Solicitation for Grant Applications (SGA); Urban Homeless
Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP) Grants for Program Year (PY)
2006, July 1, 2006 Through June 30, 2007
[04/20/2006]
Volume 71, Number 76, Page 20494-20504
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Veterans' Employment and Training Service
[SGA 06-04/PY 06]
Solicitation for Grant Applications (SGA); Urban Homeless
Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP) Grants for Program Year (PY)
2006, July 1, 2006 Through June 30, 2007
AGENCY: Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS), Labor.
ACTION: Posting of SGA.
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SUMMARY: The Veterans' Employment and Training Service is posting
availability of funds for the Urban Homeless Veterans' Reintegration
Program.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cassandra Mitchell, Grants Management
Specialist, Procurement Services Center, at (202) 693-4570.
Date Extension: N/A.
DATES: The closing date for receipt of the application is May 22, 2006
at 5 p.m. (Eastern Time) at the address listed.
Executive Summary (Applicants For Grant Funds Should Read This
Notice In Its Entirety): The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL),
Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS), announces a grant
competition under 38 U.S.C. 2021, as added by section 5 of Public Law
107-95, the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001
(HVCAA). Section 2021 requires the Secretary of Labor to conduct,
directly or through grant or contract, such programs as the Secretary
determines appropriate to expedite the reintegration of homeless
veterans into the labor force.
Due to limited available funding and the high concentration of
homeless veterans in the metropolitan areas of the 75 U.S. cities
largest in population and the metropolitan area of San Juan, Puerto
Rico, the only jurisdictions eligible to be served through this urban
competition for HVRPs are those areas listed in Appendix G.
HVRP grants are intended to address two objectives: (1) To provide
services to assist in reintegrating homeless veterans into meaningful
employment within the labor force, and (2) to stimulate the development
of effective service delivery systems that will address the complex
problems facing homeless veterans. Successful applicants will design
programs that assist eligible veterans by providing job placement
services, job training, counseling, supportive services, and other
assistance to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the
labor force. Successful programs will also be designed to be flexible
in addressing the universal as well as the local or regional problems
that have had a negative impact on homeless veterans reentering the
workforce.
Under this solicitation covering Fiscal Year (FY) 2006, VETS
anticipates that up to $7,300,000 will be available for grant awards up
to a maximum of $300,000 for each grant award. VETS expects to award
approximately twenty-five (25) grants. This notice contains all of the
necessary information and forms to apply for grant funding. The period
of performance for these PY 2006 grants will be July 1, 2006 through
June 30, 2007. Two (2) optional years of additional funding may be
available, depending upon Congressional appropriations, the agency's
decision to exercise the optional year(s) of funding, and satisfactory
grantee and sub-awardee(s) performance.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Veterans' Employment and
Training Service (VETS), announces a grant competition under 38 U.S.C.
2021, as added by section 5 of Public Law 107-95, the Homeless Veterans
Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001 (HVCAA). Section 2021 requires the
Secretary of Labor to conduct, directly or through grant or contract,
such programs as the Secretary determines appropriate to provide job
training, counseling, and placement services (including job readiness,
literacy training, and skills training) to expedite the reintegration
of homeless veterans into the labor force.
1. Program Concept and Emphasis
HVRP grants are intended to address two objectives: (a) To provide
services to assist in reintegrating homeless veterans into meaningful
employment within the labor force, and (b) to stimulate the development
of effective service delivery systems that will address the complex
problems facing homeless veterans.
For this Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 grant solicitation, VETS seeks
applicants that will provide services through a case management
approach that networks with Federal, State, and local resources for
veteran support programs. Successful applicants will have clear
strategies and obtainable goals for employment and retention of
employment for homeless veterans. Successful applicants will design
programs that assist eligible veterans by providing job placement
services, job training, counseling, mentoring, supportive services, and
other assistance to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans
into the labor force. Successful applicants will also design programs
that are flexible in addressing the universal as well as the local or
regional problems that have had a negative impact on homeless veterans
reentering the workforce. The HVRP in PY 2006 will seek to continue to
strengthen development of effective service delivery systems, to
provide comprehensive services through a case management approach that
addresses complex problems facing eligible veterans trying to
transition into gainful employment, and to improve strategies for
employment and retention in employment.
Due to the limited amount of funding and the high concentration of
homeless veterans in the metropolitan areas of the 75 U.S. cities
largest in population and the metropolitan area of San Juan, Puerto
Rico, the only jurisdictions eligible to be served through this urban
competition for HVRP are those areas listed in Appendix G.
2. Project Awareness Program Information and Orientation Activities
In order to promote networking between the HVRP-funded program and
local service providers (and thereby eliminate gaps or duplication in
services and enhance the provision of assistance to participants), the
grantee and sub-awardee(s) must provide project orientation workshops
and program awareness activities that it determines are the most
feasible for the types of providers listed below. Grantees and
[[Page 20495]]
sub-awardee(s) are encouraged to propose strategies for incorporating
small faith-based and community organizations (defined as organizations
with social services budgets of $500,000 or less and ten (10) or fewer
full-time employees) into their outreach plans. Project orientation
workshops conducted by grantees and sub-awardee(s) have been an
effective means of sharing information and informing the community of
the availability of other services; they are encouraged but not
mandatory. Rather, grantees and sub-awardee(s) will have the
flexibility to attend service provider meetings, seminars, and
conferences, to outstation staff, and to develop individual service
contracts as well as to involve other agencies in program planning.
The grantee and sub-awardee(s) will be responsible for providing
project awareness, program information, and orientation activities to
the following:
A. Direct providers of services to homeless veterans, including
shelter and soup kitchen operators, to make them aware of the services
available to homeless veterans to make them job-ready and to aid their
placement into jobs.
B. Federal, State, and local agencies such as the Social Security
Administration (SSA), Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), State
Workforce Agencies (SWAs) and local One-Stop Career Centers (which
integrate Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and other employment and
training services), mental health services, and healthcare
detoxification facilities: To familiarize them with the nature and
needs of homeless veterans.
C. Civic and private sector groups, in particular veterans' service
organizations, support groups, job training and employment services,
and community-based organizations (including faith-based
organizations), to provide information on homeless veterans and their
needs.
The grantee and sub-awardee(s) will also be responsible for
participating in ``Stand Down'' events. A ``Stand Down'' is an event
held in a locality, usually for one (1) to three (3) days, where
services are provided to homeless veterans along with shelter, meals,
clothing, employment services, and medical attention. This type of
event is mostly a volunteer effort, which is organized within a
community and brings service providers together such as the Department
of Veterans Affairs, Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program Specialists
(DVOP) and Local Veterans' Employment Representatives (LVER) staff from
the State Workforce Agencies, Veteran Service Organizations, military
personnel, civic leaders, and a variety of other interested persons,
groups, and organizations. Many services are provided on-site with
referrals also made for continued assistance after the Stand Down
event. These events can often be the catalyst that enables homeless
veterans to get back into mainstream society. The Department of Labor
has supported replication of these events and many have been held
throughout the nation.
In areas where an HVRP is operating, grantees and sub-awardee(s)
are expected and encouraged to participate fully and offer their
services for all locally planned Stand Down event(s). Toward this end,
up to $8,000 of the requested HVRP grant funds may be used to
supplement the Stand Down efforts, where funds are not otherwise
available, and may be requested and explained in the budget narrative.
