[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 47 (Thursday, March 10, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13236-13239]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-5347]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Veterans' Employment and Training Service


Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 through FY 2013 Stand Down Grant Requests

AGENCY: Veterans' Employment and Training Service, U.S. Department of 
Labor.

ACTION: Announcement of funds available under the Homeless Veterans' 
Reintegration Program (HVRP) to support local Stand Down events in FY 
2011 and tentatively available to support events in FY 2012, and FY 
2013.

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    Funding Opportunity No: 17-805.
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Veterans' Employment and 
Training Service (VETS) supports local Stand Down events that assist 
homeless Veterans. A Stand Down is an event held in a local community 
where homeless Veterans are provided with a wide variety of social 
services. VETS is now accepting applications for grant awards to fund 
Stand Down events in FY 2011. Stand Down funding is a non-competitive 
grant awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until available 
funding is exhausted.
    Under this announcement, VETS anticipates that up to $600,000 will 
be available to award approximately seventy grants in each of the three 
fiscal years covered by this solicitation. The Federal fiscal year is 
the accounting period of the federal government. It begins on October 
1st and ends on September 30th of the next calendar year. A maximum of 
$10,000 per multi-day event or $7,000 for a one-day event can be 
awarded. Availability of Stand Down grant funding each fiscal year will 
be dependent upon Congressional appropriation. Stand Down grant funding 
is awarded for a specific event on a specific date. Organizations 
planning Stand Down events in subsequent fiscal years must submit a 
complete, new application for grant funding if desired, and should not 
assume the application will automatically be approved.
    Applications for Stand Down funds will be accepted from State 
Workforce Agencies, State and local Workforce Investment Boards, 
Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), local public agencies, and non-
profit organizations including community and faith-based organizations. 
The USDOL is not authorized to award grant funds to organizations that 
are registered with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a 501(c)(4) 
organization.
    All applications for Stand Down grant funding must be submitted to 
the appropriate State Director for Veterans' Employment and Training 
(DVET) at least ninety (90) days prior to the event. Address and 
contact information for each State DVET can be found at: http://www.dol.gov/vets/aboutvets/contacts/main.htm. Events approved for grant 
funding in any fiscal year must be held prior to December 31st of the 
following fiscal year. For example, all Stand Down events awarded 
funding for FY 2011 (October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011) must 
be held on or before December 31, 2011.
    Stand Down grant awards are contingent upon a Federal appropriation 
or a continuing resolution each Federal fiscal year. Therefore, 
applications submitted after July 1st for events to be held after 
September 30th may be held for consideration for funding contingent 
upon Federal funding availability. Grant applicants should not obligate 
requested grant funding toward Stand Down expenses unless officially 
notified of a grant award.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Stand Down is a military term referring to an opportunity to 
achieve a brief respite from combat. Troops 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 HVRP grants to expedite the reintegration of homeless 
Veterans into the labor force through programs that enhance employment 
and training opportunities and promote self-sufficiency. The critical 
services provided at a Stand Down may supply the catalyst a homeless 
Veteran needs to take steps to reintegrate into society by improving 
job readiness and opportunities for employment. Typically, services 
available at these events include temporary shelter, showers, haircuts, 
meals, clothing, hygiene care kits, medical examinations, 
immunizations, legal advice, State identification cards, veteran 
benefit information, training program information, employment services, 
and referral to other supportive services.
    Stand Down funding is a non-competitive grant awarded on a first-
come, first-served basis until available funding is exhausted. For the 
purpose of a Stand Down grant award, applicants must describe a plan 
that clearly

[[Page 13237]]

demonstrates that grant funding will be used to purchase or rent goods 
and services for homeless Veterans only. While both Veteran and non-
veteran participants may attend Stand Down events, grant funding can 
only be used to purchase goods and services, to include food and meals, 
for the Veterans that participate. The following minimum services 
should be provided to those participants:
     Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical and mental 
health services;
     Department of Labor--State Workforce Agency employment and 
training services to include Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP) 
specialist and Local Veterans' Employment Representative (LVER) 
participation where available;
     An assortment of hot and/or cold foods;
     An assortment of clothing appropriate for the local 
climate; and
     Referral services to secure emergency housing on-the-spot.

