[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 149 (Friday, August 1, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45078-45081]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-17622]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Veterans' Employment and Training Service
Fiscal Years (FYs) 2008 Through 2010 Stand Down Grant Award
Requests
AGENCY: Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS), U.S.
Department of Labor (USDOL).
ACTION: Initial announcement of available FY 2008, FY-2009, and FY-2010
funds under the Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP) to
Support Local Stand Down Events. Funding Opportunity No.: 17-805.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Veterans' Employment and
Training Service (VETS) continues to support local Stand Down events
that assist homeless veterans and is now accepting applications for
Stand Down grant awards. A Stand Down is an event held in a local
community where homeless veterans are provided with a wide variety of
social services. Under this announcement, VETS anticipates that up to
$400,000 will be available in each of the three fiscal years for grant
awards of up to a maximum of $10,000 per multi-day event (more than one
day), and a maximum of $7,000 for a one (1) day event. VETS expects to
award approximately forty-five (45) grants each fiscal year.
Availability of Fiscal Year 2009, and Fiscal Year 2010 funds will be
dependent upon Congressional appropriations. Applications for Stand
Down funds will be accepted from State Workforce Agencies and State and
local Workforce Investment Boards, Veterans Service Organizations
(VSO), local public
[[Page 45079]]
agencies, and non-profit organizations, including community and faith-
based organizations. USDOL is not authorized to award grant funds to
organizations that are registered with Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
as a 501(c)(4) organization.
Application for Stand Down grant funding are to be submitted to the
appropriate State Director of Veterans Employment and Training/ Grant
Officer Technical Representative (DVET/GOTR). Address and contact
information for each State DVET/GOTR can be found at Web site address:
http://www.dol.gov/vets/aboutvets/contacts/main.htm.
To be considered for FY-2008 funding, applications must be received
within thirty (30) days of this announcement. This will allow for
obligation of funds prior to 9/30/08. Any events approved in Fiscal
Year 2008 must be held prior to 12/31/08.
Applications for other events planned in Fiscal Year 2009 must be
received at least sixty (60) days prior to the event and no later than
July 30, 2009.
Applications for events planned in Fiscal Year 2010 must be
received at least sixty (60) days prior to the event and no later than
July 30, 2010.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Stand Down is a military term referring to an opportunity to
achieve a brief respite from combat. Troops would assemble in a base
camp to receive new clothing, hot food, and a relative degree of safety
before returning to the front. Today more than 160 organizations across
the country partner with local businesses, government agencies, and
community- and faith-based service providers to hold Stand Down events
for homeless veterans and their families in the local community.
Each year, the Assistant Secretary for Veterans' Employment and
Training awards Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP) grants
to programs that enhance employment and training opportunities and/or
promote self-sufficiency for homeless veterans. Residual HVRP funds can
be awarded as grants to organizations sponsoring Stand Down events for
homeless veterans.
The critical services provided at a Stand Down are often the
catalyst that enables homeless veterans to reenter mainstream society.
Typically, some of the services available at these events include
temporary shelter, showers, haircuts, meals, clothing, hygiene kits,
medical examinations, immunizations, legal advice, State identification
cards, veterans benefit information, training program information,
employment services, and referral to other supportive services. For the
purpose of this Stand Down grant award, applicants must plan (and
indicate in writing in their grant application package) to provide the
following minimum services to homeless veteran participants:
Department of Veterans Affairs medical and mental health services;
Department of Labor--State Workforce Agency employment and training
services to include Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program and Local
Veterans' Employment Representatives participation where available;
An assortment of hot and/or cold foods to provide to homeless
veteran participants;
An assortment of clothing appropriate for the local climate to
provide to homeless veteran participants; and
Referral services to secure emergency housing on-the-spot for
homeless veteran participants.
II. Allowable Costs
Stand Down grant funds must be used to enhance employment and
training opportunities or to promote self-sufficiency for homeless
veterans. The funds may be used to support Stand Down activities such
as:
The purchase of food, bottled water, clothing, sleeping bags, one-
person tents, backpacks filled with non-perishable foods, and hygiene
care kits;
Rental of facilities and/or tents for the duration of the Stand
Down event;
Payment for special one-time electricity costs, equipment rentals,
advertising, event posters, portable toilets, janitorial/kitchen
supplies, and communications/Internet access for the duration of the
Stand Down event;
The hiring of security personnel for the duration of the event;
Rental of transportation equipment (bus, van, car, taxi, etc.) and/
or actual gasoline expenses of volunteer drivers to provide
transportation of homeless veterans to and from the Stand Down event;
and
Other pertinent items and services for homeless veteran
participants as deemed appropriate by USDOL--VETS.
III. Funding Restrictions
Stand Down grant funds may not be used to pay for administrative
costs and administrative and/or programmatic staff, because these
events are usually an all ``volunteer'' effort. Stand Down grant funds
may not be used to purchase special monogrammed tee shirts, pen sets,
specialty hats (unless for cold weather use), military and veteran type
patches, memento gifts for staff members/visitors/volunteers, and any
other supplementary/replacement item(s) that has not been approved by
the DVET/GOTR.
