[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 23 (Friday, February 3, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7540-7553]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-02341]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Funding Opportunity: Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem (GPD) 
Program Case Management Grant

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice of funding opportunity (NOFO).

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SUMMARY: VA is announcing the availability of approximately $15 million 
per year for up to 2 years, pending availability of funding and grantee 
performance, in new grants under the case management component of the 
VA Homeless Providers GPD program.
    Applications for grants are being accepted from eligible entities 
to support case management services. These time-limited case management 
services will improve retention of housing by Veterans who are at risk 
of becoming homeless or who were previously homeless and are 
transitioning to permanent housing from programs such as VA's Homeless 
Providers GPD program or VA's Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) 
Contracted Residential Services (CRS) program.
    VA anticipates that the grants will be for a period of 2 years, 
starting in fiscal year (FY) 2024 on October 1, 2023, and ending on 
September 30, 2025. VA anticipates awarding approximately 100 grants 
for up to a total of approximately 150 full-time equivalent case (FTE) 
manager positions nationwide. Awards may be up to $300,000 total costs 
per FTE case manager position, with funding requests broken out by year 
1 and year 2.
    This NOFO contains information concerning the program, application 
process, available funding, selection criteria and award process.

DATES: Applications for grants must be received by the GPD National 
Program Office no later than 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, May 4, 
2023.
    In the interest of fairness to all, this deadline is firm as to 
date and hour. VA will treat any application received after the 
deadline as ineligible. Applicants should take this practice into 
account and submit their materials early to avoid the risk of 
unanticipated delays, computer service outages or other submission-
related problems that might result in ineligibility.

ADDRESSES: Instructions for accessing the application are available at 
www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp. The required documentation for 
applications is outlined under the Content and Form of the Application 
section of this NOFO. Standard forms, which must be included as part of 
a complete application package, may be downloaded directly from VA's 
GPD program website at www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp. Questions may be 
referred to the GPD National Program Office at [email protected]. For 
detailed GPD program information and requirements, see 38 CFR part 61.
    Application Submission: Applications must be submitted by following 
the instructions at www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp. Applications must be 
received by the GPD National Program Office no later than 4:00 p.m. 
Eastern Time on the date of the application deadline. Applications must 
be submitted 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.
    In the event of certain errors, such as duplicate applications or 
multiple applications per Employer Identification Number (EIN), per VA 
medical center catchment area, VA reserves the right to select which 
application to consider based on the submission dates and times or 
based on other factors.
    Applicants are advised to refer to this NOFO when completing the 
online application. NOFO content provides supplementary guidance for 
completing the online application.
    Technical Assistance: Information regarding how to obtain technical 
assistance with the preparation of a grant application is available on 
the GPD website at www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chelsea Watson, Director, VA Homeless 
Providers GPD Program Office, [email protected] or 727-273-5619 (This is 
not a toll-free telephone number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Funding Opportunity Title: GPD Case Management Grant.
    Announcement Type: Initial.
    Funding Opportunity Number: VA-GPD-CM-FY2024.
    Assistance Instrument: Grant.
    Assistance Listing: 64.024, VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per 
Diem Program.

Table of Contents

I. Funding Opportunity Description
    A. Purpose
    B. Background
    C. Definitions
    D. Approach
    Goals and Objective
    GPD Case Management
    Required Minimum Performance Metrics/Targets
    E. Authority
    F. Guidance for the Use of Funds
II. Award Information
    A. Allocation of Funds
    B. Funding Priorities
    C. Award Period
III. Eligibility Information
    A. Eligibility
    B. Cost Sharing or Matching
IV. Application and Scoring Information
    A. Content and Form of Application
    Organization Profile (Eligibility)
    Overview
    Application
    Abstract
    Detailed Application Design
    Budget
    Organization Leadership
    External Attachments
    Certifications
    B. Scoring
V. Review and Selection Process
    A. Application Review
    B. Application Selection
    Tie Score
    Funding Actions

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Purpose

    Ending and preventing homelessness among Veterans is a priority for 
VA. VA Homeless Programs Office constitutes the Nation's largest 
integrated network of homelessness, housing, prevention and 
rehabilitation services for Veterans. These programs are designed to 
help Veterans live as self-sufficiently and independently as possible. 
The

[[Page 7541]]

foundation for these programs is based on Housing First principles 
combined with supportive services to ensure Veterans are able to end 
the cycle of homelessness.
    Since 1994, the GPD program has provided Veterans who are 
experiencing homelessness with community-based transitional housing, 
supportive services such as case management, and more. These services 
assist Veterans in attaining or retaining permanent residence. Several 
types of grants are offered under the umbrella of the GPD program. The 
grants are designed to meet Veterans at various stages as they move to 
housing stability. The community organizations who receive these grants 
offer focused housing stability services through a variety of service 
models. The GPD program plays a vital role in the continuum of homeless 
services.

B. Background

    Ending Veteran homelessness requires multifaceted approaches. This 
NOFO represents one such approach. In response to the mounting need in 
communities to prevent homelessness, this NOFO focuses on upstream 
prevention approaches to reduce the risk of housing instability. Grants 
funded from this NOFO will increase housing stability for Veterans.
    VA is committed to supporting community-based organizations as they 
transform projects to meet the challenge of ending homelessness among 
Veterans.

C. Definitions

    The regulations for the GPD program are codified in 38 CFR part 61. 
Definitions of terms used in the GPD program and in Federal grant 
programs that are applicable to this NOFO are available in 38 CFR part 
61 and 2 CFR part 200. See 38 CFR 61.1 for the definitions. Selected 
and additional definitions are highlighted here for purposes of this 
NOFO:
     By-name list: A comprehensive list of every person in a 
community experiencing homelessness updated in real time.
     Case management: A collaborative client-driven process 
whereby a range of services are provided to assist individuals in 
developing their skills to gain or maintain access to needed housing, 
medical, behavioral health, employment, social, educational and other 
essential services. Case management activities include housing 
navigation and providing linkages and training related to the use of 
basic community resources. Interventions may occur at both the Veteran 
and system levels. This may include progressive engagement strategies 
that tailor resources to each Veteran's needs and flexes up supports as 
greater needs are identified. Case management supports the client's 
achievement of safe, realistic and reasonable goals within a complex 
health, social and fiscal environment.
     Case manager: One who provides case management and other 
services. For purposes of this NOFO, the role generally is not a 
clinical role. An appropriate candidate might have any of a variety of 
titles, clinical or non-clinical, as long as they are qualified and 
able to fill the minimum expectations of the role as described in the 
NOFO and in the grant application. The case manager routinely assesses 
the needs of the Veteran and arranges, coordinates, monitors, evaluates 
and advocates for a package of multiple services to meet the specific 
client's complex needs.
     Caseload: The average monthly number of Veterans an FTE 
case manager is engaged with in housing navigation and in housing 
retention services.
     Continuum of Care (CoC): According to the Department of 
Housing and Urban Development (HUD), a CoC is a program designed to 
promote community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness; 
provide funding for efforts by nonprofit providers and state or local 
governments to quickly rehouse individuals and families experiencing 
homelessness while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused to 
individuals, families and communities by homelessness; promote access 
to and effect utilization of mainstream programs by individuals and 
families experiencing homelessness; and optimize self-sufficiency among 
individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
     Coordinated entry process: A process through which people 
experiencing homelessness can access the crisis response system and 
housing in a streamlined way, have their strengths and needs quickly 
assessed and connect to tailored housing and mainstream services within 
the community.
     Critical Time Intervention (CTI): An evidence-based, 
structured and time-limited case management practice that mobilizes 
support for vulnerable populations during transition periods. This 
phased case management approach bolsters substantial supports in the 
early months of transition with these supports gradually tapering over 
time.
     Encounter: An initial engagement with a Veteran that may 
or may not lead to initiating case management services. Encounters are 
part of a case manager's overall workload but are not counted toward 
caseload.
     Full-time equivalent (FTE): A full-time case management 
position is defined as an average of 40 hours per week. Workload may be 
shared among multiple staff. Therefore, ``FTE'' refers to the number of 
full-time equivalent positions regardless of how many case managers 
contribute to completing the hours. Half-time equivalent positions of 
20 hours per week may be requested.
     Homeless Management Information System (HMIS): A locally 
administered web-based data system used to record and analyze both 
project and client information at the local CoC level. HMIS is used by 
Federal partners, including VA, to measure project performance and 
participate in benchmarking of the national effort to end homelessness. 
Currently, using HMIS is required for GPD case management grantees.
     Housing Navigation: Services provided to help Veteran 
participants locate and obtain or retain permanent, stable residence. 
It may include activities such as outreach to property owners, 
connecting to legal services, landlord mediation, education, providing 
information on landlord and tenant issues or identifying local 
community resources.
     Supplemental Security Income/Social Security Disability 
Insurance (SSI/SSDI) Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR): A non-VA, 
Federal resource that can substantially assist Veterans experiencing or 
at risk for homelessness by providing them with consistent income that 
often promotes permanent housing stability, self-sustainment, 
functional independence and ongoing care for Veterans with disabling 
conditions.
     Workload: Activities performed during the 40-hour work 
week. Case manager workload includes caseload (for example, housing 
navigation and housing retention services for Veterans) and outreach 
(for example, encounters with Veterans). Associated administrative 
responsibilities also are included in workload.

