Notices. Request for public comment

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BILLING CODE 4410-15-M DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employment and Training Administration Workforce Investment Act—Small Grassroots Organizations Connecting with the One-Stop Delivery System; Solicitation for Grant Applications *Announcement Type:* New—Notice of solicitation for grant applications (SGA). *Funding Opportunity Number:* SGA/DFA PY-06-11. *Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance CFDA Number:* 17.261. *Key Dates:* Applications are due by May 8, 2007. SUMMARY: The Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S.

Department of Labor (DOL or the Department), announces the availability of $3,000,000 in grant funds for eligible “grassroots” organizations with the ability to connect to the local One-Stop Delivery System. The term “grassroots” is defined under the Eligibility Criteria. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This solicitation provides background information on the Small Grassroots Organizations Connecting with the One-Stop Delivery System and critical elements required of projects funded under the solicitation.

It also describes the application submission requirements, the process that eligible applicants must use to apply for funds covered by this solicitation, and how grantees will be selected. This announcement consists of eight parts. • Part I provides background information on the Workforce Investment Act—Small Grassroots Organizations Connecting with the One-Stop Delivery System funding opportunity. • Part II describes the size and nature of the anticipated awards. • Part III describes the qualifications of an eligible applicant. • Part IV provides information on the application and submission process. • Part V explains the review process and rating criteria that will be used to evaluate applications. • Part VI provides award administration information. • Part VII contains ETA contact information. • Part VIII contains other information for applicants.

Part I. Funding Opportunity Description 1. Background The Workforce Investment Act

(WIA)reformed numerous federal job training programs with amendments impacting service delivery under other laws including 29 U.S.C. 49 *et seq.* the Wagner-Peyser Act, Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, 20 U.S.C. 9201 *et seq.* , and the Rehabilitation Act., 29 U.S.C. 701 *et seq.* WIA created a system of One-Stop Career Centers across the country. The intention of the One-Stop Career Center system is to establish a network of programs and providers in co-located and integrated settings that are accessible for individuals and businesses alike. There are currently over 1,800 comprehensive One-Stop Career Centers and over 1,400 affiliated One-Stop Career Centers across the United States. A number of other Federal programs are also identified as required partners in the One-Stop Career Center system to provide a comprehensive set of services for all Americans to access the information and resources available to help achieve their career goals. The WIA also established state and local Workforce Investment Boards focused on strategic planning, policy development, and oversight of the workforce investment system, and accorded significant authority to the nation's Governors and local chief elected officials to further implement innovative and comprehensive delivery systems. The vision, goals and objectives for workforce investment under the WIA decentralized system are fully described in the state strategic plan required under Section 112 of the statute. This state strategic workforce investment plan and the operational experience gained by all the partners to date in implementing the WIA-instituted reforms help identify the important “unmet needs” and latent opportunities to expand access to One-Stop Career Center systems by all the population segments within the local labor market. States are currently developing their Strategic Plans for years three and four of the current five-year planning cycle. Plans from states with new governors are due to the Department by June 30, 2007 and plans from the other states are due by May 1, 2007. 2. Administration Strategy Engagement of Faith-Based and Community Organizations Under the Workforce Investment Act On January 29, 2001, President George W. Bush issued Executive Order 13198, creating the Office for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives in the White House and centers for faith-based and community initiatives (CFBCI) in the federal Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS), Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Education (ED), and Justice (DOJ). President Bush charged the departmental centers with identifying statutory, regulatory, and bureaucratic barriers that stand in the way of the participation of effective faith-based and community organizations in providing human services, and to ensure, consistent with the law, that these organizations have equal opportunity to compete for federal funding and other support. In early 2002, the CFBCI and ETA developed and issued an SGA to engage States, intermediary and grassroots organizations in workforce system-building. Further, ETA ensured that all solicitations were designed to include faith-based and community organizations as potential providers to deliver services and to strengthen their partnerships with the One-Stop Career Center system, while providing additional points of entry for customers into that system. These solicitations proceeded from an ETA-CFBCI mutual premise that the involvement of faith-based and community organizations can both complement and supplement the efforts of local workforce investment systems in reaching our citizens and meeting their training, job and career-support needs. The 2002 grants realized from that initial competition embodied the Department's principal strategy for implementing the Executive Order by creating new avenues through which qualified organizations could participate more fully under the WIA, while applying their particular strengths and assets in providing customer services. ETA and CFBCI continued with grant-making in 2003-2006 to enlist new “grassroots” organizations into workforce system-building; the new 2007 solicitation represents our continued commitment to bring additional organizations to that task, drawing on “lessons learned” during the last five years of grant operation. This new solicitation also incorporates several “promising practices” introduced by other ETA grantees during the same period. These lessons include the understanding that “grassroots” FBCOs provide personalized and holistic support to individuals while increasing their skill levels or seeking employment. FBCOs have close cultural connections to their communities and can help historically underserved populations access One-Stop services. The new solicitation also places significant emphasis on performance outcomes and documenting and quantifying the additional value services offered by the grassroots organization to the One-Stop Career Center system. Through this competition, ETA seeks to ensure that an important WIA tenet, the development of a talented American workforce pool through universal access to the programs and services offered under WIA, is further rooted in the customer-responsive delivery systems already established by the Governors, local elected officials and local Workforce Investment Boards. ETA also reaffirms its continuing commitment to those customer-focused reforms instituted by state and local governments, which help Americans access the tools they need to manage their careers throughout their life with information and high quality services, and to help U.S. companies find skilled workers to remain competitive. Many faith-based and community organizations offer unique services and support including networks for full partnership in mutual system-building endeavors; they are trusted institutions within many poor neighborhoods; and they provide access to a large number of volunteers who bring the transformational power of personal relationships to the provision of services, and a sustained allegiance to the well-being and self-sufficiency of the participants they serve. Through their daily work and specific programs, these organizations share common purposes with government such as the attainment of occupational skills, and the entry and retention of all our citizens in good-paying jobs. Through this solicitation, ETA and CFBCI strive to leverage the programs, resources and committed staff of “grassroots” faith-based and community organizations into the workforce investment strategies already embodied in state and local strategic plans. 3. Project Objectives The selected grantees will be expected to achieve the following objectives: • Help unemployed or underemployed individuals with barriers to employment through

(1)providing services that complement and support those offered by the identified One Stop Career Center, such as pre- and post-job placement mentoring, intensive case management, job retention support, life skills training and employability skills training;

(2)connecting individuals with the existing training, apprenticeship and job opportunities of the One-Stop Career Center or other local affiliates of DOL's national business partners; and

