[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 107 (Tuesday, June 4, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33472-33474]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-13163]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Notice of Funds Availability Inviting Applications for the Rural 
Veterans Coordination Pilot

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice of Fund Availability.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the 
availability of funds for applications for assistance under the Rural 
Veterans Coordination Pilot (RVCP). This Notice of Funding Availability 
(NOFA) includes funding priorities for those applicants who will assist 
veterans and their families who are transitioning from military service 
to civilian life in rural or underserved communities. This Notice 
contains information concerning the program, funding priorities, 
application process, and the amount of funding available.

DATES: Applications must be received in accordance with this NOFA no 
later than 5:00 p.m. eastern standard time, on July 19, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Malebranche, Veterans Health 
Administration, Office of Interagency Health Affairs (10P5), 810 
Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420, telephone (202) 461-4001. 
(This is not a toll-free number.)
    For A Copy of the Application Package: Download directly from 
http://www.ruralhealth.va.gov/coordination-pilot/index.asp. Questions 
should be referred to the RVCP Program Office at (202) 461-4001. (This 
is not a toll-free number.) For detailed program information and 
requirements, see the final rule published in the Federal Register (78 
FR 12617) on February 25, 2013, which is codified at 38 CFR part 64.
    Submission of Applications: Applications must be uploaded as a 
complete package into Grants.gov.
    A. Purpose: VA is pleased to issue this NOFA for the RVCP program 
to provide grants to community-based organizations and local and state 
government entities to assist veterans who are transitioning from 
military service to civilian life in rural or underserved communities 
and families of such veterans. VA expects to award a total of five 
grants each in the amount of 2 million dollars to five separate 
grantees for a 2-year pilot program, pursuant to the terms of 38 CFR 
part 64.
    B. Definitions, Regulations, and Authority: Definitions of terms 
applicable to the RVCP program are found at 38 CFR 64.2. The types of 
programs and services (namely, coordination, health-related assistance, 
family assistance, and outreach services) for which these grant funds 
may be used are described in 38 CFR 64.6(a)(1)-(4). Funding applied for 
under this Notice is authorized by Section 506 of the Caregivers and 
Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010, Public Law 111-163 (May 
5, 2010). Funds made available under this Notice are subject to the 
requirements of applicable laws and regulations.
    C. Submission of Application: To apply for an RVCP grant, eligible 
entities must submit a complete application package. Applications will 
be accepted only through http://www.Grants.gov. Applications may not be 
sent by fax. In the interest of fairness to all competing applicants, 
this deadline is firm as to date and hour, and VA will not consider any 
application that is received after the deadline. Applicants should 
consider submitting early to avoid any risk of loss of eligibility 
brought about by computer service outages. For a copy of the 
application package, download directly from http://www.Grants.gov. 
Applications must arrive as a complete package. Materials arriving 
separately will not be included in the application package for 
consideration and may result in the application being rejected or not 
funded. Applicants should ensure that the items listed in the 
application requirement, section L of this NOFA, are addressed in their 
application.
    D. Allocation: Ten million dollars is available under this Notice 
for a 2-year period. Five grants will be awarded under this NOFA and 
each grant will be in the amount of 2 million dollars.
    E. Approach: Grantees will be expected to use grant funds to 
enhance