D. Approach

Goals and Objective
    The goals of projects under assistance listing 64.024, VA Homeless 
Providers Grant and Per Diem program, are to provide transitional 
housing and supportive services to Veterans experiencing homelessness 
as they move toward and retain permanent

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housing. To achieve these goals, the objective of this NOFO is to 
provide funds for case management services. Grants awarded under this 
NOFO will contribute to the achievement of the goals and objective by 
increasing the availability of case management services available to 
Veterans and by increasing permanent housing retention by Veterans. 
Program performance and project performance will be indicated by the 
average monthly caseload of the FTE GPD-funded case managers and by the 
percentage of Veterans who retained permanent housing upon exiting from 
case management.
    Applicants agree to meet the applicable requirements of 38 CFR part 
61 as a part of the effort to end homelessness among the Nation's 
Veterans. Applicants agree to meet the applicable requirements of 2 CFR 
part 200 as part of the Federal-wide initiative to administer Federal 
financial assistance systematically and uniformly.
GPD Case Management
    Case management services, as defined in this NOFO and as described 
in 38 CFR 61.90(b), may be provided to help overcome and troubleshoot 
barriers to acquiring, reacquiring and maintaining permanent housing. 
Case management, including housing navigation services, can help 
Veterans obtain permanent housing based on their unique needs, 
preferences and financial resources. Case managers may provide supports 
to address issues that may impede access to housing (such as credit 
history, arrears and legal issues), may negotiate manageable and 
appropriate lease agreements with landlords and may make appropriate 
and time-limited services available. Case managers also may monitor 
participants' housing stability after securing housing and during 
project participation, ideally through home visits and communication 
with landlords and may be available to resolve housing-related crises.
    Examples of case management services that grantees can provide 
using these grant funds include, but are not limited to, the following:
     Supporting housing search and placement activities to 
facilitate transitions for Veterans into permanent housing.
     Making home visits by the case manager to monitor housing 
stability and assess the need for services or other supports.
     Providing or coordinating educational activities related 
to meal planning, tenant responsibilities, the use of public 
transportation, community resources, financial management and 
development of natural supports.
     Navigating resources provided by the Federal Government 
and State, local and Tribal governments.
     Making referrals to needed services, such as mental 
health, substance use disorder, medical and employment services.
     Participating in case conferencing with other service 
providers working with Veterans (e.g., GPD transitional housing 
grantees, Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) grantees, 
other community-based organizations).
     Eviction diversion through the facilitation of landlord/
tenant mediation.
    Applicants should note that, when possible, case management 
services should occur in-person; however, virtual case management 
services (for example, conducting home visits remotely) may be 
necessary at times. In these cases, GPD encourages applicants to 
maximize use of technology that offers the richest possible interaction 
for the individuals involved, such as video and accessibility-friendly 
technology, and to have written procedures in place regarding the use 
of virtual case management services.
    The minimum educational requirement for case managers funded by GPD 
case management grants is a bachelor's degree. Four years of case 
management or housing navigation experience may be substituted for the 
educational requirement. Grantees may consider lived experience when 
selecting Case Managers, but lived experience is not a substitute for 
the educational or work experience requirements. Applicants proposing 
to use staff who have not yet met the minimum local requirements for 
licensure and certification, may propose such individuals as staff 
under the grant as long as they: (1) demonstrate that the project is 
located in a geographic area where such staff are in high demand; and 
(2) confirm that the proposed individuals will have a master's degree 
in social work, will be undergoing training to meet the local licensure 
and certification requirements and will be under the supervision of a 
person who meets the local licensure and certification requirements. 
Within the application, applicants may establish more stringent minimum 
education, experience and training requirements (see Detailed 
Application Design section of the NOFO, e.g., Ability). Applicants 
should carefully consider the minimum educational requirements 
established in their grant applications, because the GPD National 
Program Office will likely not honor reductions to minimum credentials 
after the grant is awarded. Grantees are responsible for complying with 
any local requirements for licensure or certification.
    An FTE position is expected to manage an average monthly caseload 
of at least 16 Veterans in permanent housing or in housing navigation. 
Encounters with Veterans count toward the FTE's overall workload but do 
not count toward caseload. The majority of each FTE's overall workload 
must be dedicated to caseload. Applicants must have written procedures 
and position descriptions to implement these FTE workload and caseload 
requirements. Applicants who can demonstrate that the need in their 
community is sufficient to meet or exceed caseload expectations are 
encouraged to apply.
    All grantees must participate in HMIS and in their local 
coordinated entry system. These systems rely on real-time, high-quality 
data entry. Precise and accurate data is expected to be entered into 
HMIS by grantees in a timely manner. Grantees are expected to conduct 
second-level reviews of entered data. Chart reviews of participant 
files in HMIS must be conducted monthly to ensure all required 
documentation of services. At a minimum, the following should be 
included in the HMIS file to the extent the local HMIS implementation 
allows for it: all HMIS Universal Data Elements, all applicable Program 
Specific Data Elements and all Federal Partner Program Data Elements. 
These elements are defined by the VA Data Guide and include participant 
identification information, household information, demographics, entry 
and exit data, income source data, health and health care information 
and updated release of information. Grantees also are expected to 
engage with their local CoCs and by-name list, case conferencing and 
general planning processes to the fullest extent possible. Applicants 
should plan staff time and position descriptions accordingly in order 
to fulfill HMIS responsibilities. Grantees must treat the data for 
activities funded from the GPD grant separate from that of activities 
funded by other programs. Grantees will be required to work with their 
HMIS Administrators to export client-level data for activities funded 
from the GPD grant to VA on at least a monthly basis. The completeness 
and quality of grantee uploads into HMIS will be factored into the 
evaluation of their grant performance.
    The case management resource must not be used to duplicate or 
replace activities that are funded from another source (refer to 2 CFR 
200.405(c)-(d) for details about allocable costs). Also, the case 
management resource must be maximized to provide case management

