[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 153 (Thursday, August 8, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48543-48546]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-19166]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Veterans Health Administration Fund Availability Under the VA's 
Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).

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SUMMARY: Funding Opportunity Title: VA Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Special 
Needs Renewal. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing 
the availability of 1-year renewal funding for currently operational 
fiscal year (FY) 2011 VA GPD Special Need Grant Recipients, in 
conjunction with their collaborative VA Special Need partners and 
currently operational VA GPD Special Need Grant Recipients which do not 
involve a collaborative effort, to make re-applications for assistance 
under the Special Need Grant

[[Page 48544]]

Component of VA's Homeless Providers GPD Program. The focus of this 
NOFA is to encourage applicants to continue to deliver services to the 
homeless Special Need veteran population as outlined in their FY 2009 
Special Need grant application. This NOFA contains information 
concerning the program, application process, and amount of funding 
available.
    Announcement Type: Initial.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 64-024.

DATES: An original signed and dated request for re-application letter, 
on agency letterhead, for assistance under the VA's Homeless Providers 
GPD Program, must be received in the GPD Program Office by 4:00 p.m. 
Eastern Time on Friday, August 16, 2013, (see re-application 
requirements below). Requests for re-application may not be sent by 
facsimile (FAX). In the interest of fairness to all competing 
applicants, this deadline is firm as to date and hour, and VA will 
treat as ineligible for consideration any request for re-application 
that is received after the deadline. Applicants should take this 
practice into account and make early submission of their material to 
avoid any risk of loss of eligibility brought about by unanticipated 
delays or other delivery-related problems.
    For a copy of the application package: An application package is 
not needed for this NOFA. Applicants submitting a letter, on their 
agency's letterhead, requesting re-application agree to VA using their 
previously awarded FY 2009 Special Need application for scoring 
purposes (see re-application requirements in this NOFA).
    Submission of application: An original and complete letter 
requesting re-application with project number (see re-application 
requirements in this NOFA) must be submitted to the following address: 
VA Homeless Providers GPD Program Office, 10770 N. 46th Street, Suite 
C-200, Tampa, FL 33617. Letters of re-application must be received in 
the GPD office by the re-application deadline. Any additional materials 
arriving separately will not be included in the re-application package 
for consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jeffery L. Quarles, Director, VA's 
Homeless Providers GPD Program, Department of Veterans Affairs, 10770 
N. 46th Street, Suite C-200, Tampa, FL 33617; (toll-free) (877) 332-
0334.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    A. Purpose: This NOFA announces the availability of funds to renew 
assistance provided under VA's Homeless Providers GPD Program for FY 
2011 operational GPD Special Need grant recipients and their 
collaborative VA partners. Eligible applicants may obtain grant 
assistance with additional operational costs that would not otherwise 
be incurred but for the fact that the recipient is providing supportive 
housing beds and services for the following special needs homeless 
veteran populations:
    (1) Women;
    (2) Frail elderly;
    (3) Terminally ill;
    (4) Chronically mentally ill; or
    (5) Individuals who have care of minor dependents.
    B. Definitions: Definitions of these populations are contained in 
38 CFR 61.1 Definitions. Eligible applicants should review these 
definitions to ensure their proposed populations meet the specific 
requirements.
    C. Approach: VA is pleased to issue this NOFA for the Homeless 
Providers GPD Program as a part of the effort to end homelessness among 
our Nation's veterans. Funding applied for under this NOFA may be used 
for: the provision of service and operational costs to facilitate the 
following with regard to the targeted group.

Women

    (1) Ensure transportation for women, especially for health care and 
educational needs; and
    (2) Address safety and security issues including segregation from 
other program participants if deemed appropriate.

Individuals Who Have Care of Minor Dependents

    (1) Ensure transportation for individuals who have care of minor 
dependents, and their children, especially for health care and 
educational needs;
    (2) Provide directly or offer referrals for adequate and safe child 
care;
    (3) Ensure children's health care needs are met, especially age-
appropriate wellness visits and immunizations; and
    (4) Address safety and security issues, including segregation from 
other program participants if deemed appropriate.

