Notices. Notice; Request for Comments
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BILLING CODE 4210-67-M DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Information Collection Sent to the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)for Approval; OMB Control Number 1018-0022; Federal Fish and Wildlife Permit Applications and Reports—Migratory Birds and Eagles AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice; Request for Comments. SUMMARY: We (Fish and Wildlife Service) have sent an Information Collection Request
(ICR)to OMB for review and approval. The ICR, which is summarized below, describes the nature of the collection and the estimated burden and cost. This information collection is scheduled to expire on July 31, 2007. We may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. However, under OMB regulations, we may continue to conduct or sponsor this information collection while it is pending at OMB. DATES: You must submit comments on or before August 20, 2007. ADDRESSES: Send your comments and suggestions on this ICR to the Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior at OMB-OIRA at
(202)395-6566
(fax)or OIRA_DOCKET@OMB.eop.gov (e-mail). Please provide a copy of your comments to Hope Grey, Information Collection Clearance Officer, Fish and Wildlife Service, MS 222-ARLSQ, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203 (mail);
(703)358-2269 (fax); or hope_grey@fws.gov (e-mail). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information about this IC, contact Hope Grey by mail, fax, or e-mail (see ADDRESSES ) or by telephone at
(703)358-2482. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *OMB Control Number:* 1018-0022. *Title:* Federal Fish and Wildlife Permit Applications and Reports—Migratory Birds and Eagles, 50 CFR 10, 13, 21, and 22. *Service Form Number(s):* 3-200-6 through 3-200-18, 3-200-67, 3-200-68, 3-200-77, 3-200-78, 3-200-79, 3-202-1 through 3-202-14, 3-186, and 3-186A. *Type of Request:* Revision of currently approved collection. *Affected Public:* Individuals; zoological parks; museums; universities; scientists; taxidermists; businesses; and Federal, State, tribal, and local governments. *Respondent's Obligation:* Required to obtain or retain a benefit. *Frequency of Collection:* On occasion for applications; annually or on occasion for reports. *Estimated Annual Number of Respondents:* 29,844. *Estimated Total Annual Responses:* 55,674. *Estimated Time per Response:* Varies from 15 minutes to 12 hours depending on activity. *Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:* 47,331. *Estimated Nonhour Cost Burden:* $706,300 for fees associated with permit applications. *Abstract:* Our Regional Migratory Bird Permit Offices use information that we collect on permit applications to determine the eligibility of applicants for permits requested in accordance with the criteria in various Federal wildlife conservation laws and international treaties, including:
(1)Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.).
(2)Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668). Service regulations implementing these statutes and treaties are in Chapter I, Subchapter B of Title 50 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). These regulations stipulate general and specific requirements that, when met, allow us to issue permits to authorize activities that are otherwise prohibited. This revised IC includes migratory bird and eagle permit applications and the reports associated with the permits. We have:
(1)Modified the format and content of the currently approved application forms so that they
(a)are easier to understand and complete and
(b)accommodate future electronic permitting.
(2)Added six new forms:
(a)FWS Form 3-200-15b (Eagle Parts for Native American Religious Purposes - Reorder Request) will enable Native Americans to send reorders directly to the National Eagle Repository, which distributes the parts, instead of to the Regional permit office.
(b)FWS Form 3-200-77 (Native American Religious Use - Eagle Take), FWS Form 3-200-78 (Native American Religious Use - Live Eagles), and FWS Form 3-200-79 (Special Purpose-Abatement Activities Using Raptors) will provide the public with applications specifically designed to address information necessary to issue permits for these activities.
(c)FWS Form 3-202-13 (Eagle Exhibition Annual Report) will facilitate reporting under Eagle Exhibition permits by clarifying that we need information about eagles only. Currently, permittees use FWS Form 3-202-5 (Special Purpose Possession Live/Dead (Education) Annual Report), which requests information on other migratory birds.
(d)FWS Form 3-202-14 (Native American Religious Use - Live Eagles Annual Report) will facilitate reporting under the permits for Native American religious use. We have transferred FWS Forms 3-200-69 (CITES Import/Export - Eagle Transport for Scientific or Exhibition Purposes) and 3-200-70 (CITES Import/Export - Eagle Transportation for Indian Religious Purposes), currently approved under this information collection, to OMB Control Number 1018-0093. *Comments:* On March 23, 2007, we published in the **Federal Register** (72 FR 13815) a notice of our intent to request that OMB renew this information collection. In that notice, we solicited comments for 60 days, ending on May 22, 2007. We received one comment. The comment did not address issues surrounding the proposed collection of information or the cost and hour burden estimates, but instead objected to other aspects of our program, such as killing of eagles. We have not made any changes to this collection as a result of the comment. **III. Request for Comments** We again invite comments concerning this IC on:
(1)whether or not the collection of information is necessary, including whether or not the information will have practical utility;
(2)the accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection of information;
(3)ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
(4)ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents. Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment, including your personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask OMB in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that it will be done. Dated: June 29, 2007. Hope Grey, Information Collection Clearance Officer, Fish and Wildlife Service. FR Doc. E7-14057 Filed 7-19-07; 08:45am> Billing Code 4310-55-S DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Receipt of Applications for Permit AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of receipt of applications for permit. SUMMARY: The public is invited to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species and/or marine mammals. DATES: Written data, comments or requests must be received by August 20, 2007. ADDRESSES: Documents and other information submitted with these applications are available for review, subject to the requirements of the Privacy Act and Freedom of Information Act, by any party who submits a written request for a copy of such documents within 30 days of the date of publication of this notice to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Management Authority, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 700, Arlington, Virginia 22203; fax 703/358-2281. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Division of Management Authority, telephone 703/358-2104. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Endangered Species The public is invited to comment on the following applications for a permit to conduct certain activities with endangered species. This notice is provided pursuant to Section 10(c) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 *et seq.* ). Written data, comments, or requests for copies of these complete applications should be submitted to the Director (address above). *Applicant:* Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx Zoo, Bronx, NY, PRT-158751. The applicant requests a permit to export one captive born Malayan tapir ( *Tapirus indicus* ) to the Toronto Zoo, Toronto, Canada for the purpose of enhancement of the survival of the species. *Applicant:* Naples Zoo, Naples, FL, PRT-156539. The applicant requests a permit to import four captive born ocelots ( *Leopardus pardalis mitis* ) from the Sbcampo, Bauru, and Casib Zoos, Brazil for the purpose of enhancement of the survival of the species. *Applicant:* University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, PRT-158368. The applicant requests a permit to import biological samples collected from wild mouse lemurs ( *Microcebus griseorufus* syn. *Microcebus murinus* ) in Madagascar for scientific research. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a five-year period. *Applicant:* Robert P. Remillard, Croydon, NH, PRT-158683. The applicant requests a permit to import the sport-hunted trophy of one male bontebok ( *Damaliscus pygargus pygargus* ) culled from a captive herd maintained under the management program of the Republic of South Africa, for the purpose of enhancement of the survival of the species. *Applicant:* Steve C. Dannecker, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, PRT-158104. The applicant requests a permit to import the sport-hunted trophy of one male bontebok ( *Damaliscus pygargus pygargus* ) culled from a captive herd maintained under the management program of the Republic of South Africa, for the purpose of enhancement of the survival of the species. *Applicant:* Gregory B. Hagar, Iverness, FL, PRT-159501. The applicant requests a permit to import the sport-hunted trophy of one male bontebok ( *Damaliscus pygargus pygargus* ) culled from a captive herd maintained under the management program of the Republic of South Africa, for the purpose of enhancement of the survival of the species. *Applicant:* Marc L. Abel, Tulsa, OK, PRT-157455. The applicant requests a permit to import the sport-hunted trophy of one male bontebok ( *Damaliscus pygargus pygargus* ) culled from a captive herd maintained under the management program of the Republic of South Africa, for the purpose of enhancement of the survival of the species. Endangered Marine Mammals and Marine Mammals The public is invited to comment on the following applications for a permit to conduct certain activities with endangered marine mammals and/or marine mammals. The applications were submitted to satisfy requirements of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 *et seq.* ) and/or the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 *et seq.* ), and the regulations governing endangered species (50 CFR Part 17) and/or marine mammals (50 CFR Part 18). Written data, comments, or requests for copies of the complete applications or requests for a public hearing on these applications should be submitted to the Director (address above). Anyone requesting a hearing should give specific reasons why a hearing would be appropriate. The holding of such a hearing is at the discretion of the Director. *Applicant:* Jennifer Miksis-Olds, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, PRT-071799. The applicant requests renewal and amendment of a permit to take wild manatees ( *Trichechus manatus* ) in Florida using sonar for the purpose of scientific research. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a five-year period. Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the **Federal Register** , the Division of Management Authority is forwarding copies of the above applications to the Marine Mammal Commission and the Committee of Scientific Advisors for their review. *Applicant:* Thomas M. Sharko, Milford, NJ, PRT-157656. The applicant requests a permit to import a polar bear ( *Ursus maritimus* ) sport hunted from the Lancaster Sound polar bear population in Canada for personal, noncommercial use. *Applicant:* Elizabeth Harris, Russellville, AR, PRT-155649. The applicant requests a permit to import a polar bear ( *Ursus maritimus* ) sport hunted from the Lancaster Sound polar bear population in Canada for personal, noncommercial use. *Applicant:* Philip E. Carlin, Columbus, OH, PRT-157475. The applicant requests a permit to import a polar bear ( *Ursus maritimus* ) sport hunted from the Northern Beaufort Sea polar bear population in Canada for personal, noncommercial use. *Applicant:* Christopher Ring, Brackettville, TX, PRT-156520. The applicant requests a permit to import a polar bear ( *Ursus maritimus* ) sport hunted from the Lancaster Sound polar bear population in Canada for personal, noncommercial use. *Applicant:* Michael J. Riley, Frankfort, KY, PRT-156536. The applicant requests a permit to import a polar bear ( *Ursus maritimus* ) sport hunted from the Lancaster Sound polar bear population in Canada for personal, noncommercial use. Dated: July 6, 2007. Amneris Siaca, Acting Senior Permit Biologist, Branch of Permits, Division of Management Authority. [FR Doc. E7-14059 Filed 7-19-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Receipt of Applications for Permit AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of receipt of applications for permit. SUMMARY: The public is invited to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species and/or marine mammals. DATES: Written data, comments or requests must be received by August 20, 2007. ADDRESSES: Documents and other information submitted with these applications are available for review, subject to the requirements of the Privacy Act and Freedom of Information Act, by any party who submits a written request for a copy of such documents within 30 days of the date of publication of this notice to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Management Authority, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 700, Arlington, Virginia 22203; fax 703/358-2281. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Division of Management Authority, telephone 703/358-2104. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Endangered Species The public is invited to comment on the following applications for a permit to conduct certain activities with endangered species. This notice is provided pursuant to Section 10(c) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 *et seq.* ). Written data, comments, or requests for copies of these complete applications should be submitted to the Director (address above). *Applicant:* NOAA Fisheries/Pacific Islands Regional Office, Honolulu, HI, PRT-022729. The applicant requests re-issuance of their permit to introduce from the high seas samples and/or whole carcasses of green sea turtle ( *Chelonia mydas* ), leatherback sea turtle ( *Dermochelys coriacea* ), hawksbill sea turtle ( *Eretmochelys imbricata* ), olive ridley sea turtle ( *Lepidochelys olivacea* ), Kemp's ridley sea turtle ( *Lepidochelys kempii* ) and short-tailed albatross ( *Diomedea albatrus* ) for the purpose of enhancement of the species through scientific research. The applicant has requested to amend their permit to reflect the program's new name and location. This notice covers activities conducted by the applicant over a five-year period. *Applicant:* Zoological Society of San Diego, San Diego, CA, PRT-152101. The applicant requests a permit to import one male and one female captive-born dhole ( *Cuon alpinus* ) from the Yokohama Zoological Gardens Zoorasia, Yokohama, Japan, for the purpose of enhancement of the species through captive propagation. *Applicant:* Hugh C. Kelley, Beaumont, TX, PRT-155653. The applicant requests a permit to import the sport-hunted trophy of one male bontebok ( *Damaliscus pygargus pygargus* ) culled from a captive herd maintained under the management program of the Republic of South Africa, for the purpose of enhancement of the survival of the species. *Applicant:* David J. Lechel, Albuquerque, NM, PRT-155498. The applicant requests a permit to import the sport-hunted trophy of one male bontebok ( *Damaliscus pygargus pygargus* ) culled from a captive herd maintained under the management program of the Republic of South Africa, for the purpose of enhancement of the survival of the species. *Applicant:* Carl W. McKee, Irving, TX, PRT-152980. The applicant requests a permit to import the sport-hunted trophy of one male bontebok ( *Damaliscus pygargus pygargus* ) culled from a captive herd maintained under the management program of the Republic of South Africa, for the purpose of enhancement of the survival of the species. *Applicant:* Douglas E. Hutt, Dallas, TX, PRT-149113. The applicant requests a permit to import the sport-hunted trophy of one male bontebok ( *Damaliscus pygargus pygargus* ) culled from a captive herd maintained under the management program of the Republic of South Africa, for the purpose of enhancement of the survival of the species. *Applicant:* John S. MacDonnell, Arcadia, CA, PRT-151123. The applicant requests a permit to import the sport-hunted trophy of one male bontebok ( *Damaliscus pygargus pygargus* ) culled from a captive herd maintained under the management program of the Republic of South Africa, for the purpose of enhancement of the survival of the species. *Applicant:* Gatti Productions, Inc., Orange, CA, PRT-055424, 055425, 055426 and 673539. The applicant requests the re-issuance of permits for the re-export and re-import of four wild born Asian elephants ( *Elephas maximus* ) to and from worldwide locations for the purpose of enhancement of the species through conservation education. The permit numbers and animals are [055424, Tiki; 055425, Queen; 055426, Debbie; 673539, Wanda]. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a three-year period and the import of any potential progeny born while overseas. Marine Mammals The public is invited to comment on the following application for a permit to conduct certain activities with marine mammals. The application was submitted to satisfy requirements of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 *et seq.* ), and the regulations governing marine mammals (50 CFR Part 18). Written data, comments, or requests for copies of the complete applications or requests for a public hearing on these applications should be submitted to the Director (address above). Anyone requesting a hearing should give specific reasons why a hearing would be appropriate. The holding of such a hearing is at the discretion of the Director. *Applicant:* David L. Duncan, Oklahoma City, OK, PRT-156814. The applicant requests a permit to import a polar bear ( *Ursus maritimus* ) sport hunted from the Northern Beaufort Sea polar bear population in Canada for personal, noncommercial use. Dated: June 29, 2007. Michael S. Moore, Senior Permit Biologist, Branch of Permits, Division of Management Authority. [FR Doc. E7-14081 Filed 7-19-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Issuance of Permits AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of issuance of permits for endangered species and/or marine mammals. SUMMARY: The following permits were issued. ADDRESSES: Documents and other information submitted with these applications are available for review, subject to the requirements of the Privacy Act and Freedom of Information Act, by any party who submits a written request for a copy of such documents to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Management Authority, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 700, Arlington, Virginia 22203; fax 703/358-2281. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Division of Management Authority, telephone 703/358-2104. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is hereby given that on the dates below, as authorized by the provisions of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 *et seq.* ), and/or the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 *et seq.* ), the Fish and Wildlife Service issued the requested permits subject to certain conditions set forth therein. For each permit for an endangered species, the Service found that
(1)the application was filed in good faith,
(2)the granted permit would not operate to the disadvantage of the endangered species, and
(3)the granted permit would be consistent with the purposes and policy set forth in Section 2 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. Endangered Species Permit number Applicant Receipt of application Federal Register notice Permit issuance date 146529 Mary K. Gonder, University of Maryland, Dept. of Biology 72 FR 11375; March 13, 2007 June 20, 2007. Endangered Marine Mammals and Marine Mammals Permit number Applicant Receipt of application Federal Register notice Permit issuance date 038448 Iskande L.V. Larkin, University of Florida 71 FR 31198; June 1, 2006 June 29, 2007. 054026 Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute 71 FR 16823; April 4, 2006 June 29, 2007. 107933 Wildlife Trust, Inc. 70 FR 58234; October 5, 2005 June 29, 2007. Dated: June 29, 2007. Michael S. Moore, Senior Permit Biologist, Branch of Permits, Division of Management Authority. [FR Doc. E7-14083 Filed 7-19-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [UT-910-07-1150-PH-24-1A] Notice of Utah Resource Advisory Council Meeting AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Department of Interior. ACTION: Notice of Utah Resource Advisory Council
(RAC)Meeting. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and The Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management's
(BLM)Utah Resource Advisory Council
(RAC)will meet as indicated below. DATES: The Utah Resource Advisory Council
(RAC)will meet September 14, 2007. ADDRESSES: The RAC will meet at the Holiday Inn, San Rafael Conference Room, 838 Westwood Blvd., Price, Utah. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact Sherry Foot, Special Programs Coordinator, Utah State Office, Bureau of Land Management, P.O. Box 45155, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84145-0155; phone
(801)539-4195. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 14, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the RAC will be given recreation fee presentations from the BLM's Monticello Field Office and the Cleveland Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry. The U.S. Forest Service will present fee presentations for Mirror Lake, American Fork Canyon, and Flaming Gorge. BLM will provide an overview of its oil and gas leasing process. A public comment period, where members of the public may address the RAC, is scheduled from 4:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Written comments may be sent to the Bureau of Land Management address listed above. All meetings are open to the public; however, transportation, lodging, and meals are the responsibility of the participating public. Dated: July 12, 2007. Selma Sierra, State Director. [FR Doc. E7-14054 Filed 7-19-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-$$;-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Minerals Management Service Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Western Gulf of Mexico (GOM), Oil and Gas Lease Sale 204 AGENCY: Minerals Management Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability of the Record of Decision. SUMMARY: The Minerals Management Service
