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HVRP Grant Info FEDERAL AGENCY: U.S.
Department of Labor, Veterans’ Employment and Training Service FUNDING
OPPORTUNITY: Non-Urban Homeless Veterans’
Reintegration Program (HVRP) Grants for Program Year (PY) 2004 ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Initial
Solicitation for Grant Applications (SGA) FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
NUMBER: SGA 04-04 CATALOGUE OF FEDERAL
DOMESTIC
ASSISTANCE #: 17-805 DATE(S): Applications
are due on May 13th, 2004. Period
of Performance is PY 2004, July 1, 2004 through
June 30, 2005.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (Applicants For Grant Funds Should Read This
Notice In Its Entirety): The U.S. Department of Labor
(USDOL), Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS), announces a grant
competition that complies with the requirements of 38 U.S.C. Section 2021, as
added by Section 5 of Public Law 107-95, the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive
Assistance Act of 2001 (HVCAA). Section
2021 requires the Secretary of Labor to conduct, directly or through grant or
contract, such programs as the Secretary determines appropriate to expedite the
reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor force. The Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration
Program (HVRP) grants are designated in three (3) award categories: urban,
non-urban, and intermediaries. Separate
Solicitations for Grant Applications (SGAs) are being issued for each grant
category. This is the solicitation for
“Non-Urban HVRP grants.” Previous HVRP grants have provided valuable
information on approaches and techniques that work in the different
environments. The only jurisdictions that are eligible
to be served through this non-urban competition
for HVRPs are the metropolitan areas outside
of the 75 U.S. cities largest in population and the city of San Juan, Puerto
Rico (see Appendix I). HVRP grants are
intended to address two objectives: (1) to provide services to assist in
reintegrating homeless veterans into meaningful employment within the labor
force, and (2) to stimulate the development of effective service delivery
systems that will address the complex problems facing homeless veterans. Successful applicants will design programs
that assist eligible veterans by providing job placement services, job
training, counseling, supportive services, and other assistance to expedite the
reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor force. Successful programs will also be designed to
be flexible in addressing the universal as well as the local or regional
problems that have had a negative impact on homeless veterans reentering the
workforce. Under
this solicitation covering Fiscal Year (FY) 2004, VETS anticipates that up to $1,600,000 will be
available for grant awards up to a maximum of $200,000
for each grant award. VETS expects to
award approximately eight (8) grants. This notice contains all of the necessary
information and forms to apply for grant funding. The period of performance for these PY 2004 grants will be July
1, 2004 through June 30, 2005. Two (2)
optional years of funding may be available, depending upon Congressional
funding appropriations, the agency’s decision to exercise the optional year(s)
of funding, and satisfactory grantee performance. I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION: The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL),
Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS), announces a grant competition
that complies with the requirements of 38 U.S.C. Section 2021, as added by
Section 5 of Public Law 107-95, the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance
Act of 2001 (HVCAA). Section 2021
requires the Secretary of Labor to conduct, directly or through grant or
contract, such programs as the Secretary determines appropriate to provide job
training, counseling, and placement services (including job readiness, literacy
training, and skills training) to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans
into the labor force. 1.
Program
Concept and Emphasis: HVRP grants are intended to address two
objectives: (a) to provide services to assist in reintegrating homeless
veterans into meaningful employment within the labor force, and (b) to
stimulate the development of effective service delivery systems that will
address the complex problems facing homeless veterans. For this Fiscal Year (FY) 2004 grant solicitation, VETS
seeks applicants that will provide direct services through a case management
approach that networks with Federal, State, and local resources for veteran
support programs. Successful applicants
will have clear strategies for employment and retention of employment for
homeless veterans. Successful
applicants will design programs that assist eligible veterans by providing job
placement services, job training, counseling, supportive services, and other
assistance to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor
force. Successful applicants will also
design programs that are flexible in addressing the universal as well as the
local or regional problems that have had a negative impact on homeless veterans
reentering the workforce. The HVRP in
PY 2004 will seek to continue to strengthen development of effective service
delivery systems, to provide comprehensive services through a case management
approach that address complex problems facing eligible veterans trying to
transition into gainful employment, and to improve strategies for employment
and retention in employment. The only jurisdictions eligible to be served through this Non-Urban HVRP competition in PY 2004 are the
metropolitan areas outside of the 75 U.S.
cities largest in population and the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico (See
Appendix I). 2.
Community Awareness Activities: In order to promote networking between the HVRP funded
program and local service providers (and thereby eliminate gaps or duplication
in services and enhance the provision of assistance to participants), the
grantee must provide project orientation workshops and/or program awareness
activities that it determines are the most feasible for the types of providers
listed below. Grantees are encouraged to demonstrate strategies for
incorporating small faith-based and community organizations (defined as organizations
with social services budgets of approximately $300,000 or seven (7) or fewer
full-time employees) into their outreach plans. Project orientation workshops conducted by grantees have been an
effective means of sharing information and informing the community of the
availability of other services; they are encouraged but not mandatory. Rather, grantees will have the flexibility
to attend service provider meetings, seminars, and conferences, to outstation
staff, and to develop individual service contracts as well as to involve other
agencies in program planning. The grantee will be responsible for
providing project awareness, program information, and orientation activities to
the following: A. Direct providers
of services to homeless veterans including shelter and soup kitchen operators:
to make them aware of the services available to homeless veterans to make them
job-ready and to aid their placement into jobs. B.