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services to as many Veterans as possible, including those who are 
transitioning to permanent housing from programs such as GPD or HCHV 
CRS. One way to maximize the case management resource is to proactively 
develop strong collaborations to fill in service gaps left by other 
programs and to complement or enhance activities happening under other 
programs. Keeping carefully documented records can demonstrate how a 
grantee is distinguishing between duplication (unallowable) versus 
complementation or enhancement (allowable). The following are examples 
of how to collaborate with other programs to complement or enhance 
activities while avoiding duplication:
     GPD's Bridge Housing model provides short-term 
transitional housing for Veterans who have accepted a permanent housing 
intervention but are not able to immediately enter their permanent 
housing unit. Successful case management grants are deeply connected 
with community providers who use the Bridge Housing model and are 
prepared to provide housing navigation services (if not being provided 
under the Bridge Housing grant) and to facilitate a warm handoff as the 
Veteran enters permanent housing and becomes eligible for the case 
management services.
    [cir] For example, case management grantees could begin engagement 
with Veterans discharged from Bridge Housing and placed in permanent, 
non-VA-supported housing (in other words, a Veteran in permanent 
housing that is not supported by the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development- Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH)).
     GPD's Transition in Place (TIP) housing model offers 
Veteran residents housing in which supportive services transition out 
of the residence over time, rather than the resident. This allows the 
Veteran to remain in the residence rather than being forced to find 
other housing while stabilizing. Successful case management grants are 
deeply connected with community providers who use the TIP housing model 
and are prepared to provide case management after the Veteran assumes 
the lease and completes the TIP services.
    [cir] For example, case management grantees could begin engagement 
with Veterans discharged from TIP and in permanent, non-VA-supported 
housing.
     SSVF offers temporary financial assistance and supportive 
services to Veterans entering permanent housing or residing in 
permanent housing and at risk for homelessness. These Veterans are 
ideal candidates for rich, time-limited case management services to 
assist them in retaining stable housing. Successful case management 
grantees maintain strong connections to SSVF programs in their area to 
provide complementary (but not duplicative) case management services to 
Veterans, where appropriate and needed to ensure the Veteran can 
maintain permanent housing.
    [cir] For example, case management grantees may potentially serve a 
Veteran receiving SSVF Temporary Financial Assistance only. 
Coordination with VA team members, such as the SSVF regional 
coordinator or GPD liaison, should occur to ensure appropriate use of 
the service.
     HUD-VASH provides supportive services to Veterans who have 
received a HUD voucher. The supportive services assist Veterans in 
retaining stable housing and in paying for permanent housing. GPD 
encourages case management grantees to maintain relationships with VA 
medical center Homeless Programs staff, to include HUD-VASH staff.
    [cir] Typically, however, Veterans served by HUD-VASH have lifetime 
access to case management services and will not likely be eligible to 
be served by this grant. If the VA medical center HUD-VASH team is 
unable to provide case management services to a Veteran in need, 
grantees should reach out to their GPD liaison to discuss coordination 
and ability to serve a Veteran in this instance.
    [cir] GPD case management grantees have the option of participating 
in the HUD-VASH GPD Collaborative Case Management (CCM) partnership if 
the partnering VA medical center agrees. CCM is an opportunity for GPD 
case managers to collaborate with their local VA medical facilities 
HUD-VASH program to provide housing navigation and time-limited case 
management services to lower acuity Veterans who are entering housing 
via a HUD-VASH enrollment. CCM enhances and expedites HUD-VASH voucher 
utilization by partnering with existing GPD case management services. 
Veterans served by this collaboration must be eligible to receive 
services through both programs. Much of the pre-housing work normally 
performed by VA HUD-VASH staff shifts to the GPD CCM case manager. CCM 
case managers may assist Veterans with searching for housing, obtaining 
housing placements, utilizing a HUD-VASH voucher and receiving time-
limited case management services after placement in permanent housing. 
After a Veteran is successfully in permanent housing, the GPD CCM case 
manager provides 6 months of subsequent case management before 
transferring the Veteran to the local VA HUD-VASH team for ongoing case 
management services.
    [cir] All applicants proposing to provide services through CCM must 
demonstrate this within their application. Also:
    [ssquf] Current GPD case management grantees who already are 
approved to provide services through CCM, and who wish to continue 
participating in CCM during the new award period, must include in the 
application their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was 
countersigned by the local VA medical facility director. For these 
applicants, if they are selected for funding under this NOFO, a signed 
grant agreement with a start date of October 1, 2023, constitutes 
approval for continuing CCM in the new award period.
    [ssquf] Applicants who are not current GPD case management 
grantees, or who are not already approved to provide services through 
CCM, may request written approval from the GPD National Program Office 
to participate in CCM through the change of scope process after they 
are selected for a case management grant under this NOFO. A signed case 
management grant agreement, with a start date of October 1, 2023, does 
not constitute approval for initiating CCM services. However, GPD will 
use information provided in the application and through the change of 
scope process after the case management grant is awarded to provide 
written approvals for initiating CCM services.
    A specific case management practice or model is not required for 
GPD grants. Applicants must fully articulate within their application 
any case management model they intend to employ and must demonstrate 
that the skills, experience and training of the case manager(s) align 
with the service delivery approach. For example, an applicant that 
proposes to use the CTI case management model would demonstrate within 
the application that their case manager(s) will have access to specific 
CTI training and describe how the CTI model will work for their 
specific project. Strong fidelity to the CTI model would include the 
case managers' supervisor having a master's level clinical degree. CTI 
resources are available online at https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/nchav/resources/interventions/critical-time-intervention.asp and https://www.criticaltime.org/cti-model/). Examples of other models for case 
management are available at https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/nchav/resources/index.asp under

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Interventions. However, all applicants must offer a Housing First, low 
barrier, harm reduction approach to providing services to Veterans and 
must have policies and procedures for maintaining low barriers and 
high-quality engagement through the provision of case management 
service. All applicants must demonstrate an ability to maximize the 
case management resource at all stages of the housing retention 
process, from referral to housing navigation, through the six months of 
case management and including post-case management phasing out of 
services.
Required Minimum Performance Metrics/Targets
    VA has established performance metrics and targets for all 
successful applicants. VA may, at its discretion, update these targets 
at any point before or during the award period. If any new metrics or 
targets come into effect, VA will notify grantees in writing.
     Caseload--A full-time equivalent position is expected to 
manage an average monthly caseload of at least 16 Veterans in permanent 
housing or in housing navigation.
     Permanent Housing--At least 90% of Veterans engaged in 
case management services are expected to have retained permanent 
housing at the time of exit from case management.

E. Authority

    Funding applied for under this NOFO is authorized by 38 U.S.C. 
2013.

F. Guidance for the Use of Funds

    1. Funding applied for under this NOFO may be used to provide case 
management services. Funding may not be used for capital costs, per 
diem costs or the cost of operating transitional housing beds or 
service centers for Veterans.
    2. There is a six-month time limit for Veterans to receive case 
management services (excluding housing navigation). However, VA may 
approve a request to extend services beyond the six-month period if an 
organization submits a request to VA in writing and if VA approves it 
before the six-month time limit expires.
    3. Applications do not have to include coverage for the entire VA 
medical facility catchment area in the application. The coverage area 
must not exceed the catchment area identified in the application.
    4. Case management grant funding may be used for the following 
purposes:
    a. Providing funding for case management staff (for example, 
salary, fringe benefits, professional development).
    b. Training, education, licensing costs for case management staff.
    c. Incidental costs related to supervising or mentoring the case 
management staff (exclusive of supervisor salary costs).
    d. Costs for organizational development related to case management 
(for example, accreditation).
    e. Providing transportation for the case manager(s) or the Veterans 
they are working with to support housing navigation or other related 
case management activities.
    f. Providing case manager(s) with cell phones, headsets, computers, 
tablets, printers and other incidentals needed to facilitate home 
visits and other case management activities associated with the grant.
    g. Providing case manager(s) or the Veterans they are working with 
personal protective supplies, such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, 
disinfecting wipes and other incidentals for safety and health.
    h. Providing office space and furniture for the use of the case 
management staff or other necessary supplies, software and utilities.
    i. HMIS participation fees and related staffing costs associated 
with inputting data and monthly reporting (only if not available 
through other means at no cost to the grant).
    j. Limited non-cash incentives of up to $500 per Veteran engaged in 
case management services are allowed for costs such as furniture, 
household items, moving costs, disposable phone, groceries, clothing or 
other items typically associated with independent living in permanent 
housing. Incentives may not include cash, gift cards or items purchased 
by the Veteran for reimbursement.
    k. Costs for outreach activities directly related to the grant.
    l. Indirect costs, as described in 2 CFR 200.412-415, are allowable 
if supported by a Federally Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement 
(NICRA) or if supported by a certification of de minimis indirect cost 
rate declaring a rate of up to 10% of modified total direct costs as 
described in 2 CFR 200.414. Otherwise, all requested costs must be 
direct costs.
    5. Applicants should ensure their funding requests are based on a 
two-year total project period, divided into 1 year annual budget 
periods. Include good faith estimated costs considering all available 
information, such as reasonable cost of living increases, established 
salary scale adjustments and variations in the projected numbers of 
Veterans per year.
    6. Funding restrictions:
    a. Costs for temporary financial assistance or rent are not allowed 
under this grant.
    b. Costs for any other salaries, such as supervisor salary costs, 
are not allowed.
    c. Costs for capital improvements or to purchase vans or real 
property. Vehicles, however, may be leased to facilitate required 
transportation within the community. Costs for necessary gas, insurance 
and maintenance are allowable.
    7. Funds provided through this NOFO must not duplicate funding 
provided by any other GPD or VA grants and must not duplicate or 
replace funds from any Federal, State or local government agency or 
program to assist homeless persons.
    8. VA reserves the right to fund only those projects or portions of 
projects based on the percentage of use by VA and based on the actual 
need as determined by VA. Those activities deemed outside the scope of 
this NOFO will not be funded.
    9. Allowable costs are described for all Federal grants in 2 CFR 
part 200 subpart E--Cost Principles. One factor affecting allowability 
of costs is that costs must be treated consistently with the grantee's 
normal written standards.

II. Award Information

A. Allocation of Funds

    1. Under this NOFO approximately $15 million per year for 2 years 
is available for grants to support time-limited case management 
services to support Veterans in acquiring, reacquiring and maintaining 
permanent housing.
    2. To facilitate geographic dispersion, each applicant, as defined 
by EIN, may submit no more than one application per VA medical facility 
catchment area. Additionally, VA will fund up to two case management 
grants per VA medical facility catchment area, in priority and rank 
order. Additional selections may be considered, at VA's discretion, if 
sufficient funding is available.
    3. Funding is dependent upon factors such as need, geographic 
dispersion, funding availability, the recipient meeting the performance 
goals, statutory and regulatory requirements, as well as the results of 
VA inspections or audits.
    4. Depending on the quantity and quality of applications received 
and the availability of funding, VA reserves the right to make 
additional rounds of conditional selections from this NOFO to the 
eligible pool of applicants. VA also reserves the right to negotiate 
with

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applicants, at any point, including prior to award, an upward or 
downward adjustment to factors including but not limited to FTE 
positions per catchment area, FTE positions per grant, services, 
project period dates or dollars amounts including adjustments that 
exceed the limits stated in this NOFO if needed to accomplish the 
overall goals and objective.
    5. All projects must be able to start serving Veterans as of 
October 1, 2023. Failure to initiate services to Veterans and to meet 
the minimum caseload requirements no later than 180 days after the 
start of the award start date may indicate a failure to comply with the 
terms and conditions of award. VA may impose specific conditions or 
remedies for noncompliance, including termination of the grant, at any 
point during the grant period (2 CFR 200.208, 200.339). Terminations 
and other performance matters may impact future award decisions (2 CFR 
200.206).

