80 FR 18386 - Office of Economic Adjustment; Announcement of Federal Funding Opportunity

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 65 (April 6, 2015)

This notice announces the opportunity to enter into a cooperative agreement with the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA), a Department of Defense (DoD) Field Activity, to undertake a research project to assess and evaluate the design and effect of OEA's Defense Industry Adjustment (DIA) program and the assistance that its Grantees provide to affected communities, workers, and businesses. This notice includes proposal submission requirements and instructions, eligibility requirements, and selection criteria that will be used to evaluate proposals from eligible respondents.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 65 (Monday, April 6, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18386-18390]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-07793]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary


Office of Economic Adjustment; Announcement of Federal Funding 
Opportunity

AGENCY: Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA), Department of Defense 
(DoD).

ACTION: Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) announcement.

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[[Page 18387]]

SUMMARY: This notice announces the opportunity to enter into a 
cooperative agreement with the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA), a 
Department of Defense (DoD) Field Activity, to undertake a research 
project to assess and evaluate the design and effect of OEA's Defense 
Industry Adjustment (DIA) program and the assistance that its Grantees 
provide to affected communities, workers, and businesses. This notice 
includes proposal submission requirements and instructions, eligibility 
requirements, and selection criteria that will be used to evaluate 
proposals from eligible respondents.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    a. Federal Awarding Agency: Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA), 
Department Of Defense (DoD).
    b. Funding Opportunity Title: FY 2015 Project to Assess and 
Evaluate Defense Industry Adjustment Activities by Grantees under 
section 2391, part (b)(2), of United States Code, Title 10 (10 U.S.C. 
2391).
    c. Announcement Type: Initial Federal Funding Opportunity 
Announcement.
    d. Catalog Of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number & Title: 
12.615, Research & Technical Assistance.
    e. Key Dates: Written/electronic submissions must be received by 
OEA by 5:00 p.m., May 8, 2015 Eastern Daylight Savings Time. OEA will 
hold an informational teleconference at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight 
Savings Time on April 15, 2015 to review the goals and objectives of 
this FFO and answer questions from interested respondents. For the 
teleconference number and passcode, interested respondents should pre-
register for the teleconference no later than April 13, 2015 by 5:00 
p.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time. Pre-registration may be 
accomplished by contacting OEA via email at [email protected] with a courtesy copy to 
[email protected]. OEA expects to notify the 
respondent selected through this FFO by June 19, 2015.

I. Period Of Funding Opportunity

    30 days.

II. Funding Opportunity Description

a. Program Description

    OEA is authorized by 10 U.S.C. 2391 to conclude cooperative 
agreements with a State or local government or any private entity to 
conduct research and provide technical assistance in support of the 
Defense Economic Adjustment Program, and to assist communities, 
businesses and workers responding to Defense changes under 10 U.S.C. 
2391 and Executive Order 12788, as amended. OEA is DoD's primary source 
for assisting communities that are adversely impacted by Defense 
program changes. Founded in 1961, OEA has helped communities in all 50 
States and major United States territories develop comprehensive 
strategies to adjust to defense industry cutbacks, base closures, force 
structure realignments, base expansions, and incompatibilities between 
military operations and local development. Awards provided under this 
announcement support the Defense Economic Adjustment Program by 
providing: (1) Analysis and dissemination of information; and (2) 
support to innovative approaches.
    The objective of OEA's DIA Program is to assist States and local 
governments to plan and carry out community adjustments and economic 
diversification activities in response to reductions in defense 
industry employment. Unlike base closures, where surplus property can 
be reused as part of a broader program to replace lost jobs and expand 
the local tax base, OEA's support for communities affected by factory 
closures and laid-off employees focuses on developing community 
adjustments and diversification strategies concentrating on workforce 
skills, opportunities for manufacturing investment/expansion, and 
adaptability of local plant and capital.
    These strategies usually focus on regional job creation through 
business development, attraction, and expansion; workforce development; 
and community economic diversification. Additionally, during the 
planning process, OEA also coordinates with and provides information on 
other relevant federal assistance programs that can support coordinated 
economic development efforts.
    On June 17, 2013, OEA released a Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) 
announcing the availability of funding under its DIA program to support 
local adjustment activities in response to reduced DoD procurement 
(Federal Register 78 FR 36171). OEA currently provides technical and 
financial assistance to over 30 States, local governments, and 
instrumentalities of local government under this FFO, which was 
reissued on May 20, 2014. Additional applications are anticipated in 
2015. Each project has been developed by a Grantee to respond to the 
particular circumstances of a State or region. Funded projects include 
a range of planning and economic adjustment activities to assist 
vulnerable or affected workers, businesses, and communities. Projects 
often differ substantially from one another, and thus performance 
measures and project outcomes vary across the portfolio. Grantees 
periodically report performance measures to OEA for the term of their 
grant.
    OEA now seeks proposals to develop, test, and carry out 
quantitative and qualitative methodologies to help its DIA Grantees 
more effectively assess, evaluate, and report the full effect of their 
projects. Research findings will primarily help current Grantees adjust 
their projects to achieve better outcomes and secondarily inform the 
design of OEA's program of financial and technical assistance. 
Proposals will be evaluated against the eligibility criteria provided 
in section II.c. of this notice, and the selection criteria provided in 
section II.e. of this notice, by OEA, as well as other Federal agency 
staff as invited by OEA. OEA will notify the respondent within thirty 
(30) days of receipt of a proposal whether the proposal was successful. 
The successful respondent will then be invited to submit an application 
through OEA's eGrants system for a cooperative agreement. Additional 
details about the review and selection process is provided in section 
II.e. of the FFO.
    The final amount of the cooperative agreement will be determined by 
OEA based upon a review of the final grant application and will be 
subject to availability of funds.
    More information about the DIA program is available on the 
following Web site: http://www.oea.gov/programs/dia/start.