(3)providing post-job placement services to increase job retention. • Expand the access of faith-based and community-based organizations' clients and customers to the training, job and career services offered by the local One-Stop Career Centers; • Leverage volunteer hours and in-kind donations to maximize DOL's investment in grants to “grassroots” FBCOs; • Thoroughly document the impact and outcomes of these grant investments through quarterly and final reporting; and • Establish methods and mechanisms to ensure sustainability of these partnerships and participation levels beyond the life of the grant. Part II. Award Information 1. Award Amount and Other Information ETA has identified $3,000,000 for this solicitation. The agency expects to award approximately 40 grants. The grant amount for each “grassroots” organization will range between $50,000-$75,000. 2. Period of Performance The period of performance will be 18 months from the date of grant execution. This performance period shall include all necessary implementation and start-up activities as well as participant follow-up for performance outcomes and grant closeout activities. A timeline clearly detailing these required grant activities and their expected completion dates must be included in the grant application. If applied for and with significant justification, ETA may elect to exercise its option to award no-cost extensions to these grants for an additional period at its own discretion, based on the success of the program and other relevant factors. ETA reserves the right to provide additional funding in future years based on availability of funds and grantee performance (derived from the timely submission of required quarterly reports and completion of a limited application). 3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates Announcement of these awards is expected to occur by June 30, 2007. Part III. Eligibility Information 1. Eligible Applicants For purposes of this announcement, eligible “grassroots” organizations must be non-profit organizations that: • Have an Internal Revenue Service 501(c)(3) status at the time of application submission. • Have social services as a major part of their mission. • Are headquartered in the local community to which they provide these services. • Have a social services budget of $500,000 or less. Please Note: A social services budget includes all costs related to the provision of social services (including salaries and expenses). These services include those provided by a non-profit organization for the welfare of a person or community. Such services can include, but are not limited to housing, workforce development, employment readiness, education, child protection, food, clothing, shelter and health care. If an applicant is an affiliate of a larger organization, to be eligible, the applicant must be located in local community to which they provide services, must have its own Federal tax identification number, have direct control of its funds and operates independently from the larger organization. 2. Matching Funds and Leveraged Resources This solicitation does not require grantees to share costs or provide matching funds; however, applicants are encouraged to leverage resources whenever possible and the potential sustainability of the project will be considered in the evaluation of proposals. Please note: If the proposal includes integrating WIA or other federal funds or includes other leveraged resources, these funds should not be listed on the SF 424 or SF 424A Budget Information Form, but should be described in the budget narrative and in Part II of the proposal. 3. Veterans Priority This program is subject to the provisions of the “Jobs for Veterans Act,” Public Law 107-288, which provides priority of service to veterans and spouses of certain veterans for the receipt of employment, training, and placement services in any job training program directly funded, in whole or in part, by the Department of Labor. ETA Training and Employment Guidance Letter

(TEGL)No. 5-03 (September 16, 2003), available at *http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=1512* , provides general guidance on the scope of the veterans priority statute and its effect on current employment and training programs. 4. Other Eligibility Requirements *Distribution Rights.* Selected applicants must agree to give ETA the right to use and distribute all materials developed with grant funds such as training models, curriculum, technical assistance products, etc. Materials developed with grant resources are in the public domain; therefore, ETA has the right to use, reuse, modify, and distribute all grant-funded materials and products to any interested party, including broad distribution to the public workforce investment system via the Internet or other means. *Legal rules pertaining to inherently religious activities by organizations that receive Federal financial assistance.* The government is generally prohibited from providing direct Federal financial assistance for inherently religious activities. See 29 CFR part 2; subpart D. Grants under this solicitation 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 will be employed in the selection of grant recipients and must be employed by grantees in the selection of sub-recipients. ETA Training and Employment Guidance Letter

(TEGL)No. 01-05 (July 6, 2005), available at *http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2088,* provides guidance on amendments to DOL regulations that permit the use, in defined circumstances, of Workforce Investment Act

(WIA)Title I financial assistance for training and employment of WIA participants in religious activities. Part IV. Application and Submission Information 1. Addresses To Request Application Package This announcement includes all information and links to forms needed to apply for this funding opportunity. 2. Content and Form of Application Submission The proposal must consist of two

(2)separate and distinct parts, Parts I and II. Applications that fail to adhere to the instructions in this section will be considered non-responsive and may not be given further consideration. Part I of the proposal is the Cost Proposal and must include the following three items: • The Standard Form

(SF)424, “Application for Federal Assistance” (available at *http://www.doleta.gov/sga/forms.cfm* ). The SF 424 must clearly identify the applicant and be signed by an individual with authority to enter into a grant agreement. Upon confirmation of an award, the individual signing the SF 424 on behalf of the applicant shall be considered the authorized representative of the applicant. All applicants for federal grant and funding opportunities are required to have a Dun and Bradstreet

(DUNS)number. See Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)Notice of Final Policy Issuance, 68 FR 38402 (June 27, 2003). Applicants must supply their DUNS number on the SF 424. The DUNS number is a nine-digit identification number that uniquely identifies business entities. Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no charge. To obtain a DUNS number, access this Web site: *www.dunandbradstreet.com* or call 1-866-705-5711. • The SF424A Budget Information Form, (available at *http://www.doleta.gov/sga/forms.cfm* ). • In preparing the Budget Information Form, the applicant must provide a concise narrative explanation to support the request. The budget narrative should break down the budget, and leveraged resources by the project activities specified in the technical proposal and should discuss precisely how the administrative cost support the project goals. Please Note: If the proposal includes integrating WIA or other federal funds or includes other leveraged resources, these funds should not be listed on the SF 424 or SF 424A Budget Information Form, but should be described in the budget narrative. Applicants that fail to provide a SF 424, SF 424A and/or a budget narrative will be removed from consideration prior to the technical review process. The amount of federal funding requested for the entire period of performance should be shown together on the SF 424 and SF 424A Budget Information Form. Applicants are also encouraged, but not required, to submit OMB Survey N. 1890-0014: Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants, which can be found at *http://www.doleta.gov/sga/forms.cfm* . **Please Note:** If awarded a grant, two representatives from each grantee organization will be required to attend one orientation conference in the Washington, DC. area. Grant funds may be used for this travel. Part II of the application is the Technical Proposal. The Technical Proposal will demonstrate the applicant's capabilities to plan and implement the WIA-Small Grassroots Organizations Connecting with the One-Stop Delivery System grant project in accordance with the provisions of this solicitation. It sets forth a strategic plan for the use of awarded funds and establishes measurable goals for increasing organizational participation in the One-Stop Career Center system to serve more fully unemployed or underemployed individuals with barriers to employment. See Part V Applicant Review Information for required elements of the Technical Proposal. The Technical Proposal is limited to eight

(8)double-spaced, single-sided, 8.5 inch x 11 inch pages with 12 point text font and one-inch margins. Any pages over the eight page limit will not be reviewed. Please note that applicants should not send letters of commitment, intent or support separately to ETA because incoming mail is tracked through a separate system and will not be attached to the application for review. Except for the discussion of any leveraged resources to address the evaluation criteria, no cost data or reference to prices should be included in the Technical Proposal. The following additional information is required and will not count against the 8 page Technical Proposal limitation: • The applicant must submit an agreement with, or letter of intent from the Workforce Investment Board/One-Stop Career Center operator that describes the One-Stop Center's firm commitment to entering a formal referral partnership with the applicant. This formal partnership should produce two-way client referrals from the One-Stop Center to the applicant and from the applicant to the One-Stop Center on which the applicant will be required to report. The letter must describe that the One-Stop operator has acknowledged that the applicant organization is complementing the services provided by the One-Stop Career Center. If an agreement with the One-Stop Career Center operator is not included, please provide an explanation of the efforts made to establish this partnership, (the One-Stop operator role is described in section 121