(MMS)has issued a Record of Decision for OCS Western GOM Lease Sale 204 (August 2007). As part of the decision process, MMS published in April 2007 a final environmental impact statement
(EIS)on the 2007-2012 Western and Central GOM oil and gas leasing proposals, including Sale 204. In preparing this decision, MMS has considered alternatives to the proposed actions, the impacts of Sale 204 as presented in the EIS, and all comments received throughout the EIS-process. *Availability:* To obtain a copy of the Record of Decision and Final EIS, you may contact the Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, Public Information Office (MS 5034), 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, Room 114, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394 (1-800-200-GULF). An electronic copy of the Record of Decision and Final EIS are available at the MMS's Internet Web site at: *http://www.gomr.mms.gov/homepg/regulate/environ/nepa/nepaprocess.html.* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Dennis Chew, Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394,
(504)736-2793. Dated: July 11, 2007. Chris C. Oynes, Associate Director for Offshore Minerals Management. [FR Doc. E7-14078 Filed 7-19-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Minerals Management Service Outer Continental Shelf
(OCS)Western Gulf of Mexico
(GOM)Oil and Gas Lease Sale 204 AGENCY: Minerals Management Service. ACTION: Final Notice of Sale
(FNOS)204. SUMMARY: On August 22, the MMS will open and publicly announce bids received for blocks offered in Western GOM Oil and Gas Lease Sale 204, pursuant to the OCS Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331-1356, as amended) and the regulations issued thereunder (30 CFR Part 256). The Final Notice of Sale 204 Package (FNOS 204 Package) contains information essential to bidders, and bidders are charged with the knowledge of the documents contained in the Package. DATES: Public bid reading will begin at 9 a.m., Wednesday, August 22, 2007, in the Grand Salon Suite B at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel, Two Poydras Street, New Orleans, Louisiana. All times referred to in this document are local New Orleans times, unless otherwise specified. ADDRESSES: Bidders can obtain a FNOS 204 Package containing this Notice of Sale and several supporting and essential documents referenced herein from the MMS Gulf of Mexico Region Public Information Unit, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394,
(504)736-2519 or
(800)200-GULF, or via the MMS Internet Web site at *http://www.gomr.mms.gov.* *Filing of Bids:* Bidders must submit sealed bids to the Regional Director (RD), MMS Gulf of Mexico Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans Louisiana 70123-2394, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on normal working days, and from 8 a.m. to the Bid Submission Deadline of 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 21, 2007. If bids are mailed, please address the envelope containing all of the sealed bids as follows: *Attention:* Supervisor, Sales and Support Unit (MS 5422), Leasing Activities Section, MMS Gulf of Mexico Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394. Contains Sealed Bids for Oil and Gas Lease Sale 204. Please Deliver to Ms. Nancy Kornrumpf, 6th Floor, Immediately. Please Note: Bidders mailing their bid(s) are advised to call Ms. Nancy Kornrumpf
(504)736-2726, immediately after putting their bid(s) in the mail. If the RD receives bids later than the time and date specified above, he will return those bids unopened to bidders. Bidders may not modify or withdraw their bids unless the RD receives a written modification or written withdrawal request prior to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 21, 2007. Should an unexpected event such as flooding or travel restrictions be significantly disruptive to bid submission, the MMS Gulf of Mexico Region may extend the Bid Submission Deadline. Bidders may call
(504)736-0557 for information about the possible extension of the Bid Submission Deadline due to such an event. *Areas Offered For Leasing:* The MMS is offering for leasing all blocks and partial blocks listed in the document “Blocks Available for Leasing in Western GOM Oil and Gas Lease Sale 204” included in the FNOS 204 Package. All of these blocks are shown on the following Leasing Maps and Official Protraction Diagrams: Outer Continental Shelf Leasing Maps—Texas Map Numbers 1 Through 8 (These 16 Maps Sell for $2.00 Each.) TX1 South Padre Island Area (revised November 1, 2000). TX1A South Padre Island Area, East Addition (revised November 1, 2000). TX2 North Padre Island Area (revised November 1, 2000). TX2A North Padre Island Area, East Addition (revised November 1, 2000). TX3 Mustang Island Area (revised November 1, 2000). TX3A Mustang Island Area, East Addition (revised September 3, 2002). TX4 Matagorda Island Area (revised November 1, 2000). TX5 Brazos Area (revised November 1, 2000). TX5B Brazos Area, South Addition (revised November 1, 2000). TX6 Galveston Area (revised November 1, 2000). TX6A Galveston Area, South Addition (revised November 1, 2000). TX7 High Island Area (revised November 1, 2000). TX7A High Island Area, East Addition (revised November 1, 2000). TX7B High Island Area, South Addition (revised November 1, 2000). TX7C High Island Area, East Addition, South Extension (revised November 1, 2000). TX8 Sabine Pass Area (revised November 1, 2000). Outer Continental Shelf Leasing Maps—Louisiana Map Numbers 1A, 1B, and 12 (These 3 Maps Sell for $2.00 Each.) LA1A West Cameron Area, West Addition (revised February 28, 2007). LA1B West Cameron Area, South Addition (revised February 28, 2007). LA12 Sabine Pass Area (revised February 28, 2007). Outer Continental Shelf Official Protraction Diagrams (These 7 Diagrams Sell for $2.00 Each.) NG14-03 Corpus Christi (revised November 1, 2000). NG14-06 Port Isabel (revised November 1, 2000). NG15-01 East Breaks (revised November 1, 2000). NG15-02 Garden Banks (revised February 28, 2007). NG15-04 Alaminos Canyon (revised November 1, 2000). NG15-05 Keathley Canyon (revised February 28, 2007). NG15-08 Sigsbee Escarpment (revised February 28, 2007). Please Note: A CD-ROM (in ARC/INFO and Acrobat (.pdf) format) containing all of the GOM Leasing Maps and Official Protraction Diagrams, except for those not yet converted to digital format, is available from the MMS Gulf of Mexico Region Public Information Unit for a price of $15. These GOM Leasing Maps and Official Protraction Diagrams are also available for free online in .pdf and .gra format at *http://www.gomr.mms.gov/homepg/lsesale/map_arc.html.* For the current status of all Western GOM Leasing Maps and Official Protraction Diagrams, please refer to 66 FR 28002 (published May 21, 2001), 67 FR 60701 (published September 26, 2002), and 72 FR 27590 (published May 16, 2007). In addition, Supplemental Official OCS Block Diagrams (SOBDs) for these blocks are available for blocks which contain the “U.S. 200 Nautical Mile Limit” line and the “U.S.-Mexico Maritime Boundary” line. These SOBDs are also available from the MMS Gulf of Mexico Region Public Information Unit. For additional information, please call Ms. Tara Montgomery
(504)736-5722. All blocks are shown on these Leasing Maps and Official Protraction Diagrams. The available Federal acreage of all whole and partial blocks in this lease sale is shown in the document “List of Blocks Available for Leasing in Lease Sale 204” included in the FNOS 204 Package. Some of these blocks may be partially leased or deferred, or transected by administrative lines such as the Federal/State jurisdictional line. A bid on a block must include all of the available Federal acreage of that block. Also, information on the unleased portions of such blocks is found in the document “Western Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 204—Unleased Split Blocks and Available Unleased Acreage of Blocks with Aliquots and Irregular Portions Under Lease or Deferred” included in the FNOS 204 Package. *Areas Not Available For Leasing:* The following whole and partial blocks are not offered for lease in this sale: Block currently under appeal (although currently unleased, the following block is under appeal and bids will not be accepted: High Island (Area TX7) Block 21. Whole blocks and portions of blocks which lie within the boundaries of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary at the East and West Flower Garden Banks and Stetson Bank (the following list includes all blocks affected by the Sanctuary boundaries): High Island, East Addition, South Extension (Area TX7C) *Whole Blocks:* A-375, A-398. *Portions of Blocks:* A-366, A-367, A-374, A-383, A-384, A-385, A-388, A-389, A-397, A-399, A-401. *High Island, South Addition (Area TX7B)* *Portions of Blocks:* A-502, A-513. *Garden Banks (Area NG15-02)* *Portions of Blocks:* 134, 135. Whole blocks and portions which lie within the former Western Gap portion of the 1.4 nautical mile buffer zone north of the continental shelf boundary between the *United States and Mexico:* Keathley Canyon (Map Number NG15-05) *Portions of Blocks:* 978 through 980. Sigsbee Escarpment (Map Number NG15-08) *Whole Blocks:* 11, 57, 103, 148, 149, 194. *Portions of Blocks:* 12 through 14, 58 through 60, 104 through 106, 150. *Statutes and Regulations:* Each lease issued in this lease sale is subject to the OCS Lands Act of August 7, 1953; 43 U.S.C. 1331 *et seq.* , as amended, hereinafter called “the Act”; all regulations issued pursuant to the Act and in existence upon the Effective Date of the lease; all regulations issued pursuant to the statute in the future which provide for the prevention of waste and conservation of the natural resources of the OCS and the protection of correlative rights therein; and all other applicable statutes and regulations. *Lease Terms and Conditions:* Initial periods, extensions of initial periods, minimum bonus bid amounts, rental rates, escalating rental rates for leases with an approved extension of the initial 5-year period, royalty rates, minimum royalty, and royalty suspension areas, if any, applicable to this sale are noted below. Depictions of related areas are shown on the map “Lease Terms and Economic Conditions, Lease Sale 204, Final” for leases resulting from this lease sale. Please Note: The MMS published new official leasing maps and protraction diagrams that include the newly-defined administrative planning area boundaries implemented in this sale. These new boundaries are depicted on the “Lease Terms and Economic Conditions, Lease Sale 204, Final” map. *Initial Periods:* 5 years for blocks in water depths of less than 400 meters; 8 years for blocks in water depths of 400 to less than 800 meters (pursuant to 30 CFR 256.37, commencement of an exploratory well is required within the first 5 years of the initial 8 year term to avoid lease cancellation); and 10 years for blocks in water depths of 800 meters or deeper. *Extensions of Initial Periods:* A 5-year initial term for a lease issued from this sale may be extended to 8 years if a well targeting hydrocarbons below 25,000 feet true vertical depth subsea (TVD SS) is spudded within the initial 5-year term. The 3-year extension may be granted in cases where the well is drilled to a target below 25,000 TVD SS and also in cases where the well does not reach a depth below 25,000 TVD SS due to mechanical or safety reasons. In order for the lease term to be extended to 8 years, you are required to submit to the Regional Supervisor for Production and Development within 30 days after completion of the drilling operation a letter providing the well number, spud date, information demonstrating the target below 25,000 feet TVD SS, and if applicable, any operational reasons such as safety or mechanical problems encountered that prevented the well from reaching a depth below 25,000 TVD SS. The Regional Supervisor must concur in writing that the conditions have been met to extend the lease term 3 years. The Regional Supervisor will provide written confirmation of any lease extension within 30 days of receipt of the letter provided. For any lease that has a well spudded in the first 5 years of the initial period with a hydrocarbon target below 25,000 feet TVD SS, the regulations found at 30 CFR 250.175(a), (b), and
(c)will not be applicable at the end of the 5th year. For any lease that does not have a well spudded in the first 5 years of the initial period which targets hydrocarbons below 25,000 feet TVD SS, the regulations found at 30 CFR 250.175(a), (b), and
(c)will be applicable, but the 3-year extension will not be available. At the end of the 8th year, the lessee is free to use all lease term extension provisions under the regulations. *Minimum Bonus Bid Amounts:* A bonus bid will not be considered for acceptance unless it provides for a cash bonus in the amount of $25 or more per acre or fraction thereof for blocks in water depths of less than 400 meters or $37.50 or more per acre or fraction thereof for blocks in water depths of 400 meters or deeper; to confirm the exact calculation of the minimum bonus bid amount for each block, see “List of Blocks Available for Leasing” which will be contained in the FNOS 204 Package. Please note that bonus bids must be in whole dollar amounts (i.e., any cents will be disregarded by the MMS). *Rental Rates:* $6.25 per acre or fraction thereof for blocks in water depths of less than 200 meters and $9.50 per acre or fraction thereof for blocks in water depths of 200 meters or deeper, to be paid on or before the 1st day of each lease year until a discovery in paying quantities of oil or gas, then at the expiration of each lease year until the start of royalty-bearing production. An exception to this rental rate requirement will be escalating rental rates in the 6th, 7th, and 8th year for leases with an approved extension of the initial 5 year period, as noted in the following paragraph of this document. *Escalating Rental Rates for leases with an approved extension of the initial 5 year period:* Any lease granted a 3-year extension beyond the initial 5-year period will pay an escalating rental rate as set out in the following table, to be paid on or before the 1st day of each lease year until determination of well producibility is received, then at the expiration of each lease year until the start of royalty-bearing production: Extended lease year number Escalating annual rental rate * for a lease in: less than 200 meters water depth Escalating annual rental rate * for a lease in: 200 to less than 400 meters water depth 6 $12.50 per acre or fraction thereof $19.00 per acre or fraction thereof. 7 $18.75 per acre or fraction thereof $28.50 per acre or fraction thereof. 8 $25.00 per acre or fraction thereof $38.00 per acre or fraction thereof. * If another well is spudded during the 3-year extended term of the lease and targets hydrocarbons below 25,000 feet TVD SS, and MMS concurs that this situation has been met, the rental rate will be frozen at the rental rate in effect during the lease year in which this well was spudded. *Royalty Rates:* 16 2/3 percent royalty rate for blocks in all water depths, except during periods of royalty suspension, to be paid monthly on the last day of the month next following the month during which the production is obtained. *Minimum Royalty:* After the start of royalty-bearing production and not withstanding any royalty suspension that may apply: $6.25 per acre or fraction thereof per year for blocks in water depths of less than 200 meters and $9.50 per acre or fraction thereof per year for blocks in water depths of 200 meters or deeper, to be paid at the expiration of each lease year with credit applied for actual royalty paid during the lease year. If actual royalty paid exceeds the minimum royalty requirement, then no minimum royalty payment is due. Royalty Suspension Provisions *Leases with royalty suspension volumes (RSV), are authorized under existing MMS rules at 30 CFR part 260. There are no circumstances under which a single lease could receive a royalty suspension both for deep gas production and for deepwater production.* Section 344 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct05) extends existing deep gas incentives in two ways. First, it mandates a RSV of at least 35 billion cubic feet
(Bcf)of natural gas for certain wells completed in a third drilling depth category (greater than 20,000 feet subsea) for leases in 0-400 meters of water. Second, section 344 directed that the same incentives prescribed in MMS' 2004 rule for wells completed between 15,000 feet and 20,000 feet TVD SS on leases in 0-200 meters of water be applied to leases in 200-400 meters of water. Section 345 of the EPAct05 directed continuation of the MMS deepwater incentive program utilized since 2001 in the Gulf of Mexico for leases issued between August 8, 2005, and August 8, 2010, and provides for an increase in royalty suspension volume from the MMS rule-specified 12 MMBOE to 16 MMBOE for leases in water depths greater than 2000 meters. Deep Gas Royalty Suspensions A lease issued as a result of this sale may be eligible for royalty relief authorized under the EPAct05, Section 344 (Incentives for Natural Gas Production from Deep Wells in the Shallow Waters of the Gulf of Mexico). The MMS published a proposed rule on May 18, 2007, and will publish a final rule implementing this section of the EPAct05. If this lease is eligible, it will be subject to the provisions of that final rulemaking, including any price threshold provisions. Please refer to the Royalty Suspension Provisions cited below. A. *The following Royalty Suspension Provisions apply to qualifying deep wells on leases at least partly in water depths up to 200 meters:* Such wells require a perforated interval the top of which is from 15,000 to less than 20,000 feet TVD SS. Suspension volumes, conditions, and requirements prescribed in 30 CFR 203.41 through 203.47 and any amendments or successor regulations apply to deep gas production from a lease in this water depth range issued as a result of this sale. Definitions that apply to this category of royalty relief can be found in 30 CFR 203.0. To receive this category of royalty relief, production from a qualified well or drilling of a certified unsuccessful well must commence before May 3, 2009. B. *Royalty Suspension Provisions will apply to qualifying deep wells on leases entirely in water depths more than 200 but less than 400 meters:* Such wells require a perforated interval the top of which is from 15,000 to less than 20,000 feet TVD SS. The EPAct05 requires the Secretary to issue regulations granting suspension volumes to leases entirely in water depth more than 200 but less than 400 meters that will be calculated using the same methodology as is currently employed for leases at least partly in water depth up to 200 meters. Deep wells on leases in the 200-400 meter water depth range issued in Sale 204 will be eligible for royalty relief prescribed in the final rulemaking implementing section 344 of the EPAct05. C. *Royalty Suspension Provisions will apply to qualifying ultra deep wells on leases entirely in water depths less than 400 meters:* Ultra deep wells (i.e., wells completed with a perforated interval the top of which is 20,000 feet or deeper TVD SS) on leases entirely in water depths less than 400 meters issued in Sale 204 will be eligible for royalty relief prescribed in a final rulemaking implementing section 344 of the EPAct05. Deep Water Royalty Suspensions *The following Royalty Suspension Provisions apply to deep water Oil and Gas Production:* A lease issued as a result of this sale may be eligible for royalty relief under the EPAct05, section 345 (Royalty Relief for Deep Water Production). The following Royalty Suspension Provisions for deep water oil and gas production apply to a lease issued as a result of this sale. In addition to these provisions, and the EPAct05, refer to 30 CFR 218.151 and applicable parts of 260.120-260.124 for regulations on how royalty suspensions relate to field assignment, product types, rental obligations, and supplemental royalty relief. 1. A lease in water depths of 400 meters or more will receive a royalty suspension as follows, according to the water depth range in which the lease is located: 400 meters to less than 800 meters: 5 million barrels of oil equivalent
(BOE). 800 meters to less than 1600 meters: 9 million BOE. 1600 meters to 2000 meters: 12 million BOE. Greater than 2000 meters: 16 million BOE. 2. The lessee must pay royalty on production that would otherwise receive royalty relief under 30 CFR Part 260 or supplemental relief under 30 CFR Part 203, and such production will count towards the royalty suspension volume, in any calendar year during which the arithmetic average of the daily closing prices for the nearby delivery month on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) for the applicable product exceeds the adjusted product price threshold.
(a)The base level price threshold for light sweet crude oil is set at $35.75 per barrel in 2006. The adjusted oil price threshold in any subsequent calendar year is computed by changing the base price by the percentage by which the implicit price deflator for the gross domestic product has changed during the calendar year.
(b)The base level price threshold for natural gas is set at $4.47 per million British thermal units (MMBTU) in 2006. The adjusted gas price threshold in any subsequent calendar year is computed by changing the base price by the percentage by which the implicit price deflator for the gross domestic product has changed during the calendar year.
(c)As an example, if the deflator indicates that inflation is 2.5 percent in 2007, then the price threshold in calendar year 2007 would become $36.64 per barrel for oil and $4.58 for gas. Therefore, royalty on oil production in calendar year 2007 would be due if the average of the daily closing prices for the nearby delivery month on the NYMEX in 2007 exceeds $36.64 per barrel and royalty on gas production in calendar year 2007 would be due if the average of the daily closing prices for the nearby delivery month on the NYMEX in 2007 exceeds $4.58 per MMBTU.
