ASEP Proposal Assessment Grid

2009 ASEP Request for Proposals

The Aboriginal Affairs Directorate uses this Grid to assess proposals for funding through the 2009 ASEP Request for Proposals.

• The Aboriginal Training to Employment Plan identifies a minimum of 50 long-term jobs for Aboriginal people.
• A legal partnership, incorporated in the province/territory of major economic development, is in place. If the legal entity is not in place when the proposal is submitted, it must be in place prior to HRSDC signing a contribution agreement for the project.
• The partnership consists of, at a minimum, the private sector/major employer(s) and equal representation from the Aboriginal communities in the affected area.
• Has the environmental assessment questionnaire been completed? Private sector/major employer(s) has provided a written letter of commitment that identifies the number and types of jobs to be filled through the project, and the cash and in-kind funding contributions for the project. This letter is signed by someone with the authority to make human resource and financial commitments on behalf of the employer, such as the company President or Vice-President of Human Resources.
• Aboriginal organizations implicated in the Aboriginal Training to Employment Plan (including band or tribal councils, beneficiary corporations, Aboriginal Human Resources Development Agreement holders, and others as appropriate) have provided written letters of commitment that specify how clients will be identified and referred to the ASEP project, and cash and in-kind funding contributions to the project. The letters are signed by individuals with the authority to make human resource and financial commitments on behalf of their organizations.
• Does the Aboriginal Training to Employment Plan provide for a broad continuum of skills including basic skills, literacy, job-specific training, retention/career counselling, and other supports? 
• Does Aboriginal Training to Employment Plan clearly describe how it will support the movement of unemployed Aboriginal people into training and jobs with the private sector/major employer identified in the project?
• Does the Aboriginal Training to Employment Plan clearly specify how the partners will work collaboratively to achieve the stated objectives (for example, through formal agreements with the society or memorandums of understanding)?
• The plan has a joint accountability evaluation framework that identifies, at a minimum, the number of long-term jobs for Aboriginal people and the number of Aboriginal people that will receive assistance through this funding.
• A case management system for client data, tracking, reporting, and results is identified as well as a system for verifying and validating results.
• Are the objectives of the project clear and detailed? Do they contain realistic monthly or quarterly milestones?
• Are the outcomes/results clear and measurable?
• Does the legal partnership have the tools or supports to effectively monitor activities and maintain an ongoing evaluation of the project?
• Has a human resources plan been included in the proposal or is a plan in place to develop and implement a human resources plan?
• Does the proposal indicate the staffing needs of the legally incorporated partnership or is a plan in place to address recruitment and orientation?
• Is the Aboriginal Training to Employment Plan based on a labour market analysis that includes an analysis of labour market support available through existing programs, and an analysis of the potential Aboriginal labour force’s skills?
• The Aboriginal Training to Employment Plan has a funding contribution from the private sector/major employer, and a breakdown of cash and in-kind contributions. Ensure confirmation of this funding commitment is on file from all parties.
• The Aboriginal Training to Employment Plan has a funding contribution (normally monetary; however, can be in-kind) from the provincial/territorial government where the major economic development occurs. Ensure confirmation of this funding commitment is on file.
• The Aboriginal Training to Employment Plan has support and commitment from the Aboriginal community, and the Aboriginal partners have identified the support they can provide through their Aboriginal Human Resources Development Agreement (or successor agreement). Ensure confirmation of this commitment is on file.
• Are there other sources of funding for the Aboriginal Training to Employment Plan? If yes, please list all other sources and the amounts of funding, and ensure confirmation of this funding commitment is on file.
• Is the total federal contribution to the project (including HRSDC funding) less than 50% of the total cost of the Aboriginal Training to Employment Plan?
• The funding request clearly addresses the additional costs of recruiting, training, and retaining Aboriginal people for employment associated with the major economic development. (These costs are beyond the normal costs of business for hiring experienced workers.)
• The total administration costs for the project, including third-party administration, do not exceed 15% of the total requested contribution.
• The proposed costs are reasonable for the activities.
• Does the request for HRSDC funding duplicate any existing programs/services offered by other programs (federally/provincially/locally)? That is, does the project exceed the capacity of existing arrangements?
• Do the partners have the experience to manage a project of this magnitude? Is there evidence of the partners' involvement in other projects? Is there an indication of the financial controls to be implemented?
• Have land claim issues been addressed (or can they be addressed)?
• Have Impact Benefit Agreements been addressed, as appropriate?
• Are there overall comments regarding the viability and feasibility of the project?
• Are other federal, provincial, territorial, and/or municipal programs and/or projects identified and linked, as appropriate, to the project?