Billing Code 4510-79-M
DEPARTMENT
OF LABOR
Veterans’
Employment and Training Service.
Homeless
Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP) Competitive Grants for PY 2003.
AGENCY: Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, Labor.
ACTION: Notice of availability of funds and
solicitation for grant applications (SGA) for Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration
Programs (SGA 03-02)
SUMMARY: THIS COMPETITION IS TARGETING ELIGIBLE
APPLICANTS THAT HAVE NOT RECEIVED HVRP OR VETERANS’ WORKFORCE INVESTMENT
PROGRAM (VWIP) FUNDS. All applicants
for grant funds should read this notice in its entirety. The U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans’
Employment and Training Service (VETS), announces a grant competition for
Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Programs (HVRP) authorized under the Homeless
Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001 (HVCAA). This notice contains all of the necessary
information and forms needed to apply for grant funding. Applicants should design programs to assist
eligible veterans who are homeless by providing employment, training, support
services and assistance. Under this
solicitation, the Assistant Secretary for Veterans’ Employment and Training
(ASVET) is making approximately $1.0 million of funds available and expects to
award up to five [5] grants in PY 2003.
The HVRP program is designed to be flexible in addressing the universal
as well as local or regional problems barring homeless veterans from the workforce. VETS in Program Year (PY) 2003 will continue
to seek applicants that provide direct services through a case management
approach, link with Federal, State and Local resources for homeless veterans
and have clear strategies for employment and retention of the homeless.
DATE: Applications are to be submitted, including
those hand delivered, to the address below by no later than 4:45 p.m., Eastern
Standard Time, April 21, 2003
ADDRESS: Applications must be directed to the U.S.
Department of Labor, Procurement Services Center, Attention: Cassandra Willis,
Reference SGA 03-02, Room N-5416, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW. Washington,
DC 20210.
FORMS
OR AMENDMENTS:
If another copy of a Standard form is needed, go online to http://www.nara.gov.
To
receive amendments to this Solicitation (Please reference SGA 03-02), all
applicants must register their name and address with the Grant Officer at the
following address:
U.S.
Department of Labor, Procurement Services Center, Room N-5416, 200 Constitution
Avenue, NW. Washington, DC 20210.
FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
All
applicants are advised that U.S. mail delivery in the Washington, DC area has
been erratic due to the concerns involving anthrax contamination. All applicants must take this into
consideration when preparing to meet the application deadline.
It
is recommended that you confirm receipt of your application by contacting
Cassandra Willis, U.S. Department of Labor, Procurement Services Center,
telephone (202) 693-4570, prior to the closing deadline.
SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION:
I.
BACKGROUND
Section
5 of the Homeless Veterans’ Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001 (HVCAA) amended
the Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Programs at 38 U.S.C. § 2021, and provides
"the Secretary . . . shall 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 and literacy and
skills training) to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the
labor force.”
The
Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP) was the first nationwide
Federal program that focused on placing homeless veterans into jobs. Both types of programs, urban and non-urban,
in the past have provided valuable information on approaches that work in the
different environments.
In
accordance with the HVCAA, the Assistant Secretary for Veterans' Employment and
Training (ASVET) is making approximately $1.0 million of the funds
available to award up to 5 grants to eligible applicants that have not
previously received HVRP grants.
The
Department has published SGAs for urban and non-urban HVRP grants at the same
time. Applicants who have not
previously received HVRP grants also may apply for those SGAs.
II.
APPLICATION
PROCESS
A.
POTENTIAL
JURISDICTIONS TO BE SERVED
Both urban
and non-urban areas within the United States and its territories are eligible
jurisdictions to receive services under this competition. Urban areas are defined as the metropolitan
areas of the 75 U.S. cities largest in population and the city of San Juan,
Puerto Rico. Non-urban areas are
defined as the geographic areas outside of the metropolitan areas of the 75
U.S. cities largest in population and the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Applicants must identify whether they are
applying for an urban or non-urban grant award. Please be advised that urban
requests exceeding the $300,000 and non-urban requests exceeding $200,000 will
be considered non-responsive.