Federal, State, and local entitlement and social service agencies such as the Social
Security Administration (SSA), Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), State
Workforce Agencies (SWAs) and their local One-Stop Centers (which integrate
Workforce Investment Act, labor exchange, and other employment and social
services), mental health services, and healthcare detoxification facilities: to
familiarize them with the nature and needs of homeless veterans. C. Civic and private sector groups, in particular Veterans’
Service Organizations, support groups, job training and employment services,
and community-based organizations (including faith-based organizations): to
provide information on homeless veterans and their needs. The grantee will also be
responsible for participating in “Stand Down” events. A “Stand Down”
is an event held in a locality, usually for three (3) days, where services are
provided to homeless veterans along with shelter, meals, clothing, employment
services, and medical attention. This
type of event is mostly a volunteer effort, which is organized within a
community and brings service providers together such as the Department of
Veterans Affairs (DVA), Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program Specialists (DVOPs)
and Local Veterans’ Employment Representatives (LVERs) from the State Workforce
Agencies, Veteran Service Organizations, military personnel, civic leaders, and
a variety of other interested persons, groups, and organizations. Many services are provided on-site with
referrals also made for continued assistance after the Stand Down event. These events can often be the catalyst that
enables homeless veterans to get back into mainstream society. The Department of Labor has supported
replication of these events and many have been held throughout the nation. In areas where an HVRP is operating,
grantees are expected and encouraged to participate fully and offer their
services for all locally planned Stand Down event(s).
Toward this end, up to $5,000 of the currently requested HVRP grant
funds may be used to supplement the Stand Down efforts, where funds are not
otherwise available, and may be requested in the budget and explained in the
budget narrative. 3. Scope of Program Design: The project
design must include the following services: A. Outreach, intake,
assessment, peer counseling to the degree practical, employment services, and
follow-up support services to enhance retention in employment. Program staff providing outreach services
should have experience in dealing with, and an understanding of the needs of,
homeless veterans. B.
Provision of or referral to employment services such as: job search
workshops, job counseling, assessment of skills, resume writing techniques,
interviewing skills, subsidized trial employment (work experience), job
development services, job placement into unsubsidized employment, job placement
follow-up services to enhance retention in employment. C.
Provision of or referral to training services such as: basic skills instruction, remedial education
activities, life skills and money management training, on-the-job training, classroom
training, vocational training, specialized and/or licensing training programs,
and other formal training programs as deemed appropriate to benefit the
participant. At least 80% of the
enrolled HVRP participants must participate in training activities. D.
Grantees will perform a preliminary
assessment of each participant’s eligibility for
Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) service-connected disability,
compensation, and/or pension benefits.
As appropriate,
grantees will work with the Veterans Service
Organizations or refer the participants to DVA in order to
file a claim for compensation or pension.
Grantees will track progress of claims and report outcomes in case
management records. E. Coordination with
veterans’ services programs, including:
Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program Specialists (DVOPs), Local Veterans’
Employment Representatives (LVERs) in the State Workforce Agencies (SWAs) or in
the workforce development system’s One-Stop Centers, as well as Veterans’
Workforce Investment Programs (VWIPs), Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA)
services, including its Health Care for Homeless Veterans, Domiciliary Care,
Regional Benefits Assistance Program, and Transitional Housing under Homeless
Provider Grant and per diem programs. F. Networking with
Veterans’ Service Organizations such as:
The American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign
Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, the American Veterans (AMVETS). G. Referral as
necessary to health care, counseling, and rehabilitative services including,
but not limited to: alcohol and drug
rehabilitation, therapeutic services, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
services, mental health services, as well as coordination with McKinney
Homeless Assistance Act (MHAA) Title VI programs for health care for the
homeless, and health care programs under the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive
Assistance Act of 2001. H.
Referral to housing assistance, as appropriate, provided by: local
shelters, Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) food and shelter
programs, transitional housing programs and single room occupancy housing
programs funded under MHAA Title IV (and under HVCAA), and permanent housing
programs for disabled homeless persons funded under MHAA Title IV (and under
HVCAA). 4. Results-Oriented Model: No specific model is mandatory, but the applicant
must design a program that is responsive to the needs of the local community
and achieves the HVRP objectives. The
HVRP objectives are to successfully reintegrate homeless veterans into the
workforce and to stimulate the development of effective service delivery
systems that will address the complex problems facing homeless veterans. Under the Government Performance and
Results Act (GPRA), Congress and the public are looking for program results
rather than program processes. The outcome measurement
established for HVRP grants is for grantees to meet a minimum entered employment rate of 58%, determined by dividing the number of entered employments by the
number of HVRP enrollments. (Actual
performance outcomes will be reported quarterly in spreadsheet format to be
provided to grantees at the post award conference.) While the percentage of HVRP enrollments that entered employment
is an important outcome, it is also necessary to evaluate and measure the
program long-term results, through the 90-day and 180-day follow-up period, to
determine the quality and success of the program. The applicant’s program
should be based on a results-oriented model.
The first phase of activity should consist of the level of outreach
necessary to introduce the program to eligible homeless veterans. Outreach also includes establishing contact
with other agencies that encounter homeless veterans. Once the eligible homeless veterans have been identified, an
assessment must be made of each individual’s abilities, interests, needs, and
barriers to employment. In some cases,
homeless veterans may require referrals to services such as rehabilitation, drug
or alcohol treatment, or a temporary shelter before they can be enrolled into
HVRP. Once the eligible homeless veteran is “stabilized,” the assessment must
concentrate on the employability of the individual and whether the individual
is to be enrolled into the HVRP program. A determination should be made as to
whether the individual would benefit from pre-employment preparation such as
resume writing, job search workshops, related counseling, and case management,
or possibly an initial entry into the job market through temporary jobs. Additionally, sheltered work environments,
classroom training and/or on-the-job training must be evaluated. Such services should be noted in an
Employability Development Plan to facilitate the staff’s successful monitoring
of the plan. Entry into full-time employment
or a specific job-training program should follow, in keeping with the overall
objective of HVRP, to bring the participant closer to self-sufficiency. Supportive services may assist the HVRP
enrolled participant at this point or even earlier. Job development, a crucial
part of the employability process, is usually when there are no competitive job
openings that the HVRP enrolled participant is qualified to apply for,
therefore, a job opportunity is created or developed specifically for that HVRP
enrolled participant with an employer.