B. Funding Priorities

    VA has established the following funding priorities.
     Priority 1: VA will place in the first funding priority 
those applications from operational GPD-funded organizations that have 
provided a written commitment to give up per diem only or special need 
funding and convert their transitional housing to permanent housing. 
Successful priority 1 applicants who received a GPD capital grant that 
has met the minimum period of operation (refer to 38 CFR 61.67 for the 
minimum period of operation) will be considered to have complied with 
all terms of the grant, to include any applicable real property 
disposition requirements. In order to obtain this priority, 
organizations must provide documentation showing that their permanent 
housing meets the housing quality standards established under section 
42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(8)(B). Applicants wishing to be considered under 
funding priority 1 must submit with their application a signed letter 
on agency letterhead noting that, if selected for funding, the agency 
withdraws from their currently operational GPD project and understands 
that they will be held to normal closeout and post-closeout 
requirements (see 2 CFR 200.344-345). This letter of commitment must be 
provided as an attachment to the case management grant application. See 
External Attachments section of the NOFO. Applications will be ranked 
in score order within the funding priority.
     Priority 2: VA will place in the second funding priority 
those applications from organizations that demonstrate a capability to 
provide case management services, particularly organizations that are 
successfully providing GPD transitional housing services using per diem 
only or special need funding. Applications will be ranked in score 
order within the funding priority. These applicants do not have to 
submit a written commitment to give up per diem only or special need 
funding and convert their transitional housing to permanent housing.
     Priority 3: VA will place in the third funding priority 
those applications from other organizations without GPD transitional 
housing grant experience that seek to provide time limited case 
management to Veterans to support their acquiring, reacquiring and 
maintaining permanent housing.
    Applications will be ranked in score order within the funding 
priority.

C. Award Period

    VA anticipates that the grants will be for a period of up to two 
years starting in FY 2024 on October 1, 2023 and ending September 30, 
2025.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligibility

    Any eligible entity may apply for funding. Current GPD grantee 
organizations are eligible to apply. Applicants are not required to be 
a current GPD grantee. An application is eligible for consideration if 
it is complete, if it meets all the requirements stated in the NOFO and 
is submitted by the date and time on the NOFO from an eligible entity 
for eligible activities.
    1. Eligible entity:
    a. An entity is eligible to apply if it is a 501(c)(3) or 
501(c)(19) nonprofit organization, State, local or Tribal government. 
For purposes of this program, the term ``Tribal government'' means an 
entity described in paragraph (2) of the definition of ``public 
entity'' in 38 CFR 61.1.
    b. An entity that is religious or faith-based is eligible, on the 
same basis as any other organization to participate. Faith-based 
organizations should refer to 38 CFR 61.64(b)-(g) for grant compliance 
requirements.
    c. Eligible entities may submit up to one application per EIN, per 
VA medical center catchment area.
    d. Successful applicants must maintain their status as 501(c)(3) or 
501(c)(19) nonprofit organization, State, local or Tribal government.
    e. Eligible entities must have an active registration in the System 
for Award Management (SAM) and must maintain their active status 
throughout the grant award period.
    2. Eligible activities:
    a. Projects that propose to support case management services to 
assist Veterans in obtaining and retaining permanent housing are 
eligible. See Definitions section, GPD Case Management section and 
Guidance for the Use of Funds section of this NOFO for details about 
case management and services.
    b. Each application must propose at least 0.5 FTE position (at 
least 20 hours on average per week). This NOFO does not establish a 
maximum number of hours. Applicants must propose the number of hours 
based on the number of Veterans estimated to be served, considering the 
minimum caseload requirements established in the NOFO.
    c. Each applicant must propose a two-year project period.
    Applicants must not be out of compliance with any reporting 
requirements or other requirements under any other GPD grant (for 
example, outstanding SF-425 Federal Financial Report or outstanding 
closeout requirements). Pursuant to 2 CFR 200.344(i), VA will publicly 
report to the Federal Award and Performance Integrity and Information 
System (FAPIIS) any organization whose reporting is not complete within 
one year from the grant end date. GPD may decide not to provide a grant 
under this NOFO to an organization who is out of compliance with 
requirements under other VA or GPD grants.
    Refer to the Award Information section for funding priorities.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

    None.

IV. Application and Scoring Information

A. Content and Form of Application

    The numbered questions below make up the Case Management 
application that all applicants must complete. VA is seeking to focus 
resources to assist Veterans with obtaining and retaining permanent 
housing. Applicants must include all required documents in their 
application submission. Submission of an incorrect, incomplete, 
inconsistent, unclear or incorrectly formatted application package may 
result in the application being rejected.
    VA may make a reasonable effort to confirm or clarify information 
in the application. VA reserves the right to consider ineligible or to 
not select any application with inconsistent information or information 
that cannot be readily confirmed or that leads to an unclear 
understanding of the proposed project.

[[Page 7546]]

    This NOFO cannot predict all potential circumstances. Applicants 
are expected to propose plans within the requirements and guidance of 
the NOFO. When a specific situation is not explicitly addressed in the 
NOFO, applicants must use their judgment to propose plans that meet the 
intent of the NOFO and may explain how their choices align with the 
intent. All applications will be evaluated against the requirements and 
guidance in the NOFO.
Organization Profile (Eligibility)
    1. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).
    2. Employer Identification Number (EIN).
    3. Organization Name.
    4. Organization Address (including city, state, postal code and 
congressional district).
    5. Indirect Cost Rate (percentage) and upload a copy of your 
agency's NICRA that supports this rate or upload a copy of your 
agency's certification of de minimis indirect cost rate. Note: 
Applicants not requesting indirect costs as described in 2 CFR 200.414 
are not required to upload anything here.
    6. System for Award Management (SAM) expiration date. Note: 
Applicants are required to be registered in SAM before submitting an 
application and must maintain an active SAM registration with current 
information at all times during which they have an active Federal award 
or an application under consideration by a Federal awarding agency. 
Refer to the Funding Actions section of the NOFO and 2 CFR part 25 for 
more details.
Overview
    7. Identify the funding priority for which this application is 
being submitted (select one).
    8. Amount requested (must match what is provided in the Budget 
table section):
    a. Year 1 total amount.
    b. Year 2 total amount.
    c. Combined 2-year total amount (i.e., 8a + 8b = 8c).
    9. Station number of the VA medical facility whose catchment area 
includes the proposed area to be served in this application (select 
one).
    10. Veterans Integrated Services Network (select one)
    11. Continuum of Care (CoC) (select all that apply).
Application
    12. Total number of hours per week grantee will provide services 
under the GPD case management grant (one FTE = 40 labor hours per week; 
minimum amount per application = 20 hours per week).
    13. Number of case management staff members proposed to fill the 
hours requested above.
    14. Average number of Veterans to be served per FTE case manager 
position per month (must be 16 or more Veterans).
    15. Total number of Veterans to be served per FTE case manager 
position annually.
    16. Site address(es), city, state, zip code + four-digit extension, 
county, congressional district (the location of the case manager(s) 
office and where project records will be retained).
Abstract
    17. In approximately 500 words, provide a brief abstract 
introducing and summarizing the proposed project. Abstracts may 
elaborate on information provided elsewhere and may provide necessary 
context about the intent and impact of the project. As applicable, 
include a discussion of multiple positions, multiple CoCs and other 
information relevant to an understanding of the overall project.
Detailed Application Design
    This is the portion of the application that describes the proposed 
project. VA reviewers will score the application based on how the 
detailed application design addresses the areas of need, project plan, 
ability and coordination in relation to assisting Veterans to obtain 
and retain permanent housing. VA expects successful applicants to 
propose high quality staff who will provide a milieu of services for 
Veterans. These sections are in compliance with 38 CFR part 61.
    Reviewers will give consideration to how the application 
demonstrates plans to maximize the case management resource. All 
scores, including need and coordination scores, may be impacted by this 
consideration. For example, applications that propose to participate in 
CCM or that otherwise show access to a reliable referral stream of 
potential Veteran participants, will be considered more responsive to 
this NOFO than applications that do not demonstrate access to a 
reliable referral stream.
Need (See 38 CFR 61.92(e))
    When providing information to support the need for case management 
services, keep in mind that case management services may not be 
duplicative of the services provided under other programs but may work 
in collaboration.
    18. Need 1--In approximately 500 words, discuss the overall need 
for this grant in your community. Responses must include community 
level data and discussion that supports your assertions regarding need.
    19. Need 2--In approximately 500 words, discuss how many eligible 
Veterans your organization commits to serving. Include:
    a. Explain how you determined the average number of Veterans to be 
served per FTE case manager position per month and the total number of 
Veterans to be served per FTE case manager position annually, as stated 
in the Application section. (See GPD Case Management section for 
minimum average monthly caseload expectations.)
    b. Current GPD case management grantees must discuss the average 
number of Veterans served per case manager under their current award 
and the total number of Veterans served from October 1, 2021, through 
September 30, 2022. Explain how this past experience informed the 
current declared need for this proposed new grant.
Project Plan (See 38 CFR 61.92(c))
    20. Project Plan 1--In approximately 500 words describe the 
outreach, referral and acceptance process for case management services. 
Responses must include all of the following:
    a. Strategies your agency will employ to outreach to local 
community providers (for example, HCHV, GPD) to engage Veterans in 
services.
    b. Your organization's involvement with the local coordinated entry 
system and how this project fits into the system.
    c. The minimum frequency and method of contact (home visit, video, 
phone, etc.) each Veteran will have with their case manager. (See GPD 
Case Management section for minimum average monthly caseload 
expectations.)
    21. Project Plan 2--In approximately 250 words, describe the 
policies, procedures, admission criteria and strategies your 
organization employs to ensure equity and nondiscrimination. VA is 
committed to advancing equity and support for underserved and 
underrepresented communities. VA requires all projects to be 
nondiscriminatory and expects grantees to include strategies for 
nondiscrimination of any individuals based on factors including but not 
limited to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, gender 
expression, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, pregnancy, 
national origin, disability, age, genetic information, marital status, 
parental status or political affiliation.
    22. Project Plan 3--In approximately 750 words, describe your plans 
for how, when, and by whom the progress of participants who are 
receiving case

