Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP) National
Technical Assistance Center Cooperative Agreement(s) for Program Year [04/13/2007]
Volume 72, Number 71, Page 18670-18678
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Veterans' Employment and Training Service
Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP) National
Technical Assistance Center Cooperative Agreement(s) for Program Year
(PY) 2007 Solicitation for Cooperative Agreement(s) Solicitation
07-08 Period of Performance is PY 2007, July 1, 2007 Through
June 30, 2008
AGENCY: Veterans' Employment and Training Service, Department of Labor.
ACTION: Notice of funding availability.
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DATES: Applications are due on May 14, 2007.
SUMMARY: (Applicants For a Cooperative Agreement Should Read This
Notice In Its Entirety): The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL),
Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS), announces a
cooperative agreement competition under 38 U.S.C. Section 2021, as
added by Section 5 of Public Law 107-95, the Homeless Veterans
Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001 (HVCAA). Section 2021 authorizes
programs to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the
labor force.
In order to assist the USDOL-VETS in carrying out 38 U.S.C. 2021,
it is announcing the availability of funds for a cooperative agreement
to assist in developing a National Technical Assistance Center (NTAC)
for the Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP). The primary
objective of the HVRP NTAC will be to provide general technical
assistance on veterans' homelessness programs and issues to existing
HVRP grantees (approximately 80 grantees nationwide), potential HVRP
applicants, employers, Veterans Service Organizations, Federal, State,
and local agency partners, non-profit organizations (including faith-
based and community organizations), the general public, and other
interested stakeholders. Successful applicant(s) will assist USDOL-VETS
by providing general technical assistance and guidance to eligible HVRP
entities relating to assistance for homeless
[[Page 18671]]
veterans under the HVRP and related programs that assist homeless
veterans.
Applicants will also be responsible for developing, conducting, and
documenting extensive outreach efforts to national, state, and local
employers to increase their awareness of HVRP and its objectives in
order to increase job opportunities for homeless veterans. Applicants
will also be responsible for assisting USDOL-VETS by contacting current
HVRP grantees in order to extract, document, and share at least 20 best
HVRP practices with other HVRP grantees and potential applicants.
Finally, applicants will assist USDOL-VETS by conducting general
research and studies as determined by USDOL-VETS.
Entities that are interested in assisting USDOL-VETS in providing
technical assistance are to be aware that historically the HVRP
annually receives thousands of nationwide inquiries via telephone,
written correspondence, and e-mail concerning homeless veterans and
HVRP in general. The awardee(s) will be responsible for answering 100
percent of these technical assistance inquiries.
Applicants are to be aware of and assist USDOL-VETS and their
grantees in implementing the HVRP 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.
Under this solicitation for cooperative agreement(s) covering
Program Year (PY) 2007, VETS anticipates that up to $500,000 will be
available for a cooperative agreement award(s) up to a maximum total
award of $500,000. Depending on the quality and content of the
applications received, USDOL-VETS expects to award one (1) to (2)
cooperative agreements. This notice contains all of the necessary
information and forms to apply for funding. The period of performance
for this PY 2007 cooperative agreement(s) will be July 1, 2007 through
June 30, 2008. 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 awardee(s)
satisfactory technical and financial performance.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Veterans' Employment and
Training Service (VETS), announces a cooperative agreement competition
under 38 U.S.C. Section 2021, as added by Section 5 of Public Law 107-
95, the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001 (HVCAA).
Section 2021 authorizes programs to expedite the reintegration of
homeless veterans into the labor force. In order to assist the USDOL-
VETS in carrying out 38 U.S.C. 2021, it is announcing the availability
of funds for a cooperative agreement to assist in developing a National
Technical Assistance Center (NTAC) for the Homeless Veterans'
Reintegration Program (HVRP). The HVRP NTAC primary objective will to
provide general technical assistance and guidance to existing HVRP
grantees (approximately 80 grantees nationwide), potential HVRP
applicants, employers, Veterans Service Organizations, Federal, State,
and local agency partners, non-profit organizations (including faith-
based and community organizations), the general public, and other
interested stakeholders seeking information on veterans' homelessness
programs, issues, concerns, and referrals for additional information
and assistance.
