Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grant

Post Date

July 19th 2010

Application Due Date

August 18th 2010

Funding Opportunity Number

SGA10-3BS

CFDA Number(s)

17.603

Funding Instrument Type(s)

Grant

Funding Activity Categories

Employment, Labor and Training

Number of Awards

10

Eligibility Categories

State Governments
Non-Profits With 501 (c) (3) Status With The IRS (Except Higher Education Institutions)

Funding

• Estimated Total Funding:

  $500000

• Award Range:

  $50000 - $500000

Grant Description

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Mine Safety and Health Administration Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor ACTION: Solicitation for Grant Applications. Announcement Type: New. Funding Opportunity Number: SGA 10-3BS Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 17.603 SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), is making $500,000 available in grant funds for educational and training programs to help identify, avoid, and prevent unsafe working conditions in and around mines. The focus of these grants for the fiscal year (FY) 2010 will be on training and training materials for mine emergency preparedness and mine emergency prevention for all underground mines. Applicants for the grants may be States and nonprofit (private or public) entities. MSHA could award as many as 10 separate grants with a 12-month period of performance. The amount of each individual grant will be at least $50,000.00. This notice contains all of the necessary information needed to apply for grant funding. 2 DATES: The closing date for applications will be August 18, 2010 (no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT). MSHA will award grants on or before September 30, 2010. ADDRESSES: Applications for grants submitted under this competition must be submitted electronically using the Government-wide site at http://www.grants.gov. If applying online poses a hardship to any applicant, the MSHA Directorate of Educational Policy and Development will provide assistance to help applicants submit online. MSHA's webpage at www.msha.gov is a valuable source of background for this initiative. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Any questions regarding this solicitation for grant applications (SGA 10-3BS) should be directed to Robert Glatter at glatter.robert@dol.gov or at 202-693-9570 (this is not a toll-free number) or the Grant Officer, Darrell A. Cooper at cooper.darrell@dol.gov or at 202-693-9831 (this is not a toll-free number). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This solicitation provides background information and the critical elements required of projects funded under the solicitation. It also describes the application submission requirements, the process that eligible applicants must use to apply for funds covered by this solicitation, and how grantees will be selected. Further information regarding submitting the grant application electronically is listed in Section IV.C., Submission Date, Times, and Addresses. This solicitation consists of eight parts: Part I provides background information on the Brookwood-Sago grants. 3 Part II describes the size and nature of the anticipated awards. Part III describes the qualifications of an eligible applicant. Part IV provides information on the application and submission process. Part V explains the review process and rating criteria that will be used to evaluate applications. Part VI provides award administration information. Part VII contains MSHA contact information. Part VIII addresses Office of Management and Budget information collection requirements. I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION. A. Overview of the Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grant Program. Responding to several coal mine disasters, Congress enacted the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 (MINER Act). Section 14 of the MINER Act requires the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) to establish a discretionary competitive grant program called the Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants (Brookwood-Sago grants). This program provides funding to educate and train miners to better identify, avoid, and prevent unsafe working conditions in and around mines. This program will use grant funds to establish and implement education and training programs or to create training materials and programs. The MINER Act requires the Secretary to give priority to mine safety demonstrations and pilot projects with broad applicability. It also mandates that the Secretary emphasize programs and materials that target miners in smaller 4 mines, to include training on new MSHA standards, high-risk activities, and other identified health and safety priorities. B. Educational and Training Program Priorities. MSHA priorities for the FY 2010 funding of the Brookwood-Sago grants will focus on training and training materials for mine emergency preparedness and mine emergency prevention for all underground mines. MSHA expects Brookwood-Sago grantees to develop training materials or to develop and provide mine safety and health training and/or educational programs, recruit miners and mine operators for the training, and conduct and evaluate the training on one of the MSHA-selected priorities. Grantees are also expected to conduct follow-up evaluations with people trained by their program. The evaluation will focus on determining how effective their training was in either reducing hazards or improving skills for the selected training topics and in improving the conditions in mines. Grantees must also cooperate fully with MSHA evaluations of the program. If the Brookwood-Sago applicant is not the entity operating the MSHA-approved State training grant, MSHA expects the applicant to contact the State grantee and coordinate any proposed training or educational program with the applicable State in order not to duplicate any training or educational program offered. An applicant's proposed area for the grant may cover more than one State. II. AWARD INFORMATION. A. Award Amount for FY 2010. 