[[Page 7547]]

management services toward meeting their individual goals will be 
monitored, evaluated and documented. Responses would include the 
following:
    a. Descriptions of the specific case management services that will 
be provided to Veterans, such as housing navigation, landlord 
engagement, home visits and financial management, and how these 
supports will be individualized to assist Veterans in acquiring, 
reacquiring and retaining housing.
    b. A discussion of the case management model or approach your 
agency will employ to facilitate successful retention of housing. 
(Refer to the GPD Case Management section of the NOFO.)
    c. How education will be provided to Veterans, as needed, in areas 
including but not limited to tenant rights and responsibilities, rental 
and lease agreements, landlord's rights and responsibilities, natural 
supports and budgeting.
    d. How Veterans will receive support in areas including but not 
limited to increasing income, accessing benefits and gaining or 
retaining employment. GPD encourages applicants to demonstrate an 
awareness of and commitment to using the SSI/SSDI SOAR program.
    e. How crisis intervention services will be used, as needed, to 
promote the maintenance of permanent housing, access to medical care, 
mental health or substance use disorder treatment.
    23. Project Plan 4--For applicants not proposing to participate in 
HUD-VASH CCM, this question is not applicable and applicants should 
enter ``N/A.'' For applicants proposing to participate in HUD-VASH CCM, 
in approximately 500 words, describe all of the following:
    a. How your organization will receive referrals to serve Veterans 
appropriate to this collaboration.
    b. How your organization will ensure ongoing collaboration with the 
local VA medical center partners.
    c. Your organization's experience with housing searches.
    d. How Veterans will be assessed for acuity and appropriateness for 
this collaboration.
    24. Project Plan 5--In approximately 500 words, describe your plans 
that will result in accomplishing the proposed case management grant 
project. Responses must include all of the following:
    a. How your organization will incentivize Veteran engagement.
    b. How Veterans will be periodically assessed to determine the need 
for reduced or increased case management services.
    c. How case management for each Veteran will be phased out over 
time prior to termination of services. Reminder that according to 38 
CFR 61.90(c), case management services are expected to be for up to six 
months. Case-by-case extensions may be available if VA receives and 
approves a written request for additional time before the six-month 
time limit expires.
    d. How your organization will incentivize recruitment and retention 
of skilled case managers, for example through competitive salaries or 
professional development.
    25. Project Plan 6--In approximately 250 words, if your agency 
plans to use any subrecipient(s) or contractor(s) for providing any of 
the project the plan services discussed in this section, describe the 
responsibilities of the subrecipient(s) or contractor(s). For each 
subrecipient or contractor, include the name, EIN, UEI and activity to 
be completed. Information provided here must align with that which is 
provided in the Budget section. For applicants not proposing to use 
subrecipients or contractors, this question is not applicable, and 
applicants should enter ``N/A.''
Ability (See 38 CFR 61.92(d))
    26. Ability 1--In approximately 500 words, describe your agency's 
past performance with VA and non-VA projects. Responses must include 
(as applicable):
    a. Current GPD case management grantees must discuss their 
performance under their case management award from October 1, 2021, 
through September 30, 2022. Include how many Veterans were served, the 
average length of time case management services were provided, 
percentage of permanent housing retention or other performance results.
    b. All applicants must discuss any current and past projects 
pertaining to the activities proposed in this application, including 
VA, non-VA, Federal, state, local and private grants or contracts and 
how this experience demonstrates your agency's ability to successfully 
execute the proposed project.
    c. Include an explanation of any corrective action plans or 
performance improvement activities your agency has undertaken and the 
outcome(s).
    d. Any accreditations your organization has related to case 
management.
    27. Ability 2--Complete the staffing plan table section of the 
application for this project (see Example 1). Successful applicants 
will be allowed to exceed the minimum standards during the grant period 
without the need for written prior approval from the GPD National 
Program Office, but they will not be allowed to reduce the standards. 
Position descriptions for up to two key positions may be attached. Do 
not include resumes.
    Example 1:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                             Amount of
                                                                                          Hours per week                     Amount of      salary, per
  Job title (do not name specific        Brief (1-2 sentence)                              allocated to                    annual salary  job title, for
 names) (agency, contractors, sub-          description of           Minimum required         the GPD      Number of FTE   allocated to    the full-time
            contractors)                   responsibilities          educational level      project (40                       the GPD       equivalent
                                                                                           hours equals                     project per     position(s)
                                                                                            full-time)                         year          per year
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case manager.......................  Responsible for working      Bachelor's degree.....              60             1.5         $90,000         $60,000
                                      with the Veteran to
                                      develop and monitor an
                                      individual service plan
                                      and to adjust the plan as
                                      needed. Coordinates
                                      support with other
                                      community agencies.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    28. Ability 3--In approximately 250 words, describe your agency's 
ability to operationalize this project by October 1, 2023, in order to 
begin enrolling Veterans as quickly as possible. Responses must 
include:
    a. A discussion of the start-up activities, the timing involved and 
when the project will be fully operational.
    b. An explanation of how your agency has already secured, or will 
secure, the staffing and other resources needed for the proposed 
services. Applicants should demonstrate an ability to maximize the case 
management resources efficiently.
    c. Your organization's experience working with landlords.

[[Page 7548]]

    29. Ability 4--In approximately 750 words, provide information 
about the proposed case management position(s). Be sure to describe 
only the minimum standards that will be used for the position(s). 
Successful applicants will be allowed to exceed the minimum standards 
during the grant period, but they will not be allowed to reduce the 
standards. Responses must include all of the following:
    a. The minimum education, training, skills and prior experience 
requirements. If identifying specific licenses or degrees required for 
the position(s), list all acceptable credentials. (See Funding 
Opportunity Description section for minimum requirements.
    b. The resources that will be provided to the case manager(s) to 
facilitate engagement with Veterans, such as vehicle, cell phone, 
computer, or office space.
    c. How the position(s) or hours will be adjusted if caseloads are 
less than the minimum cited in the project plan section of the 
application to ensure that caseloads return to average levels as soon 
as possible and to maximize the position(s) or hours for allowable 
activities during periods when caseloads are less than full.
    d. The professional development that will be available to the case 
manager(s), including but not limited to training, licensing, 
supervision or mentoring.
    e. How the case manager's knowledge and skills will be strengthened 
through staff training and development, including but not limited to 
suicide prevention, equity and inclusion.
    f. How staff performance will be measured, reviewed and improved.
Coordination (See 38 CFR 61.92(g))
    30. Coordination 1--In approximately 500 words, describe how your 
agency, prior to submitting the application, coordinated directly with 
relevant partners about the proposed project. Responses must include:
    a. A description of coordination efforts with the VA medical 
facility Director (or the appropriate authorized representative per the 
local practice), with local SSVF and HUD-VASH grantees, with the local 
CoC and with HCHV and GPD providers in the community who would 
potentially be referring Veterans for case management services. Clearly 
identify the points of coordination and discuss the outcome of past 
coordination efforts.
    b. How medical care, mental health and substance use care for 
Veterans will be coordinated with external partners as needed.
    c. If proposing a HUD-VASH GPD CCM partnership, include how CCM has 
been or will be coordinated with the local VA medical facility HUD-VASH 
team and with medical center leadership. Describe ongoing meetings and 
communication plans that will ensure coordination between VA and your 
organization. Current GPD case management grantees who already are 
approved to provide services through CCM must include in the 
application their MOU, countersigned by the local VA medical facility, 
if they wish to continue participating in CCM during the new award 
period. Other applicants who are proposing CCM may attach a letter of 
coordination to demonstrate discussions prior to applying and if 
selected for a grant, full documentation will be required as part of 
the change of scope process prior to being approved for CCM 
participation. (CCM information is available on the GPD provider 
website at https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/GPD_Providerwebsite.asp.)
    Letters of coordination from the VA medical facility, CoC or other 
partners are not required but may be provided and may help substantiate 
information included in the application (see the External Attachments 
section at the end of the application). Applicants are strongly 
encouraged to allow as much time as possible, but no less than 30 days, 
for letters of coordination. All application materials must be 
submitted together in a single package by the due date and time 
indicated in this NOFO. Any materials arriving separately or late will 
not be accepted as part of the application.
    Note: VA reserves the right to confirm with local VA medical 
facility staff or others any information related to an application. If 
information cannot be confirmed or if discrepancies are identified, VA 
reserves the right to adjust award decisions, to not select the 
application, to consider other application(s) in rank order or to make 
other remedies as appropriate.
Budget
    In addition to the part of the application that is scored (the 
Detailed Application Design section), this part of the application 
(Budget) is not scored but is required for an application to be 
considered complete. Information provided may impact award decisions, 
for example award amounts or specific conditions of award. Applications 
that are not complete may be rejected at threshold and not be 
considered for award.
    31. Budget Table--Applicants must complete the itemized detailed 
budget table section of the application.
    Example 2:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Year 1                   Year 2                   Total                        Notes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salary
Fringe Benefits
Transportation
Phone, Computer, and misc IT
Office Space
HMIS
Veteran Incentives (see limit)
Other
Indirect costs
   TOTAL
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Budget Narrative--In approximately 250 words, describe how you 
calculated the costs of services and staffing proposed in the 
application. The Budget Narrative must thoroughly and clearly describe 
every category of expense listed in the Budget Table. The narrative 
must be mathematically sound and correspond with the information and 
figures provided in the Budget Table and in the Application for Federal 
Assistance (SF-424). The narrative must explain how all costs are 
estimated and calculated and how they are relevant to the completion of 
the proposed project. As with the Budget Table, the Budget Narrative 
must be broken down by year. If applicable, identify the amount(s) and 
source(s) of other funding (aside from the funding requested in this 
application) that would be used to