(1)of the Workforce Investment Act.) • A 1-2 page timeline outlining project activities, including expected start-up, implementation, participant follow-up for performance outcomes, grant closeout and other activities. Please note That the agreements or letters of intent and timeline are not included in the Technical Proposal eight-page limit. Applications may be submitted electronically on www.grants.gov *or* in hard copy via U.S. mail, professional delivery service, or hand delivery. These processes are described in further detail in Section IV (3). Applicants submitting proposals in hard-copy must submit an original signed application (including the SF 424) and one

(1)“copy-ready” version, meaning free of bindings, staples or protruding tabs to ease in the reproduction of the proposal by DOL for project reviewers. Applicants submitting proposals in hard-copy are also requested, though not required, to provide an electronic copy of the proposal on CD-ROM. 3. Submission Dates and Times The closing date for receipt of applications under this announcement is May 8, 2007. Applications must be received at the address below, or electronically received at the Web site below, no later than 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time), except as identified in the “Late Applications” paragraph below. Applications sent by e-mail, telegram, or facsimile

(fax)will not be honored. No exceptions to the mailing and delivery requirements set forth in this notice will be granted. Mailed applications must be addressed to the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Division of Federal Assistance, Attention: Eric Luetkenhaus, Reference SGA/DFA PY 06-11, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room N-4716, Washington, DC 20210. Applicants are advised that mail delivery in the Washington area may be delayed due to mail decontamination procedures. Hand-delivered proposals will be received at the above address. Applicants may apply online at *http://www.grants.gov* by the deadline specified above. Any application received after the deadline will not be accepted. For applicants submitting electronic applications via Grants.gov, please note that it may take several days to complete the “Get Started” step to register with Grants.gov. It is strongly recommended that these applicants immediately initiate the registration in order to avoid unexpected delays that could result in the disqualification of their application. If submitted electronically through *http://www.grants.gov,* applicants should save application documents as a .doc or .pdf file. *Late Applications:* Any application received after the exact date and time specified for receipt at the office designated in this notice will not be considered, unless it is received before awards are made, was properly addressed, and:

(a)Was sent by U.S. Postal Service registered or certified mail not later than the fifth calendar day before the date specified for receipt of applications, (e.g., an application required to be received by the 20th of the month must be post marked by the 15th of that month) or

(b)was sent by professional overnight delivery service, or successfully submitted on Grants.gov to DOL not later than one working day prior to the date specified for receipt of grant applications. It is highly recommended that online submissions be completed one working day prior to the date specified for receipt of applications to ensure that the applicant still has the option to submit by overnight delivery service in the event of any electronic submission problems. “Post marked” means a printed, stamped or otherwise placed impression (exclusive of a postage meter machine impression) that is readily identifiable, without further action, as having been supplied or affixed on the date of mailing by an employee of the U.S. Postal Service. Therefore, applicants should request the postal clerk to place a legible hand cancellation “bull's eye” postmark on both the receipt and the package. Failure to adhere to the above instructions will be a basis for a determination of non-responsiveness. Evidence of timely submission by a professional overnight delivery service must be demonstrated by equally reliable evidence created by the delivery service provider indicating the time and place of receipt. 4. Intergovernmental Review This funding opportunity is not subject to Executive Order

(EO)12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.” 5. Funding Restrictions Determinations of allowable costs will be made in accordance with the applicable Federal cost principles, e.g., Non-Profit Organizations—OMB Circular A-122 (2 CFR 230). Prospective grantees should read and become familiar with this Circular. Disallowed costs are those charges to a grant that the grantor agency or its representative determines not to be allowed in accordance with the applicable Federal Cost Principles or other conditions contained in the grant. *Use of Stipends.* The provision of stipends to training enrollees for the purposes of wage replacement or supportive services, such as transportation costs, for unemployed or employed workers, is not an allowable cost under this solicitation. *Purchase of Vehicles.* The purchase of vehicles is not an allowable cost under this solicitation. *Indirect Costs.* As specified in OMB Circular Cost Principles, indirect costs are those that have been incurred for common or joint objectives and cannot be readily identified with a particular cost objective. In order to utilize grant funds for indirect costs incurred, the applicant must obtain an Indirect Cost Rate Agreement with its Federal cognizant agency either before or shortly after the grant award. *Administrative Costs.* Under this solicitation, “Small Grassroots Organizations Connecting with the One-Stop Delivery System”, an entity that receives a grant to carry out a project or program may not use more than 10 percent of the amount of the grant to pay administrative costs associated with the program or project. Administrative costs could be both direct and indirect costs, and are defined at 20 CFR 667.220. Administrative costs do not need to be identified separately from program costs on the SF 424A Budget Information Form. They should be discussed in the budget narrative and tracked through the grantee's accounting system. To claim any administrative costs that are also indirect costs, the applicant must obtain an indirect cost rate agreement as described above. 6. Other Submission Requirements *Withdrawal of Applications.* Applications may be withdrawn by written notice or telegram (including Mailgram) received at any time before an award is made. Applications may be withdrawn in person by the applicant or by an authorized representative thereof, if the representative signs a receipt for the proposal. Part V. Application Review Information 1. Evaluation Criteria This section identifies and describes the criteria that will be used to evaluate grant proposals from Grassroots Organizations as defined in Section III (Eligibility Criteria). Below are the required elements of the Technical Proposal and the rating criteria that reviewers will use to evaluate the proposal under this SGA. A. Organizational History and Description of Community Need (15 points); B. Client Services, Partnerships with the One-Stop Career Center, and Timeline (50 points); C. Description of Outcomes and Tracking Methodology (30 points); D. Description of Sustainability (5 Points). A. Organizational History and Description of Community Need (15 points) 1. Briefly, describe the history of how your organization has provided social or workforce development services to meet community needs, and include a brief listing of services provided. Please describe the community need that this grant will address. Please describe what populations you will serve. Populations can include but are not limited to such groups as: ex-offenders, immigrants, limited English-speakers, veterans, victims of violent crime, single working mothers, homeless persons, individuals living in specific low-income area and individuals with disabilities. (Census and other community data can be useful for determining the population.) Please describe what services your organization will provide to address the needs of this population using this grant funding. Services must include such activities as: pre- and post-job placement mentoring, intensive case management, job retention support, life skills training, and employability skills training and any other services as appropriate. Services must include some form of job retention support. Scoring of this criterion will be based on the following. 1. Does the applicant demonstrate that it has a history of providing social and/or workforce development services to meet community needs? Were the target populations for this grant described adequately? Does the organization fully demonstrate that the services they will provide such as pre- and post-job placement mentoring, intensive case management, job retention support, life skills training, and employability skills training services will address the community need and the needs of the target population? (15 points) B. Client Services, Partnership With the One-Stop and Timeline (50 points) 1. *How Your Organization Will Serve Clients.* The applicant must describe how your organization will provide services under this grant, including post-job placement services. Please include a description of the specific program, curricula or method you will use. Describe the staff/volunteer positions that will provide services under this grant. 2. *Partnership With the One-Stop Career Center.* Please describe how you plan to coordinate your services with the existing job training and employment opportunities at the One-Stop Career Center to help the target population you described above receive services, enter employment, be retained in employment and see wage increases. Please also include if you will be connecting your customers with specific apprenticeship programs, business partners or training opportunities offered by or through the One-Stop Career Center. If you have not previously worked with a One-Stop Career Center, please describe actions you have taken to develop a relationship with a One-Stop Career Center. Information on the agreement with the Workforce Investment Board/One-Stop Career Center operator can be found in Part IV