Frail Elderly

    (1) Ensure the safety of the residents in the facility to include 
preventing harm and exploitation;
    (2) Ensure opportunities to keep residents mentally and physically 
agile to the fullest extent through the incorporation of structured 
activities, physical activity, and plans for social engagement within 
the program and in the community;
    (3) Provide opportunities for participants to address life 
transitional issues and separation and/or loss issues;
    (4) Provide access to assistance devices such as walkers, grippers, 
or other devices necessary for optimal functioning;
    (5) Ensure adequate supervision, including supervision of 
medication and monitoring of medication compliance; and
    (6) Provide opportunities for participants either directly or 
through referral for other services particularly relevant for the frail 
elderly, including services or programs addressing emotional, social, 
spiritual, and generative needs.

Terminally Ill

    (1) Help participants address life-transition and life-end issues;
    (2) Ensure that participants are afforded timely access to hospice 
services;
    (3) Provide opportunities for participants to engage in ``tasks of 
dying,'' or activities of ``getting things in order'' or other 
therapeutic actions that help resolve end of life issues and enable 
transition and closure;
    (4) Ensure adequate supervision, including supervision of 
medication and monitoring of medication compliance; and
    (5) Provide opportunities for participants, either directly or 
through referral, for other services that are particularly relevant for 
the terminally ill, such as legal counsel and pain management.

Chronically Mentally Ill

    (1) Help participants join in and engage with the community;
    (2) Facilitate reintegration with the community and provide 
services that may optimize reintegration such as life-skills education, 
recreational activities, and follow-up case management;
    (3) Ensure that participants have opportunities and services for 
re-establishing relationships with family;
    (4) Ensure adequate supervision, including supervision of 
medication and monitoring of medication compliance; and
    (5) Provide opportunities for participants, either directly or 
through referral, to obtain other services particularly relevant for a 
chronically mentally ill population, such as vocational development, 
benefits management, fiduciary or money management services, medication 
compliance, and medication education.

[[Page 48545]]

    VA is seeking, through this NOFA, to renew the FY 2011 previous 
grant and per diem Special Need providers and their VA collaborative 
partners to continue to serve the Special Need veteran populations.
    D. Requirements: No part of a Special Need grant may be used for 
any purpose that would change significantly the scope of the specific 
grant and per diem project for which a capital grant and per diem was 
awarded. As a part of the review process, VA will review the original 
project and subsequent approved program changes of the previous FY 2009 
Special Need applications to ensure significant scope changes have not 
occurred displacing other homeless veteran populations. VA will not 
allow any changes under this renewal NOFA. Special Need funding may not 
be used for capital improvements or to purchase vans or real property. 
However, the leasing of vans or real property may be acceptable. 
Questions regarding acceptability should be directed to the VA's 
National GPD Program Office (at (877) 332-0334). Applicants may not 
receive Special Need funding to replace funds provided by any Federal, 
state, or local government agency or program to assist homeless 
persons.
    E. Authority: Funding applied for under this NOFA is authorized by 
the ``Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001,'' Public 
Law 107-95, Sec.  5, codified as amended by Public Law 112-154, 
Sec. Sec.  301, 303, and 305, at 38 U.S.C. 2011, 2012, 2013, 2061. The 
program is implemented by the final rule codified at 38 CFR 61.0 
through 61.82. Funds made available under this NOFA are subject to the 
requirements of those regulations.

II. Award Information

    A. Overview: This NOFA announces the availability of one year 
renewal funding for currently operational FY 2011 VA GPD Special Need 
Grant Recipients in conjunction with their collaborative VA Special 
Need partners and currently operational VA GPD Special Need Grant 
Recipients which do not involve a collaborative effort to make re-
applications for assistance under the Special Need Grant Component of 
VA's Homeless Providers GPD Program.
    B. Funding Priorities: None
    C. Allocation of Funds: Approximately $5 million is available for 
current Special Need GPD grant components of this program. Funding will 
be for a period beginning on October 1, 2013, and ending on September 
30, 2014. Special need per diem payments are to defray the operational 
cost of the project. Special need per diem payment will be the lesser 
of:
    1. One hundred percent of the daily cost of care estimated by the 
special need recipient for furnishing services to homeless veterans 
with special need that the special need recipient certifies to be 
correct, minus any other sources of income; or
    2. Two times the current VA State Home Program per diem rate for 
domiciliary care.
    Special need awards are subject to funds availability, the 
recipient meeting the performance goals as stated in the grant 
application, statutory and regulatory requirements, and annual 
inspections. Applicants should ensure their funding requests and 
operational costs are based on the 12-month period above and should be 
approximately in line with prior 1-year expenditures. Based on GPD 
funding availability, approximately, $3.5 million is expected to be 
made available over the specified time (internally) for the current VA 
collaborative partners. The goal of this Notice is to ensure a 
continuation of Special Need services to homeless veterans and their VA 
collaborative partners, to the maximum extent possible.

