[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 103 (Wednesday, May 30, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30037-30039]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-10258]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

[Funding Opportunity No: 17-805]


 Veterans' Employment and Training Service; Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 
Stand Down Grant Requests

AGENCY: Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS), U.S. 
Department of Labor (USDOL).

ACTION: Initial announcement of available FY 2007 funds under the 
Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program to Support Local Stand Down 
Events.

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SUMMARY: The Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) continues 
to support local Stand Down events that assist homeless veterans and is 
now accepting applications for Stand Down grant awards. A Stand Down is 
an event held in a local community where homeless veterans are provided 
with a wide variety of social services. Under this FY 2007 
announcement, VETS anticipates that up to $300,000 will be available 
for grant awards up to a maximum of $10,000 per event. However, if the 
event is held for one (1) day, the maximum amount is $7,000. VETS 
expects to award approximately thirty-seven (37) grants. Applications 
for Stand Down funds will be accepted from State Workforce Agencies and 
State and local Workforce Investment Boards, Veterans Service 
Organizations (VSO), local public agencies, and non-profit 
organizations, including community and faith-based organizations. VETS 
is not authorized to award these grant funds to organizations that are 
registered with Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a 501 (c) (4) 
organization.

DATES: All Stand Down grant requests must be received by the 
appropriate State Director for Veterans' Employment and Training (DVET) 
who serves as the Grant Officer Technical Representative (GOTR) no 
later than 60 days prior to the event and postmarked no later than June 
30, 2007, for events that occur on or prior to November 30, 2007. 
Events occurring after November 30, 2007, application will be accepted, 
and awarded as next year's federal appropriations or continuing 
resolution funding becomes available.

ADDRESSES: Applications for Stand Down grant funding are to be 
submitted to the appropriate State DVET/GOTR. Address and contact 
information for each State DVET/GOTR can be found at: http://www.dol.gov/vets/aboutvets/contacts/main.htm.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Stand Down is a military term referring to an opportunity to 
achieve a brief respite from combat. Troops would assemble in a base 
camp to receive new clothing, hot food, and a relative degree of safety 
before returning to the front. Today more than 160 organizations across 
the country partner with local businesses, government agencies, and 
community- and faith-based service providers to hold Stand Down events 
for homeless veterans and their families in the local community.
    Each year, the Assistant Secretary for Veterans' Employment and 
Training awards Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP) grants 
to programs that enhance employment and training opportunities and/or 
promote self-sufficiency for homeless veterans. Residual HVRP funds can 
be awarded as grants to organizations sponsoring Stand Down events for 
homeless veterans.
    The critical services provided at a Stand Down are often the 
catalyst that enables homeless veterans to reenter mainstream society. 
Some of the services available at these events include temporary 
shelter, showers, haircuts, meals, clothing, hygiene kits, medical 
examinations, immunizations, legal advice, State identification cards, 
veterans benefit information, training program information, employment 
services, and referral to other supportive services.
    Stand Down grant funds must be used to enhance employment and 
training opportunities or to promote self-sufficiency for homeless 
veterans. The funds may be used to support activities such as:
     The purchase of food, bottled water, clothing, sleeping 
bags and hygiene care kits;
     Rental of facilities and/or tents;
     Payment for special one-time electricity costs, equipment 
rentals, advertising, event posters, portable toilets, janitorial/
kitchen supplies, and communications/internet access;
     The hiring of security personnel;
     Transportation of homeless veterans to and from Stand Down 
events; and
     Other items and services as appropriate.
    Stand Down grant funds may not be used to purchase special 
monogrammed tee shirts, pen sets, specialty hats (unless for cold 
weather use), military and veteran type patches, and memento gifts for 
staff members/visitors/volunteers.

II. Award Information

    The maximum amount that can be awarded to support a local Stand 
Down event is $10,000 per year, per event. If the event is held for one 
(1) day, the maximum amount that can be awarded is $7,000.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants will generally fall into one of the following 
categories: State and local Workforce Boards, Veteran Service 
Organizations, local public agencies, and non-profit organizations 
including community and faith-based organizations. Organizations 
registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(4) 
organization are not eligible.

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2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    Cost Sharing and matching funds are not required. However, we do 
encourage grantees to maximize the resources available to the Stand 
Down event and its participants.

