The history of the Federal Bonding Program is traced from the first Bonding Assistance Demonstration Projects to the passage of the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act, 1973. The bonding program provides fidelity bonding for individuals who are normally excluded from insurance policy bonding, including ex-offenders, enabling them to work at jobs for which they would be otherwise ineligible. The program's origins began with the passage of the Manpower Development and Training Act in 1962, with subsequent legislation authorizing the bonding program in 1965. An analysis of program design includes the adoption of the basic program and administrative structure, eligibility criteria, development of a procurement document, the United Bonding Insurance Company's bid, and the negotiation of a contract. Program implementation is traced from the initial site selection through development of reporting systems, expansion to the status of a national program, modification, legislative developments, and funding. Appended materials take up approximately half of the report and contain historical documents, including excerpts from the Manpower Development and Training Act of 1962, Department of Labor documents, materials from State and local employment services offices, and an article on the Federal Bonding Program. This is the first in a series of three documents. (LH)