III. Eligibility Information

    A. Eligible Applicants: In order to be eligible, an applicant must 
be a current operational FY 2011 VA GPD Special Need Grant Recipient in 
conjunction with their collaborative VA Special Need partners, or a 
currently operational VA GPD Special Need Grant Recipient that does not 
involve a collaborative effort to make re-applications for assistance 
under the Special Need Grant Component of VA's Homeless Providers GPD 
Program.
    B. Cost Sharing or Matching: This section is not applicable to the 
Special Need Grant.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    A. Address To Request Application Package: An application package 
is not needed for this NOFA. Applicants submitting a letter requesting 
re-application on their agency's letterhead agree to VA using their 
previously awarded FY 2009 Special Need application for scoring 
purposes.
    B. Content and Form of Application: A separate request for renewal 
letter is needed for each project number for which you are requesting 
Special Needs Funding. In addition, current Special Need recipients 
should also list their Special Need Project number. A project number is 
the last two digits of the year funded, the sequence the application 
was received, and the state abbreviation for the project location, 
(e.g., 09-325-MA would have been funded in the year 2009, the 325th 
application received, and the project is located in Massachusetts). If 
you do not know your project number, call VA's GPD Field Office at 
(877) 332-0334.
    The grant application requirements were specified and met in the 
original application package and need not be provided as the applicant 
agrees that, as a condition of funding under this NOFA, the FY 2009 
application with any VA-approved changes in scope will be used. The 
following additional information is required by this NOFA. The renewal 
request must include:
    1. Letter from Applicant: A letter from the renewal applicant on 
agency-signed letterhead, stating the applicant agrees to as a 
condition of funding under this NOFA that the FY 2009 application will 
be used and they will provide the services as outlined in that 
application along with any VA-approved changes in scope, and the 
applicant's FY 2009 required forms and certifications still apply for 
the period of this award.
    2. Letter from VA Collaborative Partner: If the FY 2009 Special 
Need grant was a collaborative, the renewal request must include an 
updated letter of commitment or an updated Memorandum of Agreement 
(MOA) from the VA collaborative partner, stating that the VA will 
continue to meet its objectives or provide its duties as outlined in 
the original MOA in FY 2009.
    3. Collaborative partners: VA collaborative partners will receive 
the same amount of funding as they receive in FY 2013. Applicants 
having questions with regard to the funding from previous Special Need 
awards should contact the GPD Office prior to application for this 
NOFA. Selections will be made based on criteria described in the FY 
2009 application and additional information as specified in this NOFA.
    Applicants who are selected will be notified of any further 
additional information needed to confirm or clarify information 
provided in the application. Applicants will then be notified of the 
deadline to submit such information. If an applicant is unable to meet 
any conditions for grant award within the specified time frame, VA 
reserves the right to not award funds and to use the funds available 
for other Special Need applicants.
    C. Submission Dates and Times: An original signed and dated request 
for re-application letter, on agency letterhead, for assistance under 
the VA's Homeless

[[Page 48546]]