IV. Award Information
The maximum amount that can be awarded to support a local Stand
Down event is $10,000 per applicant per year. If the event is held for
one (1) day, the maximum amount that can be awarded is $7,000.
V. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants will generally fall into one of the following
categories: State and local Workforce Boards, Veteran Service
Organizations, local public agencies, and non-profit organizations
including community and faith-based organizations. Organizations
registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (c) (4)
organizations are not eligible to apply for this funding opportunity.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
Cost Sharing and matching funds are not required. However, we
strongly encourage applicants to maximize the resources available to
the Stand Down event and its homeless veteran participants.
3. Other Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Registration Requirements: All applicants for Federal
funding are required to include a Dun and Bradstreet Number (DUNS) with
their application. Applicants can obtain a DUNS number through the
following Web site: http://www.dunandbradstreet.com/ or by phone at 1-
866-705-5711.
A. After receiving a DUNS number, all grant applicants must also
register as a vendor with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR)
through the following Web site: http://www.ccr.gov or by phone at 1-
888-227-2423. CCR registration should become active within 24 hours of
completion. If grant applicants have questions regarding registration,
please contact the CCR Assistance Center at 1-888-227-2423.
After registration, grant applicants will receive a confirmation
number.
Grantee listed point of Contact will receive a Trader Partnership
Identification Number (TPIN) via mail. The TPIN is, and should remain,
a confidential password.
VI. Application Content
To be considered responsive, all applications for Stand Down
funding must include:
Applicant letter requesting Stand Down funds (original signed in
blue ink);
[[Page 45080]]
1. Application for Federal Assistance, Standard Form (SF) 424 (OMB
No. 4040-0004) (original signed in blue ink). Also Note: The 02 version
of the SF-424 which expires on 1/31/2009 must now be used. The Grant
Officer will not accept previously issued versions of the SF-424.
2. SF-424A, Budget Information (OMB No. 4040-0006)--Non-
Construction Programs (SF-424 and SF-424A forms can be downloaded from
the following Web site: www.grants.gov);
Budget Narrative--a detailed description of each planned
expenditure listed on the SF-424A. The description should provide the
methodology used in determining the cost estimates such as quantity and
if the item will be purchased or rented. Please indicate whether the
items will be utilized by the participants or assist the volunteer(s)
at the event;
Complete the Direct Cost Description for Applicants and Sub-
Applicants (see Appendix D);
Demonstrate and document Stand Down Activities and develop a
timeline for completion of activities. For Stand Down events that occur
on or after July 1st, grant applicants must demonstrate and document
planning activities prior to the end of the Fiscal Year (September
30th);
Original signed Assurances and Certifications Signature Page (see
Appendix C);
Complete the Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants
(OMB No. 1894-0010) (see Appendix E);
3. A copy of the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) confirmation
number. Please do not send the Trader Partnership Identification Number
(TPIN) (see Section III.3.A.);
Letters of support, particularly from the local One-Stop Career
Centers and/or Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program Specialists (DVOPs)
and Local Veterans' Employment Representative (LVER) staff, the
Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) or the local Continuum of Care (COC), Veterans'
Service Organizations (VSO), State and local government agencies, local
businesses, local non-profit organizations including community-based
and faith-based organizations, etc; when applicable; and
A copy of the Internal Revenue Service documentation indicating
approval of non-profit status (for example: 501(c)(3), 501(c)(19),
etc.) as required to verify eligibility when claiming non-profit
status.
VII. Award Administration Information
Stand Down funding is a non-competitive grant awarded on a first-
come, first-served basis until available residual funding is exhausted.
Funding is subject to approval by the Grant Officer. If approved, the
grantee will receive a grant award document and financial form to
complete in order for USDOL Office of Financial Management to set-up an
account in the Health and Human Services, Payment Management System
(HHS/PMS) to electronically draw down funds.
If awarded funds, the grantee must submit the completed HHS/PMS
financial forms directly to the USDOL, Division of Financial Management
Operations in order to electronically draw down funds. The financial
forms should be sent via FedEx, UPS, or other non-U.S. Postal Service
provider to avoid processing delays. If grantee has previously set-up
an electronic HHS/PMS account, additional awarded funds will be added
into that existing bank account unless otherwise notified in writing.
Questions or problems relating to the HHS/PMS paperwork or processes
should be referred to the USDOL Office of Financial management at (202)
693-4479.
Upon receipt of grant award financial documents, HHS/PMS will
forward a packet of instructions to the grantee on how to set up a
payment account. After setting up the account, the grantee will be able
to draw down funds to reimburse approved expenses already incurred and
to cover approved expenses that will be paid within three (3) days of
the draw down. Funds requested for draw down through the HHS/PMS are
directly deposited into the account within 24 hours of the request.
Since grantees may draw funds down in more than one quarter, up to
and after the date of the Stand Down event, grantees are required to
complete a PSC Federal Cash Transaction Report (PS 272) no later than
forty-five (45) days after the end of each quarter in which grantees
received all or part of their grant award (February 15th, May 15th,
August 15th, and November 15th). Instructions for completing this
requirement are provided in the HHS/PMS information packet. Grantees
are to print hard copies of all PSC 272s submitted to HHS/PMS and
provide them with their After Action Activity and Expenditure Report
submitted to their appropriate DVET/GOTR.