(d)The MMS plans to provide notice in March when adjusted price thresholds for the preceding year were exceeded. Once this determination is made, based on the then-most recent implicit price deflator information, any subsequent adjustments in the implicit price deflator published by the U.S. Government will not affect the determination previously made for that year by MMS regarding lessee qualification for royalty relief. Information on price thresholds is available at the MMS Web site ( *http://www.mms.gov/econ* ).
(e)In cases where the actual average price for the product exceeds the adjusted price threshold in any calendar year, royalties must be paid no later than 90 days after the end of the year (see 30 CFR 260.122(b)(2) for more detail) and royalties must be paid provisionally in the following calendar year (See 30 CFR 260.122(c) for more detail).
(f)Full royalties are owed on all production from a lease after the Royalty Suspension Volume is exhausted, beginning on the first day of the month following the month in which the Royalty Suspension Volume is exhausted. *Lease Stipulations* : The map “Stipulations and Deferred Blocks, Lease Sale 204, Final” lists those blocks on which one or more of five lease stipulations apply:
(1)Topographic Features;
(2)Military Areas;
(3)Operations in the Naval Mine Warfare Area;
(4)Law of the Sea Convention Royalty Payment; and
(5)Protected Species. Please Note: The MMS published new official leasing maps and protraction diagrams that include the newly-defined administrative planning area boundaries implemented in this sale. These new boundaries are depicted on the “Stipulations and Deferred Blocks, Lease Sale 204, Final” map. The texts of the stipulations are contained in the document “Lease Stipulations for Oil and Gas Lease Sale 204, Final” included in the FNOS 204 Package. In addition, the “List of Blocks Available for Leasing” which will be contained in the FNOS 204 Package will identify for each block listed the lease stipulations applicable to that block. *Information To Lessees* : The FNOS 204 Package contains an “Information To Lessees” document that provides detailed information on certain specific issues pertaining to this oil and gas lease sale. *Method of Bidding* : For each block bid upon, a bidder must submit a separate signed bid in a sealed envelope labeled “Sealed Bid for Oil and Gas Lease Sale 204, not to be opened until 9 a.m., Wednesday, August 22, 2007.” The submitting company's name, its GOM Company number, the map name, map number, and block number should be clearly identified on the outside of the envelope. Please refer to the sample bid envelope included within the FNOS 204 Package. Please also refer to the Telephone Numbers/Addresses of Bidders Form included within the FNOS 204 Package. We are requesting that you provide this information in the format suggested for each lease sale. Please provide this information prior to or at the time of bid submission. Do not enclose this form inside the sealed bid envelope. The total amount of the bid must be in a whole dollar amount; any cent amount above the whole dollar will be ignored by the MMS. Details of the information required on the bid(s) and the bid envelope(s) are specified in the document “Bid Form and Envelope” contained in the FNOS 204 Package. A blank bid form has been provided for your convenience which may be copied and filled in. The MMS published in the **Federal Register** a list of restricted joint bidders, which applies to this lease sale, at 72 FR 19214 on April 17, 2007. Please also refer to joint bidding provisions at 30 CFR 256.41 for additional information. Bidders must execute all documents in conformance with signatory authorizations on file in the MMS Gulf of Mexico Region Adjudication Unit. Partnerships also must submit or have on file a list of signatories authorized to bind the partnership. Bidders submitting joint bids must include on the bid form the proportionate interest of each participating bidder, stated as a percentage, using a maximum of five decimal places, e.g., 33.33333 percent. The MMS may require bidders to submit other documents in accordance with 30 CFR 256.46. The MMS warns bidders against violation of 18 U.S.C. 1860 prohibiting unlawful combination or intimidation of bidders. Bidders are advised that the MMS considers the signed bid to be a legally binding obligation on the part of the bidder(s) to comply with all applicable regulations, including payment of the one-fifth bonus bid amount on all high bids. A statement to this effect must be included on each bid (see the document “Bid Form and Envelope” contained in the FNOS 204 Package). *Rounding* : The following procedure must be used to calculate the minimum bonus bid, annual rental, and minimum royalty: Round up to the next whole acreage amount if the tract acreage contains a decimal figure prior to calculating the minimum bonus bid, annual rental, and minimum royalty amounts. The appropriate rate per acre is applied to the whole non-decimal (rounded up) acreage figure, and the resultant calculation is rounded up to the next whole dollar amount if the calculation results in a decimal figure (see next paragraph). Please Note: The minimum bonus bid calculation, including all rounding, is shown in the document “List of Blocks Available for Leasing in Lease Sale 204” included in the FNOS 204 Package. *Bonus Bid Deposit* : Each bidder submitting an apparent high bid must submit a bonus bid deposit to the MMS equal to one-fifth of the bonus bid amount for each such bid. Under the authority granted by 30 CFR 256.46(b), the MMS requires bidders to use electronic funds transfer procedures for payment of one-fifth bonus bid deposits for Lease Sale 204, following the detailed instructions contained in the document “Instructions for Making EFT Bonus Payments” which can be found on the MMS Web site at *http://www.gomr.mms.gov/homepg/lsesale/204/wgom204.html* . All payments must be electronically deposited into an interest-bearing account in the U.S. Treasury (account specified in the EFT instructions) by 11 a.m. Eastern Time the day following bid reading. Such a deposit does not constitute and shall not be construed as acceptance of any bid on behalf of the United States. If a lease is awarded, however, MMS requests that only one transaction be used for payment of the four-fifths bonus bid amount and the first year's rental. Please Note: Certain bid submitters (i.e., those that are not currently an OCS mineral lease record title holder or designated operator OR those that have ever defaulted on a one-fifth bonus bid payment (EFT or otherwise)) are required to guarantee (secure) their one-fifth bonus bid payment prior to the submission of bids. For those who must secure the EFT one-fifth bonus bid payment, one of the following options may be used:
(1)Provide a third-party guarantee;
(2)Amend development bond coverage;
(3)Provide a letter of credit; or
(4)Provide a lump sum payment in advance via EFT. The EFT instructions specify the requirements for each option. *Withdrawal of Blocks* : The United States reserves the right to withdraw any block from this lease sale prior to issuance of a written acceptance of a bid for the block. *Acceptance, Rejection, or Return of Bids* : The United States reserves the right to reject any and all bids. In any case, no bid will be accepted, and no lease for any block will be awarded to any bidder, unless the bidder has complied with all requirements of this Notice, including the documents contained in the associated FNOS 204 Package and applicable regulations; the bid is the highest valid bid; and the amount of the bid has been determined to be adequate by the authorized officer. Any bid submitted which does not conform to the requirements of this Notice, the Act, and other applicable regulations may be returned to the person submitting that bid by the RD and not considered for acceptance. The Attorney General may also review the results of the lease sale prior to the acceptance of bids and issuance of leases. To ensure that the Government receives a fair return for the conveyance of lease rights for this lease sale, high bids will be evaluated in accordance with MMS bid adequacy procedures. A copy of current procedures, “Modifications to the Bid Adequacy Procedures” at 64 FR 37560 on July 12, 1999, can be obtained from the MMS Gulf of Mexico Region Public Information Unit or via the MMS Internet Web site at *http://www.gomr.mms.gov/homepg/lsesale/bidadeq.html* . *Successful Bidders* : As required by the MMS, each company that has been awarded a lease must execute all copies of the lease (Form MMS-2005 (March 1986) as amended), pay by EFT the balance of the bonus bid amount and the first year's rental for each lease issued in accordance with the requirements of 30 CFR 218.155, and satisfy the bonding requirements of 30 CFR 256, subpart I, as amended. Also, in accordance with regulations at 43 CFR, part 42, subpart C, the lessee shall comply with the U.S. Department of the Interior's nonprocurement debarment and suspension requirements and agrees to communicate this requirement to comply with these regulations to persons with whom the lessee does business as it relates to this lease by including this term as a condition to enter into their contracts and other transactions. *Affirmative Action* : The MMS requests that, prior to bidding, Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Representation Form MMS 2032 (June 1985) and Equal Opportunity Compliance Report Certification Form MMS 2033 (June 1985) be on file in the MMS Gulf of Mexico Region Adjudication Unit. This certification is required by 41 CFR 60 and Executive Order No. 11246 of September 24, 1965, as amended by Executive Order No. 11375 of October 13, 1967. In any event, prior to the execution of any lease contract, both forms are required to be on file in the MMS Gulf of Mexico Region Adjudication Unit. *Geophysical Data and Information Statement* : Pursuant to 30 CFR 251.12, the MMS has a right to access geophysical data and information collected under a permit in the OCS. Every bidder submitting a bid on a block in Sale 204, or participating as a joint bidder in such a bid, must submit a Geophysical Data and Information Statement
(GDIS)identifying any processed or reprocessed pre- and post-stack depth migrated geophysical data and information used as part of the decision to bid or participate in a bid on the block. The GDIS should clearly identify the survey type (2-D or 3-D); survey extent (i.e., number of line miles for 2D or number of blocks for 3D) and imaging type (pre-stack, post-stack and migration algorithm) of the data and information. The statement must also include the name and phone number of a contact person, and an alternate, who are both knowledgeable about the depth data listed, the owner or controller of the reprocessed data or information, the survey from which the data was reprocessed and the owner/controller of the original data set, the date of reprocessing and whether the data was processed in-house or by a contractor. In the event such data and information includes multiple data sets processed from the same survey using different velocity models or different processing parameters, you should identify only the highest quality data set used for bid preparation. The MMS reserves the right to query about alternate datasets and to quality check and compare the listed and alternative data sets to determine which data set most closely meets the needs of the fair market value determination process. The statement must also identify each block upon which a bidder participated in a bid but for which it does not possess or control such depth data and information. In the event your company supplies any type of data to the MMS, in order to get reimbursed, your company must be registered with the Central Contractor Registration
(CCR)at *http://www.ccr.gov* . This is a requirement that was implemented on October 1, 2003, and requires all entities doing business with the Government to complete a business profile in CCR and update it annually. Payments are made electronically based on the information contained in CCR. Therefore, if your company is not actively registered in CCR, the MMS will not be able to reimburse or pay your company for any data supplied. Please refer to NTL No. 2003-G05 for more detail concerning submission of the Geophysical Data and Information Statement, making the data available to the MMS following the lease sale, preferred format, reimbursement for costs, and confidentiality. Dated: July 13, 2007. Walter D. Cruickshank, Acting Director, Minerals Management Service. [FR Doc. E7-14114 Filed 7-19-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Office of Disability Employment Policy [SGA 07-05] National Technical Assistance and Research Center To Promote Leadership for Employment and Economic Independence for Adults With Disabilities; Solicitation for Cooperative Agreement *Announcement Type:* New Notice of Availability of Funds and Solicitation for Grant Application
(SGA)for Cooperative Agreement. *Funding Opportunity Number:* SGA 07-05. *Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance
(CFDA)Number:* 17.720. DATES: Applications must be received by August 20, 2007. *Executive Summary:* The U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL” or “Department”), Office of Disability Employment Policy (“ODEP”), announces the availability of up to $2.35 million to fund a cooperative agreement to establish a National Technical Assistance and Research Center to Promote Leadership for Increasing Employment and Economic Independence for Adults with Disabilities with a 24-month period of performance. In addition, this initiative may be funded for up to three
(3)additional option years depending on performance, identified need, and the availability of future funding. This National Technical Assistance and Research Center will focus on building leadership capacity at the Federal, State, and local levels to increase employment and economic self-sufficiency for adults with disabilities. ODEP is also funding a technical assistance and research center focusing on youth with disabilities through a separate competition. Seventeen years after enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), there is no barrier more challenging to the realization of the American dream for citizens with disabilities than unemployment and its resulting poverty, which precludes meaningful community participation. Multiple demonstrations have documented that people with barriers to employment resulting from a disability can become successfully employed with appropriate supports and the customization of employment responsibilities. With Federal investment of millions of dollars into such research and demonstrations, valuable data and successful practices have emerged. But their findings are not widely disseminated or utilized, and their impact on policy and practice within states is too often not evident. In recognition of this fact, over the last decade, the Federal Government has taken proactive steps to increase employment and otherwise resolve barriers to employment for adults with disabilities. Multiple Executive Orders have been issued focusing on employment and disability (such as Executive Order 13078: Increasing Employment of Adults With Disabilities, 1998), and on increasing the opportunity for individuals with disabilities to become qualified Federal employees (Executive Order 13163, Increasing the Opportunity for Individuals With Disabilities To Be Employed in the Federal Government, 2000). The Federal Government has also required Federal agencies to establish procedures providing reasonable accommodation of work-related disabilities (Executive Order 13164, Requiring Federal Agencies To Establish Procedures To Facilitate the Provision of Reasonable Accommodation, 2000) and to increase community-based alternatives for individuals with disabilities (Executive Order 13217, Community-Based Alternatives for Individuals With Disabilities, 2001). These Executive Orders are in addition to laws prohibiting discrimination in employment under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title I of the ADA. Further, the New Freedom Initiative, established in 2001 by President George W. Bush, brought heightened focus to and action in disability policy throughout the Federal sector across numerous areas, including employment. Yet despite these multiple efforts, employment outcomes for adults with disabilities are still far below that of the general adult population. The U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey in 2005 estimated that among the more than 21 million people with disabilities aged 16-64, only 8.5 million, or 37.5 percent, were employed ( *http://www.disabilitystatistics.org* , downloaded 5/15/07). Of the people with disabilities employed aged 16-64, 49.9 percent of men with disabilities are employed as opposed to 80.9 percent of working-age men without a disability. For women of working age, 34.2 percent of women with disabilities are employed, compared with 68.3 percent of women without disabilities. Not surprisingly, the poverty rate among people with disabilities from 16 to 64 years old was 24.6 percent, almost triple the rate for those without disabilities (9.3 percent). Effectively addressing the complex and significant barriers to employment and economic self-sufficiency faced by adults with disabilities requires the use of multiple strategies and the active involvement of many stakeholders, including Federal, State and local governments, non-governmental organizations, financial institutions, consumers, and employers. To address this situation, ODEP is funding a national technical assistance and research center (the Center) to build capacity within and across both generic and disability-specific service-delivery systems to provide transformational leadership in service to adults with disabilities, and thus increase their employment and economic self-sufficiency. The Center will conduct research, develop and disseminate information, and provide technical assistance and training in five targeted goal areas defined in this solicitation. These goal areas have been identified through six years of ODEP research as critical leadership areas for improving systems capacity to effectively serve adults with disabilities and increase their employment and economic self-sufficiency. These targeted goal areas include the following: 1. Increasing partnership and collaboration among and across generic and disability-specific systems that provide employment or employment-support services. This partnership and collaboration should produce more effective and efficient services through leveraging resources and funding across multiple systems. 2. Increasing use of self-direction in service and integration of funding among and across cross-generic and disability-specific systems, including the blending and braiding of resources and funding across systems and programs, and the use of self-directed accounts providing choice and control to the individual job seeker. 3. Increasing economic self-sufficiency through leveraging relevant generic and disability-specific tax incentives, financial education, social security work incentives, benefits planning, and other strategies for enhancing profitable employment resulting in the ability of people with disabilities to accrue assets and resources through employment. 4. Increasing the use of universal design as the framework for the organization of employment policy and the implementation of employment services. 5. Increasing the use of customized and other forms of flexible work options for individuals with disabilities and others with complex barriers to employment. In addition, the Center will provide rapid response on request to ODEP in areas related to employment and disability, and otherwise support ODEP as requested in its efforts to develop policy recommendations for increasing employment and economic self-sufficiency for adults with disabilities. In meeting each goal area, applicants must provide information on strategies they will undertake for advancing knowledge development and utilization, including describing specific research and technical assistance and training activities. In addition, applicants must describe how they will effectively disseminate policy knowledge, research findings, and successful practices through and within various networks of State and local systems' personnel, particularly leadership personnel, and other relevant stakeholder communities (including, but not limited to consumers, employers, and providers of employment and asset development services). They should also describe how they will encourage and monitor the translation and utilization of such knowledge, research, and successful practices. I. Funding Opportunity Description 1. Description and Purpose ODEP will award one cooperative agreement to establish a national technical assistance and research center for increasing employment and economic independence for adults with disabilities. The overall purpose of this effort is to build leadership and partnership across workforce development, economic development, and relevant partner agencies and systems, including generic and disability-specific agencies and systems, so that they work together strategically and effectively to increase employment outcomes and economic self-sufficiency for adults with disabilities. The Center will: Conduct research to identify, validate, document, and otherwise promote effective practices and policies in targeted goal areas; develop and disseminate information; provide technical assistance; encourage collaboration and partnership across State and local generic and disability-specific systems and programs, both public and private; and work with States and localities on multiple strategies in targeted goal areas for improving employment outcomes and economic self-sufficiency for adults with disabilities. Activities of the Center must be based on the assumptions that: people with disabilities have the ability to make and implement decisions (with support as appropriate) about their own work life, and that they have the ability to mobilize and develop resources (with support as necessary) to move from poverty and dependency to independence and productivity through employment. They must also be based on the assumption that there is a need for multiple generic and disability-specific systems and services to effectively partner across traditional boundaries. In accomplishing these goals, the Center will provide transformational leadership for translating innovation and emerging successful solutions from isolated demonstrations to systemic practices, and will act as a voice for elevating the discussion about employment and disability nationally. The Center's research-related activities will improve systems capacity to provide leadership for increasing employment and economic self-sufficiency at the State and local level in targeted goal areas, and must include the development of policy-related recommendations for consideration across agencies and systems. It must include, but is not limited to, the following activities: • Implementing research, demonstration activities, and otherwise developing evidence (either through qualitative and quantitative methods, as appropriate) in targeted goal areas for effective models and approaches to increasing employment and economic self-sufficiency for adults with disabilities; • Promoting and documenting the impact of actions of key leadership personnel at the State and local levels across public and private systems and agencies utilizing employment approaches in targeted goal areas in select states; • Conducting an analysis of the interaction between and among various strategies and approaches in targeted goal areas as they exist in public policy, both nationally and in select states; and • Developing evidence across public and private systems and agencies of effective leadership strategies in targeted goal areas. The Center's technical assistance and dissemination activities must include, but are not limited to, the following: • Developing evidence-based information and materials (including multi-media materials, curricula, and other relevant accessible products) in targeted goal areas for use in increasing leadership capacity for advancing employment and economic self-sufficiency for adults with disabilities; • Preparing and disseminating appropriate reports and documents related to targeted goal areas in publications including, but not limited to, peer-reviewed journals; • Providing intensive technical assistance, training, and information in targeted goal areas to ODEP's grantees including documenting the impact of such actions; • Providing information to educate relevant stakeholders, including State and local policymakers, systems personnel, key leadership personnel, educators, and other relevant individuals and groups about changes in policy and practice needed in order to increase employment and economic self-sufficiency for adults with disabilities, and the evidence supporting action in targeted goal areas under this solicitation; • Providing technical assistance, training, and information to increase understanding and utilization by relevant workforce systems and agencies of strategies developed in targeted goal areas; • Serving as a repository and dissemination center for materials and effective practices developed by current and former ODEP grantees; and • Creating and maintaining a user-friendly Web site with relevant information and documents in a form that meets a government or industry-recognized standard for accessibility. The Center's collaboration and partnership activities must include, but are not limited to: • Developing evidence on strategies for, and results of, effective interagency partnership and collaboration between and among Federal, State, and local systems and agencies, both generic and disability-specific, that effectively leverage and maximize available resources in ways that provide choice, control and self-direction to individual job seekers; and • Developing, maintaining, and documenting relationships that result in partnerships and collaborations to foster employment and economic self-sufficiency for adults with disabilities. Partners may include but are not limited to the following entities:
(1)State departments and agencies across generic and disability-specific systems such as departments of Labor, Economic Development, Vocational Rehabilitation, Veterans Affairs, Mental Health, Medicaid, Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities, Education, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); and Governors' Committees on Employment of People with Disabilities and Developmental Disability Councils;
(2)Local Work Investment Act
(WIA)service providers, employment service providers, local One-Stop Career Centers and the Veterans Employment and Training Service; State and local financial services entities; social security benefits planning and assistance programs; community and faith-based organizations and disability organizations; community colleges and other training entities; and providers of employment-related supports, including public housing and transportation authorities;
