As promised earlier, USDOL has now posted some Q & As on the 2 sets of grants for Grassroots FBCOs and local Workforce Boards/Intermediaries that are due in the first week of May. Some helpful clarification is included, such as the definition of "grassroots" as opposed to a "national" FBCO, and the requirement that the local workforce investment boards (Regional Workforce Boards-RWBs) must themselves apply, not their One-Stop operators or contractors. So far we have been notified that over 8 RWBs intend to apply for the Local Board/Intermediary grants, and more are expected. Note below that the Board/Intermediary ("WIB") application may be 10 pages.

Soon we will be distributing instructions and time-lines for requesting state-level review of any proposals and getting state-level endorsement letters from Workforce Florida, Inc. (WFI), Agency for Workforce Innovation (AWI) or both. Although the "Grassroots" grant does not require state-level endorsement, we are willing to review and endorse proposals that area well partnered with local RWBS and support the state’s workforce strategic plans. And according to the Grant Announcement, Section III, Technical Proposal, the Board/Intermediaries grant applications are required to "Submit a letter of endorsement from the state workforce agency and from an elected official who has appointment authority for the WIB [RWB}." In Florida that would mean AWI/WFI at state level, and the County Commission representative or Consortium of Counties as appointing authorities at local level.

Questions and Answers on the New Solicitations can be found at http://www.doleta.gov/usworkforce/documents/misc/fbo-cbo_q&A_2004.cfm.

The Grassroots SGA is due May 7, the WIB SGA is due May 6. (See www.dol.gov/cfbci for details).

The WIB SGA can be 10 PAGES (not just 5.)