Grant No. [insert the appropriate grant number].* In addition, the Grantee is required to include a disclaimer in publications and materials that have been directly funded by USDOL as follows: *This ( * * * ) does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the United States Department of Labor, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the United States Government.* This acknowledgement and disclaimer must be included in documents (reports and other materials) produced, edited and published for distribution beyond the Grantee and USDOL (i.e., to other donors, organizations, or the general public). When issuing statements, press releases, requests for proposals, bid solicitations, and other documents describing projects or programs funded in whole or in part with Federal money, all Grantees receiving Federal funds must clearly state: • The percentage of the total costs of the program or project, which will be financed with Federal money; • The dollar amount of Federal funds for the project or program; and • The percentage and dollar amount of the total costs of the project or program that will be financed by non-governmental sources. G. Use of the USDOL Logo In consultation with ILAB, the Grantee(s) will acknowledge USDOL's role in one of the following ways: • The USDOL logo may be applied to USDOL-funded material prepared for public distribution, including posters, videos, pamphlets, research documents, national survey results, impact evaluations, best practice reports, and other publications of public interest. The Grantee(s) must consult with USDOL on whether the logo may be used on any such items prior to final draft or final preparation for distribution. In no event shall the USDOL logo be placed on any item until USDOL has given the Grantee written permission to use the logo on the item. • All documents should include the following notice: “This document does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.” H. Privacy and Freedom of Information Any information submitted in response to this solicitation will be subject to the provisions of the Privacy Act and the Freedom of Information Act, as appropriate. I. Site Visits USDOL, through its authorized representatives, has the right, at all reasonable times, to make site visits to review project accomplishments and management control systems and to provide such technical assistance as may be required. If USDOL makes any site visit on the premises of the Grantee or a subawardee(s) under this grant, the Grantee must provide and must require its subawardee(s) to provide all reasonable facilities and assistance for the safety and convenience of the Government representatives in the performance of their duties. All site visits and evaluations will be performed so as not to unduly delay the work. 3. Reporting and Deliverables Guidance on USDOL procedures and management requirements will be provided to Grantees in the Management Procedures Guidelines

(MPGs)and within the Cooperative Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, a Grantee must submit copies of all required reports and deliverables to USDOL by the specified due dates. Exact timeframes for the completion of deliverables will be addressed in the Cooperative Agreement and the MPGs. Specific deliverables are outlined below. A. Required Deliverables Following the award of the grant, the Grantee(s) must collaborate with USDOL/ILAB to: • Develop a Project Document (including a project budget) that will set the technical parameters and provide guidance to the project. It must include all information and be prepared according to the standardized format outlined by USDOL. While the applicant's original proposal will serve as the basis of the Project Document, in every case USDOL has found it advantageous to visit the field and reach consensus on the project strategy with host country counterparts in order to further inform the project design. USDOL must receive a draft of the Project Document 45 days after the Grantee(s) has returned from travel to the relevant area(s). The Project Document must be finalized no later than 30 days after receipt of USDOL comments on the draft. • Establish a Work plan identifying major project activities, deadlines for their completion, and person(s) responsible for completing these activities (within 60 days after the Project Document is finalized). • Set project indicators, including indicators that support ILAB's GPRA goal: “Improve living standards and conditions of work for workers in developing and transition countries.” (within 90 days of finalizing the Project Document). • Create a Performance Monitoring Plan

(PMP)to establish the data needed to measure achievement of project indicators and the methods for collection and reporting. It should include all information and be prepared according to the standardized format outlined by USDOL (within 90 days of finalizing the Project Document). B. Required Reporting • The Grantee(s) must submit financial reports on a quarterly basis. The first reporting period ends on the last day of the fiscal quarter (December 31, March 31, June 30, or September 30) during which the grant was signed. The Grantee(s) must use Standard Form

(SF)269A, *Financial Status Report* , to report the status of the funds, at the project level, during the grant period. A final SF269A must be submitted no later than 90 days following completion of the grant period. If the Grantee(s) uses the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Payment Management System (HHS PMS), they shall also send USDOL copies of the PSC 272 that they submit to HHS, on the same schedule. Otherwise, the Grantee(s) must submit Standard Form

(SF)272, *Federal Cash Transactions Report* , on the same schedule as the SF269A. Financial reports are due within 30 days of the end of the reporting period (i.e., by April 30, July 30, October 30, and January 30). Technical Reporting Requirements • After signing the agreement, the Grantee(s) must submit progress reports to USDOL/ILAB at the end of each fiscal quarter. The first reporting period ends on the last day of the fiscal quarter (December 31, March 31, June 30, or September 30) during which the Grant was signed. Between reporting dates, the Grantee(s) must also immediately inform USDOL/ILAB of significant developments and/or problems affecting the organization's ability to accomplish work. The Grantee(s) must submit two types of progress reports according to the standardized format used by USDOL/ILAB. VII: Agency Contacts All inquiries regarding this solicitation should be directed to: Ms. Lisa Harvey, U.S. Department of Labor, Procurement Services Center, 200 Constitution Ave, NW., Room N-5416, Washington DC 20210; telephone

(202)693-4570 (this is not a toll-free number) or e-mail: harvey.lisa@dol.gov. Successful proposals submitted in response to this SGA will be incorporated into the text of the grant with the selected applicant(s). Lisa Harvey, Grant Officer. BILLING CODE 4510-28-P EN09JA07.020 EN09JA07.021 EN09JA07.022 EN09JA07.023 EN09JA07.024 EN09JA07.025 EN09JA07.026 EN09JA07.027 EN09JA07.028 EN09JA07.029 [FR Doc. E6-22456 Filed 1-8-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-28-C DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Office of the Secretary Strengthening Labor Systems in Central America; Establishing Worker Rights Centers AGENCY: Bureau of International Labor Affairs, Department of Labor. Announcement Type: New. Notice of Availability of Funds and Solicitation for Cooperative Agreement Applications. Funding Opportunity Number: SGA XX-XX. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

(CFDA)Number: Not applicable. Key Dates: The closing date for receipt of applications is February 23, 2007. Applications must be received by 4:45 p.m. (Eastern Time) at the address below. ADDRESSES: Application forms will not be mailed. They are published as part of this **Federal Register** notice and in the **Federal Register** , which may be obtained from your nearest U.S. Government office or public library or online at *http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/index.html* . Applications must be delivered to: U.S. Department of Labor, Procurement Services Center, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room N-5416, Attention: Lisa Harvey, Reference: SGA XX-XX, Washington, DC 20210. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: This notice contains all of the necessary information and forms needed to apply for grant funding. The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), announces the availability of funds to be granted by cooperative agreement to one or more qualifying organizations. USDOL will award up to U.S. $4.5 million through one or more grants to an organization or organizations to improve labor law compliance in the Central American region (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua) and the Dominican Republic by strengthening the capacity of local organizations to provide advice to workers about the scope and applicability of relevant labor laws, and when necessary, provide legal services explaining the procedural and documentation requirements to exercise those rights. Proposals must be regional in scope and respond to the entire Statement of Work as contained in Section III, but applicants will not be penalized for lacking previous experience with regional projects. For example, organizations with experience in only one country will be judged based on the success they achieved in that country and their proposal for how they plan to work successfully throughout the rest of the targeted region. Partnerships and Associations between more than one organization are also eligible and encouraged, in particular with qualified, regionally-based organizations in order to build local capacity, although in such a case a lead organization must be identified. The award of any subaward will be subject to USDOL policies and approval (see Section IV). I. Funding Opportunity Description The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), announces the availability of funds to be awarded by Cooperative Agreement (hereinafter referred to as “grant” or “Cooperative Agreement”) to one or more qualifying organizations to improve labor law compliance in the Central American region (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua) and the Dominican Republic by strengthening the capacity of local organizations to provide advice to workers about the scope and applicability of relevant labor laws, and when necessary, provide legal services explaining the procedural and documentation requirements to exercise those rights. ILAB is authorized to award and administer this program by the Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2006, Pub. L. 109-102, 119 Stat. 2172 (2005). Cooperative Agreements awarded under this initiative will be managed by ILAB's Office of Trade and Labor Affairs. The duration of the projects funded by this solicitation is four years. The start date of program activities will be negotiated upon award of the Cooperative Agreement. Statement of Work USDOL is seeking qualified organizations that will implement, in partnership with USDOL, a regional project in Central America (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua) and the Dominican Republic to improve labor law compliance in these countries by strengthening the capacity of local organizations to provide advice to workers about the scope and applicability of relevant labor laws, and when necessary, provide legal services explaining the procedural and documentation requirements to exercise those rights. Applicants should submit proposals that are regional in scope and demonstrate the organization's capabilities to implement a project in accordance with the Statement of Work and the selection criteria. Proposals must provide for activities in all countries, and begin the first year at a minimum in El Salvador and Nicaragua. Applicants will not be penalized for lacking previous experience working on regional projects. For example, organizations with experience in only one country will be judged based on the success they achieved in that country and their proposal for working successfully throughout the rest of the targeted region. USDOL encourages applicants to be creative in proposing innovative and cost-effective interventions that will produce a demonstrable and sustainable impact. Funds will be provided by grant to qualifying organizations. The grant will be actively managed by USDOL/ILAB to assure achievement of the stated project objectives. The award of any sub-contract will be subject to USDOL policies and approval (see Section IV). Note: Selection of an organization as a grantee does not constitute approval of the grant application as submitted. Before the actual grant is awarded, USDOL may enter into negotiations about such items as program components, funding levels, and administrative systems in place to support grant implementation. If the negotiations do not result in an acceptable submission, the Grant Officer reserves the right to terminate the negotiation and decline to fund the application. A. Background and Problem Statement The Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) between the United States and five Central American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua) and the Dominican Republic obligates each country to effectively enforce its labor laws. The countries also reaffirm their obligations as members of the International Labor Organization

(ILO)and their commitments under the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and its Follow-Up (1998). In the Department of State's FY 2006 budget, Congress provided funding for labor and environmental capacity building activities in support of CAFTA-DR. A portion of these funds were transferred to the Department of Labor to administer projects related to labor capacity building in CAFTA-DR countries. This project provides assistance to improve the effective enforcement of national labor laws by strengthening the capacity of local organizations to provide advice to workers about the scope and applicability of relevant labor laws, and when necessary, provide legal services explaining the procedural and documentation requirements to exercise those rights. The project will work with local organizations to provide assistance to workers with these claims. These organizations will, as much as possible, consult with the Ministries of Labor to ensure correct understanding of the application of the laws, promote information sharing, and build a strategic partnership. This strategy addresses the concerns that are identified in the April 2005 “White Paper” of the Working Group of the Vice Ministers Responsible for Trade and Labor in the countries of Central America and the Dominican Republic. The White Paper—titled The Labor Dimension in Central America and the Dominican Republic—Building on Progress: Strengthening Compliance and Enhancing Capacity—contains recommendations to strengthen labor law compliance and improve the capacity of labor-related institutions in key areas. The White Paper provided a regional recommendation to “enhance or establish offices where necessary of special advocates for worker rights who can further assist workers and employers on effective compliance with labor laws.” It also highlighted the budgetary constraints faced by all of the Labor Ministries. This effort will help alleviate the burden on the Ministries by building sustainable alliances with key partners, freeing Ministry resources for more efficient use. The White Paper also highlighted the need for increasing public awareness about legal rights and responsibilities, and how to assert those rights. Current efforts are directed at general awareness raising; this project will provide specific guidance to workers on exercising those rights. Central American workers surveyed in December 2004 by the Costa Rican firm Demoscopia S.A., as part of the U.S. DOL funded Cumple y Gana project, demonstrated that although some workers are aware of some of their rights generally, they may not understand their precise application. In Nicaragua, people may know about the right to form a union, however, 68.6% thought that all workers in a workplace had to agree before one could be formed. In El Salvador, workers may have been familiar with some of their rights, but 75.4% believed only a written contract guarantees those rights. Further, while 97.7% of those surveyed in Guatemala correctly understood that a pregnant woman has the right to a paid leave before giving birth, a full 86.2.% believed a woman could not be fired during her pregnancy. These types of misperceptions of rights lead to un-actionable claims being presented to the Ministry of Labor or create unrealistic expectations about the role of government. Additionally, workers often do not understand the procedural and documentation requirements associated with filing a complaint and consequently do not adequately prepare required information prior to accessing the services of the Ministry of Labor. For example, Relacentro, a project funded by the U.S. DOL and implemented by the ILO, conducted diagnostics of the mediation and conciliation process in various Central American countries. In one country, workers who arrived at a certain office of the Ministry of Labor were required to bring a photocopy of their ID card, the ID itself was not sufficient. If they did not have a copy, the Ministry at the time of the diagnostic did not have a copier available to copy it for them. In addition, if workers were fired in written form, they needed to bring the written termination with them. If they were fired verbally, they needed to have a Labor Inspector visit the workplace to verify the termination. Workers who do not fully understand the requirements and processes are unable to properly exercise their rights and this results in an ineffective use of limited Ministry of Labor resources. This project builds on the significant work being done to raise workers' awareness about their rights, and takes it to the next level by assisting workers to exercise those rights effectively. B. Target Population • Workers with questions or concerns about their labor rights. • Target organizations in urban centers that can build and sustain their capacity to assist workers who have questions or concerns about their labor rights. Labor Ministries will benefit due to the decrease in time spent with workers who have insufficient documentation/information for a claim or a claim that is not within the purview of the Ministry of Labor. Grantee(s) and/or subawardees are expected to work with the Labor Ministries as much as possible to share information on a regular basis, receive legal information from the Ministries, and share data on workers' main concerns. The project hopes to promote a productive strategic alliance between the local organizations and the Labor Ministries, each entity helping the other to better fulfill its role. C. Objectives The Grantee(s) must implement, in partnership with USDOL, a project whose overarching objective is to improve labor law compliance in Central America (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua) and the Dominican Republic by strengthening the capacity of local organizations to provide advice to workers about the scope and applicability of relevant labor laws, and when necessary, provide legal services explaining the procedural and documentation requirements to exercise those rights. D. Relationship to USDOL Program Strategy By helping to improve labor law compliance in Central America and the Dominican Republic, the proposed project supports achievement of USDOL's Government Performance and Results Act