3. Scope of Program Design
In addition to the activities described above, the project design
must include the following services:
A. Outreach, intake, assessment, peer counseling or mentoring to
the degree practical, employment services, and follow-up support
services to enhance retention in employment. Program staff providing
outreach services should have experience in dealing with, and an
understanding of the needs of, homeless veterans. Outreach activities
must include and coordinate with the DVOP and LVER staff in the State
Workforce Agencies or in the workforce investment systems' One-Stop
Career Centers System, Veterans' Workforce Investment Program (VWIP),
and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
B. Provision of or referral to employment services such as: Job
search workshops, job counseling, assessment of skills, resume writing
techniques, interviewing skills, subsidized trial employment (work
experience), job development services, job placement into unsubsidized
employment, and job placement follow-up services to enhance retention
in employment.
C. Provision of or referral to training services such as: Basic
skills instruction, remedial education activities, life skills and
money management training, on-the-job training, classroom training,
vocational training, specialized and/or licensing training programs,
and other formal training programs as deemed appropriate to benefit the
participant. At least 80% of the enrolled HVRP participants must
participate in training activities.
D. Grantees and sub-awardee(s) must perform a preliminary
assessment of each participant's eligibility for Department of Veterans
Affairs (DVA) service-connected disability, compensation, and/or
pension benefits. As appropriate, grantees and sub-awardee(s) will work
with the veterans' service organizations or refer the participants to
DVA in order to file a claim for compensation or pension. Grantees and
sub-awardee(s) will track the progress of claims and report outcomes in
individual participant case management records.
E. Coordination with veterans' services programs, including: DVOPs
and LVERs in the workforce investment system's One-Stop Career Centers,
as well as Veterans' Workforce Investment Programs (VWIPs), Department
of Veterans Affairs (DVA) services, including its Health Care for
Homeless Veterans, Domiciliary Care, Regional Benefits Assistance
Program, and Transitional Housing under Homeless Provider Grant and Per
Diem programs.
F. Networking, collaborating, and coordinating efforts with
veterans' service organizations such as: The American Legion, Disabled
American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of
America, The American Veterans (AMVETS), or etc. to ensure participants
apply for and/or receive other veterans' benefits that they may be
eligible for.
G. Referral as necessary to health care, counseling, and
rehabilitative services including, but not limited to: Alcohol and drug
rehabilitation, therapeutic services, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD) services, and mental health services as well as coordination
with McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (MVHAA) programs for health
care for the homeless, and health care programs under the Homeless
Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act (HVCAA) of 2001.
H. Referral to housing assistance, as appropriate, provided by:
Local shelters, Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) food
and shelter programs, transitional housing programs and single room
occupancy housing programs funded under MVHAA and HVCAA, and permanent
housing programs for disabled homeless persons funded under MVHAA and
HVCAA.
4. Results-Oriented Model
No specific model is mandatory, but successful applicants will
design a program that is responsive to the needs of the local community
and achieves the HVRP objectives. The HVRP objectives are to
successfully reintegrate homeless veterans into the workforce and to
stimulate the development of effective service delivery systems that
will address the complex problems facing
[[Page 20496]]
homeless veterans. Under the Government Performance and Results Act
(GPRA), Congress and the public are looking for program results rather
than program processes.
For purposes of assessing performance of grantees selected under
this SGA, VETS will focus on two performance measures described below.
However, grantees also will be required to report additional
performance information, as required in DOL guidance on OMB Common
Measures and as described below. All performance outcomes will be
reported quarterly using an Internet-based reporting system for HVRP,
with access provided to successful grantees after the award process has
been completed.
There are two (2) outcome measures with established performance
targets for HVRP grants. The first outcome measure is the placement
rate with a performance target for grantees and sub-awardee(s) to meet
a minimum placement rate of 61.5%. This is determined by dividing the
number of participants placed into employment by the total number of
HVRP participants. While the percentage of HVRP participants placed
into employment is an important outcome, it is also necessary to
evaluate and measure the program's longer-term results, through the 90-
day and 180-day follow-up periods. The second outcome measure is
retention following placement with a performance target for grantees
and sub-awardee(s) to meet a minimum rate of retention of 58.5% at 180
days following placement. This is determined by dividing the number of
participants retained in employment at 180 days following placement
divided by the total number of participants placed into employment.
While there is no performance target established for retention at 90
days following placement, grantees are required to collect and report
the rate of retention in employment at that point.
In applying the Common Measures, grantees will be required to
collect additional information according to the Common Measures
definitions but no performance targets for grantees will be established
according to those definitions during this period of performance. That
is because the baseline information required to establish performance
targets does not yet exist. Upon award, grantees will be provided with
detailed information regarding the specific information required to be
collected and reported. At this point, it is sufficient for grantees to
be aware of two requirements in addition to the requirements identified
above. First, it will be necessary for grantees to collect and report
on the rate of retention in employment at 270 days following placement
into employment. Second, at the 180 day and 270 day points of retention
in employment following placement, grantees will be required to collect
and report the average weekly earnings of those retained in employment.
This is calculated by multiplying each participant's hourly wage by the
average number of hours per week that the participant was employed
during the previous quarter.
The applicant's program should be based on a results-oriented
model. The first phase of activity should consist of the level of
outreach necessary to introduce the program to eligible homeless
veterans. Outreach also includes establishing contact with other
agencies that encounter homeless veterans. Once the eligible homeless
veterans have been identified, an assessment must be made of each
individual's abilities, interests, needs, and barriers to employment.
In some cases, participants may require referrals to services such as
rehabilitation, drug or alcohol treatment, or a temporary shelter
before they can be enrolled into the HVRP program. Once the eligible
homeless veteran is stabilized, the assessment must concentrate on the
employability of the individual and whether the individual is to be
enrolled into the HVRP program.
A determination should be made as to whether the HVRP participant
would benefit from pre-employment preparation such as resume writing,
job search workshops, related employment counseling, and case
management, or possibly an initial entry into the job market through
temporary jobs. Additionally, sheltered work environments such as the
Department of Veterans Affairs Compensated Work Therapy Program,
classroom training, and/or on-the-job training must be evaluated. Such
services should be noted in an Individual Employment Plan to facilitate
the staff's successful monitoring of the participant's progress. Entry
into full-time employment or a specific job-training program should
follow, in keeping with the overall objective of HVRP, to bring the
participant closer to self-sufficiency. The grantee should provide or
arrange for these supportive services that will enable the HVRP
participant to successfully perform all the activities specified in the
Individual Employment Plan.
Job development, a crucial part of the employability process,
usually occurs when there are no competitive job openings that the HVRP
participant is qualified to apply for; therefore, a job opportunity
with an employer is created, developed, and customized specifically for
that HVRP participant. HVRP participants who are ready to enter
employment and are in need of intensive case management services for
employment purposes are to be referred to the DVOP and LVER staff at a
One-Stop Career Center. DVOP and LVER staff are able to provide HVRP
participants the following services: Job development, employment
services, case management for employment purposes, and career
counseling. Most DVOP and LVER staff received training in case
management for employment purposes at the National Veterans' Training
Institute. All DVOP and LVER staff provide employment-related services
to veterans who are most at a disadvantage in the labor market. VETS
recommends working hand-in-hand with DVOP/LVER and other One-Stop
Career Center staff to achieve economies of resources and to avoid
duplication of services. DVOP/LVER staff may also be able to provide
grantees and sub-awardee(s) valuable assistance in tracking
participants within their State wage record management information
system for follow-up purposes at 90 and 180 days after a participant
enters employment.
