REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: In cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor and the National School-to-Work Opportunities Office, the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is soliciting proposals for a focused program competition in two distinct categories: Current Workforce Development planning grants, and Future Workforce Development Projects. The goal of these one year projects is to develop models, approaches, products, resources and lessons learned that, using the MEP centers as a delivery system, will further the infrastructure development, support, and integration activities of the nation's workforce development system. Ultimately, these projects will enhance the capability of the nationwide network of workforce development organizations, including MEP centers, to meet the workforce development needs of small manufacturers. NIST MEP is requesting proposals in two distinct categories: Current Workforce Development Planning Grants and Future Workforce Development Projects. The two proposal categories are described in more detail: (1) Current Workforce Development Planning Grants. NIST MEP will support the initial planning, development, and implementation of activities designed to coordinate the work of MEP centers with resources available for meeting employers' needs for skill workers through local workforce development grantees of the Job Training Partnership Act, P.L. 97-300, as amended, including but not limited to One-Stop Career Centers, grantees serving dislocated workers, and other programs operated by publicly funded reemployment agencies. Proposals should be no longer than 9 single spaced pages. There is no cost share requirement for funding in this category. However, cost share can be a strong indication of coordination with other programs. An estimated $150,000 is available for dispersion to centers in this category. NIST anticipates making approximately six awards of $25,000 each in this category; however, MEP reserves the right to utilize for this competition moreor less funding than the amount stated. The actual number of proposals funded will depend on the quality of the proposals received and the amount of funding requested in the highest ranked proposals. Eligible applicants for this project include NIST-affiliated manufacturing extension centers. Proposals should be submitted through the MEP center director. The selection criteria to be used include: demonstration of meeting needs (20%); development methodology and use of appropriate technology/information sources (10%); delivery and implementation mechanisms (25%); coordination with other relevant organizations (25%); program evaluation (10%); management and organizational experience and plans (5%); and financial plan (5%). (2) Future Workforce Development Projects. NIST MEP will fund partnership activities to encourage collaboration among MEP centers and local, state and regional school-to-work service providers to support the development of the future workforce. Activities funded under the project will address small manufacturers' needs for skilled entry-level workers and foster coordination of efforts. States with multiple MEP centers are strongly encouraged to collaborate on a proposal that will help strengthen their respective states' school-to-work systems. Proposals should be no longer than 12 single spaced pages. There is a cost share requirement of at least 25% of the awarded amount, either in cash or in the form of "in-kind" contributions, for this component of the solicitation. An estimated $500,000 is available for dispersion to centers in this category. NIST anticipates making from three to six awards in this category, ranging from $50,000 to $250,000; however, MEP reserves the right to utilize for this competition more or less funding than the amount stated. The actual number of proposals funded will depend on the quality of the proposals received and the amount of funding requested in the highest ranked proposals. Eligible applicants for this project include NIST-affiliated manufacturing extension centers located in states that have already received Implementation Grants from the National School-to-Work Opportunities Office. These states include Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Proposals should be submitted through the MEP center director. The selection criteria to be used include: demonstration of meeting needs (20%); development methodology and use of appropriate technology/information sources (10%); delivery and implementation mechanisms (25%); coordination with other relevant organizations (25%); program evaluation (10%); management and organizational experience and plans (5%); and financial plan (5%). This solicitation is conducted under the procedures of Part 292, Title 15, of the Code of Federal Regulations published in the August 29, 1995 Federal Register. The MEP Workforce application package (containing required forms, background material, and instructions for submission of proposals) may be obtained by phone (301-975-5105), fax (301-926-3787), e-mail (dhenderson@mep.nist.gov), or by written request at the address below. In addition, the application package will be available for downloading off the Internet at the following address: http://www.mep.nist.gov/centers/programs/workforce. Proposals for the Current Workforce Development planning grants are due by 5:00 pm Eastern Daylight time on Thursday, August 7, 1997. Proposals for the Future Workforce Development projects are due by 5:00 pm Eastern Daylight time on Thursday, August 21, 1997. Proposals submitted by facsimile or electronic mail will not be accepted. Proposals received after the deadline will not be considered. Send proposals to: Manufacturing Extension Partnership, National Institute for Standards and Technology, Building 301, Room C121, I-270 at Quince Orchard Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001. Mark envelope: "Current Workforce Development planning grants" or "Future Workforce Development projects," as appropriate. WEB: Manufacturing Extension Program, http://www.mep.nist.gov/centers/programs/workforce. E-MAIL: Manufacturing Extension Program, dhenderson@mep.nist.gov.

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