5 MSHA is providing $500,000 total for the FY 2010 Brookwood-Sago grant program, which could be divided into as many as 10 separate grants. The amount of each individual grant will be at least $50,000.00. Applicants requesting less than $50,000 or more than $500,000 will not be considered for funding. B. Period of Performance. The period of performance will be 12 months from the date of execution of the grant documents. This performance period must include all necessary implementation and start-up activities as well as follow-up for performance outcomes. A timeline clearly detailing these required grant activities and their expected completion dates must be included in the grant application. MSHA may approve a request for a no-cost extension to grantees for an additional period of time based on the success of the project and other relevant factors. III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION. A. Eligible Applicants. Applicants for the grants may be States and nonprofit (private or public) entities. Eligible entities may apply for funding independently or in partnership with other eligible organizations. For partnerships, a lead organization must be identified. Applicants other than States and State-supported or local government-supported institutions of higher education will be required to submit evidence of nonprofit status, preferably from the Internal Revenue Service. A nonprofit entity 6 as described in 26 U.S.C. ¤ 501(c) (4), which engages in lobbying activities, is not eligible for a grant award. See 2 U.S.C. ¤ 1611. B. Cost-Sharing or Matching. Cost-sharing or matching of funds is not required for eligibility. The leveraging of public and/or private resources to achieve project sustainability, however, is highly encouraged and may be awarded up to 10 application evaluation points. C. Other Eligibility Requirements. 1. Dun and Bradstreet Number (DUNS). Since October 1, 2003, every applicant for a Federal grant funding opportunity is required to include a DUNS number with its application. An applicant's DUNS number is to be entered into Block 8 of Standard Form (SF) 424. The DUNS number is a nine-digit identification number that identifies business entities uniquely. There is no charge for obtaining a DUNS number. To obtain a DUNS number, call 1-866-705-5711 or access the following website: http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayhomepage.do. After receiving a DUNS number, all grant applicants must also register as a vendor with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) through the website http://www.ccr.gov. Grant applicants must create a user account and then complete and submit the online registration. The CCR site advises that this process takes about 1 hour to complete. Once you have completed the registration, it will take 3 to 5 business days to process. The applicant will receive an e-mail notice that the registration is active. 7 2. Legal Rules Pertaining to Inherently Religious Activities by Organizations that Receive Federal Financial Assistance. The government generally is prohibited from providing direct Federal financial assistance for inherently religious activities. See 29 CFR part 2, subpart D. Grants under this solicitation may not be used for religious instruction, worship, prayer, proselytizing, or other inherently religious activities. Neutral, non-religious criteria that neither favor nor disfavor religion will be employed in the selection of grant recipients and must be employed by grantees in the selection of contractors and subcontractors. 3. Non-compliant applications. Applications that are lacking any of the required elements or do not follow the format prescribed in IV.B will not be reviewed. 4. Late applications. Applications received after the deadline will not be reviewed unless it is determined to be in the best interest of the Government. IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION. A. Application Forms. This announcement includes all information and links needed to apply for this funding opportunity. The full application is available through the Grants.gov website, http://www.grants.gov/, under ―Apply for Grants‖. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number needed to locate the appropriate application for this opportunity is 17.603. If an applicant has problems 8 downloading the application package from Grants.gov SM, contact Grants.gov Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726 or by e-mail at support@grants.gov. B. Content and Form of the Application. Each grant application must address mine emergency preparedness or mine emergency prevention for underground mines. Applicants must submit a separate application for each topic. The application must consist of three separate and distinct sections. The three required sections are: Section 1—Project Financial Plan and Forms (No page limit). Section 2—Project Summary (Not to exceed 2 pages). Section 3—Technical Proposal (Not to exceed 10 pages). Illustrative material can be submitted as an attachment. The following are mandatory requirements for each section. 1. Project Financial Plan and Forms. This section contains the forms and budget section of the application. The Project Financial Plan will not count against the application page limits. A person with authority to bind the applicant must sign the application and forms. Applications submitted electronically through Grants.gov do not need to be signed manually; the form will automatically affix an electronic signature for the authorized person identified. (a) Completed SF 424, "Application for Federal Assistance." This form is part of the application package on Grants.gov and also is available at www.msha.gov. The SF 424 must identify the applicant clearly and be signed by an individual with authority to enter into a grant agreement. Upon confirmation of an award, 9 the individual signing the SF 424 on behalf of the applicant shall be considered the representative of the applicant. (b) Completed SF 424A, "Budget Information – Non Construction Programs." This form is part of the application package on Grants.gov and also is available at www.msha.gov. The project budget should demonstrate clearly that the total amount and distribution of funds is sufficient to cover the cost of all major project activities identified by the applicant in its proposal, and must comply with the Federal cost principles and the administrative requirements set forth in this solicitation for grant applications (SGA). (Copies of all regulations that are referenced in this SGA are available on-line at www.msha.gov. Select ―Education & Training,‖ click on ―Courses and Programs,‖ then select ―Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants.