[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 13, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19453-19488]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-8187]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Veterans' Employment and Training Service


Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP) Grants to 
Intermediaries for Program Year 2004

    Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans' Employment and 
Training Service.
    Funding Opportunity: Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program 
(HVRP) Grants to Intermediaries for Program Year 2004.
    Announcement Type: Initial Solicitation for Grant Applications 
(SGA).
    Funding Opportunity Number: SGA 04-05.
    Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance #: 17-805.
    Dates: Applications are due on May 13, 2004.
    Period of Performance is Program Year (PY) 2004, July 1, 2004, 
through June 30, 2005.
    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 that complies with the requirements of 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.
    The Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP) is making 
grants in three (3) categories: urban, non-urban, and a new category 
being introduced this year-- ``intermediaries.'' Separate Solicitations 
for Grant Applications (SGAs) are being issued for each grant category. 
This is the solicitation for HVRP grants for ``Intermediaries.'' The 
results of these three (3) separately competed grant categories will 
provide valuable information on approaches and techniques that work in 
the different environments.
    Grants to Intermediaries are intended to address two overall 
objectives: (1) To coordinate efforts in order to collectively 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. In achieving the HVRP grant 
objectives, the intermediary is expected to sub-award a substantial 
portion of its grant award to eligible local grass-roots organizations. 
Applicants and their sub-awardees/contractors will coordinate efforts 
in order to design programs that assist homeless veterans by 
collectively ensuring that they receive job placement services, job 
training, counseling, supportive services, and other assistance to 
expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor force. 
It is anticipated that ``intermediaries'' with established connections 
and working relationships to grassroots faith-based and community 
organizations will connect those smaller organizations and the people 
they serve to the local employment service delivery system for some of 
these services. These programs are to 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) 2004, VETS 
anticipates that up to $1,500,000 will be available for grant awards up 
to a maximum of $250,000 each. This notice contains all of the 
necessary information and forms to apply for grant funding. The period 
of performance for these Program Year 2004 grants will be July 1, 2004 
through June 30, 2005. Two (2) optional years of funding may be 
available, depending upon Congressional funding appropriations, the 
agency's decision to exercise the optional year(s) of funding, and 
satisfactory grantee performance.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Veterans' Employment and 
Training Service (VETS), announces a grant competition that complies 
with the requirements of 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.

1. Program Concept and Emphasis

    This Solicitation for Grant Applications (SGA) seeks to make grants 
to ``intermediary'' organizations with established connections to and 
working relationships with grassroots faith-based and community 
organizations and that have the ability to connect those smaller 
organizations and the people they serve to the local employment service 
delivery system. HVRP grants to intermediaries are intended to address 
two overall objectives: (a) To coordinate efforts in order to 
collectively 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.
    In achieving the HVRP grant overall objectives, the intermediary is 
expected to provide a substantial portion of its award to eligible 
local grass-roots

[[Page 19454]]