B. ELIGIBLE
APPLICANTS
Entities that have not
previously operated a HVRP or VWIP and have a proven capacity to manage grants
and have or will provide the necessary linkages with other service providers
are encouraged to apply. Applications
for funds will be accepted from State and local workforce investment boards,
local public agencies, for-profits/commercial entities, and nonprofit
organizations, including faith-based and community organizations, which have
familiarity with the area and population to be served and can administer an
effective program. Eligible applicants
will fall into one of the following categories:
1. State
and Local Workforce Investment Boards (WIBS) as defined in Section 111 and 117
of the Workforce Investment Act, are eligible applicants, as well as State and
local public agencies.
2. Local
public agencies, meaning any public agency of a general purpose political
subdivision of a State which 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.
Applicants
are encouraged to utilize, through sub-awards, experienced public agencies,
private nonprofit organizations, and private businesses and faith-based and
community organizations 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.
3. Also
eligible to apply are for-profit/commercial entities and private nonprofit
organizations, including faith-based community organizations. Entities described in Section 501(c)(4) of
the Internal Revenue Codes that engage in lobbying activities are not eligible
to receive funds under this announcement as 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.
C. FUNDING
LEVELS
The total amount of funds available for this
solicitation is $1.0 million. It is
anticipated that up to 5 awards may be made under this solicitation. Individual grant awards will not exceed $200,000
for non-urban areas and $300,000 for urban areas. The Department of Labor reserves the right to negotiate the
amounts to be awarded under this competition.
Please be advised that requests exceeding the amounts specified above
will be considered non-responsive.
D. PERIOD
OF PERFORMANCE
The period of performance will be for twelve
(12) months from the date of award unless modified. It is expected that successful applicants will commence program
operations under this solicitation by July 1, 2003. Program funds must be obligated by June 30, 2004, however, funds
may be reserved for limited activities of closeout package.
E. OPTIONAL YEAR FUNDING
Should there be action by Congress to
appropriate funds for this purpose, optional year funding may be
considered. The Government does not,
however, guarantee optional year funding for any awardee. Should VETS decide that an optional year for
funding be exercised, the grantees' performance during the previous period of
operations will be taken into consideration as follows:
1.
The grantee must meet
85% of planned goals for Federal expenditures, enrollments, and placements in
each quarter; and
2.
The Grantee must be in
compliance with all terms identified in the solicitation for grant applications,
general and special provisions.
3.
All program and fiscal
reports must have been submitted by the established due date and must be verifiable
for accuracy.
All instructions for modifications and
announcement of fund availability will be issued at a later date. For these competitive grants, only two
optional years of HVRP funding may be available.
F. SUBMISSION
OF PROPOSAL
A cover letter, an original and two (2)
copies of the proposal must be submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor,
Procurement Service Office, Room
N-5416, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210. The proposal must
consist of two (2) separate and distinct parts: (a) the technical proposal and
(b) the cost proposal; (1) one completed, blue ink-signed
original SF 424 grant application with an original and two (2) copies of the
Technical Proposal; and an original and two (2) copies of the Cost Proposal.
G. 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, April 21,2003, will not be considered
unless it is received before the award is made and:
1. It was sent by registered or certified mail
not later than the fifth calendar day before April 21,2003; or
2.
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 April 21,2003 and
3.
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.
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 receiving 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 the concerns
involving anthrax contamination. 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.
III.
PARTICIPANT
ELIGIBILITY
To
be eligible for participation under HVRP, an individual must be homeless and a
veteran defined as follows:
A. The term
"homeless or homeless individual" includes persons who lack 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 private place not designed for, or ordinarily used
as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings. [42 U.S.C. § 11302 (a)].
B. The term "veteran" means a person
who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was
discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable. [38
U.S.C. § 101(2)]
IV.
