[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 13, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19523-19558]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-8190]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Veterans' Employment and Training Service
Urban Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP) Grants for
Program Year (PY) 2004; Funding Opportunity
Announcement Type: Initial Solicitation for Grant Applications
(SGA).
Funding Opportunity Number: SGA 04-03.
Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 17-805.
Dates: Applications are due on May 13, 2004.
Period of Performance is 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. Section
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) grants are
designated in three (3) award categories: urban, non-urban, and
intermediaries. Separate Solicitations for Grant Applications (SGAs)
are being issued for each grant category. This is the solicitation for
``Urban HVRP grants.'' Previous HVRP grants have provided valuable
information on approaches and techniques that work in the different
environments. Due to limited funding and the high concentration of
homeless veterans in the metropolitan areas of the 75 U.S. cities
largest in population and the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico, the only
jurisdictions eligible to be served through this urban competition for
HVRPs are those areas listed in Appendix I.
HVRP grants are intended to address two objectives: (1) To provide
services to assist in reintegrating homeless veterans into meaningful
employment within the labor force, and (2) to stimulate the development
of effective service delivery systems that will address the complex
problems facing homeless veterans. Successful applicants will design
programs that assist eligible veterans by providing job placement
services, job training, counseling, supportive services, and other
assistance to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the
labor force. Successful programs will also be designed to be flexible
in addressing the universal as well as the local or regional problems
that have had a negative impact on homeless veterans reentering the
workforce.
Under this solicitation covering Fiscal Year (FY) 2004, VETS
anticipates that up to $3,600,000 will be available for grant awards up
to a maximum of $300,000 for each grant award. VETS expects to award
approximately twelve (12) grants. This notice contains all of
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the necessary information and forms to apply for grant funding. The
period of performance for these PY 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. Section 2021, as added by Section 5
of Public Law 107-95, the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance
Act of 2001 (HVCAA). Section 2021 requires the Secretary of Labor to
conduct, directly or through grant or contract, such programs as the
Secretary determines appropriate to provide job training, counseling,
and placement services (including job readiness, literacy training, and
skills training) to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans
into the labor force.
1. Program Concept and Emphasis: HVRP grants are intended to
address two objectives: (a) To provide services to assist in
reintegrating homeless veterans into meaningful employment within the
labor force, and (b) to stimulate the development of effective service
delivery systems that will address the complex problems facing homeless
veterans.
For this Fiscal Year (FY) 2004 grant solicitation, VETS seeks
applicants that will 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 will design programs that assist
eligible veterans by providing job placement services, job training,
counseling, supportive services, and other assistance to expedite the
reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor force. Successful
applicants will also design programs that are flexible in addressing
the universal as well as the local or regional problems that have had a
negative impact on homeless veterans reentering the workforce. The HVRP
in PY 2004 will seek to continue to strengthen development of effective
service delivery systems, to provide comprehensive services through a
case management approach that address complex problems facing eligible
veterans trying to transition into gainful employment, and to improve
strategies for employment and retention in employment.
Due to the limited amount of funding and the high concentration of
homeless veterans in the metropolitan areas of the 75 U.S. cities
largest in population and the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico, the only
jurisdictions eligible to be served through this urban competition for
HVRP are those areas listed in Appendix I.
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 must provide
project orientation workshops and/or 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 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 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 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, Disabled Veterans' Outreach
Program Specialists and Local Veterans' Employment Representatives 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 are expected and
encouraged 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 project design must include the
following services:
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,
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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 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 will work with the Veterans Service Organizations
or refer the participants to DVA in order to file a claim for
compensation or pension. Grantees 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), Local
Veterans' Employment Representatives (LVERs) in the State Workforce
Agencies (SWAs) or in the workforce development system's One-Stop
Centers, as well as Veterans' Workforce Investment Programs (VWIPs),
Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) services, including its Health
Care for Homeless Veterans, Domiciliary Care, Regional Benefits
Assistance Program, and Transitional Housing under Homeless Provider
Grant and per diem programs.