b. Federal Award Information

    OEA intends to award one cooperative agreement under this FFO. In 
accordance with 31 U.S.C. 6305, a cooperative agreement is a legal 
instrument reflecting a relationship between the United States 
Government and a State, a local government, or other recipient when the 
principal purpose of the relationship is to transfer a thing of value 
to the State, local government, or other recipient to carry out a 
public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by a law of the 
United States instead of acquiring (by purchase, lease, or barter) 
property or services for the direct benefit or use of the United States 
Government, and substantial involvement is expected between the 
executive agency and the State, local government, or other recipient 
when carrying out the activity contemplated

[[Page 18388]]

in the agreement. See Public Law 97-258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1004.
    The project period is for one year. OEA reserves the right to 
continue this effort with the selected respondent for up to 3 
additional years without further competition, subject to the 
availability of appropriated funds, OEA policy, and satisfactory 
performance under the award.

c. Eligibility Information

i. Eligible Respondents
    Eligible respondents include any State, tribal, or local 
governments, Institutions of Higher Education, non-profit entities, or 
for-profit organizations.
ii. Cost Sharing or Matching
    Not applicable.
iii. Eligible Activities
    Eligible activities include research and technical assistance in 
support of Defense Economic Adjustment Program activities under 10 
U.S.C. 2391 and Executive Order 12788, as amended, to assist 
communities, businesses, and workers adversely affected by defense 
program changes. Proposals that do not address the Expected Proposal 
Elements (see section II, part d (iii)) will not be considered.