(2)of this solicitation. 3. *Timeline.* The applicant must attach a timeline of major, measurable tasks and activities to be undertaken, including those tasks that will be undertaken to create effective partnership with the One-Stop Career Center. (The timeline must be limited to 2 pages and does not count towards the 8 page limit.) Scoring of this criterion will be based on the following. 1. Does the applicant adequately describe the methodology for providing services such as pre- and post-job placement mentoring, and employability skills training? Does the applicant adequately describe post-job placement services? Does a description of the methodology demonstrate that the organization will be successful in helping the target population described? (15 points) 2. Does the applicant demonstrate its ability to connect its clients with the services of the One-Stop Career Center and successfully partner with the One-Stop? (10 points) Does the applicant present evidence of a firm commitment from the One-Stop Career Center system to create a formal referral partnership with the applicant as described above (e.g., a signed letter of intent from the Local Workforce Investment Board or other One-Stop delivery system principals)? (10 points) 3. Does the applicant fully demonstrate that the activities and tasks presented on the timeline are achievable given available resources? (15 points) C. Description of Outcomes and Tracking Methodology (30 points) 1. The applicant must identify how many participants will be served by the grant funds. The applicant must also describe the measurable outcomes that the program participants will achieve over the life of this grant. Measurable outcomes must include how many participants will be placed in post-secondary education or advanced training; number of participants placed in a job; average hourly wages at the time of job placement; and of the participants placed in a job since the beginning of the grant, how many were continuously employed for 3 and 6 months (retention). Outcomes can also include other goals submitted with the grant application or additional goals developed for the program. 2. Describe what mechanisms you will develop, in partnership with the One-Stop Career Center system, to track your success in achieving proposed goals and outcomes, (i.e. performance measures). Describe any other methods you will use for evaluating your project's success. Scoring of this criterion will be based on the following. 1. Does the applicant provide tangible outcome measures and goals that allow both the applicant and DOL to gauge the impact of the activities on meeting the community need? Do these goals include tracking employment outcomes and retention outcomes for those served? Does the applicant fully demonstrate that the number of people they plan to serve is reasonable? (15 points) 2. Does the applicant fully demonstrate that it developed, in conjunction with the One-Stop, mechanisms to track the goals and outcomes of the grant? (15 points) D. Description of Sustainability (5 Points) 1. Describe how the applicant will work with the One-Stop and other community partners to ensure a sustainable relationship after the expiration of the grant. Describe efforts to leverage other federal, state, local or private funds to support the project during or after the expiration of the grant. Scoring of this criterion will be based on the following. 2. Does the applicant demonstrate the potential to have a commitment from the One-Stop Career Center and other community partners to continue their relationship after the expiration of the grant? Does the applicant fully describe a development plan that includes diverse funding sources for the future? (5 points) 2. Review and Selection Process A technical review panel will make a careful evaluation of applications against the rating criteria. The ranked scores will serve as the primary basis for selection of applications for funding, in conjunction with other factors such as geographic balance, availability of funds and what is most advantageous to the Government. The grant officer reserves the right to award without negotiation. The criteria in Part V, Section 1 will serve as the basis upon which submitted applications will be evaluated. The panel results are advisory in nature and not binding on the Grant Officer, and the Grant Officer may consider any information that comes to his or her attention. Should a grant be awarded without negotiations, the award will be based on the applicant's signature on the SF 424, which constitutes a binding offer as signed by the applicant (including electronic signature via E-Authentication on www.grants.gov). Part VI. Award Administrative Information 1. Award Notices All award notifications will be posted on the ETA homepage at *http://www.doleta.gov* . 2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements—Administrative Program Requirements All grantees will be subject to all applicable Federal laws (including provisions in appropriations law), regulations, and the applicable Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)Circulars. The applicants selected under the SGA will be subject to the following administrative standards and provisions, if applicable: • The Workforce Investment Act of 1998, U.S.C. 2801 *et seq.* • Workforce Investment Act Regulation codified at (20 CFR pts. 660-671). • Exec. Order No. 13198, Agency responsibilities with respect to Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, 66 *FR* 8497 (Jan. 31, 2001). • Training and Employment Guidance Letter 17-01, Incorporating and Utilizing Grassroots, Community-Based Organizations Including Faith-Based Organizations in Workforce Investment Activities and Programs (2002). • Exec. Order No. 13279, Equal Protection of the Laws for Faith-Based and Community Organizations, 67 FR 77141 (Dec. 16, 2002). • New equal treatment regulations (29 CFR Part 2, Subpart D) and (ETA Trai ning and Employment Guidance Letter

(TEGL)No. 01-05 (July 6, 2005), available at *http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2088* ). • Workforce Investment Act

(WIA)nondiscrimination and programmatic regulations (29 CFR 37.6(f); 20 CFR 667.266 and 667.275). • Non-Profit Organizations—Office of Management and Budget (OMB Circulars A-122 (Cost Principles) and 29 CFR Part 95 (Administrative Requirements). • All entities must comply with 29 CFR Parts 93 and 98, and where applicable, 29 CFR Parts 96 and 99. • In accordance with Section 18 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, Public Law 104-65 (2 U.S.C. 1611) non-profit entities incorporated under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(4) that engage in lobbying activities will not be eligible for the receipt of Federal funds and grants. • 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. • 29 CFR part 30—Equal Employment Opportunity in Apprenticeship and Training. • 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. • 29 CFR part 32—Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap in Programs and Activities Receiving or Benefiting from Federal Financial Assistance. • 29 CFR part 33—Enforcement of Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap in Programs or Activities Conducted by the Department of Labor. • 29 CFR part 35—Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Age in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance from the Department of Labor. • 29 CFR part 36—Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance. • 29 CFR part 37—Implementation of the Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Provisions of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA). Note: Except as specifically provided in this notice, ETA's acceptance of a proposal and award of Federal funds to sponsor any program(s) does not provide a waiver of any grant requirement and/or procedure. For example, the OMB Circulars require that an entity's procurement procedures must ensure that all procurement transactions are conducted, as much as practical, to provide open and free competition. If a proposal identifies a specific entity to provide services, the ETA's award does not provide the justifications or basis to sole-source the procurement, i.e., avoid open and free competition, unless the activity is regarded as the primary work of an official partner to the application. Evaluation Requirements DOL may require that the program or project participate in an evaluation of overall “Small Grassroots Organizations Connecting with the One-Stop Delivery System” performance. To measure the impact of grants funded under this SGA, DOL may arrange for or conduct an independent evaluation of the outcomes and benefits of the projects. Grantees must agree to make records on participants, employers, and funding available and to provide access to program operating personnel and to participants, as specified by the evaluator(s) under the direction of ETA, including after the expiration date of the grant. Reporting Requirements As a condition of participation in the “Small Grassroots Organizations Connecting with the One-Stop Delivery System” project, successful applicants will be required to submit performance information as well as Quarterly Financial Reports, Progress Reports and Final Reports. Performance Requirements “Small Grassroots Organization Connecting with the One-Stop Delivery System” grantees are required to report outcomes for the DOL common performance measures, which measure entry into employment, retention in employment, and earnings. Additional information on ETA's common measures policy can be found in Training Employment Guidance Letter No. 17-05, Common Measures Policy for the Employment and Training Administration's