HVRP enrolled participants who are ready to enter employment and/or who
are in need of intensive case management services are to be referred to the
DVOP and LVER staff at a One-Stop Center.
DVOP and LVER staff are able to provide HVRP enrolled participants the
following services: job development, employment services, case management and
career counseling. Most DVOP and
LVER staff received training in case management at the National Veterans’
Training Institute. All DVOP and LVER
staff provide employment related services to veterans who are most at a
disadvantage in the labor market. VETS’
urges working hand-in-hand with DVOP/LVER staff to achieve economies of
resources. The applicant’s program must include tracking of program
participants. Tracking should begin
with the referral to employment and continue through the 90-day and 180-day
follow-up periods after entering employment to determine whether the veteran is
in the same or similar job. It is
important that the grantee maintain contact with veterans after placement to
ensure that employment-related problems are addressed. The 90-day and 180-day follow-ups are
fundamental to assessing program results.
Grantees need to budget for 90-day and 180-day follow-up activity so
that it can be performed for those HVRP enrolled participants placed at or near
the end of the grant performance period.
All grantees, prior to the end of the grant performance period, must
obligate sufficient funds to ensure that follow-up activities are
completed. Such results will be
reported in the final technical performance report. II. AWARD INFORMATION: 1.
Type of Funding Instrument: One
(1) year grant. 2. Funding Levels:
The total funding available for this Non-Urban
HVRP solicitation is up to $1,600,000. It is anticipated that approximately eight (8) awards will be made under this
solicitation. Awards are expected to
range from $100,000 to a maximum of $200,000. The Department of Labor reserves the right to
negotiate the amounts to be awarded under this competition. Please be advised that requests exceeding $200,000 will be considered non-responsive. 3. Period of Performance: The
period of performance will be for twelve (12) months from date of award unless
modified by the Grant Officer. It is
expected that successful applicants will begin program operations under this
solicitation on July 1, 2004. All program
funds must be obligated by June 30, 2005; a limited amount of funds may be
obligated and reserved for follow-up activities and closeout. 4. Optional Year Funding: Should
Congress appropriate additional funds for this purpose, VETS may consider an optional
two (2) years of funding. The
Government does not, however, guarantee optional year funding for any grantee. In deciding whether to exercise any optional
year(s) of funding, VETS will consider grantee performance during the previous
period of operations as follows: A.
The grantee must meet, at minimum, 85% of planned goals for Federal
expenditures, enrollments, and placements into employment in each quarter
and/or at least 85% of planned cumulative goals by the end of the third quarter;
and B. The grantee must be in compliance with
all terms identified in the Solicitation for Grant Application (SGA) and grant
award document; and C. All program and fiscal reports must
have been submitted by the established due dates and must be verifiable for
accuracy. III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION: 1. Eligible Applicants: Applications for funds will be accepted from
State and local Workforce Investment Boards, local public agencies,
for-profit/commercial entities, and nonprofit organizations, including
faith-based and community organizations.
Applicants must have a familiarity with the area and population to be
served and the ability to administer an effective and timely program. Eligible
applicants will generally fall into one of the following categories:
· State and local Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs), established under Sections 111 and 117 of the Workforce Investment Act. · Public agencies, meaning any public agency of a State or of a general purpose political subdivision of a State that has the power to levy taxes and spend funds, as well as general corporate and police powers. (This typically refers to cities and counties.) A State agency may propose in its application to serve one or more of the potential jurisdictions located in its State. This does not preclude a city or county agency from submitting an application to serve its own jurisdiction. · For-profit/commercial entities. · Nonprofit organizations. If claiming 501(c)(3) status, the Internal Revenue Service statement indicating 501(c)(3) status approval must be submitted. Note: Qualifying
applications from grantees in the below listed States that are not currently
receiving HVRP funds (and are not listed on Appendix I) may receive
priority funding over applicants in those States that are currently receiving
HVRP funds: Alaska, Idaho, Montana,
North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming. 2. Cost
Sharing: Cost sharing and/or matching funds are not
required. However, we do encourage the
use of sharing and/or matching funds. 3.
Other Eligibility Criteria: A.
This SGA is for Non-Urban HVRP
grants. Separate SGAs for urban and
intermediaries HVRP grants have been simultaneously issued. B. The proposal must include an outreach component that uses
either DVOP/LVER staff or a trained outreach cadre. Programs must be “employment focused.” The services provided must be directed toward: (1) increasing the employability of homeless
veterans through training or arranging for the provision of services that will
enable them to work; and (2) matching homeless veterans with potential
employers. C. Applicants are
encouraged to utilize, through partnerships or sub-awards, experienced public
agencies, private nonprofit organizations, private businesses, faith-based and
community organizations, and colleges and universities (especially those with
traditionally high enrollments of minorities) that have an understanding of
unemployment and the barriers to employment unique to homeless veterans, a
familiarity with the area to be served, and the capability to effectively
provide the necessary services. D. To be eligible for participation under
this grant an individual must be homeless and a veteran defined as
follows: · The term “homeless or homeless individual” includes persons who 1ack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. It also includes persons whose primary nighttime residence is either a supervised public or private shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations; an institution that provides a temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized; or a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings. [42 U.S.C. 11302 (a)]. · The term “veteran” means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. [38 U.S.C. 101(2)] IV. APPLICATION
AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION:
1. Address to Request an Application and Amendments: Application
announcements or forms will not be mailed.