[[Page 7549]]

support project costs. Explain how other funding, if any, impacted the 
cost calculations for the activities proposed in this application. The 
narrative must demonstrate an understanding of and compliance with the 
guidelines in the NOFO, 38 CFR part 61, Federal cost principles (2 CFR 
part 200 subpart E) and other applicable funding requirements.
    a. If an applicant plans to provide pass-through funding to a 
subrecipient or to a contractor, the applicant must discuss cost 
calculations, including indirect costs, for each subrecipient or 
contractor. Applicants must comply with Subrecipient Monitoring and 
Management requirements in 2 CFR 200.331-333. Information provided here 
must align with that which is provided in the Project Plan section.
    b. See the Guidance for the Use of Funds section for details about 
indirect costs. Information provided here must align with that which is 
provided in the Organization Profile section.
    32. Assessment of Management Systems--In approximately 150 words, 
and as authorized under 2 CFR 200.206(b), provide a description of your 
organization's financial stability, the quality of management systems, 
your ability to meet the management standards described in 2 CFR 
200.300-309 and 38 CFR 61.66 and your ability to effectively implement 
statutory, regulatory or other requirements imposed on non-Federal 
entities. Applicants who have received training on Federal grants 
management practices or who have registered for such training to happen 
in the near future may include the dates, titles and providers of the 
training.
Organization Leadership
    33. Complete the organization leadership table. At minimum, this 
table must include the positions with the following titles or 
equivalent titles: Executive Director, Chief Financial Officer and 
Project Manager. The table also must include a complete list of the 
current Board of Directors. For each position, include name, title, 
phone number and email address. See also Conflicts of Interest section.
    Example 3:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Name                        Title            Phone number                Email address
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thi Nguyen.......................  Executive Director..        111-222-3333  [email protected].
Anisa Osman......................  Chief Financial             111-222-3333  [email protected].
                                    Officer.
Marco Aguilar....................  Project Officer.....        111-222-3333  [email protected].
Angel Banmeke....................  Chair, Board of             111-222-3333  [email protected].
                                    Directors.
Lei Yang.........................  Treasurer, Board of         111-222-3333  [email protected].
                                    Directors.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

External Attachments
    When submitting an attachment in spreadsheet or table format, 
applicants are encouraged to convert to portable document format (PDF) 
prior to submission.Applicants who submit materials in PDF are 
encouraged to submit a native PDF (a machine-readable PDF, not an image 
only or a scanned PDF), if possible.
    34. Applicants may provide required and optional materials as 
attachments, including:
    a. SF-424. (required)
    b. Letter(s) of coordination. (optional)
    c. Position descriptions for up to two key positions may be 
attached. Do not include resumes. (optional)
    d. Priority 1 letter. (required for those applying under priority 
1)
    e. CCM MOU. (required for CCM applicants who are current GPD 
grantees already approved for CCM)
    f. Other. (optional)
Standard Form (SF)
    Provide as an attachment the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
SF-424. The SF-424 must be signed by a person at the applicant 
organization who is authorized to make legal commitments on behalf of 
the organization. The signature on the SF-424 must be digital or must 
be a wet-ink signature. A blank signature field or a ``signature'' that 
is manually typed will not be accepted. VA reserves the right to 
communicate with an applicant, as needed, prior to making threshold 
decisions. A signature on the SF-424 indicates the applicant agrees to 
comply with all SF-424B Non-Construction Assurances and terms and 
conditions of award. Applicants do not need to submit the SF-424B with 
the application. Instead, the applicant agrees to the assurances by 
maintaining an active registration in SAM. Applicants must submit proof 
of SAM registration upon submission of their application and, if 
awarded the grant, applicants should maintain an active SAM account for 
the duration of the grant period as a continuing condition of 
eligibility. For awareness, however, applicants may refer to the GPD 
website for a list of assurances and for a sample standard terms and 
conditions of award.
Certifications
    35. By signing and submitting this application for Federal 
assistance, I agree to the following:
    a. The applicant commits to engaging in the local coordinated entry 
process and the by-name list, as appropriate.
    b. The applicant commits to using HMIS to document GPD grant 
services.
    c. The applicant commits to having written standard operating 
procedures on conflicts of interest (see Conflicts of Interest 
section).
    d. The applicant commits to ensuring staff supported by grant funds 
are trained annually regarding suicide prevention and commits to having 
written standard operating procedures on suicide prevention developed 
in consultation with the local VA medical center.
    e. The applicant commits to ensuring staff supported by grant funds 
are trained annually regarding equity and inclusion and commits to 
having written standard operating procedures on nondiscrimination of 
any individuals based on factors including but not limited to race, 
color, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sex 
characteristics, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, 
disability, age, genetic information, marital status, parental status 
or political affiliation.
    f. The applicant organization commits to complying with all 
applicable requirements for the grant including but not limited to 38 
CFR part 61, 2 CFR part 200, Federal cost principles, terms and 
conditions of award, requirements in the NOFO, performance measures and 
reporting requirements.
    g. The applicant does not have any past due SF-425 Federal 
Financial Report (FFR) or any other outstanding requirement under any 
GPD grant.

B. Scoring

    Applications will be scored according to the number of points 
available for each section as stated in 38 CFR 61.92.

V. Review and Selection Process

A. Application Review

    An applicant must meet the initial threshold review requirements of 
38 CFR 61.92(a). Applications must be submitted on time, in the correct 
format,

[[Page 7550]]

be complete, from an eligible entity and for eligible activities. Not 
meeting these criteria may result in the application being rejected at 
threshold and not being considered for award.
    Applications that meet threshold will be scored. VA may use 
historical program documents of past performance, both VA and non-VA, 
including those from other Federal, State and local agencies as well as 
audits by private or public entities in determining scores. 
Applications will be ranked in score order by funding priority as 
described in 38 CFR 61.94. Applications in priority 1 that receive the 
minimum score to be eligible for selection will be considered in score 
order before applications in priority 2 are considered, etc. VA will 
select up to two case management grants per VA medical facility 
catchment area, in priority and rank order. Additional selections may 
be considered, at VA's discretion, until available funding is 
exhausted. If VA determines that an application was received under the 
wrong priority, VA reserves the right to consider the application 
ineligible. VA also reserves the right to consider such application 
under the correct priority, or under priority three, if the application 
otherwise meets the threshold criteria.
    Reviewers will give consideration to how the application 
demonstrates plans to maximize the case management resource.