(ETA)Performance Accountability System and Related Performance Issues. Quarterly Financial Reports A Quarterly Financial Status Report (SF 269) is required until such time as all funds have been expended or the grant period has expired. Quarterly financial reports are due 30 days after the end of each calendar year quarter. Grantees must use ETA's Online Electronic Reporting System. Quarterly Progress Reports The grantee must submit a quarterly data and narrative progress report to the designated Federal Project Officer within 30 days after the end of each calendar year quarter. Copies are to be submitted electronically providing a detailed account of activities undertaken during that quarter. The Department may require additional data elements to be collected and reported on either a regular basis or special request basis. Grantees must agree to meet the Department's reporting requirements. Reports must include the following information for the grassroots grantees. • The number of participants served per quarter (new/intake and total). • The number of One-Stop Career Center clients referred to the grantee. • Number of grantee participants referred to the One-Stop. • The total number of volunteer hours committed to the grant program. • Number of participants placed in post-secondary education or advanced training. • Number of participants placed in a job. • Average hourly wages at the time of job placement. • Of the participants placed in a job since the beginning of the grant, how many were continuously employed for 3 months. • Of the participants placed in a job since the beginning of the grant, how many were continuously employed for 6 months. • Other goals submitted with the grant application or additional goals developed for the program. • Demographic information. Final Report A draft final report must be submitted no later than 60 days prior to the expiration date of the grant. This report must summarize project activities, employment outcomes, and related results of the project, and should thoroughly document the project solution approach. After responding to ETA's questions and comments on the draft report, three copies of the final report must be submitted no later than the grant expiration date. Grantees must agree to use a designated format specified by the Department to prepare the final report. Part VII. Agency Contacts Any technical questions regarding this SGA should be faxed to Linda Forman at DOL, Fax number

(202)693-2705 (not a toll-free number). You must specifically address your fax to the attention of Linda Forman and should include the following: SGA/DFA PY 06-11, a contact name, fax, and telephone number. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Forman, at

(202)693-3416 (not a toll-free number). This announcement is also being made available on *http://www.grants.gov* . Part VIII. Other Information OMB Information Collection No. 1205-0458 Expires September 30, 2009 According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 20 hours per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding the burden estimated or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the U.S. Department of Labor, attention: OMB Desk Officer for ETA, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503. *PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR COMPLETED APPLICATION TO THE OMB. SEND IT TO THE ADDRESS PROVIDED IN PART IV

(3)OF THIS SOLICITATION* . This information is being collected for the purpose of awarding a grant. The information collected through this “Solicitation for Grant Applications” will be used by the Department of Labor to ensure that grants are awarded to the applicant best suited to perform the functions of the grant. Submission of this information is required in order for the applicant to be considered for award of this grant. Unless otherwise specifically noted in this announcement, information submitted in the respondent's application is not considered to be confidential. Resources DOL maintains a number of Web-based resources that may be of assistance to applicants. The Web page for the Department's Center for Faith-Based & Community Initiatives ( *http://www.dol.gov/cfbci* ) is a valuable source of background on this initiative. America's Service Locator ( *www.servicelocator.org* ) provides a directory of our nation's One-Stop Career Centers. ETA maintains a Web page *http://www.servicelocator.org/wibcontacts* ), which contains contact information for the state and local Workforce Investment Boards. Applicants are encouraged to review “Understanding the Department of Labor Solicitation for Grant Applications and How to Write an Effective Proposal”, which can be found at ( *http://www/dol.gov/cfbci/sgabrochure.htm* ). Applicants may also wish to review the current two-year Workforce Investment Act plan for the state in which they are located. Access to these plans may be found at *http://www.doleta.gov.gov/usworkforce/WIA/planstatus.cfm* . For a basic understanding of the grants process and basic responsibilities of receiving Federal grant support, please see “Guidance for Faith-Based and Community Organizations on Partnering with the Federal Government”, found at ( *www.fbci.gov* ). Signed at Washington, DC, this 30th day of March 2007. Eric D. Luetkenhaus, Grant Officer, Employment and Training Administration. [FR Doc. E7-6306 Filed 4-4-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-FN-P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Occupational Safety and Health Administration [Docket No. OSHA-2007-0026] Asbestos in General Industry; Extension of the Office of Management and Budget's

(OMB)Approval of Information Collection (Paperwork) Requirements AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Labor. ACTION: Request for public comment. SUMMARY: OSHA solicits public comments concerning its proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection requirements specified in its Asbestos in General Industry Standard (29 CFR 1910.1001). The Standard protects employees from the adverse health effects that may result from occupational exposure to Asbestos in General Industry, including asbestosis, an emphysema-like condition; lung cancer; mesothelioma; and gastrointestinal cancer. DATES: Comments must be submitted (postmarked, sent, or received) by June 4, 2007. ADDRESSES: *Electronically:* You may submit comments and attachments electronically at *http://www.regulations.gov* , which is the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Follow the instructions online for submitting comments. *Facsimile:* If your comments, including attachments, are not longer than 10 pages, you may fax them to the OSHA Docket Office at

(202)693-1648. *Mail, hand delivery, express mail, messenger, or courier service:* When using this method, you must submit three copies of your comments and attachments to the OSHA Docket Office, OSHA Docket No. OSHA-2007-0026, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210. Deliveries (hand, express mail, messenger, and courier service) are accepted during the Department of Labor's and Docket Office's normal business hours, 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., e.t. *Instructions:* All submissions must include the Agency name and OSHA docket number for the ICR (OSHA-2007-0026). All comments, including any personal information you provide, are placed in the public docket without change, and may be made available online at *http://www.regulations.gov.* For further information on submitting comments see the “Public Participation” heading in the section of this notice titled Supplementary Information. *Docket:* To read or download comments or other material in the docket, go to *http://www.regulations.gov* or the OSHA Docket Office at the address above. All documents in the docket (including this **Federal Register** notice) are listed in the *http://www.regulations.gov* index; however, some information (e.g., copyrighted material) is not publicly available to read or download through the Web site. All submissions, including copyrighted material, are available for inspection and copying at the OSHA Docket Office. You also may contact Jamaa N. Hill at the address below to obtain a copy of the ICR. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jamaa N. Hill or Todd Owen, Directorate of Standards and Guidance, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-3609, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210; telephone

(202)693-2222. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent (i.e., employer) burden, conducts a preclearance consultation program to provide the public with an opportunity to comment on proposed and continuing information collection requirements in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program ensures that information is in the desired format, reporting burden (time and costs) is minimal, collection instruments are clearly understood, and OSHA's estimate of the information collection burden is accurate. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (the OSH Act) (29 U.S.C. 651 *et seq.* ) authorizes information collection by employers as necessary or appropriate for enforcement of the Act or for developing information regarding the causes and prevention of occupational injuries, illnesses, and accidents (29 U.S.C. 657). The OSH Act also requires that OSHA obtain such information with minimum burden upon employers, especially those operating small businesses, and to reduce to the maximum extent feasible unnecessary duplication of efforts in obtaining information (29 U.S.C. 657). The basic purpose of the information collection requirements in the Standard is to document that employers in general industry are providing their employees with protection from hazardous asbestos exposure. Asbestos exposure results in asbestosis, an emphysema-like condition; lung cancer; mesothelioma; and gastrointestinal cancer. Several provisions of the Standard specify paperwork requirements, including: Implementing an exposure monitoring program that notifies employees of their exposure monitoring results; establishing a written compliance program; and informing laundry personnel of the requirement to prevent release of airborne asbestos above the time-weighted average and excursion limit. Other provisions associated with paperwork requirements include: Maintaining records of information obtained concerning the presence, location, and quantity of asbestos-containing materials