organizations through sub-awards/contracts. In their collaboration, the 
intermediaries will achieve the following objectives:
     Organize collaboration between local grass-roots 
organizations and the local employment service delivery system to 
assist homeless veterans in reentering the workforce by leveraging the 
resources of both faith-based and community organizations and the local 
employment service delivery system.
     Expand the access of faith-based and community 
organization clients and customers to the training, employment 
opportunities, and employment services offered by the local employment 
service delivery system.
     Thoroughly document the impact and outcomes of 
these grant investments through quarterly, annual, and follow-up 
reporting.
    Under this Program Year 2004 HVRP competition, eligible 
``intermediaries'' are defined as State and Local Workforce Investment 
Boards, local public agencies, for-profit/commercial entities, and non-
profit organizations including faith-based and community organizations. 
For the purposes of this announcement, the eligible local grassroots 
organizations to which sub-awards/contracts must be made must be non-
profit organizations that:
     Have social services as a major part of their 
mission; and
     Are headquartered in the local community to 
which they provide these services; and
     Have a total annual operating budget of $300,000 
or less or have seven (7) or fewer full-time equivalent employees.
    The intermediary will assist the sub-awardees/contractors, as 
appropriate, in administrative tasks so that maximum efforts can be 
focused on providing supportive services and employment assistance to 
homeless veterans. VETS' encourages and expects the intermediary's 
staff to provide mentoring and technical assistance to build the 
smaller organizations' capacity to be a permanent contributor to the 
local employment service delivery system.
    For this Fiscal Year (FY) 2004 grant solicitation, VETS seeks 
applicants that will collectively provide direct services through a 
case management approach that networks with Federal, State, and local 
resources for veteran support programs. Successful applicants will have 
clear strategies for employment and retention of employment for 
homeless veterans. Successful applicants' and their grass-roots 
organization sub-awardees/contractors will collaborate efforts in order 
to design programs that assist homeless veterans by collectively 
ensuring the provision of job placement services, job training, 
counseling, 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 FY 2004 will seek to continue to strengthen development of effective 
delivery systems, to provide comprehensive services through a case 
management approach that addresses complex problems facing homeless 
veterans trying to transition into gainful employment, and to improve 
strategies for employment and retention in employment.

2. Community Awareness 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/or sub-awardees/contractors collectively must provide 
project orientation workshops and program awareness activities that it 
determines are the most feasible for the types of providers listed 
below. Grantees are encouraged to demonstrate strategies for 
incorporating small faith-based and community organizations (defined as 
organizations with social services budgets of approximately $300,000 or 
seven (7) or fewer full-time employees) into their outreach plans. 
Project orientation workshops conducted by grantees 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/or sub-awardees/contractors 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/or sub-awardees/contractors collectively 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 entitlement and social service 
agencies such as the Social Security Administration (SSA), Department 
of Veterans Affairs (DVA), State Workforce Agencies (SWAs) and their 
local One-Stop Centers (which integrate Workforce Investment Act (WIA), 
labor exchange, and other employment and social 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/or sub-awardees/contractors collectively will also 
be responsible for participating in ``Stand Down'' events. A ``Stand 
Down'' is an event held in a locality, usually for 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 (DVA), Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program 
Specialists (DVOPs) and Local Veterans' Employment Representatives 
(LVERs) 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/or sub-awardees/
contractors collectively are encouraged and expected to participate 
fully and offer their services for all locally planned Stand Down 
event(s). Toward this end, up to $5,000 of the currently requested HVRP 
grant funds may be used to supplement the Stand Down efforts, where 
funds are not otherwise available, and may be requested in the budget 
and explained in the budget narrative.

3. Scope of Program Design

    The overall project design must include the following services:

[[Page 19455]]

    A. Outreach, intake, assessment, peer counseling 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.
    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, 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/or sub-awardees/contractors will 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/or sub-awardees/
contractors will work with the Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) or 
refer the participants to DVA in order to file a claim for compensation 
or pension. Grantees and/or sub-awardees/contractors will track 
progress of claims and report outcomes in case management records.
    E. Coordination with veterans' services programs, including: 
Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program Specialists (DVOPs) and Local 
Veterans' Employment Representatives (LVERs) in the local employment 
service delivery system, as well as Veterans' Workforce Investment 
Programs (VWIPs), 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 with Veterans' Service Organizations such as: The 
American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, 
Vietnam Veterans of America, the American Veterans (AMVETS).
    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, mental health services as well as coordination with 
McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (MHAA) Title VI programs for health 
care for the homeless, and health care programs under the Homeless 
Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act 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 MHAA Title IV (and under 
HVCAA), and permanent housing programs for disabled homeless persons 
funded under MHAA Title IV (and under HVCAA).