B. Application Selection

    The rating and selection process may be found at 38 CFR 61.92-94. 
In case of a discrepancy between information provided by the applicant 
and other information available to VA, VA reserves the right to make 
funding decisions based on all available information or to not select 
an application as described earlier.
    Depending on factors such as the quantity and quality of 
applications received and the availability of funding, VA reserves the 
right to make additional rounds of conditional selections from this 
NOFO to the eligible pool of applicants, to reduce the number of hours 
awarded or to take other actions as appropriate. VA reserves the right 
to negotiate with applicants as needed to accomplish the overall goals 
and objective. Consistent with 2 CFR 200.206(b), VA evaluates risk 
posed by applicants at any time pre-award or post-award. Special 
conditions, adjustments or remedies corresponding to the degree of risk 
may be applied to an award (2 CFR 200.206, 200.208, 200.339). Risk 
evaluations may include but are not limited to an evaluation of the 
applicant's eligibility, the quality of its application, the needs of 
the community, the organization's financial stability, management 
systems and standards, the history of performance, the status of Single 
Audit reports, an ability to effectively implement requirements, the 
status of any VA or other Federal debt and the findings of any VA 
fiscal reviews.
Tie Score
    In the event of a tie score between applications, VA will determine 
at its discretion how to handle selection decisions (for example, 
selecting multiple applications for award, awarding for less than 
requested, or reducing hours). VA will consider the intent of this NOFO 
to fund case managers to assist vulnerable Veterans in retaining their 
permanent housing. VA's discretionary funding decisions are final.
Funding Actions
    VA will provide funding to all eligible applicants in score order 
as described in this NOFO until eligible applications or funding is 
exhausted. Funding is not guaranteed. Conditionally selected applicants 
may be asked to submit additional information. Applicants will be 
notified of the deadline to submit such information. If an applicant is 
unable to meet any conditions for the grant award within the specified 
time, VA may non-select the applicant and may use the funding for 
another applicant(s). VA may negotiate arrangements with conditionally 
selected applicants and will incorporate any changes into the grant 
agreement. Prior to awarding a grant agreement, VA reserves the right 
to make upward or downward adjustments to factors including but not 
limited to hours, FTE positions, services, project period dates or 
dollars amounts, including adjustments that exceed the limits of the 
NOFO, as needed within the intent of this NOFO. Adjustments may be 
based on a variety of factors including the quantity and quality of 
applications, the needs of the community, geographic dispersion, as 
well as the availability of funding.
    VA will consider any information that comes to its attention, 
including information in the designated integrity and performance 
system, in making a judgment about the applicant's integrity, business 
ethics and performance under Federal awards. VA may not make a Federal 
award to an applicant if the applicant has not complied with all 
applicable UEI and SAM requirements. Applicants may refer to 2 CFR part 
200, 2 CFR part 25 and www.sam.gov for more information.
    If an applicant has not fully complied by the time the Federal 
awarding agency is ready to make a Federal award, the Federal awarding 
agency may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a 
Federal award and may use that determination as a basis for making an 
award to another applicant. VA may elect to negotiate an increase to 
another conditionally selected applicant(s), to award additional 
applications, to publish another funding opportunity or to take other 
actions based on factors such as the availability of funds and quality 
of applications. Signature of the grant agreement by the Secretary, or 
designated representative, indicates final selection is completed and 
the grant funds will be obligated for the funding period.

VI. Award Administration Information

A. Award Notice

    Although subject to change, the GPD National Program Office expects 
to announce grant awards around the fourth quarter of FY 2023 (July-
September 2023). The initial announcement will be made through a news 
release which will be posted on the GPD program website at www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp. VA anticipates that the grants will be for a period 
of two years. Continuation funding is not guaranteed. VA reserves the 
right in any year to make adjustments to funding levels, services, 
performance targets, dates or otherwise as needed within the intent of 
the NOFO based on a variety of factors including availability of 
funding and performance.
    GPD will notify both successful and unsuccessful applicants. Only a 
grant agreement with a VA signature is evidence of an award and is an 
authorizing document allowing costs to be incurred against the grant 
award. Other notices, letters or announcements are not authorizing 
documents. Applicants may incur eligible project costs up to 90 
calendar days before the start of the award without written prior 
approval (2 CFR 200.308(e)(1)). Any costs incurred before VA makes the 
award are at the applicant's risk. VA is not required to reimburse such 
costs if for any reason the applicant does not receive a Federal award, 
if the costs are determined to be unallowable or if the Federal award 
is less than anticipated or inadequate to cover such costs (see also 2 
CFR 200.458).
    The grant agreement includes terms and conditions of award. Sample 
terms and conditions are available on the GPD website at https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp, including

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requirements such as prohibition on covered telecommunications and 
video surveillance services or equipment (2 CFR 200.216), debarment and 
suspension (2 CFR part 180), as well as integrity and performance 
reporting (2 CFR part 200 appendix XII).
    The applicant's signature on the SF-424, including electronic 
signature, constitutes a binding offer by the applicant and constitutes 
agreement to the terms and conditions. VA may elect to award funds with 
or without discussions with the applicant. Applicants may review GPD's 
general terms and conditions of award at any time on the GPD website at 
https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp.
    VA may obligate funding for the entire grant period at the time of 
award or may provide funding in annual increments. Conditionally 
selected applicants will be informed by way of the grant agreement. 
Monthly reimbursements will be issued to grantees based on costs 
incurred. Awards under this NOFO are dependent on funding availability 
and program authorization. Future years may be impacted by factors such 
as carry forward amounts, performance, caseloads, risk assessment or 
organizational financial stability and management standards. At any 
time during the grant, VA reserves the right to make upward or downward 
adjustments to factors including but not limited to FTE positions, 
services, project period dates or dollar amounts including adjustments 
that exceed the limits stated in this NOFO as appropriate to accomplish 
the overall goals and objective.

B. Administrative and National Policy

    VA places great emphasis on responsibility and accountability. VA 
has procedures in place to monitor grants provided under this NOFO. 
Federal funding must be expended, and grant projects must be 
implemented, in full accordance with the U.S. Constitution, Federal law 
and public policy requirements, including, but not limited to, those 
protecting free speech, religious liberty, public welfare, the 
environment and prohibiting discrimination (2 CFR 200.300(a)).
    Grantees are responsible for complying with all requirements of the 
Federal award. For all Federal awards this includes the provisions of 
the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act, which includes 
requirements on executive compensation, and other requirements found at 
2 CFR parts 25 and 170. Grantees and their employees also are subject 
to the whistleblower rights and remedies established in 41 U.S.C. 4712.
Conflicts of Interest
    Consistent with 2 CFR 200.112, grantees must disclose in writing 
any potential conflict of interest to the Federal awarding agency or 
pass-through entity immediately and no less frequently than annually 
thereafter.
    The conflict-of-interest guidance for general procurement standards 
(2 CFR 200.318) will be applied to other grant actions beyond 
procurement actions. Specifically, grantees must maintain written 
standards of conduct covering conflicts of interest and governing the 
actions of its employees or other personnel engaged in activities 
funded from the GPD grant, such as the selection, award and 
administration of a contract supported by a Federal grant, if they have 
a real or apparent conflict of interest. Such a conflict of interest 
would arise when the employee, officer, agent, any member of the 
immediate family, a partner or an organization which employs or is 
about to employ any of the parties indicated herein, has a financial or 
other interest in or a tangible personal benefit from a firm considered 
for a contract. The officers, employees and agents of the grantee 
organization may neither solicit nor accept gratuities, favors or 
anything of monetary value from contractors or parties to subcontracts. 
However, grantees may set standards for situations in which the 
financial interest is not substantial, or the gift is an unsolicited 
item of nominal value. The standards of conduct must provide for 
disciplinary actions to be applied for violations of such standards.
Suicide Prevention
    Grantees must ensure staff supported by grant funds are trained 
annually regarding suicide prevention and how to address situations in 
which Veterans demonstrate suicidal ideation. Standard operating 
procedures are to be developed on suicide prevention in consultation 
with your local VA medical facility. VA training is available at 
https://www.va.gov/EMPLOYEEEDUCATION/ees_vha_train.asp. Suicide 
Prevention Coordinator (for in-person training) locator is available at 
https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/local-resources.
Equity and Inclusion
    Grantees must ensure staff supported by grant funds are trained 
annually regarding equity and inclusion. Standard operating procedures 
are to be developed on nondiscrimination of any individuals based on 
factors including but not limited to race, color, religion, sex, gender 
identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, 
pregnancy, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, 
marital status, parental status or political affiliation. VA training 
is available at https://www.va.gov/EMPLOYEEEDUCATION/ees_vha_train.asp.