(ACMs)and/or presumed asbestos-containing materials (PACMs) in a building/facility; notifying housekeeping employees of the presence and location of ACMs and PACMs in areas they may contact during their work; posting warning signs demarcating regulated areas; posting signs in mechanical rooms/areas that employees may enter and that contain ACMs and PACMs, informing them of the identity and location of these materials and work practices that prevent disturbing the materials; and affixing warning labels to asbestos-containing products and to containers holding such products. Additional provisions that contain paperwork requirements include: Developing specific information and training programs for employees; using information, data, and analyses to demonstrate that PACM does not contain asbestos; providing medical surveillance for employees potentially exposed to ACMs and/or PACMs, including administering an employee medical questionnaire, providing information to the examining physician, and providing the physician's written opinion to the employee; maintaining exposure monitoring records, objective data used for exposure determinations, and medical surveillance; making specified records (e.g., exposure monitoring and medical surveillance records) available to designated parties; and transferring exposure monitoring and medical surveillance records to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) on cessation of business, if so requested by NIOSH. These paperwork requirements permit employers, employees and their designated representatives, OSHA, and other specified parties to determine the effectiveness of an employer's asbestos-control program. Accordingly, the requirements ensure that employees exposed to asbestos receive all of the protection afforded by the Standard. II. Special Issues for Comment OSHA has a particular interest in comments on the following issues: • Whether the proposed information collection requirements are necessary for the proper performance of the Agency's functions to protect employees, including whether the information is useful; • The accuracy of OSHA's estimate of the burden (time and costs) of the information collection requirements, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; • The quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and • Ways to minimize the burden on employers who must comply; for example, by using automated or other technological information collection and transmission techniques. III. Proposed Actions OSHA is requesting OMB to extend its approval of the information collection requirements specified by the Standard on Asbestos in General Industry. The Agency will summarize the comments submitted in response to this notice, and will include this summary in its request to OMB. *Type of Review:* Extension of a currently approved collection. *Title:* Asbestos in General Industry (29 CFR 1910.1001). *OMB Number:* 1218-0133. *Affected Public:* Business or other for-profit. *Number of Respondents:* 243. *Frequency:* Annually; semi-annually. *Total Responses:* 65,048. *Average Time per Response:* Varies from 5 minutes to maintain records to 1.5 hours for employees to receive training or medical evaluations. *Estimated Total* *Burden Hours:* 23,849. *Estimated Cost (Operation and Maintenance):* $1,625,143. IV. Public Participation—Submission of Comments on This Notice and Internet Access to Comments and Submissions You may submit comments in response to this document as follows:

(1)Electronically at *http://www.regulations.gov* , which is the Federal eRulemaking Portal;

(2)by facsimile; or

(3)by hard copy. All comments, attachments, and other material must identify the Agency name and the OSHA docket number for this ICR (OSHA Docket No. OSHA-2007-0026). You may supplement electronic submissions by uploading document files electronically. If you wish to mail additional materials in reference to an electronic or facsimile submission, you must submit them to the OSHA Docket Office (see the section of this notice titled “ ADDRESSES ”). The additional materials must clearly identify your electronic comments by your full name, date, and docket number so the Agency can attach them to your comments. Because of security procedures, the use of regular mail may cause a significant delay in the receipt of comments. For information about security procedures concerning the delivery of materials by hand, express delivery, messenger, or courier service, please contact the OSHA Docket Office at

(202)693-2350 (TTY

(877)889-5627). Comments and submissions are posted without change at *http://www.regulations.gov* . Therefore, OSHA cautions commenters about submitting personal information such as social security numbers and date of birth. Although all submissions are listed in the *http://www.regulations.gov* index, some information (e.g., copyrighted material) is not publicly available to read or download through this website. All submissions, including copyrighted material, are available for inspection and copying at the OSHA Docket Office. Information on using the *http://www.regulations.gov* Web site to submit comments and access the docket is available at the website's “User Tips” link. Contact the OSHA Docket Office for information about materials not available through the website, and for assistance in using the Internet to locate docket submissions. V. Authority and Signature Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, directed the preparation of this notice. The authority for this notice is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506 *et seq.* ) and Secretary of Labor's Order No. 5-2002 (67 FR 65008). Signed at Washington, DC on April 2, 2007. Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., Assistant Secretary of Labor. [FR Doc. E7-6367 Filed 4-4-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-26-P NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Tennessee Valley Authority Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3 Docket Nos. 50-259, 50-260, and 50-296 Exemption 1.0 Background The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA, the licensee) is the holder of Facility Operating Licenses DPR-33, DPR-52, and DPR-68, which authorize operation of the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2 and 3. The license provides, among other things, that the facility is subject to all rules, regulations, and orders of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC, the Commission) now or hereafter in effect. The facility consists of three boiling-water reactors located in Limestone County in Alabama. 2.0 Request/Action On November 19, 1980, the Commission published a new Appendix R to Title 10 to the *Code of Federal Regulations* (10 CFR) Part 50 regarding fire protection features of nuclear power plants (45 FR 76602). Section 50.48(a) requires that each operating nuclear power plant have a fire protection plan which satisfies General Design Criterion

(GDC)3, “Fire protection,” in Appendix A, “General Design Criteria for Nuclear Power Plants,” to 10 CFR Part 50. The approved fire protection plan is the plan required to satisfy 10 CFR 50.48(a). Specific fire protection features deemed necessary to ensure this capability are delineated in Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50. Section III of Appendix R contains 15 subsections, lettered A through O, each of which specifies the requirements for a particular aspect of fire protection features at nuclear power plants. The Browns Ferry units are required to comply with the provisions of Sections III.G and III.J and III.O. Section III.G.2 of Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50 requires that where cables or equipment of redundant trains of systems necessary to achieve and maintain hot shutdown conditions are located within the same fire area outside of primary containment, one of the following means of ensuring that one of the redundant trains is free of fire damage shall be provided: a. Separation of cables and equipment and associated non-safety circuits of redundant trains by a fire barrier having a 3-hour rating. Structural steel forming a part of or supporting such fire barriers shall be protected to provide fire resistance equivalent to that required of the barrier; b. Separation of cables and equipment and associated non-safety circuits of redundant trains by a horizontal distance of more than 20 feet with no intervening combustible or fire hazards. In addition, fire detectors and an automatic fire suppression system shall be installed in the fire area; or c. Enclosure of cable and equipment and associated non-safety circuits of one redundant train in a fire barrier having a 1-hour rating. In addition, fire detectors and an automatic fire suppression system shall be installed in the fire area; By letter dated October 26, 2006, as supplemented by a letter dated January 11, 2007, the licensee requested a revision to an exemption from 10 CFR 50 Appendix R, III.G.2. For the items specified in this exemption request, the licensee has selected III.G.2.b as the option for compliance with Appendix R, Section II.G.2. The exemption involves allowing intervening combustible materials, for example, fire hazards (480V reactor building