(3)Employers and their professional networks;
(4)Federal agencies including the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Treasury, Transportation, Education, and Veterans' Affairs; the Small Business Administration and Social Security Administration; and other generic and disability-specific agencies that work in areas related to improving employment and economic self-sufficiency for adults with disabilities and others with complex barriers to employment; and
(5)ODEP-sponsored and other Federal technical assistance projects that provide information about, or work in areas related to, employment (including self employment), economic development, and/or enhancing employment profitability through use of relevant tax incentives, financial literacy, work incentives, benefits assistance and related areas). Additionally, the Center will work with ODEP to implement on-site, intensive, targeted technical assistance and research in two pilot states or economic development regions. The pilot project will be competitively selected by the third quarter of year 1 of Center activities. Staff and expert consultant time and project resources dedicated to provide technical assistance, research, and training support to the competitively selected states or regions will be negotiated with ODEP as part of the Cooperative Agreement within thirty
(30)days of the date of the award in year 1. However, it is expected that a minimum of $600,000 is to be spent on the above component of the work plan. Year 1 activities will include the development of targeted technical assistance materials, a work plan (to be approved by ODEP) for this component of Center activities, and design and implementation of a competitive selection process for the states or economic development regions. Intensive, on-site, targeted activities will begin immediately with the competitively selected states or regions no later than the first quarter of year 2 of Center activities, and will focus on implementation of goal areas defined in this SGA throughout the states or economic development regions. Additional funding for this activity will be dedicated to this component of Center activities during years 3-5 pending ODEP's exercise of the option periods provided herein, and the availability of funds and adequacy of performance. The remainder of the funding that is provided is to be spent on carrying out the general technical assistance, research, and training functions in targeted goal areas described previously. 2. Background The Office of Disability Employment Policy
(ODEP)provides national leadership by developing and influencing disability-related employment policy and practice. A five-year strategic plan guides ODEP in achieving its mission by identifying long-term strategic and outcome goals as well as short-term intermediate and performance goals. In addition to measuring agency performance, as required by the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), the strategic plan sets forth a road map for prioritizing the formulation and dissemination of innovative employment policies and practices to service-delivery systems and employers. ODEP's annual goal is to build knowledge and advance disability employment policy that affects and promotes systems change. The agency's long- and short-term goals focus efforts on initiatives that bring about this level of change. In short, ODEP develops policies and strategies that will: • Enhance the capacity of service-delivery systems to provide appropriate and effective services and supports to youth and adults with disabilities; • Increase planning and coordination within service-delivery systems to develop and improve systems, processes, and services; • Improve individualization of services to better assist youth and adults with disabilities in seeking, obtaining, and retaining employment or self-employment; • Increase employer access to supports and services to meet their employment needs; • Increase the quality of competency-based training for service-delivery systems; • Increase the adoption of universal strategies for service provision; and • Develop partnerships with and among critical stakeholders to effectively leverage available resources, and facilitate implementation of practices and policies that increase employment and self-employment opportunities as well as the recruitment, retention, and promotion of adults with disabilities. Three measures inform ODEP of its annual progress in meeting its three goals under the Government Performance and Results Act:
(1)The number of policy-related documents;
(2)the number of formal agreements; and
(3)the number of effective practices. These performance results support achievement of the following intermediate outcome goals: accessible employment resources; coordinated programs, processes, and services; and adoption of effective practices. Achievement of these intermediate outcome goals, in turn, supports achievement of the long-term service-delivery systems outcome goals, which are marked by increases in these areas: Capacity of service-delivery systems; planning and coordination within service-delivery systems; and employer access to supports and services for recruitment, retention, and promotion of adults with disabilities. On February 1, 2001, in announcing the New Freedom Initiative (NFI), President George W. Bush explicitly recognized that in today's global economy, America must be able to draw on the talents and creativity of all its citizens, and that people with disabilities represent valuable, largely untapped human capital. The NFI represents an important step towards ensuring that all Americans have the opportunity to learn and develop skills, engage in productive work, choose where to live, and participate in community life. The timeliness of the proposed effort to provide and promote leadership for employment and economic independence for adults with disabilities is reinforced by the demographic workforce issues that led to the New Freedom Initiative and the continuing challenges faced by workforce systems. Potential and current workers with disabilities fall within all of the following demographic groups: Returning veterans, mature workers, baby boomers, Generations X and Y, people with limited English proficiency, the chronically homeless, and migrants. In addition, the decline in the number of workers due to the potential retirement of millions of baby boomers; the desires and needs of millions of other baby boomers who choose to stay in the workforce, but on their own terms; the demands of Generation X and Y workers who expect companies to offer flexible work options; the complex needs of veterans with service-connected injuries; the poverty levels, lack of education, and skills' competencies of many people with limited English proficiency; migrant workers lacking higher-level skills, to name some of the key demographic issues, compel companies to retool their recruitment and retention strategies, and demand workforce systems to provide leadership to meet these needs. Related to these issues is the fact that from 2001 through 2006 ODEP implemented several research initiatives to develop and document innovative and universal approaches to improving employment outcomes for adults with disabilities. In these ODEP initiatives, a total of 26 Customized Employment and Workforce Action (Olmstead) grantees were funded for periods of time ranging from three to five years. Central to the assumptions guiding the creation of these grants was the recognition of the importance of flexibility in the way work is organized and performed, the importance of partnership between and among generic and disability-specific systems, the use of mechanisms to promote self-direction and economic self-sufficiency, and the universality and applicability of many of the successful approaches being tested with other populations of people with barriers to employment. Importantly, these projects were charged with operating as part of the workforce system and developing while demonstrating not only that certain system change is beneficial to outcomes achieved—but that such changes impact how services are organized and provided in a way that is often universal for other workforce customers. The lead service system for the initiatives was the One-Stop Career Centers operated under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). Overall, these projects were expected to: increase the capacity of service-delivery systems to effectively serve people with disabilities and other “hard-to-serve” populations; increase planning and coordination within and across service-delivery systems within the state, including generic as well as disability-specific systems; increase employment outcomes through the use of customized strategies for achieving employment; and develop policy recommendations with broad applicability based on the demonstrated evidence gathered through implementation of grant activities. Additional information about these grant initiatives can be found on ODEP's Web site: *http://www.dol.gov/odep/categories/workforce/.* Several key findings resulting from these research initiatives include the pivotal importance of the following in promoting positive systems change that results in increased employment and economic self-sufficiency for adults with disabilities: • Partnership and Collaboration: Collaboration and partnership development was the primary innovation and the foundation of all other systems change efforts across both initiatives. Whether considering policy, resource allocation, or service integration, effective partnerships and collaborative efforts were at the base of every best practice. Collaborative efforts hinged on attaining a shared understanding between and among systems, and the translation of the partnership relationship into written, measurable goals that positively affected each system and its customers. • Universal Design: The importance of universal design and the use of universal strategies in serving job seekers with disabilities emerged as pivotal for improving access to the programs and services of the workforce development system. Universal design within the workforce development system refers to the design of environments, products, and communication practices as well as the delivery of programs, services, and activities that meet the needs of all customers of the system. ODEP's research documented that One-Stops are incorporating elements of universal design in the way they organize and deliver their services, organize their physical space, and develop the culture of their environments. This universal design incorporation includes addressing disability within the broader concept of diversity and viewing it as one facet of a more sweeping mandate to ensure access to workforce development services for all customers. • Leveraging Resources: Another central finding of ODEP's research was that over time, collaboration with all types of organizations and agencies increased and resulted in opportunities for leveraging expertise and resources. No single partner or source of funds could adequately respond to the potential spectrum of needs of job seekers with complex barriers to employment, including disability. Leveraging resources was facilitated at both the systems and individual level, and the blending or braiding of funds across systems became instrumental in the ability of grantees to support a range of job seekers, maximize their own resources, and share the scope of what it takes to effectively provide workforce development services. Additional findings identified the importance of leveraging various existing tax incentives, financial education, work incentives, and other strategies in order to maximize financial advantage and otherwise enhance profitable employment resulting from work for people with disabilities. Such individuals are no different than any other citizen in their desire to work and advance their economic status. Yet many public policies create barriers to work and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities by limiting their ability to accrue assets and maintain critical disability benefits. Numerous work incentives and other strategies exist to assist with maximizing the economic benefits of work for people with disabilities, but these remain underutilized. Developing models of partnership among disability and community-based organizations, One-Stop Career Centers, and local tax and financial institutions will ultimately assist workers with disabilities access to mainstream services, promote their self-determination and economic self-sufficiency, and otherwise enable their employment to positively impact their ability to fully participate in their communities. As the workforce development system continues to increase participation of individuals with disabilities in the labor force, development of models utilizing multiple tax incentives and other strategies that enable people with disabilities to maximize the financial advantage of work are critical. This area holds great promise for assisting people to permanently move off welfare and Social Security benefits, out of poverty, and into the economic mainstream through employment. Finally, a critical finding across these grant initiatives was the importance of key leadership personnel for promoting positive change at the State and local level across both public and private systems and programs. Understanding and “buy-in” on the part of key leaders was found to be essential to the success of long-term, effective, systemic change ( *Customized Employment: Employers and Workers Creating a Competitive Edge. Summary Report of Customized Employment and Workforce Action Grants. Boston: Institute for Community Inclusion/UCED. University of Massachusetts at Boston, 2007 in press* ). The impending changes in the workforce make it imperative for our nation to address the significant rate at which adults with disabilities continue to be out of the work force. Isolated demonstrations of success must be translated into broader replication and adoption at the State and local level. The mainstream infrastructure of our states and communities, both generic and disability-specific, must fashion new ways of working in partnership. The research and technical assistance effort proposed herein will support this effort by increasing leadership capacity in five targeted goal areas identified in this solicitation that have been validated through prior research as pivotal in creating positive change for people with disabilities. In addition, this effort will expand the knowledge-base of existing effective practices for increasing employment and economic self-sufficiency for adults with disabilities by intensively targeting technical assistance for implementation of identified successful practices in a number of states, and by providing proactive support, training, and dissemination of other relevant useful information nationally. The technical assistance to be provided will build upon ODEP's prior research and technical assistance efforts which focused on promoting increased understanding that: • Increasing employment and economic self-sufficiency for adults with disabilities requires meaningful partnerships across generic and disability-specific systems in both the public and private sector; • The use of universal design as a framework for organization and implementation of services benefits, not just people with disabilities, but other job seekers with complex barriers to employment; • Leveraging resources across generic and disability-specific systems can enable the work force system to more effectively respond to the varying needs of job seekers with disabilities and maximize their own systems resources; • The use of customized employment strategies and other forms of flexible work options can result in integrated, competitive employment for individuals with disabilities and others with complex barriers to employment; and • Economic self-sufficiency for workers with disabilities is created not by the earning of wages alone, but by leveraging existing tax incentives, financial education, work incentives, and other strategies including, but not limited to, tax incentives for individuals and business, work incentives under Social Security, and matched savings accounts. 3. Definitions Definitions for purposes of this solicitation include: • Universal Design: Universal Design is defined as the design of environments, products, and communication practices, as well as the delivery of programs, services, and activities, to meet the needs of all customers of the work force development system. • Customized Employment: Customized employment is a process for individualizing the employment relationship between a job seeker and/or employee and an employer in ways that meet the needs of both, based on an individualized negotiation (including negotiation of the responsibilities and requirements of the job) that addresses the strengths, conditions, and interests of the job seeker and/or employee, and the identified business needs of the employer. Use of customized employment strategies results in a job in a competitive, integrated setting that pays minimum wage or above. II. Award Information *Estimated Available Funds:* The full $2,350,000 for the initial 24-month period of performance will be awarded in 2007. *Period of Performance:* 24 months from date of award with up to three
(3)additional option years depending on performance, identified need, and the availability of future funding. The U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL” or “Department”), Office of Disability Employment Policy (“ODEP”), announces the availability of up to $2,350,000 to fund a national technical assistance and research Cooperative Agreement. Note: Selection of an organization as a Grantee does not constitute approval of the grant application as submitted. Before the actual grant is awarded, DOL may enter into negotiations about such items as program components, staffing (including key project staff and consultants), funding levels, and administrative systems in place to support grant implementation. If the negotiations do not result in a mutually acceptable submission, the Grant Officer reserves the right to terminate the negotiation and decline to fund the application. Because ODEP plans to make this award in the form of a cooperative agreement, DOL will have substantial involvement in the administration of the agreement. Such DOL involvement will consist of:
(1)Approval of any sub-contract awarded by the Grantee after the grant award;
(2)Participation in site visits to project areas;
(3)Providing advice and consultation to the Grantee on specific program criteria;
(4)Providing the Grantee with technical and programmatic support, including training in DOL monitoring and evaluation systems, and standard procedures regarding DOL management of cooperative agreements;
(5)Reviewing, at reasonable times, all documents pertaining to the project, including status and technical progress reports, and financial reports. ODEP will provide the format for the reports;
(6)Discussing administrative and technical issues pertaining to the project;
(7)Approving all key personnel decisions, sub-contractors, and consultants;
(8)Approving all fact sheets, training materials, press releases, and publicity-related materials regarding the project;
(9)Approving all content for online resources developed through project activities, including clearing concepts for material production and final document production; and
(10)Drafting terms of reference for, and participating in project evaluations. III. Eligibility Information 1. Eligible Applicants Eligible applicants are consortia which may include a combination of any two or more of the following: Public/private non-profits or for-profit organizations (including community and faith-based organizations) and universities and colleges all with demonstrated appropriate experience in providing technical assistance, and conducting research and demonstrations in targeted goal areas defined in this solicitation for increasing employment and economic self-sufficiency for adults with disabilities. The demonstrated expertise required should include, but not be limited to: • The work force development system, including both policy and practice, related to individuals with disabilities and others with complex barriers to employment, and the use of universal design features and strategies throughout physical and programmatic implementation of work force development services; • The integration/partnership of work force development and other generic and disability-specific systems including leveraging and blending of funds and resources across systems, and the use of self-directed accounts providing choice and control to the individual job-seeker; • The use of customized employment solutions for individuals with complex barriers to employment and their employers; • The use of strategies for enhancing profitable employment and financial advantage for adults with disabilities, including but not limited to, tax incentives for individuals and business, individual development accounts, financial literacy training, and work incentives and benefits assistance available through Social Security; and • Providing leadership development at the State and local implementation level, including building partnership and collaboration across generic and disability-specific systems and programs. There must be a prime or lead member of the consortium who is responsible for overall grant management and serves as the fiscal agent. All applications must clearly identify the lead grant recipient and fiscal agent, as well as all other members of the consortium including consultants applying for the grant. In addition, the application must identify the relationship between all of the members of the consortium. According to section 18 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, an organization, as described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, that engages in lobbying activities will not be eligible for the receipt of Federal funds constituting an award, grant, or loan. See 2 U.S.C. 1611; 26 U.S.C. 501(c) (4). Funding restrictions apply. See Section IV (5). 2. Cost Sharing Cost sharing, matching funds, and cost participation are not required under this SGA. However, leveraging of public and private resources to foster inclusive service-delivery and achieve project sustainability is highly encouraged and included under evaluation criteria. See V
(b)(9). 3. Other Eligibility Requirements Legal rules pertaining to inherently religious activities by organizations that receive Federal Financial Assistance: • 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 or in the selection of sub-awardees. • The government is generally prohibited from providing direct financial assistance for inherently religious activities. 1 1 In this context, the term direct financial assistance means financial assistance that is provided directly by a government entity or an intermediate organization, as opposed to financial assistance that an organization receives as the result of the genuine and independent private choice of a beneficiary. In other contexts, the term “direct” financial assistance may be used to refer to financial assistance that an organization receives directly from the Federal Government (also known as “discretionary” assistance), as opposed to assistance that it receives from a State or local government (also known as “indirect” or “block” grant assistance). The term “direct” has the former meaning throughout this SGA. IV. Application and Submission Information 1. Addresses To Request Application Package This SGA contains all the information and forms needed to apply for this grant funding. Application announcements or forms will not be mailed. The **Federal Register** may be obtained from your nearest government office or library. In addition, a copy of this notice and the application requirements may be downloaded from ODEP's Web site at *http://www.dol.gov/odep* and 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 *http://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 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 *http://www.grants.gov* the application must be saved as .doc, .pdf, or .txt files. If additional copies of the standard forms are needed, they can also be downloaded from: *http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/grants_forms.html.* 2. Content and Form of Application Submission *General Requirements:* Applicants must submit one
(1)paper copy with an original signature and two
(2)additional paper copies of the signed proposal. To aid with the review of applications, DOL also requires applicants to submit an electronic copy of their proposal's Sections II (Executive Summary) and III (Project Narrative) on disc or compact disc
(CD)using Microsoft Word. The application (not to exceed 30 pages for Section III), must be double-spaced with standard one-inch margins (top, bottom, and sides) on 8 1/2 × 11-inch paper, and must be presented on single-sided and numbered pages. A font size of at least twelve
(12)pitch is required throughout. All text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, and captions must be double-spaced (no more than three lines per vertical inch); and, if using a proportional computer font, must be in at least a 12-point font, and must have an average character density no greater than 18 characters per inch (if using a non-proportional font or a typewriter, must not be more than 12 characters per inch). Applications that fail to meet these requirements will be considered non-responsive. Cooperative Agreement Mandatory Application Requirements The three required sections of the application are titled below and described thereafter: Section I—Project Financial Plan (No page limit). Section II—Executive Summary—Project Synopsis (Not to exceed two
(2)pages). Section III—Project Narrative (Not to exceed 30 pages). The mandatory requirements for each section are set forth below. Applications that fail to meet the stated mandatory requirements for each section will be considered non-responsive. *Section I. Project Financial Plan (Budget):* The Project Financial Plan will not count against the application page limits. Section I of the application must include the following:
(1)Completed “SF-424—Application for Federal Assistance.” Please note that, beginning October 1, 2003, all applicants for Federal grant and funding opportunities are required to include a Dun and Bradstreet
(DUNS)number with their application. See OMB Notice of Final Policy Issuance, 68 Fed. Reg. 38402 (June 27, 2003). The DUNS number is a nine-digit identification number that uniquely identifies business entities. There is no charge for obtaining a DUNS number (although it may take 14-30 days). To obtain a DUNS number, access the following Web site: *http://www.dunandbradstreet.com* or call 1-866-705-5711. Requests for exemption from the DUNS number requirement must be made to the Office of Management and Budget. The Dun and Bradstreet Number of the applicant should be entered in the “Organizational Unit” section of block 8 of the SF-424. (See Appendix A of this SGA for required form.)