II. Allowable Costs

    Stand Down grant funds must be used to enhance employment and 
training opportunities or to promote the self-sufficiency of homeless 
Veterans through paid work. The homeless do not always have access to 
basic hygiene supplies necessary to maintain their health and 
confidence. Lack of shelter limits their ability to prepare for and 
present themselves at job interviews or be contacted for follow-up. 
Basic services such as showers, haircuts, attention to health concerns 
and other collaborative services provided at Stand Down can give the 
homeless participants a greater sense of self, improving their chances 
of securing and maintaining employment. Therefore, grant funds may be 
used to support Stand Down activities such as:
     The purchase of food, bottled water, clothing, sleeping 
bags, one-person tents, backpacks filled with non-perishable foods, 
hygiene care kits, and non-prescription reading glasses for Veteran 
participants;
     The purchase of gift cards for food, minor time-limited 
legal services, consumer credit services, and gasoline gift cards for 
Veteran participants;
     The purchase of job search media such as employment guides 
or literature in hard copy or on portable storage media, etc);
     Special one-time costs for the duration of the Stand Down 
event such as rental of facilities and/or tents, electricity, 
equipment, portable toilets and communications or internet access;
     The purchase of janitorial supplies, kitchen supplies, and 
advertising materials such as event posters;
     The hiring of security personnel;
     The rental of transportation equipment (bus, van, car, 
taxi, etc.) and/or purchase of gasoline to provide transportation of 
homeless Veterans to and from the Stand Down event; and
     The purchase or rental of other pertinent items and 
services for homeless Veteran participants and their families as deemed 
appropriate by VETS.

III. Funding Restrictions

    Stand Down grant funds may not be used to pay for administrative 
costs and administrative and/or programmatic staff. Stand Down grant 
funds may not be used to purchase t-shirts, hats, or other clothing 
items for volunteers, pen sets, military and veteran type patches/
medals, memento gifts for staff members, visitors, or volunteers, or 
any other supplementary/replacement item(s) that has not been approved 
by the DVET. Applicants must provide details for every planned 
expenditure in the budget narrative. Any planned expenses listed only 
as ``other'' or ``miscellaneous'' must be clarified prior to processing 
the grant application.
    Stand Down grant funding cannot be used to pay for health care 
related expenses. All medical examinations, to include dental and 
optometry examinations, should be provided by the VA or other community 
provider. Purchase of prescription eye wear and dental work is 
considered a medical care expense and is not allowable. Non-
prescription reading glasses are considered an allowable expense. 
Applicants should explore all opportunities to secure health related 
services through the local VA Medical Center or VA Outpatient Clinic.
    VETS reserves the right to disapprove any proposed cost not 
consistent with the funding restrictions in this announcement.

IV. Award Information

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

V. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    The following organizations may apply for grants under this 
solicitation: State and local Workforce Boards, VSOs, 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) organizations are not eligible to apply for this 
funding opportunity.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    Cost sharing and matching funds are not required. However, VETS 
strongly encourages applicants to leverage other available resources to 
maximize the goods and services provided to homeless Veteran 
participants at Stand Down events.

3. Other Eligibility 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 at: http://www.dnb.com or by phone at 1-866-705-
5711.
    B. After receiving a DUNS number, all grant applicants must 
register as a vendor with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) at: 
http://www.ccr.gov or by phone at 1-888-227-2423. The CCR should become 
active within 24 hours of completion. Applicants with questions 
regarding registration should contact the CCR Assistance Center at 1-
888-227-2423. After registration, grant applicants will receive a 
confirmation number. The grantee listed point of contact will also 
receive a Trader Partnership Identification Number (TPIN) via mail. The 
TPIN is, and should remain, a confidential password.

VI. Application Content

    To be considered responsive, all applications for Stand Down grant 
funding must include:
    1. An original applicant letter requesting Stand Down funds signed 
in blue ink. The applicant letter must include an attestation that the 
individual who signed the SF 424 is authorized to enter into an 
agreement with the USDOL;
    2. A Program Narrative that states the need for the Stand Down, 
geographical area to be served, estimated number of homeless Veterans 
to be served, their needs, and expected results of the Stand Down, and 
the role of the DVOP specialist, LVER and other One-Stop Career Center 
staff. It must also include a timeline for completion of all Stand Down 
event activities. The timeline must clearly indicate critical dates in 
the planning, execution, and follow-up process and if applicable, 
demonstrate the need to draw down awarded funding in advance of the 
event date (funding will be made available for