d. Proposal and Submission Information

i. Submission of a Proposal
    Proposals can be submitted electronically to: Director, OEA, using 
the following electronic address: [email protected] 
with a courtesy copy to [email protected]. Include 
``Research Proposal for Defense Industry Adjustment Communities'' on 
the subject line of the message and request delivery/read confirmation 
to ensure receipt.
    Proposals may also be mailed or hand-delivered to: Director, Office 
of Economic Adjustment, 2231 Crystal Drive, Suite 520, Arlington, VA 
22202-3711.
    OEA will review all proposals for which receipt has been confirmed 
prior to the submission deadline.
ii. Content and Form of Proposal Submission
    Proposals must include the following information:
    1. Point of Contact: Name, phone number, email address, and 
organization address of the respondent's primary point of contact;
    2. Project Description: A description of all elements of the 
proposed project, including how the project will assist OEA and DIA 
Grantees at the State/local level;
    3. Project Parties: A description of the evaluation experience of 
the respondent and associated partner organizations/agencies, as well 
as their roles and responsibilities, which will execute the proposed 
project;
    4. Work Breakdown Structure and Project Schedule: A sufficiently 
detailed project schedule, including milestones, over the course of the 
project;
    5. Budget: Detailed proposed budget for the one-year project 
period. This section should also include narrative sufficient to 
explain each budget line item;
    6. Funds Management: Evidence of the respondent's ability and 
authority to manage Federal funds;
    7. Submitting Official: Documentation that the Submitting Official 
is authorized by the respondent to submit a proposal and subsequently 
apply for funding.
    Proposals should be submitted in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat 
PDF and emailed to the account stated in section II.d. OEA reserves the 
right to ask any respondent to supplement the information in its 
proposal, but expects proposals to be complete upon submission. To the 
extent practicable, OEA encourages respondents to provide data and 
evidence of all project merits in a form that is publicly available and 
verifiable.
    OEA will invite the successful respondent to submit a full 
application to enter into a cooperative agreement under this 
announcement following the review and selection process (for more 
details, see section II, part e, Proposal Review Information).
iii. Expected Proposal Elements
    OEA solicits competitive applications from organizations or 
consortia that will design, pilot, and carry out program evaluation 
methodologies to capture and share the effect of planning and economic 
adjustment activities by OEA's DIA Grantees and assess the 
responsiveness of OEA's program of assistance for Fiscal Years (FY) 
2014 and 2015. Competitive proposals from qualified researchers will 
address the following project tasks at a minimum:
1. Data Collection
    OEA currently provides technical and financial assistance to over 
30 States, local governments, and instrumentalities of local government 
through the Defense Industry Adjustment program. Additional DIA 
grantees are anticipated in FY 2015. DIA Grantees report performance 
and financial data on a periodic basis for the term of their grant. 
Performance reports contain information on the following:
    a. A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives 
established for the period;
    b. Reasons for slippage if established objectives were not met;
    c. Additional pertinent information when appropriate;
    d. A comparison of actual and projected quarterly expenditures in 
the grant; and
    e. Amount of Federal cash on hand at the beginning and end of the 
reporting period.
    The final performance report contains a summary of activities for 
the entire grant period.
    This evaluation project will likely require additional sources of 
information. Respondents should discuss how they will supplement what 
OEA currently collects to understand the range of supported grant 
activities across the DIA portfolio and the evaluation needs of each 
Grantee (e.g., surveys, in-person interviews, etc.).
    OEA will work closely with the successful respondent to share 
existing performance information and project points of contact.
2. Project Methodology
    DIA Grantees include States, local governments and 
instrumentalities of State and local government. Grants have ranged 
from $245,000 to $8 million. Some Grantees are planning in anticipation 
of announced defense acquisition cuts, while others are responding to 
actual reductions. Respondents should describe how they anticipate 
addressing the diversity of Grantee types and activities as they design 
the methodology for the program evaluation. OEA will work closely with 
the successful respondent to design the project. The successful 
respondent will be expected to meet with OEA at least quarterly as the 
methodology is being refined and tested.
3. Reports and Outreach
    The successful respondent will be expected to prepare and present 
one report during the project period using the project design developed 
in paragraph (2). This report will cover findings for FY 2014-15. It 
will summarize the evaluation methodology, assess DIA project 
performance and outcomes to date, offer ``best practices'' or ``common 
pitfalls to avoid,'' and recommend additional metrics or indicators OEA 
could use in future evaluations of DIA projects. The report should 
present project findings in a visually appealing format appropriate for 
print or electronic media, and use

[[Page 18389]]