The applicant's program must include tracking of program
participants. Participant tracking should begin with the referral to
supportive services and training activities and continue at placement
into employment and through the 90-day and 180-day follow-up periods
after entering employment. It is important that the grantee and sub-
awardee(s) maintain contact with veterans after placement to ensure
that employment-related problems are addressed. The 90-day and 180-day
follow-ups are fundamental to assessing program results. Grantees and
sub-awardee(s) need to budget for 90-day and 180-day follow-up activity
so that it can be performed for those participants placed at or near
the end of the grant performance period. All grantees and sub-
awardee(s), prior to the end of the grant performance period, must
obligate sufficient funds to ensure that follow-up activities are
completed. Such results will be reported in the final technical
performance report.
II. Award Information
1. Type of Funding Instrument
One (1) year grant with optional funding for an additional two
years.
Note: Selection of an organization as a grantee does not
constitute final approval of the grant application as submitted.
Before the
[[Page 20497]]
actual grant is awarded, USDOL may enter into negotiations about
such items as program components, staffing, and funding levels, and
administrative systems in place to support grant implementation. If
the negotiations do not result in a mutually acceptable submission,
the Grant Officer reserves the right to terminate the negotiation
and decline to fund the application.
2. Funding Levels
The total funding available for this Urban HVRP solicitation is up
to $7,300,000. It is anticipated that approximately twenty-five (25)
awards will be made under this solicitation. Awards are expected to
range from a minimum of $75,000 to a maximum of $300,000. The
Department of Labor reserves the right to negotiate the amounts to be
awarded under this competition. Please be advised that requests
exceeding $300,000 will be considered non-responsive and will not be
evaluated. If there are any residual programmatic funds, the Department
of Labor reserves the right to select for funding the next highest
scoring applicant(s) on the competitive list developed for this SGA up
to one (1) year after the initial performance period begins or June 30,
2007.
3. Period of Performance
The period of performance will be for the twelve (12) month period
of July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007, unless modified by the Grant Officer.
It is expected that successful applicants will begin program operations
under this solicitation on July 1, 2006. All program funds must be
obligated by June 30, 2007; a limited amount of funds may be obligated
and reserved for follow-up activities and closeout.
4. Optional Year Funding
Should Congress appropriate additional funds for this purpose, VETS
may consider up to two (2) additional years of optional funding. The
Government does not, however, guarantee optional year funding for any
grantee or sub-awardee(s). In deciding whether to exercise any optional
year(s) of funding, VETS will consider grantee and sub-awardee(s)
performance during the previous period of operations as follows:
A. The grantee and sub-awardee(s) must meet, at minimum, 90% of
planned cumulative goals for Federal expenditures, enrollments,
placements into employment, and training by the end of the third
quarter; and
B. The grantee and sub-awardee(s) must have complied with all terms
identified in the Solicitation for Grant Application (SGA), grant award
document, and General and Special Grant Provisions; and
C. All program and fiscal reports must have been submitted by the
established due dates and the grantee and sub-awardee(s) must verify
these reports for accuracy purposes.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
Applications for funds will be accepted from State and local
Workforce Investment Boards, local public agencies, for-profit/
commercial entities, and non-profit organizations, including faith-
based and community organizations. Applicants must have a familiarity
with the area and population to be served and the ability to administer
an effective and timely program.
Eligible applicants will generally fall into one of the following
categories:
State and local Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs),
established under sections 111 and 117 of the Workforce Investment Act.
Public agencies, meaning any public agency of a State or
of a general purpose political subdivision of a State that has the
power to levy taxes and spend funds, as well as general corporate and
police powers. (This typically refers to cities and counties.) A State
agency may propose in its application to serve one or more of the
jurisdictions located in its State. This does not preclude a city or
county agency from submitting an application to serve its own
jurisdiction.
For-profit/commercial entities.
Non-profit organizations (including faith-based and
community organizations). If claiming 501(c)(3) status, the Internal
Revenue Service statement indicating 501(c)(3) status approval must be
submitted.
Note that entities organized under section 501(c)(4) of
the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activities are not
eligible to receive funds under this announcement. Section 18 of the
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, Public Law 104-65, 109 Stat. 691 (2
U.S.C. 1611) prohibits instituting an award, grant, or loan of federal
funds to 501(c)(4) entities that engage in lobbying.
2. Cost Sharing
Cost sharing and matching funds are not required. However, we do
encourage grantees and sub-awardee(s) to maximize the resources
available to the HVRP program and its participants.
3. Other Eligibility Criteria
A. Due to limited available funding and the high concentration of
homeless veterans in the metropolitan areas of the 75 U.S. cities
largest in population and the metropolitan area of San Juan, Puerto
Rico, the only jurisdictions eligible to be served through this urban
competition for HVRPs are those areas listed in Appendix G.
B. The proposal must include a participant outreach component that
uses DVOP/LVER staff and/or trained outreach staff. Programs must be
``employment-focused.'' An ``employment-focused'' program is a program
directed toward: (1) Increasing the employability of homeless veterans
through training or arranging for the provision of services that will
enable them to reintegrate into the labor force and (2) matching
homeless veterans with potential employers and/or entrepreneurial
opportunities.
C. Applicants are encouraged to utilize, through partnerships or
sub-awards, experienced public agencies, private non-profit
organizations, private businesses, faith-based and community
organizations, and colleges and universities (especially those with
traditionally high enrollments of minorities) that have an
understanding of unemployment and the barriers to employment unique to
homeless veterans, a familiarity with the area to be served, linkages
with the One-Stop Career Center(s), and the capability to effectively
provide the necessary services.
D. Legal rules pertaining to inherently religious activities by
organization that receive Federal Financial Assistance. Neutral, non-
religious criteria that neither favor nor disfavor religion will be
employed in the selection of grant recipients and must be employed by
grantees or in the selection of sub-awardee(s). The government is
generally prohibited from providing direct financial assistance for
inherently religious activities. These grants may not be used for
religious instruction, worship, prayer, proselytizing or their
inherently religious activities. In this context, the term direct
financial assistance means financial assistance that is provided
directly by a government entity or an intermediate organization, as
opposed to financial assistance that an organization receives as the
result of the genuine and independent private choice of a beneficiary.
In other contexts, the term ``direct'' financial assistance may be used
to refer to financial assistance that an organization receives directly
from the Federal government (also known as ``discretionary''
assistance), as opposed to assistance that it receives from a State or
local government (also known as ``indirect'' or ``block'' grant
assistance).
[[Page 20498]]
The term ``direct'' has the former meaning throughout this paragraph.