4. Results-Oriented Model

    No specific model is mandatory, but the applicant and/or sub-
awardees/contractors must collectively design a program that is 
responsive to the needs of the local community and achieves the overall 
objectives of the HVRP program. 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 homeless veterans.
    Under the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), Congress 
and the public are looking for program results rather than program 
processes. The outcome measurement established for HVRP grants is for 
grantees and/or sub-awardees/contractors to collectively meet a minimum 
entered employment rate of 58%, determined by dividing the number of 
entered employments by the number of HVRP enrollments. (Actual 
performance outcomes will be reported quarterly in spreadsheet format 
to be provided to grantees at the post award conference.) While the 
percentage of HVRP enrollments that entered employment is an important 
outcome, it is also necessary to evaluate and measure the program's 
long-term results, through the 90-day and 180-day follow-up period, to 
determine the quality and success of the program.
    The applicants and/or sub-awardees/contractors 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 HVRP. 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 individual would benefit from pre-
employment preparation such as resume writing, job search workshops, 
employment related counseling, and case management, or possibly an 
initial entry into the job market through temporary jobs. Additionally, 
sheltered work environments, classroom training, and/or on-the-job 
training must be evaluated. Such services should be noted in an 
Employability Development Plan to facilitate the staff's successful 
monitoring of the plan. Entry into full-time employment or a specific 
job-training program should follow, in keeping with the ultimate 
objective of HVRP, to bring the participant closer to self-sufficiency. 
Supportive services may assist the HVRP enrolled participant at this 
point or even sooner.
    Job development, a crucial part of the employability process, is 
usually when there are no competitive job openings that the HVRP 
enrolled participant is qualified to apply for, therefore, a job 
opportunity is created or developed specifically for that HVRP enrolled 
participant with an employer. HVRP enrolled participants who are ready 
to enter employment and/or who are in need of intensive case management 
services are to be referred to the DVOP and LVER staff at a local One-
Stop Office. DVOP and LVER staff are able to provide HVRP enrolled 
participants the following services: job development, employment 
services, case management and career counseling. Most DVOP and LVER 
staff received training in case management 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' urges working hand-in-hand with DVOP/LVER staff to 
achieve economies of resources.
    The applicant and/or sub-awardees/contractors program must include 
tracking of program participants. Tracking should begin with the 
referral to employment and continue through the 90-day and 180-day 
follow-up periods after entering employment to determine whether the 
veteran is in the

[[Page 19456]]

same or similar job. It is important that the grantee and/or sub-
awardees/contractors maintain contact with veterans after placement to 
ensure that employment-related problems that may arise are addressed. 
The 90-day and 180-day follow-ups are fundamental to assessing the 
results of the program success. Grantee and/or sub-awardees/contractors 
need to budget for 90-day and 180-day follow-up activity so that it can 
be performed for those enrolled participants placed at or near the end 
of the grant performance period. All grantees and/or sub-awardees/
contractors, 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.
    2. Funding Levels: The total funding available for this 
Intermediaries HVRP solicitation is up to $1,500,000. Awards are 
expected to range from $100,000 to a maximum of $250,000. The 
Department of Labor reserves the right to negotiate the amounts to be 
awarded under this competition. Please be advised that requests 
exceeding $250,000 will be considered non-responsive.
    3. Period of Performance: The period of performance will be for 
twelve (12) months from date of award unless modified by the Grant 
Officer. It is expected that successful applicants and/or sub-awardees/
contractors will begin program operations under this solicitation on 
July 1, 2004. All program funds must be obligated by June 30, 2005; a 
limited amount of funds may be obligated and reserved for follow-up 
activities and closeout.
    4. Optional Year(s) Funding: Should Congress appropriate additional 
funds for this purpose, VETS may consider two (2) optional years of 
funding. The Government does not, however, guarantee optional year(s) 
funding for any grantee (or sub-awardees/contractors). In deciding 
whether to exercise any optional year funding, VETS will consider 
grantee (including sub-awardees/contractors) overall performance during 
the previous period of operations as follows:
    A. The grantee and/or sub-awardees/contractors collectively must 
meet, at minimum, 85% of the planned goals for Federal expenditures, 
enrollments, and placements in each quarter and/or at least 85% of 
planned cumulative goals by the end of the third quarter; and
    B. The grantee and sub-awardees/contractors must be in compliance 
with all terms identified in the Solicitation for Grant Application 
(SGA) and grant award document; and
    C. All program and fiscal reports must have been submitted by the 
established due date and must be verifiable for accuracy.