This USDOL-VETS cooperative agreement(s) anticipates substantial
involvement between USDOL-VETS and the awardee(s) during the
performance of this project. Involvement will include collaboration and
participation by USDOL-VETS in the overall direction of the project
throughout the period of the award(s). The USDOL-VETS will provide
expertise and guidance in decisions involving strategic planning
(including development of a proactive plan to deliver technical
assistance to existing HVRP grantees), allocation of resources, key
personnel decisions, development and revision of public information
materials, and analysis and implementation of evaluation findings.
1. Program Concept and Emphasis
In order to increase the quality and quantity of HVRP applications
received, U.S. DOL-VETS will provide successful applicant(s) with
general guidelines on how to gather and electronically disseminate
technical assistance and guidance to eligible HVRP entities. In order
to assist and increase capacity building of existing HVRP grantees,
successful applicant(s) will be responsible for instructing and
assisting current HVRP grantees on identifying additional funding
resources for similar and/or complimentary homeless veterans programs.
Guidance will be provided to successful awardee(s) as they assist
USDOL-VETS by developing, conducting, and documenting extensive
outreach efforts to national, state, and local employers to increase
their awareness of HVRP and its objectives in order to potentially
increase job opportunities for homeless veterans.
Guidance will be provided to successful awardee(s) as they assist
USDOL-VETS by interviewing current HVRP grantees (via face-to-face,
telephone, written correspondence, or e-mail communications) in order
to extract, document, publish, and share their best practices with
other HVRP grantees and potential HVRP grantees.
Entities that are interested in assisting USDOL-VETS in providing
technical assistance are to be aware that historically the HVRP
receives several thousand nationwide inquiries yearly via telephone,
written correspondence, and e-mail concerning homeless veterans and
HVRP in general. The awardee(s) will be responsible for answering 100
percent of these technical assistance inquiries.
In order to provide timely information and updates, it is
recommended that successful applicant(s) have an Internet-based Web
site (or develop a website within 30 calendar days of receiving an
award) with clearly stated information relative to homelessness,
veterans, and homeless veterans' issues, concerns. Successful
applicant(s) will plan to gather and electronically disseminate
technical assistance information through this Web site and identify
additional resources for assistance that can be readily assessed by
current HVRP grantees, potential applicants, Veterans Service
Organizations, non-profit organizations (including faith-based and
community organizations), Federal, State, and local agency partners,
the general public, and other interested stakeholders. USDOL-VETS will
provide suggestions and guidance to the awardee(s) the structure and
content of the website and will seek authorization to link to the
successful awardee(s) webpage directly from the USDOL-VETS Web page at
http://www.dol.gov/vets as a resource for HVRP technical assistance
purposes.
Applicants are to assist USDOL-VETS in implementing the HVRP
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
addressing the complex problems facing homeless veterans.
2. Scope and Program Design
Successful applicants will assist U.S. DOL-VETS in improving the
awareness of HVRP and increasing the quality of the general technical
assistance
[[Page 18672]]
provided to existing HVRP grantees. Successful applicants will assist
U.S. DOL-VETS in providing outreach to national, state, and local
employers for the purpose of increasing employer awareness of the HVRP
and its objectives in order to increase job opportunities for homeless
veterans. Successful applicants will assist USDOL-VETS by interviewing
existing HVRP grantees in an effort to extract at least twenty (20)
HVRP best practices and summarize their efforts in Word or WordPerfect
format to be accessible at both the applicants and the U.S. DOL-VETS
Web sites.
Successful applicant(s) must plan to support the travel and
associated costs of sending at least one (1) representative to periodic
meetings with USDOL-VETS staff in Washington, DC (at least twice per
year). Successful applicant(s) will assist U.S. DOL-VETS by planning to
attend and provide general HVRP information at conference(s) sponsored
by the USDOL-VETS and other USDOL agency partners such as the
Employment and Training Administration, the Office of Disability
Employment Policy, Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, and
other federal agency partners such as the Department of Veterans'
Affairs, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Department of
Health and Human Services, and various other social service provider
organizations that target similar grantees that provide services to
homeless persons, veterans, and homeless veterans.
II. Award Information
1. Type of Funding Instrument
Successful applicant(s) will be granted a one (1) year cooperative
agreement award with optional funding for an additional two (2) years
depending on successful performance and the availability of funds.
Note: Selection of an organization as an awardee(s) does not
constitute final approval of the application and budget as
submitted. Before or shortly after the actual cooperative agreement
is awarded, USDOL may enter into negotiations about such items as
program components, staffing, and funding levels, and administrative
systems in place to support the cooperative agreement
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 or
terminate the award.
