[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 98 (Friday, May 20, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32009-32013]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-11849]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)

AGENCY: VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program, Veterans 
Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).

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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the 
availability of 1-year funding for the 21 currently operational fiscal 
year (FY) 2015 VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Special 
Need Grant Recipients and their collaborative VA Special Need partners 
(as applicable) to submit renewal applications for assistance under the 
Special Need Grant 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. This 
NOFA contains information concerning the program, application process, 
and amount of funding available.

DATES: An original completed, signed, and dated application (plus three 
completed collated copies) for assistance under the VA's Homeless 
Providers GPD Program and associated documents must be received in the 
GPD Program Office by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on June 27, 2016 (see 
application requirements below).
    Applications may not be sent by facsimile or email. In the interest 
of fairness to all competing applicants, this deadline is firm as to 
date and time, and VA will treat any application that is received after 
the deadline as ineligible for consideration. Applicants should make 
early submission of their material to avoid any risk of loss of 
eligibility as a result of unanticipated delays or other delivery-
related problems.

ADDRESSES: An original completed, signed, and dated application (plus 
three completed collated copies) and all required associated documents 
must be submitted to the following address: VA Homeless Providers GPD 
Program Office, 10770 N. 46th Street, Suite C-200, Tampa, FL 33617. 
Applications must be received by the application deadline. Applications 
must arrive as a complete package to include VA collaborative materials 
(see application requirements). Materials arriving separately will not 
be included in the application package for consideration and may result 
in the application being rejected or not funded.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jeffery L. Quarles, Director, VA 
Homeless Providers GPD Program, Department of Veterans Affairs, 10770 
N. 46th Street, Suite C-200, Tampa, FL 33617; (toll-free) 1 (877) 332-
0334.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Funding Opportunity Description

    This NOFA announces the availability of FY 2016 funds to provide 1-
year funding assistance in FY 2017 under VA's Homeless Providers GPD 
Program for the 21 FY 2015 operational GPD Special need recipients and 
their collaborative VA Special Need partners (as applicable). Eligible 
applicants may obtain grant assistance to cover 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) Chronically mentally ill; or
    (4) Individuals who have care of minor dependents.
    Definitions of key terms relating to 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. Note: There are currently no existing grant 
projects for the terminally ill special needs population; therefore, 
grant projects that would support that population are not eligible for 
funding under this NOFA, and that population is not addressed in this 
NOFA.
    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 
for each 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.
    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

[[Page 32010]]

services or programs addressing emotional, social, spiritual, and 
generative needs.
    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.
    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.
    Authority: Funding applied for under this NOFA is authorized by 38 
U.S.C. 2061. VA implements the Special Need Grant component of the VA 
Homeless Providers GPD Program 38 CFR part 61.

Award Information

    Overview: This NOFA announces the availability of one year funding 
for use in FY 2017 for the 21 currently operational FY 2015 VA GPD 
Special Need Grant recipients and their collaborative VA Special Need 
partners (as applicable) to submit renewal applications for assistance 
under the Special Need Grant component of VA's Homeless Providers GPD 
Program.
    Funding Priorities: None.
    Allocation of Funds: Approximately $4.1 million is available for 
the current special need grant component of VA's Homeless Providers GPD 
Program. Funding will be for a period beginning on October 1, 2016, and 
ending on September 30, 2017.
    Special need 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.
    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 award period above and should be 
approximately in line with prior year expenditures. Requests cannot 
exceed the amount obligated under the FY 2015 award. Applicants should 
note unexpended funding from FY 2015 will be de-obligated.
    Based on GPD funding availability, approximately $2.4 million is 
expected to be made available over the specified time (internally) for 
the current grantees and their collaborative VA Special Need partners 
(as applicable). The goal is, to the maximum extent possible, to ensure 
a continuation of special need services to homeless Veterans.
    Funding Actions: Conditionally selected applicants may be asked to 
submit additional information under 38 CFR 61.15. Applicants 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. Following receipt and confirmation that this information is 
accurate and in acceptable form, the applicant will execute an 
agreement with VA in accordance with 38 CFR 61.61.
    Grant Award Period: Applicants that are selected will have a 
maximum award of one year beginning on October 1, 2016, and ending on 
September 30, 2017, to utilize the special need funding. Funds 
unexpended after the September 30, 2017, deadline will be de-obligated.
    Funding Restrictions: 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. Changes to the 
special need population the applicant currently serves will not be 
allowed.
    Questions regarding acceptability should be directed to VA's 
National GPD Program Office at the number listed in the ``For Further 
Information Contact'' section of this NOFA. 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.
    Eligibility Information: In order to be eligible, an applicant must 
be a current operational FY 2015 VA GPD Special Need Grant Recipient in 
conjunction with their collaborative VA Special Need partner, or a 
currently operational VA GPD Special Need Grant Recipient that does not 
involve a collaborative effort to make application for assistance under 
the Special need Grant Component of VA's Homeless Providers GPD 
Program. Applicants must serve the same special need population as in 
their previous grants. Note: If the applicant currently has a 
collaborative project and its collaborative VA Special Need partner no 
longer wishes to continue, the applicant will be ineligible for an 
award under this NOFA.
    Cost Sharing or Matching: None.
    Application Requirements and Submission Information: Applicants 
should be careful to complete the proper application package. 
Submission of the incorrect or incomplete application package including 
the information required from the collaborative VA Special Need partner 
(if applicable) must be submitted as one package. Failure to do so will 
result in the application being rejected at threshold. The package will 
consist of two parts. The first part will be the standard forms 
required for grants to include all required forms and certifications 
and will be provided by VA on the GPD Web site. The second part will be 
provided by applicants completing the items as listed below (see 
Application Requirements). Applicants who are conditionally selected 
will be notified of any 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 grant and per diem applicants.
    Address To Obtain Standard Grant Forms for Application Package: 
Download the standard grant forms directly from VA's GPD Program Web