RELATED
HVRP PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
Community Awareness Activities
In order to promote linkages between the
program and local service providers (and thereby eliminate gaps or duplication
in services and enhance provision of assistance to participants), the grantee
must provide project orientation and/or service awareness activities that it
determines are the most feasible for the types of providers listed below. Project orientation workshops conducted by
grantees have been an effective means of sharing information and revealing the
availability of other services; they are encouraged but not mandatory. Rather, the grantee will have the flexibility
to attend service provider meetings, seminars, conferences, outstation staff,
develop individual service contracts, and involve other agencies in program
planning. This list is not
exhaustive. The grantee will be
responsible for providing appropriate awareness, information sharing, and
orientation activities to the following:
A. Providers
of hands-on services to the homeless veteran, such as shelter and soup-kitchen operators,
to make them fully aware of services available to homeless veterans to make
them job-ready and place them in jobs.
B. Federal,
State and local entitlement services such as the Social Security Administration
(SSA), Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA), State Employment Security
Agencies (SESAs) and their local Job Service offices, One-Stop Centers (which
integrate WIA, labor exchange, and other employment and social services),
detoxification facilities, etc., to familiarize them with the nature and needs
of homeless veterans.
C. Civic
and private sector groups, and especially veterans' service and
community-based (including faith-based organizations), to describe homeless
veterans and their needs.
D. Stand
Down Support
A "Stand Down," as it relates to
homeless veterans, is an event held in a locality usually for three days where
services are provided to homeless veterans along with shelter, meals, clothing,
and medical attention. This type of
event is mostly volunteer effort, which is organized within a community and
brings service providers together such as the DVA, Disabled Veterans’ Outreach
Program Specialists, Local Veterans’ Employment Representatives from the State
Employment Service Agencies, veteran service organization, military personnel,
civic leaders, and a variety of other interested persons and
organizations. Many services are
provided on-site with referrals also made for continued assistance after the
event. This can often be the catalyst
that enables the homeless veterans to get back into mainstream society. The Department of Labor has supported
replication of this event. Many such
events have been held throughout the nation.
In areas
where an HVRP is operating, the grantees are encouraged to participate fully
and offer their services for any planned Stand Down event. Towards this end, up to $5,000 of the
currently requested HVRP grant funds may be used to supplement the Stand Down
effort where funds are not otherwise available, and should be reflected in the
budget and budget narrative.
V. PROGRAM
SUMMARY
A. PROGRAM
CONCEPT AND EMPHASIS
The HVRP grants under Section 5 of the
Homeless Veterans’ Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001 (HVCAA) 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.
These programs are designed to be flexible in
addressing the universal as well as local or regional problems barring homeless
veterans from the workforce. The program in PY 2003 will continue to
strengthen the development of effective service delivery systems, to provide comprehensive
services through a case management approach that will address the complex
problems facing eligible veterans trying to transition into gainful employment,
and improve strategies for employment and retention.
B. SCOPE OF PROGRAM DESIGN
The project design must provide for the following
services:
1.
Outreach,
intake, assessment, counseling to the degree practical and employment services.
Outreach must be provided at shelters, day centers, soup kitchens, VA medical
centers, and other programs for the homeless.
Program staff providing outreach services should be a veteran who has
experience in dealing with, and an understanding of the needs of the homeless.
2.
Coordination
with veterans' services programs and
organizations such as:
- Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP)
Specialists, Local Veterans' Employment Representatives (LVERs) in the State
Employment Security/Job Service Agencies (SESAs) or in the workforce
development system’s One-Stop Centers, and Veterans’ Workforce Investment
Programs (VWIPs);
- Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA)
services, including its Health Care for Homeless Veterans, Domiciliary, and
other programs, including those offering transitional housing; and
- Veteran service organizations such as The
American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars,
Vietnam Veterans of America, and the American Veterans (AMVETS);
3.