(GPRA)goal (2k), “promote internationally recognized workers rights and labor standards, including those related to the elimination of exploitive child labor, in the global community.” Activities with regard to the elimination of child labor are being funded separately through USDOL's Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Trafficking. Grantees are not expected to develop strategies specific to child labor; however, they are expected to coordinate with USDOL's child labor projects, where applicable. E. Type of Work To Be Performed/Activities Applicants are responsible for developing a strategy for successfully achieving the above-stated objectives and addressing the problem(s) identified in the Background and Problem Statement (Section I.A.), developing and implementing the major tasks and activities to be accomplished as part of that strategy, tracking and reporting on progress in achieving the stated objectives, and providing any necessary services. The project strategy(s) must consider the diverse needs and environment of each country. In order to ensure achievement of the project objectives and respect the most efficient use of the Labor Ministries' time, the Grantee(s) will first coordinate with the USG and other projects beginning in the region to avoid any duplication of efforts and ensure input from Labor Ministries on project designs. In addition, the project must meet with key local stakeholders to further develop the project strategy and Work plan. This strategy must be implemented with local stakeholder guidance. The project is required to utilize existing training and public awareness materials produced by other USG funded projects, such as Cumple y Gana. USDOL will consider the production of new materials if the Grantee(s) can demonstrate that the existing materials are not sufficient or appropriate for the activity being carried out. *An outline of illustrative activities includes:* i. Year One • Hire staff and establish office capacity to implement and oversee the project in each country. • Meet with relevant stakeholders in target communities and further define the project strategy and Work plan. • Develop curriculum to train organizations on the scope and applicability of labor laws and regulations, legal requirements to substantiate claims, how to best provide service to workers, etc. • While developing curriculum, coordinate with the Ministry of Labor to ensure materials accurately reflect laws and regulations. If possible, form a working group or otherwise institute regular meetings with local organization and appropriate Ministry of Labor staff. • Design outreach campaign to make workers aware of organization's informational and legal services. • Develop data tracking device for use by local organizations to track services provided, concerns raised, etc. • Train local organization staff on labor laws and services to be provided to workers. ii. Year Two • Train local organization staff on laws and services. • Implement outreach campaign to make workers aware of organization's services. • Provide advice on labor issues and where relevant, legal services to workers. • Collect information regarding types of complaints, most common errors/problems with complaints. iii. Year Three • Provide advice on labor issues and where relevant, legal services to workers. • Collect information regarding types of complaints, most common errors/problems with complaints. • Design outreach campaign, based on first 18 months of receiving workers' concerns, to inform workers regarding their most common concerns and correct the most common errors and/or misperceptions regarding their labor rights and how they are enforced. • Begin awareness campaign to target these issues/errors. • Replicate training on how to prepare claims and advise workers from a second round of local organizations. iv. Year Four • Conduct outreach campaign to inform workers about most common errors/problems in order to avoid errors, clarify misperceptions. • Monitor impact of outreach campaign on the changes in workers' most common concerns, errors and misperceptions regarding their labor rights. • Second round organizations provide services. • Develop best practices and share on national and regional level. As much as possible, throughout the life of the project, the Grantee will share information with the Ministry of Labor and ensure accurate message delivery. In addition, wherever possible, the Grantee will share information with the Ministries of Labor about the USDOL Partnerships for Compliance Assistance Program (PCAP), through which partner organizations agree to develop and disseminate USDOL information about compliance and resources, as well as provide informational seminars and workshops on compliance. The nonprofit, third-party membership organizations that participate in PCAP help USDOL educate business owners and workers about available compliance assistance tools and resources. F. Expected Outcomes/Project Outputs • Workers better able to exercise their rights. • Less time lost with workers arriving unprepared at Ministries of Labor with insufficient documentation or justification for their claims. • Local capacity and partner relationships developed with Ministry of Labor to facilitate access to Labor Ministry enforcement processes. • Backlog diminished for intake personnel at Ministries of Labor G. Conditions Precedent Applicants are requested to indicate in their technical proposal the proposed organizations with which they will work to implement their strategy, and to describe the merits of these organizations, and their relationship with the different stakeholders. Subaward agreements entered into after the Cooperative Agreement is signed, and not proposed in the application, must be awarded through a formal competitive bidding process, unless prior written approval is obtained from USDOL. II. Award Information Type of Assistance instrument: Cooperative Agreement. USDOL's involvement in project implementation and oversight is outlined in Section VI.3. The duration of the project(s) funded by this solicitation is up to four

(4)years. The start date of program activities will be negotiated upon awarding of the Cooperative Agreement, but will be no later than September 30, 2007. Up to U.S. $4.5 million will be awarded under this solicitation. USDOL may award more than one Cooperative Agreement to one, several, or a partnership or Association (see Section III) of more than one organization(s) that may apply to implement the program. A Grantee must obtain prior USDOL approval for any subawardee not proposed in the application. See Section IV

(3)for further information on subawards. III. Eligibility Information A. Eligible Applicants Any commercial, international, educational, or non-profit organization(s), including any faith-based, community-based, or public international organization(s) with experience effectively implementing projects in the relevant technical field(s) and working with foreign national government ministries, regional and local government entities, employers and employer organizations, workers and labor organizations, and non-governmental and community-based organizations is eligible for this grant(s). Neutral, non-religious criteria that neither favor nor disfavor religion will be employed in the selection of Cooperative Agreement recipients. Applications from foreign government and quasi-government agencies will not be considered. An applicant must demonstrate a country presence, independently or through a relationship with another organization(s) with country presence, which gives it the ability to initiate program activities upon award of the Cooperative Agreement. See Section V (Institutional Qualifications/Past Performance). If it is deemed the most effective and efficient strategy for achieving the goals outlined in the Scope of Work, USDOL may award one or more Cooperative Agreements to a partnership of more than one organizations. If two or more applicants, who do not constitute a single legal entity (hereinafter referred to as “Associations”), join in applying for an award, each member of the Association (hereinafter referred to as an “Associate”) must be individually eligible for an award. All references to “the Applicant” refer to Associations as well as individual applicants. All Associates must sign, and agree to be bound jointly and severally by, the awarded Cooperative Agreement, and all must designate one Associate as the “Lead.” Any such Association must submit to USDOL, as an attachment to the application, an Association agreement, reflecting an appropriate joint venture, partnership, or other contractual agreement and outlining the deliverables, activities, and corresponding timeline for which each Associate will be responsible. Copies of such agreements will not count toward the page limit. If any entity identified in the application as an Associate does not sign the Cooperative Agreement, the Lead must provide, within 60 days of award, either a written subaward agreement with such entity, acceptable to USDOL, or an explanation as to why that entity will not be participating in the Cooperative Agreement. USDOL reserves the right to re-evaluate the award of the Cooperative Agreement in light of any such change in an entity's status, and may terminate the award if USDOL deems appropriate. For the purposes of this proposal and the Cooperative Agreement award, the Lead will be:

(1)the primary point of contact with USDOL to receive and respond to all inquiries, communications and orders under the project;

(2)the only entity with authority to withdraw or draw down funds through the HHS system;

(3)responsible for submitting to USDOL all deliverables, including all technical and financial reports related to the project, regardless of which Associate performed the work;

(4)the sole entity to request or agree to a revision or amendment of the award or the project document; and

(5)responsible for working with USDOL to close out the project. Note, however, that each Associate is ultimately responsible for overall project performance, regardless of any assignment of specific tasks, but Associates may agree, among themselves only, to apportion the liability for such performance. Each Associate must comply with all applicable federal regulations, and is individually subject to audit. In accordance with 29 CFR Part 98, entities that are debarred or suspended from receiving Federal contracts or grants shall be excluded from Federal financial assistance and are ineligible to receive funding under this solicitation. B. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds This solicitation does not require applicants to share costs or provide matching funds. However, the leveraging of resources and in-kind contributions is strongly encouraged and is a rating factor worth up to five

(5)additional points see Section V (Leveraging of Grants Funds). C. Dun and Bradstreet Number The organizational unit section of Block 8 of the SF-424 must contain the Dun and Bradstreet Number

(DUNS)of the applicant. Beginning October 1, 2003, all applicants for Federal grant funding opportunities are required to include a DUNS number with their application. See OMB Notice of Final Policy Issuance, 68 FR 38402 (June 27, 2003). Applicants' DUNS number is to be entered into Block 8 of SF-424. The DUNS number is a nine-digit identification number that uniquely identifies business entities. There is no charge for obtaining a DUNS number. To obtain a DUNS number call 1-866-705-5711 or access the following Web site: *http://www.dunandbradstreet.com/.* Requests for exemption from the DUNS number requirement must be made to the Office of Management and Budget. If no DUNS number is provided without such an exemption then the grant application will be considered non-responsive. After receiving a DUNS number, all grant applications must also register as a vendor with the Central Contractor Registration

(CCR)through the following Web site: *http:www.ccr.gov* or by phone at 1-888-227-2423. CCR registration should become active within 24 hours of completion. If grant applicants have questions regarding registration, please contact the CCR Assistance Center at 1-888-227-2423. After registration, grant applicants will receive a confirmation number. The Grantee listed as the Point of Contact will receive a Trader Partnership Identification Number

(TPIN)via mail. The TPIN is, and should remain, a confidential password. IV. Application and Submission Information A. Application Package This solicitation contains all of the necessary information and forms needed to apply for Cooperative Agreement funding. This solicitation is published as part of this **Federal Register** notice. Additional copies of the **Federal Register** may be obtained from your nearest U.S. Government office or public library or online at *http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/index.html.* B. Content and Form of Application Submission Applicants must submit one

(1)blue ink-signed original, complete application in English plus two

(3)additional paper copies of the application (five total). Applicants who do not provide additional copies will not be penalized. The application must consist of two

(2)separate parts. Part I of the application must contain the Standard Form

(SF)424, “Application for Federal Assistance” and sections A-F of the Budget Information Form SF 424A (see Appendix A). These forms are also available at *http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants* . Part II must contain a technical proposal that demonstrates capabilities in accordance with the Statement of Work (Section III) and the selection criteria (Section V). The application should include the name, address, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail address (if applicable) of a key contact person at the applicant's organization in case questions should arise. To be considered responsive to this solicitation, the application must consist of the above-mentioned separate sections, with Part II not to exceed 45 single-sided (8 1/2 ″ × 11″ or A4), double-spaced, 12-point font, typed pages. Major sections and sub-sections of the application should be divided and clearly identified ( *e.g.* , with tab dividers), and all pages must be numbered. Applicants are required to propose that a project address the project objectives identified in the Statement of Work in Section I. Any applications that do not conform to these standards may be deemed non-responsive to this solicitation and may not be evaluated. The application must include a table of contents and an abstract summarizing the application in not more than two

(2)pages. Standard forms, attachments, re sume s, exhibits, letters of support, and the abstract are not counted towards the page limit. If an applicant exceeds the stated page limit, the review panel has the discretion to deduct 10 points. Upon completion of negotiations, the individual signing the SF 424 on behalf of the applicant must be authorized to bind the applicant. C. Submission Dates, Times, and Address The grant application package must be received at the designated place 45 days after publication, or it will not be considered. Applications sent by e-mail, telegram, or facsimile

(FAX)will not be accepted. Applications sent by other delivery services, such as Federal Express, UPS, etc., will be accepted; the applicant, however, bears the responsibility for timely submission. Applications that do not meet the conditions set forth in this notice will not be honored. No exceptions to the mailing, delivery, and hand-delivery conditions set forth in this notice will be granted. Any application received at the Office of Procurement Services after 4:45 pm Eastern Time after 45 days of publication will not be considered unless it is received before the award is made and: • It was sent by registered or certified mail no later than the fifth calendar day before the closing date; or • It was sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail/Next Day Service from the post office to the addressee no later than 5 p.m. at the place of mailing two

(2)working days (excluding weekends and Federal holidays), prior to the closing date; or • It is determined by the USG that the late receipt was due solely to mishandling by the USG after receipt at the USDOL at the address indicated. The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of a late application sent by registered or certified mail is the U.S. Postal Service postmark on the envelope or wrapper and on the original receipt from the U.S. Postal Service. If the postmark is not legible, an application received after the above closing time and date shall be processed as if mailed late. “Postmark” means a printed, stamped, or otherwise placed impression (not a postage meter machine impression) that is readily identifiable without further action as having been applied and affixed by an employee of the U.S. Postal Service on the date of mailing. Therefore, applicants should request that the postal clerk place a legible hand cancellation “bull's-eye” postmark on both the receipt and the envelope or wrapper. The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of a late application sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail/Next Day Service from the post office to the addressee is the date entered by the Post Office receiving clerk on the “Express Mail/ Next Day Service—Post Office to Addressee” label and the postmark on the envelope or wrapper on the original receipt from the U.S. Postal Service. “Postmark” has the same meaning as defined above. Therefore, applicants should request that the postal clerk place a legible hand cancellation “bull's-eye” postmark on both the receipt and the envelope or wrapper. The only acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt at the USDOL is the date/time stamp of the Procurement Service Center on the application wrapper or other documentary evidence or receipt maintained by that office. All applicants are advised that U.S. mail delivery in the Washington DC area has been slow and erratic due to concerns involving anthrax contamination. Applicants must take this into consideration when preparing to meet the application deadline. It is recommended that you confirm receipt of your application with your delivery service from Lisa Harvey (see Section VII for contact information). Applicants may also apply online at *www.grants.gov* . Applicants submitting proposals online are requested to refrain from mailing a hard copy application as well. It is strongly recommended that applicants using *www.grants.gov* immediately initiate and complete the “Get Started” registration steps at *http://www.grants.gov/GetStarted.* These steps may take multiple days to complete, and this time should be factored into plans for electronic submission in order to avoid facing unexpected delays that could result in the rejection of an application. If submitting electronically through *www.grants.gov* , applicants must save the application document as a .doc, .pdf, .txt or .xls file. Any application received on grants.gov after the deadline will be considered as non-responsive and will not be evaluated. D. Intergovernmental Review This funding opportunity is not subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs” E. Funding Restrictions, Unallowable Activities, and Specific Prohibitions In addition to those specified under OMB Circular A-122, the following costs and activities are also unallowable or contain specific restrictions: 1. Pre-Award Costs Pre-award costs are not reimbursable. 2. Alternative Income-Generating Activities USDOL funds awarded under all USDOL Cooperative Agreements may not be used to provide micro-credits, revolving funds, or loan guarantees. Permissible costs related to alternative income-generating activities for workers may include, but are not limited to, vocational or skills training, incidental tools and equipment, guides, manuals, and market feasibility studies. USDOL reserves the right to negotiate the exact nature, form, or scope of alternative income-generating activities and to approve or disapprove these activities at any time after award of the Cooperative Agreement. 3. Subawards to Organizations, Groups, and/or Persons Grantees may procure sub-contracts or sub-grants with other organizations to fulfill the purpose and activities of the Cooperative Agreement award. Subawards may be included as a budget line item. Subawards must be awarded in accordance with 29 CFR 95.40-48 and are subject to audit, in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 95.26(d). Subawards awarded after the Cooperative Agreement is signed, and not proposed in the application, must be awarded through a formal competitive bidding process, unless prior written approval is obtained from USDOL. In addition, all subawards are subject to the restrictions and prohibitions related to prostitution, inherently religious activities, and terrorism as outlined in this section (6-8). Detailed information on subawards should be provided during the project document review process. Copies of all subawards above $100,000 must be provided to USDOL prior to implementation of the contract. 4. Lobbying or Fund-Raising the U.S. Government With Federal Funds Under the Cooperative Agreements, no activity, including awareness raising and advocacy activities, may include fund-raising, or lobbying of any government entities (see OMB Circular A-122). Cooperative Agreement Applicants Classified Under The Internal Revenue Code as A 501(c)(4) ENTITY (see 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(4)), may not engage in lobbying activities. According to the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, as codified at 2 U.S.C. 1611, an organization, as described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, that engages in lobbying activities directed toward the USG will not be eligible for the receipt of Federal funds constituting an award, grant, Cooperative Agreement, or loan. 5. Funds To Host Country Governments USDOL funds awarded under this solicitation are not intended to duplicate or substitute for host-country government efforts or resources. Therefore, in general, Grantees may not provide any of the funds obligated under the Cooperative Agreement to foreign government entities, ministries, officials, or political parties. However, subcontracts with foreign government agencies may be awarded to provide direct services or undertake project activities subject to applicable laws and only after a competitive procurement process has been conducted and no other entity in the country is able to provide these services. Grantees must receive prior USDOL approval before subcontracting to foreign government agencies for the provision of direct educational services. 6. Prostitution The USG is opposed to prostitution and related activities, which are inherently harmful and dehumanizing, and contribute to the phenomenon of trafficking in persons. U.S. non-governmental organizations, and their subawardees, cannot use USG funds to lobby for, promote or advocate the legalization or regulation of prostitution as a legitimate form of work. Foreign non-governmental organizations, and their subawardees, that receive USG funds cannot lobby for, promote or advocate the legalization or regulation of prostitution as a legitimate form of work; this includes organizations receiving both general and trafficking-related grants. It is the responsibility of the Grantee(s) to ensure its subawardees meet these criteria. 7. Inherently Religious Activities The USG is generally prohibited from providing direct financial assistance for inherently religious activities. Federal funds provided under a USDOL-awarded Cooperative Agreement may not be used for religious instruction, worship, prayer, proselytizing or other inherently religious activities. Neutral, non-religious criteria that neither favor nor disfavor religion must be employed by the Grantee in the selection of subawardees. This provision must be included in all subawards issued under the Cooperative Agreement. 8. Terrorism Applicants are reminded that U.S. Executive Orders and U.S. law prohibit transactions with, and the provision of resources and support to, individuals and organizations associated with terrorism. It is the legal responsibility of Grantees to ensure compliance with these Executive Orders and laws. This provision must be included in all subawards issued under the Cooperative Agreement. V. Application Review Information USDOL will screen all applications to determine whether all required elements are present and clearly identifiable, including the technical proposal, cost proposal, recent audits, partnership agreements where applicable, the Curricula Vitae of key personnel, and personnel agreements. A Technical Panel will objectively rate each complete application against the criteria described in this announcement. The panel recommendations to the Grant Officer are advisory in nature. The Grant Officer may elect to select one or more Grantees on the basis of the initial proposal submission, or the Grant Officer may establish a competitive or technically acceptable range for the purpose of selecting qualified applicants. If deemed appropriate, following the Grant Officer's call for the preparation and receipt of final revisions of proposals, the evaluation process described above will be repeated to consider such revisions. The Grant Officer will make a final selection determination based on what is most advantageous to the USG, considering factors such as panel findings based on the criteria listed below and the best value to the government, cost, and other factors. The Grant Officer's determination for award under this solicitation is final. A. The Review Process The criteria below will serve as the basis upon which submitted applications will be evaluated. Technical aspects of the application will constitute 100 points of the total evaluation. Up to five