[[Page 32011]]

page at: http://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/GPD.asp. Questions should be 
referred to the VA GPD Program at (toll-free) 1 (877) 332-0334.
    Content and Form of Application: An application package is needed 
for each special need population the applicant is seeking to provide 
services to under this NOFA. Applicants should ensure that they include 
all required documents in their application including the information 
required from the VA collaborative Special Need partner (if applicable) 
and carefully follow the format described below. Submission of an 
incorrect, incomplete, or incorrectly formatted application package 
will result in the application being rejected at threshold. Applicants 
should ensure that the items listed in the ``Application Requirements'' 
section of this NOFA are addressed in their application. Applicants 
should ensure the application is compiled in the order outlined below 
and sections labeled accordingly.
    Applicants are to complete the application in a normal business 
format on not more than 40 double-spaced, typed, single sided pages in 
Arial 12 font. Note: The resumes or letters of support do not have to 
be double spaced and will not count toward the page maximum. Applicants 
must include or address the following within the application:

I. Application Documentation Required:

Standard Forms:

    SF 424 Application for Federal Assistance
    SF 424A Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs
    SF 424B Assurances--Non-Construction Programs

    1. Eligibility to receive VA Assistance:
    Nonprofit Organizations must provide documentation of accounting 
system certification and evidence of private nonprofit status. This 
must be accomplished by the following:
    (a) Providing documentation showing the applicant is a certified 
United Way Member Agency; or
    (b) Providing certification on letterhead stationery from a 
Certified Public Accountant or Public Accountant that the organization 
has a functioning accounting system that is operated in accordance with 
generally accepted accounting principles, or that the organization has 
designated a qualified entity to maintain a functioning accounting 
system. If such an entity is used, then their name and address must be 
included in the certification letter; and
    (c) Providing evidence of their status as a nonprofit organization 
by submitting a copy of their IRS ruling providing tax-exempt status 
under the IRS Code of 1986, as amended; and
    (d) On your agency's letterhead, copying the following reasonable 
assurances below the statement ``The applicant certifies that the 
following are true:'' and signing and dating the document at the 
bottom:
    i. The existing grant project of the applicant is being, and will 
continue to be, used principally to furnish Veterans the level of care 
for which VA awarded the applicant the original grant under the VA's 
Homeless Providers GPD Program; that not more than 25 percent of 
participants at any one time will be non-Veterans; and that such 
services will meet the requirements of 38 CFR 61.1-61.82;
    ii. The applicant will keep records and submit reports as VA may 
reasonably require, within the time frames required; and give VA, upon 
demand, access to the records upon which such information is based;
    iii. The applicant agrees to comply with the applicable 
requirements of 38 CFR part 61 and other applicable laws and has 
demonstrated the capacity to do so;
    iv. The applicant does not have an outstanding obligation to VA 
that is in arrears, and does not have an overdue or unsatisfactory 
response to an audit; and
    v. The applicant is not in default, by failing to meet requirements 
for any previous assistance from VA.
    (e) Information from VA collaborative Special Need partner (if 
applicable): If the FY 2015 special need grant was a collaborative 
grant, the FY 2016 application must include a letter of commitment or a 
Memorandum of Agreement from the VA collaborative Special Need partner, 
stating the VA point of contact, the VA staffing plan, plan budget and 
what specific service(s) the VA is providing to the special need 
population. Note: If the applicant currently has a collaborative 
project and its VA partner no longer wishes to continue then the 
applicant will be ineligible for application under this NOFA.
    State/Local Government Applicants: Applicants who are State or 
local governments must provide a copy of any comments or 
recommendations by approved State and (area wide) clearinghouses 
pursuant to Executive Order 12372.
    2. Project Summary:
    On your agency's letterhead provide the following:
    (a) The GPD Operational project number to which this special needs 
application will be tied _________.
    (b) Our agency requests $___________(may not exceed 2015 award) to 
provide housing and services to homeless Veteran special need 
populations.
    (c) Selection of special need population: Indicate the special need 
population to be served on your agency letterhead using the statements 
below: i.e.,
    i. Our organization will dedicate ______beds to Women.
    ii. Our organization will dedicate ______beds to the minor 
dependents in the care of homeless Veteran individuals.
    iii. Our organization will dedicate ______beds to the Frail 
Elderly.
    iv. Our organization will dedicate ______beds to the Chronically 
Mentally Ill.
    (d) Total number of beds dedicated to the special need populations 
is _________.
    3. Project Narrative: Please provide a brief abstract of the 
project to include: The project design, current supportive services 
committed to the project, types of special need assistance provided, 
and any special program provisions. Keep in mind that if selected for 
funding, cost accounting according to the Office of Management and 
Budget Grant Management Circulars is required. The activities listed 
above are not inclusive of all of the items of cost in the circulars 
nor does their presence below constitute that they are fully allowable 
under the circulars' guidance. Refer to the proper circular to 
determine if a cost is allowable.
    4. Detailed Project Plan: This is the portion of the application 
that describes your program. VA Reviewers will focus on how the project 
plan addresses the areas as listed below in relation to your selected 
special need population. Please describe in detail how your agency will 
identify and serve your special need population by responding to the 
following questions:
    (a) Outreach--describe your agency outreach plan and frequency for 
your selected special need Veteran population living in places not 
ordinarily meant for human habitation (e.g. streets, parks abandon 
buildings, automobiles) and emergency shelters.
    (b) Outreach--please identify where your organization will target 
its outreach efforts to identify appropriate special need Veterans for 
this program.
    (c) Project Plan--VA places emphasis on lowing barriers to 
admissions; describe the specific process and admission criteria for 
deciding which Veterans are appropriate for admission.
    (d) Project Plan--what is the expected percentage of Veterans that 
will