Referral to necessary
treatment services, rehabilitative services, and counseling including, but not
limited to:
- Alcohol
and drugs;
- Medical;
- Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder;
- Mental
Health;
- Coordinating with McKinney Homeless Assistance
Act (MHAA) Title VI programs for health care for the homeless [health care
programs under the HVCAA];
4.
Referral to housing
assistance provided by, for example:
- 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 the
HVCAA];
- Permanent housing programs for the
handicapped homeless funded under MHAA Title IV [and under the HVCAA];
- Department of Veterans' Affairs programs
that provide for leasing or sale of acquired homes to homeless providers; and
5.
Employment and training
services such as:
- Basic
skills instruction;
- Remedial
education activities;
- Job search activities, including job search
workshops;
- Job
counseling;
- Job preparatory training, including resume
writing and interviewing skills;
- Subsidized trial employment (Work
Experience);
- On-the-Job Training;
- Classroom Training;
- Job placement in unsubsidized employment;
- Placement follow up services; and
- Services provided under WIA.
C. RESULTS-ORIENTED MODEL
No model is mandatory, but the applicant must design
a program that is responsive to local needs, and will carry out the objectives
of the program to successfully reintegrate homeless veterans into the
workforce.
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 56%, e.g.,
number of entered employments divided by enrollments (These outcomes will be
reported quarterly on Technical Performance Goals Form, Appendix D.). While
entering employment is a viable outcome, it will be necessary to measure
results over a longer term (retention) to determine the success of programs.
The following program discussion must be
considered in a program model. The first phase of activity must consist of
the level of outreach that is necessary to reach eligible veterans. Such outreach will also include establishing
contact with other agencies that encounter homeless veterans.
Once the eligible participants have been
identified, an assessment must be made of their abilities, interests, needs and
barriers to employment. In some cases, these participants may require referrals
to services such as social rehabilitation, drug or alcohol treatment or a
temporary shelter before they can be enrolled into core training.
When the individual is stabilized, the
assessment should focus on the employability of the individual and their
enrollment into the program. A
determination should be made as to whether they would benefit from
pre-employment preparation such as resume writing, job search workshops,
related counseling and case management, and initial entry into the job market
through temporary jobs, sheltered work environments, or entry into classroom or
on-the-job training. Such services
should also be noted in an Employability Development Plan so that successful
completion of the plan can be monitored by the staff.
Entry into full-time employment or a specific
job training program should follow, in keeping with the objective of HVRP to
bring the participant closer to self-sufficiency. Supportive services may assist the participant at this stage or
even earlier. Job development is a
crucial part of the employability process.
Wherever possible, DVOP and LVER staff must
be utilized for job development and placement activities for veterans who are
ready to enter employment or who are in need of intensive case
management services. Many of these staff members have received
training in case management at the National Veterans’ Training Institute and
have a priority of focus, assisting those most at a disadvantage in the labor
market. VETS urges working hand-in-hand
with DVOP/LVER staff to achieve economies of resources.
The following program discussion emphasizes
that follow-up is an integral program component. Follow-up to determine whether the veteran is in the same or
similar job at the 90 and 180 day period after entering employment is required. It is important that the grantee maintain
contact with the veterans after placement to assure that employment related
problems are addressed. The 90 and 180
day follow-up is fundamental to assessing the results of the program success. Grantees need to budget for this activity so
that follow-up can and will occur for those placed at or near the end of the
grant performance period. Grantees
prior to the end of the grant performance period must obligate funds to ensure
that follow-up activities are completed. Such results will be reported in the
final technical performance report.
VI.
REQUIRED CONTENTS
There
are seven 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 IX. These
activities are:
1. Outreach
2. Pre-Enrollment Assessments;
3. Employment Development Plans for all clients;
4. Case Management
5. Job Placement and job retention follow-up (at
90 and 180 days) after individual enters employment.
6. Utilization of DVOP and LVER staff in service
delivery.
7. Programs must show community linkages with
other programs and services which provide support to homeless veterans.