The Federal Register may be obtained from your nearest government office
or library. Additional application
packages may be obtained from the VETS website at http://www.dol.gov/vets and at http://www.fedgrants.gov/. The application forms and their
instructions, and other pertinent materials are included in the
Appendices. If copies of the standard
forms are needed, they can also be downloaded from http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/grants_forms.html To receive amendments to this
Solicitation, all applicants must register their name and address in writing
with the Grant Officer at the following address: U.S. Department of Labor Procurement Services Center Attn: Cassandra Mitchell, Reference SGA 04-04 200 Constitution Avenue, NW,
Room N-5416 Washington, DC 20210 Phone Number: (202) 693-4570
(not a toll free number) 2. Content and
Form of Application: The grant application must
consist of three (3) separate and distinct sections: the Executive Summary, the
Technical Proposal, and the Cost Proposal.
The information provided in these three (3) sections is essential to
gain an understanding of the programmatic and fiscal contents of the grant proposal. A complete grant application package must
include:
· An original blue ink-signed and two (2) copies of the cover letter. · An original and two (2) copies of the Executive Summary (see below). · An original and two (2) copies of the Technical Proposal (see below) that includes a completed Technical Performance Goals Form (Appendix D). · An original and two (2) copies of the Cost Proposal (see below) that includes an original blue ink-signed Application for Federal Assistance, SF-424 (Appendix A), a Budget Narrative, Budget Information Sheet SF-424A (Appendix B), an original blue ink-signed and Assurances and Certifications Signature Page (Appendix C), Direct Cost Description for Applicants and Sub-applicants (Appendix E), and a completed Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants (Appendix F). A. Section 1
– Executive Summary: A one to two
page “Executive Summary” reflecting the grantees overall strategy, timeline,
and outcomes to be achieved in their grant proposal is required. This executive summary does not count against the 15-page limit. The executive summary should include: ·
The proposed
area to be served through the activities of this grant. ·
Years of
grantee's service to the residents in the proposed area to be served. ·
Projects and
activities that will expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the
workforce. ·
Summary of
outcomes, benefits, and value added by the project. B. Section 2 – The Technical
Proposal consists of a
narrative proposal that demonstrates the need for this particular grant
program, the services and activities proposed to obtain successful outcomes for
the homeless veterans to be served; and the applicant’s ability to accomplish
the expected outcomes of the proposed project design. The technical proposal narrative must not
exceed fifteen (15) pages double-spaced, font size no less than 11 pt., and typewritten on one (1) side of
the paper only. Note: Resumes, charts, standard forms,
transmittal letters, Memorandums of Understanding, agreements, lists of
contracts and grants, and letters of support are not included in the page
count. If provided, include these
documents as attachments to the technical proposal. Required
Content: There are program activities that all
applications must contain to be found technically acceptable under this
SGA. Programs must be “employment
focused” and must be responsive to the rating criteria in Section V(1). The required activities are:
outreach, pre-enrollment assessments, employment development plans for all
clients, case management, job placement and job retention follow-up (at 90 and
180 days) after individual enters employment, utilization/coordination of
services with DVOP and LVER staff, and community linkages with other programs
and services that provide support to homeless veterans. The following format for the technical proposal
is recommended:
Need for the program: The applicant must identify the
geographical area to be served and provide an estimate of the number of
homeless veterans in the designated geographical area. Include poverty and unemployment rates in
the area and identify the disparities in the local community infrastructure
that exacerbate the employment barriers faced by the targeted veterans. Include labor market information and job
opportunities in the employment fields and industries that are in demand in the
geographical area to be served. Approach or strategy to increase
employment and job retention: Applicants must be responsive to the Rating
Criteria contained in Section V(1) and address all of the rating factors as
thoroughly as possible in the narrative.
The applicant must:
· Describe the specific supportive employment and training services to be provided under this grant and the sequence or flow of such services; · Indicate the type(s) of training that will be provided and how it relates to the jobs that are in demand, length of training, training curriculum, and how the training will improve the eligible veterans’ employment opportunities within that geographical area; · Provide a follow-up plan that addresses retention after 90 and 180 days with participants who have entered employment; · Include the completed Planned Quarterly Technical Performance Goals (and planned expenditures) form listed in Appendix D. Linkages with facilities that serve
homeless veterans: Describe program and resource linkages with
other facilities that will be involved in identifying potential clients for
this program. Describe any networks
with other related resources and/or other programs that serve homeless veterans. Indicate how the program will be coordinated
with any efforts that are conducted by public and private agencies in the
community. If a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) or other service agreement with service providers exists,
copies should be provided. Linkages with other providers of employment
and training services to homeless veterans: Describe the networks the program will have with other
providers of services to homeless veterans; include a description of the
relationship with other employment and training programs such as Disabled Veterans’
Outreach Program (DVOP), the Local Veterans’ Employment Representative (LVER)
program, and programs under the Workforce Investment Act such as the Veterans’
Workforce Investment Program (VWIP); and list the type of services that will be
provided by each. Note the type of
agreement in place, if applicable.