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successfully transition to permanent housing?
    (e) Project Plan--How, when, and by whom will the progress of 
participants toward meeting their individual goals will be monitored, 
evaluated and documented.
    (f) Project Plan--Describe the role Veteran participants will have 
in operating and maintaining the housing.
    (g) Project Plan--Describe your agency's responsibilities, as well 
as, any sponsors, contractors' responsibilities in operating and 
maintaining the housing.
    (h) Project Plan--Describe program policies regarding a clean and 
sober environment.
    (i) Project Plan--Describe program polices regarding participant 
agreements and fees.
    (j) Project Plan--Specifically list the supportive services, 
frequency of occurrence, who will provide them and how they will help 
Veteran participants achieve residential stability, increase skill 
levels and or income, and how they will increase Veterans self-
determination (i.e., case management, frequency of individual/groups, 
employment services). Include measurable objectives that you will use 
to determine the success of the program in these three areas.
    (k) Project Plan--what is the percentage of Veterans served that 
will be employed or receiving benefits at the conclusion of the 
transitional housing?
    (l) Project Plan--Address how your agency will facilitate the 
provision of nutritional meals for the Veterans. Be sure to describe 
how Veterans with little or no income will be assisted.
    (m) Project Plan--VA places great emphasis on placing Veterans in 
the most appropriate housing situation as rapidly as possible. In this 
section, provide a timetable and the specific services to include 
follow-up that supports housing stabilization. Include evidence of 
coordination of transition services with which your agency expects to 
have for Veterans.
    (n) Project Plan--Describe the availability of or how you will 
facilitate transportation of the Veteran participants with and without 
income to appointments, employment, and supportive services.
    (o) Ability--Provide a one page resume and/or job description for 
key personnel and a staffing plan that outlines how your organization 
will carry out this proposal; to include experience level, dedication 
of staff position, and the amount of time dedicated to the project. 
(i.e., a full-time housing specialist, masters level, 20 hours per 
week).
    (p) Ability--Describe your agency's previous experience assessing 
and providing for the housing needs of homeless Veterans.
    (q) Ability--Describe your agency's previous experience assessing 
and providing supportive services to homeless Veterans.
    (r) Ability--Describe your agency's previous experience in 
assessing supportive service resources and entitlement benefits.
    (s) Ability--Describe your agency's previous experience with 
evaluating the progress of both individual participants and overall 
program effectiveness through using quality and performance data to 
make changes. Provide documentation of meeting past performance goals.
    (t) Need--Describe through the use of a gap analysis the 
substantial unmet needs particularly among your targeted Veteran 
population and those needs of the general homeless population. How does 
this project meet a need for the community and fit with the community's 
strategy to end homeless in the community. Support your descriptions 
with empirical statistical documentation of need.
    (u) Coordination--Provide documented evidence your agency is part 
of an ongoing community-wide planning process which is designed to 
share information on available resources and reduce duplication among 
programs that serve special need homeless Veterans (i.e. letter of 
support from your local continuum of care)
    (v) Coordination--Provide documented evidence your agency consulted 
directly with the closest VA Medical Center Director regarding 
coordination of services for project participants; and your plan to 
assure access to health care, case management, and other care services.
    (w) Site Description-- briefly describe the site where housing and 
services will take place and provide the current complete address to 
include the zip code for the housing.
    Other Submission Requirements: None.