VII.
PROPOSAL CONTENT
The proposal consists of two parts, Part 1 being the
Technical portion and Part 2 the Cost portion.
The information provided in these two parts is essential in gaining a
sound understanding of the programmatic and fiscal contents of the grant
proposal.
A.
PART 1 - THE
TECHNICAL PROPOSAL will consist of a narrative proposal that
demonstrates: the applicant's knowledge of the need for this particular grant
program; an understanding of the services and activities proposed to obtain
successful outcomes for the homeless veterans served; and the capability 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 11pt.
and typewritten on one side of the paper only. [The applicant also must
complete the forms, i.e. Technical Performance Goals chart provided in the SGA,
Appendix D.].
The proposal must include an outreach
component which uses veterans whenever possible to provide outreach. Coordination with the Disabled Veterans'
Outreach Program (DVOP) Specialists and Local Veterans’ Employment
Representatives (LVER) in the jurisdiction is required.
Programs must be "employment focused”. The
services provided will be directed toward:
(a) increasing the employability of homeless veterans through training
or arranging for the provision of services which will enable them to work; and
(b) matching homeless veterans with potential employers.
The following format for the technical
proposal is strongly recommended:
1.
Need for the
program: The
applicant must identify the geographical area to be served and provide an
estimate of the number of homeless veterans and their needs, poverty and
unemployment rates in the area, the gaps in the local community infrastructure
that contribute to the employment and other barriers faced by the targeted
veterans, and how the program would respond to these needs. Include Labor Market Information (LMI) on the
outlook for job opportunities in the service area.
2.
Approach or
strategy to increase employment and job retention: Applicants must be responsive to the Rating
Criteria contained in Section IX and address all of the rating factors as
thoroughly as possible in the narrative.
The applicant must: (a) outline the type(s) of training available – is
training for demand occupations, the length of training, the training
curriculum and how the training will enhance the eligible veterans’ employment
opportunities within that geographical area; (b) describe the specific
supportive, employment and training services to be provided under this grant
and the sequence or flow of such services - flow charts may be provided; (c)
provide a plan for follow-up to address retention after 90 and 180 days with
participants who entered employment.
(See discussion on results in Section V.c.); and (d) include the
required chart of proposed performance goals and planned expenditures listed in
Appendix D.
3.
Linkages
with other providers of employment and training services to the homeless
veterans:
Describe the linkages this program will have with other providers of
services to homeless veterans outside of the HVRP grant; include a description
of the relationship with other employment and training programs such as
Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP), the Local Veterans’ Employment
Representatives (LVER) program, and programs under the Workforce Investment
Act; and list the type of services provided by each. Note the type of agreement in place, if applicable. Linkages with the workforce development
system must be delineated. Describe any linkages 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. If Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) or other
service agreements exist with other service providers, copies should be
provided.
4.
Linkages
with other federal agencies: Describe any program and resource linkages
with Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS), and Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) for the
homeless, to include the Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) and Per Diem
programs. Indicate how the applicant
will coordinate with any “continuum of care” efforts for the homeless among
agencies in the community. If Memoranda
of Understanding (MOU) or other service agreements exist with other service
providers, copies should be provided.
5.
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 why they are necessary, if Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) or other
service agreements exist with other service providers, copies should be
provided.
6.
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
must also provide evidence of key staff capability to support veterans seeking
employment and training opportunities.
7.
Proposed
housing strategy for homeless veterans:
Describe how housing resources for homeless veterans will be obtained or
accessed. These resources should be
from linkages or sources other than the HVRP grant such as HUD, HHS, community
housing resources, DVA leasing, or other programs. The applicant is not allowed to use HVRP resources to support
housing needs.
Note:
Resumes, charts, standard forms, transmittal letters, MOUs, 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.]
B.