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draw down no earlier than 30 days prior to the event date). The 
timeline must include the date the post-event report is due to the DVET 
(30 days following the end of the Federal fiscal quarter in which the 
Stand Down was held) as explained in Section VIII below;
    3. Original Standard Form (SF) 424, Application for Federal 
Assistance, (OMB No. 4040-0004) signed in blue ink. The SF-424 can be 
downloaded from http://www.grants.gov or at Appendix A as described in 
X below. Note: The Grant Officer will only accept the most current 
version of the SF 424 (the current version expires in 2012). Versions 
of the form with expiration dates that have passed will not be 
accepted;
    4. SF 424A, Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs (OMB No. 
4040-0006). The SF-424A can be downloaded from http://www.grants.gov or 
at Appendix B as described in X below;
    5. Budget Narrative--A detailed description of each planned 
expenditure listed on the SF 424A. The description should describe or 
indicate the methodology used to determine the cost estimates such as 
price per quantity, if the item will be purchased or rented, and 
whether the items will be utilized by the participants or assist the 
volunteer(s) at the event. As a cost category VETS does not accept 
categories designated only as ``Other'' or ``Miscellaneous.'' Budget 
narratives must clearly itemize all expenditures;
    6. Original signed Assurances and Certifications Signature Page, 
described at Appendix C in X below;
    7. Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants (OMB No. 
1894-0010), described as Appendix D in X below;
    8. A copy of the Central Contractor Registration confirmation 
number. Please do not send the Trader Partnership Identification Number 
(see Section III. 3. A.);
    9. Letters of support, particularly from the local One-Stop Career 
Centers and/or DVOP specialists and LVER staff, VA, Department of 
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or the local Continuum of Care 
(COC), VSOs, State and local government agencies, local businesses, and 
local non-profit organizations including community-based and faith-
based organizations; and
    10. If applicable, a copy of the Internal Revenue Service 
documentation indicating approval of non-profit status, for example: 
501(c)(3), 501(c)(19) etc.

VII. Award Administration Information

    Stand Down funding is a non-competitive grant awarded on a first-
come, first-served basis until available funding is exhausted. Funding 
is subject to approval by the Grant Officer, depending on such factors 
as urban, rural and geographic balance, the availability of funds, 
prior performance and which proposals are most advantageous to the 
Government. If approved, the Grant Officer will notify the grantee 
through a grant award letter.
    The grantee will also receive a financial form to complete in order 
for the USDOL Office of Financial Management Operations to set-up an 
account in the Health and Human Services, Payment Management System 
(HHS/PMS). The grantee must submit the completed form as directed in 
order to be able to electronically draw down awarded funding. The form 
should be returned via FedEx, UPS, or other non-U.S. Postal Service 
provider to avoid processing delays. Questions or problems relating to 
the funding paperwork or processes should be referred to the USDOL 
Office of Financial Management Operations at (202) 693-4479.
    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 designated 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 Federal Financial Report (SF 425) no later than forty-five 
(45) days after the end of each quarter in which all or part of their 
grant award was received (February 14th, May 15th, August 14th, and 
November 14th). Instructions for completing this requirement are 
provided in the HHS/PMS information packet. Grantees must print hard 
copies of all SF 425s submitted to HHS/PMS and include them with the 
post-event report submitted to the appropriate DVET/GOTR (as described 
in VIII. below).

VIII. Required Post-Event Activities and Reporting

    All Stand Down awarded funds should be drawn down by the grantee 
within 90 calendar days of the Stand Down event. Otherwise, the 
Department of Labor may reallocate these funds for other purposes if 
practicable. All Stand Down funds awarded for any fiscal year must be 
electronically drawn down by no later than November 30th of the 
following fiscal year. In other words, if a Stand Down is held on July 
12, 2011 (FY 2011), all funds should be drawn down within 90 days or by 
October 10, 2011. They must be drawn down before November 30, 2011 (FY 
2012).
    No later than thirty (30) calendar days after the end of the 
Federal fiscal quarter in which the Stand Down is held, grantees must 
report actual event activities and expenditures to the appropriate DVET 
and to the USDOL Office of Procurement Services. For example, if a 
Stand Down is held on July 27th, it is held in the Federal fiscal 
quarter that ends on September 30th. Therefore the post-event report is 
due to the DVET no later than October 30th. The required content of the 
report will be provided to grantees with the Special Grant Provisions 
made available with the grant award letter.
    Grantees that anticipate experiencing any delay in submitting this 
report should immediately contact the appropriate DVET and provide a 
justification to request an extension. If VETS disapproves a particular 
expenditure, the grantee will be notified in writing with an 
explanation for the disapproval and instructions to electronically 
return the funds to the HHS/PMS account within 15 calendar days if 
already drawn down.
    Any failure to comply with the guidance and reporting requirements 
set forth in the Stand Down Special Grant Provisions provided with the 
Grant Award letter may be taken into consideration in future funding 
award decisions by the U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans' Employment 
and Training Service.