2. Funding Levels: The total funding available for this Cooperative
Agreement(s) to assist USDOL-VETS in developing a National Technical
Assistance Center for HVRP purposes is up to $500,000. Depending on the
quality and content of the applications received, it is anticipated
that one (1) or two (2) awards will be made under this solicitation.
Awards are expected to range from $75,000 to a maximum of $500,000. The
Department of Labor reserves the right to negotiate the amounts to be
awarded under this competition. Please be advised that proposals will
be evaluated in part on cost/value and that requests exceeding $500,000
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 solicitation up to one (1)
year after the initial performance period begins or June 30, 2008.
3. Period of Performance: The period of performance will be for the
twelve (12) month period of July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008, unless
modified in writing by the Grant Officer. It is expected that
successful applicant(s) will begin program operations under this
solicitation on July 1, 2007. All program funds must be obligated by
June 30, 2008; a limited amount of funds may be obligated and reserved
for any follow-up activities and closeout.
4. Optional Year Funding: Should Congress appropriate additional
funds for HVRP purposes, VETS may consider up to two (2) additional
years of optional funding. The Government does not, however, guarantee
optional year funding for any awardee(s). In deciding whether to
exercise any optional year(s) of funding, VETS will consider awardee(s)
performance during the previous period of operations as follows:
A. The awardee(s) will be responsible for providing timely
responses (within 5 working days) to at least 85% of all the technical
assistance inquiries received and within 10 working days for the
remaining 15% of inquiries received.
B. The awardee(s) must have complied with all terms identified in
the Solicitation for Cooperative Agreement(s), award document, and
General and Special Provisions; and
C. All program and fiscal reports must have been submitted to the
Grant Officer Technical Representative by the established due dates and
the awardee(s) must verify these reports for accuracy purposes.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: Applications for funds will be accepted
from 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.
However, entities organized under Section 501(c)(4) of the
Internal Revenue Code 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.
3. Other Eligibility Criteria
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 award recipient(s) and must be employed by
awardee(s). The government is generally prohibited from providing
direct financial assistance for inherently religious activities. These
award funds 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). The term ``direct'' has
the former meaning throughout this paragraph.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request an Application and Amendments: This
Solicitation for Cooperative Agreement(s), together with its
attachments, includes all the information needed to apply. Additional
application packages and amendments to this solicitation 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
[[Page 18673]]
government office or library. Additional copies of the standard forms
can be downloaded from: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/grants_forms.html
.
All applications must be addressed to: Department of Labor,
Procurement Services Center, Attention: Cassandra Mitchell, Reference
Solicitation 07-08, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room S-4307,
Washington, DC 20210, Phone Number: (202) 693-4570 (this is not a toll-
free number).
Applicants are encouraged to 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://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 cooperative agreement proposal(s).
A complete application packages must not exceed 50 single-sided
pages (8\1/2\'' x 11''), double-spaced, 12-point font, typed pages (all
attachments are included in the 50 page maximum). Any pages over the
50-page limit will not be read or evaluated. Major sections and sub-
sections of the application must be divided and clearly identified
(e.g. with tab dividers), and all pages must be numbered. To be
considered responsive, cooperative agreement applications must 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]
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 specific financial and/or audit statement dated
within the last 18 months (audit and financial statements do not count
towards the 50 page limitation).
A. Section 1--Executive Summary: A one to two page ``Executive
Summary'' reflecting the applicant's proposed overall strategy,
timeline, and outcomes to be achieved in their cooperative agreement
proposal is required. The Executive Summary should include:
An overview of the applicant's proposed plan to assist
U.S. DOL-VETS in implementing a nation-wide technical assistance
strategy and employer outreach effort, program design, process,
methods, and proposed projects in providing technical assistance and
information to various entities.
The applicant's experience in providing technical
assistance and guidance on a nation-wide basis to assist homeless
veterans or a similar group of persons.
Describe the measures of success for the plan. A summary
of anticipated outcomes, goals, number of technical assistance
responses provided, outreach methods, number of employers provided HVRP
information, customers served, cost effectiveness, results-oriented
model, benefits, and value added by the project.
B. Section 2--Technical Proposal must not exceed 15 pages of
single-sided 12-pitch font and one inch left, right, top, and bottom
margins and does count towards the 50 page maximum.