E. To be eligible for enrollment as a participant under this HVRP
grant an individual must be homeless and a veteran defined as follows:
The term ``homeless or homeless individual'' includes
persons who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. It
also includes persons whose primary nighttime residence is either a
supervised public or private shelter designed to provide temporary
living accommodations; an institution that provides a temporary
residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized; or a public
or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular
sleeping accommodation for human beings. [42 U.S.C. 11302 (a)].
The term ``veteran'' means a person who served in the
active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or
released under conditions other than dishonorable. [38 U.S.C. 101(2)].
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address To Request an Application and Amendments
This SGA, together with its attachments, includes all the
information needed to apply. Additional application packages and
amendments to this SGA may be obtained from the VETS Web site address
at http://www.dol.gov/vets, the Federal Grant Opportunities Web site address at http://www.grants.gov, and from the Federal Register Web
site address at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html. The Federal
Register may also be obtained from your nearest government office or
library. Additional copies of the standard forms can be downloaded
from: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/grants_forms.html.
All grant applications are to be mailed to: Department of Labor,
Procurement Services Center, Attention: Cassandra Mitchell, Reference
SGA 06-04, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room N-5416,
Washington, DC 20210. Phone Number: (202) 693-4570 (this is not a toll-
free number).
Applicants may also apply online at http://www.grants.gov.
Applicants submitting proposals online are requested to refrain from
mailing a hard copy application as well. It is strongly recommended
that applicants using http://www.grants.gov immediately initiate and complete the ``Get Started'' registration steps at http://
http://www.grants.gov/GetStarted. These steps may take multiple days to
complete, and this time should be factored into plans for electronic
submission in order to avoid facing unexpected delays that could result
in the rejection of an application. If submitting electronically
through http://www.grants.gov it would be appreciated if the
application submitted is saved as .doc, .pdf, or .txt files.
Except as provided in section IV.3., any application
received after the deadline will be considered as non-responsive and
will not be evaluated.
2. Content and Form of Application
The application must include the name, address, telephone number,
fax number, and e-mail address (if applicable) of a key contact person
at the applicant's organization in case questions should arise. To be
considered responsive to this solicitation the application must consist
of three (3) separate and distinct sections: The Executive Summary, the
Technical Proposal, and the Cost Proposal. The information provided in
these three (3) sections is essential to demonstrate an understanding
of the programmatic and fiscal contents of the grant proposal.
A complete grant application package must not exceed 75 single-
sided pages (8\1/2\'' x 11''), double-spaced, 12-point font, typed
pages (all attachments are included in the 75 page maximum).
Applications that contain more than 75 pages total will be considered
non-responsive. Major sections and sub-sections of the application
should be divided and clearly identified (e.g. with tab dividers), and
all pages shall be numbered. To be considered responsive grant
applications are to include:
An original, blue ink-signed, and two (2) copies of the
cover letter.
An original and two (2) copies of the Executive Summary
(see below).
An original and two (2) copies of the Technical Proposal
(see below) that includes a completed Technical Performance Goals Form
(Appendix D). Also include all attachments with the technical proposal,
such as the applicant's information showing outcomes of employment and
training programs that it has had in the past three (3) years in terms
of enrollments and participants who have entered into employment.
An original and two (2) copies of the Cost Proposal (see
below) that includes an original, blue ink-signed, Application for
Federal Assistance, SF-424 (Appendix A), a Budget Narrative, Budget
Information Sheet SF-424A (Appendix B), an original, blue ink-signed,
Assurances and Certifications Signature Page (Appendix C), a Direct
Cost Description for Applicants and Sub-applicants (Appendix E), a
completed Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants (Appendix
F), and the applicant's grant specific financial and/or audit statement
dated within the last 18 months (does not count towards the 75 page
limitation).
A. Section 1--Executive Summary: A one to two page ``Executive
Summary'' reflecting the grantee's and sub-awardee(s) proposed overall
strategy, timeline, and outcomes to be achieved in their grant proposal
is required. The Executive Summary should include:
The proposed area to be served through the activities of
this grant application.
The grantee's experience in serving the residents in the
proposed service area.
The proposed projects and activities that will expedite
the reintegration of homeless veterans into the workforce.
A summary of anticipated outcomes, benefits, and value
added by the project.
B. Section 2--Technical Proposal consists of a narrative proposal
that demonstrates the need for this particular grant program, the
services and activities proposed to obtain successful outcomes for the
homeless veterans to be served; and the applicant's ability to
accomplish the expected outcomes of the proposed project design. All
applications must respond to the requirements for the program concept,
required activities, and results oriented model set forth in section I
of the SGA.
Required Content: There are program activities that all
applications must contain to be found technically acceptable under this
SGA. Programs must be ``employment-focused'' and must be responsive to
the rating criteria in section V(1). The required program activities
are: Participant outreach and project awareness activities, pre-
enrollment assessments, individual employment plans for each
participant, case management, job placement, job retention follow-up
(at 90 and 180 days) after individual enters employment, utilization
and coordination of employment services through the One-Stop Career
Center System, including the DVOP and LVER staff, and with community
linkages with other programs that provide support to homeless veterans.
All applicants must respond to the requirements for the program
concept, required activities and results-oriented model described in
section I. of the SGA.
The following format for the technical proposal is recommended:
Need for the program: The applicant must identify the geographical area
to be served and
[[Page 20499]]
provide an estimate of the number of homeless veterans in the
designated geographical area. Include poverty and unemployment rates in
the area and identify the disparities in the local community
infrastructure that exacerbate the employment barriers faced by the
targeted veterans. Include labor market information and job
opportunities in the employment fields and industries that are in
demand in the geographical area to be served. Applicants are to clearly
describe the proposed program awareness and participant outreach
strategies.
Approach or strategy to increase employment and job retention:
Applicants must be responsive to the Rating Criteria contained in
section V(1) and address all of the rating factors as thoroughly as
possible in the narrative. The applicant must:
Describe the specific employment and training services to
be provided under this grant and the sequence or flow of such services;
Indicate the type(s) of training that will be provided
under the grant and how it relates to the jobs that are in demand,
length of training, training curriculum, and how the training will
improve the eligible veterans' employment opportunities within that
geographical area;
Provide a follow-up plan that addresses retention after 90
and 180 days with participants who have entered employment;
Include the completed Planned Quarterly Technical
Performance Goals (and planned expenditures) form listed in Appendix D.
If the Planned Quarterly Technical Performance Goals form listed in
Appendix D is not submitted, the grant application package will be
considered as non-responsive.
Linkages with facilities that serve homeless veterans: Describe
program and resource linkages with other facilities that will be
involved in identifying potential clients for this program. Applicants
are encouraged to submit a list of their local area network of service
providers that offer and provide services to benefit HVRP participants.
Describe any networks with other related resources and/or other
programs that serve homeless veterans. Indicate how the program will be
coordinated with any efforts that are conducted by public and private
agencies in the community. Indicate how the applicant will coordinate
with any continuum of care efforts for the homeless among agencies in
the community. If a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or other service
agreement with service providers exists, copies should be provided.
Linkages with other providers of employment and training services
to homeless veterans: Describe the linkages, networks, and
relationships the proposed program will have with other providers of
services to homeless veterans; include a description of the
relationship with other employment and training programs in the One-
Stop Career Center System such as Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program
(DVOP), the Local Veterans' Employment Representative (LVER) program,
and programs under the Workforce Investment Act such as the Veterans'
Workforce Investment Program (VWIP); list the type of services that
will be provided by each. Note the type of agreement in place, if
applicable. Linkages with the workforce investment system are required.