(2)The SF-424 must contain the original signatures of the legal entity applying for cooperative agreement funding and two additional copies of the signed SF-424. The individual signing the SF-424 on behalf of the applicant must represent and be able to legally bind the responsible financial and administrative entity for a cooperative agreement should that application result in an award. Applicants shall indicate on the SF-424 the organization's Internal Revenue Service
(IRS)status (e.g. 501(c)(3) organization), if applicable.
(3)Completed SF-424A—Budget Information Form by line item for all costs required to implement the project design effectively. (See Appendix B of this SGA for required forms.)
(4)DOL Budget Narrative and Justification that provides sufficient information and methodologies used to support the reasonableness of the costs included in the budget in relation to the service strategy and planned outcomes, including continuous improvement activities. The DOL Budget Narrative and Justification must include a detailed cost breakout of each line item on the Budget Information Sheet. Please label this page or pages the “Budget Narrative” and ensure that costs reported on the SF 424A correspond accurately with the Budget Narrative; the Budget Narrative must include, at a minimum, Personnel Costs—Applicants must provide a breakout of all personnel cost b position, title, annual salary rates, and percent of time of each position to be devoted to the proposed project; Fringe Benefits—Applicants must provide an explanation and breakout of fringe benefit rates and associated charges that exceed 35% of salaries and wages; Explanation of Costs and Methodologies—Applicants must provide an explanation of the purpose and composition of, and methodology used to derive the costs of each of the following: Personnel costs, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, contracts, and any other costs. The applicant must include costs of any required travel described in this Solicitation; describe all costs associated with implementing the project that are to be covered with cooperative agreement funds. The budget must support the travel and associated costs of sending representatives to both a post-award conference and periodic meetings with ODEP staff in Washington, D.C. (at least once per quarter), at a time and place to be determined. In addition to other administrative requirements identified in section VI(2) of this SGA, the applicant must comply with the “Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments” (also known as OMB Circular A-102), codified at 29 CFR part 97, or “Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations” (also known as the “Common Rule” or OMB Circular A-110), codified at 2 CFR part 215 and 29 CFR part 95. In addition, the budget submitted for review by DOL must include, on a separate page, a detailed cost analysis of each line item. The costs listed in the detailed cost analysis must comply with the applicable OMB cost principles circulars, as identified in 29 CFR 95.27 and 29 CFR 97.22(b). Justification for administrative costs must be provided. Approval of a budget by DOL is not the same as the approval of actual costs. The applicant must also include the Assurances and Certifications Signature Page (Appendix C) and the Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants (Appendix D). *Section II. Executive Summary* —Project Synopsis: The Executive Summary is limited to no more than two single-spaced, single-sided pages on 8 1/2 × 11-inch paper with standard margins throughout. The project synopsis must identify the following:
(1)The lead entity;
(2)The list of consortium members and consultants, as appropriate; and
(3)An overview of how the applicant will carry out the technical assistance and research activities described in Section I of this solicitation. *Section III. Project Narrative:* The DOL Cooperative Agreement Project Narrative is limited to no more than thirty (30), 8 1/2 × 11″ pages, double-spaced with standard one-inch margins (top, bottom, and sides), and must be presented on single-sided, numbered pages. This page limit does not apply to Section I, the Project Financial Plan (Budget), Section II, the Executive Summary and the Appendices (the assurances and certifications, resumes, a bibliography or references, and the documentation of commitment/formal agreement/letters of support and other materials relevant to the application). A page is 8 1/2 × 11″ (on one side only) with one-inch margins (top, bottom, and sides). All text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, and captions must be double-spaced (no more than three lines per vertical inch); and, if using a proportional computer font, use no smaller than a 12-point font, and an average character density no greater than 18 characters per inch (if using a non-proportional font or a typewriter, do not use more than 12 characters per inch). Applications must include a Project Narrative that addresses the work proposed to be accomplished under the Cooperative Agreement, and the evaluation/selection criteria in Part V(1) that will be used by reviewers in evaluating the application. The successful applicant will be a Technical Assistance and Research Consortium and will describe in their Project Narrative their innovative and comprehensive plan for accomplishing the technical assistance and research activities described in Part I(1) Description and Purpose, and Part I(2) Background. The Project Narrative must:
(1)Identify members of the consortium (including the lead entity, other consortium members, and key consultants) and provide documentation (such as letters of intent and memorandum of agreement which will be included in an Appendix) of a formal agreement of participation;
(2)Demonstrate each of the consortium members' and key consultants' relevant experience and expertise;
(3)Identify how the applicant proposes to disseminate research findings and technical assistance products; and
(4)Identify how the applicant proposes to monitor the implementation and/or adoption of technical assistance and training and otherwise provide evidence of project impact. Each Project Narrative must include:
(1)A detailed 24-month management plan for project goals, objectives, and activities;
(2)A detailed 24-month timeline for project activities, including producing and submitting a final report;
(3)A detailed outline for an evaluation of the project (see Section V(1)(f) for more information);
(4)A description of procedures and approaches that will be used to provide ongoing communication, collaboration with, and input from ODEP's Project Officer on all grant-related activities.
(5)A detailed description of how the consortia will work with multiple Federal, State and local public and private entities to implement and monitor implementation of policy recommendations and strategies identified in carrying out project activities; and
(6)A detailed description of measures that will be taken to ensure that elements of the project's technical assistance will be sustained following the completion of project activities. The Project Narrative must describe the proposed staffing for the project and must identify and summarize the qualifications of the personnel who will carry it out related to the objectives of this solicitation. In addition, the evaluation criteria listed in Section V (1)(c) include consideration of the qualifications, including relevant education, training, and experience, of key project personnel, as well as the qualifications, including relevant education, training and experience, of project consultants or subcontractors. Resumes must be included in the appendices. Key personnel include any individual (whether consortium member or individual consultant or contractor) playing a substantial role in the project. Minimum qualifications should be commensurate with the role identified in the application. In addition, the applicant must specify in the application the percentages of time to be dedicated by each key person on the project. For each staff person named in the application, documentation of all internal and external time commitments shall be provided. In instances where a staff person is committed on a Federally supported project, the project name, Federal office, program title, the project Federal award number, and the amount of committed time by each project year shall be provided. This information (e.g., Staff: Jane Doe; Project Name: Succeeding in the General Curriculum; Federal office: Office of Special Education Programs; Program title: Field-Initiated Research; Award number: H324C980624; Time commitments: Year 1-30%; Year 2-25% and Year 3-40%) can be provided as an appendix to the application. In general, ODEP will not reduce time commitments on currently funded grants from the time proposed in the original application. Therefore, ODEP will not consider for funding any application where key staff are bid above a time commitment level that staff have available to bid. Further, the time commitments stated in newly submitted applications will not be negotiated down to permit the applicant to receive a new grant award. The Project Narrative should also describe how the applicant plans to comply with the employment discrimination and equal employment opportunity requirements of the various laws listed in the assurances section. 3. Submission Dates, Times and Addresses Applications will be accepted commencing July 20, 2007. The closing date for receipt of applications by DOL under this announcement is August 20, 2007. Applications, including those hand delivered, must be received by 4:45 p.m.
(EST)on the closing date at the address specified below. No exceptions to the mailing and hand-delivery conditions set forth in this notice will be granted. Applications that do not meet the conditions set forth in this notice will be considered non-responsive. Applications must be mailed or hand delivered to: U.S. Department of Labor, Procurement Services Center, Attention: Cassandra Mitchell, Reference SGA 07-05, Room S-4307, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210. Applications sent by e-mail or telefascimile
(FAX)will not be accepted. *Hand-Delivered Proposals:* Hand-delivered applications will be considered for funding, but must be received by the above specified date and time. Overnight or express delivery from carriers other than the U.S. Postal Service will be considered hand-delivered applications. It is preferred that applications be mailed at least five
(5)days prior to the closing date to ensure timely receipt. Failure to adhere to the above instructions will serve as a basis for a determination of non-responsiveness. Applicants are advised that mail in the Washington, DC area may be delayed due to mail decontamination procedures and may wish to take this information into consideration when preparing to meet the application deadline. *Late Applications:* Any application received by the designated office after the exact date and time specified will be considered non-responsive, unless it is received before awards are made and it:
(a)Is determined that its late receipt was caused by DOL error after timely delivery to the Department of Labor;
(b)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 submitted in response to a solicitation requiring receipt of applications by the 20th of the month must have been postmarked by the 15th of that month); or
(c)was sent by the U.S. Postal Service Express Mail Next Day Service to addressee not later than 5:00 p.m. at the place of mailing two
(2)working days prior to the date specified for receipt of applications. The term “working days” excludes weekends and Federal holidays. “Postmarked” 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. *Withdrawal of Applications:* An application that is timely submitted may be withdrawn by written notice or telegram (including mailgram) 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's identity is made known and the representative signs a receipt for the proposal. 4. Intergovernmental Review This funding opportunity is not subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.” 5. Funding Restrictions
(a)*Funding Levels:* The total funding available for this solicitation is $2,350,000. The Department of Labor reserves the right to negotiate the amounts to be awarded under this competition. Please be advised that requests exceeding the maximum stated amount will be considered non-responsive. Additionally, there will be no reimbursement of pre-award costs.
(b)*Period of Performance:* The period of performance will be for 24 months from the date of the award unless modified. It is expected that the successful applicant will begin program operations under this solicitation immediately upon receiving the “Notice of Award.”
(c)*Option Year Funding:* Up to three
(3)additional option years may be available depending on performance, identified need, and the availability of future funding.
(d)*Indirect Charges:* If indirect charges are claimed in the proposed budget, the recipient must provide on a separate sheet, the following information:
(1)Name and address of cognizant Federal audit agency;
(2)Name, address and phone number (including area code) of the Government auditor;
(3)Documentation from the cognizant agency indicating:
(a)Current indirect cost rate and the base against which the rate should be applied;
(b)Effective period (dates) for the rate; and
(c)Date last rate was computed and negotiated.
(4)If no government audit agency computed and authorized the rate claimed, a proposed rate with justification may be submitted providing a brief explanation of computation, who computed the rate, and the date of the computation. Successful applicants will be required to negotiate an acceptable and allowable rate within 90 days of grant award with the appropriate DOL Regional Office of Cost Determination or with the applicant's cognizant agency for indirect cost rates (See Office of Management and Budget Web site at *http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/attach.html* ). The recipient shall call the Office of Cost Determination at 202-693-4100 for the initial contact. However, applications claiming an indirect cost rate greater than 15% will not be considered. V. Application Review Information 1. Evaluation Criteria A technical panel will review grant applications against the criteria listed below, on the basis of the maximum points indicated.
(a)Significance of the Proposed Project (10 Points) In determining the significance of the proposed research, the Department will consider the following factors: 1. The potential contribution of the proposed project to increase knowledge or understanding of problems, issues, or effective strategies for promoting leadership to increase employment and economic self-sufficiency for adults with disabilities; 2. The likelihood that the proposed project will result in systems change or improvement across generic and disability-specific systems; 3. The extent to which the proposed project is likely to build capacity to provide, improve, or expand services that address the needs of the target population as they relate to targeted goal areas in this solicitation; 4. The likely utility of the products (such as information, materials, processes, or techniques) that will result from the proposed project, including the potential for their being used effectively in a variety of other settings; 5. The importance or magnitude of the results or outcomes likely to be attained by the proposed project; and 6. The extent to which the proposed project builds upon prior work done by ODEP and its partners around increasing employment for adults with disabilities, including integration of universal strategies, customized employment, and related policies and practices within and across generic and disability-specific systems.
(b)Project Design (25 Points) In evaluating the quality of the proposed project design, the Department will consider the following factors: 1. The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable; 2. The extent to which the design of the proposed project includes a comprehensive review of the relevant literature, a detailed plan for project implementation, and the use of appropriate methodological tools to ensure successful achievement of project objectives; 3. The extent to which the proposed project will effectively contribute to increased knowledge, understanding, and utilization of strategies in targeted goal areas by building upon current research, and effective practices; 4. The extent to which the proposed project will be coordinated with similar or related Federal technical assistance efforts, such as research, training, and information efforts; 5. The extent to which the proposed project encourages involvement of relevant experts and organizations including individuals with disabilities and generic systems' personnel; 6. The extent to which performance feedback and continuous improvement are integral to the design of the proposed project; 7. The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed project are appropriate to the needs of the intended recipients or beneficiaries of those services; 8. The adequacy of the documentation submitted in support of the proposed project to demonstrate the commitment of each entity or individual included in project implementation; 9. The extent to which the proposed project leverages other public and private resources to foster inclusive service delivery and sustainability and provides other concrete evidence of sustainability, including appropriate letters of support included in the appendices; and 10. The extent to which the design of the proposed project includes a comprehensive strategy for providing technical assistance and conducting research to effectively integrate universal design and services, customized employment and flexible work options, and use of tax incentives, work incentives, and other strategies for enhancing employment profitability into the policy and practice of public and private workforce systems (and their public and private partners) nationally.
(c)Organizational Capacity and Quality of Key Personnel (25 points) Applications will be evaluated based on the extent to which the applicant demonstrates organizational capacity and quality of key personnel to implement the proposed project, including: 1. Demonstrated experience with similar projects providing technical assistance and conducting research relating to targeted goal areas; 2. Qualifications and demonstrated experience of the applicant's key personnel, subcontractors and consultants particularly in targeted goal areas; and 3. Appropriateness of the organization's structure to carry out the project.
(d)Budget and Resource Capacity (10 Points) In evaluating the capacity of the applicant to carry out the proposed project, ODEP will consider the following factors: 1. The extent to which the budget is adequate to support the proposed project; and 2. The extent to which the anticipated costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed project.
(e)Quality of the Management Plan (15 Points) In evaluating the quality of the management plan for the proposed project, ODEP will consider the following factors: 1. The extent to which the management plan for project implementation appears likely to achieve the objectives of the proposed project on time and within budget, and includes clearly defined staff responsibilities, time allocation to project activities, time lines, milestones for accomplishing project tasks, project deliverables, and information on adequacy of other resources necessary for project implementation; 2. The extent to which the management plan appears likely to result in sustainable activities beyond the period of direct Federal investment; 3. The adequacy of mechanisms for ensuring high-quality products and services relating to the scope of work for the proposed project; and 4. The extent to which the time commitments of the project director and/or principal investigator and other key project personnel and/or subcontractors and consultants are appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed project.