easily accessible language. A minimum of five (5) hard copies and one 
(1) electronic version should be provided to OEA.
    The successful respondent shall submit a draft research report to 
OEA at least 90 days before the end of the project period. If OEA 
approves the draft research report, it will approve publication of a 
final research report, and the successful respondent will brief OEA 
leadership on the research methods and report results.
    OEA will work closely with the successful respondent to share the 
report's findings with DIA Grantees and other relevant stakeholders in 
order to refine the evaluation design and offer programmatic 
recommendations to project leaders in the field.
4. Technical Assistance Materials and Presentations
    During the term of the cooperative agreement, OEA may request the 
successful respondent to develop case studies or attend events to 
present on ``best practices'' or ``lessons learned'' through this 
project. OEA will provide advanced notification when these products or 
events may be necessary. Respondents should budget for up to ten (10) 
case studies and travel for three (3) conference presentations in the 
Washington, DC area.
    All items produced under the OEA-approved scope of work for this 
project may be posted on or linked to OEA's Web site at http://www.oea.gov.
    Respondents must specify in their proposals and budgets how they 
propose to complete the scope of work, which consists of carrying out 
the tasks outlined above or enumerated in the respondent's proposal and 
final award, within the initial one-year project period.
    This cooperative agreement may result in up to a four-year project 
period, subject to the availability of appropriated funds, OEA policy, 
and satisfactory performance under the award.
    OEA anticipates a close working partnership with the successful 
respondent. OEA will exercise substantial involvement under this 
cooperative agreement in the following ways:
    1. Approval of the Recipient's project schedule.
    2. OEA and Recipient joint participation in communications/
engagement with OEA Grantees.
    3. OEA and Recipient collaboration on project methodology over the 
course of the project period.
    4. Approval of draft reports, technical assistance materials and 
presentations.
iv. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)
    Each respondent is required to: (a) Provide a valid Dun and 
Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number; (b) be registered 
in SAM before submitting its application; and (c) continue to maintain 
an active SAM registration with current information at all times during 
which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under 
consideration by a Federal awarding agency. OEA may not make a Federal 
award to a respondent until the respondent has complied with all 
applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements and, if a 
respondent has not fully complied with the requirements by the time OEA 
is ready to issue a Federal award, OEA may determine that the 
respondent is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that 
determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another 
respondent.
v. Submission Dates and Times
    Electronic submissions must be received by OEA by 5:00 p.m., May 8, 
2015 Eastern Daylight Savings Time. Proposals sent after this time will 
not be reviewed.
vi. Intergovernmental Review
    Not applicable.
vii. Funding Restrictions
    OEA reserves the right to decline to fund pre-Federal award costs. 
Final awards may include pre-Federal award costs at the discretion of 
OEA; however, this must be specifically requested in the grantee's 
application.
    The recipient may not earn or keep any profit resulting from 
Federal financial assistance.
    Funding may not be used for direct hard- or soft-construction 
activities.
viii. Other Submission Requirements
    Each proposal shall consist of no more than ten (10) single-sided 
pages typed in a minimum 11-point common typeface, with no less than 
1'' margins, exclusive of appendices, attachments, and cover sheet and/
or transmittal letter. Electronically submitted materials should be 
sent in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat PDF format.

e. Proposal Review Information

i. Selection Criteria
    In reviewing proposals under this notice, OEA considers and weights 
equally each of the following factors:
    1. Overall conformance with proposal requirements;
    2. Overall quality of proposed research plan;
    3. Overall expertise, experience, qualifications and ability of 
investigators;
    4. Previous Federal grant management experience; and
    5. Overall cost.
ii. Review and Selection Process
    Proposals will be reviewed by OEA staff for completeness and 
accuracy as they are received. After the submission deadline, a panel 
of Federal agency staff will convene to review and rate the proposals 
using the criteria in section II, part e, Selection Criteria. Each 
panelist convened for this competition will evaluate each and every 
proposal.
    Once a successful proposal has been selected, OEA will notify the 
respondent and assign a Project Manager to advise and assist with the 
preparation and submission of an application for a cooperative 
agreement in OEA's proprietary electronic grant management system.
    A typical research project period begins with an initial meeting 
between the successful respondent and OEA staff to discuss the project 
scope of work and to ensure that all parties are in agreement as to the 
project terms. The successful respondent will then submit an 
application. The application will be reviewed for its completeness and 
accuracy, and, to the extent possible, an award notification will be 
issued within fourteen (14) days of the receipt of a complete 
application.
    Unsuccessful respondents will be notified that their proposals were 
not selected for further action and funding, and may request a 
debriefing on their submitted proposal. Requests for debriefing must be 
submitted in writing within 3 calendar days of notification of an 
unsuccessful proposal.

f. Federal Award Administration Information

i. Federal Award Notices
    In the event a cooperative agreement is awarded, the successful 
respondent (Recipient) will receive a notice of award in the form of a 
Cooperative Agreement, signed by the Director, OEA (Grantor), on behalf 
of DoD. The Cooperative Agreement will be transmitted electronically 
or, if necessary, by U.S. Mail. The Recipient must review the award 
agreement and indicate their consent to its terms by signing and 
returning it to OEA.
ii. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
    Any cooperative agreement awarded under this program will be 
governed by the provisions of the OMB circulars

[[Page 18390]]