Required Content: 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 in order to be found
technically acceptable under this solicitation. The technical proposal
consists of a narrative proposal that demonstrates and describes the
methodologies used in assisting U.S. DOL-VETS in implementing and
managing technical assistance provided for HVRP purposes; in
extracting, gathering, documenting, and publicizing twenty (20) HVRP
grantee best practices; in assisting USDOL-VETS by developing and
implementing a nation-wide employer outreach component to inform
employers about HVRP in order to increase employment opportunities for
homeless veterans. Applicants will indicate their availability and
capability to assisting USDOL-VETS by conducting general research and
studies as determined by USDOL-VETS.
The applicant(s) must describe: Organizational capability to
provide required program activities including: key staff skills,
experience, biographies, history, knowledge, qualifications, and
capabilities; office locations, and organizational chart providing
similar information. It is preferred that the awardee(s) be a well-
established social service provider to veterans, homeless individuals,
homeless veterans, or other similar type participants and not in the
initial start-up phase or process. The applicant's relevant current and
prior experience (within the last three-year period) in operating
technical assistance grants, cooperative agreements, and/or contracts
is to be clearly described, if applicable.
Measures of Success--Applicants must describe the measures of
success for the proposed plan. Applicants must describe their proposed
outcomes, goals, number served, result-oriented model, feedback
mechanism, performance accountability, evaluation and improvement, and
the proposed system to monitor the implementation of program activities
and achievement of stated project objectives.
C. Section 3--The Cost Proposal must contain the following:
Applicants can expect that the cost proposal will be reviewed to ensure
that the costs proposed are allocable, allowable, and reasonable. The
cost proposal must contain:
(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 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
[[Page 18674]]
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
application will be considered non-responsive.
(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:
Personnel Costs--Applicants must provide a 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 by
completing the ``Direct Cost Descriptions for Applicants and Sub-
Applicants'' form (Appendix E);
Fringe Benefits--Applicants must provide an explanation
and breakout of fringe benefit rates and associated charges that exceed
35% of salaries and wages;
Explanation of Costs and Methodologies--Applicants must
provide an explanation of the purpose and composition of, and
methodology used to derive the costs of each of the following:
Personnel costs, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies,
contracts, and any other costs. The applicant must include costs of any
required travel described in this Solicitation. Planned travel
expenditures may not exceed 20% of the total HVRP funds requested.
Mileage charges may not exceed 48.5 cents per mile or the current
Federal rate;
Equipment Purchases--Applicants must provide a
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.
Other Funds--Applicants must describe other funding
sources to include matching funds, leveraged funds, and in-kind
services. Matching funds are not required for this HVRP-NTAC
cooperative agreement(s). 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) A completed Direct Cost Descriptions for Applicants and Sub-
Applicants (Appendix D) must be submitted;
(6) All applicants must submit evidence of satisfactory financial
management capability, which must include recent (within the last 18
months) program-specific financial and/or audit statements (does not
count towards the 50 page limitation). All successful awardee(s) are
required to utilize Generally Accepted Accounting Practices (GAAP),
maintain a separate accounting for these cooperative agreement funds,
and have a checking account;
(7) All applicants must include, as a separate appendix, a list of
all employment and training related government grants, cooperative
agreements, 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 USDOL representative review and verify
this data;
(8) A completed Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants
(Appendix F) must be provided.
3. Submission Dates and Times (Acceptable Methods of Submission):
Application packages 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. ET, May 14,
2007, 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 14, 2007; 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 14, 2007.
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 will 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 $500,000 will be considered non-responsive
and will not be evaluated.
B. Pre-award costs will not be reimbursed unless specifically
agreed upon in writing by the Department of Labor.
C. 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
[[Page 18675]]
the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, Public Law No. 104-65, 109 Stat.
691, prohibits the award of Federal funds to these entities.
D. 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 cooperative
agreement 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 cooperative agreement 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
cooperative agreement award with the appropriate USDOL 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.
V. Application Review Information
Cooperative Agreement applications will be evaluated on the
applicant's capability to perform the work, technical approach,
individual staff experience and qualifications, and applicant's past
performance as described below in Section V.1. Based on these
evaluations, a Competitive Range consisting of the most highly rated
proposals will be established.
Applicants are advised that the Grant Officer will make the
selection of award(s) for a cooperative agreement after a careful
evaluation of the proposals by a panel of evaluators chosen by USDOL-
VETS and the Grant Officer. Each panelist will evaluate the proposals
for technical acceptability using a range of scores assigned to each
factor as described below in Section V.1. The scores for each area in
Section V.I. below will then be added and ranked in numerical order.