(f)Quality of the Project Evaluation (15 Points) In evaluating the quality of the project's evaluation design, including the data to be generated through implementation of project activities, ODEP will consider the following factors: 1. The extent to which the methods of evaluation are thorough, feasible, and appropriate to the goals, objectives, context, and outcomes of the proposed project; 2. The extent to which the design of the evaluation includes the use of objective performance measures and methods that will systematically document the project's intended outputs and outcomes and will produce measurable quantitative and qualitative data; 3. The extent to which the evaluation will provide Federal, State and local government entities with useful information about transition and systems change models suitable for replication or testing in other settings; and 4. The extent to which the methods of evaluation provide measures that will inform ODEP's annual performance goals and measures and ODEP's long-term strategic goals. 2. Review and Selection Process A technical review panel will objectively rate each complete application against the criteria described in this SGA. The panel recommendations to the Grant Officer, including any point scores, are advisory in nature. The Grant Officer may elect to award grants either with or without discussion with the applicant. In situations where no discussion occurs, an award will be based on the signed SF-424 form (see Appendix A), which constitutes a binding offer. The Grant Officer may consider the availability of funds and any information that is available and will make final award decisions based on what is most advantageous to the government, considering factors such as the advisory recommendations from the grant technical evaluation panel and the geographic distribution of Federally funded grants. 3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates Announcement of this award is expected to occur within 30 days of award. The Cooperative Agreement will be awarded by no later than September 28, 2007. VI. Award Administration Information 1. Award Notices The Notice of Award signed by the Grant Officer is the authorizing document and will be provided through postal mail and/or by electronic means to the authorized representative listed on the SF-424 Grant Application. Notice that an organization has been selected as a grant recipient does not constitute final approval of the grant application as submitted. Before the actual grant award, the Grant Officer and/or the Grant Officer's Technical Representative may enter into negotiations concerning such items as program components, funding levels, and administrative systems. If the negotiations do not result in an acceptable submittal, the Grant Officer reserves the right to terminate the negotiation and decline to fund the proposal. 2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements All grantees, including faith-based organizations, will be subject to applicable Federal laws (including provisions of appropriations law), regulations, and the applicable Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)Circulars. The grant awarded under this SGA will be subject to the following administrative standards and provisions and requirements applicable to particular entities. The applicant must include assurances and certifications that it will comply with these laws in its grant application. The assurances and certifications are attached as Appendix C. a. Regulations 29 CFR Parts 31 and 32—Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs of the Department of Labor (respectively, effectuation of Title VI of Civil Rights Act of 1964, and on the Basis of Handicap in Programs and Activities Receiving or Benefiting from Federal Financial Assistance). 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 in the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. 29 CFR Part 93—New Restrictions on Lobbying. 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. 29 CFR Part 96—Federal Standards for Audit of Federally Funded Grants, Contracts and Agreements. 29 CFR Part 97—Uniform Administrative Regulations for Grants to States, Local Governments or Tribes. 29 CFR Part 98—Federal Standards for Government wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) and Government wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants). 29 CFR Part 99—Federal Standards for Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations. 29 CFR Part 2—General Participation in Department of Labor Programs by Faith-Based and Community Organizations; Equal Treatment of All Department of Labor Program Participants and Beneficiaries. Applicable cost principles under OMB Circulars A-21, A-87, A-122, or 48 CFR part 31. b. Travel Any travel undertaken in performance of this cooperative agreement shall be subject to and in strict accordance with Federal travel regulations. c. Acknowledgement of DOL Funding Printed Materials: In all circumstances, the following shall be displayed on printed materials prepared by the Grantee while in receipt of DOL/ODEP grant funding: “Preparation of this item was funded by the United States Department of Labor through its ODEP Grant No. [insert the appropriate Grant number].” All printed materials must also 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.” Public reference to grant: 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 financial assistance 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. *Use of DOL and ODEP Logo:* In consultation with DOL/ODEP, the Grantee must acknowledge DOL's role as described. The DOL and/or ODEP logo may be applied to DOL-funded material prepared for world-wide distribution, including posters, videos, pamphlets, research documents, national survey results, impact evaluations, best practice reports, and other publications of global interest. The Grantee must consult with ODEP 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 DOL and/or ODEP logo be placed on any item until ODEP has given the grantee written permission to use the logo on the item. All documents must 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.” d. Intellectual Property Please be advised that DOL/ODEP will reserve a royalty-free, nonexclusive, and irrevocable license to reproduce, publish, distribute, publicly display and perform, create derivative works from, and to authorize others to use, for Federal Government purposes:
(a)Any work developed under a grant, subgrant, or contract under a grant or subgrant; and
(b)Any rights to which a grantee, subgrantee or a contractor purchases ownership with grant support. In addition, the Grantee will agree to notify DOL/ODEP of any pre-existing copyrighted materials it intends to incorporate into materials developed under the grant, and, prior to such incorporation, the grantee will agree that it will acquire, on behalf of DOL/ODEP, any necessary licenses to allow DOL/ODEP to exercise the rights described in the paragraph above. e. Approval of Key Personnel and Subcontractors The recipient shall notify the Grant Officer (through the Grant Officer Technical Representative) at least 14 calendar days in advance if any key personnel are to be removed or diverted from the cooperative agreement, shall supply written justification as part of this notice as to why these persons are to be removed or diverted, shall provide the names(s) of the proposed substitute or replacement, and shall include information on each new individual's qualifications such as education and work experience. f. Paperwork Reduction Act 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 date sources, gathering and maintaining 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, to the attention of Cassandra Mitchell, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room S-4307, Washington, DC 20210. 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 applicant is not considered to be confidential. VII. Reporting and Monitoring ODEP is responsible for ensuring effective implementation of this Cooperative Agreement, in accordance with the provisions of this announcement and the terms of the Cooperative Agreement award document. Applicants should assume that ODEP staff will conduct on-site project reviews periodically. Reviews will focus on timely project implementation, performance in meeting the Cooperative Agreement's objectives, tasks and responsibilities, expenditures of Cooperative Agreement funds on allowable activities, and administration of project activities. Projects may be subject to other additional reviews, at the discretion of ODEP. The selected applicant must submit on a quarterly basis, beginning ninety
(90)days from the award of the grant, financial and activity reports under this program as prescribed by OMB Circular A-110, codified at 2 CFR part 215 and 29 CFR part 95. Specifically the following reports will be required: 1. *Quarterly report:* The quarterly report is estimated to take five
(5)hours to complete. The form for the quarterly report will be provided by ODEP. The Department will work with the Grantee to help refine the requirements of the report, which, among other things, will include measures of ongoing analysis for continuous improvement. This report will be filed using a system specified by ODEP. The form will be submitted within thirty
(30)days of the close of the quarter. The quarterly progress report will include narrative description and will provide: a. In-depth information on accomplishments, including project success stories, upcoming activities and promising approaches and processes; b. Progress toward performance outcomes, including updates on products, activities and emerging promising practices in areas targeted by this Cooperative Agreement. In addition, the selected applicant must submit every 6 months an Executive Summary report of project activities and outcomes to date. The report must detail the various aspects of project activities and accomplishments in a form and format provided by the Department. 2. *Standard Form 269, Financial Status Report Form:* This form is to be completed and submitted on a quarterly basis using the Department of Labor's E-Grants Reporting System unless ODEP provides different instructions. 3. *Final Project Report:* The Final Project Report is to include an assessment of project performance and outcomes achieved. It is estimated that this report will take twenty
(20)hours to complete. This report will be submitted in hard copy and on electronic disk using a format and following instructions, to be provided by ODEP. A draft of the final report is due to ODEP sixty
(60)days before the end of the period of performance of the cooperative agreement. The final report is due to ODEP and the DOL Grants Office ten
(10)days before the end of the period of performance of the Cooperative Agreement. The Department will arrange for an evaluation of the outcomes, impacts, accomplishments, and benefits of each funded project. The Grantee must agree to cooperate with this evaluation and must make available records on all parts of project activity, including available data on service-delivery models being studied and provide access to personnel, as specified by the evaluator(s), under the direction of ODEP. This evaluation is separate from the ongoing evaluation for continuous improvement required of the grantee for project implementation. Technical assistance efforts will be coordinated with other technical assistance efforts implemented by ODEP, including, if applicable, the National Center on Workforce and Disability for Adults (NCWD/A) and the national Self-Employment Technical Assistance, Resources, and Training Center (START-UP USA). The grantee must also agree to work with ODEP in its various technical assistance efforts in order to freely share with others what is learned about building systems capacity and leadership across generic and disability-specific systems and linking asset development and employment activities. The Grantee must agree to collaborate with other research institutes, centers, studies, and evaluations that are supported by the DOL and other relevant Federal agencies, as appropriate. Finally, the Grantee must agree to actively utilize as appropriate the programs sponsored by the ODEP, including the Job Accommodation Network ( *http://www.jan.wvu.edu* ), and the Employer Assistance and Recruiting Network ( *http://www.earnworks.com* ). The successful applicant will be required to prepare a strategic plan for achieving the goals of the Cooperative Agreement for the initial 24-month period of performance and submit it to ODEP for approval within 45 days of award for approval. VIII. Agency Contacts Any questions regarding this SGA should be directed to Cassandra Mitchell, e-mail address: *mitchell.cassandra@dol.gov* , tel: 202-693-4570 (note that this is NOT a toll-free number). To obtain further information about the Office of Disability Employment Policy of the U.S. Department of Labor, visit the DOL Web site of the Office of Disability Employment Policy at *http://www.dol.gov/odep* . IX. Appendices The appendices are as follows: Appendix A. Application for Federal Assistance, Form SF-424. Appendix B. Budget Information Sheet, Form SF-424A. Appendix C. Assurances and Certifications Signature Page. (Appendices D and E are not applicable). Appendix F. Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants. Detailed information and document locations: • Appendix A. Application for Federal Assistance, Form SF-424 (OMB No. 4040-0004). • Appendix B. Budget Information Sheet, Form SF-424A (OMB No. 0348-0044). Both forms SF-424 and 424A can be obtained at the following Web address: *http://apply.grants.gov/agency/FormLinks?family=7* . • Appendix F. Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants (OMB No. 1890-0014). • The Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants form can be obtained at the following Web address: *http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/surveyeo.pdf* . (If this link is viewed in an electronic format and the user receives a “page not found” message, it is recommended that the user cut and paste the URL into his/her browser window.) Appendix C. Assurances and Certifications Signature Page Certifications and Assurances Assurances and Certifications Signature Page The Department of Labor will not award a grant or agreement where the grantee/recipient has failed to accept the assurances and certifications contained in this section. By signing and returning this signature page, the grantee/recipient is providing the certifications set forth below: A. Certification Regarding Lobbying, Debarment, Suspension, Other Responsibility Matters—Primary Covered Transactions and Certifications Regarding Drug-Free/Tobacco-Free Workplace. B. Certification of Release of Information. C. Assurances—Non-Construction Programs. D. Applicant is not a 501(c)(4) organization. Applicant Name and Legal Address: If there is any reason why one of the assurances or certifications listed cannot be signed, the applicant shall provide an explanation. Applicant need only submit and return this signature page with the grant application. All other instruction shall be kept on file by the applicant. Signature of Authorized Certifying Official Title Applicant Organization Date Submitted Please Note: This signature page and any pertinent attachments which may be required by these assurances and certifications shall be attached to the applicant's cost proposal. Signed at Washington, DC, this 17th day of July, 2007. Cassandra Mitchell, Grant Officer. [FR Doc. E7-14074 Filed 7-19-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-FK-P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employment Standards Administration Proposed Collection; Comment Request ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Employment Standards Administration is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the information collection requirements of the collection: Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Complaint Form (CC-4). A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addresses section of this Notice. DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the addresses section below on or before September 18, 2007. ADDRESSES: Ms. Hazel M. Bell, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone
(202)693-0418, fax
(202)693-1451, e-mail *bell.hazel@dol.gov.* Please use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or e-mail). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background This information collection request covers the recordkeeping and reporting requirements for the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) Complaint Form CC-4, Complaint of Discrimination in Employment under Federal Government Contracts. This information collection is currently approved for use through January 31, 2008. The OFCCP is responsible for the administration of three equal opportunity programs prohibiting employment discrimination and requiring affirmative action on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, or status as a qualified individual with a disability or protected veteran: Executive Order 11246, as amended (Executive Order); Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Section 503); and the affirmative action provisions of the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended (VEVRAA). The regulations implementing the Executive Order program are found at 41 CFR Parts 60-1, 60-2, 60-3, 60-4, 60-20, 60-30, 60-40, and 60-50. The regulations implementing Section 503 are published at 41 CFR part 60-741. The regulations implementing VEVRAA are found at 41 CFR part 60-250. All three programs give employees and applicants for employment with Federal contractors the right to file a complaint of discrimination. It is well established, however, that no private right of action exists under the three programs. The exclusive remedy for complaints is the administrative procedures of the U.S. Department of Labor. These procedures are initiated by filing a written complaint, using the Complaint Form CC-4, Complaint of Discrimination in Employment under Federal Government Contracts. The Form CC-4 is used to file a complaint under all three laws enforced by OFCCP. Under the Executive Order, the authority for collection of complaint information is Section 206(b). The implementing regulations which specify the content of this information collection are found at 41 CFR 60-1.23(a). Section 503 provides the authority for collecting complaint information at 41 CFR 60-741.61. The implementing regulations which specify the content of this information collection are found at 41 CFR 60-741.61(c). Under VEVRAA, the authority for collecting complaints information is at 38 U.S.C. 4212(d). The implementing regulations which specify the content of this information collection are found at 41 CFR 60-250.61(b). The Jobs for Veterans Act
(JVA)enacted in 2002 changed the categories of veterans protected under VEVRAA and consequently the categories of veterans eligible to file a complaint of discrimination. The Form CC-4 has been revised to reflect the changes required by JVA. II. Review Focus The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments which: • Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; • Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; • Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and • Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses. III. Current Actions The Department of Labor seeks the approval of the extension of this information in order to carry out its responsibility to enforce the affirmative action and anti-discrimination provisions of the three Acts, which it administers. *Type of Review:* Extension. *Agency:* Employment Standards Administration. *Title:* Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Complaint Form. *OMB Number:* 1215-0131. *Agency Number:* CC-4. *Affected Public:* Individuals or households. *Total Respondents:* 594. *Total Annual Responses:* 594. *Average Time per Response:* 1.28 hours. *Estimated Total Burden Hours:* 760. *Frequency:* On occasion. *Total Burden Cost (capital/startup):* $0. *Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance):* 261.36 Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also become a matter of public record. Dated: July 16, 2007. Hazel Bell, Acting Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, Division of Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration and Planning, Employment Standards Administration. [FR Doc. E7-14039 Filed 7-19-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-CM-P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employment Standards Administration Proposed Collection; Comment Request ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Employment Standards Administration is soliciting comments concerning the proposed collection: Report of Construction Contractor's Wage Rates (WD-10). A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addresses section of this Notice. DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the ADDRESSES section below on or before September 18, 2007. ADDRESSES: Ms. Hazel M. Bell, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone
(202)693-0418, fax
(202)693-1451, e-mail *bell.hazel@dol.gov* . Please use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or e-mail). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background The Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 3141, *et seq.* ) provides, in part, that every contract in excess of $2,000 to which the United States or the District of Columbia is a party for construction, alteration, and/or repair, which requires or involves the employment of mechanics and/or laborers, shall contain a provision stating the minimum wages to be paid various classes of laborers and mechanics that were determined by the Secretary of Labor to be prevailing for the corresponding classes of laborers and mechanics employed on projects of a character similar to the contract work in the city, town, village or other civil subdivision of the State where the work is to be performed. The Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division, through a delegation of authority, is responsible for issuing these wage determinations (WDs). Section 1.3 of Regulations 29 CFR Part 1, Procedures for Predetermination of Wage Rates, provides, in part, that for the purpose of making WDs, the Administrator will conduct a continuing program for obtaining and compiling wage rate information. Form WD-10 is used to determine locally prevailing wages under the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts. The wage data collection is a primary source of information and is essential to the determination of prevailing wages. This information collection is currently approved for use through January 31, 2008. II. Review Focus The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments which: • Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; • Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; • Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and • Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses. III. Current Actions The Wage and Hour Division seeks the approval of the extension of this information collection to obtain wage data in order to determine current prevailing wage rates in the various localities throughout the country. *Type of Review:* Extension. *Agency:* Employment Standards Administration. *Title:* Report of Construction Contractor's Wage Rates. *OMB Number:* 1215-0046. *Agency Number:* WD-10. *Affected Public:* Business or other for-profit. *Total Respondents:* 22,000. *Total Annual Responses:* 66,000. *Time per Response:* 20 minutes. *Estimated Total Burden Hours:* 22,000. *Frequency:* On occasion. *Total Burden Cost (capital/startup):* $0. *Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance):* $0. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also become a matter of public record. Dated: July 16, 2007. Hazel Bell, Acting Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, Division of Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration and Planning, Employment Standards Administration. [FR Doc. E7-14040 Filed 7-19-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-27-P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employment Standards Administration Proposed Collection; Comment Request ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Employment Standards Administration is soliciting comments concerning the proposed collection: Applications to Employ Special Industrial Homeworkers and Workers with Disabilities (Forms WH-2, WH-226 and WH-226A). A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addresses section of this Notice. DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the addresses section below on or before September 18, 2007. ADDRESSES: Ms. Hazel M. Bell, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone
(202)693-0418, fax
(202)693-1451, e-mail *bell.hazel@dol.go* v. Please use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or e-mail). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background Fair Labor Standards Act
(FLSA)section 11(d), 29 U.S.C. 211(d), authorizes the Secretary of Labor to regulate, restrict or prohibit industrial homework as necessary to prevent circumvention or evasion of the minimum wage requirement of the Act. The Department of Labor
(DOL)restricts homework in seven industries (i.e., knitted outerwear, women's apparel, jewelry manufacturing, gloves and mittens, button and buckle manufacturing, handkerchief manufacturing and embroideries) to those employers who obtain certificates. To prevent curtailment of employment opportunities for workers with disabilities, FLSA section 14(c), 29 U.S.C. 214(c), authorizes employers who obtain a certificate from DOL to pay special minimum wages (i.e., wages less than the Federal minimum wage) to workers whose productivity is impaired by their disability. The FLSA defines a “worker with a disability” as an individual whose earning or productive capacity is impaired by age or physical or mental disability. Employers use Form WH-2 to obtain certificates to employ individual homeworkers in one of the restricted homework industries. Upon application by the homeworker and the employer, DOL may issue a certificate to the employer authorizing employment of an individual homeworker, provided
(1)it is shown that the worker is unable to adjust to factory work because of age or physical or mental disability or is unable to leave home because the worker's presence is required to care for an invalid in the home, and