Describe any networks with any other resources and/or other programs
for homeless veterans. If an MOU or other service agreement with other
service providers exists, copies should be provided.
Linkages with other Federal agencies: Describe program and resource
linkages with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD),
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and Department of
Veterans Affairs (DVA), to include the Compensated Work Therapy (CWT)
and Grant and Per Diem programs. If an MOU or other service agreement
with other service providers exists, copies should be provided.
Proposed supportive service strategy for veterans: Describe how
supportive service resources for veterans will be obtained and used. If
resources are provided by other sources or linkages, such as Federal,
State, local, or faith-based and community programs, the applicant must
fully explain the use of these resources and how they will be applied.
If an MOU or other service agreement with other service providers
exist, copies should be provided.
Organizational capability to provide required program activities:
The applicant's relevant current and prior experience (within the last
three year period) in operating employment and training programs is to
be clearly described, if applicable. A summary narrative of program
experience and employment and training performance outcomes is
required. The applicant must provide information showing outcomes of
employment and training programs that it has had in the past three (3)
years in terms of enrollments and participants who have entered into
employment. An applicant that has operated a HVRP, other homeless
employment and training program, or VWIP program must also include the
final or most recent cumulative quarterly technical performance report.
Please note that the Department of Labor grant review panel
members, who will be reviewing all grant applications submitted as a
result of this SGA, do not have access to any reporting information
systems during the review process, therefore, if final or most recent
cumulative quarterly technical performance reports are not submitted,
the grant application may be considered non-responsive.
The applicant must also provide evidence of key staff capability to
include resumes, staff biographies, organizational charts, statements
of work, and etc. It is preferred that the grantee and sub-awardee(s)
be a well established service provider and not in the initial start-up
phase or process.
Proposed housing strategy for homeless veterans: Describe how
housing resources for eligible homeless veterans will be obtained or
accessed. These resources must be from linkages or sources other than
the HVRP grant such as HUD, HHS, community housing resources, DVA Grant
and Per Diem Program, or other local housing programs.
C. Section 3--The Cost Proposal must contain the following:
Applicants can expect that the cost proposal will be reviewed for
allocability, allowability, and reasonableness.
(1) Standard Form SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance''
(with the original signed in blue-ink) (Appendix A) must be completed;
The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number for this program
is 17.805 and it must be entered on the SF-424, in Block 11.
The organizational unit section of Block 8 of the SF-424 must
contain the Dun and Bradstreet Number (DUNS) of the applicant.
Beginning October 1, 2003, all applicants for Federal grant funding
opportunities are required to include a DUNS number with their
application. See OMB Notice of Final Policy Issuance, 68 FR 38402 (June
27, 2003).
Applicants' DUNS number is to be entered into Block 8 of SF-424.
The DUNS number is a nine-digit identification number that uniquely
identifies business entities. There is no charge for obtaining a DUNS
number. To obtain a DUNS number call 1-866-705-5711 or access the
following Web site: http://www.dunandbradstreet.com/ Requests for
exemption from the DUNS number requirement must be made to the Office
of Management and Budget. If no DUNS number is provided then the grant
application will be considered non-responsive.
[[Page 20500]]
(2) Standard Form SF-424A ``Budget Information Sheet'' (Appendix B)
must be included;
(3) As an attachment to SF-424A, the applicant must provide a
detailed cost breakout of each line item on the Budget Information
Sheet. Please label this page or pages the ``Budget Narrative'' and
ensure that costs reported on the SF-424A correspond accurately with
the Budget Narrative;
The Budget Narrative must include, at a minimum:
Breakout of all personnel costs by position, title, annual
salary rates, and percent of time of each position to be devoted to the
proposed project (including sub-grantees) by completing the ``Direct
Cost Descriptions for Applicants and Sub-Applicants'' form (Appendix
E);
Explanation and breakout of extraordinary fringe benefit
rates and associated charges (i.e., rates exceeding 35% of salaries and
wages);
Explanation of the purpose and composition of, and
methodology used to derive the costs of each of the following: Travel,
equipment, supplies, sub-awards/contracts, and any other costs. The
applicant must include costs of any required travel described in this
Solicitation. Planned travel expenditures may not exceed 5% of the
total HVRP funds requested. Mileage charges may not exceed 44.5 cents
per mile or the current Federal rate;
All associated costs for obtaining and retaining
participant information pertinent to the follow-up survey, at 90 and
180 days after the program performance period ends;
Description/specification of, and justification for,
equipment purchases, if any. Tangible, non-expendable, personal
property having a useful life of more than one year and a unit
acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit must be specifically
identified; and
Matching funds, leveraged funds, and in-kind services are
not required for HVRP grants. However, if matching funds, leverage
funds, or in-kind services are to be used, an identification of all
sources of leveraged or matching funds and an explanation of the
derivation of the value of matching/in-kind services must be provided.
When resources such as matching funds, leveraged funds, and/or the
value of in-kind contributions are made available, please describe in
Section B of the Budget Information Sheet.
(4) A completed Assurance and Certification signature page
(Appendix C) (signed in blue ink) must be submitted;
(5) All applicants must submit evidence of satisfactory financial
management capability, which must include recent (within the last 18
months) grant specific financial and/or audit statements (does not
count towards the 75 page limitation). All successful grantees and sub-
awardee(s) are required to utilize Generally Accepted Accounting
Practices (GAAP), maintain a separate accounting for these grant funds,
and have a checking account;
(6) All applicants must include, as a separate appendix, a list of
all employment and training government grants and contracts that they
have had in the past three (3) years, including grant/contract officer
contact information. VETS reserves the right to have a DOL
representative review and verify this data;
(7) A completed Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants
(Appendix F) must be provided.
3. Submission Dates and Times (Acceptable Methods of Submission)
The grant application package must be received at the designated
place by the date and time specified or it will not be considered. Any
application received at the Office of Procurement Services after 5 p.m.
EDT, May 22, 2006, will not be considered unless it is received before
the award is made and:
It is determined by the Government that the late receipt
was due solely to mishandling by the Government after receipt at the
U.S. Department of Labor at the address indicated; or
It was sent by registered or certified mail not later than
the fifth calendar day before May 22, 2006; or
It was sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail Next Day
Service-Post Office to Addressee, not later than 5 p.m. at the place of
mailing two (2) working days, excluding weekends and Federal holidays,
prior to May 22, 2006.
The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of a
late application sent by registered or certified mail is the U.S.
Postal Service postmark on the envelope or wrapper and on the original
receipt from the U.S. Postal Service. If the postmark is not legible,
an application received after the above closing time and date shall be
processed as if mailed late. ``Postmark'' means a printed, stamped or
otherwise placed impression (not a postage meter machine impression)
that is readily identifiable without further action as having been
applied and affixed by an employee of the U.S. Postal Service on the
date of mailing. Therefore applicants should request that the postal
clerk place a legible hand cancellation ``bull's-eye'' postmark on both
the receipt and the envelope or wrapper. Applications cannot be
accepted by e-mail or facsimile machine.