The grant review panel will score each applicant's proposal based on
the grant applicant's responses to the overall requirements as outlined
in this Solicitation for Cooperative Agreement(s) and the selection
criteria in Section V.I., and recommend a proposal(s) based on the
highest score.
1. Application Evaluation Criteria: Applications may receive up to
100 total points based on the following criteria:
A. Applicant's Overall Plan and Capability to assist USDOL-VETS by
developing and maintaining a HVRP National Technical Assistance Center
under a Cooperative Agreement (30 points)
The Government will evaluate each applicant's overall plan and
capability to assist USDOL-VETS by developing and maintaining a HVRP
National Technical Assistance Center on the basis of its proposed
strategy for providing technical assistance on a nation-wide or similar
basis. In making this evaluation, the government will consider an
applicant's: (1) Knowledge of the content of the work in terms of
constituent activities, their inputs and outputs, and their
interrelationships and interdependencies; (2) recognition of the
appropriate sequence and realistic duration of the work activities; (3)
knowledge of the appropriate types of resources required to perform the
work activities; (4) familiarity with the difficulties, uncertainties,
and risks associated with the work; and (5) knowledge of the personnel
qualifications necessary to the performance of the work.
B. Technical Approach (25 points).
The applicant's technical approach should reflect a clear
understanding of the HVRP program and innovative approaches in
assisting the USDOL-VETS in successful accomplishment of all phases of
this Solicitation for Cooperative Agreement(s), specifically,
operational plan, design, implementation, project management and
monitoring, and reporting. The applicant should demonstrate a clear
understanding of each phase, task, and subtask.
The Government will evaluate the applicant's knowledge and ability,
based upon a clear understanding and articulation of the components of
the HVRP, to assist U.S. DOL-VETS in promoting awareness of the HVRP in
a positive, knowledgeable manner to other social service providers,
local, state, and national employers, as well as to the general public.
Applicants must provide a description of approaches (with examples)
that the applicant would use in assisting U.S. DOL-VETS in developing
and implementing a National Technical Assistance Center for HVRP
purposes. The applicant must demonstrate active communications and
strong relationships with other organizations providing services to
veterans and homeless veterans or other similar type group of persons.
The Government will review the following factors:
The applicant's proposed work plan addresses all of the
tasks and subtasks listed in this Solicitation for Cooperative
Agreement(s).
The applicant's proposed sequencing, scheduling, and
timely completion of tasks/subtasks by phases demonstrates an
understanding of the objectives and the applicant's critical role in
assisting the government in implementation of the HVRP objectives.
The applicants' understanding of its role in assisting
USDOL-VETS in providing general technical assistance and guidance to
HVRP grantees, potential applicants, Veterans Service Organizations,
non-profit organizations (including faith-based and community
organizations), other federal agencies, the general public, and other
interested stakeholders.
The applicant's understanding of its role in relation to
parties other than USDOL-VETS federal and contractor staff, i.e.,
employers, organizations that support veterans, State Workforce
Agencies, the Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program and Local Veterans'
Employment Representative staff, Workforce Development programs, and
other USDOL-VETS contractors and consultants.
C. Individual Staff Experience and Qualifications (25 points).
This section of the proposal must provide sufficient information to
judge the quality and competence of staff proposed to assist USDOL-VETS
in developing and maintaining the National Technical Assistance Center
for HVRP purposes and to assure that it meets the required
qualifications. Successful applicants will have staff that already
possess (or are capable of acquiring within a short time period)
knowledge of homeless veterans, the HVRP program, and other related
programs for veterans and homeless veterans (such as: The Department of
Veterans Affairs Grants and Per Diem Programs, Department of Housing
and Urban Development grant programs and their Continuums of Care,
Stand Down Events, etc.). The proposal must include the current
employment status of personnel proposed to work under this cooperative
agreement, i.e., whether these personnel are currently employed by the
applicant or whether their employment is dependent upon award and
planned recruitment.
The Government, in its evaluation of the applicant's proposal, will
place considerable emphasis on the applicant's commitment of personnel
qualified for the work involved in accomplishing the assigned tasks.
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Accordingly, the following information must be furnished:
1. The names of the proposed Project Director and other staff to be
assigned under this Cooperative Agreement;
2. A resume for all professional personnel which must include the
individual's current employment status and previous work experience,
including position title, dates in position, duties performed,
employing organization, education, and training.