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 nonprofit organizations, 
including faith-based and community organizations. Applicants and their 
sub-awardees/contractors must have a familiarity with the area and 
population to be served and the ability to administer an effective and 
timely program. Applicants must also have established connections to 
and working relationships with grassroots faith-based and community 
organizations, and have the ability to connect those smaller 
organizations and the people they serve to the local employment service 
delivery system.
    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 
potential 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.
     Nonprofit organizations. If claiming 501(c)(3) 
status, the Internal Revenue Service statement indicating 501(c)(3) 
status approval must be submitted.
    To be eligible for a sub-award/contract from an Intermediary 
Grantee, an organization must be a local, grassroots non-profit entity 
that:
     Have social services as a major part of their 
mission; and
     Are headquartered in the local community to 
which they provide these services; and
     Have a total annual operating budget of $300,000 
or less or have seven (7) or fewer full-time equivalent employees.

    Note: Qualifying applications from grantees in the below listed 
States that are not currently receiving HVRP funds may receive 
priority funding over applicants in those States that are currently 
receiving HVRP funds: Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, 
Kansas, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, 
Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, 
and Wyoming.

    2. Cost Sharing: Cost sharing and/or matching funds are not 
required. However, we do encourage the use of leveraging and/or 
matching funds.
    3. Other Eligibility Criteria:
    A. This SGA is for Intermediaries HVRP grants. Separate SGAs for 
urban and non-urban HVRP grants have been simultaneously issued.
    B. The proposal must include an outreach component that uses either 
DVOP/LVER staff or a trained outreach cadre. Programs must be 
``employment focused.'' The services provided must be directed toward: 
(1) Increasing the employability of homeless veterans through training 
or arranging for the provision of services that will enable them to 
work; and (2) matching homeless veterans with potential employers.
    C. Applicants are encouraged to utilize, through partnerships or 
sub-awards/contracts, experienced public agencies, private nonprofit 
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, and the 
capability to effectively provide the necessary services.
    D. To be eligible for enrollment under this 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)]

[[Page 19457]]

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address To Request an Application and Amendments: Application 
announcements or forms will not be mailed. The Federal Register may be 
obtained from your nearest government office or library. Additional 
application packages may be obtained from the VETS Web site at http://www.dol.gov/vets and at http://www.fedgrants.gov/. The application 
forms and their instructions, and other pertinent materials are 
included in the Appendices. If copies of the standard forms are needed, 
they can also be downloaded from: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/grants_forms.html.
    To receive amendments to this Solicitation, all applicants must 
register their name and address in writing with the Grant Officer at 
the following address: U.S. Department of Labor, Procurement Services 
Center, Attn: Cassandra Mitchell, Reference SGA 04-05, 200 Constitution 
Avenue, NW., Room N-5416, Washington, DC 20210, Phone Number: (202) 
693-4570 (not a toll free number).
    2. Content and Form of Application: The grant 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 gain an 
understanding of the programmatic and fiscal contents of the grant 
proposal.
    A complete grant application package 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) that includes a completed Technical Performance 
Goals Form (Appendix D).
     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 and Assurances and Certifications Signature Page 
(Appendix C), and Direct Cost Description for Applicants and Sub-
applicants (Appendix E), and a completed Survey on Ensuring Equal 
Opportunity for Applicants (Appendix F).
    A. Section 1--Executive Summary: A one to two page ``Executive 
Summary'' reflecting the grantees overall strategy, timeline, and 
outcomes to be achieved in their grant proposal is required. This 
executive summary does not count against the 15-page limit. The 
executive summary should include:
     The proposed area to be served through the 
activities of this grant.
     Years of grantee's service to the residents in 
the proposed area to be served.
     Projects and activities that will expedite the 
reintegration of homeless veterans into the workforce.
     Summary of 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 applicants' and/or sub-
awardees'/contractors' ability to collectively accomplish the expected 
outcomes of the proposed project design.
    The technical proposal narrative must not exceed fifteen (15) pages 
double-spaced, font size no less than 11 pt., and typewritten on one 
(1) side of the paper only. Note: Resumes, charts, standard forms, 
transmittal letters, Memorandums of Understanding, agreements, lists of 
contracts and grants, letters of support are not included in the page 
count. If provided, include these documents as attachments to the 
technical proposal.
    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 activities are: 
outreach, pre-enrollment assessments, employment development plans for 
all clients, case management, job placement and job retention follow-up 
(at 90 and 180 days) after individual enters employment, utilization/
coordination of services with DVOP and LVER staff, and community 
linkages with other programs and services that provide support to 
homeless veterans.
    The following format for the technical proposal is recommended:
    Need for the program: The applicant must identify the geographical 
area to be served and 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.
    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 supportive 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 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.
    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. 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. 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 networks the program will have with 
other providers of services to homeless veterans; include a description 
of the relationship with other employment and training programs 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); and list the type of services that will be provided by 
each. Note the type of agreement in place, if applicable. Linkages with 
the workforce development system must be delineated. Describe any 
networks with any other resources and/or other programs for homeless 
veterans. Indicate how the program will be coordinated with any efforts 
for the homeless that are conducted by agencies in the community. 
Indicate how the applicant and/or sub-awardees/