PART 2 - COST
PROPOSAL must contain: (1) the Standard Form (SF)
424, "Application for Federal Assistance”, (original, signed in blue-ink) (2)
the Standard Form (SF) 424A “Budget Information Sheet” in Appendix B, and (3) a
detailed cost break out 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. In addition
to the cost proposal the applicants must include the Assurance and Certification
signature page, Appendix C. Copies of all required forms with instructions for
completion are provided as appendices to this SGA. All applicants must submit evidence of satisfactory financial
management capability, which must include recent financial and/or audit
statements.
The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number
for this program is 17.805. It must be
entered on the SF 424, Block 10.
All applicants must include, as a separate
appendix, a list of all government grants and contracts that it has had in the
past three (3) years, including grant/contract officer contact information. Veterans’
Employment and Training Service reserves the right to have a representative
within each State review and verify this data.
Applicants can expect that the cost proposal will be reviewed for
allowability, allocability, and reasonableness.
VIII. THE COST PROPOSAL NARRATIVE INFORMATION
As an attachment to the Budget Information
Sheet (SF 424A), the applicant must provide, at a minimum, and on separate
sheet(s), the following information:
A. A 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);
B. An explanation and breakout of extraordinary
fringe benefit rates and associated charges (i.e., rates exceeding 35% of
salaries and wages);
C. An 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 will not exceed 36 cents per mile;
D. A plan, which includes all associated costs,
for retaining participant information pertinent to a longitudinal follow-up
survey, six (6) months after the program performance period ends;
E. A 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
F. An 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.
IX.
RATING CRITERIA FOR AWARD
Applications
will be reviewed by a DOL panel using the point scoring system specified
below. Applications will be ranked
based on the score assigned by the panel after careful evaluation by each panel
member. The ranking will be the primary
basis to identify applicants as potential grantees. Although the Government
reserves the right to award on the basis of the initial proposal submissions,
the Government may establish a competitive range, based upon the proposal
evaluation, for the purpose of selecting qualified applicants. The panel’s conclusions are advisory in
nature and not binding on the Grant Officer.
The Government reserves the right to ask for clarification or hold
discussions, but is not obligated to do so.
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. While points
will not be awarded for cost issues, cost per entered employment will be given
serious consideration in the selection of awardee. The Grant Officer’s determination is final agency action for
award under SGA 03-02 is the final agency action.
Panel Review Criteria
1.
Need for
the Project: 15
points
The applicant will document the extent of
need for this project, as demonstrated by: (1) the potential number or
concentration of homeless individuals and homeless veterans in the proposed
project area relative to other similar areas of jurisdiction; (2) the high
rates of poverty and/or unemployment in the proposed project area as determined
by the census or other surveys; and (3) the extent of gaps in the local
infrastructure to effectively address the employment barriers that characterize
the target population.
2.
Overall
Strategy to Increase Employment and Retention: 40
points
The application must include a description of the
proposed approach to providing comprehensive employment and training services,
including job training, job development, any employer commitments to hire,
placement, and post-placement follow-up services. Applicants must address how they will target occupations in
expanding industries, rather than declining industries. The supportive services to be provided as
part of the strategy of promoting job readiness and job retention must be
indicated. The applicant must identify
the local resources services and sources of training to be used for
participants. A description of the
relationship, if any, with other employment and training programs such as SESAs
including (DVOP and LVER Programs), VWIP, other WIA programs, and Workforce
Investment Boards or entities where in place, must be presented. 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 the chart of proposed program outcomes to
include participants served, entered employment/placements and job
retention. (See Appendix D) Of the 40 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 six-month employment retention rate
of 50 percent or greater.
3. Quality and Extent of Linkages with Other
Providers of Services to the Homeless and to Veterans: 10 points
The application must provide information on
the quality and extent of the linkages this program will have with other
providers of services to benefit the homeless veterans in the local community
outside of the HVRP grant. 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 fit into the community’s continuum of care
approach to respond to homelessness and any linkages to HUD, HHS or DVA
programs or resources to benefit the proposed program.]