3. Other Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Registration Requirements
    A. All applicants for Federal funding are required to include a Dun 
and Bradstreet Number (DUNS) with their application. Applicants can 
obtain a DUNS number through the following Web site: http://www.dunandbradstreet.com/ or by phone at 1-866-705-5711.
    B. After receiving a DUNS number, all grant applicants must also 
register as a vendor with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) 
through the following Web site: http://www.ccr.gov or by phone at 1-
888-227-2423. CCR registration should become active within 24 hours of 
completion. If grant applicants have questions regarding registration, 
please contact the CCR Assistance Center at 1-888-227-2423.
    After registration, grant applicants will receive a confirmation 
number. Grantee listed Point of Contact will receive a Trader 
Partnership Identification Number (TPIN) via mail. The TPIN is, and 
should remain, a confidential password.

IV. Application Content

    All applications for Stand Down funding must include:
    1. Applicant letter requesting Stand Down funds (original signed in 
blue ink);
    2. Application for Federal Assistance, Standard Form (SF) 424 
(original signed in blue ink);
    3. SF-424A, Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs; SF-424 
and SF-424A forms can be downloaded from the following Web site: http://www.grants.gov
    4. Budget Narrative describing each planned expenditure listed on 
the SF 424A. The description should provide the methodology used in 
determining the cost estimates such as quantity and if the item will be 
purchased or rented. Will the items be utilized by the participant or 
assist the volunteer(s) at the event?;
    5. Demonstrate and document Stand Down Activities and develop a 
timeline for completion of activities. For Stand Down events that occur 
on or after July 1st, grant applicants must demonstrate and document 
planning activities prior to the end of the Fiscal Year (September 
30th);
    6. Original signed Assurances and Certifications Signature Page;
    7. Complete the Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants 
(see Appendix D);
    8. A copy of the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) confirmation 
number. Please do not send the Trader Partnership Identification Number 
(TPIN) (see Section III.3.A.);
    9. Letters of support, particularly from the local One-Stop Career 
Centers and/or Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program Specialists (DVOPs) 
and Local Veterans' Employment Representative (LVER) staff, the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Housing and Urban 
Development (HUD) or the local Continuum of Care (COC), Veterans' 
Service Organizations (VSO), State and local government agencies, local 
businesses, local non-profit organizations including community-based 
and faith-based organizations, etc; when applicable; and
    10. A copy of the Internal Revenue Service documentation indicating 
approval of non-profit status (for example: 501(c)(3), 501(c)(19), 
etc.) as required to verify eligibility when claiming non-profit 
status.

V. Award Administration Information

    Stand Down funding is a non-competitive grant awarded on a first-
come, first-served basis until available residual funding is exhausted. 
Funding is subject to approval by the Grant Officer. If approved, the 
grantee will receive a grant award document and financial form to 
complete in order for USDOL Office of Financial Management to set-up an 
account in the Health and Human Services, Payment Management System 
(HHS/PMS) to electronically draw down funds.
    If awarded funds, the grantee must submit the completed HHS/PMS 
financial forms directly to the USDOL, Division of Financial Management 
Operations in order to electronically draw down funds. The financial 
forms should be sent via FedEx, UPS, or other non-U.S. Postal Service 
provider to avoid processing delays. If grantee has previously set-up 
an electronic HHS/PMS account, additional awarded funds will be added 
into that existing bank account unless otherwise notified in writing. 
Questions or problems relating to the HHS/PMS paperwork or processes 
should be referred to the USDOL Office of Financial Management at (202) 
693-4479.
    Upon receipt of grant award financial documents, HHS/PMS will 
forward a packet of instructions to the grantee on how to set up a 
payment account. After setting up the account, the grantee will be able 
to draw down funds to reimburse approved expenses already incurred and 
to cover approved expenses that will be paid within three (3) days of 
the draw down. Funds requested for draw down through the HHS/PMS are 
directly deposited into the account within 24 hours of the request.
    Since grantees may draw funds down in more than one quarter, up to 
and after the date of the Stand Down event, grantees are required to 
complete a PSC Federal Cash Transaction Report (PS 272) no later than 
45 days after the end of each quarter in which grantees receive all or 
part of their grant award (February 14th, May 15th, August 14th, and 
November 14th). Instructions for completing this requirement are 
provided in the HHS/PMS information packet. Grantees are to print hard 
copies of all PSC 272s submitted to provide with an Activity and 
Expenditure Report that will be submitted after the Stand Down event.