Linkages with the workforce development system must be delineated. Describe any networks with any other
resources and/or other programs for homeless veterans. Indicate how the program will be coordinated
with any efforts for the homeless that are conducted by agencies in the
community. Indicate how the applicant
will coordinate with any “continuum of care” efforts for the homeless among
agencies in the community. If a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or other service agreements with other
service providers exists, copies should be provided. Linkages with other Federal agencies: Describe program and resource linkages
with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS), and Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) including
the Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) and per diem programs. If
a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or other service agreements with other
service providers exists, copies should be provided. Proposed supportive service strategy for
veterans: Describe how
supportive service resources for veterans will be obtained and used. If resources are provided by other sources
or linkages, such as Federal, State, local, or faith-based and community
programs, the applicant must fully explain the use of these resources and how
they will be applied. If a Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) or other service agreements with other service providers
exists, copies should be provided. Organizational capability to provide
required program activities: The applicant’s relevant current or prior
experience in operating employment and training programs should be clearly
described. A summary narrative of
program experience and employment and training performance outcomes is
required. The applicant should
provide information showing outcomes of all past employment and training
programs in terms of enrollments and placements. An applicant that has operated a HVRP, other Homeless Employment
and Training program, or VWIP program must include the final or most recent
technical performance reports. The
applicant must also provide evidence of key staff capability. It is preferred that the grantee be well
established and not in the start-up phase or process. Proposed housing strategy for homeless
veterans: Describe how
housing resources for eligible homeless veterans will be obtained or
accessed. These resources must be from
linkages or sources other than the HVRP grant such as HUD, HHS, community housing
resources, DVA leasing, or other programs. C. Section 3 – The
Cost Proposal must contain the following: (1) Standard Form SF-424, “Application for Federal
Assistance” (with the original signed in blue-ink) (Appendix A) must be
completed; The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number for this
program is 17.805 and it must be entered on the SF-424, in Block 10. The organizational unit section of Block 5 of the SF-424
must contain the Dun and Bradstreet Number (DUNS) of the applicant. Beginning October 1, 2003, all applicants
for Federal grant funding opportunities are required to include a DUNS number
with their application. See OMB
Notice of Final Policy Issuance, 68 Federal Register 38402 (June 27,
2003). Applicants’ DUNS number should
be entered into Block 5 of SF-424. The
DUNS number is a nine-digit identification number that uniquely identifies
business entities. There is no charge
for obtaining a DUNS number. To obtain
a DUNS number call 1-866-705-5711 or access the following website: http://www.dunandbradstreet.com/ Requests for exemption from the DUNS number requirement must
be made to the Office of Management and Budget. (2) Standard Form SF-424A “Budget Information Sheet” (Appendix
B) must be included; (3) As an attachment to SF-424A, the applicant must provide
a detailed cost breakout of each line item on the Budget Information
Sheet. Please label this page or pages
the “Budget Narrative” and ensure that costs reported on the SF- 424A
correspond accurately with the Budget Narrative; The Budget Narrative must include, at a minimum:
· Breakout of all personnel costs by position, title, salary rates, and percent of time of each position to be devoted to the proposed project (including sub-awardees/contractors) by completing the “Direct Cost Descriptions for Applicants and Sub-Applicants” form (Appendix E); · Explanation and breakout of extraordinary fringe benefit rates and associated charges (i.e., rates exceeding 35% of salaries and wages); · Explanation of the purpose and composition of, and method used to derive the costs of, each of the following: travel, equipment, supplies, sub-awards/contracts, and any other costs. The applicant must include costs of any required travel described in this Solicitation. Mileage charges may not exceed 37.5 cents per mile, or the current Federal rate; · All associated costs for retaining participant information pertinent to the follow-up survey, 180 days after the program performance period ends; · Description/specification of, and justification for, equipment purchases, if any. Tangible, non-expendable, personal property having a useful life of more than one year and a unit acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit must be specifically identified; and · Identification of all sources of leveraged or matching funds and an explanation of the derivation of the value of matching/in-kind services. If resources/matching funds and/or the value of in-kind contributions are made available, please show in Section B of the Budget Information Sheet. (4) A completed Assurance
and Certification signature page (Appendix C) must be submitted; (5) All applicants must submit evidence
of satisfactory financial management capability, which must include recent (within
18 months) financial and/or audit statements.
Grantees are required to utilize Generally Accepted Accounting Practices
(GAAP), maintain a separate accounting for these grant funds, and have a
checking account; (6) All applicants must include, as a separate
appendix, a list of all employment and training government grants and contracts
that it has had in the past three (3) years, including grant/contract officer
contact information. VETS reserves the
right to have a DOL representative review and verify this data; (7) A completed Survey on Ensuring Equal
Opportunity for Applicants (Appendix F) must be provided. 3. Submission Dates and Times (Acceptable Methods of
Submission): The grant application package must be received at the designated
place by the date and time specified or it will not be considered. Any application received at the Office of
Procurement Services after 4:45 p.m. ET, May 13th, 2004, will not be considered unless it is
received before the award is made and: · It is determined by the Government that the late receipt was due solely to mishandling by the Government after receipt at the U.S. Department of Labor at the address indicated; or · It was sent by registered or certified mail not later than the fifth calendar day before May 13th, 2004; or · It was sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail Next Day Service-Post Office to Addressee, not later than 5:00 p.m. at the place of mailing two (2) working days, excluding weekends and Federal holidays, prior to May 13th, 2004. 4.
Intergovernmental Review:
Not Applicable. 5.