(2)the worker has been engaged in industrial homework in the particular industry prior to certain specified dates as set forth in the regulations (may be waived if causes unusual hardship) or is engaged in industrial homework under the supervision of a State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency. Employers use Form WH-226 and the supplemental data Form WH-226A when obtaining authorization to employ workers with disabilities in competitive employment in work centers and in hospitals or institutions at subminimum wages that are commensurate with those paid to workers with no disabilities. Commensurate wages are based on the prevailing wages paid to experienced workers with disabilities performing essentially the same type, quality, and quantity of work in the same locality where the employee(s) with disability is employed. This form may be used by school officials to request authorization for groups of students with disabilities to participate in school work experience programs, by State vocational rehabilitation counselors, and by Veterans Affairs' officials to grant or extend temporary authorization to employ on-the-job trainees with disabilities. This information collection is currently approved for use through December 31, 2007. II. Review Focus The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments which: • Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; • Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; • Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and • Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses. III. Current Actions DOL seeks approval for the extension of this information collection in order to ensure effective administration of agency programs regarding the employment of homeworkers in restricted industries and payment of subminimum wages to workers with disabilities. *Type of Review:* Extension. *Agency:* Employment Standards Administration. *Title:* Applications to Employ Special Industrial Homeworkers and Workers with Disabilities. *OMB Number:* 1215-0005. *Agency Number:* WH-2, WH-226, WH-226A. *Affected Public:* Business or other for-profit. *Total Respondents:* 3,050. *Total Responses:* 12,050. Form Number of respondents Number of responses Time per response (in minutes) Burden hours WH-2 50 50 30 25 WH-226 3,000 3,000 45 2,250 WH-226A 3,000 9,000 45 6,750 *Frequency:* Annually. *Estimated Total Burden Hours:* 9,025. *Total Burden Cost (capital/startup):* $0. *Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance):* $1,342. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also become a matter of public record. Dated: July 16, 2007. Hazel Bell, Acting Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, Division of Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration and Planning, Employment Standards Administration. [FR Doc. E7-14041 Filed 7-19-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-27-P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA Training Institute Education Center; Notice of Competition and Request for Applications AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Labor. ACTION: Notice of competition and request for applications for the OSHA Training Institute Education Center Program. SUMMARY: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA)conducts short-term technical training in occupational safety and health topics through the OSHA Training Institute in Arlington Heights, Illinois. The number of requests for training from private sector personnel and federal personnel from agencies other than OSHA increased beyond the capacity of the OSHA Training Institute to meet the demand. In October 1992, OSHA began the program of using other training and educational institutions to conduct select OSHA Training Institute courses for private sector personnel and for federal personnel from agencies other than OSHA. Additional information regarding the OTI Education Center Program background, including a complete list of current organizations and course offerings, can be found on the OSHA Web site at: *http://www.osha.gov/fso/ote/training/edcenters/index.html.* This notice announces the opportunity for interested nonprofit organizations to submit applications to become an OSHA Training Institute Education Center. Applications will be rated on a competitive basis. Complete application instructions are contained in this notice. This notice also contains information on a proposal conference designed to provide potential applicants with information about the OSHA Training Institute Education Center Program. DATES: Applications (3 copies) must be received by 4:30 p.m. central time on Friday, August 24, 2007. The proposal conference date is Tuesday, August 7, 2007, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. central time, at the OSHA Directorate of Training and Education, 2020 S. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005-4102. ADDRESSES: Submit applications (3 copies) to the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Directorate of Training and Education, Office of Training and Educational Programs, 2020 S. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005-4102. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Neil Elbrecht, Program Analyst, or Jim Barnes, Director, Office of Training and Educational Programs, OSHA Directorate of Training and Education, 2020 S. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005-4102, telephone
(847)297-4810. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OSHA Training Institute
(OTI)The OSHA Training Institute in Arlington Heights, Illinois, is the primary training provider of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. It conducts more than 100 short-term courses and seminars covering OSHA standards, policies, and procedures for persons responsible for enforcing or directly supporting the Occupational Safety and Health Act, for private sector employers and employees, and federal personnel from agencies other than OSHA. The OSHA Training Institute's primary responsibility is to federal and state compliance officers and state consultation program staff. Private sector personnel and federal personnel from agencies other than OSHA receive training from the OSHA Training Institute on a space available basis. OTI Education Center Program Origin By the early 1990s, requests for training from federal and state compliance officers, state consultation program staff, private sector personnel, and federal personnel from agencies other than OSHA had increased beyond the capacity of the OSHA Training Institute to meet the demand. In addition, resources of the OSHA Training Institute had not increased at a rate that could keep up with the demand. As the number of students from federal and state personnel engaged in enforcement or consultation increased, opportunities for training for private sector personnel and federal personnel from agencies other than OSHA remained static or decreased. In order to meet the increased demand for its courses, the OSHA Training Institute selected nonprofit organizations to conduct select OSHA Training Institute courses for private sector personnel and federal personnel from agencies other than OSHA. Current organizations were selected through regional competitions. Current OTI Education Centers The current OSHA Training Institute Education Centers are: Keene State College, Manchester, New Hampshire; Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York; University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey/State University of New York, Buffalo, New York/Universidad Metropolitana, Bayamón Puerto Rico; Building and Construction Trades Department AFL-CIO/Center to Protect Workers' Rights, Washington, DC/National Labor College, Silver Spring, Maryland/West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia; Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Pennsylvania; Georgia Technical Research Institute, Atlanta, Georgia; Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, Kentucky; University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida; Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Michigan/United Auto Workers, Detroit, Michigan/University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio; Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois/Construction Safety Council, Hillside, Illinois/National Safety Council, Itasca, Illinois; Ohio Valley Construction Education Foundation, Springboro, Ohio/Sinclair Community College, Dayton, Ohio; Texas Engineering Extension Service, Texas A&M University System, Mesquite, Texas; Metropolitan Community Colleges, Business & Technology Center, Kansas City, Missouri; Kirkwood Community College, Kirkwood, Iowa/Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, Missouri/National Safety Council of Greater Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska; University of Utah/Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, Utah; Red Rocks Community College, Lakewood, Colorado; University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California; Westside Energy Services, Taft, California; and the University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. OTI Education Center Selection Guidelines OSHA does not have a predetermined number of organizations to be selected to act as OSHA Training Institute Education Centers. Rather, the number of organizations selected will be determined according to the qualifications of the applicants and their ability to serve the regional populations. Colleges, universities, or other nonprofit training organizations will be selected based upon their ability to conduct OSHA courses for private sector personnel and federal personnel from agencies other than OSHA. Geographic Distribution OSHA Training Institute Education Centers are currently in each OSHA Region. However, OSHA may elect to select more than one OSHA Training Institute Education Center in some OSHA Regions. The Regions contain the following states. 1. Region I: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. 2. Region II: New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands. 3. Region III: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. 4. Region IV: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. 5. Region V: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. 6. Region VI: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. 7. Region VII: Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. 8. Region VIII: Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. 9. Region IX: American Samoa, Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, and Trust Territories of the Pacific. 10. Region X: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. For this notice of competition, special emphasis will be given to the following major metropolitan locations: Austin, TX Baltimore, MD Birmingham, AL Charlotte, NC Cleveland, OH Columbus, OH Hartford, CT Houston, TX Indianapolis, IN Jacksonville, FL Kansas City, MO Las Vegas, NV Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA Louisville, KY Memphis, TN Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL Milwaukee, WI Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN Nashville, TN New Orleans, LA New York, NY Northern New Jersey Oklahoma City, OK Orlando, FL Philadelphia, PA Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ Pittsburgh, PA Portland, OR Providence, RI Richmond, VA Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA Sacramento, CA San Antonio, TX San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA Wilmington, DE OTI Courses Required To Be Presented OSHA Training Institute Education Centers are required to present the following six courses on an annual basis: #500 Trainer Course in Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry #501 Trainer Course in Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry #502 Update for Construction Industry Outreach Trainers #503 Update for General Industry Outreach Trainers #510 Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry #511 Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry In addition, OTI Education Centers are required to present at least five of the following courses on an annual basis: #521 OSHA Guide to Industrial Hygiene #2015 Hazardous Materials #2045 Machinery and Machine Guarding Standards #2225 Respiratory Protection #2250 Principles of Ergonomics Applied to Work-Related Musculoskeletal and Nerve Disorders #2264 Permit-Required Confined Space Entry #3010 Excavation, Trenching and Soil Mechanics #3095 Electrical Standards #3110 Fall Arrest Systems #5600 Disaster Site Worker Train-the-Trainer Course #6000 Collateral Duty Course for Other Federal Agencies In addition, OTI Education Centers will be allowed, but not required, to present any of the following short courses and seminars: #7000 OSHA Ergonomic Guidelines for Nursing Homes #7005 Public Warehousing and Storage #7100 Introduction to Machinery and Machine Safeguarding #7105 Evacuation and Emergency Planning #7200 Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control for Healthcare Facilities #7205 Health Hazard Awareness #7300 OSHA's Permit-Required Confined Space Standard #7400 Trainer Course in Construction Noise #7405 Fall Hazard Awareness for the Construction Industry #7500 Introduction to Safety and Health Management #7505 Introduction to Accident Investigation #7510 Introduction to OSHA for Small Business #7845 Recordkeeping Rule Seminar A brief description of each of the courses is attached. OSHA may increase or decrease the number of different courses available to be offered by the OSHA Training Institute Education Centers. Selection Criteria Applicants will be selected based upon their occupational safety and health training experience, their nonacademic training background, the availability of classrooms, laboratories, and conference facilities, access to transportation and lodging at their resident location, and their capability to provide training throughout their Region. Application Eligibility Any nonprofit public or private college or university is eligible to apply. Any other nonprofit organization that can demonstrate that training or education is part of its mission and that more than 50 percent of its staff and dollar resources is devoted to training or education is also eligible. Funding Provisions OSHA provides no funding to the OSHA Training Institute Education Centers. The OSHA Training Institute Education Centers will be expected to support their OSHA training through their normal tuition and fee structures. Cooperative Agreement Duration Selected applicants will sign non-financial cooperative agreements with OSHA effective October 1, 2007 through September 30, 2012. With satisfactory performance, agreements may be renewed without competition for an additional five years. Geographic Criteria Applicants must have a physical presence in the OSHA Region for which they are applying. For example, an eligible national organization based in San Francisco that has a training facility in Chicago would have a physical presence in Region V. On the other hand, a national organization based in New York City that rents hotel space to provide training at multiple sites around the country would be considered to have a physical presence only in Region II. OSHA Training Institute Education Centers are expected to provide training throughout their respective Regions. In addition, applicants must demonstrate the capability to locate satellite downlink sites for use by federal and state employees and private sector employers and employees to receive satellite delivered training from the OSHA Training Institute. At a minimum, applicants should identify potential satellite downlink sites in all cities with a federal or state compliance office or state consultation office as well as other major population centers within their Region. Consortia and Partnerships Applicants may join with one or more other nonprofit organizations in their Region to apply as a consortium. A training or education institution may elect to apply for this program in partnership with a safety and health organization that is not primarily a training organization. For example, a university could enter into an agreement with a labor union that provides for the use of university classrooms and faculty supplemented by union safety and health professionals. All consortium partners must be physically located in the same OSHA region. OTI Education Center Responsibilities OSHA Training Institute Education Centers are responsible for the following: 1. Ensure that instructors are qualified in the courses/subjects they will be teaching. 2. Arrange for course chairpersons to attend OSHA orientation for each OSHA Training Institute course for which they are the chair. 3. Schedule courses on a year-round basis with each required course being offered at least once a year. 4. Schedule courses at various locations throughout their respective Region. 5. Publicize and promote the availability of courses to ensure attendance and the delivery of the scheduled courses. 6. Conduct at least five courses per month and achieve annual student training goals and objectives as established by OSHA. 7. Facilitate student registration. 8. Acquire audiovisual materials for use in the courses. 9. Reproduce handouts for students. 10. Conduct courses in accordance with materials and instructions provided by OSHA. 11. Monitor courses to ensure that OSHA course outlines are being followed and OSHA learning objectives are being met. 12. Collect course evaluation data from students in accordance with OSHA procedures and provide that data to OSHA. 13. Maintain student registration and attendance records in accordance with OSHA guidelines. 14. Issue course completion certificates to students. These certificates, which certify that a student has completed training in a particular course, must be approved by OSHA. 15. Provide the OSHA Directorate of Training and Education with summary reports indicating number of courses delivered, locations of courses, and number of students. 16. Maintain clearly identifiable records of tuition and fees collected from OSHA course students. 17. Identify the availability of appropriate accommodations for students. 18. Administer Outreach Training Program activities. This includes distribution of student cards to active Outreach Training Program trainers and providing trainer and student information to the OSHA Directorate of Training and Education on a regular basis. Outreach Training Program The Outreach Training Program is a voluntary program through which OSHA authorizes trainers to conduct 10- and 30-hour training courses on occupational safety and health hazards. Persons who successfully complete either OSHA Training Institute course #500 Trainer Course in Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry or #501 Trainer Course in Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry are authorized to conduct 10- and 30-hour training courses, to submit training documentation to the appropriate organization, and issue OSHA course completion cards to their students. Construction outreach trainers must attend #502 Update for Construction Industry Outreach Trainers once every four years to maintain their active status, while general industry outreach trainers must attend #503 Update for General Industry Outreach Trainers once every four years to maintain their active status. OSHA Training Institute Responsibilities The OSHA Training Institute is responsible for the following: 1. Provide OSHA Training Institute Education Center course chairpersons with orientation on how the OSHA Training Institute teaches the course. 2. Provide course objectives for each OSHA course to be presented by the OSHA Training Institute Education Center. 3. Provide answers and technical assistance on questions of OSHA policy. 4. Monitor the performance of the OSHA Training Institute Education Center through on-site visits including unannounced attendance at courses and examination of course reports and attendance records. 5. Evaluate the effectiveness of the OSHA Training Institute Education Center and provide each organization with an annual performance appraisal. Proposal Conference The proposal conference is intended to provide potential applicants with information about the OSHA Training Institute, OSHA Training Institute courses and methods of instruction, and administrative and program requirements for a OSHA Training Institute Education Center. The OSHA Directorate of Training and Education will hold one proposal conference. The proposal conference is scheduled for Tuesday, August 7, 2007 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. central time, at the OSHA Directorate of Training and Education, 2020 S. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005-4102. Applicants interested in attending this conference may contact Neil Elbrecht, Program Analyst, or Jim Barnes, Director, Office of Training and Educational Programs, OSHA Directorate of Training and Education, 2020 S. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005-4102, telephone
(847)297-4810, for information about local accommodations and transportation. It is not necessary to register for the conference. Application Requirements Applicants must address each of the following points in their application. 1. Identifying Information. Provide the name and address of their organization. If the mailing address is a post office box, also provide the street address. Provide the name, title, and telephone number of the contact person who can answer questions about the application. 2. Authority to Apply. Provide a copy of the resolution by the Board of Directors, Board of Regents, or other governing body of their organization approving the submittal of an application to OSHA to become an OSHA Training Institute Education Center. 3. Nonprofit Status. Include evidence of the nonprofit status of their organization and of each member organization if they are applying as a consortium. A letter from the Internal Revenue Service or a statement included in a recent audit report is preferred. In the absence of either of these, a copy of the articles of incorporation showing the nonprofit status will be accepted. 4. Status as a Training Organization. This section applies only to applicants that are not colleges or universities. Show that training or education is a principal activity of their organization. Through audit reports, annual reports, or other documentation, demonstrate that for the last two years more than 50 percent of the organization's funds have been used for training and education activities and that more than 50 percent of its staff resources have also been used for this purpose. 5. Occupational Safety and Health Training Experience. Describe the organization's relevant course offerings for the last two years. Include copies of catalogs and other recruitment materials that provide descriptive material about the courses. For each course, include the dates the course was offered and the number of students who completed the course. Also provide descriptive material including course descriptions and number of hours that is similar to the information contained in the appendix to this Notice. 6. OSHA Training Institute Courses. Indicate which of the OSHA Training Institute courses the organization would offer. The complete list of available courses is attached. 7. Staff Qualifications. Describe the qualifications of course chairpersons and staff teaching occupational safety and health courses. Indicate the professional qualifications of each, such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Professional Engineer (PE), or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH). Also describe staff knowledge of and experience with OSHA standards and their application to hazards and hazard abatement. Include resumes of current staff and position descriptions and minimum hiring qualifications for all positions, whether filled or vacant, that may be assigned to conduct OSHA classes. 8. Classroom Facilities. Describe classroom facilities available for presentation of the courses. Include number of students accommodated, table arrangements, and availability of audiovisual equipment. Also describe appropriate laboratory facilities and other facilities available for hands-on exercises. Indicate provisions for accessibility for persons with disabilities. 9. Distance Learning. Describe plans for identifying satellite downlink sites within the Region for receiving OSHA Training Institute broadcasts. Identify the types of organizations that would be contacted and the information that would be made available to the OSHA Training Institute to ensure a successful broadcast. 10. Outreach Training Program. Provide a description of the systems that would be in place to administer the Outreach Training Program and to assure its integrity including maintaining records, ensuring that only authorized trainers receive student cards, reviewing requests for student cards, and distributing student cards. 11. Tuition. Provide a copy of the organization's tuition and fee schedule. Explain how tuition or fees will be computed for each course, referencing the organization's tuition and fee schedule. 12. Recruitment. Explain procedures for marketing the training programs, promoting the organizations status as an OSHA Training Institute Education Center within the region, and recruiting students from the private sector and from federal agencies other than OSHA. 13. Registration. Describe registration procedures including provisions for cancellation, furnishing enrollees with hotel information, and tuition or fee collection. 14. Location. Describe the accessibility of the training facility for students. Include such items as distance from a major airport, number of airlines serving the airport, transportation from the airport to hotels, and distance from the interstate system. 15. Accommodations. Provide a representative listing of hotels available for student accommodation and give sample room rates. Explain how students will be transported between the hotels and classes. Describe the food service and restaurants available both in the area in which the classes will be held and in the area where the hotels are located. 16. Off-site Courses. Successful applicants are required to conduct courses at sites other than their own facilities, especially in other states in their Region. Describe the organization's plan to provide off-site training within their respective Region including procedures to assure that classroom facilities and accommodations are adequate. 