The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of a
late application sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail Next Day
Service-Post Office to Addressee is the date entered by the Post Office
clerk on the ``Express Mail Next Day Service-Post Office to Addressee''
label and the postmark on the envelope or wrapper and on the original
receipt from the U.S. Postal Service. ``Postmark'' has the same meaning
as defined above. Therefore, applicants should request that the postal
clerk place a legible hand cancellation ``bull's-eye'' postmark on both
the receipt and the envelope or wrapper.
The only acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt at
the U.S. Department of Labor is the date/time stamp of the Procurement
Services Center on the application wrapper or other documentary
evidence or receipt maintained by that office. Applications sent by
other delivery services, such as Federal Express, UPS, etc., will also
be accepted.
All applicants are advised that U.S. mail delivery in the
Washington, DC area has been erratic due to security concerns. All
applicants must take this into consideration when preparing to meet the
application deadline, as you assume the risk for ensuring a timely
submission, that is, if, because of these mail problems, the Department
does not receive an application or receives it too late to give proper
consideration, even if it was timely mailed, the Department is not
required to consider the application.
4. Intergovernmental Review
Not applicable.
5. Funding Restrictions
A. Proposals exceeding $300,000 will be considered non-responsive
and will not be evaluated.
B. There is a limit of one (1) application per submitting
organization and physical location serving the same HVRP participant
population. If two (2) original applications from the same organization
for the same physical location serving the same HVRP participant
population are submitted, the application with the later date will be
considered as non-responsive. Please do not submit duplicate original
grant applications as only one (1) grant application will be considered
for funding purposes.
C. Due to the limited availability of funding, if an organization
was awarded Fiscal Year 2004 or Fiscal Year 2005 HVRP funds for a
specific physical location serving the same HVRP
[[Page 20501]]
participant population and will be applying for second and possible
third year funding in PY 2006, then that organization at that specific
physical location serving the same HVRP participant population will be
considered ineligible to compete for these FY 2006 HVRP funds.
Therefore, due to the limited funding availability, we are unable to
award more than one (1) HVRP grant per organization at a specific
physical location serving the same HVRP participant population. A
separate Director's Memorandum Number 09-06 has been issued for
grantees that are eligible to apply for second and third optional year
funding that includes detailed instructions on how to apply for these
funds.
D. There will not be reimbursement of pre-award costs unless
specifically agreed upon in writing by the Department of Labor.
E. Entities described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue
Code that engage in lobbying activities are not eligible to receive
funds under this announcement because section 18 of the Lobbying
Disclosure Act of 1995, Public Law No. 104-65, 109 Stat. 691, prohibits
the award of Federal funds to these entities.
F. The only potential areas that will be served through this urban
competition for HVRPs in FY 2006 are the metropolitan areas of the 75
U.S. cities largest in population and the metropolitan area of San
Juan, Puerto Rico (see Appendix G).
G. Limitations on Administrative and Indirect Costs
Administrative costs, which consist of all direct and
indirect costs associated with the supervision and management of the
program, are limited to and may not exceed 20% of the total grant
award.
Indirect costs claimed by the applicant must be based on a
Federally approved rate. A copy of the current negotiated approved and
signed indirect cost negotiation agreement must be submitted with the
application. Furthermore, indirect costs are considered a part of
administrative costs for HVRP purposes and, therefore, may not exceed
20% of the total grant award.
If the applicant does not presently have an approved
indirect cost rate, a proposed rate with justification may be
submitted. Successful applicants will be required to negotiate an
acceptable and allowable rate within 90 days of grant award with the
appropriate DOL Regional Office of Cost Determination or with the
applicant's cognizant agency for indirect cost rates (See Office of
Management and Budget Web site at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/attach.html
).
Indirect cost rates traceable and trackable through the
State Workforce Agency's Cost Accounting System represent an acceptable
means of allocating costs to DOL and, therefore, can be approved for
use in grants to State Workforce Agencies.
V. Application Review Information
1. Application Evaluation Criteria
Applications may receive up to 110 total points based on the
following criteria:
A. Need for the project: 10 points.
The applicant will document the need for this project, as
demonstrated by: (i) The potential number or concentration of homeless
individuals and homeless veterans in the proposed project area relative
to other similar areas; (ii) the rates of poverty and unemployment in
the proposed project area as determined by the census or other surveys;
and (iii) the extent of the gaps in the local infrastructure to
effectively address the employment barriers that characterize the
target population.
B. Overall strategy to increase employment and retention in
employment: 35 points [and up to 10 additional points (for a total of
45 points) if overall strategy includes an approach for addressing
barriers to employment faced by chronically homeless veterans as
described below.]
The application must include a description of the approach to
providing comprehensive employment and training services, including
outreach, pre-enrollment assessment, job training, job development,
obtaining employer commitments to hire, placement, and post-placement
follow-up services. Applicants must address how they will target
occupations that are locally in demand with career growth potential and
that will provide wages to ensure self-sufficiency for the participant.
Supportive services provided as part of the strategy of promoting job
readiness and job retention must be indicated. The applicant must
identify the local services and sources of training to be used for
participants. At least 80% of participants must participate in training
activities. A description of the relationship with other employment and
training programs delivered through the One-Stop Career Center System
must be specified. Applicants must indicate how the activities will be
tailored or responsive to the needs of homeless veterans. A participant
flow chart may be used to show the sequence and mix of services.
Additional Points: Up to an additional 10 points under this section
will be awarded to grant proposals that focus some of their effort on
addressing the barriers to employment faced by chronically homeless
veterans. A veteran who is ``chronically homeless'' is an unaccompanied
homeless individual with a disabling condition who has either been
continuously homeless for a year or more, OR who has had at least four
(4) episodes of homelessness in the past three (3) years. In order to
be considered chronically homeless, a person must have been sleeping in
a place not meant for human habitation (e.g., living on the streets)
and/or in an emergency homeless shelter. A disabling condition is
defined as a diagnosable substance use disorder, serious mental
illness, developmental disability, or chronic physical illness or
disability including the co-occurrence of two or more of these
conditions. A disabling condition limits an individual's ability to
work or perform one or more activities of daily living.
Note: The applicant must complete Appendix D, the Recommended
Format for Planned Quarterly Technical Performance Goals, with
proposed programmatic outcomes, including participants served,
placement/entered employments and job retention.
C. Quality and extent of linkages with other providers of services
to the homeless and to veterans: 20 points.
The application must provide information on the quality and extent
of the linkages this program will have with other providers of services
to homeless veterans in the local community including faith-based and
community organizations. For each service, the applicant must specify
who the provider is, the source of funding (if known), and the type of
linkages/referral system established or proposed. Describe, to the
extent possible, how the project would be incorporated into the local
community's continuum of care approach and the local community's ten
(10) year plan to end homelessness, if applicable (see Interagency
Council on Homelessness Web page at http://www.ich.gov for additional
information). Describe how the proposed project links to the
appropriate State Workforce Agency and One-Stop Career Center(s)
including coordination and collaboration with DVOP/LVER and other One-
Stop Career Center staff, HUD, HHS, DVA, and other local community-
based programs and the services that will be provided as necessary on
behalf of the homeless veteran participants to be served.