[[Page 19458]]

contractors 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 agreements 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) including the Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) and 
per diem programs. If a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or other 
service agreements 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, faith-based and community organization programs or 
colleges and universities, including those with traditionally high 
enrollments of minorities, the applicant must fully explain the use of 
these resources and how they will be applied. If a Memorandum of 
Understanding (MOU) or other service agreements with other service 
providers exists, copies should be provided.
    Organizational capability to provide required program activities: 
The applicant's relevant current or prior experience in operating 
employment and training programs should be clearly described. A summary 
narrative of program experience and employment and training performance 
outcomes is required. The applicant should provide information showing 
outcomes of all past employment and training programs in terms of 
enrollments and placements. An applicant that had operated a HVRP, 
other Homeless Employment and Training program, or VWIP program must 
include the final or most recent technical performance reports. The 
applicant must also provide evidence of key staff capability. It is 
preferred that grantee be well established and not in the 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 
leasing, or other programs.
    C. Section 3--The Cost Proposal must contain the following: (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 10.
    The organizational unit section of Block 5 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 Federal 
Register 38402 (June 27, 2003). Applicants' DUNS number should be 
entered into Block 5 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.
    (2) A completed 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, salary rates, and percent of time of each position to be devoted 
to the proposed project (including sub-awardees/contractors) 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 method 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. Mileage charges may not exceed 37.5 cents per mile or the 
current Federal rate;
     All associated costs for retaining participant 
information pertinent to the follow-up survey, 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
     Identification of all sources of leveraged or 
matching funds and an explanation of the derivation of the value of 
matching/in-kind services. If resources/matching funds and/or the value 
of in-kind contributions are made available, please show in Section B 
of the Budget Information Sheet.
    (4) A completed Assurance and Certification signature page 
(Appendix C) must be submitted;
    (5) All applicants must submit evidence of satisfactory financial 
management capability, which must include recent (within the last 18 
months) financial and/or audit statements. Grantees and sub-awardees/
contractors 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 it has 
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 4:45 
p.m. e.t., May 13, 2004, 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 13, 2004; or
     It was sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail 
Next Day Service-Post Office to Addressee, not later than 5:00 p.m. at 
the place of mailing two (2) working days, excluding weekends and 
Federal holidays, prior to May 13, 2004.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: Not Applicable.
    5. Funding Restrictions:
    A. Proposals exceeding $250,000 will be considered non-responsive.