IX. Agency Contacts

    Questions regarding this announcement should be directed to the 
DVET in your State. Contact information for each DVET is located in the 
VETS Staff Directory at the following webpage: http://www.dol.gov/vets/aboutvets/contacts/main.htm.

X. Other Information

    All HVRP grantees awarded 1st year grant awards as of July 1, 2010 
are eligible for a separate non-competitive Stand Down grant award. 
Competitive HVRP grantees awarded July 1, 2008 and July 1, 2009 are 
authorized to utilize existing funds for Stand Down purposes.
    Appendices: (Located on the VETS homepage at: http://www.dol.gov/
vets. Follow link for Stand Down Grants and Required Forms under 
Competitive Grants:

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Appendix A: Application for Federal Assistance, SF-424
Appendix B: Budget Information, SF-424A
Appendix C: Assurances and Certifications Signature Page
Appendix D: Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for applicants

    1. Acknowledgement of USDOL Funding.
    A. Printed Materials/Intellectual Property: In all circumstances, 
the following must be displayed on printed materials prepared by the 
grantee while in receipt of USDOL grant funding: ``Preparation of this 
item was funded by the United States Department of Labor under Grant 
No. [Insert the appropriate grant number].'' All printed materials must 
also include the following notice: ``This workforce product was funded 
by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' 
Employment and Training Service. The product was created by the grantee 
and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. 
Department of Labor and/or the Veterans' Employment and Training 
Service. The U.S. Department of Labor and/or the Veterans' Employment 
and Training Service makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of 
any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, 
including any information on linked sites and including, but not 
limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, 
timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. 
This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. 
Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual 
for non-commercial purposes are permissible. All other uses require the 
prior authorization of the copyright owner.''
    B. Public references to grant: When issuing statements, press 
releases, requests for proposals, bid solicitations, and other 
documents describing projects or programs funded in whole or in part 
with Federal money, all grantees receiving Federal funds must clearly 
state:
     The percentage of the total costs of the program or 
project, which will be financed with Federal money;
     The dollar amount of Federal financial assistance for the 
project or program; and
     The percentage and dollar amount of the total costs of the 
project or program that will be financed by non-governmental sources.
    C. Use of USDOL Logo: The Grant Officer must approve the use of the 
USDOL logo. In addition, once approval is given the following guidance 
is provided:
     The USDOL logo may be applied to USDOL-funded material 
prepared for distribution, including posters, videos, pamphlets, 
research documents, national survey results, impact evaluations, best 
practice reports, and other publications of global interest. The 
grantee(s) must consult with USDOL on whether the logo may be used on 
any such items prior to final draft or final preparation for 
distribution. In no event will the USDOL logo be placed on any item 
until USDOL has given the Grantee permission to use the logo on the 
item.
     All documents must include the following notice: ``This 
documentation does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the 
U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial 
products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.''
    2. OMB Information Collection No 1225-0086, Expires November 30, 
2012:
    According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are 
required to respond to a collection of information unless such 
collection displays a valid OMB control number. Public reporting burden 
for this collection of information is estimated to average 20 hours per 
response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing 
data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing 
and reviewing the collection of information.
    Send comments regarding the burden estimated or any other aspect of 
this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this 
burden, to the U.S. Department of Labor, to the attention of Michel 
Smyth, Departmental Clearance Officer, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., 
Room N1301, Washington, DC 20210. Comments may also be e-mailed to 
[email protected].
    This information is being collected for the purpose of awarding a 
grant. The information collected through this ``Solicitation for Grant 
Applications'' will be used by the Department of Labor to ensure that 
grants are awarded to the applicant best suited to perform the 
functions of the grant. Submission of this information is required in 
order for the applicant to be considered for award of this grant. 
Unless otherwise specifically noted in this announcement, information 
submitted in the respondent's application is not considered to be 
confidential.
    Please do not send your completed application to the omb. send it 
to the sponsoring agency as specified in this solicitation.

    Signed at Washington, DC, March 2, 2011.
Cassandra Mitchell,
Grant Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-5347 Filed 3-9-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-79-P