Providers GPD Program must be received in the GPD Program Office, by 
4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, August 16, 2013. Requests for re-
application 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 treat as ineligible for consideration any request for re-
application that is received after the deadline. Applicants should take 
this practice into account and make early submission of their material 
to avoid any risk of loss of eligibility brought about by unanticipated 
delays or other delivery-related problems.
    D. Intergovenmental Review: This section is a not applicable.
    E. Funding Restrictions: Approximately $5 million is available for 
current Special Need GPD grant component of this program. Funding will 
be for a period beginning on October 1, 2013, and ending on September 
30, 2014. Special need per diem payments are to defray the operational 
cost of the project. Special need per diem payment will be the lesser 
of:
    1. 100 percent of the daily cost of care estimated by the special 
need recipient for furnishing services to homeless veterans with 
special need that the special need recipient certifies to be correct, 
minus any other sources of income; or
    2. Two times the current VA State Home Program per diem rate for 
domiciliary care.
    Based on GPD funding availability, approximately, $3.5 million is 
expected to be made available over the specified time (internally) for 
the current VA collaborative partners.
    F. Grant Award Period and Funding Actions: Conditionally selected 
applicants will complete a funding agreement with VA in accordance with 
38 CFR 61.61 and provide any additional information as required by VA. 
Upon signature by the Secretary or designated representative final 
selection will be completed. Funding for operational grant and per diem 
applicants that are finally selected will not exceed the 1-year period 
specified in this NOFA. A condition to obtain the Special Need Grant is 
for the applicant to include the original (GPD) program for which the 
Special Need grant is sought.
    G. Other Submission Requirements: Requests for re-application 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 
treat as ineligible for consideration any request for re-application 
that is received after the deadline. Applicants should take this 
practice into account and make early submission of their material to 
avoid any risk of loss of eligibility brought about by unanticipated 
delays or other delivery-related problems.

V. Application Review Information

    A. Criteria: The threshold for consideration for this award will be 
those applicants who submit the required letter requesting renewal 
described in this NOFA, that are current operational FY 2011 VA GPD 
Special Need Grant Recipients in conjunction with their collaborative 
VA Special Need partners, or a currently operational VA GPD Special 
Need Grant Recipients that does not involve a collaborative effort to 
make re-applications for assistance under the Special Need Grant 
Component of VA's Homeless Providers GPD Program.
    B. Review and Selection Process: A letter from the renewal 
applicant on agency signed letterhead stating the applicant agrees 
that, as a condition of funding under this NOFA, the FY 2009 
application will be used and they will provide the services as outlined 
in that application along with any VA approved changes in scope, and 
the applicant's FY 2009 required forms and certifications still apply 
for the period of this award. If the FY 2009 Special Need grant was a 
collaborative effort, the renewal request must include an updated 
letter of commitment or an updated MOA from VA collaborative partner, 
stating that the VA will continue to meet its objectives or provide its 
duties as outlined in the original MOA in FY 2009.

VI. Award Administration Information

    A. Award Notice: Although subject to change, the GPD Office expects 
the announcement of grant renewals during the first quarter of fiscal 
year 2014 (which begins October 1, 2013). The initial announcement will 
be made via news release, which will be posted on the GPD Web site at 
www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp. Following the initial announcement, the 
GPD Office will mail a notification letter to the grant recipients. 
Applicants that are not selected for renewal of their grant will be 
mailed a declination letter within 2 weeks of the initial announcement.
    B. Administrative and National Policy: It is important to be aware 
that VA places great emphasis on responsibility and accountability. VA 
has procedures in place to monitor services provided to homeless 
veterans and outcomes associated with the services provided in grant 
and per diem-funded programs. Applicants should be aware of the 
following:
    1. Awardees will be required to support their request for Special 
Needs per diem payments with adequate fiscal documentation as to 
program income and expenses.
    2. All awardees that are selected in response to this NOFA must 
meet the requirements of the current edition of the Life Safety Code of 
the National Fire Protection Association as it relates to their 
specific facility. Applicants should note that all facilities are to be 
protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system, unless 
a facility is specifically exempted under the Life Safety Code. 
Applicants should make consideration of this when submitting their 
grant applications as no additional funds will be made available for 
capital improvements under this NOFA.
    3. Each grant awardee will have the VA liaison that was appointed 
for its current Special Need grant program monitor services to ensure 
the Special Need grant is being met and will include at least an annual 
review of each program's progress toward meeting internal goals and 
objectives in helping the Special Need homeless veterans as identified 
in each applicant's original Special Need application to include any 
VA-approved changes in scope.
    4. Monitoring of Homeless Special Need participants and services 
provided by GPD recipients will be accomplished according to 
appropriate VA procedure. These monitoring procedures will be used to 
determine successful accomplishment of outcomes for each collaborative 
partnership.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jeffery L. Quarles, Director, VA 
Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program, Department of Veterans 
Affairs, 10770 N. 46th Street, Suite C-200, Tampa, FL 33617; (toll-
free) (877) 332-0334.

    Approved: August 1, 2013.
Jose D. Riojas,
Interim Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2013-19166 Filed 8-7-13; 8:45 am]
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