VIII. Required Post-Event Reporting
No later than forty-five (45) calendar days after the Stand Down
event, grantees must submit the Stand Down Report of actual activities
and expenditures to the appropriate DVET/GOTR and to the USDOL
Procurement Services. If grantees experience any delay in submitting
this report, they should immediately contact their appropriate DVET/
GOTR and provide a justification to request an extension.
The following documents are required to be submitted by the
grantees to their appropriate DVET/GOTR, within forty-five (45) days
after completion of the Stand Down event:
An original signed invoice or list of all items purchased with
USDOL-VETS grant funding;
Original sales receipts of items purchased with USDOL-VETS funding;
Comparison of planned budget items (per object class categories
listed on the SF 424A) vs. actual expenditures. Note, some planned
expenditure items are donated at the last minute for these events,
therefore, actual expenditures are subject to change. If budget
revisions are needed, grantees are to seek prior approval from their
appropriate DVET/GOTR;
SF 269A, Financial Status Reports are to be electronically
data entered into E-grants and a signed and dated copy provided to the
appropriate DVET/GOTR. Access to E-grants will be provided upon award.
SF 269A Financial Status Report forms are available for download at:
www.grants.gov);
The Stand Down After Action Report (see Appendix F); and
Copies of all PSC 272s that were also submitted to HHS/PMS.
Grantees are to submit the Stand Down Activity and Expenditure
Report to the appropriate DVET/GOTR. The DVET/GOTR will review the
report to ensure it is complete and accurate and that all expenditures
are appropriate, and allowable.
To prevent processing delays and/or the need to recoup over
payments, grantees should wait for notification from the DVET/GOTR that
the report has been reviewed and approved at the VETS regional level
prior to entering financial reports into E-grants, and prior to sending
the originals to Procurement Services. After notification from the
DVET/GOTR, grantees are to distribute the Activity and Expenditure
Report as follows:
1. The original SF 269A, signed invoice or list of expenditures and
the Stand Down After Action Report is mailed to: U.S. Department of
Labor, Procurement Services Center, Room S-4307, Attn: Cassandra
Mitchell, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210.
[[Page 45081]]
Original sales receipts of items purchased with USDOL-VETS funding,
a copy of the signed SF 269A, signed invoice or signed list of
expenditures, a comparison of actual versus planned activities and
expenditures, Stand Down After Action Report, and copies of all PSC
272s sent to HHS/PMS are to be submitted to the appropriate DVET/GOTR.
If the DVET/GOTR does not recommend approval of a particular
expenditure, he/she will notify the grantee in writing with an
explanation for the disapproval and instruct grantee to electronically
return the funds within 15 calendar days to the HHS/PMS account if
already drawn down. All FY 2008 Stand Down awarded funds must be
electronically drawn down by no later than November 30, 2008. If Stand
Down funds are not electronically drawn down by the grantee within 90
calendar days following the commencement of the Stand Down event and if
practicable, the USDOL may reallocate these funds for other purposes
accordingly.
Any grantee who fails to comply with the guidance set forth in the
Stand Down Special Grant Provisions and reporting requirements will not
be considered favorably from any future funding from U.S. Department of
Labor Veterans' Employment and Training Service.
IX. Agency Contacts
Questions regarding this announcement should be directed to the
DVET/GOTR in your State. Contact information for each DVET/GOTR is
located in the VETS Staff Directory at the following Web page: http://www.dol.gov/vets/aboutvets/contacts/main.htm or access the staffing
directory at Web site address: http://www.dol.gov/vets.
X. Other Information
Current competitive HVRP grantees are not eligible for a separate
non-competitive Stand Down grant award as described in this
announcement. Current competitive HVRP grantees are authorized to
utilize existing funds for Stand Down purposes.
Appendices: (Located on U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans'
Employment and Training Service Web page www.dol.gov/vets follow link
for 2008 Stand Down Grants and Required Forms listed under
announcements.)
Appendix A: Application for Federal Assistance SF-424
Appendix B: Budget Information Sheet SF-424A
Appendix C: Certifications and Assurances Signature Page
Appendix D: Direct Cost Description for Applicants and Sub-
Applicants
Appendix E: Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants
Appendix F: Stand Down After Action Report
OMB Information Collection No. 1205-0458 Expires September 30, 2009
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are
required to respond to a collection of information unless such
collection displays a valid OMB control number. Public reporting burden
for this collection of information is estimated to average 20 hours per
response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing
data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing
and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding
the burden estimated or any other aspect of this collection of
information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: OIRA
Desk Officer for VETS/DOL, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th
St., NW., Washington, DC 20503.
Please do not send your completed application to the OMB. Send it
to the sponsoring agency as specified in this solicitation.
Signed at Washington, DC, this 25th day of July 2008.
Cassandra Mitchell,
Grant Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-17622 Filed 7-31-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-79-P