‖) (c) Budget Narrative. The applicant must provide a concise narrative explaining the request for funds. The budget narrative should separately attribute the Federal funds and leveraged resources to each of the activities specified in the technical proposal and it should discuss precisely how any administrative costs support the project goals. Indirect cost charges, which are considered administrative costs, must be supported with a copy of an approved Indirect Cost Rate Agreement. Indirect Costs are those costs that are not readily identifiable with a particular cost objective but nevertheless are necessary to the general operation of an organization, e.g., personnel working in Accounting. Administrative costs may not exceed 15% of the total grant budget. 10 If applicable, the applicant must provide a statement about its program income. Program income is gross income earned by the grantee directly generated by a supported activity, or earned as a result of the award. Any leveraged resources should not be listed on the SF 424 or SF 424A Budget Information Form, but must be described in the budget narrative and in the technical proposal of the application (as described in Part IV.B.3 (d) of this SGA). The amount of Federal funding requested for the entire period of performance must be shown on the SF 424 and SF 424A Budget Information Form. Note: Grantees will be responsible for obtaining any beverage resources proposed in their applications. Failure to do so may result in the disallowance and required return of funds in the amount of the proposed beverage. (d) Completed SF 424B, "Assurances, Non-Construction Programs." Each applicant for these grants must certify compliance with a list of assurances. This form is part of the application package on www.Grants.gov and also is available at www.msha.gov. (e) Supplemental Certification Regarding Lobbying Activities Form. If any funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with the making of a grant or cooperative agreement, the applicant shall complete and submit SF-LLL, "Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying," in accordance with its instructions. This form is part of the application package on www.Grants.gov and also is available at www.msha.gov. Select ―Education & 11 Training,‖ click on ―Courses and Programs,‖ then select ―Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants.‖ (f) Non-profit status. Applicants must provide evidence of non-profit status, preferably from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), if applicable. (This requirement does not apply to State and local government-supported institutions of higher education.) (g) Accounting System Certification. An organization that receives less than $1 million annually in Federal grants must attach a certification stating that the organization (directly or through a designated qualified entity) has a functioning accounting system that meets the criteria below. The certification should attest that the organization’s accounting system provides for the following: (1) Accurate, current and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federally sponsored project. (2) Records that identify adequately the source and application of funds for Federally sponsored activities. (3) Effective control over and accountability for all funds, property and other assets. (4) Comparison of outlays with budget amounts. (5) Written procedures to minimize the time elapsing between transfers of funds. (6) Written procedures for determining the reasonableness, allocability, and allowability of cost. (7) Accounting records, including cost accounting records that are supported by source documentation. 12 (h) Attachments. The application may include attachments such as resumes of key personnel or position descriptions, exhibits, information on prior government grants, and signed letters of commitment to the project. 2. Project Summary. The project summary is a short one-to-two page abstract that succinctly summarizes the proposed project and provides information about the applicant organization. The project summary must include the following information: (a) Applicant. Provide the organization’s full legal name and address. (b) Project Director. The project director is the person who will be responsible for the day-to-day operation and administration of the program. Provide the name, title, street address and mailing address (if it is different from the organization's street address), telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail address of the project director. (c) Certifying Representative. The certifying representative is the official in the organization who is authorized to enter into grant agreements. Provide the name, title, street address and mailing address if it is different from the organization's street address, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail address of the certifying representative. (d) Funding requested. List how much Federal funding is being requested. If the organization is contributing non-Federal resources, also list the amount of non-Federal resources and the source of the funds. 13 (e) Grant Topic. List the grant topic and the location and number of miners that the organization has selected to train or describe the training materials to be created with these funds. (f) Summary of the Proposed Project. Write a brief program summary of the proposed project. This summary must identify the key points of the proposal including an introduction describing the project activities and the expected outcomes. (g) Applicant Backgr

Contact Information

• Agency

  Department of Labor

• Office:

  Mine Safety and Health Administration

• Agency Contact:

  Robert Glatter
  Administrative Officer, EPD
  Phone 202-693-9575

• Agency Mailing Address:

  Robert Glatter, EPD Management Operations Officer

• Agency Email Address:

  glatter.robert@dol.gov

• More Information:

  Federal Register (MSHA Website)