(5)additional points will be given for leveraging non-Federal resources. In order to assist USDOL in assessing the efficient and effective allocation of project funding, the Applicant must submit a project budget that clearly details the costs for performing all of the requirements presented in this solicitation, including producing all deliverables, reporting on implementation and progress, and monitoring progress. A sample budget is included with the ProDoc in Section II. The budget does not count against the page limit. Applicants are reminded to budget for compliance with the administrative requirements set forth (copies of all regulations referenced in this solicitation are available at no cost, on-line, at *http://www.dol.gov* ). This includes the costs of performing activities such as travel to Washington, DC to meet with USDOL/ILAB, financial audit, project closeout, project evaluation, document preparation (e.g., progress reports, project document), and ensuring compliance with procurement and property standards. The Project Budget must identify administrative costs separately from programmatic costs. In addition to the costs identified previously, administrative costs include indirect costs from the costs pool and the cost of activities, materials (e.g., project car), and personnel (e.g., administrative assistants, office drivers) that support the management and administration of the project but do not provide direct services to project beneficiaries. • Technical Approach—65 points The extent to which the application sets forth a clear and supportable course of action to improve labor law compliance in Central America (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua) and the Dominican Republic by strengthening the capacity of local organizations to provide advice to workers about the scope and applicability of relevant labor laws, and when necessary, provide legal services explaining the procedural and documentation requirements to exercise those rights. In developing the strategy, applicants are expected to take into consideration the following issues: • The level of technical assistance that Central American Ministries of Labor have received in the past five

(5)years and continue to receive from bilateral donors and international organizations; • The need to ensure that the project strategy is consistent with any national strategy to increase labor law compliance. • The need to sustain project improvements, including retaining the new knowledge and practices of project-trained local staff. • The need to engage local stakeholders in the design and implementation of the project strategy. • The need for ongoing information exchange with the Ministries of Labor. Points Applicants will be evaluated on the clear identification and description of the specific strategy(s) the applicant proposes to use and the effectiveness and attainability of project objectives by the end of the grant period. Proposals should include work plans that are practical, manageable, and can achieve project results. Applicants must include an implementation plan that lists a schedule of activities and list of deliverables that would be completed by the Grantee each quarter. The strategy must include a sustainability plan outlining clearly how the project activities will be sustained when the project has been completed. (15 points) Applicants must demonstrate familiarity with the major issues related to the components being addressed (e.g., labor laws, providing assistance to workers, conducting training, building networks, outreach and informational campaigns), key problems and/or needs in the relevant country/area, the specific problem(s) and/or need(s) that will be addressed by this project(s), and relevant constraints. Applicants will be evaluated on the thorough and accurate assessment of the implementing environment and the problems that exist and clear identification of the specific problem(s) the applicant proposes to address. (10 points) Applicants must provide a monitoring and evaluation plan for measuring project performance that includes challenging but realistic targets and measurable, verifiable project indicators that measure achievement of project objectives and performance in project implementation. The plan should show how the information and data will be collected and what systems will be put in place for self-assessment, monitoring, and continuous improvement. (5 points) Applicants must provide a description of the proposed approach to expending funds in the most cost-effective method possible in order to achieve the project objectives. Applicants must submit an Outputs-based Budget, a sample of which is provided in Annex 1. Applicants must refer to the submitted budget in explaining how the budgeted funds will be utilized cost-effectively. In order to assist USDOL in assessing the efficient and effective allocation of project funding, the applicant must submit, at minimum, supporting budget information indicating how the applicant arrived at estimating the costs of the following items/activities: salaries and benefits for all key personnel; 2-3 key activities proposed by the applicant under its project design; and meeting all USDOL close-out requirements. Applicants will be evaluated based on the clear identification of all project costs and efficient and effective allocation of funding. The project budget should clearly demonstrate that the total amount and distribution of funds is sufficient to cover the cost of all major project activities identified by the Applicant in its proposal, management of the project, monitoring and evaluation, and project close-out and that the distribution of funds maximizes the provision of goods and/or services to project beneficiaries. Higher ratings may be given to applicants with low administrative costs and with a budget breakdown that provides a larger amount of resources to project activities. The Grant Officer reserves the right to negotiate administrative cost levels prior to award. Indirect cost charges should be based on allowable, allocable, and reasonable costs based on the applicable cost principles included in the OMB Circular A-122 and Indirect Charges Instructions included in Annex 2. This section will be evaluated in accordance with applicable Federal laws and regulations. Applicants should submit output-based budgets. A sample of an output-based budget format is included in Annex 1. The budget must comply with Federal cost principles (which can be found in the applicable OMB Circulars) and with ILAB budget requirements contained in the application instructions in Section VI of this solicitation. Applicants must also be required to include an indirect cost certification, the SF 424, SF 424A, and the Equal Employment Opportunity survey. (15 points) Applicants must demonstrate the use of existing expertise from the recipient country in order to reduce costs and further develop local capacity. The proposal should identify organizations to carry out the work in each country. Local organizations will be rated on: • Experience providing training and/or services to workers. • Experience working with Labor Ministries, unions, and employer associations. • Experience working on labor issues of the country. • Ability to implement activities in a timely fashion. Applicants are requested to provide in their technical proposal proposed organizations and the merits of those organizations, experience in the areas outlined above, and their relationship with the different stakeholders. (15 points) Applicants are requested to submit a schedule of quarterly deliverables that will serve to determine the level of performance of the contractor. The identification of deliverables that are presented in the proposal should be objective, verifiable, and demonstrate progress in achieving project objectives. (5 points) • Institutional Qualifications/Past Performance—20 points Applicants will be evaluated on their prior experience of all organizations, including both prime and sub-awardees, in designing and implementing activities in developing countries, especially in Central America, related to labor law compliance. Applicants must include information as an attachment (that will not count towards the page limit) regarding previous grants or contracts including:

(a)the organization for which the work was done;

(b)a contact person in that organization with his/her current phone number;

(c)the dollar value of the grant or contract for the project(s);

(d)the time frame and professional effort, either directly by key personnel, by consultants, or under contractual arrangements involved in the project(s);

(e)a brief summary of the work performed; and

(f)a brief summary of accomplishments. (10 points) Applicants will be evaluated on their demonstration of strong financial management and internal control systems. If the applicant is a U.S.-based, non-profit organization already subject to the single audit requirements, the applicant's most recent single audit, as submitted to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse, must accompany the application as an attachment. In addition, applications must show that they have complied with report submission timeframes established in OMB Circular A-133. If an applicant is not in compliance with the requirements for completing their single audit, the application will be considered nonresponsive and will be rejected. If the applicant is a for-profit or foreign-based organization, a copy of its most current independent financial audit must accompany the application as an attachment. Applicants must also submit a copy of the most recent single audit report for all proposed U.S.-based, non-profit partners, Associates and sub-awardees that are subject to the Single Audit Act. If the proposed Associate(s) or partner(s) is a for-profit or foreign-based organization, a copy of its most current independent financial audit should accompany the application as an attachment. If the audit submitted by the applicant reflects any adverse opinions, the application will not be further considered by the technical review panel and will be rejected. USDOL reserves the right to ask further questions on any audit report submitted as part of an application. USDOL also reserves the right to place special conditions on Grantees if concerns are raised in their audit reports. In order to expedite the screening of applications and to ensure that the appropriate audits are attached to the proposals, the applicant must provide a cover sheet to the audit attachments listing all proposed partners and sub-awardees. These attachments will not count toward the application page limit. (10 points) • Experience of Personnel/Management Plan—15 points Applicants will be evaluated on their inclusion of key personnel with prior experience directly related to the proposed work, including technical and language qualifications, professional competence, relevant academic background, and demonstrated experience. Applicants must submit a résumé for each key personnel proposed, which includes the individual's current employment status and previous work experience, including position title, duties performed, salary history, dates in position, employing organizations, and educational background. Duties must be clearly defined in terms of role performed (i.e., manager, team leader, consultant). Résumés must be included as attachments, which do not count against the page limitation. Management and professional technical staff members comprising the applicant's proposed team must be individuals who have prior experience with organizations working in similar efforts, and who are fully qualified to perform the work specified in the Scope of Work. (10 points) Successful performance of the proposed work depends heavily on the management of the project. Accordingly, in its evaluation of each application, USDOL will place emphasis on the applicant's management approach involved in accomplishing the assigned tasks. This section of the application must include sufficient information to judge management and staffing plans. Where subawards, or outside assistance are proposed, organizational lines of authority and responsibility should be clearly delineated to ensure responsiveness to the needs of USDOL. (5 points) • Leveraging of Grant Funding—5 points USDOL will award up to five

(5)additional rating points to applications that include non-Federal resources that significantly expand the size and scope of project-related activities. These programs must not be financed by the project, but can complement and enhance project objectives. To be eligible for the additional points, the applicant must list the resource(s), the nature, and possible activities anticipated and any partnerships, linkages, or coordination of activities, cooperative funding, etc., including the specific value of such contributions. • Suggested Outline for Technical Proposal This outline is provided as a guideline. Organizations may elect a format of their choosing, subject to the requirements of this announcement. i. Executive Summary ii. Program Description iii. Goal and Objectives iv. Background v. Technical Approach and Implementation Timetable (Proposed Intervention) vi. Monitoring and Evaluation Plan vii. Experience of Personnel viii. Identification of Deliverables and Quarterly Schedule of their submission to determine contractor performance ix. Staffing Pattern and Project Management Organizational Chart x. Leveraging of non-Federal Resources xi. Budget xii. Attachments: • Summaries of other relevant organizational experiences • Résumés of key personnel and signed letters of commitment to the project • Audit reports Successful proposals submitted in response to this solicitation will be incorporated into the text of the grant with the selected applicant(s). VI. Award Administration Information 1. Award Notices The Grant Officer will notify applicants of designation results as follows: Designation Letter: The designation letter signed by the Grant Officer will serve as official notice of an organization's designation. The designation letter will be accompanied by a Cooperative Agreement and ILAB's Management Procedures and Guidelines (MPG). Non-Designation Letter: Any organization not designated will be notified formally of the non-designation and given the basic reasons for the determination. Notification of designation by a person or entity other than the Grant Officer is not valid. 2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements A. General Grantees are subject to applicable U.S. Federal laws (including provisions of appropriations law) and regulations, Executive Orders, applicable OMB Circulars, and USDOL policies. If during project implementation a Grantee is found in violation of USG laws and regulations, the terms of the Cooperative Agreement awarded under this solicitation may be modified by USDOL, costs may be disallowed and recovered, the Cooperative Agreement may be terminated, and USDOL may take other action permitted by law. Determinations of allowable costs will be made in accordance with the applicable U.S. Federal cost principles. B. Audits After award, Grantees must also submit an annual independent audit regardless of grant amount. i. For U.S. based non-profit organizations expending $500,000 or more in a year in Federal awards: a “single” or “program specific” audit conducted under the provisions of OMB Circular A-133 is required. ii. For all other organizations (including foreign-based and private for-profit grantees): an audit conducted in accordance with the U.S. Government Accountability Office's

(GAO)“Government Auditing Standards” is required. The audit must address the following:

(a)Compliance with the Department's regulations and the provisions of the Cooperative Agreement; and

(2)A-133 “ *compliance supplement* ” costs—as direct costs for Federal sources only through a cost allocation methodology approved by the Federal cognizant agency; or

(3)A-133 *program specific* audits as direct costs. Any deviations from the above must be explained and justified in the application. C. Administrative Standards and Provisions The Cooperative Agreements awarded under this solicitation are subject to the following administrative standards and provisions, and any other applicable standards that come into effect during the term of the Cooperative Agreement, if applicable to a particular Grantee: i. 29 CFR Part 2 Subpart D—Equal Treatment in Department of Labor Programs for religious Organizations; Protection of Religious Liberty of Department of Labor Social Service Providers and Beneficiaries. ii. 29 CFR Part 31—Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs of the Department of Labor— Effectuation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. iii. 29 CFR Part 32—Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap in Programs and Activities Receiving or Benefiting from Federal Financial Assistance. iv. 29 CFR Part 33—Enforcement of Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap in Programs or Activities Conducted by the Department of Labor. v. 29 CFR Part 35—Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Age in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance from the Department of Labor. vi. 29 CFR Part 36—Federal Standards for Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance. vii. 29 CFR Part 93—New Restrictions on Lobbying. viii. 29 CFR Part 95—Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals and other Non-Profit Organizations, and with Commercial Organizations, Foreign Governments, Organizations Under the Jurisdiction of Foreign Governments and International Organizations. ix. 29 CFR Part 96—Federal Standards for Audit of Federally Funded Grants, Contracts and Agreements. x. 29 CFR Part 98—Federal Standards for Government-wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) and Government-wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants). xi. 29 CFR Part 99—Federal Standards for Audits of States, Local Governments, and NonProfit Organizations. Copies of all regulations referenced in this solicitation are available at no cost, on-line, at *http://www.dol.gov* . D. Key Personnel As noted in Section V, the applicant must list all key personnel candidates. After the Cooperative Agreement has been awarded and throughout the life of the project, the Grantee agrees to inform the Grant Officer's Technical Representative