D. Demonstrated capability in providing required program services,
[[Page 20502]]
including programmatic reporting and participant tracking: 25 points.
The applicant must describe its relevant prior experience in
operating employment and training programs and providing services to
participants similar to those that are proposed under this
solicitation. Specific outcomes previously achieved by the applicant
must be described, such as number of enrollments, number of
participants that were placed into employment, cost per placement into
employment, benefits secured, network coalitions, etc. The applicant
must also address its capacity for timely startup of the program,
programmatic reporting, and participant tracking. The applicant should
describe its staff experience and ability to manage the administrative,
programmatic, and financial aspects of a grant program. Include a
recent (within the last 18 months) grant specific financial statement
and/or audit (does not count towards the 75 page limitation). Final or
most recent financial and technical performance reports for other
relevant programs must be submitted, if applicable. Because prior HVRP
experience is not a requirement for this grant, applicants may have
other similar type programmatic performance reports to submit as
evidence of experience in operating other employment and training type
programs.
E. Quality of overall housing strategy: 10 points.
The application must demonstrate how the applicant proposes to
obtain or access housing resources for participants in the program and
participants entering into the labor force. This discussion should
specify the provisions made to access temporary, transitional, and
permanent housing for participants through various community resources
such as HUD, DVA Grant and Per Diem Program, and other locally funded
housing programs. HVRP funds may not be used for housing purposes or
purchasing or leasing of vehicles.
2. Review and Selection Process
Grant applications will be reviewed by a Department of Labor grant
review panel using the point scoring system specified above in section
V(1). The grant review panel will assign a score after objectively and
carefully evaluating each responsive grant application and all
responsive grant applications will be ranked based on this score. The
ranking will be the primary basis to identify applicants as potential
grantees. The grant review panel will establish a competitive range,
based upon the proposal evaluation, for the purpose of selecting
qualified applicants. For this solicitation, the minimum acceptable
score is 70.
The grant review panel, the Assistant Secretary for Veterans'
Employment and Training (ASVET), and Grant Officer may further evaluate
grant applications deemed within the competitive range in order to
compare goals of other grant applications deemed within the competitive
range. The grant review panel, the ASVET, and the Grant Officer may
consider any information that comes to their attention, including past
performance of a previous grant, and will make a final selection
determination based on what is most advantageous to the Government,
considering factors such as grant review panel findings, geographical
presence of the applicants, existing grants, or the areas to be served
and the best value to the government, cost, and other factors
considered. The grant review panel's conclusions are advisory in nature
and not binding on the Grant Officer. However, if no application
receives at least that minimum score, the Grant Officer may either
designate no grantee or may designate an entity based on demonstrated
capability to provide the best services to the client population.
Further, the Grant Officer reserves the right to select applicants with
scores lower than the minimum or lower than the competing applications,
if such a selection would, in the Grant Officer's judgment, result in
the most effective and appropriate combination of services to grant
beneficiaries.
The grant review panel will screen all applicant cost proposals to
ensure expenses are allocable, allowable, and reasonable.
Determinations of allowable costs will be made in accordance with the
applicable Federal cost principles, e.g. Non-Profit Organizations--OMB
Circular A-122. Unallowable costs are those charges to a grant that a
grantor agency or its representatives determined not to be allowed in
accordance with the applicable Federal Cost Principles or other
conditions contained in the grant. If the grant review panel, ASVET,
and Grant Officer conclude that the cost proposal contains an
expense(s) that is not allocable, allowable, and/or reasonable, the
application may be considered ineligible for funding. Further, the
grant review panel, the ASVET, and the Grant Officer will consider
applicant information concerning the proposed cost per placement,
percentage of participants placed into unsubsidized employment, average
wage at placement, and 90 and 180-day retention in employment
percentages. The national average cost per placement for HVRP for last
year was $2,200. The Government reserves the right to ask the applicant
for clarification on any aspect of a grant application. The Grant
Officer may consult with the Department of Labor staff on any potential
grantee and/or sub-awardee(s) concerns. The Grant Officer's
determination for award under SGA 06-04 is the final agency
action. The submission of the same proposal from any prior year HVRP
competition does not guarantee an award under this Solicitation.
3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates
Announcement of this award is expected to occur by June 20, 2006.
The grant agreement will be awarded by no later than July 1, 2006.
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
A. The Notice of Award signed by the Grant Officer is the
authorizing document and will be provided through postal mail and/or by
electronic means to the authorized representative listed on the SF-424
Grant Application. Notice that an organization has been selected as a
grant recipient does not constitute final approval of the grant
application as submitted. Before the actual grant award, the Grant
Officer and/or the Grant Officer's Technical Representative may enter
into negotiations concerning such items as program components, funding
levels, and administrative systems. If the negotiations do not result
in an acceptable submittal, the Grant Officer reserves the right to
terminate the negotiation and decline to fund the proposal.
B. A post-award conference will be held for those grantees awarded
FY 2006 HVRP funds through this competition. The post-award conference
is expected to be held in August 2006 and up to two (2) grant recipient
representatives must be present. The site of the post-award conference
has not yet been determined, however, for planning and budgeting
purposes, applicants should allot four (4) days and use Washington, DC
as the conference site. The post-award conference will focus on
providing information and assistance on reporting, record keeping,
grant requirements, and also include networking opportunities to learn
of best practices from more experienced and successful grantees and
sub-awardee(s). Costs associated with attending this conference for up
to two (2) grantee representatives will be allowed as long as they are
incurred in accordance with Federal travel
[[Page 20503]]
regulations. Such costs must be charged as administrative costs and
reflected in the proposed budget.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
All grantees and sub-awardees must comply with the provisions of
Title 38 U.S.C. and its regulations, as applicable.
A. Administrative Program Requirements
All grantees and sub-awardees, including faith-based organizations,
will be subject to applicable Federal laws (including provisions of
appropriations law), regulations, and the applicable Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars. The grant(s) awarded under this
SGA will be subject to the following administrative standards and
provisions, if applicable:
29 CFR part 2--General Participation in Department of
Labor Programs by Faith-Based and Community Organizations; Equal
Treatment of All Department of Labor Program Participants and
Beneficiaries.
29 CFR part 30--Equal Employment Opportunity in
Apprenticeship and Training.
29 CFR part 31--Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted
Programs of the Department of Labor--Effectuation of Title VI of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964.
29 CFR part 32--Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap
in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance.
29 CFR part 33--Enforcement of Nondiscrimination on the
Basis of Handicap in Programs or Activities Conducted by the Department
of Labor.
29 CFR part 35--Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Age in
Programs and Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance from the
Department of Labor.
29 CFR part 36--Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in
Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Assistance.
29 CFR part 37--Implementation of the Nondiscrimination
and Equal Opportunity Provisions of the Workforce Investment Act of
1998.
29 CFR part 93--New Restrictions on Lobbying.
29 CFR part 94--Government-wide Requirements for Drug-Free
Workplace (Financial Assistance).
29 CFR part 95--Grants and Agreements with Institutions of
Higher Education, Hospitals, and other Non-Profit Organizations, and
with Commercial Organizations.
