The Workforce Investment Act (WIA), Federal Cost Principles, and Federal Uniform Administrative Requirements constitute the major federal legislation addressing workforce development. Taken together, these rules and regulations provide the framework for developing One-Stop systems and establishing appropriate operational parameters.
The Workforce Investment Act's enactment on August 7th, 1998 capped a seven year bi-partisan effort to consolidate and streamline national employment and training programs. The Act codifies a comprehensive "One-Stop System" approach to employment and training through existing workforce development program consolidation and incorporation, Individual Training Account provision, and State/Local performance accountability system establishment. The Act comprehensively details State and Local governance, One-Stop system establishment, Adult and Dislocated Worker activities, Youth Activities, Statewide Activities, and Administrative requirements. For more information regarding WIA, click here.
Federal Cost Principles are contained in OMB Circulars A-21, A-87, and A-122 respectively. Circular applicability is as follows:
- OMB Circular A-21: Educational Institutions
- OMB Circular A-87: State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments
- OMB Circular A-122: Nonprofit organizations
Additionally, 48 CFR chapter 1, part 31 constitutes the Federal Acquisition Regulations applicable to commercial organizations. The circulars, although not strictly uniform, each contain similar general cost reasonability requirements and individual cost item treatment. Selected individual costs discussed in the circulars include, but are not limited to: Advertising, Donations, Equipment and other Capital Expenditures, Meetings and Conferences, Organizational costs, Personal Services Compensation, Professional Services fees, Training, Transportation, Travel, etc. For more information regarding Federal Cost Principles, click here.
Federal Uniform Administrative Requirements codifying OMB Circulars A-110 and A-102 are contained at 29 CFR Part 95 and 29 CFR Part 97 respectively. Federal Administrative Requirement applicability is as follows:
- 29 CFR Part 95: Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and other Nonprofit organizations....
- 29 CFR Part 97: Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments
Both sets of administrative requirements prescribe specific operational conditions and standards for meeting pre and post-award grant requirements. For more information on the Federal Administrative Requirements, click here.
Finally, both 29 CFR part 95 and 29 CFR part 97 require certain contractual certifications and assurances to be included in all contracts with WIA recipients and subrecipients. The required contractual provisions include:
- Remedies for Breach
- Termination and Settlement
- Access to Records
- Equal Employment Opportunity
- Copeland "Anti-kickback Act
- Davis-Bacon Act
- Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act
- Rights to Inventions Made Under a Contract or Agreement
- Clean Air Act
- Federal Water Pollution Control Act
- Byrd Anti-Lobbying Amendment
- Debarment and Suspension
For more information on required contractual certifications and assurances, click here.