(GOTR)whenever it appears impossible for key personnel to continue work on the project as planned. The Grantee must nominate, through the submission of a formal project revision, new personnel; however, the Grantee must obtain approval from the Grant Officer before all changes to key personnel are formalized. If the Grant Officer is unable to approve the key personnel change, she or he reserves the right to terminate the Cooperative Agreement or disallow costs. E. Encumbrance of Grant Funds Grant funds may not be encumbered/obligated by the Grantee(s) before or after the period of performance. Encumbrances/obligations outstanding as of the end of the grant period may be liquidated (paid out) after the end of the grant period. Such encumbrances/obligations may involve only commitments for which a need existed during the grant period and which are supported by approved contracts, purchase orders, requisitions, invoices, bills, or other evidence of liability consistent with the Grantee's purchasing procedures and incurred within the grant period. All encumbrances/ obligations incurred during the grant period must be liquidated within 90 days after the end of the grant period, if practicable. F. Acknowledgement on Printed Materials In all circumstances, the following shall be displayed on printed materials: Preparation of this item was funded by the United States Department of Labor under Grant No. [insert the appropriate grant number]” In addition, the Grantee is required to include a disclaimer in publications and materials that have been directly funded by USDOL as follows: This (* * *) does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the United States Department of Labor, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the United States Government. This acknowledgement and disclaimer must be included in documents (reports and other materials) produced, edited and published for distribution beyond the Grantee and USDOL (i.e., to other donors, organizations, or the general public). When issuing statements, press releases, requests for proposals, bid solicitations, and other documents describing projects or programs funded in whole or in part with Federal money, all Grantees receiving Federal funds must clearly state: • The percentage of the total costs of the program or project that will be financed with Federal money; • The dollar amount of Federal funds for the project or program; and • The percentage and dollar amount of the total costs of the project or program that will be financed by non-governmental sources. G. Use of the USDOL Logo In consultation with ILAB, the Grantee(s) will acknowledge USDOL's role in one of the following ways: • The USDOL logo may be applied to USDOL-funded material prepared for public distribution, including posters, videos, pamphlets, research documents, national survey results, impact evaluations, best practice reports, and other publications of public interest. The Grantee(s) must consult with USDOL on whether the logo may be used on any such items prior to final draft or final preparation for distribution. In no event shall the USDOL logo be placed on any item until USDOL has given the Grantee written permission to use the logo on the item. • All documents should include the following notice: “This document does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.” H. Privacy and Freedom of Information Any information submitted in response to this solicitation will be subject to the provisions of the Privacy Act and the Freedom of Information Act, as appropriate. I. Site Visits USDOL, through its authorized representatives, has the right, at all reasonable times, to make site visits to review project accomplishments and management control systems and to provide such technical assistance as may be required. If USDOL makes any site visit on the premises of the Grantee or a subawardee(s) under this grant, the Grantee must provide and must require its subawardee(s) to provide all reasonable facilities and assistance for the safety and convenience of the Government representatives in the performance of their duties. All site visits and evaluations will be performed so as not to unduly delay the work. 3. Reporting and Deliverables Guidance on USDOL procedures and management requirements will be provided to Grantees in the Management Procedure Guidelines with the Cooperative Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, a Grantee must submit copies of all required reports and deliverables to USDOL by the specified due dates. Exact timeframes for the completion of deliverables will be addressed in the Cooperative Agreement and the MPGs. Specific deliverables are outlined below. A. Required Deliverables Following the award of the grant, the Grantee(s) shall collaborate with USDOL/ILAB to: • Develop a Project Document (including a project budget) that will set the technical parameters and provide guidance to the project. It must include all information and be prepared according to the standardized format outlined by USDOL. While the applicant's original proposal will serve as the basis of the Project Document, in every case USDOL has found it advantageous to visit the field and reach consensus on the project strategy with host country counterparts in order to further inform the project design. USDOL may choose to participate on these field visits. USDOL must receive a draft of the Project Document 45 days after returning from travel to the relevant area(s). The Project Document must be finalized no later than 30 days after receipt of USDOL comments on the draft. • Establish a Work plan identifying major project activities, deadlines for their completion, and person(s) responsible for completing these activities (within 60 days after the Project Document is finalized). • Set project indicators, including indicators that support ILAB's GPRA goal: “Improve living standards and conditions of work for workers in developing and transition countries.” (within 90 days of finalizing the Project Document). • Create a Performance Monitoring Plan

(SF)269A, Financial Status Report, to report the status of the funds, at the project level, during the grant period. A final SF269A must be submitted no later than 90 days following completion of the grant period. If the Grantee(s) uses the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Payment Management System (HHS PMS), it shall also send USDOL copies of the PSC 272 that it submits to HHS, on the same schedule. Otherwise, the Grantee(s) must submit Standard Form

(SF)272, Federal Cash Transactions Report, on the same schedule as the SF269A. Financial reports are due within 30 days of the end of the reporting period (i.e., by April 30, July 30, October 30, and January 30). Technical Reporting Requirements • After signing the agreement, the Grantee(s) must submit progress reports to USDOL/ILAB at the end of each fiscal quarter. The first reporting period ends on the last day of the fiscal quarter (December 31, March 31, June 30, or September 30) during which the Grant was signed. Between reporting dates, the Grantee(s) must also immediately inform USDOL/ILAB of significant developments and/or problems affecting the organization's ability to accomplish work. The Grantee(s) must submit two types of progress reports according to the standardized format used by USDOL/ILAB. VII. Agency Contacts All inquiries regarding this solicitation should be directed to: Ms. Lisa Harvey, U.S. Department of Labor, Procurement Services Center, 200 Constitution Ave, NW., Room N-5416, Washington DC 20210; telephone

(202)693-4570 (this is not a toll-free number) or e-mail: *harvey.lisa@dol.gov* . Successful proposals submitted in response to this SGA will be incorporated into the text of the grant with the selected applicant(s). Lisa Harvey, Grant Officer. BILLING CODE 4510-28-P EN09JA07.013 EN09JA07.014 EN09JA07.015 EN09JA07.016 EN09JA07.017 EN09JA07.018 EN09JA07.019 [FR Doc. E6-22454 Filed 1-8-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-28-C DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Office of the Secretary Strengthening Career Civil Service Systems of Labor Inspectorates in Central America AGENCY: Bureau of International Labor Affairs, Department of Labor. *Announcement Type:* New. Notice of Availability of Funds and Solicitation for Cooperative Agreement Applications. *Funding Opportunity Number:* SGA XX-XX. *Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

(CFDA)Number:* Not applicable. *Key Dates:* The closing date for receipt of applications is February 23, 2007. Applications must be received by 4:45 p.m. (Eastern Time) at the address below. ADDRESSES: Application forms will not be mailed. They are published as part of this **Federal Register** notice and in the **Federal Register** , which may be obtained from your nearest U.S. Government office or public library or online at *http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/index.html* . Applications must be delivered to: U.S. Department of Labor, Procurement Services Center, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room N-5416, Attention: Lisa Harvey, Reference: SGA XX-XX, Washington, DC 20210. *Executive Summary:* This notice contains all of the necessary information and forms needed to apply for grant funding. The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), announces the availability of funds to be granted by cooperative agreement to one or more qualifying organizations. USDOL will award up to U.S. $990,000 through one or more grants to a qualified organization(s) that will promote and support the strengthening of a career civil service by establishing or reforming systems and norms within the Labor Ministry Inspectorates of the beneficiary countries. Applicants should submit proposals that encompass El Salvador *and* one or two of either Guatemala, Honduras, or Nicaragua and that demonstrate the organization's capabilities to implement a project in accordance with the Statement of Work and the selection criteria. Applicants will not be penalized for lacking previous experience working with multiple country projects. For example, organizations with experience in only one country will be judged based on the success they achieved in that country and their proposal for working successfully throughout the rest of the targeted countries. USDOL encourages applicants to be creative in proposing innovative and cost-effective interventions that will produce a demonstrable and sustainable impact. The award of any sub-award will be subject to USDOL policies and approval. I. Funding Opportunity Description The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), announces the availability of funds to be awarded by Cooperative Agreement (hereinafter referred to as “grant” or “Cooperative Agreement”) to one or more qualifying organizations for the purpose of promoting and supporting a career civil service by establishing or reforming systems and norms within the Labor Ministry Inspectorates of the beneficiary countries. ILAB is authorized to award and administer this program by the Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2006, Public Law 109-102, 119 Stat. 2172

(2005)and 22 U.S.C. 2392(a). Cooperative Agreements awarded under this initiative will be managed by ILAB's Office of Trade and Labor Affairs. The duration of the projects funded by this solicitation is four years. The start date of program activities will be negotiated upon award of the Cooperative Agreement. Statement of Work USDOL is seeking qualified organizations that will promote and support the implementation of a career civil service by establishing systems and norms within the Labor Ministry Inspectorates of the beneficiary countries. Specific project objectives are identified in this Section. Applicants should submit proposals that encompass El Salvador and one or two of the following countries (Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua) and demonstrate the organization's capabilities to implement a project in accordance with the Statement of Work and the selection criteria. Applicants, however, will not be penalized for lacking previous experience working with multiple country projects. For example, organizations with experience in only one country will be judged based on the success they achieved in that country and their proposal for working successfully throughout the rest of the targeted countries. USDOL encourages applicants to be creative in proposing innovative and cost-effective interventions that will produce a demonstrable and sustainable impact. Funds will be provided by grant to qualifying organizations. The grant will be actively managed by USDOL/ILAB to assure achievement of the stated project objectives. The award of any sub-contract will be subject to USDOL policies and approval (see Section IV). Note: Selection of an organization as a grantee does not constitute approval of the grant application as submitted. Before the actual grant is awarded, USDOL may enter into negotiations about such items as program components, funding levels, and administrative systems in place to support grant implementation. If the negotiations do not result in an acceptable submission, the Grant Officer reserves the right to terminate the negotiation and decline to fund the application. A. Background and Problem Statement The Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) between the United States and five Central American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua) and the Dominican Republic obligates each country to effectively enforce its labor laws. The countries also reaffirm their obligations as members of the International Labor Organization

(ILO)and their commitments under the ILO Declaration of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and its follow-up (1998). In the Department of State's FY2006 budget, Congress provided funding for labor and environmental capacity building activities in support of Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). A portion of these funds were transferred to the Department of Labor to administer projects related to labor capacity building in CAFTA-DR countries. Concerns exist regarding the professional status and career paths of the Ministry of Labor Inspectors. A tradition of replacing technical level inspector positions with each change of government detracts from their objectivity and credibility, and negates the value from previous training initiatives making the Ministry less effective in carrying out its inspection responsibilities. This project provides assistance to effective enforcement of the national labor legislation by reinforcing the inspectorate staff and enabling it to maintain an experienced career civil service. This strategy would address the concerns that are identified in the April 2005 “White Paper” of the Working Group of the Vice Ministers Responsible for Trade and Labor in the countries of Central America and the Dominican Republic-b titled: “the Labor Dimension in Central America and the Dominican Republic—Building on Progress: Strengthening Compliance and Enhancing Capacity”. The White Paper contains recommendations to strengthen labor law compliance and improve the capacity of labor-related institutions in key areas and clearly conveys the need to strengthen professional career civil service systems within the Labor Ministry Inspectorate in order to maintain a high level, experienced and knowledgeable staff for labor law enforcement. The award will grant funds to an organization or organizations to initiate, implement and promote a civil service improvement component to the Labor Inspectorate. A strong civil service will invigorate the inspectorate and provide a consistently higher level of service to the workers and employers. B. Target Population Applicants shall target Ministries of Labor in El Salvador and one or two of either Guatemala, Honduras, or Nicaragua based on the following criteria:

(1)Laws are in place to allow for implementation of civil service reform;

(2)government counterparts demonstrate the political will and institutional commitments to implement civil service reforms; and

(3)countries demonstrate a clear need for the assistance. C. Objectives The Grantee(s) must implement, in partnership with USDOL, a project whose overarching objective is to improve the effectiveness and transparency of Labor Inspectorates in El Salvador and one or two of the following countries (Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua) by strengthening the civil service systems. Particular focus will be placed on improving hiring and oversight mechanisms to strengthen continuity in the workforce, improve accountability and management, and provide civil servants with appropriate incentives, skills, and motivation. D. Relationship to USDOL Program Strategy By helping to improve labor law compliance in Central America, the proposed project supports achievement of USDOL's Government Performance Results Act

(GPRA)goal (2k), “promote internationally recognized workers rights and labor standards, including those related to the elimination of exploitive child labor, in the global community”. E. Type of Work To Be Performed/Activities This project would promote and support reforms in personnel systems of Labor Inspectorates to reclassify and improve career status; strengthen capacity of inspectors through development of career track for civil servants through promulgation of administrative rules (positions descriptions, transparent and objective hiring/promotion/dismissal procedures), and other aspects of implementing a civil service program. It may also work with local universities to provide ongoing professional development in subject matter relevant to area of staff expertise. In order to ensure achievement of the project objectives and the most effective use of the Labor Ministries' time, the Grantee(s) will first coordinate with the USG and other projects beginning in the region to avoid any duplication of efforts and ensure input from Labor Ministries on project designs. The Grantee(s) will be responsible for coordinating with other programs in the region, particularly USDOL and other USG-funded efforts that are working toward similar objectives, and adapt its work plan to avoid duplication of activities. Applicants are responsible for developing a strategy for successfully achieving the above-stated objectives and addressing the problem(s) identified in the Background and Problem Statement (Section I.A.), developing and implementing the major tasks and activities to be accomplished as part of that strategy, tracking and reporting on progress in achieving the stated objectives, and providing any necessary services. *An outline of illustrative activities include:* Year One • Hire staff to oversee project in beneficiary countries. • Analyze existing civil service legislation/policies within labor ministries in countries with systems in place or in practice and/or supporting projects. ( *e.g.* Dominican Republic, Costa Rica). • Work with tripartite group to assist in the development of a proposal to enact a civil service within designated countries. • Create or identify requirements ( *e.g.* course credits) for different levels of knowledge and experience for labor inspectorate staff ( *e.g.* novice, intermediate, and journeyman). • Work with Ministry of Labor

(MOL)leadership and technical staff to develop or revise position descriptions and performance standards for Labor Inspectorate staff with novice, intermediate, and journeymen levels incorporated. • Conduct assessments of current personnel systems, including hiring practices employee evaluations and standards, and training plans. • Develop recommendations to improve systems, practices and standards in order to implement career civil service program. Year Two • Support the implementation of the recommendations to implement career civil service with promotion opportunities. • Modify civil service systems and norms to incorporate input from inspectorate staff. • Provide training to all inspectorate staff and management on the civil service systems and norms. • Create systems to sustain the career civil service. F. Expected Outcomes/Project Outputs/Results • Attraction and retention of qualified, experienced, and highly competent inspectorate staff. • Increased transparency and credibility within the labor inspectorate. • Create smoother transition during changes of administration. • More efficient and established personnel processes. • Retention of institutional strategic planning. G. Conditions Precedent Applicants are requested to provide in their technical proposal proposed organizations and the merits of those organizations, and their relationship with the different stakeholders. Sub-contracts awarded after the Cooperative Agreement is signed, and not proposed in the application, must be awarded through a formal competitive bidding process, unless prior written approval is obtained by USDOL. Prior to providing any technical assistance to any project country, partner organizations, that were not included in the proposal, must also be approved by USDOL. II. Award Information Type of Assistance instrument: Cooperative Agreement. USDOL's involvement in project implementation and oversight is outlined in Section VI.3. The duration of the project(s) funded by this solicitation is up to two

(2)years. The start date of program activities will be negotiated upon awarding of the Cooperative Agreement, but will be no later than September 30, 2007. Up to USD $990,000 will be awarded under this solicitation. USDOL may award more than one Cooperative Agreement to one, several, or a partnership or association (see Section III) of more than one organization(s) that may apply to implement the program. A Grantee must obtain prior USDOL approval for any subawardee not proposed in the application before the award of the Cooperative Agreement. (See Section IV.E.3. for further information on subawards.) III. Eligibility Information A. Eligible Applicants Any commercial, international, educational, or non-profit organization(s), including any faith-based, community-based, or public international organization(s) with experience in effectively implementing projects in the relevant technical field(s) and working with foreign national government ministries, regional and local government entities, employers and employer organizations, workers and labor organizations, and non-governmental and community-based organizations is eligible for this grant(s). Neutral, non-religious criteria that neither favor nor disfavor religion will be employed in the selection of Cooperative Agreement recipients. Applications from foreign government and quasi-government agencies will not be considered. An applicant must demonstrate a country presence, independently or through a relationship with another organization(s) with country presence, which gives it the ability to initiate program activities upon award of the Cooperative Agreement. *See* Section V. (Institutional Qualifications/Past Performance) If it is deemed the most effective and efficient strategy for achieving the goals outlined in the Scope of Work, USDOL may award one or more Cooperative Agreements to a partnership of more than one organization. If two or more applicants, who do not constitute a single legal entity (hereinafter referred to as “Associations”), join in applying for an award, each member of the Association (hereinafter referred to as an “Associate”) must be individually eligible for award. All references to “the Applicant” refer to Associations as well as individual applicants. All Associates must sign, and agree to be bound jointly and severally by, the awarded Cooperative Agreement, and all must designate one Associate as the “Lead.” Any such Association must submit to USDOL, as an attachment to the application, an Association agreement, reflecting an appropriate joint venture, partnership, or other contractual agreement and outlining the deliverables, activities, and corresponding timeline for which each Associate will be responsible. Copies of such agreements will not count toward the page limit. If any entity identified in the application as an Associate does not sign the Cooperative Agreement, the Lead must provide, within 60 days of award, either a written subaward agreement with such entity, acceptable to USDOL, or an explanation as to why that entity will not be participating in the Cooperative Agreement. USDOL reserves the right to re-evaluate the award of the Cooperative Agreement in light of any such change in an entity's status, and may terminate the award if USDOL deems appropriate. For the purposes of this proposal and the Cooperative Agreement award, the Lead will be:

(1)The primary point of contact with USDOL to receive and respond to all inquiries, communications and orders under the project;

(2)the only entity with authority to withdraw or draw down funds through the HHS system;

(3)responsible for submitting to USDOL all deliverables, including all technical and financial reports related to the project, regardless of which Associate performed the work;

(4)the sole entity to request or agree to a revision or amendment of the award or the project document; and

(5)responsible for working with USDOL to close out the project. Note, however, that each Associate is ultimately responsible for overall project performance, regardless of any assignment of specific tasks, but Associates may agree, among themselves only, to apportion the liability for such performance. Each Associate must comply with all applicable federal regulations, and is individually subject to audit. In accordance with 29 CFR Part 98, entities that are debarred or suspended from receiving federal contracts or grants shall be excluded from Federal financial assistance and are ineligible to receive funding under this solicitation. See Section V (Leveraging of Grant Funds). B. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds This solicitation does not require applicants to share costs or provide matching funds. However, the leveraging of resources and in-kind contributions is strongly encouraged and is a rating factor worth up to five

(5)additional points (see Section V). C. Dun and Bradstreet Number The organizational unit section of Block 8 of the SF-424 must contain the Dun and Bradstreet Number

(DUNS)of the applicant. Beginning October 1, 2003, all applicants for Federal grant funding opportunities are required to include a DUNS number with their application. *See* OMB Notice of Final Policy Issuance, 68 **Federal Register** 38402 (June 27, 2003). Applicants' DUNS number is to be entered into Block 8 of SF-424. The DUNS number is a nine-digit identification number that uniquely identifies business entities. There is no charge for obtaining a DUNS number. To obtain a DUNS number call 1-866-705-5711 or access the following Web site: *http://www.dunandbradstreet.com/* . Requests for exemption from the DUNS number requirement must be made to the Office of Management and Budget. If no DUNS number is provided, without such an exemption, the grant application will be considered non-responsive. After receiving a DUNS number, all grant applications must also register as a vendor with the Central Contractor Registration

(1)Blue ink-signed original, complete application in English plus two

(3)additional paper copies of the application (five total). Applicants who do not provide additional copies will not be penalized. The application must consist of two

(2)separate parts. Part I of the application must contain the Standard Form

(SF)424, “Application for Federal Assistance” and sections A-F of the Budget Information Form SF 424A (see Appendix A). These forms are also available at *http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants.* Part II must contain a technical proposal that demonstrates capabilities in accordance with the statement of work (Section III) and the selection criteria (Section V). The application should include the name, address, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail address (if applicable) of a key contact person at the applicant's organization in case questions should arise. To be considered responsive to this solicitation, the application must consist of the above-mentioned separate sections with part II not to exceed 45 single-sided (8 1/2 ″ x 11″ or A4), double-spaced, 12-point font, typed pages. Major sections and sub-sections of the application should be divided and clearly identified ( *e.g.* , with tab dividers), and all pages must be numbered. Applicants are required to propose that a project address the project objectives identified in the Statement of Work in Section I. Any applications that do not conform to these standards may be deemed non-responsive to this solicitation and may not be evaluated. The application must include a table of contents and an abstract summarizing the application in not more than two

(2)pages. Standard forms, attachments, résumés, exhibits, letters of support, and the abstract are not counted towards the page limit. If an applicant exceeds the stated page limit, the review panel has the discretion to deduct 10 points. Upon completion of negotiations, the individual signing the SF 424 on behalf of the applicant must be authorized to bind the applicant. C. Submission Dates, Times, and Address The grant application package must be received at the designated place by February 23, 2007, or it will not be considered. Applications sent by e-mail, telegram, or facsimile

(FAX)will not be accepted. Applications sent by other delivery services, such as Federal Express, UPS, etc., will be accepted; the applicant, however, bears the responsibility for timely submission. Applications that do not meet the conditions set forth in this notice will not be honored. No exceptions to the mailing, delivery, and hand-delivery conditions set forth in this notice will be granted. Any application received at the Office of Procurement Services after 4:45 p.m. Eastern Time 45 days after publication will not be considered unless it is received before the award is made and: • It was sent by registered or certified mail no later than the fifth calendar day before the closing date; or • It was sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail/Next Day Service from the post office to the addressee no later than 5 p.m. at the place of mailing two

(2)working days (excluding weekends and Federal holidays), prior to the closing date; or • It is determined by the USG that the late receipt was due solely to mishandling by the USG after receipt at the U.S. DOL at the address indicated. The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of a late application sent by registered or certified mail is the U.S. Postal Service postmark on the envelope or wrapper and on the original receipt from the U.S. Postal Service. If the postmark is not legible, an application received after the above closing time and date shall be processed as if mailed late. “Postmark” means a printed, stamped, or otherwise placed impression (not a postage meter machine impression) that is readily identifiable without further action as having been applied and affixed by an employee of the U.S. Postal Service on the date of mailing. Therefore, applicants should request that the postal clerk place a legible hand cancellation “bull's-eye” postmark on both the receipt and the envelope or wrapper. The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of a late application sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail/Next Day Service from the post office to the addressee is the date entered by the Post Office receiving clerk on the “Express Mail/Next Day Service—Post Office to Addressee” label and the postmark on the envelope or wrapper on the original receipt from the U.S. Postal Service. “Postmark” has the same meaning as defined above. Therefore, applicants should request that the postal clerk place a legible hand cancellation “bull's-eye” postmark on both the receipt and the envelope or wrapper. The only acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt at the USDOL is the date/time stamp of the Procurement Service Center on the application wrapper or other documentary evidence or receipt maintained by that office. All applicants are advised that U.S. mail delivery in the Washington, DC area has been slow and erratic due to concerns involving anthrax contamination. Applicants must take this into consideration when preparing to meet the application deadline. It is recommended that you confirm receipt of your application with your delivery service from Lisa Harvey (see Section VII for contact information). Applicants may also apply online at *http://www.grants.gov.* Applicants submitting proposals online are requested to refrain from mailing a hard copy application as well. It is strongly recommended that applicants using www.grants.gov immediately initiate and complete the “Get Started” registration steps at *http://www.grants.gov/GetStarted.* These steps may take multiple days to complete, and this time should be factored into plans for electronic submission in order to avoid facing unexpected delays that could result in the rejection of an application. If submitting electronically through www.grants.gov, applicants must save the application document as a .doc, .pdf, .txt or .xls file. Any application received on grants.gov after the deadline will be considered as non-responsive and will not be evaluated. D. Intergovernmental Review This funding opportunity is not subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs” E. Funding Restrictions, Unallowable Activities, and Specific Prohibitions In addition to those specified under OMB Circular A-122, the following costs and activities are also unallowable or contain specific restrictions: 1. Pre-award Costs Pre-award costs are not reimbursable. 2. Alternative Income-Generating Activities USDOL funds awarded under all USDOL Cooperative Agreements may not be used to provide micro-credits, revolving funds, or loan guarantees. Permissible costs related to alternative income-generating activities for workers may include, but are not limited to, vocational or skills training, incidental tools and equipment, guides, manuals, and market feasibility studies. USDOL reserves the right to negotiate the exact nature, form, or scope of alternative income-generating activities and to approve or disapprove these activities at any time after award of the Cooperative Agreement. 3. Subawards to Organizations, Groups, and/or Persons Grantees may procure sub-contracts or sub-grants with other organizations to fulfill the purpose and activities of the Cooperative Agreement award. Subawards may be included as a budget line item. Subawards must be awarded in accordance with 29 CFR 95.40-48 and are subject to audit, in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 95.26(d). Subawards awarded after the Cooperative Agreement is signed, and not proposed in the application, must be awarded through a formal competitive bidding process, unless prior written approval is obtained from USDOL. In addition, all subawards are subject to the restrictions and prohibitions related to prostitution, inherently religious activities, and terrorism as outlined in this section (6-8). Detailed information on subawards should be provided during the project document review process. Copies of all subawards above $100,000 must be provided to USDOL prior to implementation of the contract. 4. Lobbying or Fund-Raising the U.S. Government With Federal Funds Under the Cooperative Agreements, no activity, including awareness raising and advocacy activities, may include fund-raising, or lobbying of all Governments (see OMB Circular A-122). COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT APPLICANTS CLASSIFIED UNDER THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE AS A 501(c)(4) ENTITY (see 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(4)), MAY NOT ENGAGE IN LOBBYING ACTIVITIES. According to the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, as codified at 2 U.S.C. 1611, an organization, as described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, that engages in lobbying activities directed toward the USG will not be eligible for the receipt of Federal funds constituting an award, grant, Cooperative Agreement, or loan. 5. Funds to Host Country Governments USDOL funds awarded under this solicitation are not intended to duplicate or substitute for host-country government efforts or resources. Therefore, in general, Grantees may not provide any of the funds obligated under the Cooperative Agreement to foreign government entities, ministries, officials, or political parties. However, subcontracts with foreign government agencies may be awarded to provide direct services or undertake project activities subject to applicable laws and only after a competitive procurement process has been conducted and no other entity in the country is able to provide these services. Grantees must receive prior USDOL approval before subcontracting to foreign government agencies for the provision of direct educational services. 6. Prostitution The USG is opposed to prostitution and related activities, which are inherently harmful and dehumanizing, and contribute to the phenomenon of trafficking in persons. U.S. non-governmental organizations, and their subawardees, cannot use USG funds to lobby for, promote or advocate the legalization or regulation of prostitution as a legitimate form of work. Foreign non-governmental organizations, and their subawardees, that receive USG funds cannot lobby for, promote or advocate the legalization or regulation of prostitution as a legitimate form of work; this includes organizations receiving both general and trafficking-related grants. It is the responsibility of the Grantees to ensure its subawardees meet these criteria. 7. Inherently Religious Activities The USG is generally prohibited from providing direct financial assistance for inherently religious activities. Federal funds provided under a USDOL-awarded Cooperative Agreement may not be used for religious instruction, worship, prayer, proselytizing or other inherently religious activities. Neutral, non-religious criteria that neither favor nor disfavor religion must be employed by the Grantee in the selection of subawardees. This provision must be included in all subawards issued under the Cooperative Agreement. 8. Terrorism Applicants are reminded that U.S. Executive Orders and U.S. law prohibit transactions with, and the provision of resources and support to, individuals and organizations associated with terrorism. It is the legal responsibility of Grantees to ensure compliance with these Executive Orders and laws. This provision must be included in all subawards issued under the Cooperative Agreement. V. Application Review Information USDOL will screen all applications to determine whether all required elements are present and clearly identifiable, including the technical proposal, cost proposal, recent audits, partnership agreements where applicable, the Curricula Vitae of key personnel, and personnel agreements. A Technical Panel will objectively rate each complete application against the criteria described in this announcement. The panel recommendations to the Grant Officer are advisory in nature. The Grant Officer may elect to select one or more Grantees on the basis of the initial proposal submission, or the Grant Officer may establish a competitive or technically acceptable range for the purpose of selecting qualified applicants. If deemed appropriate, following the Grant Officer's call for the preparation and receipt of final revisions of proposals, the evaluation process described above will be repeated to consider such revisions. The Grant Officer will make a final selection determination based on what is most advantageous to the USG, considering factors such as panel findings based on the criteria listed below and the best value to the government, cost, and other factors. The Grant Officer's determination for award under this Solicitation is final. A. The Review Process The criteria below will serve as the basis upon which submitted applications will be evaluated. Technical aspects of the application will constitute 100 points of the total evaluation. Up to five

(5)additional points will be given for leveraging non-Federal resources. In order to assist USDOL in assessing the efficient and effective allocation of project funding, the Applicant must submit a project budget that clearly details the costs for performing all of the requirements presented in this solicitation which is attached to the PRODOC in section II but does not count against the page limit, including producing all deliverables, reporting on implementation and progress, and monitoring progress. Applicants are reminded to budget for compliance with the administrative requirements set forth (copies of all regulations referenced in this solicitation are available at no cost, on-line, at *http://www.dol.gov* ). This includes the costs of performing activities such as travel to Washington, DC to meet with USDOL/ILAB, financial audit, project closeout, project evaluation, document preparation ( *e.g.* , progress reports, project document), and ensuring compliance with procurement and property standards. The Project Budget must identify administrative costs separately from programmatic costs. In addition to the costs identified previously, administrative costs include indirect costs from the costs pool and the cost of activities, materials ( *e.g.* , project car), and personnel ( *e.g.* , administrative assistants, office drivers) that support the management and administration of the project, but do not provide direct services to project beneficiaries. B. Technical Approach—65 points The extent to which the application sets forth a clear and supportable course of action to improve labor law compliance in Central America by:

(a)Supporting the implementation of a career civil service;

(b)attracting and retaining qualified, experienced and highly competent inspectorate staff;

(c)increasing transparency and credibility within the labor inspectorate;

(d)creating a smoother transition during changes in the administration;

(e)creating more efficient and established personnel systems; and

(f)retaining institutional strategic planning. In developing the strategy, applicants are expected to take into consideration the following issues: • The level of technical assistance that Central American Ministries of Labor have received in the past five

(5)years and continue to receive from bilateral donors and international organizations; • The need to ensure that the project strategy is consistent with any national strategy to increase labor law compliance. • The need to sustain project improvements, including retaining the new knowledge and practices of project-trained ministry staff. • The need to engage local stakeholders in the design and implementation of the project strategy. Points Applicants will be evaluated on the clear identification and description of the specific strategy(s) the applicant proposes to use, and the effectiveness and attainability of project objectives by the end of the grant period. Proposals should include a work plan that is practical, manageable, and can achieve project results. Applicants must include an implementation plan that lists a schedule of activities and list of deliverables that would be completed by the Grantee each quarter. The strategy must include a sustainability plan outlining clearly how the project activities will be sustained when the project has been completed. (20 points) Applicants will be evaluated on demonstrated familiarity with the major issues related to the components being addressed (Labor Inspectorate continuity, hiring and oversight mechanisms, accountability and management, and providing appropriate incentives, skills, and motivation). Applicants will be evaluated on the thorough and accurate assessment of the implementing environment and the problems that exist and clear identification of the specific problem(s) the applicant proposes to address. (10 points) Applicants will be evaluated on their monitoring and evaluation plan for measuring project performance that includes challenging but realistic targets and measurable, verifiable project indicators that measure achievement of project objectives and performance in project implementation. The plan should show how the information and data will be collected and what systems will be put in place for self-assessment, monitoring, and continuous improvement. (5 points) Applicants will be evaluated on their approach to expending funds in the most cost-effective method possible in order to achieve the project objectives. Applicants must submit an Outputs-based Budget, a sample of which is provided in Annex 1. Applicants must refer to its submitted budget in explaining how the budgeted funds will be utilized cost-effectively. In order to assist USDOL in assessing the efficient and effective allocation of project funding, applicants must submit, at minimum, supporting budget information indicating how the applicant arrived at estimating the costs of the following items/activities: Salaries and benefits for all key personnel, 2-3 key activities proposed by the applicant under its project design, and meeting all USDOL close-out requirements. Applicants will be evaluated based on the clear identification of all project costs and efficient and effective allocation of funding. The project budget should clearly demonstrate that the total amount and distribution of funds is sufficient to cover the cost of all major project activities identified by the applicant in its proposal, management of the project, monitoring and evaluation, and project close-out and that the distribution of funds maximizes the provision of goods and/or services to project beneficiaries. Higher ratings may be given to applicants with low administrative costs and with a budget breakdown that provides a larger amount of resources to project activities. The Grant Officer reserves the right to negotiate administrative cost levels prior to award. Indirect cost charges should be based on allowable, allocable, and reasonable costs based on the applicable cost principles included in the OMB Circular A-122 and Indirect Charges Instructions included in Annex 2. This section will be evaluated in accordance with applicable Federal laws and regulations. Applicants should submit output-based budgets. A sample of an output-based budget format is included in Annex 1. The budget must comply with Federal cost principles (which can be found in the applicable OMB Circulars) and with ILAB budget requirements contained in the application instructions in Section VI of this solicitation. Applicants must also be required to include an indirect cost certification, the SF 424, SF 424A, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