29 CFR part 96--Audit Requirements for Grants, Contracts
and Other Agreements.
29 CFR part 97--Uniform Administrative Requirements for
Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments.
29 CFR part 98--Government-wide Debarment and Suspension
(Non procurement).
29 CFR part 99--Audit of States, Local Governments, and
Non-Profit Organizations.
Applicable cost principles and audit requirements under
OMB Circulars A-21, A-87, A-110, A-122, A-133, and 48 CFR part 31.
In accordance with section 18 of the Lobbying Disclosure
Act of 1995, Public Law 104-65 (2 U.S.C. 1611), non-profit entities
incorporated under 501(c)(4) that engage in lobbying activities are not
eligible to receive Federal funds and grants.
38 U.S.C. 4215--Requirements for priority of service for
veterans in all Department of Labor training programs.
3. Electronic Reporting
All HVRP grantees will enter data and electronically attach their
quarterly technical performance and financial status reports, success
stories, etc. into the U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans' Employment
and Training Service, Outcomes and Performance Accountability Reporting
(VOPAR) System according to the reporting requirements and timetables
described below.
A. Quarterly Financial Reports
No later than 30 days after the end of each Federal fiscal quarter,
the grantee must report outlays, program income, and other financial
information on a Federal fiscal quarterly basis using SF-269, Financial
Status Report, Long Form, and submit a copy of the HHS/PMS 272 draw
down report. These reports must cite the assigned grant number.
B. Quarterly Program Reports
No later than 30 days after the end of each Federal fiscal quarter,
grantees also must submit a Quarterly Technical Narrative Performance
Report that contains the following:
(1) A comparison of actual accomplishments to planned goals for the
reporting period and any findings related to monitoring efforts;
(2) An explanation for variances of plus or minus 15% of planned
program and/or expenditure goals, to include: identification of
corrective action that will be taken to meet the planned goals, if
required; and a timetable for accomplishment of the corrective action.
C. 90-Day Final Performance Report
No later than 120 days after the grant performance expiration date,
the grantee must submit a final report showing results and performance
as of the 90th day after the grant period, and containing the
following:
(1) Final Financial Status Report SF-269 Long Form (that zeros out
all unliquidated obligations); and
(2) Final Technical Performance Report comparing goals vs. actual
performance levels.
D. 180-Day Follow-Up Report/Longitudinal Survey
No later than 210 days after the grant performance expiration date,
the grantee must submit a Follow-Up Report/Longitudinal Survey showing
results and performance as of the 180th day after the grant expiration
date, and containing the following:
(1) Final Financial Status Report SF-269 Long Form (if not
previously submitted); and
(2) 180-Day Follow-Up Report/Longitudinal Survey identifying:
(a) The total combined (directed/assisted) number of veterans
placed into employment during the entire grant period;
(b) The number of veterans still employed after the 90 and 180 day
follow-up period;
(c) If the veterans are still employed at the same or similar job,
and if not, what are the reason(s);
(d) Whether training received was applicable to jobs held;
(e) Wages at placement and at the 90 and 180 day follow-up periods;
(f) An explanation of why those veterans placed during the grant,
but not employed at the end of the follow-up period, are not so
employed; and
(g) Any recommendations to improve the program.
Agency Contact
All questions regarding this SGA should be directed to Cassandra
Mitchell, e-mail address: mitchell.cassandra@dol.gov, at tel: (202)
693-4570 (note this is not a toll-free number), or Eric Vogt, e-mail
address vogt.eric@dol.gov, also at tel. (202) 693-4570. To obtain
further information on the Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program of
the U.S. Department of Labor, visit the USDOL Web site of the Veterans'
Employment and Training Service at http://www.dol.gov/vets.
VII. Other Information
A. Acknowledgment of USDOL Funding
1. Printed Materials: In all circumstances, the following shall be
[[Page 20504]]
displayed on printed materials prepared by the grantee while in receipt
of DOL grant funding: ``Preparation of this item was funded by the
United States Department of Labor under Grant No. [insert the
appropriate grant number].''
All printed materials must also include the following
notice: ``This document does not necessarily reflect the views or
policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade
names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the
U.S. Government.''
2. Public references to grant: When issuing statements, press
releases, requests for proposals, bid solicitations, and other
documents describing projects or programs funded in whole or in part
with Federal money, all grantees receiving Federal funds must clearly
state:
The percentage of the total costs of the program or
project, which will be financed with Federal money;
The dollar amount of Federal financial assistance for the
project or program; and
The percentage and dollar amount of the total costs of the
project or program that will be financed by non-governmental sources.
B. Use of USDOL Logo
In consultation with USDOL, VETS, the grantee(s) must acknowledge
USDOL's role as described below:
The USDOL logo may be applied to USDOL-funded material
prepared for distribution, including posters, videos, pamphlets,
research documents, national survey results, impact evaluations, best
practice reports, and other publications of global interest. The
grantee(s) must consult with USDOL on whether the logo may be used on
any such items prior to final draft or final preparation for
distribution. In no event shall the USDOL logo be placed on any item
until USDOL has given the Grantee permission to use the logo on the
item.
All documents must include the following notice: ``This
documentation does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the
U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial
products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.''
Resources for the Applicant: The Department of Labor maintains a
number of web-based resources that may be of assistance to applicants.
The Web page for the USDOL VETS at http://www.dol.gov/vets/programs/main.htm
is a valuable source of information including the program
highlights and brochures, glossary of terms, frequently used acronyms,
general and special grant provisions, power point presentations on how
to apply for HVRP funding, On-Site Monitoring Visits, etc. The
Interagency Council on Homeless at Web page http://www.ich.gov has
information from various departments that assist homeless persons
including updated information on local community ten (10) year plans to
end homelessness and continuum of care plans. America's Service Locator
Web page at http://www.servicelocator.org provides a directory of our nation's One-Stop Career Centers and http://www.workforce3one.org is
another Department of Labor resource site. The National Association of
Workforce Boards maintains a Web page at http://www.nawb.org/asp/wibdir.asp
that contains contact information for the State and local
Workforce Investment Boards. Applicants may also review ``VETS'' Guide
to Competitive and Discretionary Grants'' located at Web page http://www.dol.gov/vets/grants/Final_VETS_Guide-linked.pdf.
For a basic
understanding of the grants process and basic responsibilities of
receiving Federal grant support, please see ``Guidance for Faith-Based
and Community Organizations on Partnering with the Federal Government''
at Web pages http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci and http://www.dol.gov/cfbci
, Also, the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
erans
Signed at Washington, DC, this 11th day of April, 2006.
Eric Vogt,
Grant Officer.
Appendices: (Located on U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans'
Employment and Training Service Web page http://www.dol.gov/vets follow
link for the applicable SGA listed under announcements.)
Appendix A: Application for Federal Assistance SF-424
Appendix B: Budget Information Sheet SF-424A
Appendix C: Assurances and Certifications Signature Page
Appendix D: Recommended Format for Planned Quarterly Technical
Performance Goals
Appendix E: Direct Cost Descriptions for Applicants and Sub-
Applicants
Appendix F: Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants
Appendix G: List of 75 Largest Cities Nationwide
[FR Doc. 06-3625 Filed 4-19-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-79-P
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