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    B. There is a limit of one (1) application per submitting 
organization and location. If two (2) applications from the same 
organization for the same location are submitted, the application with 
the later date will be considered non-responsive.
    C. Due to the limited availability of funding, if an organization 
was awarded Fiscal Year 2003 HVRP funds for a specific location and 
will be receiving second and possible third year funding, that 
organization at that specific location will be considered ineligible to 
compete for FY 2004 HVRP 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 104-65, 109 Stat. 691, prohibits the 
award of Federal funds to these entities.
    F. The government is prohibited from directly funding religious 
activity.* HVRP grants may not be used for religious instruction, 
worship, prayer, proselytizing or other inherently religious practices. 
Neutral, secular criteria that neither favor nor disfavor religion must 
be employed in the selection of grant and sub-awardees/contractors 
grant recipients. In addition, under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) 
and Department of Labor regulations implementing the WIA, a recipient 
may not train a participant in religious activities, or permit 
participants to construct, operate, or maintain any part of a facility 
that is primarily used or devoted to religious instruction or worship. 
Under WIA, ``no individual shall be excluded from participation in, 
denied the benefits of, subjected to discrimination under, or denied 
employment in the administration of or in connection with, any such 
program or activity because of race, color, religion, sex (except as 
otherwise permitted under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 
1972), national origin, age, disability, or political affiliation or 
belief.''
    * The term ``direct'' funding is used to describe funds that are 
provided ``directly'' by a governmental entity or an intermediate 
organization with the same duties as the government entity, as opposed 
to funds that an organization receives as the result of the genuine and 
independent private choice of a beneficiary. In other contexts, the 
term ``direct'' funding may be used to refer to those funds that an 
organization receives directly from the Federal government (also known 
as ``discretionary'' funding), as opposed to funding that it receives 
from a State or local government (also known as ``indirect'' or ``block 
grant'' funding). In this SGA, the term ``direct'' has the former 
meaning.
    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 will 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 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/atttach.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.
    6. Other Submission Requirements: 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.
    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 and anthrax 
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.

V. Application Review Information

1. Application Evaluation Criteria

    Applications will receive up to 100 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 of jurisdiction, (ii) the rates of poverty and/
or 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
    The application must include a description of the approach to 
providing comprehensive employment and training services, including job 
training,

[[Page 19460]]

job development, obtaining employer commitments to hire, placement and 
post-placement follow-up services. Applications must address how they 
will target occupations in emerging industries. 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 enrolled participants must participate in training services. A 
description of the relationship, if any, with other employment and 
training programs such as State Workforce Agencies (including DVOP and 
LVER Programs), One-Stops, VWIP, other WIA programs, and Workforce 
Investment or Development Boards or entities where in place, must be 
specified. Applications 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.

    Note: The applicant must complete Appendix D, the Technical 
Performance Goals Form, with proposed programmatic outcomes, 
including participants served, placement/entered employments and job 
retention. Of the 35 points possible in the strategy to increase 
employment and retention, 5 points will be awarded to grant 
proposals that demonstrate the ability to maintain a six-month 
employment retention rate of 50 percent or greater. Applicants whose 
applications persuasively propose to use peer counselors who are 
themselves veterans will be awarded five (5) of the available points 
in the scoring criteria.

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 
community's continuum of care approach to respond to homelessness and 
show any linkages to HUD, HHS or DVA programs that will be advantageous 
to the proposed program.
D. Demonstrated Capability in Providing Required Program Services, 
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 
and/or sub-awardees/contractors must be described, such as job 
placements, benefits secured, network coalitions, etc. The applicant 
and/or sub-awardees/contractors must also address its capacity for 
timely startup of the program, programmatic reporting, and participant 
tracking. The applicant and/or sub-awardees/contractors 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) financial statement or audit. Final or most 
recent technical reports for other relevant employment and training 
programs must be submitted, if applicable. Because prior HVRP grant 
experience is not a requirement for this grant, some applicants may not 
have any technical performance reports to submit.
E. Quality of Overall Housing Strategy: 10 Points
    The application must demonstrate how the applicant and/or sub-
awardees/contractors propose to obtain or access housing resources for 
veterans in the program and entering the labor force. This discussion 
should specify the provisions made to access temporary, transitional, 
and permanent housing for participants through community resources, 
HUD, DVA lease, or other means. HVRP funds may not be used for housing 
or vehicles.