(EEOC)survey. (15 points) Applicants will be evaluated on the use of existing expertise from the recipient country in order to reduce costs and further develop local capacity. The proposal should identify specific organizations that are to carry out the work in each country. Local organizations will be rated on their ability to effectively carry out the proposed work, including experience implementing labor projects, their experience working with the Ministries of Labor in target countries, and their ability to implement activities in a timely manner. (10 points) Applicants will be evaluated on a schedule of quarterly deliverables that will serve to determine the level of performance of the contractor. The identification of deliverables that are presented in the proposal should be objective, verifiable, and demonstrate progress in achieving project objectives. (5 points) • Institutional Qualifications/Past Performance—20 points Applicants will be evaluated on prior experience in designing and implementing activities in developing countries, especially in Central America, related to the support of career civil service implementation; including but not limited to improving hiring and oversight mechanisms to strengthen continuity in the workforce, improving accountability and management, and providing civil servants with appropriate incentives, skills, and motivation. Applicants must include information as an attachment (which will not count towards the page limit) regarding previous grants or contract for the project(s) including:

(a)The organization for which the work was done,

(b)a contact person in that organization with his/her current phone number,

(c)the dollar value of the grant, contract, or Grant for the project(s),

(d)the time frame and professional effort, either directly by key personnel, by consultants, or under contractual arrangements involved in the project(s),

(e)a brief summary of the work performed; and f) a brief summary of accomplishments. (10 points) Applicants will be evaluated on their demonstration of strong financial management and internal control systems. If the applicant is a U.S.-based, non-profit organization already subject to the single audit requirements, the applicant's most recent single audit, as submitted to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse, must accompany the application as an attachment. In addition, applications must show that they have complied with report submission timeframes established in OMB Circular A-133. If an applicant is not in compliance with the requirements for completing their single audit, the application will be considered nonresponsive and will be rejected. If the applicant is a for-profit or foreign-based organization, a copy of its most current independent financial audit must accompany the application as an attachment. Applicants must also submit a copy of the most recent single audit report for all proposed U.S.-based, non-profit partners, Associates and subcontractors that are subject to the Single Audit Act. If the proposed Associate(s) or partner(s) is a for-profit or foreign-based organization, a copy of its most current independent financial audit should accompany the application as an attachment. If the audit submitted by the applicant reflects any adverse opinions, the application will not be further considered by the technical review panel and will be rejected. USDOL reserves the right to ask further questions on any audit report submitted as part of an application. USDOL also reserves the right to place special conditions on Grantees if concerns are raised in their audit reports. In order to expedite the screening of applications and to ensure that the appropriate audits are attached to the proposals, the applicant must provide a cover sheet to the audit attachments listing all proposed partners and subcontractors. These attachments will not count toward the application page limit. (10 points) • Experience of Personnel/Management plan—15 points The applicant must propose key personnel with prior experience directly related to the proposed work, including technical and language qualifications, professional competence, relevant academic background, and demonstrated experience. Applicants must submit a résumé for each key personnel proposed, which includes the individual's current employment status and previous work experience, including position title, duties performed, salary history, dates in position, employing organizations, and educational background. Duties must be clearly defined in terms of role performed (i.e., manager, team leader, consultant). Résumés must be included as attachments, which do not count against the page limitation. Management and professional technical staff members comprising the applicant's proposed team must be individuals who have prior experience with organizations working in similar efforts, and who are fully qualified to perform the work specified in the Scope of Work. (10 points) The applicant must demonstrate successful performance of the proposed work depending heavily on the management of the project. Accordingly, in its evaluation of each application, USDOL will place emphasis on the applicant's management approach involved in accomplishing the assigned tasks. This section of the application must include sufficient information to judge management and staffing plans. Where subawards or outside assistance are proposed, organizational lines of authority and responsibility should be clearly delineated to ensure responsiveness to the needs of USDOL. (5 points) • Leveraging of Grant Funding—5 points USDOL will award up to five

(5)additional rating points to applications that include non-Federal resources that significantly expand the size and scope of project-related activities. These programs must not be financed by the project, but can complement and enhance project objectives. To be eligible for the additional points, the applicant must list the resource(s), the nature, and possible activities anticipated and any partnerships, linkages, or coordination of activities, cooperative funding, etc., including the specific value of such contributions. • Suggested Outline for Technical Proposal This outline is provided as a guideline. Organizations may elect a format of their choosing, subject to the requirements of this announcement. i. Executive Summary ii. Program Description iii. Goal and Objectives iv. Background v. Technical Approach and Implementation Timetable (Proposed Intervention) vi. Monitoring and Evaluation Plan vii. Experience of Personnel viii. Identification of Deliverables and Quarterly Schedule of their submission to determine contractor performance ix. Staffing Pattern and Project Management Organizational Chart x. Leveraging of non-Federal Resources xi. Budget xii. Attachments: • Summaries of other relevant organizational experiences • Résumés of key personnel and signed letters of commitment to the project Successful proposals submitted in response to this solicitation will be incorporated into the text of the grant with the selected applicant(s). VI. Award Administration Information 1. Award Notices The Grant Officer will notify applicants of designation results as follows: *Designation Letter:* The designation letter signed by the Grant Officer will serve as official notice of an organization's designation. The designation letter will be accompanied by a Cooperative Agreement and ILAB's Management Procedures and Guidelines (MPG). *Non-Designation Letter:* Any organization not designated will be notified formally of the non-designation and given the basic reasons for the determination. Notification of designation by a person or entity other than the Grant Officer is not valid. 2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements A. General Grantees are subject to applicable U.S. Federal laws (including provisions of appropriations law) and regulations, Executive Orders, applicable OMB Circulars, and USDOL policies. If during project implementation a Grantee is found in violation of USG laws and regulations, the terms of the Cooperative Agreement awarded under this solicitation may be modified by USDOL, costs may be disallowed and recovered, the Cooperative Agreement may be terminated, and USDOL may take other action permitted by law. Determinations of allowable costs will be made in accordance with the applicable U.S. Federal cost principles. B. Audits After award, Grantees must also submit an annual independent audit regardless of grant amount. i. For U.S. based non-profit organizations expending $500,000 or more in a year in Federal awards: a “single” or “program specific” audit conducted under the provisions of OMB Circular A-133 is required. ii. For all other organizations (including foreign-based and private for-profit grantees): an audit conducted in accordance with the U.S. Government Accountability Office's

(GAO)“Government Auditing Standards” is required. The audit must address the following:

(a)Compliance with the Department's regulations and the provisions of the Cooperative Agreement; and

(b)Reliability of the organization's financial and performance reports. Costs for audits or attestation engagements should be included in direct or indirect costs, whichever is appropriate. Please Note: USDOL generally allows the costs to be allocated based on the following (applicable to U.S. based agencies only): 1) A-133 “single audit” costs as part of the indirect cost rate/pool for organizations with *more than* one Federal source of funding. Organizations with only one Federal source could charge the A-133 single audit cost as direct costs; 2) A-133 “ *compliance supplement* ” costs—as direct costs for Federal sources only through a cost allocation methodology approved by the Federal cognizant agency; or 3) A-133 *program specific* audits as direct costs. Any deviations from the above must be explained and justified in the application. C. Administrative Standards and Provisions The Cooperative Agreements awarded under this solicitation are subject to the following administrative standards and provisions, and any other applicable standards that come into effect during the term of the Cooperative Agreement, if applicable to a particular Grantee: i. 29 CFR Part 2 Subpart D—Equal Treatment in Department of Labor Programs for Religious Organizations; Protection of Religious Liberty of Department of Labor Social Service Providers and Beneficiaries. ii. 29 CFR Part 31—Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs of the Department of Labor—Effectuation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. i. CFR Part 32—Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap in Programs and Activities Receiving or Benefiting from Federal Financial Assistance. iv. 29 CFR Part 33—Enforcement of Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap in Programs or Activities Conducted by the Department of Labor. ii. 29 CFR Part 35—Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Age in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance from the Department of Labor. iii. 29 CFR Part 36—Federal Standards for Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance. iv. 29 CFR Part 93—New Restrictions on Lobbying. v. 29 CFR Part 95—Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals and other Non-Profit Organizations, and with Commercial Organizations, Foreign Governments, Organizations Under the Jurisdiction of Foreign Governments and International Organizations. vi. 29 CFR Part 96—Federal Standards for Audit of Federally Funded Grants, Contracts and Agreements. vii. 29 CFR Part 98—Federal Standards for Government-wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement). viii. 29 CFR Part 99—Federal Standards for Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations. ix. 29 CFR Part 94—Government-wide Requirements for Drug-Free Work Place. Copies of all regulations referenced in this solicitation are available at no cost, on-line, at *http://www.dol.gov.* D. Key Personnel As noted in Section V, the applicant must list all key personnel candidates. After the Cooperative Agreement has been awarded and throughout the life of the project, the Grantee agrees to inform the Grant Officer's Technical Representative

(GOTR)whenever it appears impossible for key personnel to continue work on the project as planned. The Grantee must nominate, through the submission of a formal project revision, new personnel; however, the Grantee must obtain approval from the Grant Officer before all changes to key personnel are formalized. If the Grant Officer is unable to approve the key personnel change, she or he reserves the right to terminate the Cooperative Agreement or disallow costs. E. Encumbrance of Grant Funds Grant funds may not be encumbered/obligated by the Grantee(s) before or after the period of performance. Encumbrances/obligations outstanding as of the end of the grant period may be liquidated (paid out) after the end of the grant period. Such encumbrances/obligations may involve only commitments for which a need existed during the grant period and that are supported by approved contracts, purchase orders, requisitions, invoices, bills, or other evidence of liability consistent with the Grantee's purchasing procedures and incurred within the grant period. All encumbrances/obligations incurred during the grant period must be liquidated within 90 days after the end of the grant period, if practicable. F. Acknowledgement on Printed Materials In all circumstances, the following shall be displayed on printed materials: Preparation of this item was funded by the United States Department of Labor under Grant No. [insert the appropriate grant number]. In addition, the Grantee is required to include a disclaimer in publications and materials that have been directly funded by USDOL as follows: This (* * *) does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the United States Department of Labor, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the United States Government. This acknowledgement and disclaimer must be included in documents (reports and other materials) produced, edited and published for distribution beyond the Grantee and USDOL ( *i.e.* , to other donors, organizations, or the general public). When issuing statements, press releases, requests for proposals, bid solicitations, and other documents describing projects or programs funded in whole or in part with Federal money, all Grantees receiving Federal funds must clearly state: • The percentage of the total costs of the program or project, which will be financed with Federal money; • The dollar amount of Federal funds for the project or program; and • The percentage and dollar amount of the total costs of the project or program that will be financed by non-governmental sources. G. Use of the USDOL Logo In consultation with ILAB, the Grantee(s) will acknowledge USDOL's role in one of the following ways: • The USDOL logo may be applied to USDOL-funded material prepared for public distribution, including posters, videos, pamphlets, research documents, national survey results, impact evaluations, best practice reports, and other publications of public interest. The Grantee(s) must consult with USDOL on whether the logo may be used on any such items prior to final draft or final preparation for distribution. In no event shall the USDOL logo be placed on any item until USDOL has given the Grantee written permission to use the logo on the item. • All documents should include the following notice: “This document does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.” H. Privacy and Freedom of Information Any information submitted in response to this solicitation will be subject to the provisions of the Privacy Act and the Freedom of Information Act, as appropriate. I. Site Visits USDOL, through its authorized representatives, has the right, at all reasonable times, to make site visits to review project accomplishments and management control systems and to provide such technical assistance as may be required. If USDOL makes any site visit on the premises of the Grantee or a subawardee(s) under this grant, the Grantee must provide and must require its subawardee(s) to provide all reasonable facilities and assistance for the safety and convenience of the Government representatives in the performance of their duties. All site visits and evaluations will be performed so as not to unduly delay the work. 3. Reporting and Deliverables Guidance on USDOL procedures and management requirements will be provided to Grantees in the MPGs with the Cooperative Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, a Grantee must submit copies of all required reports and deliverables to USDOL by the specified due dates. Exact timeframes for the completion of deliverables will be addressed in the Cooperative Agreement and the MPGs. Specific deliverables are outlined below. A. Required Deliverables Following the award of the grant, the Grantee(s) must collaborate with USDOL/ILAB to: • Develop a Project Document (including a project budget) that will set the technical parameters and provide guidance to the project. It must include all information and be prepared according to the standardized format outlined by USDOL. While the applicant's original proposal will serve as the basis of the Project Document, in every case USDOL has found it advantageous to visit the field and reach consensus on the project strategy with host country counterparts in order to further inform the project design. USDOL may choose to participate on these field visits. USDOL must receive a draft of the Project Document 45 days after returning from travel to the relevant area(s). The Project Document must be finalized no later than 30 days after receipt of USDOL comments on the draft. • Establish a Work plan identifying major project activities, deadlines for their completion, and person(s) responsible for completing these activities (within 60 days after the Project Document is finalized). • Set project indicators, including indicators that support ILAB's GPRA goal: “Improve living standards and conditions of work for workers in developing and transition countries.” (within 90 days of finalizing the Project Document). • Create a Performance Monitoring Plan

(SF)272, Federal Cash Transactions Report, on the same schedule as the SF269A. Financial reports are due within 30 days of the end of the reporting period ( *i.e.,* by April 30, July 30, October 30, and January 30). Technical Reporting Requirements • After signing the agreement, the Grantee(s) must submit progress reports to USDOL/ILAB at the end of each fiscal quarter. The first reporting period ends on the last day of the fiscal quarter (December 31, March 31, June 30, or September 30) during which the Grant was signed. Between reporting dates, the Grantee(s) must also immediately inform USDOL/ILAB of significant developments and/or problems affecting the organization's ability to accomplish work. The Grantee(s) must submit two types of progress reports according to the standardized format used by USDOL/ILAB. VII. Agency Contacts All inquiries regarding this solicitation should be directed to: Ms. Lisa Harvey, U.S. Department of Labor, Procurement Services Center, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Room N-5416, Washington, DC 20210; telephone

(202)693-4570 (this is not a toll-free number) or e-mail: *harvey.lisa@dol.gov.* Successful proposals submitted in response to this SGA will be incorporated into the text of the grant with the selected applicant(s). Lisa Harvey, Grant Officer. BILLING CODE 4510-28-P EN09JA07.004 EN09JA07.005 EN09JA07.006 EN09JA07.007 EN09JA07.008 EN09JA07.009 EN09JA07.010 EN09JA07.011 EN09JA07.012 [FR Doc. E6-22457 Filed 1-8-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-28-C NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION Records Schedules; Availability and Request for Comments AGENCY: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). ACTION: Notice of availability of proposed records schedules; request for comments. SUMMARY: The National Archives and Records Administration

(NARA)publishes notice at least once monthly of certain Federal agency requests for records disposition authority (records schedules). Once approved by NARA, records schedules provide mandatory instructions on what happens to records when no longer needed for current Government business. They authorize the preservation of records of continuing value in the National Archives of the United States and the destruction, after a specified period, of records lacking administrative, legal, research, or other value. Notice is published for records schedules in which agencies propose to destroy records not previously authorized for disposal or reduce the retention period of records already authorized for disposal. NARA invites public comments on such records schedules, as required by 44 U.S.C. 3303a(a). DATES: Requests for copies must be received in writing on or before February 8, 2007. Once the appraisal of the records is completed, NARA will send a copy of the schedule. NARA staff usually prepare appraisal memorandums that contain additional information concerning the records covered by a proposed schedule. These, too, may be requested and will be provided once the appraisal is completed. Requesters will be given 30 days to submit comments. ADDRESSES: You may request a copy of any records schedule identified in this notice by contacting the Life Cycle Management Division