C. Payment

    1. Under this NOFO, VA will make payments in a method consistent 
with VA policy and other Federal fiscal requirements. Payments are only 
for allowable costs, as specified under OMB cost principles for grants, 
for the activities outlined in this NOFO. All payment specifics will be 
given to the grantee at the time of award. Grantees are subject to 
requirements of this NOFO, 2 CFR part 200, 38 CFR part 61 and other 
Federal grant requirements. A full copy of the regulations governing 
the GPD program is available at the GPD website at www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp. Grantees are required to maintain internal records supporting 
their request for payments with adequate fiscal documentation, 
including caseload, program income and expenses. GPD reserves the right 
to review grantee's documentation as needed.
    2. Grantees will receive payments electronically through the U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Payment Management 
System. Grantees will have the ability to request payments as 
frequently as they choose subject to the following limitations:
    a. During the first quarter of each annual budget period, the 
grantee's cumulative requests for funds may not exceed 35% of the 
annual grant award amount without written prior approval by VA.
    b. By the end of the second quarter of each annual budget period, 
the grantee's cumulative requests for funds may not exceed 60% of the 
annual grant award amount without written prior approval by VA.
    c. By the end of the third quarter of each annual budget period, 
the grantee's cumulative requests for funds may not exceed 80% of the 
annual grant award amount without written prior approval by VA.
    d. By the end of the fourth quarter of each annual budget period, 
the grantee's cumulative requests for funds may not exceed 100% of the 
annual grant award.
    3. If applicable, grantees with unobligated balances may, with 
approval from the GPD National Program Office, carry forward such 
unobligated balances. If applicable, at

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VA's discretion, a future budget period amount may be subject to 
reductions. Reductions are permanent and not restorable. Reductions 
will be calculated based on the amount of the unobligated balance shown 
in the HHS Payment Management System by the third quarter of each year. 
VA may calculate reductions with or without input from grantees. 
Grantees are advised to stay current with reimbursements from the 
payment system in order to avoid the appearance of inaccurately high 
unobligated balances.
    4. VA will make payments to reimburse amounts expended (38 CFR 
61.61(b)). Advance payments are not provided to GPD grantees. Grantees 
must maintain written procedures to minimize the time elapsing between 
drawing down funds from the Federal government and disbursing the funds 
for grant costs. Also, grantees must maintain financial management 
systems that meet the standards for fund control and accountability as 
established in 2 CFR 200.305. Payments drawn must be limited to the 
minimum amounts needed and be timed in accordance with actual and 
immediate cash requirements of the grantee in carrying out the purpose 
of the approved project. The timing and amount of payments must be as 
close as is administratively feasible to the actual disbursements by 
the grantee for direct project costs and the proportionate share of any 
allowable indirect costs. Typically, ``immediate'' means within three 
business days, as articulated by HHS: https://pms.psc.gov/grant-recipients/funding-request-formula.html.
    5. Per-item cost documentation:
    a. At any time, including prior to payment, VA reserves the right 
to request documentation for any item of cost.
    b. Grantees are advised to keep careful records, including 
documentation of cost calculations, such as itemized invoices, and of 
cost reasonableness.
    c. Grantees are advised to keep documentation of having secured any 
voluntary leveraged funding from other sources if applicable.

D. Program Evaluation

    1. Grantees will participate in VA's national project monitoring 
and evaluation to determine successful outcomes. Each grantee's 
performance will be measured against established performance targets. 
For the targets associated with each metric, refer to the Required 
Minimum Performance Targets/Metrics section of the NOFO.
    2. Grantees that do not meet the performance measures or who 
otherwise perform or appear to perform less than satisfactorily (for 
example, as a result of a risk assessment or due to information 
regarding the organization's financial stability or management 
standards) may be subject to additional conditions of award. Additional 
conditions may include but are not limited to increased reporting or 
monitoring, reductions, withholding, suspension, termination or other 
remedies for non-compliance at VA's discretion.
    3. VA reserves the right to add, remove or change, at any time 
prior to or during the award period the performance measures, targets, 
number of FTE positions, hours, services, caseload requirements, grant 
payment amounts, payment schedule or other grant requirements.
    4. VA's overall performance for all grants funded from this NOFO 
will be measured against the same criteria and targets used for each 
grant.

E. Monitoring and Reporting

1. Monitoring
    a. Grantees will work with a GPD liaison from a nearby VA medical 
facility who will provide oversight and monitoring.
    b. The maximum length of time the Veteran is expected to be in the 
project is 6 months (excluding housing navigation). Grantees will 
consult with the liaison prior to the end of the 6-month period if 
considering an extension in exceptional cases. The liaison may consider 
approving extensions of up to six additional months at a time.
    c. Grantees may not make significant changes to a project after a 
grant is awarded without prior approval from the GPD National Program 
Office.
    d. Grantees may request prior written approval from GPD to 
participate in the CCM collaboration during the grant project period. 
Interested grantees must submit a change of scope request. (CCM 
information is available on the GPD provider website at https://
www.va.gov/HOMELESS/GPD_ProviderWebsite.asp.) Grantees who were already 
approved for CCM under a previous GPD case management grant, and who 
demonstrated an intent to continue CCM in the FY 2024 application, do 
not need to request written prior approval through the change of scope 
process. Other grantees who proposed CCM participation in the FY 2024 
application or who wish to propose participation after award, must 
receive prior written approval from the GPD National Program Office.
    e. VA reserves the right to disallow costs for services provided by 
the grantee if VA determines that they are of unacceptable quality in 
which case grant funds may not be used to pay for them.
    f. Grantees are responsible for monitoring and managing their 
subrecipients if applicable (2 CFR 200.331-333).
    g. All grantees are subject to fiscal reviews and audits conducted 
by VA or its representative.
    h. Monitoring may include a review of the agency's income and 
expenses as they relate to this project to ensure payment is accurate 
and to ensure compliance with program requirements.
2. Reporting
    a. Performance reporting:
    i. Monthly HMIS reports: Grantees will enter data into HMIS, such 
as information on participants served, types of services provided and 
participant outcomes. Client-level data for activities funded under 
this grant must be exported and provided to VA monthly.
    ii. Quarterly reviews: Quarterly reviews will be conducted by VA of 
each grantee. At minimum, grantees will provide information on their 
performance and their progress helping Veterans maintain housing 
stability, adequate income support and self-sufficiency as identified 
in the application. Grantees also may be required to provide 
information on financial and management activities to ensure compliance 
with Federal and VA requirements. The grantee will be expected to 
demonstrate adherence to the proposed project concept, as described in 
the application, as well as requirements defined by the regulations and 
this NOFO.
    b. Financial reporting:
    i. Quarterly GPD Case Management Requirement: The quarterly 
requirement is a financial report that is required to be submitted 30 
days after the end of each FY quarter via the online electronic grants 
management system (eGMS). Instructions are on the GPD provider website 
at https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/GPD_ProviderWebsite.asp.
    ii. Annual SF-425 FFR: An annual FFR is required to be submitted no 
later than 120 days of the end of each grant year (no later than 
January 31). Grantees who do not submit on time are subject to being 
withheld from receiving payments temporarily pending receipt of the 
report. An FFR form is available on the GPD provider website at https:/
/www.va.gov/HOMELESS/GPD_ProviderWebsite.asp or on www.grants.gov. 
Instructions for submission also are on the GPD provider website.

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    c. Option year reporting: For any multi-year grants funded in 
annual increments, grantees will be given instructions about any annual 
reporting requirements prior to each option year. Annual reporting may 
include, but is not limited to:
    i. A list of your organization's leadership, such as Board of 
Directors and Executive Officers, is updated in eGMS annually.
    ii. An updated NICRA or de minimis certification is attached in 
eGMS annually (if needed).
    iii. Your organization's SAM.gov registration is updated annually.
    iv. Any conflicts of Interest are disclosed to GPD annually.
    v. Training for staff regarding suicide prevention is provided 
annually.
    vi. Training for staff regarding equity and inclusion is provided 
annually.
    vii. Any required SF-425 FFRs have been submitted to VA for all GPD 
grants.
    viii. Your organization is up to date on any actions required by an 
A-133 Single Audit or a VA-specific fiscal review (e.g., a fiscal 
review of GPD or SSVF grants conducted by VA's Office of Business 
Oversight).
    ix. Your organization does not have an outstanding GPD, VA or 
Federal debt.
    x. Your organization continues to meet the management standards 
described in 2 CFR part 200 and 38 CFR part 61 and continues to be able 
to effectively implement statutory, regulatory and other requirements 
imposed on grantees (per requirements such as 2 CFR 200.206(b)(2)).
3. Closeout
    a. A final SF-425 FFR is due within 120 days of the grant end date. 
Grantees who do not comply are subject to public reporting for material 
failure to comply with the terms of the award on the Federal websites, 
FAPIIS and SAM (per 2 CFR 200.344).
    b. Grantees must promptly refund any balances of unobligated 
funding that are not authorized to be retained. Any funds paid to the 
grantee in excess of the amount to which the grantee is finally 
determined to be entitled under the terms of the Federal award 
constitute a debt to the Federal Government (2 CFR 200.346).
    c. Refer to the terms and conditions of the grant agreement for 
other closeout requirements and ongoing requirements after closeout, to 
include audits and records retention. Applicants may refer to the GPD 
website for a sample of the standard terms and conditions of award.

Signing Authority

    Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, approved this 
document on January 27, 2023, 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.

Luvenia Potts,
Regulation Development Coordinator, Office of Regulation Policy & 
Management, Office of the Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2023-02341 Filed 2-2-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P