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coordination of health care and other benefits for eligible 
participants. This funding is not intended to provide veteran direct 
care and benefit programs. This program necessitates the grantee having 
or developing collaborative working relationships with a wide range of 
health care and other benefit service providers to facilitate referrals 
for needed services. It is anticipated that the majority of the 
services will be provided by the grantee through active and direct 
referrals to other providers in the grantee's location.
    F. VA's Goals and Objectives for Funds Awarded Under this Notice: 
In accordance with 38 CFR part 64, VA will evaluate an applicant's 
ability to meet VA's goals and objectives for this grant program. VA's 
goals and objectives include the following: providing outreach 
services, to include making personal contact with eligible 
participants; providing comprehensive assessments on the needs of 
eligible participants; providing coordination of health care and other 
benefits for eligible participants; conducting post-referral and post-
appointment communications with eligible participants to ensure 
satisfaction with the outcome; similar communications will also occur 
with collaborating providers to ensure health care and benefits were 
rendered; increasing the coordination among the organizations providing 
care and benefits services to eligible participants; increasing the 
availability and access of care and benefits to eligible participants 
by collaborating with community-based providers.
    G. Authority: Public Law 111-163, the Caregivers and Veterans 
Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010, was signed into law on May 5, 
2010. Title V, section 506 directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to 
carry out a 2-year grant program to assess the feasibility and 
advisability of using community-based organizations and local and state 
government entities to increase the coordination of health care and 
benefits for veterans transitioning to civilian life.
    H. Grant Award Period: Grants awarded will be for a 2-year period, 
in accordance with 38 CFR 64.4, subject to the availability of VA 
funds.
    I. Requirements for Use of Grant Funds: Grantees must operate their 
programs in a manner consistent with the terms set forth in the Final 
Rule and this Notice. Grantees must maximize the use of RVCP grants by 
ensuring that at least 90 percent of funds awarded are used to provide 
services designed to aid in the adjustment to civilian life in one or 
more of the following areas: increase coordination of health care and 
benefits for veterans; increase availability of high quality medical 
and mental health services; provide assistance to families of 
transitioning veterans; and outreach to veterans and families.
    J. Application Process: Applications will be submitted through 
http://www.Grants.gov, which is a ``one-stop storefront'' that provides 
a unified process for all customers of Federal awards to find funding 
opportunities and apply for funding. Complete instructions on how to 
register and submit an application can be found at http://www.Grants.gov. If the applicant experiences technical difficulties at 
any point during this process, please call the Grants.gov Customer 
Support Hotline at (800) 518-4726, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 
except Federal holidays. Registering with Grants.gov is a one-time 
process; however, processing delays may occur, and it can take up to 
several weeks for first-time registrants to receive confirmation and a 
user password. VA highly recommends that applicants start the 
registration process as early as possible to prevent delays in 
submitting an application package by the specified application 
deadline.
    K. Application Selection Methodology: VA will review all timely and 
complete grant applications submitted in response to this NOFA. VA will 
rank from highest to lowest those applications that score at least 60 
cumulative points, using the criteria in section 38 CFR 64.12(a). See 
section L for more information on the selection process.
    L. Scoring and Selection:
    (a) Scoring. VA will score only complete applications received from 
eligible entities in accordance with this NOFA no later than 5:00 p.m. 
eastern standard time, on July 19, 2013. Applications will be scored 
using the following criteria:
    (1) Background, organizational history, qualifications, and past 
performance (maximum 10 points). Applicant documents a relevant history 
of successfully providing the type of services proposed in the RVCP 
grant application, particularly in the location the applicant plans to 
serve veterans and their families.
    (2) Need for pilot project (maximum 10 points). Applicant 
demonstrates the need for the pilot project in the proposed project 
location, and provides evidence that the applicant understands the 
unique needs of veterans and their families in the location to be 
served.
    (3) Pilot project concept, innovation, and ability to meet VA's 
objectives (maximum 40 points). Application shows appropriate concept, 
size, and scope of the project; provides realistic estimates of time, 
staffing, and material needs to implement the project; and details the 
project's ability to enhance the overall services provided, while 
presenting realistic plans to reduce duplication of benefits and 
services already in place. Application must describe a comprehensive 
and well-developed plan to meet one or more of the permissible uses set 
out in Sec.  64.6.
    (4) Pilot project evaluation and monitoring (maximum 10 points). 
Self-evaluation and monitoring strategy provided in application is 
reasonable and expected to meet requirements of Sec.  64.10(b) (5).
    (5) Organizational finances (maximum 10 points). Applicant provides 
documentation that the organization is financially stable, has not 
defaulted on financial obligations, has adequate financial and 
operational controls in place to ensure the proper use of RVCP grants, 
and presents a plan for using RVCP grants that is cost effective and 
efficient.
    (6) Pilot project location (maximum 20 points). Applicant documents 
how the proposed project location meets the definition of rural or 
underserved communities in this part.
    (b) Selection of Grantees.
    As explained above, all timely and complete applications that 
obtain a score of 60 points will be ranked from highest to lowest total 
score. VA will award one RVCP grant to the highest scoring application. 
VA will award RVCP grants to each successive application, ranked by 
total score, provided the applicant has not been awarded an RVCP grant 
for a higher scoring application and the proposed project is not in the 
same project location as any previously awarded RVCP grant. A total of 
five grants will be awarded for a 2-year period, with each grantee 
receiving 2 million dollars. To the extent practicable, VA will ensure 
RVCP grants are equitably distributed across geographic regions to 
include local and state governments and tribal lands.
    M. Payment of Grant Funds: Grantees will receive payments 
electronically through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 
Payment Management System (HHS PMS). Grantees will have the ability to 
request payments as frequently as they choose subject to the following 
limitations: during the first quarter of the grantee's grant award 
period, the grantee's cumulative requests for funds may not exceed 30 
percent of the total grant award without written approval by VA; during 
each successive period the grantee may request up to 10 percent of the 
total award by VA. By the end of the

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grantee's grant award period, the grantee's cumulative requests for 
grant funds may not exceed 100 percent of the total grant award.
    N. Monitoring: VA places great emphasis on the responsibility and 
accountability of grantees. Applicants should be aware of the 
following: upon execution of a grant agreement with VA, grantees will 
have a liaison appointed by VA who will provide oversight and monitor 
services provided to participants. All grantees must submit to VA 
quarterly reports based on the Federal fiscal year, which include the 
following information:
    (a) Quarterly reports. All grantees must submit to VA quarterly 
reports based on the Federal fiscal year, which include the following 
information:
    (1) Record of time and resources expended in outreach activities, 
and the methods used;
    (2) The number of participants served, including demographics of 
this population;
    (3) Types of assistance provided;
    (4) A full accounting of RVCP grant funds received from VA and used 
or unused during the quarter; and
    (5) Results of routine monitoring and any project variations.
    (b) Submission of reports. Reports must be submitted to VA no later 
than 15 calendar days after the close of each Federal fiscal quarter.
    (c) Additional reports. VA may request additional reports to allow 
VA to fully assess project accountability and effectiveness. The 
grantee will be expected to demonstrate adherence to their program 
concept, as described in their application. Grantees will be required 
to provide each participant with instructions on how to complete 
satisfaction surveys to be submitted directly to VA via http://www.ruralhealth.va.gov/coordination-pilot/index.asp. Surveys should be 
submitted to VA within 30 days of the participant's entry into the 
grantee's program and again within 30 days of such participant's 
pending exit from the program, or within 30 days of receiving services 
if on a one-time basis.
    O. Technical Assistance: Information regarding how to obtain 
technical assistance with the preparation of a RVCP grants application, 
including information on grant-writing workshops, is available on 
http://www.ruralhealth.va.gov/coordination-pilot/index.asp.

Signing Authority

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or designee, approved this 
document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document 
to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as 
an official document of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Jose D. 
Riojas, Interim Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs, 
approved this document on May 28, 2013, for publication.

    Dated: May 30, 2013,
William F. Russo,
Deputy Director, Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Office of 
the General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2013-13163 Filed 6-3-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P