(RB)vent boards 1B, 2B, and 3B; small panels in Units 1, 2, and 3, and 1-hour rated Thermo-Lag 330-1 electrical raceway fire barrier

(ERFB)material), in the specified 20 feet of separation protected with fire detection and automatic water-based fire suppression between redundant safe-shutdown trains. The redundant trains are separated by a horizontal distance of 20 feet with intervening combustibles in certain fire zones in the Units 1, 2, and 3 RBs. Exemptions are requested from the requirements to provide 20 feet of separation, free of intervening combustibles. The following is a list of those fire zone locations and intervening combustibles/fire hazards present within a 20-foot spatial separation zone for redundant safe-shutdown trains: • Unit 1 Fire Zone 1-1/1-2 565′ Elevation 480V

(RB)Vent Board 1B. • Unit 1 Fire Zone 1-1/1-2 565′ Elevation 1-LPLN-925-338 & 338A Process Radiation Monitor and Relay Panel. • Unit 1 Fire Zone 1-1/1-2 565′ Elevation Thermo-Lag on Conduits ES2625-II and ES2673-II. • Unit 1 Fire Zone 1-3/1-4 593′ Elevation Thermo-Lag on Conduits PP459-IA, PP460-IA, and ES125-I. • Unit 1 Fire Zone 1-3/1-4 593′ Elevation 1-LPLN-925-0281A Fire Detection Panel. • Unit 1 Fire Zone 1-3/1-4 593′ Elevation 1-LPLN-925-0315 Heat Detection Panel. • Unit 2 Fire Zone 2-1/2-4 565′ Elevation 480V

(RB)Vent Board 2B. • Unit 2 Fire Zone 2-1/2-2 565′ Elevation 2-PWR-276-0007 480V Power Distribution Panel. • Unit 2 Fire Zone 2-3/2-4 593′ Elevation 25-281A Fire Detection Panel. • Unit 2 Fire Zone 2-3/2-4 593′ Elevation 25-316 Cable Tray Fire Detection Control. • Unit 3 Fire Zone 3-1/3-2 565′ Elevation 480 V

(RB)Vent Board 3B. • Unit 3 Fire Zone 3-1/3-2 565′ Elevation 1-LPLN-925-336 & 336A Raw Cooling Water Effluent Radiation Monitor and Relay Panel. • Unit 3 Fire Zone 3-1/3-2 565′ Elevation 1-LPLN-925-337 & 337A Process Radiation Monitor and Relay Panel. To justify inclusion of intervening combustibles in RB fire areas, the licensee performed fire modeling to assess potential hazards using methodology from NUREG-1805, “Fire Dynamics Tools

(FDTs)Quantitative Fire Hazard Analysis Methods for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Fire Protection Inspection Program,” December 2004. Enclosure 2 of the exemption request discussed the fire-risk analysis for the Units 1, 2, and 3 RBs. TVA provided an assessment utilizing fire modeling to evaluate the fire hazards due to intervening combustibles between redundant cable trains in the RBs. In this fire modeling analysis, the licensee modeled fire in Unit 1 RB Elevation 565′ in the 20-foot zone of separation between fire zones 1-1 and 1-2. 1 Specifically, 480V

(RB)vent boards 1B, 2B, and 3B are located within the 20-foot zone of separation. The fire model uses a series of empirical correlations from NUREG-1805 to show the largest fire from a vertical low voltage electrical cabinet should not produce enough radiant energy to ignite the closest redundant cable trays or intervening combustibles within the redundant trains. 1 The Units 2 and 3 configuration are very similar and the results of this analysis are applicable to 480V

(RB)vent board 2B and 480V

(RB)vent board 3B. The analysis is used to determine the extent of the potential fire damage associated with a realistic worst case fire scenario between Unit 1 RB fire zones 1-1 and 1-2 and the anticipated failure of cables or equipment of redundant trains of systems required for safe-shutdown. A fire scenario was postulated for the Unit 1 RB, that is, fire started in a vertical electrical cabinet (480V RB vent board 1B). This cabinet has 12 vertical sections with no vent openings. The penetrations in the cabinet consist of sealed conduits on top of the cabinet. The fire started from non-qualified Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineering Standard (IEEE)-383 cables within the cabinet and was assumed to be limited to one cable bundle. The heat release rate

(HRR)2 used to calculate heat fluxes to the targets (cable trays located at radial distance of approximately 7 feet [17 feet above floor], conduits located at the bottom of the duct approximately 9 feet above the top of the cabinet, and Thermo-Lag 330-1 wrapped conduit located approximately 7 feet from the edge of the cabinet) was based on Table E-4 in Appendix E of NUREG/CR-6850 (EPRI [Electric Power Research Institute] TR-1019181), “EPRI/NRC-RES Fire PRA [Probabilistic Risk Analysis] Methodology for Nuclear Power Facilities,” November 2005. 2 HRR is the rate at which heat energy is generated by burning. The HRR of a fuel is related to its chemistry, physical form, and availability of oxidant. When an object burns, it releases a certain amount of energy per unit of time. For most materials, the HRR of a fuel changes with time, in relation to its chemistry, physical form, and availability of oxidant (air), and is ordinarily expressed as kW (kJ/sec) or Btu/sec and denoted by Q (1,000 kW = 1 MW or 1 BTU/sec = 1.055 kW). In order to evaluate the licensee's conclusion that a cabinet fire would not result in fire damage adversely affecting the safe-shutdown capability in Units 1, 2, and 3 RB located within the 20-foot separation area, the NRC staff identified areas in which additional information was necessary to complete its evaluation. The NRC staff had discussions with the licensee on November 20, 2006, concerning use of the HRR of a single bundle cable (vs. multiple bundles) fire from NUREG/CR-6850 in fire modeling. Specifically, the NRC staff requested TVA to justify how the single bundle cable HRR assumption bounds the worst case cabinet fire scenario. On January 11, 2007 (ADAMS Accession Number ML070160050), TVA provided a revised fire model to address the NRC concerns. In the revised fire modeling analysis, the HRR for multiple-cable bundles was assumed due to multiple conduit entries in each section of the low voltage vertical cabinet. The HRR associated with multiple-cable bundles for a vertical cabinet with non-qualified IEEE-383 cables was based on Table E-5 in Appendix E of NUREG/CR-6850. The critical incident radiative heat flux 3 for ignition is calculated from the cabinet fire scenario to see if ignition of the redundant cables and adjacent surrounding targets (intervening combustibles) is possible. The critical incident radiative heat flux from the maximum fire HRR, that is, 816 Kilowatt (kW), was estimated at 4.28 kW/m 2 . 3 The incident heat flux (the rate of heat transfer per unit area that is normal to the direction of heat flow—it is a total of heat transmitted by radiation, conduction, and convection) required to raise the surface of a target to a critical temperature is termed the critical heat flux. Below this heat flux an object will typically not ignite while above this heat flux the time to ignition will decrease with the increasing heat flux. The licensee determined that the maximum radiant heat flux is not sufficient to ignite non-qualified IEEE-383 cable or Thermo-Lag 330-1 wrapped on conduits or safety-related cables or equipment of redundant trains of systems for safe-shutdown, nor to adversely impact any surrounding equipment. The targets require a large amount of radiative heat to ignite. The measured critical heat flux level for representative non-qualified IEEE-383 or thermoplastic cable samples typically is in the range of 6 kW/m 2 (NUREG/CR-6850, Appendix H, Table H-1). The measured critical heat flux for ignition for Thermo-Lag 330-1 ERFB material is 25 kW/m 2 based on American Society of Testing and Materials