Funding Restrictions: A. Proposals exceeding $200,000
will be considered non-responsive. B. There is a limit
of one (1) application per submitting organization and location. If two (2) applications from the same
organization for the same location are submitted, the application with the
later date will be considered non-responsive. C. Due to the
limited availability of funding, if an organization was awarded Fiscal Year
2003 HVRP funds for a specific location and will be receiving second and
possible third year funding, that organization at that specific location will
be considered ineligible to compete for FY 2004 HVRP funds. D. There will not be
reimbursement of pre-award costs unless specifically agreed upon in writing by
the Department of Labor. E. The only
potential jurisdictions that will be served through this non-urban competition for HVRPs in FY 2004 are the
metropolitan areas outside of the 75 U.S.
cities largest in population and the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico (see
Appendix I). F. Entities
described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in
lobbying activities are not eligible to receive funds under this announcement
because Section 18 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, Public Law No.
104-65, 109 Stat. 691, prohibits the award of Federal funds to these entities. G.
The government is prohibited from directly funding religious activity.*
These grants may not be used for religious instruction, worship, prayer,
proselytizing or other inherently religious practices. Neutral, secular criteria that neither favor
nor disfavor religion must be employed in the selection of grant and sub-grant
recipients. In addition, under the
Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and Department of Labor regulations implementing
the WIA, a recipient may not train a participant in religious activities, or
permit participants to construct, operate, or maintain any part of a facility
that is primarily used or devoted to religious instruction or worship. Under WIA, “no individual shall be excluded
from participation in, denied the benefits of, subjected to discrimination
under, or denied employment in the administration of or in connection with, any
such program or activity because of race, color, religion, sex (except as
otherwise permitted under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972),
national origin, age, disability, or political affiliation or belief.” *The term “direct” funding is used to
describe funds that are provided “directly” by a governmental entity or an
intermediate organization with the same duties as the government entity, as
opposed to funds that an organization receives as the result of the genuine and
independent private choice of a beneficiary.
In other contexts, the term “direct” funding may be used to refer to
those funds that an organization receives directly from the Federal government (also known as “discretionary”
funding), as opposed to funding that it receives from a State or local government
(also known as “indirect” or “block grant” funding). In this SGA, the term “direct” has the former meaning. H. Limitations
on Administrative and Indirect Costs
· Administrative costs, which consist of all direct and indirect costs associated with the supervision and management of the program, are limited to and will not exceed 20% of the total grant award. · Indirect costs claimed by the applicant must be based on a Federally approved rate. A copy of the negotiated approved and signed indirect cost negotiation agreement must be submitted with the application. Furthermore, indirect costs are considered a part of administrative costs for HVRP purposes and, therefore, may not exceed 20% of the total grant award. · If the applicant does not presently have an approved indirect cost rate, a proposed rate with justification may be submitted. Successful applicants will be required to negotiate an acceptable and allowable rate within 90 days of grant award with the appropriate DOL Regional Office of Cost Determination or with the applicant’s cognizant agency for indirect cost rates (See Office of Management and Budget website at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/attach.html). · Indirect cost rates traceable and trackable through the State Workforce Agency’s Cost Accounting System represent an acceptable means of allocating costs to DOL and, therefore, can be approved for use in grants to State Workforce Agencies. 6. Other Submission Requirements: The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of
mailing of a late application sent by registered or certified mail is the U.S.
Postal Service postmark on the envelope or wrapper and on the original receipt
from the U.S. Postal Service. If the
postmark is not legible, an application received after the above closing time
and date shall be processed as if mailed late.
“Postmark” means a printed,
stamped or otherwise placed impression (not a postage meter machine
impression) that is readily identifiable without further action as having been
applied and affixed by an employee of the U.S. Postal Service on the date of
mailing. Therefore applicants should
request that the postal clerk place a legible hand cancellation “bull’s-eye”
postmark on both the receipt and the envelope or wrapper. The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of
mailing of a late application sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail Next Day
Service-Post Office to Addressee is the date entered by the Post Office clerk
on the “Express Mail Next Day Service-Post Office to Addressee” label and the
postmark on the envelope or wrapper and on the original receipt from the U.S.
Postal Service. “Postmark” has the same meaning as defined above. Therefore, applicants should request that
the postal clerk place a legible hand cancellation “bull’s-eye” postmark on
both the receipt and the envelope or wrapper. The only acceptable evidence to establish the time of
receipt at the U.S. Department of Labor is the date/time stamp of the
Procurement Services Center on the application wrapper or other documentary
evidence or receipt maintained by that office.
Applications sent by other delivery services, such as Federal Express,
UPS, etc., will also be accepted. All applicants are advised that U.S. mail
delivery in the Washington, DC area has been erratic due to security and
anthrax concerns. All applicants must
take this into consideration when preparing to meet the application deadline,
as you assume the risk for ensuring a timely submission, that is, if, because
of these mail problems, the Department does not receive an application or
receives it too late to give proper consideration, even if it was timely
mailed, the Department is not required to consider the application. V. Application
Review Information:
1.
Application Evaluation Criteria:
Applications will receive up to 100 total points based on the following
criteria: A. Need for the project: 10 points
The applicant will document the need for this project, as
demonstrated by: (i) the potential number or concentration of homeless
individuals and homeless veterans in the proposed project area relative to
other similar areas; (ii) the rates of poverty and/or unemployment in the
proposed project area as determined by the census or other surveys; and (iii)
the extent of the gaps in the local infrastructure to effectively address the
employment barriers that characterize the target population. B. Overall strategy to increase
employment and retention in employment:
35 points The application must include a description of the approach
to providing comprehensive employment and training services, including job
training, job development, obtaining employer commitments to hire, placement,
and post-placement follow-up services.