D. Applicant's Past Performance (20 Points).
Successful applicants must describe their past experience in
providing technical assistance on a nation-wide basis (or similar
basis) concerning the homeless veteran population, the HVRP program,
Stand Down Events, and/or other similar type programs for veterans and
homeless veterans or other similar type persons. Applicants must
describe their role, duties, and responsibilities and to what extent
they were involved in providing technical assistance on a nation-wide
(or similar basis) on programs for veterans, homeless veterans, or
other similar type persons. The application review panel and the Grant
Officer will determine the relevance and extent of past performance
information provided by each applicant.
2. Review and Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed by a Department of Labor application
review panel using the point scoring system specified above in Section
V(1). The application review panel will assign a score after
objectively and carefully evaluating each responsive application and
all responsive applications will be ranked based on this score. The
ranking will be the primary means of identifying applicants as
potential awardee(s). The application 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 for consideration is 70, but the competitive range may
be set higher.
The Grant Officer will make a final selection based on the
application review panel findings and application scores. The
application review panel's findings and recommendations are solely
advisory in nature and not binding on the Grant Officer.
A cost realism analysis will be performed by the application review
panel. The purpose of this analysis is to 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 an award that a
grantor agency or its representatives determine are not to be allowed
in accordance with the applicable Federal Cost Principles or other
conditions contained in the cooperative agreement award. If the
application review panel concludes that the cost proposal contains an
expense(s) that is not allocable, allowable, and/or reasonable, they
will inform the Grant Officer and he/she may request a revision to the
application.
The Government reserves the right to ask the applicant for
clarification on any aspect of the cooperative agreement application.
The Grant Officer may consult with Department of Labor staff on any
potential awardee(s) concerns. The Grant Officer's determination for
award under this solicitation is the final agency action.
Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates
Announcement of this award is expected to occur by June 20, 2007.
The cooperative agreement(s) will be awarded by no later than July 1,
2007.
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
Application for Federal Assistance. Notice that an organization has
been selected as an award recipient does not constitute final approval
of the application and budget as submitted. Before the actual
cooperative agreement 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 within forty-five (45) days
of the cooperative agreement award(s) in Washington, DC with the USDOL-
VETS Grant Officer Technical Representative. The associated travel
costs for this one (1) day meeting is to be included as a part of the
applicant's budget proposal. Both program and administrative matters
will be reviewed and discussed.
Successful cooperative agreement awardee(s) are required to budget
and plan to attend the post-award conference for all grantees awarded
PY 2007 HVRP funds through another competition under SGA 07-07
and for those HVRP grantees awarded second and third optional year
funding. The applicant(s) awarded a cooperative agreement to assist the
USDOL-VETS in developing and maintaining the National Technical
Assistance Center for HVRP purposes must attend and participate in the
National HVRP Post-Award Training Conference that is expected to be
held in August 2007. The site of the National HVRP Post-Award Training
Conference has not yet been determined, however, for planning and
budgeting purposes, applicants should allot four (4) days and use
Denver, CO as the potential conference site. The successful awardee(s)
are to propose a plan to develop and deliver specific training, with
prior USDOL-VETS approval, at the National HVRP Post-Award Training
Conference. Costs associated with attending this conference for up to
three (3) awardee representatives will be allowed as long as they are
incurred in accordance with Federal travel regulations.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
All awardee(s) must comply with the provisions of Title 38 U.S.C.
and its regulations, as applicable.
A. Administrative Program Requirements
All awardee(s), 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 successful awardee(s) under
this Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement 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
[[Page 18677]]
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 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 received Federal funds and grants.
38 U.S.C. 4215--Requirements for priority of service for
veterans in all Department of Labor training programs.
3. Reporting and Monitoring--USDOL-VETS is responsible for ensuring
the effective implementation of this Cooperative Agreement, in
accordance with the provisions of this announcement and the terms of
the Cooperative Agreement award document. The awardee(s) must fully
cooperate with USDOL-VETS staff while they conduct periodic on-site
project reviews. Reviews will focus on timely project implementation,
performance in meeting the Cooperative Agreement's objectives, tasks
and responsibilities, expenditure of funds on allowable activities, and
overall administration of project activities. The awardee(s) must agree
to fully cooperate with monitoring personnel and make available
performance and financial records on all parts of project activity,
including participant employment and wage data, and to provide access
to personnel, as specified by the Grant Officer Technical
Representative.