(NWML)using one of the following means: *Mail:* NARA (NWML), 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001. *E-mail: requestschedule@nara.gov.* *FAX:* 301-837-3698. Requesters must cite the control number, which appears in parentheses after the name of the agency which submitted the schedule, and must provide a mailing address. Those who desire appraisal reports should so indicate in their request. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laurence Brewer, Director, Life Cycle Management Division (NWML), National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001. *Telephone:* 301-837-1539. *E-mail: records.mgt@nara.gov* . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Each year Federal agencies create billions of records on paper, film, magnetic tape, and other media. To control this accumulation, agency records managers prepare schedules proposing retention periods for records and submit these schedules for NARA's approval, using the Standard Form

(SF)115, Request for Records Disposition Authority. These schedules provide for the timely transfer into the National Archives of historically valuable records and authorize the disposal of all other records after the agency no longer needs them to conduct its business. Some schedules are comprehensive and cover all the records of an agency or one of its major subdivisions. Most schedules, however, cover records of only one office or program or a few series of records. Many of these update previously approved schedules, and some include records proposed as permanent. No Federal records are authorized for destruction without the approval of the Archivist of the United States. This approval is granted only after a thorough consideration of their administrative use by the agency of origin, the rights of the Government and of private persons directly affected by the Government's activities, and whether or not they have historical or other value. Besides identifying the Federal agencies and any subdivisions requesting disposition authority, this public notice lists the organizational unit(s) accumulating the records or indicates agency-wide applicability in the case of schedules that cover records that may be accumulated throughout an agency. This notice provides the control number assigned to each schedule, the total number of schedule items, and the number of temporary items (the records proposed for destruction). It also includes a brief description of the temporary records. The records schedule itself contains a full description of the records at the file unit level as well as their disposition. If NARA staff has prepared an appraisal memorandum for the schedule, it too includes information about the records. Further information about the disposition process is available on request. *Schedules Pending* (Note that the new time period for requesting copies has changed from 45 to 30 days after publication): 1. Department of Defense, Defense Commissary Agency, Agency-wide (N1-506-07-7, 2 items, 2 temporary items). Records pertaining to the designation and training of authorized procurement personnel utilizing the Government Purchase Card. These files consist of procurement authorities, authorization limitations, and registers reflecting appointments and terminations. Also included are correspondence, reports and related records on purchases made using the card. This schedule authorizes the agency to apply the proposed disposition instructions to any recordkeeping medium. 2. Department of Defense, Defense Commissary Agency, Agency-wide (N1-506-07-8, 4 items, 4 temporary items). Records related to the maintenance of facilities, management and consumption of energy, and environmental policy. Included are correspondence, contract information, case files, status reports and logs. This schedule authorizes the agency to apply the proposed disposition instructions to any recordkeeping medium. 3. Department of Energy, Agency-wide (N1-434-02-2, 10 items, 5 temporary items). Older records accumulated primarily between 1940 and 1979, pertaining to minerals, fuels, and other energy-related matters. Included are case files on petroleum importers, case files on feasibility of power companies' conversion from oil to coal, determinations on applications for hydroelectric power sites, and survey forms and manual tabulations concerning production and shipment of fuels. Proposed for permanent retention are correspondence and reports on national and international production and distribution of minerals, records relating to fuel conservation during World War II, research reports relating to explosives, and records relating to stone quarries. 4. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary (N1-468-06-2, 2 items, 2 temporary items). Records accumulated by the Program Support Center including indirect cost agreements and proposals between the government and grantee institutions documenting the negotiated rate for reimbursement for administrative costs related to Federal programs. Also included are associated electronic tracking systems. This schedule authorizes the agency to apply the proposed disposition instructions to any recordkeeping medium. 5. Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration (N1-560-06-6, 10 items, 10 temporary items). Inputs, master files, outputs, and program documentation associated with electronic information systems used to conduct threat assessments for individuals who require credentials to access the nation's transportation infrastructure or assets or who may otherwise be required by Federal statute or regulation to undergo a security threat assessment. This schedule does not include records associated with Secure Flight. For all items on this schedule except the master files and the program documentation, the agency is authorized to apply the proposed disposition instructions to any recordkeeping medium. 6. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (N1-568-06-1, 5 items, 3 temporary items). Interim delegations of authority, duplicates of program and administrative delegations of authority and related program support records. Proposed for permanent retention are recordkeeping copies of program and administrative delegations of authority. For all items on this schedule except the recordkeeping copies of delegations of authority, this schedule authorizes the agency to apply the proposed disposition instructions to any recordkeeping medium. 7. Department of Justice, Bureau of Prisons (N1-129-06-2, 2 items, 2 temporary items). Records of the Psychology Services Department relating to drug education and drug abuse testing and treatment. 8. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration (N1-170-06-3, 4 items, 4 temporary items). Inputs, outputs, master files, and system documentation for the Centers for Drug Information database, which is a clearinghouse for international illegal drug trafficking information. 9. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (N1-65-07-3, 32 items, 32 temporary items). Inputs, outputs, master files, documentation, audit logs, appeal files and related records associated with the National Instant Criminal Background Check System used to determine whether a prospective purchaser is prohibited from owning a firearm. 10. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (N1-65-07-6, 4 items, 4 temporary items). Outputs, master file, and system documentation of a subscription management system which delivers to subscribers e-mail alerts of changes to the FBI public Web site for specific content areas. 11. Department of the Treasury, Bureau of the Public Debt (N1-53-06-3, 4 items, 4 temporary items). Records relating to agreements with franchise customers, related billing information, initial development of services to be provided, estimated costs, charges submitted to customers, associated costs, and promotion of franchise services. 12. Department of the Treasury, Bureau of the Public Debt (N1-53-06-6, 10 items, 9 temporary items). Records relating to accounting functions, including working documents, financial research reports, debt statements and reconciliations, and financial statements and reconciliations. Proposed for permanent retention are recordkeeping copies of monthly financial statements detailing the financial status of the Federal Government. 13. Department of the Treasury, Office of Thrift Supervision (N1-483-07-2, 10 items, 10 temporary items). Litigation files, enforcement files, opinions, subject files, reports and other records of the General Counsel's Office previously approved as temporary in paper format. This schedule authorizes the agency to apply the proposed disposition instructions to any recordkeeping medium. 14. National Archives and Records Administration, Office of Inspector General (N1-64-07-1, 5 items, 5 temporary items). Investigative case files, complaint files, and a case tracking system, relating to alleged fraud, abuse, irregularities, and violations of laws and regulations. 15. National Archives and Records Administration, Office of Records Services—Washington, DC (N2-26-07-1, 1 item, 1 temporary item). Records accumulated by the Coast Guard, 1913-1945, consisting of lantern slides of the International Ice Patrol. Records were previously accessioned into the National Archives but lack historical value. 16. National Archives and Records Administration, Office of Records Services—Washington, DC (N2-185-07-1, 1 item, 1 temporary item). Identification photographs accumulated by the Panama Canal Commission, 1917-1945. These records were previously accessioned into the National Archives but lack historical value. 17. National Endowment for the Arts, Administrative Services Division (N1-288-06-2, 4 items, 4 temporary items). Case files and associated end products documenting administrative activities relating to financial awards. Records include application material, award approval material, and final reporting material. Dated: December 27, 2006. Michael J. Kurtz, Assistant Archivist for Records Services, Washington, DC. [FR Doc. E7-75 Filed 1-8-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7515-01-P NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES National Endowment for the Arts; Arts Advisory Panel Pursuant to Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Public Law 92-463), as amended, notice is hereby given that three meetings of the Arts Advisory Panel to the National Council on the Arts will be held at the Nancy Hanks Center, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20506 as follows (ending time is approximate): *Music (application review):* January 23, 2007. This meeting, from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., will be closed. *Music (nomination review):* January 31, 2007. This meeting, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. (by teleconference), will be closed. *Music (nomination review):* January 31, 2007. This meeting, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (by teleconference), will be closed. The closed portions of meetings are for the purpose of Panel review, discussion, evaluation, and recommendations on financial assistance under the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965, as amended, including information given in confidence to the agency. In accordance with the determination of the Chairman of February 27, 2006, these sessions will be closed to the public pursuant to subsection (c)(6) of section 552b of Title 5, United States Code. Further information with reference to these meetings can be obtained from Ms. Kathy Plowitz-Worden, Office of Guidelines & Panel Operations, National Endowment for the Arts, Washington, DC 20506, or call 202/682-5691. January 3, 2007. Kathy Plowitz-Worden, Panel Coordinator, Panel Operations, National Endowment for the Arts. [FR Doc. E7-107 Filed 1-8-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7537-01-P NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR LITERACY National Institute for Literacy Advisory Board AGENCY: National Institute for Literacy ACTION: Notice of a partially closed meeting. SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the schedule and a summary of the agenda for an upcoming meeting of the National Institute for Literacy Advisory Board (Board). The notice also describes the functions of the Board. Notice of this meeting is required by section 10 (a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. This document is intended to notify the general public of their opportunity to attend the meeting. Individuals who will need accommodations for a disability in order to attend the meeting ( *e.g.,* interpreting services, assistive listening devices, or materials in alternative format) should notify Shelly Coles at telephone number

(202)233-2044 no later than January 16, 2007. We will attempt to meet requests for accommodations after this date but cannot guarantee their availability. The meeting site is accessible to individuals with disabilities. Date and Time *Open sessions* —January 25, 2007, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and January 26, 2007, from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. *Closed session* —January 26, 2007, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ADDRESSES: The Jefferson Hotel, 1200 16th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20036. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shelly Coles, National Institute for Literacy, 1775 I Street, NW., Suite 730, Washington, DC 20006; telephone number:

(202)233-2044; e-mail: *scoles@nifl.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board is established under section 242 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, Pub.L. 105-220 (20 U.S.C. 9252). The Board consists of ten individuals appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Board advises and makes recommendations to the Interagency Group that administers the Institute. The Interagency Group is composed of the Secretaries of Education, Labor, and Health and Human Services. The Interagency Group considers the Board's recommendations in planning the goals of the Institute and in implementing any programs to achieve those goals. Specifically, the Board performs the following functions:

(a)Makes recommendations concerning the appointment of the Director and the staff of the Institute;

(b)provides independent advice on operation of the Institute; and

(c)receives reports from the Interagency Group and the Institute's Director. The National Institute for Literacy Advisory Board will meet January 25-26, 2007. On January 25, 2007 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and January 26, 2007 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., the Board will meet in open session to discuss the Institute's future and current program priorities; status of on-going Institute work; other relevant literacy activities and issues; and other Board business as necessary. On January 26, 2007 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Board meeting will meet in closed session in order to discuss personnel issues. This discussion relates to the internal personnel rules and practices of the Institute, including consideration of the Director's performance. The discussion is likely to disclose information of personal nature where disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personnel privacy. The discussion must therefore be held in closed session under exemptions 2 and 6 of the Government in the Sunshine Act, 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(2) and (6). A summary of the activities at the closed session and related matters that are informative to the public and consistent with the policy of 5 U.S.C. 552b will be available to the public within 14 days of the meeting. The National Institute for Literacy Advisory Board meeting on January 25-26, 2007, will focus on future and current program activities, and other relevant literacy activities and issues. Records are kept of all Advisory Board proceedings and are available for public inspection at the National Institute for Literacy, 1775 I Street, NW., Suite 730, Washington, DC 20006, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dated: January 3, 2007. Sandra L. Baxter, Director. [FR Doc. E7-66 Filed 1-8-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6055-01-P NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos.: 50-263, 50-255; 50-266; 50-301, 50-282, 50-306 License Nos.; DPR-22, DPR-20 DPR-24; DPR-27, DPR-42, DPR-60; EA-06-178] In the Matter of Nuclear Management Company, Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant, Palisades Nuclear Power Plant, Point Beach Nuclear Plant Units 1 & 2, Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant Units 1 & 2; Confirmatory Order Modifying License (Effective Immediately) I Nuclear Management Company, LLC (NMC or Licensee) is the holder of Facility Operating License Nos. DPR-20, DPR-42, and DPR-60 and renewed Facility Operating License Nos. DPR-22, DPR-24, and DPR-27 issued by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or Commission) pursuant to 10 CFR Part 50 on, February 21, 1991, April 5, 1974, October 29, 1974, November 8, 2006, December 22, 2005, and December 22, 2005, respectively. The licenses authorize the operation of Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant, Palisades Nuclear Power Plant, Point Beach Nuclear Plant (PBNP), and Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant in accordance with conditions specified therein. The facilities are located on the Licensee's sites in Monticello, Minnesota; South Haven, Michigan; Two Rivers, Wisconsin; and Red Wing, Minnesota. II On March 18, 2005, the NRC's Office of Investigations

(OI)began an investigation to determine whether a senior reactor operator

(SRO)at the PBNP was the subject of employment discrimination in violation of 10 CFR 50.7, “Employee protection.” In OI Report No. 3-2005-010, OI concluded that an SRO was discriminated against by PBNP management, in part, for raising safety concerns using the Licensees' corrective action program (CAP). By letter dated August 22, 2006, the NRC identified to the Licensee an apparent violation of 10 CFR 50.7, and offered NMC the opportunity to provide a written response, attend a predecisional enforcement conference, or to request alternative dispute resolution

(ADR)in which a neutral mediator with no decision-making authority would facilitate discussions between the NRC and NMC and, if possible, assist the NRC and NMC in reaching an agreement. NMC chose to participate in ADR. On October 31, 2006, the NRC and NMC met in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in an ADR session mediated by a professional mediator, arranged through Cornell University's Institute on Conflict Resolution. III This Confirmatory Order is issued pursuant to the agreement reached during the ADR process. Specifically, NMC agreed to the following: 1. By no later than nine

(9)months after the issuance of this Confirmatory Order, NMC agrees to review, revise, and communicate to NMC employees and managers its policy relating to the writing of corrective action program

(CAP)reports, and provide training to NMC employees and managers to clarify management's expectation regarding the use of the program with the goal to ensure employees are not discouraged, or otherwise retaliated or perceived to be retaliated against, for using the CAP. 2. By no later than June 30, 2007, NMC agrees to communicate its safety culture policy (including safety conscious work environment (SCWE)) to NMC employees, providing employees with the opportunity to ask questions in a live forum. 3. By no later than nine

(9)months after the issuance of this Confirmatory Order, NMC agrees to train its employees holding supervisory positions and higher who have not had formal training on SCWE principles within the previous two years of the Confirmatory Order. NMC agrees to use a qualified training instructor (internal or external) for such training. NMC shall review and enhance, if necessary, its refresher SCWE training consistent with NMC's refresher training program and provide such refresher training to its employees. New employees holding supervisory positions and higher shall be trained on SCWE principles within nine

(9)months of their hire dates unless within the previous two years of their hire dates, they've had the same or equivalent SCWE training. 4. By no later than March 30, 2007, NMC agrees: To develop action plans to address significant issues identified as needing management attention in the NMC 2004 and 2006 Comprehensive Cultural Assessments at PBNP; to conduct focus group interviews with Priority 1 & 2 organizations to understand the cause of the survey results; and to review and, as appropriate, reflect nuclear industry best practices in its conduct of focus groups and action plans to address the issues at PBNP. NMC has agreed that this Confirmatory Order shall include the commitments noted above, and NRC has agreed it will not pursue any further enforcement action for this issue and will not count this matter as previous enforcement for the purposes of assessing potential future enforcement action civil penalty assessments in accordance with Section VI.C of the Enforcement Policy. On December 20, 2006, NMC consented to the NRC issuing this Confirmatory Order with the commitments, as described in Section IV, below. NMC further agreed in its December 20, 2006, letter that this Confirmatory Order is to be effective upon issuance and that it has waived its right to a hearing. The NRC has concluded that its concerns can be resolved through issuance of this Order. I find that the Licensee's commitments as set forth in Section IV are acceptable and necessary and conclude that with these commitments the public health and safety are reasonably assured. In view of the foregoing, I have determined that the public health and safety require that the Licensee's commitments be confirmed by this Confirmatory Order. Based on the above and the Licensee's consent, this Confirmatory Order is immediately effective upon issuance. NMC is required to provide the NRC with a letter summarizing its actions when all of the Section IV requirements have been completed. IV Accordingly, pursuant to Sections 103, 161b, 161i, 161o, 182, and 186 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and the Commission's regulations in 10 CFR 2.202 and 10 CFR Part 50, *it is hereby ordered,* effective immediately, that license nos. DPR-22, DPR-20, DPR-24, DPR-27, DPR-42, and DPR-60 are modified as follows: 1. By no later than nine