    Submission Dates and Times: An original signed, dated, completed, 
and application (plus three completed collated copies) and all required 
associated documents must be received in the GPD Program Office, VA 
Homeless Providers GPD Program Office, 10770 N. 46th Street, Suite C-
200, Tampa, FL, 33617; by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on June 27, 
2016.
    Applications must be received by the application deadline. 
Applications must arrive as a complete package to include VA 
collaborative partner materials (see application requirements). 
Materials arriving separately will not be included in the application 
package for consideration and may result in the application being 
rejected or not funded.
    In the interest of fairness to all competing applicants, this 
deadline is firm as to date and hour, and VA will treat any application 
that is received after the deadline as ineligible for consideration. 
Applicants should take this firm deadline into account and make early 
submission of their material to avoid any risk of loss of eligibility 
as a result of unanticipated delays or other delivery-related problems. 
For applications physically delivered (e.g., in person, or via United 
States Postal Service, FedEx, United Parcel Service, or any other type 
of courier), the VA GPD Program Office staff will accept the 
application and date stamp it immediately at the time of arrival. This 
is the date and time that will determine if the deadline is met for 
those types of delivery.
    DO NOT fax or email the application as applications received via 
these means will be ineligible for consideration.
    Application Review Information:
    A. Criteria for Special Need Grants: Rating criteria may be found 
at 38 CFR 61.13 & 61.32.
    B. Review and Selection Process: Review and selection process may 
be found at 38 CFR 61.44.
    Award Notice: Although subject to change, the VA Homeless Providers 
GPD Program Office expect the announcement of grant awards during the 
late fourth quarter of FY 2016 (September). 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 
VA Homeless Providers GPD Program Office will mail a notification 
letter to the grant recipients. Applicants that are not selected will 
be mailed a declination letter within 2 weeks of the initial 
announcement.
    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:
    Awardees will be required to support their request for payments 
with adequate fiscal documentation as to project expenses and in the 
case of per diem payments income and expenses.

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    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.
    Each program seeking per diem will have a liaison appointed from a 
nearby VA medical facility to provide oversight and monitor services 
provided to homeless Veterans in the per diem-funded program.
    Monitoring will include at a minimum a quarterly review of each per 
diem program's progress toward meeting internal goals and objectives in 
helping Veterans attain housing stability, adequate income support, and 
self-sufficiency as identified in each per diem program's original 
application. Monitoring will also include a review of the agency's 
income and expenses as they relate to this project to ensure per diem 
payment is accurate.
    Each per diem-funded program will participate in VA's national 
program monitoring and evaluation system. Monitoring procedures will be 
used to determine successful accomplishment of outcomes for each per 
diem-funded program.
    Applicants with questions regarding the funding from previous 
special need awards should contact the VA Homeless Providers GPD 
Program Office prior to application.
    A full copy of the regulations governing the VA Homeless Providers 
GPD Program is available at http://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/GPD.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. Robert A. 
McDonald, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, approved this document on May 
13, 2016, for publication.

    Approved: May 16, 2016.
Michael Shores,
Acting Director, Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Office of 
the Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2016-11849 Filed 5-19-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8320-01-P