VI. Required Post-Event Reporting

    No later than 45 calendar days after the Stand Down event, grantees 
must submit the Stand Down Activity and Expenditure Report to the 
appropriate DVET/GOTR and to the USDOL Procurement Services. If 
grantees experience any delay in submitting this report, they should 
immediately contact their DVET/GOTR and provide a justification to 
request an extension.
    The following documents will be needed to complete the Stand Down 
Activity and Expenditure Report:
     An original signed invoice or list of all items purchased 
with grant funding;
     Original sales receipts of items purchased with USDOL-VETS 
funding;
     Comparison of planned activities and expenditures versus 
actual activities and expenditures;
     SF 269A, Financial Status Report (short form) (available 
for download at http://www.grants.gov;
     The Stand Down After Action Report (see Appendix E), which 
can also be provided by the DVET/GOTR; and
     Copies of all PSC 272s that were submitted to HHS/PMS.
    To prevent processing delays and/or the need to recoup over 
payments, grantees are to submit the Stand Down Activity and 
Expenditure Report to the appropriate DVET/GOTR prior to sending the 
originals to Procurement Services. The DVET/GOTR will review the report 
to ensure it is complete and accurate and that all expenditures were 
appropriate and allowable.
    After the DVET/GOTR reviews the Stand Down Activity and Expenditure 
Report for completeness and accuracy,

[[Page 30039]]

grantees are to distribute copies of the Activity and Expenditure 
Report as follows:
     The original SF 269A, signed invoice or list of 
expenditures and the Stand Down After Action Report is mailed to: U.S. 
Department of Labor, Procurement Services Center, Room S-4307, Attn: 
Cassandra Mitchell, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210.
     Original sales receipts of items purchased with USDOL-VETS 
funding, a copy of the SF 269A, signed invoice or list of expenditures, 
comparison of actual versus planned activities and expenditures, Stand 
Down After Action Report, and copies of all PSC 272s sent to HHS/PMS is 
to be submitted to the appropriate DVET/GOTR.
    If the DVET/GOTR does not recommend approval of a particular 
expenditure, he/she will notify the grantee in writing with an 
explanation for the disapproval and instruct grantee to electronically 
return the funds within 15 calendar days to the HHS/PMS account if 
already drawn down. All FY 2007 Stand Down awarded funds must be 
electronically drawn down by no later than November 30, 2007. If Stand 
Down funds are not electronically drawn down by the grantee within 90 
days following the above stated due date, the USDOL may reallocate 
these funds for other purposes accordingly.
    Any grantee who fails to comply with guidance set forth in the 
Stand Down Special Grant Provisions and reporting requirements will not 
be considered favorably from any future funding from U.S. Department of 
Labor Veterans' Employment and Training Service.

VII. Agency Contacts

    Questions regarding this announcement should be directed to the 
Director for Veterans' Employment and Training/GOTR in your State. 
Contact information for each DVET/GOTR is located in the VETS Staff 
Directory at the following webpage: http://www.dol.gov/vets/aboutvets/contacts/main.htm or access the directory from the agency Web site at 
http://www.dol.gov/vets.

VIII. Other Information

    Current competitive HVRP grantees are not eligible for a separate 
non-competitive Stand Down grant award as described in this 
announcement. Current competitive HVRP grantees are authorized to 
utilize existing funds for Stand Down purposes.
    Appendices: (Located on U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans' 
Employment and Training Service Webpage http://www.dol.gov/vets follow 
link for 2007 Stand Down Grants and Required Forms listed under 
announcements.)

Appendix A: Application for Federal Assistance SF-424
Appendix B: Budget Information Sheet SF-424A
Appendix C: Certifications and Assurances Signature Page
Appendix D: Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants
Appendix E: Stand Down After Action Report

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 23 day of May, 2007.
Cassandra R. Mitchell
Grant Officer.
[FR Doc. E7-10258 Filed 5-29-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-79-P