575 Innovation and expansion grant to plan, coordinate and implement a Statewide independent living conference; OVR RFP 2004-3

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY

Innovation and Expansion Grant to Plan, Coordinate and Implement a Statewide Independent Living Conference; OVR RFP 2004-3

[34 Pa.B. 1860]

   The Department of Labor and Industry, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), under the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, announces that competing applications to improve community rehabilitation programs serving persons with the most significant disabilities will be accepted.

   Funding for this competition is under the auspice of the State Board of Vocational Rehabilitation and the OVR, which will serve as administrator and fiscal agent for the grant awarded under this competition. Applications will be written to accomplish the following area of emphasis.

   At 2-year intervals, a Statewide independent living conference (conference) is conducted. The most recent conference was conducted in November 2003. The conference to result from this RFP is tentatively scheduled for Fall 2005. A separate operating fund of $90,000 will be used by the grantee for the purpose of financing expenses directly related to the 2005 conference. Examples of expenses include: costs of conference facilities; conference speakers' fees; and other necessary expenses directly related to activities at the conference. Prior to the expenditure of this separate fund, the grantee will submit proposed budgets to the OVR for approval.

   In coordination with, and guidance from, the Statewide Independent Living Council:

   *  The grantee will develop a work plan for a conference. The work plan will include, at minimum: strategies to explore, evaluate and select prospective conference topics; strategies for conference site selection; strategies for selection and recruitment of prospective conference speakers/presenters for conference topics; strategies for conference marketing, public relations and support; strategies for expanding conference attendance to underserved populations; and a prospective budget and cost allocation plan for the conference, including prospective resources of revenue.

   *  The grantee will convene an independent living conference planning committee (committee) to advise the grantee and assist with planning and coordinating the conference. At a minimum, membership of the committee will consist of persons with significant disabilities, including at least one person who is blind and one person who is deaf. The committee membership will be recruited from a variety of sources, including from populations of people who are traditionally underserved by independent living and rehabilitation services.

   *  With the assistance of the committee, the grantee will coordinate and facilitate planning activities associated with the conference.

   *  The grantee will coordinate and implement logistical activities associated with the conference, including announcements and invitations, scheduling of speakers/presenters, onsite conference management, conference security, disability-related accommodations, lodging reservations, as necessary, preparation and distribution of conference program booklets, participant rosters and other arrangements as may be necessary to the conduct of a successful conference.

   *  The grantee will prepare and submit to the OVR quarterly and year-end reports presenting activity and progress/problems related to the conference.

   *  The grantee will provide the OVR with stage and cumulative accountings of conference and conference-related expenses and revenues at 90-day intervals throughout the 24-month life of the grant.

   *  The grantee will provide the OVR with an audited accounting of conference expenses and revenues no later than 90 days following the close of the conference.

Service Information

   This competition will result in one 24-month award beginning October 1, 2004. Activities required under this grant competition include those noted in the previous section.

   For purposes of this competition, an eligible applicant is an individual, a for-profit or nonprofit organization incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth or a government agency or political subdivision experienced in effectively planning and implementing conferences of the scope intended, particularly where events have been undertaken on behalf of persons with significant disabilities.

   An applicant must have experience in activities, as noted, for a minimum of 3 years prior to the date of application to be considered. A successful applicant must be able to demonstrate the effectiveness of previous experience in its grant application.

Application Information

   Applications received by 5 p.m. on May 7, 2004, which are complete and conform to established specifications, will be accepted for review. Applications submitted after this date and time will be ineligible for consideration.

   Applications will be evaluated by a panel of reviewers convened for that purpose.

   The effective dates for the contract will be October 1, 2004, through September 30, 2006. Final awards made through this competition are subject to the approval of the Executive Director of the OVR.

   A complete OVR RFP 2004-3 application package, which includes more detailed information, is available by contacting Jacqueline B. Lucas, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Contracts and Grants Management Section, 1521 North Sixth Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102, [phone], fax: [phone], TDD: [phone].

Pre-Proposal Conference

   A pre-proposal conference to deal specifically with technical questions regarding applications will be held for applicants on Thursday, April 15, 2004, at 11 a.m. at the OVR Central Office, 1521 North Sixth St., Harrisburg, PA. Copies of the application package will also be available at the pre-proposal conference.

   Persons planning to attend the pre-proposal conference who have special needs that should be considered to participate fully should contact Jacqueline B. Lucas at the previous telephone number at least 1 week before the pre-proposal conference.

STEPHEN M. SCHMERIN,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 04-575. Filed for public inspection April 2, 2004, 9:00 a.m.]