2. Review and Selection Process

    Applications will initially be screened to ensure timeliness, 
completeness, and responsiveness to the SGA requirements. Applications 
that satisfy this initial screening will receive further review as 
explained below.
    Technical proposals will be reviewed by a Department of Labor 
review panel using the point scoring system specified above in Section 
V(1). The review panel will assign scores after careful evaluation by 
each panel member and rank applications based on this score. The 
ranking will be the primary basis to identify applicants as potential 
grantees. The review panel may establish a competitive range and/or a 
minimum qualifying score, based upon the proposal evaluation, for the 
purpose of selecting qualified applicants. The review panel's 
conclusions are advisory in nature and not binding on the Grant 
Officer.
    Cost proposals will be considered in two (2) ways. The Department 
of Labor review panel will screen all applicant cost proposals to 
ensure expenses are allocable, allowable, and reasonable. If the review 
panel concludes 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, VETS 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 180-day retention in 
employment percentage. The national average cost per placement for HVRP 
for last year was $2,100.
    The Government reserves the right to ask for clarification on any 
aspect of a grant application. The Government also reserves the right 
to discuss any potential grantee concerns amongst Department of Labor 
staff. The Government further reserves the right to select applicants 
out of rank order if such a selection would, in its opinion, result in 
the most effective and appropriate combination of funding, program, and 
administrative costs, e.g., cost per enrollment and placement, 
demonstration models, and geographic service areas. The Grant Officer's 
determination for award under SGA 04-05 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.

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 as listed on the SF-
424 Grant Application. Notice that an organization has been selected as 
a grant recipient does not constitute approval of the grant application 
as submitted. Before the actual grant award, the Grant Officer 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 2004 HVRP funds through this competition. The post-award conference 
is expected to be held in July or August 2004. Up to two (2) 
representatives must be present; a financial and a program 
representative are recommended. The

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site of the post-award conference has not yet been determined, however, 
for planning and budgeting purposes, please allot five (5) 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 best practices from past 
projects. Costs associated with attending this conference for up to two 
grantee representatives will be allowed as long as they were incurred 
in accordance with Federal travel regulations. Such costs must be 
charged as administrative costs and reflected in the proposed budget.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    Unless specifically provided in the grant agreement, DOL's 
acceptance of a proposal and an award of Federal funds to sponsor any 
program(s) does not provide a waiver of any grant requirements and/or 
procedures. For example, the OMB circulars require that an entity's 
procurement procedures must provide all procurement transactions will 
be conducted, as practical, to provide open and free competition. If a 
proposal identifies a specific entity to provide the services, the DOL 
award does not provide the justification or basis to sole-source the 
procurement, i.e., avoid competition. All grants will be subject to the 
following administrative standards and provisions, as applicable to the 
particular grantee and/or sub-awardees/contractors:
     29 CFR part 93--Lobbying.
     29 CFR part 95--Uniform Administrative 
Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher 
Education, Hospitals, and other Nonprofit Organizations, and with 
Commercial Organizations.
     29 CFR part 96--Federal Standards for Audit of 
Federally Funded Grants, Contracts and Agreements.
     29 CFR part 97--Uniform Administrative 
Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local 
Governments.
     29 CFR part 98--Federal Standards for 
Government-wide Debarment and Suspension (Non procurement) and 
Government-wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants).
     29 CFR part 99--Audit of States, Local 
Governments, and Nonprofit Organization.
     29 CFR parts 30, 31, 32, 33 and 36--Equal 
Employment Opportunity in Apprenticeship and Training; 
Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs of the Department of 
Labor, Effectuation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; 
Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap in Programs and Activities; 
and Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs 
Receiving or Benefiting from Federal Financial Assistance.