Applicants must address how they will target occupations in emerging
industries. Supportive services
provided as part of the strategy of promoting job readiness and job retention
must be indicated. The applicant must
identify the local services and sources of training to be used for
participants. At least 80% of enrolled
participants must participate in training services. A description of the relationship, if any, with other employment
and training programs such as State Workforce Agencies (including DVOP and LVER
Programs), One-Stops, VWIP, other WIA programs, and Workforce Investment or
Development Boards or entities where in place, must be specified. Applicant must indicate how the activities
will be tailored or responsive to the needs of homeless veterans. A participant flow chart may be used to show
the sequence and mix of services. Note: The applicant must complete Appendix D,
the Technical Performance Goals Form, with proposed programmatic outcomes
including participants served, placement/entered employments and job
retention. Of the 35 points possible in
the strategy to increase employment and retention, 5 points will be awarded to
grant proposals that demonstrate the ability to maintain a 180 day employment
retention rate of fifty (50) percent or greater. Applicants whose applications persuasively propose to use peer
counselors who are themselves veterans will be awarded five (5) of the
available points in the scoring criteria. C. Quality and extent of linkages with
other providers of services to the homeless and to veterans: 20 points The
application must provide information on the quality and extent of the linkages
this program will have with other providers of services to homeless veterans in
the local community including faith-based and community organizations. For each service, the applicant must specify
who the provider is, the source of funding (if known), and the type of
linkages/referral system established or proposed. Describe, to the extent possible, how the project would be
incorporated into the community’s continuum of care approach to respond to
homelessness and show any linkages to HUD, HHS or DVA programs that will be
advantageous to the proposed program. D. Demonstrated
capability in providing required program services, including programmatic
reporting and participant tracking: 25 points The
applicant must describe its relevant prior experience in operating employment
and training programs and providing services to participants similar to those
that are proposed under this solicitation.
Specific outcomes previously achieved by the applicant must be
described, such as job placements, benefits secured, network coalitions,
etc. The applicant must also address
its capacity for timely startup of the program, programmatic reporting, and
participant tracking. The applicant
should describe its staff experience and ability to manage the administrative,
programmatic and financial aspects of a grant program. Include a recent (within
the last 18 months) financial statement or audit. Final or most recent technical reports for other relevant employment
and training programs must be submitted, if applicable. Because prior HVRP grant experience is not a
requirement for this grant, some applicants may not have any technical
performance reports to submit. E. Quality of overall housing strategy: 10 points
The application must demonstrate how the applicant proposes
to obtain or access housing resources for veterans in the program and entering
the labor force. This discussion should
specify the provisions made to access temporary, transitional, and permanent
housing for participants through community resources, HUD, DVA lease, or other
means. HVRP funds may not be used
for housing or vehicles. 2. Review and Selection Process: Applications will initially be screened to ensure
timeliness, completeness, and responsiveness to the SGA requirements. Applications that satisfy this initial
screening will receive further review as explained below. Technical proposals will be reviewed by a Department of
Labor review panel using the point scoring system specified above in Section
V(1). The review panel will assign
scores after careful evaluation by each panel member and rank applications
based on this score. The ranking will be
the primary basis to identify applicants as potential grantees. The review panel may establish a competitive
range and/or minimum qualifying score, based upon the proposal evaluation, for
the purpose of selecting qualified applicants. The review panel’s conclusions are advisory in nature and not
binding to the Grant Officer. Cost proposals will be considered in two (2) ways. The Department of Labor review panel will
screen all applicant cost proposals to ensure expenses are allocable,
allowable, and reasonable. If the
review panel concludes that the cost proposal contains an expense(s) that is
not allocable, allowable, and/or reasonable, the application may be considered
ineligible for funding. Further, VETS
and the Grant Officer will consider applicant information concerning the proposed
cost per placement, percentage of participants placed into unsubsidized
employment, average wage at placement, and 180 day retention in employment
percentage. The national average cost
per placement for HVRP for last year was $2,100. The Government reserves the right to ask for clarification
on any aspect of a grant application.
The Government also reserves the right to discuss any potential grantee
concerns amongst Department of Labor staff.
The Government further reserves the right to select applicants out of
rank order if such a selection would, in its opinion, result in the most
effective and appropriate combination of funding, program, and administrative
costs, e.g., cost per enrollment and placement, demonstration models, and
geographic service areas. The Grant
Officer’s determination for award under SGA 04-04
is the final agency action. The
submission of the same proposal from any prior year HVRP competition does not
guarantee an award under this Solicitation. VI.
AWARD
ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION: 1.
Award Notices: A. The Notice of
Award signed by the Grant Officer is the authorizing document and will be
provided through postal mail and/or by electronic means to the authorized
representative listed on the SF-424 Grant Application. Notice that an organization has been
selected as a grant recipient does not constitute approval of the grant
application as submitted. Before the
actual grant award, the Grant Officer may enter into negotiations concerning
such items as program components, funding levels, and administrative
systems. If the negotiations do not
result in an acceptable submittal, the Grant Officer reserves the right to
terminate the negotiation and decline to fund the proposal. B. A post-award
conference will be held for those grantees awarded FY 2004 HVRP funds through this
competition. The post-award conference
is expected to be held in July or August 2004.
Up to two (2) representatives must be present; a financial and a program
representative are recommended. The
site of the post-award conference has not yet been determined, however, for
planning and budgeting purposes, please allot five (5) days and use Washington,
D.C. as the conference site. The
post-award conference will focus on providing information and assistance on reporting,
record keeping, grant requirements, and also include best practices from past
projects. Costs associated with
attending this conference for up to two grantee representatives will be allowed
as long as they are incurred in accordance with Federal travel
regulations. Such costs must be charged
as administrative costs and reflected in the proposed budget. 2.