(9)months after the issuance of this Confirmatory Order, NMC shall review, revise, and communicate to NMC employees and managers its policy relating to the writing of corrective action program

(CAP)reports, and provide training to NMC employees and managers to clarify management's expectation regarding the use of the program with the goal to ensure employees are not discouraged, retaliated against, or perceived to be retaliated against, for using the CAP. 2. By no later than June 30, 2007, NMC shall communicate its safety culture policy (including safety conscious work environment (SCWE)) to NMC employees, providing employees with the opportunity to ask questions in a live forum. 3. By no later than nine

(9)months after the issuance of this Confirmatory Order, NMC shall train its employees holding supervisory positions and higher who have not had formal training on SCWE principles within the previous two years of the confirmatory order. NMC agrees to use a qualified training instructor (internal or external) for such training. NMC shall review and enhance, if necessary, its refresher SCWE training consistent with NMC's refresher training program and provide such refresher training to its employees. New employees holding supervisory positions and higher shall be trained on SCWE principles within nine

(9)months of their hire dates unless within the previous two years of their hire dates, they've had the same or equivalent SCWE training. 4. By no later than March 30, 2007, NMC shall develop action plans to address significant issues identified as needing management attention in the NMC 2004 and 2006 Comprehensive Cultural Assessments at PBNP; to conduct focus group interviews with Priority 1 & 2 organizations to understand the cause of the survey results; and to review and, as appropriate, reflect nuclear industry best practices in its conduct of focus groups and action plans to address the issues at PBNP. As part of the development of the action plans, NMC shall also assess and address any legacy issues identified in prior safety culture assessments (i.e. CAP report AR00510074 and Synergy Safety Culture Assessment) that impact the safety culture at PBNP. The executive summary, analysis, and contemplated action plans shall also be submitted to the NRC. 5. By no later than December 31, 2008, NMC shall perform another survey at PBNP comparable to the 2004 and 2006 surveys to assess trends of the safety culture at the site and the overall effectiveness of corrective actions taken in response to prior year assessments (i.e. CAP report AR00510074 and 2006 Synergy survey). 6. By no later than 3 months after the receipt of the next cultural survey results at PBNP, NMC shall submit the executive summary, analysis of the results, and the contemplated corrective actions to the NRC. 7. NMC shall continue to implement a process which ensures that adverse employment actions are in compliance with NRC employee protection regulations and principles of SCWE. .8. In the event of the transfer of the operating license of any NMC operated facility to another entity, the commitments shall survive for the NMC fleet generally and PBNP specifically. 9. Any reference to NMC employees includes all NMC employees fleet wide. The Director, Office of Enforcement, may relax or rescind, in writing, any of the above conditions upon a showing by the Licensee of good cause. V Any person adversely affected by this Confirmatory Order, other than the Licensee, may request a hearing within 20 days of its issuance. Where good cause is shown, consideration will be given to extending the time to request a hearing. A request for extension of time must be made in writing to the Director, Office of Enforcement, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555, and include a statement of good cause for the extension. Any request for a hearing shall be submitted to the Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ATTN: Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff, Washington, DC 20555. Copies also shall be sent to the Director, Office of Enforcement, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555, to the Assistant General Counsel for Materials Litigation and Enforcement at the same address, to the Regional Administrator, NRC Region III, 2443 Warrenville Road, Suite 210, Lisle, IL 60532-4352, and to the Licensee. Because of potential disruptions in delivery of mail to United States Government offices, it is requested that requests for hearing be transmitted to the Secretary of the Commission either by means of facsimile transmission to 301-415-1101 or by e-mail to *hearingdocket@nrc.gov* and also to the Office of the General Counsel either by means of facsimile transmission to 301-415-3725 or by e-mail to *OGCMailCenter@nrc.gov.* If a person requests a hearing, that person shall set forth with particularity the manner in which his interest is adversely affected by this Order and shall address the criteria set forth in 10 CFR 2.309(d) and (f). If the hearing is requested by a person whose interest is adversely affected, the Commission will issue an Order designating the time and place of any hearing. If a hearing is held, the issue to be considered at such hearing shall be whether this Confirmatory Order should be sustained. In the absence of any request for hearing, or written approval of an extension of time in which to request a hearing, the provisions specified in Section IV shall be final 20 days from the date of this Order without further order or proceedings. If an extension of times for requesting a hearing has been approved, the provisions specified in Section IV shall be final when the extension expires if a hearing request has not been received. A request for hearing shall not stay the immediate effectiveness of this order. Dated this 3rd day of January, 2007. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Cynthia A. Carpenter, Director Office of Enforcement. [FR Doc. E7-74 Filed 1-8-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590-01-P NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. 40-2377, License No. Stb-472 (Terminated) Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation; Notice of Completion of Decommissioning of Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation Site, Tulsa, OK ACTION: Notice of Completion of Decommissioning of the Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation (Kaiser) Tulsa Site. SUMMARY: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission

(NRC)is noticing the completion of decommissioning activities at the Kaiser Tulsa Site located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Background The Kaiser plant in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was built by the Standard Magnesium Corporation

(SMC)in the early to mid-1950s to manufacture magnesium products. SMC received a source materials license from the Atomic Energy Commission

(AEC)in March 1958, authorizing possession and title to magnesium-thorium alloy with up to 4 percent thorium content for processing. Scrap magnesium-thorium alloy was smelted along with other magnesium materials to recover the magnesium. Thorium alloy material comprised a small fraction of the total magnesium refined on site. Kaiser purchased the facility in 1964. Kaiser's license was terminated in 1971, by the AEC at Kaiser's request. The Kaiser facility was placed on the Site Decommissioning Management Plan

(SDMP)list in 1994, after the NRC detected surface contamination on, and adjacent to, the Kaiser property in 1993. Kaiser elected to remediate the site in two phases. In Phase 1, Kaiser remediated the land adjacent to the Kaiser property. In Phase 2, Kaiser remediated the Kaiser property itself. Kaiser conducted off-site remediation activities from October 2000, through May 2001. Remediation activities primarily involved excavating affected soil and moving it onto Kaiser's property. A final status survey

(FSS)was performed following completion of remediation/excavation in each survey unit to demonstrate that post-remediation radiological conditions satisfied the SDMP Action Plan criteria for unrestricted release as specified in the Phase 1 Decommissioning Plan (DP). Following successful remediation, excavations were backfilled. In March 2002, NRC informed Kaiser that the adjacent land areas met NRC's criteria for unrestricted release. Kaiser submitted the Phase 2 DP on May 25, 2001, [with revisions on May 31, 2003, October 6, 2003, May 5, 2005, September 8, 2005 and March 21, 2006] and DP Addendum on May 9, 2002, with a revision on May 31, 2003. NRC approved these documents on June 8, 2003, January 7, 2004, June 22, 2005, and October 3, 2005. Although Kaiser is not a licensee, it agreed to perform remediation activities in accordance with 10 CFR Part 40. Kaiser conducted decommissioning activities at the site in accordance with its approved DP from June 2003 to June 2006. In accordance with the DP, Kaiser conducted FSSs to demonstrate that the facility and site meet the criteria for unrestricted release as defined it its DP. Details of the FSS results were submitted to the NRC in six separate FSS reports (FSSRs). On September 14, 2006, Kaiser notified NRC that it had completed decommissioning and FSSs of the Tulsa, Oklahoma site, and that the FSSs demonstrate that the site meets the criteria for decommissioning and release for unrestricted use. NRC conducted a number of independent confirmatory surveys to verify FSS results obtained by Kaiser. Confirmatory surveys consisted of surface scans for beta and gamma radiation, direct measurements for total beta activity, collection and analysis of soil samples for thorium, and collection of smear samples for determining removable radioactivity levels. The Commission has concluded, based on the considerations discussed above, that:

(1)Radioactive material above release limits has been properly disposed;

(2)reasonable effort has been made to eliminate residual radioactive contamination;

(3)submitted FSSRs and associated documentation, demonstrate that the facility and site are suitable for release in accordance with the criteria for decommissioning in 10 CFR Part 20, Subpart E; and

(4)records required by 10 CFR 40.61(d) and

(f)have been received. Therefore, the Kaiser Tulsa Site is suitable for unrestricted release. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: See the letter dated September 14, 2006, and the Safety Evaluation Report dated December 29, 2006, available for public inspection at the Commission's Public Document Room (PDR), located at One White Flint North, Public File Area O1 F21, 11555 Rockville Pike (first floor), Rockville, Maryland. Publicly available records will be accessible electronically from the Agency-wide Documents Access and Management System's (ADAMS) Public Electronic Reading Room on the Internet at the NRC Web site, *http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html* (ADAMS Accession Nos. ML062700322, and ML062360251). Persons who do not have access to ADAMS or who encounter problems in accessing the documents located in ADAMS, should contact the NRC PDR Reference staff by telephone at 1-800-397-4209, 301-415-4737 or by e-mail to *pdr@nrc.gov.* Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 29th day of December, 2006. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Keith I. McConnell, Deputy Director, Decommissioning and Uranium Recovery Licensing Directorate, Division of Waste Management and Environmental Protection, Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management Programs. [FR Doc. E7-73 Filed 1-8-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590-01-P OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE Identification of Countries Under Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974: Request for Public Comment AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative. ACTION: Request for written submissions from the public. SUMMARY: Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974 (Trade Act) (19 U.S.C. 2242), requires the United States Trade Representative

(USTR)to identify countries that deny adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights or deny fair and equitable market access to U.S. persons who rely on intellectual property protection. (Section 182 is commonly referred to as the “Special “301” provisions of the Trade Act.) In addition, the USTR is required to determine which of these countries should be identified as Priority Foreign Countries. Acts, policies or practices that are the basis of a country's identification as a priority foreign country are normally the subject of an investigation under the Section 301 provisions of the Trade Act. Section 182 of the Trade Act contains a special rule for the identification of actions by Canada affecting United States cultural industries. USTR requests written submissions from the public concerning foreign countries' acts, policies, and practices that are relevant to the decision whether particular trading partners should be identified under Section 182 of the Trade Act. DATES: Submissions must be received on or before *10 a.m. on Monday, February 12, 2007.* ADDRESSES: All comments should be addressed to Sybia Harrison, Special Assistant to the Section 301 Committee, and sent

(i)electronically, to *FR0606@ustr.eop.gov* (please note, “FR0606” consists of the *numbers* “zero-six-zero-six,”) with “Special 301 Review” in the subject line, or

(ii)by fax, to

(202)395-9458, with a confirmation copy sent electronically to the e-mail address above. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: *Jennifer Choe Groves,* Director for Intellectual Property and Innovation and Chair of the Special 301 Committee, Office of the United States Trade Representative. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to Section 182 of the Trade Act, USTR must identify those countries that deny adequate and effective protection for intellectual property rights or deny fair and equitable market access to U.S. persons who rely on intellectual property protection. Those countries that have the most onerous or egregious acts, policies, or practices and whose acts, policies or practices have the greatest adverse impact (actual or potential) on relevant U.S. products are to be identified as Priority Foreign Countries. Acts, policies or practices that are the basis of a country's designation as a Priority Foreign Country are normally the subject of an investigation under the Section 301 provisions of the Trade Act. USTR may not identify a country as a Priority Foreign Country if it is entering into good faith negotiations, or making significant progress in bilateral or multilateral negotiations, to provide adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights. USTR requests that, where relevant, submissions mention particular regions, provinces, states, or other subdivisions of a country in which an act, policy, or practice deserve special attention in this year's report. Such mention may be positive or negative, so long as it deviates from the general norm in that country. Section 182 contains a special rule regarding actions of Canada affecting United States cultural industries. The USTR must identify any act, policy or practice of Canada that affects cultural industries, is adopted or expanded after December 17, 1992, and is actionable under Article 2106 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Any act, policy or practice so identified shall be treated the same as an act, policy or practice which was the basis for a country's identification as a Priority Foreign Country under Section 182(a)(2) of the Trade Act, unless the United States has already taken action pursuant to Article 2106 of the NAFTA. USTR must make the above-referenced identifications within 30 days after publication of the National Trade Estimate

(NTE)report, i.e., no later than April 30, 2007. *Requirements for comments:* Comments should include a description of the problems experienced and the effect of the acts, policies, and practices on U.S. industry. Comments should be as detailed as possible and should provide all necessary information for assessing the effect of the acts, policies, and practices. Any comments that include quantitative loss claims should be accompanied by the methodology used in calculating such estimated losses. Comments must be in English. No submissions will be accepted via postal service mail. Documents should be submitted as either WordPerfect, MS Word, .pdf, or text (.TXT) files. Supporting documentation submitted as spreadsheets are acceptable as Quattro Pro or Excel files. A submitter requesting that information contained in a comment be treated as confidential business information must certify that such information is business confidential and would not customarily be released to the public by the submitter. A non-confidential version of the comment must also be provided. For any document containing business confidential information, the file name of the business confidential version should begin with the characters “BC-”, and the file name of the public version should begin with the character “P-”. The “P-” or “BC-” should be followed by the name of the submitter. Submissions should not include separate cover letters; information that might appear in a cover letter should be included in the submission itself. To the extent possible, any attachments to the submission should be included in the same file as the submission itself, and not as separate files. All comments should be addressed to Sybia Harrison, Special Assistant to the Section 301 Committee, and sent

(i)electronically, to *FR0606@ustr.eop.gov* (please note, “FR0606” consists of the *numbers* “zero-six-zero-six,”) with “Special 301 Review” in the subject line, or

(ii)by fax, to

(202)395-9458, with a confirmation copy sent electronically to the email address above. *Public inspection of submissions:*

(1)Within one business day of receipt, non-confidential submissions will be placed in a public file open for inspection at the USTR reading room, Office of the United States Trade Representative, Annex Building, 1724 F Street, NW., Room 1, Washington, DC. An appointment to review the file must be scheduled at least 48 hours in advance and may be made by calling Jacqueline Caldwell at

(202)395-6186. The USTR reading room is open to the public from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday; or

(2)non-confidential submissions received in electronic form will be made available on USTR's Web site at *http://www.ustr.gov.* Chris Wilson, Acting Assistant USTR for Intellectual Property and Innovation. [FR Doc. E7-108 Filed 1-8-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3190-W7-P OVERSEAS PRIVATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION Sunshine Act Meeting Notice TIME AND DATE: Thursday, January 18, 2007, 9:30 a.m. (Open Portion) 9:45 a.m. (Closed Portion). PLACE: Offices of the Corporation, Twelfth Floor Board Room, 1100 New York Avenue, NW., Washington, DC. STATUS: Meeting Open to the Public from 9:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., Closed portion will commence at 9:45 a.m. (approx.) MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: 1. President's Report. 2. Tribute—Collister Johnson. 3. Approval of September 21, 2006 Minutes (Open Portion). FURTHER MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: (Closed to the Public 10:15 a.m.) 1. Report from Audit Committee. 2. Auditor's Report to the Board. 3. Finance Project—Afghanistan. 4. Finance Project—Russia. 5. Finance Project—Jordan. 6. Finance Project—Global. 7. Finance Project—Global. 8. Finance Project—Latin America. 9. Finance Project—Jordan. 10. Finance Project—Lebanon/Jordan/Middle East. 11. Approval of September 21, 2006 Minutes (Closed Portion). 6. Pending Major Projects. 7. Reports. CONTACT PERSON FOR INFORMATION: Information on the meeting may be obtained from Connie M. Downs at

(202)336-8438. Dated: January 5, 2007. Dev Jagadesan, Deputy General Counsel, Overseas Private Investment Corporation. [FR Doc. 07-41 Filed 1-5-07; 11:51 am]

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