applicable to financial assistance and DoD's implementing regulations 
in place at the time of the award. A Recipient receiving funds under 
this opportunity and any consultant or pass-thru entity operating under 
the terms of a cooperative agreement shall comply with all Federal, 
State, and local laws applicable to its activities. Federal regulations 
that will apply to an OEA cooperative agreement include administrative 
requirements and provisions governing allowable costs as stated in:
     2 CFR part 200, ``Uniform Administrative Requirements, 
Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards'';
     2 CFR part 1103, ``Interim Grants and Cooperative 
Agreements Implementation of Guidance in 2 CFR part 200, ``Uniform 
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, And Audit Requirements 
for Federal Awards'';
     2 CFR part 25, ``Universal Identifier and System for Award 
Management'';
     2 CFR part 170, ``Reporting Subaward and Executive 
Compensation Information'';
     2 CFR part 180, OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Government-
wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement), as implemented by DoD 
in 2 CFR part 1125, Department of Defense Nonprocurement Debarment and 
Suspension; and
     32 CFR part 28, ``New Restrictions on Lobbying''.
iii. Reporting
    OEA requires periodic performance reports, an interim financial 
report for each 12 months a cooperative agreement is active, and one 
final performance report. Performance reports will contain information 
on the following:
    a. A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives 
established for the period;
    b. Reasons for slippage if established objectives were not met;
    c. Additional pertinent information when appropriate;
    d. A comparison of actual and projected quarterly expenditures in 
the cooperative agreement; and,
    e. Amount of Federal cash on hand at the beginning and end of the 
reporting period.
    The final performance report must contain a summary of activities 
for the entire project period. All required deliverables should be 
submitted with the final performance report.
    The final SF 425, ``Federal Financial Report,'' must be submitted 
to OEA within 90 days after the end of the cooperative agreement.
    Any funds actually advanced and not needed for project purposes 
shall be returned immediately to OEA. OEA will provide a schedule for 
reporting periods and report due dates in the Cooperative Agreement.

g. Federal Awarding Agency Contact

    For further information, to answer questions, or for help with 
problems, contact: Ms. Elizabeth Chimienti, Project Manager, Office of 
Economic Adjustment, 2231 Crystal Drive, Suite 520, Arlington, VA 
22202-3711, Office: (703) 697-2075. Email: 
[email protected]. The OEA homepage address is: http://www.oea.gov.

h. Other Information

i. Cooperative Agreement Award Determination
    Selection of an organization under this FFO does not constitute 
approval of a cooperative agreement for the proposed project as 
submitted. Before any funds are awarded, OEA may enter into 
negotiations about such items as program components, staffing and 
funding levels, and administrative systems in place to support 
implementation of the award. The amount of available funding may 
require the final award amount to be less than that originally 
requested by the respondent. If the negotiations do not result in a 
mutually acceptable submission, OEA reserves the right to terminate the 
negotiations and decline to fund an application. OEA further reserves 
the right not to fund any application received under this FFO.
    In the event the respondent is awarded a cooperative agreement that 
is less than the amount requested, the respondent will be required to 
modify its grant application to conform to the reduced amount before 
execution of the cooperative agreement. OEA reserves the right to 
reduce or withdraw the award if acceptable modifications are not 
submitted by the respondent within 15 business days from the date the 
request for modification is made. Any modifications must be within the 
scope of the original application.
ii. No Obligation for Future Funding
    Amendment or renewal of an award to increase funding or to extend 
the period of performance is at the discretion of OEA. If a respondent 
is awarded funding under this FFO, neither OEA, DoD nor any Federal 
agency are under any obligation to provide any additional future 
funding in connection with that award or to make any future award(s).
iii. Submission of Proprietary Information
    Given the subject matter, some submissions may include proprietary 
information as it relates to confidential commercial information. The 
Freedom of Information Act defines ``confidential commercial 
information'' as information the disclosure of which could reasonably 
be expected to cause substantial competitive harm. Respondents may wish 
to request that OEA not disclose what they regard as confidential 
commercial information.
    To assist OEA in making a determination on a non-disclosure 
request, respondents are encouraged to identify any specific 
confidential commercial information their proposals, or to email OEA 
directly with questions on this matter. Please list the information by 
page and paragraph numbers.
    The documents and information submitted in response to this FFO 
become the property of the U.S. Government and will not be returned.
iv. Intellectual Property Rights
    In the event of a cooperative agreement award, the Recipient may 
copyright any work that is subject to copyright and was developed, or 
for which ownership was purchased, under an award. The Federal awarding 
agencies reserve a royalty-free, nonexclusive and irrevocable right to 
reproduce, publish, or otherwise use the work for Federal purposes, and 
to authorize others to do so. Such uses include, but are not limited 
to, the right to modify and distribute such products worldwide by any 
means, electronically or otherwise. The Recipient may not use Federal 
funds to pay any royalty or license fee for use of a copyrighted work, 
or the cost of acquiring by purchase a copyright in a work, where DoD 
has a license or rights of free use in such work. If revenues are 
generated through selling products developed with cooperative agreement 
funds, including intellectual property, these revenues are program 
income and shall be added to the cooperative agreement and must be 
expended for allowable cooperative agreement activities.

    Dated: April 1, 2015.
Aaron Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2015-07793 Filed 4-3-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P