(ASTM)E1321, “Standard Test Method for Determining Material Ignition and Flame Spread Properties” (TVA October 26, 2006 (ADAMS ML063040310)). Based on the above evaluation, the NRC staff concludes that the ability of Units 1, 2, and 3 to achieve and maintain safe-shutdown conditions in accordance with the requirements of Section III.G.2.b to Appendix R to 10 CFR 50 is not adversely affected by the inclusion of intervening combustibles or fire hazards in certain fire zones within Units 1, 2, and 3 RBs for the following reasons: —The fire modeling performed by the licensee provides reasonable assurance that redundant safe-shutdown trains will be maintained free of fire damage. This is because the estimated heat flux from the maximum exposure fire is less than the critical heat flux for ignition for non-qualified IEEE-383 cable or Thermo-Lag 330-1 ERFB material. —In the event of a postulated fire in the Units 1, 2, and 3 RBs, all units can safely shut down using the alternate shutdown panel located outside each RB. The Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant Appendix R alternate shutdown strategy is described in the approved fire protection plan. —A significant fire is unlikely due to control of transient combustibles near the redundant trains. RB volume and height would dissipate heat from a cabinet fire and not threaten redundant trains. Smoke detectors and portable extinguishers were installed for quick fire detection and suppression. All electrical cabinets in the area of concern are enclosed with no ventilation openings and the bottom of the cable tray stacks have non-combustible covers. —A fire originating in a low voltage cabinet exposing intervening combustibles/targets (cable trays located at radial distance of approximately 7 feet, conduits located at the bottom of the duct approximately 9 feet above the top of the cabinet (17 feet above floor), and Thermo-Lag 330-1 wrapped conduit located approximately 7 feet from the edge of the cabinet) would be slow to develop. Based on the fire detection arrangement in the Units 1, 2, and 3 RBs, detection of this type of fire would occur well before the fire had time to develop into a fully developed cable tray fire scenario. —The NRC staff reviewed the physical configuration of the Units 1, 2, and 3 RBs, the associated fire hazards (intervening combustibles) and fire protection features, and fire response procedures. This review found that a fire that initiated in one of the cabinets would likely be detected in its incipient stage, and fire-fighting activities initiated (including actuation of the automatic water-based fire suppression system) before the fire becomes fully developed, thereby limiting its potential to spread. The NRC staff, therefore, finds the licensee's proposed exemption to permit intervening combustibles in the 20-foot separation zone for certain specified fire areas in the Units 1, 2, and 3 RBs acceptable. The licensee indicated that all fire zones discussed previously are protected with fire detection and automatic pre-action sprinkler systems, manual fire extinguishers, and hose stations. If a fire were to occur in any of these locations it would be detected before significant flame propagation or increased temperature, radiative heat flux, and damaging smoke layering occurred. The fire brigade would then extinguish the fire using hose stations and manual fire fighting equipment. If rapid fire propagation occurred before the arrival of the fire brigade, one would expect the automatic pre-action sprinkler system to actuate and limit fire spread. Pending actuation of automatic pre-action sprinkler system, the physical separation of redundant trains is sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that one safe-shutdown train would remain free of fire damage. Therefore, the NRC staff concludes that the existing level of fire protection for the redundant safe-shutdown trains is an acceptable deviation from Section III.G.2 of Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50. 3.0 Discussion Pursuant to 10 CFR 50.12, the Commission may, upon application by any interested person or upon its own initiative, grant exemptions from the requirements of 10 CFR Part 50 when

(1)The exemptions are authorized by law, will not present an undue risk to public health or safety, and are consistent with the common defense and security; and

(2)when special circumstances are present. These include the special circumstances that the underlying purpose of the rule is satisfied by the requested revision to the exemption, since the existing fire protection features and analyses demonstrate that the quantity of intervening combustibles permitted in the 20-foot separation zone does not affect the ability of the existing fire protection features to provide an equivalent level of protection as required by 10 CFR 50, Appendix R, Section III.G. Authorized by Law This exemption revision allows the existence of the specified intervening combustibles in the 20-foot separation zone identified previously. As stated above, 10 CFR 50.12 allows the NRC to grant exemptions from the requirements of 10 CFR 50.48 and Appendix R to 10 CFR 50. The NRC staff has determined that granting of the licensee's proposed exemption will not result in a violation of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, or the Commission's regulations. Therefore, the exemption is authorized by law. No Undue Risk to Public Health and Safety The underlying purpose of 10 CFR 50.48 is to limit fire damage to structures, systems, and components

(SSCs)important to safety so that the capability to shut down the plant safely is ensured. Compliance with the applicable provisions of Appendix R to Part 50 ensures that one train of cables and equipment necessary to achieve and maintain safe-shutdown are maintained free of fire damage. Based on the above, no new accident precursors are created by allowing the specified intervening combustibles into the 20-foot separation zone identified previously, thus, the probability of postulated accidents is not increased. Also, based on the above, the consequences of postulated accidents are not increased. Therefore, there is no undue risk to public health and safety. Consistent With Common Defense and Security The proposed exemption revision would allow the specified intervening combustibles into the 20-foot separation zone identified previously. This revision to the fire protection plan and existing exemptions has no relation to security issues. Therefore, the common defense and security are not impacted by this exemption. Special Circumstances In accordance with 10 CFR 50.12(a)(2), special circumstances are present whenever application of the regulation in the particular circumstances is not necessary to achieve the underlying purpose of the rule. The underlying purpose of 10 CFR 50.48 is to limit fire damage to SSCs important to safety so that the capability to shut down the plant safely is ensured. Compliance with the applicable provisions of Appendix R to Part 50 ensures that one train of cables and equipment necessary to achieve and maintain safe-shutdown are maintained free of fire damage. As the existence of the intervening combustibles should not affect the capability of the installed suppression and detection system to detect and mitigate a fire, the underlying purpose of 10 CFR 50.48 and Appendix R is achieved. Therefore, the special circumstances required by 10 CFR 50.12(a)(2) for the granting of an exemption from 10 CFR 50.48 and Appendix R to 10 CFR 50 exist. 4.0 Conclusion Accordingly, the Commission has determined that, pursuant to 10 CFR 50.12, the revision to the exemption is authorized by law, will not present an undue risk to the public health and safety, and is consistent with the common defense and security. Also, special circumstances are present. Therefore, the Commission hereby grants the TVA a revision to the exemption from the requirements of Section III.G.2 of Appendix R to 10 CFR 50 for the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2 and 3. Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.32, the Commission has determined that the granting of this exemption will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment (22 FR 9036). This exemption is effective upon issuance. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 29th day of March 2007. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Catherine Haney, Director, Division of Operating Reactor Licensing, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. [FR Doc. 07-1696 Filed 4-4-07; 8:45 am]

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