4. Demonstrated Capability to Provide Required
Program Services: 20
points
The applicant must describe its capability to
provide and operate employment and training programs and providing services to
participants similar to those that are proposed under this solicitation. The applicant must address its capability
and ability for timely startup of the program.
The applicant should delineate its staff capability and ability to
manage the financial aspects of a grant program, including a recent (within the
last 12 months), financial statement or audit if available. Final or most recent technical reports for
other relevant programs must be submitted if applicable. Because prior grant experience is not a
requirement for this grant, some applicants may not have any technical reports
to submit.
5. Quality
of Overall Housing Strategy: 15
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 to purchase housing or vehicles.
X. POST-AWARD CONFERENCE
A post-award conference will be held for
those grantees awarded PY 2003 HVRP funds from the competition. It is expected to be held in May or June
2003. Up to two grantee representatives
must be present; a fiscal and a program representative is recommended. The site of the Post-Award conference has
not yet been determined, for planning and budgeting purposes, please plan on
five days and use Washington, DC as the conference location. The conference
will focus on providing information and assistance on reporting, record
keeping, and 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 were incurred in accordance with Federal travel
regulations. Such costs must be charged
as administrative costs and reflected in the proposed budget.
XI. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
The grantee will submit the reports and
documents listed below:
A. FINANCIAL REPORTS
The grantee must report outlays, program income, and
other financial information on a quarterly basis using SF 269A, Financial
Status Report, Short Form. This form
will cite the assigned grant number and be submitted to the appropriate State
Director for Veterans' Employment and Training (DVET) no later than 30 days
after the ending date of each Federal fiscal quarter (i.e., October 30, January
30, April 30 and July 30) during the grant period.
B.
PROGRAM REPORTS
Grantees must submit a Quarterly Technical
Performance Report 30 days after the end of each Federal fiscal quarter to the
DVET that contains the following:
1. a
comparison of actual accomplishments to established goals for the reporting
period 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: (i) identification of corrective action which
will be taken to meet the planned goals, and (ii) a timetable for
accomplishment of the corrective action.
C. 90
DAY FOLLOW-UP REPORT
The grantee must submit no later than 120
days after the grant expiration date a final report containing the following:
1. Financial Status Report (SF-269A) (copy to
be provided following grant awards); and
2. Technical Performance Report - (Program
Goals).
D. SIX (6) MONTH FOLLOW-UP/CLOSEOUT REPORT
No later than 210 days after the grant
performance period ends, the grantee must submit a follow-up report containing
the following:
1. Final
Financial Status Report (SF-269A)
2. Final Narrative Report identifying - (a)
the total combined (directed/assisted) number of veterans placed during the
entire grant period; (b) the number of participants that remained employed 90
and 180 days after entering employment;(c) whether the veterans are still
employed at the same or similar job, if not what are the reasons; (d) whether
the 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.
XII.
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
A. LIMITATION
ON ADMINISTRATIVE AND INDIRECT COSTS
1.
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.
2. 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 with the appropriate DOL Regional Office of Cost
Determination within 90 days of grant award.
3.
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.
B.
ADMINISTRATIVE STANDARDS AND PROVISIONS
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 and an entity’s procurement procedures must provide that 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:
1. 29 CFR Part 93 - Lobbying.
2. 29 CFR Part 95 - Uniform Administrative
Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education,
Hospitals, and other Non-profit Organizations, and with Commercial
Organizations.
3. 29 CFR Part 96 - Federal Standards for
Audit of Federally Funded Grants, Contracts and Agreements.
4. 29 CFR Part 97 - Uniform Administrative
Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local
Governments.
5. 29 CFR Part 98 - Federal standards for
Government-wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) and Government wide
Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants).
6. 29 CFR Part 99 - Audit Of States, Local
Governments, and Non-profit Organization.
7. 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.
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, VETS 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.
Signed at Washington, DC. this ___ day of
____, 2003.
Lawrence J. Kuss
Grant Officer