17. Nondiscrimination. Provide copies of the organization's nondiscrimination policies covering staff and students. In the absence of a written policy, explain how the organization will ensure that staff and students are selected without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Application Submission Applications (3 copies) must be submitted to the attention of Jim Barnes, Director, Office of Training and Educational Programs, OSHA Directorate of Training and Education, 2020 S. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005-4102. The submission is to consist of one original and two copies of the application. Applications should not be bound or stapled and should only be printed on one side of the page. Application Dealine Applications (3 copies) must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. central time on Friday, August 24, 2007. Application Review Process A panel of OSHA staff will review the application and will consider each of the factors listed below. 1. Occupational Safety and Health Training Experience. Evidence that occupational safety and health training or education has been an ongoing program of the organization. Reviewers will examine the number of different occupational safety and health courses offered by the organization, the number of students completing each course, and the number of times each course was offered. 2. Qualifications of Staff. For personnel teaching occupational safety and health courses this includes academic training in occupational safety and health subjects, experience with the application of OSHA standards to hazards and hazard abatement, professional certification, practical experience in the field of occupational safety and health, and experience in training workers or managers in nonacademic situations. 3. Outreach Training Program. Plans for administering the Outreach Training Program and ensuring program integrity will be reviewed. 4. Location. A major airport with regular service to all parts of the Region should be within a reasonable driving time from the training location and the hotel. Interstate highways should also be within reasonable distance. 5. Adequacy of Training Facilities. Potential for accommodating classes of 25 to 40 students on a year-round basis in settings comparable to those of the OSHA Training Institute will be reviewed. Items considered will include classroom layout, availability of audiovisual equipment, reproduction facilities for handouts, and availability of appropriate laboratory and hands-on facilities. Accessibility for persons with disabilities will also be considered. 6. Distance Learning. Successful applicants will demonstrate the capability to identify satellite downlink sites in their Region for use by federal and state employees and private sector employers and employees to receive satellite delivered training from the OSHA Training Institute. At a minimum, applicants should identify potential satellite downlink sites in all cities with a federal or state compliance office or state consultation office as well as other major population centers within the Region. 7. Recruitment for the programs. Successful applicants will articulate their detailed plans for marketing the training programs, promoting status as an OSHA Training Institute Education Center within the region, and recruiting students from the private sector and from federal agencies other than OSHA. 8. Registration Procedures. How reasonable are the organization's procedures for registering students including methods of reaching potential students, ease of registration, provisions for cancellations, and system for informing students of available accommodations are among the items that will be reviewed. 9. Accommodations. Preferably, national hotel/motel chains and restaurants should be reasonably priced and should be within a few miles of the training facility. 10. Tuition. Conformance of proposed tuition or fees with the established policies of the applicant and reasonableness of the charges will be considered. 11. Off-site Courses. Experience and ability of the organization to conduct courses at sites other than its own facility will be considered. 12. Nondiscrimination. Adherence of the organization's policies with federal requirements will be reviewed. Application Selection Process The OSHA review panel will make recommendations to the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, who will make the final decisions. Notification of Selection Applicants will be notified by a representative of the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, if their organization is selected as an OSHA Training Institute Education Center. An organization may not conduct OSHA Training Institute Education Center activities until it has signed a non-financial cooperative agreement with OSHA. Notification of Non-Selection Applicants will be notified in writing if their organization is not selected to be an OSHA Training Institute Education Center. Non-Selection Appeal There is no appeal procedure for unsuccessful applicants. All decisions by the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health are final. Applicants may request a copy of the documentation of the review of their application by writing to Jim Barnes, Director, Office of Training and Educational Programs, OSHA Directorate of Training and Education, 2020 S. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005-4102. Authority Section 21 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 670). Signed at Washington, DC, this 16th day of July, 2007. Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. Attachment #500—Trainer Course in OSHA Standards for Construction This course is designed for personnel in the private sector interested in teaching the 10- and 30-hour construction safety and health outreach program to their employees and other interested groups. Special emphasis is placed on those topics that are required in the 10- and 30-hour programs as well as on those that are the most hazardous, using OSHA standards as a guide. Course participants are briefed on effective instructional approaches and the effective use of visual aids and handouts. This course allows the student to become a trainer in the Outreach Program and to conduct both a 10- and 30-hour construction safety and health course and to issue cards to participants verifying course completion. Prerequisites: Course #510 and five years of construction safety experience. Note: Students in Course #500 who wish to participate as authorized trainers in the Outreach Program must successfully pass a written exam at the end of the course. Outreach trainers are required to attend Course #502 at least once every four years to maintain their trainer status. #501—Trainer Course in OSHA Standards for General Industry This course is designed for personnel in the private sector interested in teaching the 10- and 30-hour general industry safety and health outreach program to their employees and other interested groups. Special emphasis is placed on those topics that are required in the 10- and 30-hour programs as well as on those that are the most hazardous, using OSHA standards as a guide. Course participants are briefed on effective instructional approaches and the effective use of visual aids and handouts. This course allows the student to become a trainer in the Outreach Program and to conduct both a 10- and 30-hour general industry safety and health course and to issue cards to participants verifying course completion. Prerequisites: Course #511 and five years of general industry safety experience. **Note:** Students in Course #501 who wish to participate as authorized trainers in the Outreach Program must successfully pass a written exam at the end of the course. Outreach trainers are required to attend Course #503 at least once every four years to maintain their trainer status. #502—Update for Construction Industry Outreach Trainers This course is designed for personnel in the private sector who have completed #500 Trainer Course in Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry and who are active trainers in the outreach program. It provides an update on such topics as OSHA construction standards, policies, and regulations. Prerequisites: Course #500. **Note:** Outreach trainers are required to attend this course once every four years to maintain their trainer status. Students must bring their current trainer's card for validation. #503—Update for General Industry Outreach Trainers This course is designed for private sector personnel who have completed course #501 Trainer Course in Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry and who are active trainers in the outreach program. It provides an update on OSHA general industry standards and OSHA policies. Prerequisites: Course #501. Note: Outreach trainers are required to attend this course once every four years to maintain their trainer status. Students must bring their current trainer's card for validation. #510—Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Construction This course for private sector personnel covers OSHA policies, procedures, and standards, as well as construction safety and health principles. Topics include scope and application of the OSHA construction standards. Special emphasis is placed on those areas that are the most hazardous, using OSHA standards as a guide. Upon successful course completion, the student will receive an OSHA construction safety and health 30-hour course completion card. #511—Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry This course for private sector personnel covers OSHA policies, procedures, and standards, as well as general industry safety and health principles. Topics include scope and application of the OSHA general industry standards. Special emphasis is placed on those areas that are the most hazardous, using OSHA standards as a guide. Upon successful course completion, the student will receive an OSHA general industry safety and health 30-hour course completion card. #521—OSHA Guide to Industrial Hygiene This course addresses industrial hygiene practices and related OSHA regulations and procedures. Topics include permissible exposure limits, OSHA health standards, respiratory protection, engineering controls, hazard communication, OSHA sampling procedures and strategy, workplace health program elements and other industrial hygiene topics. The course features workshops in health hazard recognition, OSHA health standards and a safety and health program workshop. #2015—Hazardous Materials This shortened version of #2010 covers OSHA general industry standards and integrates materials from other consensus and proprietary standards that relate to hazardous materials. Included are flammable and combustible liquids, compressed gases, LP-gases, and cryogenic liquids. Related processes such as spraying and dipping are covered, as well as electrical equipment. Prerequisites: 21(d) State Consultants: Computer-based #1500 Basic Onsite Consultation program. Other Federal Agency or Department Personnel: Course #2005, #6000, or #6010. Private Sector and Other Non-Federal Government personnel: Course #2005, #501, #510, or #511. This course is available to non-compliance personnel only. #2045—Machinery and Machine Guarding Standards This shortened version of #2040 familiarizes the student with various types of common machinery and the related safety standards. Guidance is provided on the hazards associated with various kinds of machinery and the control of hazardous energy sources (lockout/tagout). The course presents an approach to machinery inspection that enables participants to recognize hazards and to provide options to achieve abatement. These hazards include mechanical motions and actions created by points of operation and other machinery processes. Also included is hands-on training in the laboratories. Prerequisites: 21(d) State Consultants: Computer-based #1500 Basic Onsite Consultation program. Other Federal Agency or Department Personnel: Course #2005, #6000, or #6010. Private Sector and Other Non-Federal Government personnel: Course #2005, #501, #510 or #511. This course is available to non-compliance personnel only. #2225—Respiratory Protection This course covers the requirements for the establishment, maintenance, and monitoring of a respirator program. Topics include terminology, OSHA standards, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) certification, and medical evaluation recommendations. Program highlights include laboratories on respirator selection, qualitative fit testing, and the use of a large array of respiratory and support equipment for hands-on training. #2250—Ergonomics Applied to MSDs and Nerve Disorders This course covers the use of ergonomic principles to recognize, evaluate, and control work place conditions that cause or contribute to musculoskeletal and nerve disorders. Topics include work physiology, anthropometry, musculoskeletal disorders, use of video display terminals, and risk factors such as vibration, temperature, material handling, repetition, and lifting and transfers in health care. Course emphasis is on industrial case studies covering analysis and design of workstations and equipment, laboratory sessions in manual lifting, and coverage of current OSHA compliance policies. Prerequisites: OSHA Federal and State Compliance Officers: Course #1000. 21(d) State Consultants: Computer-based program, “Basic Onsite Consultation.” Safety personnel: Course #1210. Other Federal Agency or Department personnel: Course #6000, #6010 OR EQUIVALENT. Private Sector and Other Non-Federal Government personnel: Course #501, #510, OR EQUIVALENT. #2264—Permit-Required Confined Space Entry This course is designed to enable students to recognize, evaluate, prevent, and abate safety and health hazards associated with confined space entry. Technical topics include the recognition of confined space hazards, basic information about instrumentation used to evaluate atmospheric hazards, and ventilation techniques. This course features workshops on permit entry classification and program evaluation. #3010—Excavation, Trenching and Soil Mechanics This course focuses on OSHA standards and on the safety aspects of excavation and trenching. Students are introduced to practical soil mechanics and its relationship to the stability of shored and unshored slopes and walls of excavations. Various types of shoring (wood timbers and hydraulic) are covered. Testing methods are demonstrated and a one-day field exercise is conducted, allowing students to use instruments such as penetrometers, torvane shears, and engineering rods. Prerequisites: All participants must have completed Course #2000, #510, or have equivalent construction training or experience. Industrial hygienists may substitute Course #1010 for #2000. #3095—Electrical Standards This shortened version of #3090 is designed to provide the student with a survey of OSHA's electrical standards and the hazards associated with electrical installations and equipment. Topics include single- and three-phase systems, cord- and plug-connected and fixed equipment, grounding, ground fault circuit interrupters, and safety-related work practices. Emphasis is placed on electrical hazard recognition and OSHA policies and procedures. Students will receive instruction on safe and correct use of their electrical testing equipment. Prerequisites: All OSHA personnel must have completed Course #2030 or have equivalent training or experience. Other Federal Agency or Department personnel: Course #2005, #6000, or #6010 or equivalent. This course is available to noncompliance personnel only. #3110—Fall Arrest Systems This course provides an overview of state-of-the-art technology for fall protection and current OSHA requirements. Topics covered include the principles of fall protection, the components of fall arrest systems, the limitations of fall arrest equipment, and OSHA policies regarding fall protection. Course features a one-day field exercise demonstrating fall protection equipment. Prerequisites: All participants must have completed Course #2000, #510, or have equivalent construction training or experience. Industrial hygienists may substitute Course #1010 for #2000. #5600—Disaster Site Worker Train-the-Trainer Course The Disaster Site Worker Train-the-Trainer Course prepares experienced trainers to present OSHA's 16-hour Disaster Site Worker Course. Trainers for this course need to be able to apply the elements of successful adult training programs, along with specific knowledge, skills, and attitudes to awareness training about safety and health standards at natural and man-made disaster sites. Trainers are given the opportunity to practice knowledge, skills, and attitudes through discussion, planned exercises, demonstrations, and presentations. Participants receive lesson plans and training materials for the Disaster Site Worker Course as well as information on training techniques and resources. Trainers will be expected to present a selected portion of the Disaster Site Worker Course and to use a “presentation evaluation” sheet to evaluate to other presenters. Prerequisite: The intended audience for this course is authorized OSHA #500 trainers who have also completed the 40-hour HAZWOPER training. #6000—Collateral Duty Course for Other Federal Agencies This course introduces federal agency collateral duty safety and health personnel to the OSH Act, Executive Order 12196, 29 CFR part 1960 and 29 CFR part 1910. The training enables participants to recognize basic safety and health hazards in the workplace and effectively assist agency safety and health officers with inspection and abatement efforts. #7000—OSHA's Ergonomics Guidelines Training for Nursing Homes The focus of this one-day course is to use OSHA's Ergonomics Guidelines for Nursing Homes to develop a process to protect workers in nursing homes. The course will focus on analyzing and identifying ergonomic problem jobs and practical solutions to address these problems. Featured topics include: Developing an ergonomic process; risk factors in the nursing home guidelines: Identifying problem jobs including protocol for resident assessment; and implementing solutions including work practices and engineering solutions. #7005—Public Warehousing and Storage The course is designed as a training course for warehouse workers and will focus on many hazards and injuries that are likely to be encountered in warehouse operations. It has been shown that warehousing has become an increasingly hazardous area to work in. OSHA has identified Public Storage and Warehousing as one of seven industries with a high lost time claims rate. Injuries may occur from forklifts; material handling and lifting; exposure to hazardous substances; and slips, trips and falls. The course will discuss: Powered industrial trucks; material handling/lifting/ergonomics; hazard communication; walking and working surfaces; and exit routes and fire protection. #7100—Introduction to Machinery and Machine Safeguarding The main focus of this course is to increase the participant's knowledge and skill in proper machine safeguarding techniques, and to highlight the benefits of guarding various types of machinery. It is the employer's responsibility to identify and select the safeguard necessary to protect employees and others in the work area, as well as provide appropriate training in safe work practices. Knowing when and how to properly safeguard machinery can reduce or eliminate the potential for accidents and injuries. #7105—Evacuation and Emergency Planning Evacuation and emergency planning focuses on OSHA requirements for emergency action plans and fire protection plans. Preparing for emergencies is a basic principle of workplace safety and health. Participants will learn:
(1)Reasons for emergency action plans and fire prevention plans and when they are required for a workplace;
(2)elements of a good evacuation plan; and
(3)features of design and maintenance of good exit routes. The optional session for this course will focus on assessment of risk for terrorist attack and how to utilize OSHA's two matrices, evacuation planning and fire and explosion, as tools in planning for emergencies. #7200—Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control for Healthcare Facilities The purpose of this course is to develop a Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Plan for healthcare facilities using a step-by-step approach. Featured topics include an Introduction to Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, the Exposure Control Plan, Exposure Determination, Methods of Control, Vaccinations and Evaluations, Training and Information, and Record Keeping. #7205—Health Hazard Awareness This course provides an introduction to common health hazards that are encountered in the workplace. These health hazards will include exposure to chemicals, asbestos, silica, and lead. The course will feature these topics: Identification of hazard; sources of exposure; health hazard information; evaluation of exposure; and engineering and work practice controls. The course materials will include an instructor and student manual; workshops and group activities; and PowerPoint presentations. The course is designed as an awareness course for employers and employees. #7300—OSHA's Permit-Required Confined Space Standard This one-day course discusses the requirements of OSHA's permit-required confined space standard, 29 CFR 1910.146. It is designed for small employers or a designated representative (line supervisor or manager) with the responsibility to develop a permit space program. It covers OSHA's requirements but does not feature hands-on sections (instrumentation and control methods and testing) which are included in OSHA course #2260. #7400—Trainer Course in Construction Noise The primary objectives of this one-day course are to increase the participant's knowledge and skill in construction noise and provide them with materials and guidance for training their workers. OSHA published an Advanced Notice for Proposed Rulemaking, Hearing Conservation Program for Construction Workers. This course builds on OSHA's efforts to reduce occupational hearing loss in the construction industry. #7405—Fall Hazard Awareness for the Construction Industry The focus of this 5-hour course is to identify, evaluate, and prevent or control fall hazards at constructions sites. The course focuses on falls to a lower level not falls to the same level resulting from slips and falls. The target audience is the small construction employer, business owner, or manager who would like to obtain information about fall hazards found in the workplace. The training is also suitable for employees and employee representatives. Topics include identifying fall hazards, analyzing fall hazards, and preventing fall hazards as well as OSHA resources addressing fall hazards. #7500—Introduction to Safety and Health Management Using interactive assignments and thought-provoking group projects, students of this one day workshop come away with a strong understanding of the benefits in implementing a safety and health management system in the workplace. #7505—Introduction to Accident Investigation Introduction to accident investigation provides an introduction to basic accident investigation procedures and describes accident analysis techniques. The goal of the course is to help participants gain the basic skills necessary to conduct an effective accident investigation at their workplace. The target audience is the small employer, manager, employee or employee representative who, as part of a firm's safety and health system, would be involved in conducting accident and/or near-miss investigations. #7510—Introduction to OSHA for Small Business This course provides an introduction to OSHA for owners and managers of small businesses. The goal of the course is to help participants gain an understanding of OSHA operations and procedures and learn how they can work with OSHA to prevent or reduce injuries and illnesses in their workplaces. Included in the course is information on the background of OSHA, standards, the inspection process, implementing a safety and health program, and assistance available to small business. It is anticipated that the course materials could be covered in 3 1/2 to 4 hours. #7845—Recordkeeping Rule Seminar This course is designed to assist employers in identifying and fulfilling their responsibilities for posting certain records, maintaining records of illnesses and injuries and reporting specific cases to OSHA. Participants who successfully complete this course will be able to identify OSHA requirements and complete new OSHA's forms 300, 300A and 301. [FR Doc. E7-14049 Filed 7-19-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-26-P LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION Sunshine Act Notice of Meeting Cancellation; Performance Reviews Committee of the Legal Services Corporation's Board of Directors Time and Date: The July 19, 2007 meeting of the Performance Reviews Committee of the Legal Services Corporation's Board of Directors previously noticed in Volume 72, Number 134 of the **Federal Register** , at page 38626, has been cancelled. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia D. Batie, Manager of Board Operations, at
(202)295-1500. Special Needs: Upon request, meeting notices will be made available in alternate formats to accommodate visual and hearing impairments. Individuals who have a disability and need an accommodation to attend the meeting may notify Patricia D. Batie, at
(202)295-1500. Dated: July 18, 2007. Victor M. Fortuno, Vice President for Legal Affairs, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary. [FR Doc. 07-3564 Filed 7-18-07; 1:10 pm]
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U.S. Code
- Taking, killing, or possessing migratory birds unlawful§ 703
- Bald and golden eagles§ 668
- Congressional findings and declaration of purposes and policy§ 1531
- Congressional findings and declaration of policy§ 1361
- Definitions§ 1331
- Bids at land sales§ 1860
- Exempt organizations§ 1611
- Exemption from tax on corporations, certain trusts, etc.§ 501
- Federal agency responsibilities§ 3506
- Veterans’ employment emphasis under Federal contracts§ 4212
- Definitions§ 3141
- Collection of data§ 211
- Employment under special certificates§ 214
- Training and employee education§ 670
CFR
35 references not yet in our index
- 50 CFR 10
- 50 CFR 17
- 50 CFR 18
- 43 USC 1331-1356
- 30 CFR 256
- 30 CFR 256.37
- 30 CFR 260
- 30 CFR 218.151
- 30 CFR 203
- 30 CFR 260.122(b)(2)
- 30 CFR 260.122(c)
- 30 CFR 256.41
- 30 CFR 256.46
- 30 CFR 256.46(b)
- 30 CFR 218.155
- 41 CFR 60
- 30 CFR 251.12
- 68 FR 38402
- 29 CFR 97
- 2 CFR 215
- 29 CFR 95
- 29 CFR 95.27
- 29 CFR 97.22(b)
- 29 CFR 35
- 29 CFR 36
- 29 CFR 37
- 29 CFR 93
- 29 CFR 96
- 29 CFR 98
- 29 CFR 99
- 29 CFR 2
- 48 CFR 31
- 29 CFR 1
- 29 CFR 1960
- 29 CFR 1910
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