F. Networking 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, and 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
successful applicants will design a program that is responsive to the
needs of the local community and achieves the HVRP objectives. The HVRP
objectives are to successfully reintegrate homeless veterans into the
workforce and to stimulate the development of effective service
delivery systems that will address the complex problems facing 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 to 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 enter
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 applicant's program should be based on a results-oriented
model. The first phase of activity should consist of the level of
outreach necessary to introduce the program to eligible homeless
veterans. Outreach also includes establishing contact with other
agencies that encounter homeless veterans. Once the eligible homeless
veterans have been identified, an assessment must be made of each
individual's abilities, interests, needs, and barriers to employment.
In some cases, participants may require referrals to services such as
rehabilitation, drug or alcohol treatment, or a temporary shelter
before they can be enrolled into the HVRP program. Once the eligible
homeless veteran is ``stabilized,'' the assessment must concentrate on
the employability of the individual and whether the individual is to be
enrolled into the HVRP program.
A determination should be made as to whether the HVRP enrolled
participant would benefit from pre-employment preparation such as
resume writing, job search workshops, related employment counseling,
and case management, or possibly an initial entry into the job market
through temporary jobs. Additionally, sheltered work environments,
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 overall objective of HVRP, to bring the participant
closer to self-sufficiency. Supportive services may assist the HVRP
enrolled participant at this point or even earlier.
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 One-Stop
Center. 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's 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 same or
similar job. It is important that the grantee maintain contact with
veterans after placement to ensure that employment-related problems are
addressed. The 90-day and 180-day follow-ups are fundamental to
assessing program results. Grantees need to budget for 90-day and 180-
day follow-up activity so that it can be performed for those
participants placed at or near the end of the grant performance period.
All grantees, 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 Urban HVRP
solicitation is up to $3,600,000. It is anticipated that approximately
twelve (12) awards will be made under this
[[Page 19526]]
solicitation. Awards are expected to range from $200,000 to a maximum
of $300,000. The Department of Labor reserves the right to negotiate
the amounts to be awarded under this competition. Please be advised
that requests exceeding $300,000 will be considered non-responsive.
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 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 Funding: Should Congress appropriate additional
funds for this purpose, VETS may consider an optional two (2) years of
funding. The Government does not, however, guarantee optional year
funding for any grantee. In deciding whether to exercise any optional
year(s) of funding, VETS will consider grantee performance during the
previous period of operations as follows:
A. The grantee must meet, at minimum, 85% of 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 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 dates 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 must have
a familiarity with the area and population to be served and the ability
to administer an effective and timely program.
Eligible applicants will generally fall into one of the following
categories:
State and local Workforce Investment Boards
(WIBs), established under Sections 111 and 117 of the Workforce
Investment Act.
Public agencies, meaning any public agency of a
State or of a general purpose political subdivision of a State that has
the power to levy taxes and spend funds, as well as general corporate
and police powers. (This typically refers to cities and counties.) A
State agency may propose in its application to serve one or more of the
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.
Note: Qualifying applications from grantees in the below listed
States that are not currently receiving HVRP funds (and are included
on Appendix I) may receive priority funding over applicants in those
States that are currently receiving HVRP funds: Arkansas, Delaware,
Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Rhode Island,
Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia.
2. Cost Sharing: Cost sharing and/or matching funds are not
required. However, we do encourage the use of sharing and/or matching
funds.
3. Other Eligibility Criteria:
A. This SGA is for Urban HVRP grants. Separate SGAs for non-urban
and intermediaries 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, 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 HVRP grant an
individual must be homeless and a veteran defined as follows:
The term ``homeless or homeless individual''
includes persons who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime
residence. It also includes persons whose primary nighttime residence
is either a supervised public or private shelter designed to provide
temporary living accommodations; an institution that provides a
temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized;
or a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a
regular sleeping accommodation for human beings. [42 U.S.C. 11302 (a)].
The term ``veteran'' means a person who served
in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged
or released under conditions other than dishonorable. [38 U.S.C.
101(2)]
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request an Application and Amendments: 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 04-03, 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
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(Appendix B), an original blue ink-signed and Assurances and
Certifications Signature Page (Appendix C), a 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 applicant's ability to
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, and 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 program activities
are: Outreach, pre-enrollment assessments, employment development plans
for each enrolled participant, case management, job placement, 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 under the grant and how it relates to the jobs that are in
demand, length of training, training curriculum, and how the training
will improve the eligible veterans' employment opportunities within
that geographical area;
Provide a follow-up plan that addresses
retention after 90 and 180 days with participants who have entered
employment;
Include the completed Planned Quarterly
Technical Performance Goals (and planned expenditures) form listed in
Appendix D.