The awardee(s) will be required to submit periodic financial and
programmatic accomplishment reports to their respective Grant Officer
Technical Representative (GOTR) as described below:
A. Quarterly Financial Reports
No later than 30 days after the end of each Federal fiscal quarter
(October 30th, January 30th, April 30th, and July 30th) the awardee(s)
must report outlays, program income, and other financial information on
a Federal fiscal quarterly basis using SF-269, Financial Status Report,
and submit a copy of the HHS/PMS 272 draw down report to their GOTR.
These required quarterly financial reports must cite the assigned grant
number and be electronically submitted to the Department of Labor's E-
Grants Reporting System.
B. Quarterly Program Reports
No later than 30 days after the end of each Federal fiscal quarter
(October 30th, January 30th, April 30th, and July 30th) awardee(s) must
submit a Quarterly Technical Narrative Performance Report to the GOTR
that contains the following:
(1) A comprehensive description of actual technical assistance and
employer outreach activities conducted and the status of progress on
identifying and drafting twenty (20) HVRP grantee best practices as
compared to the planned goals for the reporting period;
(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.
These quarterly technical performance reports must cite the
assigned grant number and may be submitted to the GOTR electronically
via e-mail.
C. 90-Day Final Report
An outline of the final report is due to the GOTR forty-five (45)
days prior to the expiration of the cooperative agreement (May 15th)
before the expiration of the (each) period of performance. No later
than 120 days after the (each) period of performance (October 30th),
the awardee(s) must submit a final narrative technical performance
report to their Grant Officer Technical Representative showing results
and performance as of the 90th day after the award period, and
containing the following:
(1) Final Financial Status Report SF-269 data entered into the
Department of Labor's E-grants reporting system (that zeros out all
unliquidated obligations); and
(2) Final Technical Performance Report that describes the outcomes,
technical assistance provided, employer outreach activities conducted
as compared to the planned activities, the final twenty (20) HVRP
grantee best practices document in Word or .pdf format (if not provided
earlier), and a narrative description of the overall activities
performed, lessons learned, and recommendations for programmatic
improvement(s).
The final financial and technical performance reports must cite the
assigned grant number and may be submitted to the Grant Officer
Technical Representative electronically via e-mail.
Agency Contact: All questions regarding this solicitation should be
directed to Cassandra Mitchell, e-mail address: mitchell.cassandra--
dol.gov, at telephone number: (202) 693-4570 (note this is not a toll-
free number). To obtain further information on the Homeless Veterans'
Reintegration Program of the U.S. Department of Labor, visit the USDOL-
VETS Web site at http://www.dol.gov/vets. Individuals with hearing
impairments may call 1-800-670-7008 (TTY/TDD).
VII. Other Information
A. Acknowledgement of USDOL Funding
1. Printed Materials: In all circumstances, the following must be
displayed on printed materials prepared by the awardee(s) while in
receipt of USDOL 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 cooperative agreement award(s): 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 awardees receiving
Federal funds must clearly state:
The percentage of the total costs of the program or
project, which will be financed with Federal money;
[[Page 18678]]
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
awardee(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
awardee(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 will the USDOL logo be placed on any item
until USDOL has given the awardee(s) 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.''
C. OMB Information Collection No. 1205-0458, Expires September 30,
2009. According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are
required to respond to a collection of information unless such
collection displays a valid OMB control number. Public reporting burden
for this collection of information is estimated to average 20 hours per
response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing
data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing
and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding
the burden estimated or any other aspect of this collection of
information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the
U.S. Department of Labor, to the attention of Cassandra Mitchell, 200
Constitution Avenue, NW., Room S-4307, Washington, DC 20210.
This information is being collected for the purpose of awarding a
grant. The information collected through this ``Solicitation for Grant
Applications'' will be used by the Department of Labor to ensure that
grants are awarded to the applicant best suited to perform the
functions of the grant. Submission of this information is required in
order for the applicant to be considered for award of this grant.
Unless otherwise specifically noted in this announcement, information
submitted in the respondent's application is not considered to be
confidential.
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 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. 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 application process and basic responsibilities of
receiving Federal funds, 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.
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 solicitation 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: Direct Cost Descriptions for Applicants and Sub-Applicants.
Appendix E: Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants.
Lisa Harvey,
Grant Officer.
[FR Doc. E7-7027 Filed 4-12-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-79-P
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