3. Reporting

    The grantee will submit the reports and documents listed 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 (including sub-awardees/contractors information) on a 
federal fiscal quarterly basis using SF-269A, Financial Status Report, 
Short Form and submit a copy of the HHS/PMS 272 drawdown report. These 
reports must cite the assigned grant number and be submitted to the 
appropriate State Director for Veterans' Employment and Training 
(DVET).
B. Quarterly Program Reports
    No later than 30 days after the end of the Federal fiscal quarter, 
grantees also must submit a Quarterly Technical Performance Report 
(including sub-awardees/contractors information) to the DVET that 
contains the following:
    (1) A comparison of actual accomplishments to planned goals for the 
reporting period in spreadsheet format (to be provided after grant 
award) 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 a 
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 Follow-Up Report
    No later than 120 days after the grant performance period 
expiration date, the grantee must submit a follow-up report (including 
sub-awardees/contractors information) showing results and performance 
as of the 90th day after the grant period, and containing the 
following:
    (1) Final Financial Status Report SF-269A Short Form (that zeros 
out all unliquidated obligations); and
    (2) Technical Performance Report including updated goals chart.
D. 180-Day Follow-Up Report
    No later than 210 days after the grant performance expiration date, 
the grantee must submit a follow-up report (including sub-awardees/
contractors information) showing the results and performance as of the 
180th day after the grant period, and containing the following:
    (1) Final Financial Status Report SF-269A Short Form (if not 
previously submitted); and
    (2) Final Narrative Report 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 180 day follow-
up period;
    (c) If the veterans are still employed at the same or similar job, 
if not, what are the reason(s);
    (d) Whether training received was applicable to jobs held;
    (e) Wages at placement and during follow-up period;
    (f) An explanation regarding 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.

VII. Agency Contact

    Questions and applications are to be forwarded to: U.S. Department 
of Labor, Procurement Services Center, Attn: Cassandra Mitchell, 
Reference SGA 04-05, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room N-5416, 
Washington, DC 20210, Phone Number: (202) 693-4570 (this is not a toll 
free number).
    Resources for the Applicant: Applicants may review ``VETS' Guide to 
Competitive and Discretionary Grants'' located at http://www.dol.gov/vets/grants/Final_VETS_Guide-linked.pdf. Applicants may also find 
these resources useful: America's Service Locator http://www.servicelocator.org/ provides a directory of our nation's One-Stop 
Career Centers; the National Association of Workforce Boards maintains 
an Internet site (http://www.nawb.org/asp/wibdir.asp) that contains 
contact information for the State and local Workforce Investment 
Boards; and the homepage for the Department of Labor, Center for Faith-
Based & Community Initiatives (http://www.dol.gov/cfbci).
    Comments: Comments are to be submitted to the Veterans' Employment 
and Training Service (VETS), U.S. Department of Labor, Room S-1312, 200 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210, telephone (202) 693-
4701 (this is not a toll free number). Written comments are limited to 
ten (10) pages or fewer and may be transmitted by facsimile to (202) 
693-4755. Receipt of

[[Page 19462]]

submissions, whether by U.S. mail, e-mail, or facsimile transmittal, 
will not be automatically acknowledged; however, the sender may request 
confirmation that a submission has been received, by telephoning VETS 
at (202) 693-4701 or (202) 693-4753 (TTY/TDD).

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 6th day of April, 2004.
Lisa Harvey,
Acting Grant Officer.

Appendices

Appendix A: Application for Federal Assistance SF-424
Appendix B: Budget Information Sheet SF-424A
Appendix C: Assurances and Certifications Signature Page
Appendix D: Quarterly Technical Performance Goals Form
Appendix E: Direct Cost Descriptions for Applicants and Sub-
Applicants
Appendix F: Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants
Appendix G: The Glossary of Terms
Appendix H: List of Common Acronyms

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[FR Doc. 04-8187 Filed 4-12-04; 8:45 am]
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