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. Indicate how the applicant will coordinate with any
``continuum of care'' efforts for the homeless among agencies in the
community. If a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or other service
agreement with service providers exists, copies should be provided.
Linkages with other providers of employment and training services
to homeless veterans: Describe the 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. 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), to include 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, or faith-based and community programs, 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 exist, 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 has 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 the 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
[[Page 19528]]
resources, DVA leasing, or other programs.
C. Section 3--The Cost Proposal must contain the following:
Applicants can expect that the cost proposal will be reviewed for
allocability, allowability, and reasonableness.
(1) Standard Form SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance''
(with the original signed in blue-ink) (Appendix A) must be completed;
The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number for this program
is 17.805 and it must be entered on the SF-424, in Block 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 FR 38402 (June
27, 2003). Applicants' DUNS number is to 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/ com/. Requests for
exemption from the DUNS number requirement must be made to the Office
of Management and Budget.
(2) Standard Form SF-424A ``Budget Information Sheet'' (Appendix B)
must be included;
(3) As an attachment to SF-424A, the applicant must provide a
detailed cost breakout of each line item on the Budget Information
Sheet. Please label this page or pages the ``Budget Narrative'' and
ensure that costs reported on the SF-424A correspond accurately with
the Budget Narrative;
The Budget Narrative must include, at a minimum:
Breakout of all personnel costs by position,
title, salary rates, and percent of time of each position to be devoted
to the proposed project (including sub-grantees) by completing the
``Direct Cost Descriptions for Applicants and Sub-Applicants'' form
(Appendix E);
Explanation and breakout of extraordinary fringe
benefit rates and associated charges (i.e., rates exceeding 35% of
salaries and wages);
Explanation of the purpose and composition of,
and 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) (signed in blue ink) must be submitted;
(5) All applicants must submit evidence of satisfactory financial
management capability, which must include recent (within the last 18
months) financial and/or audit statements. Grantees 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. ET, 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 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 $300,000 will be considered non-responsive.
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 No. 104-65, 109 Stat. 691, prohibits
the award of Federal funds to these entities.
F. The only potential areas that will be served through this urban
competition for HVRPs in FY 2004 are the metropolitan areas of the 75
U.S. cities largest in population and the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico
(see Appendix I).
G. 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-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
[[Page 19529]]
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.''
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\*\ 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.
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H. 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/attach.html).
Indirect cost rates traceable and trackable
through the State Workforce Agency's Cost Accounting System represent
an acceptable means of allocating costs to DOL and, therefore, can be
approved for use in grants to State Workforce Agencies.
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; (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, job development, obtaining employer commitments to hire,
placement, and post-placement follow-up services. Applicants 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. 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. Applicant 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 180 day
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.
[[Page 19530]]
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
must be described, such as job placements, benefits secured, network
coalitions, etc. The applicant must also address its capacity for
timely startup of the program, programmatic reporting, and participant
tracking. The applicant should describe its staff experience and
ability to manage the administrative, programmatic and financial
aspects of a grant program. Include a recent (within the last 18
months) financial statement or audit. Final or most recent technical
reports for other relevant 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 proposes 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 compliance with 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 04-03 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 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 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 are 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:
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
[[Page 19531]]
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 on a federal fiscal
quarterly basis using SF-269A, Financial Status Report, Short Form, and
submit a copy of the HHS/PMS 272 draw down 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 each Federal fiscal quarter, grantees also must submit a Quarterly
Technical Performance Report 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 to grantees
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
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 expiration date, the grantee must submit a follow-up report
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
showing 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,
and 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: Department of
Labor, Procurement Services Center, Attention: Cassandra Mitchell,
Reference SGA 04-03, 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. Written comments are limited to ten (10) pages or fewer and may
be transmitted by facsimile to (202) 693-4755. Receipt of 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
Appendix I: List of 75 Largest Cities Nationwide
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[FR Doc. 04-8190 Filed 4-12-04; 8:45 am]
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