Administrative and National Policy Requirements: Unless specifically provided in the grant agreement, DOL’s
acceptance of a proposal and an award of Federal funds to sponsor any program(s)
does not provide a waiver of any grant requirements and/or procedures. For example, the OMB circulars require that
an entity’s procurement procedures must provide all procurement transactions
will be conducted, as practical, to provide open and free competition. If a proposal identifies a specific entity
to provide the services, the DOL award does not provide the justification or
basis to sole-source the procurement, i.e., avoid competition. All grants will be subject to the following
administrative standards and provisions, as applicable to the particular
grantee: · 29 CFR part 93 - Lobbying. · 29 CFR part 95 - Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and other Nonprofit Organizations, and with Commercial Organizations. · 29 CFR part 96 - Federal Standards for Audit of Federally Funded Grants, Contracts and Agreements. · 29 CFR part 97 - Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments. · 29 CFR part 98 – Federal Standards for Government-wide Debarment and Suspension (Non procurement) and Government-wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants). · 29 CFR part 99 - Audit of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organization. · 29 CFR parts 30, 31, 32, 33 and 36 - Equal Employment Opportunity in Apprenticeship and Training; Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs of the Department of Labor, Effectuation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap in Programs and Activities; and Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs Receiving or Benefiting from Federal Financial Assistance. 3. Reporting: The grantee will submit the reports and documents listed below:
A. Quarterly Financial Reports:
No later than 30 days after the end of each Federal fiscal quarter, the grantee must
report outlays, program income, and other financial information on a federal
fiscal quarterly basis using SF-269A, Financial Status Report, Short Form, and
submit a copy of the HHS/PMS 272 draw
down report. These reports must cite
the assigned grant number and be submitted to the appropriate State Director
for Veterans’ Employment and Training (DVET).
B. Quarterly Program Reports:
No later than 30 days after the end of each Federal fiscal
quarter, grantees also must submit a Quarterly Technical Performance Report to
the DVET that contains the following: (1) A comparison of actual accomplishments to planned goals
for the reporting period in spreadsheet format (to be provided after grant
award) and any findings related to monitoring efforts; (2) An explanation for variances of plus
or minus 15% of planned program and/or expenditure goals, to include:
identification of corrective action that will be taken to meet the planned
goals, if required; and a timetable for accomplishment of the corrective
action. C.
90-Day Follow-Up Report:
No later than 120 days after the grant performance
expiration date, the grantee must submit a follow-up report showing results and
performance as of the 90th day after the grant period, and
containing the following: (1) Final Financial Status Report SF-269A, Short Form (that
zeros out all unliquidated obligations); and (2) Technical
Performance Report including updated goals chart. D.
180-Day Follow-Up Report:
No later than 210 days after the grant
performance expiration date, the grantee must submit a follow-up report showing
the results and performance as of the 180th day after the grant
period, and containing the following: (1) Final Financial Status Report SF-269A, Short Form (if
not previously submitted); and (2) Final
Narrative Report identifying: (a) The total combined
(directed/assisted) number of veterans placed into employment during the entire grant period; (b) The number of veterans still employed
after the 180 day follow-up period;
(c) If the veterans are still employed at
the same or similar job and, if not, what are the reason(s); (d) Whether training received was applicable to jobs held; (e) Wages at placement and during follow-up period; (f) An explanation regarding why those
veterans placed during the grant, but not employed at the end of the follow-up
period, are not so employed; and
(g) Any recommendations to improve the program. VII.
AGENCY CONTACT: Questions and applications are to be
forwarded to: U.S. Department of Labor Procurement Services Center Attention: Cassandra
Mitchell, Reference SGA 04-04, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Room N-5416 Washington, DC 20210 Phone Number: (202) 693-4570
(this is not a toll free number) Resources for the Applicant:
Applicants may review “VETS’ Guide to Competitive and Discretionary
Grants” located at http://www.dol.gov/vets/grants/Final_VETS_Guide-linked.pdf.
Applicants may also find these resources useful: America's Service Locator http://www.servicelocator.org/
provides a directory of our nation's One-Stop Career Centers; the National
Association of Workforce Boards maintains an Internet site (http://www.nawb.org/asp/wibdir.asp) that contains contact information for
the State and local Workforce Investment Boards; and the homepage for the
Department of Labor, Center for Faith-Based & Community Initiatives (http://www.dol.gov/cfbci). Comments: Comments are to be submitted to the
Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS), U.S. Department of Labor,
Room S-1312, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20210, telephone
(202) 693-4701. Written comments are
limited to ten (10) pages or fewer and may be transmitted by facsimile to (202)
693-4755. Receipt of submissions,
whether by U.S. mail, e-mail, or facsimile transmittal, will not be
automatically acknowledged; however, the sender may request confirmation that a
submission has been received, by telephoning VETS at (202) 693-4701 or (202)
693-4753 (TTY/TDD). Signed
at Washington, DC. this 6th day of April, 2004. Lisa Harvey Acting Grant Officer Appendices: Appendix A: Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 Appendix B: Budget Information Sheet SF-424A Appendix C: Assurances and Certifications Signature Page Appendix D: Quarterly Technical Performance Goals Form Appendix E: Direct Cost Descriptions for Applicants and Sub-Applicants Appendix F: Survey on Ensuring Equal
Opportunity for Applicants Appendix G: The Glossary of Terms Appendix
H: List of Common Acronyms Appendix I: List of 75 Largest Cities Nationwide |
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