FOA-VETS-25-01 Announcement.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Veterans’ Employment and Training Service

Notice of Availability of Funds and Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA)

Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP), Incarcerated Veterans’ Transition Program (IVTP), and the Homeless Women Veterans and Homeless Veterans with Children Reintegration Grant Program (HWVHVWC) (referred to collectively as HVRP)

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Initial

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: FOA-VETS-25-01

ASSISTANCE LISTING NUMBER: 17.805

KEY DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications under this Announcement is 03/17/2025. We must receive applications no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

ADDRESSES: Submit all applications in response to this solicitation through Grants.gov.

For complete application and submission information, including online application instructions, please refer to Section IV.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration (ETA), is responsible for the grant award process of the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) grant program.

Join us for a Prospective Applicant Webinar on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.

Eastern Time and again on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. While attendance is recommended, it is not required. Both sessions will share the same information.

During the webinar, you will learn about the HVRP program and the FOA. We will share important details regarding who can apply, how to apply, what documents you need to complete, deadlines, and whom to contact for more information. You will also have the chance to ask questions. After the webinars, DOL/VETS will release a detailed Question and Answer (Q&A) document that addresses the questions asked. Additionally, you can watch a recording of the webinar and read the Q&A on the Prospective HVRP Applicant Resources – National Veterans’ Technical Assistance Center website. Click the link below to register for the respective session:

• Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 2 p.m. Eastern Time

• Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 3 p.m. Eastern Time http://www.grants.gov/ https://nvtac.org/prospective-hvrp-foa-applicants/ https://nvtac.org/prospective-hvrp-foa-applicants/ https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/2f2363e0-b587-42ec-8aad-eea0f8ab6d99@e1f1c337-2599-4753-95d8-4853fb4b179c/registration https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/10fd9e8e-301a-411a-9780-78d2501319c2@e1f1c337-2599-4753-95d8-4853fb4b179c/registration

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. PROGRAM PURPOSE

B. PROGRAM AUTHORITY

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. AWARD TYPE AND AMOUNT

B. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE (PoP)

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

B. COST SHARING

C. OTHER INFORMATION

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. HOW TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION PACKAGE

B. CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

C. SUBMISSION DATE, TIME, AND PROCESS

D. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

E. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

F. OTHER SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. CRITERIA

B. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. AWARD NOTICES

B. ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS

C. REPORTING

D. CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS

VII. AGENCY CONTACTS

VIII. OTHER INFORMATION

IX. OMB INFORMATION COLLECTION

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (DOL/VETS), announces the availability of approximately $17,000,000 in grant funds authorized under Title 38 United States Code (U.S.C.) Sections 2021, 2021A, and 2023 for the Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP).

DOL/VETS funds three types of competitive grants. HVRP helps all eligible veterans in need.

The Incarcerated Veterans’ Transition Program (IVTP) focuses on veterans who are involved in the justice system or are moving on from certain institutions. Lastly, the Homeless Women Veterans and Homeless Veterans with Children Reintegration Program (HWVHVWC) is specifically for homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children. These programs are collectively referred to as HVRP, and this announcement applies to all of them.

HVRP is an employment-focused, competitive federal grant program intended to enable veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness reach their full employment potential and obtain high-quality career outcomes. Awardees under the HVRP FOA must address the complex employment-related requirements and supportive services necessary to meet the needs of this population and must implement their grant in accordance with the approved Budget and Project Narrative.

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. PROGRAM PURPOSE

This announcement solicits applications for HVRP, IVTP, and HWVHVWC (referred to collectively as HVRP).

Each year, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), conducts a physical count of the number of veterans, both sheltered and unsheltered, experiencing homelessness on a single night. This count is referred to as the Point in Time (PIT) count. According to the 2024 HUD Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR), on one night in January 2024, 32,882 veterans experienced homelessness. This number is an eight percent decrease from the January 2023 PIT count.

To help address the number of veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, DOL/VETS requires HVRP grant recipients to provide services tailored to each veteran’s needs using a case management approach. Grant recipients must help connect veterans to supportive services available in their local communities. In addition, grant recipients must also help veterans successfully return to work by providing job training services that support their needs.

This can be done by providing direct help or by creating a strong referral system that includes tools, resources, and partnerships that identify, find, prepare, and support veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness so they can reach their full employment potential.

Recognizing current challenges, HVRP awardees must treat all prospective participants fairly, offering appropriate participant support to marginalized groups and making services accessible https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/2024-AHAR-Part-1.pdf https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/2024-AHAR-Part-1.pdf for underserved communities. Grant recipients will be better equipped to create equal opportunities for marginalized veterans by recognizing their current homeless or at risk of homelessness challenges.

The HVRP website, the 2024 HVRP Program Guide, and Veterans’ Program Letter (VPL) 06-24 HVRP Requirements and Functions provide useful information about program requirements.

B. PROGRAM AUTHORITY

Title 38 U.S.C. Sections 2021, 2021A, and 2023 and the Public Law under which Program Year (PY) 2025 funding is appropriated for this program.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. AWARD TYPE AND AMOUNT

Funding will be provided in the form of a grant.

We expect availability of approximately $17,000,000 in total grant funds to award across the successful applicant pool. Under this FOA, each applicant may apply for up to $500,000 for the first year of grant operation (the minimum funding request accepted is $150,000). Annual increments, subject to the availability of federal funding, will be provided in years two and three, with a total of up to $1,500,000 awarded for the three-year period of performance covering July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028. Additional information regarding the budget can be found in Section IV.B.2.

Awards made under this Announcement are subject to the availability of federal funds.

DOL/VETS requested funding for new awards for PY 2025; however, the actual level of funding, if any, depends on final congressional action. We are accepting applications to allow enough time to complete the grant award process, should Congress appropriate funds for this program. If additional funds become available, we reserve the right to use such funds to select additional grant recipients from successful applications submitted in response to this Announcement. DOL/VETS may increase or decrease award amounts to successful applicants to maximize the use of available funding. DOL/VETS may increase or decrease the budget period within the period of performance, depending on the availability of funds, under this FOA.

B. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE (PoP)

The PoP is 36 months with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2025, and an end date of June 30, 2028. This performance period includes all necessary implementation, start-up activities, and follow-up activities.

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/hvrp https://nvtac.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2024-NVTAC-HVRP-Program-Guide.pdf https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/VETS/files/HVRP-VPL-06-24-Requirements-Functions-20240923.pdf

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

• State governments

• County governments

• City or township governments

• Special district governments

• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education

• Native American tribal governments (federally recognized)

• Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities

• Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments)

• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

• Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

• Private institutions of higher education

• For profit organizations other than small businesses

• Small businesses

• U.S Territories or Possessions

• Native American Tribally Designated Organizations

• State and Local Workforce Development Boards (SWDB/LWDB) established under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

• Faith-based Organizations

• Other State and Local Government Agencies

Among eligible applicants listed above, the applicant agency or organization must also maintain a physical local presence in any identified/targeted communities they propose to serve. Please see Section IV.B.3 for more information about physical local presence.

B. COST SHARING

This program does not require cost sharing. Including such funds is not one of the application screening criteria, and applications that include any form of cost sharing will not receive special consideration during the review process. Instead, the agency considers any resources contributed to the project beyond the funds provided by the agency as leveraged resources. Section IV.B.2 provides more information on leveraged resources.

C. OTHER INFORMATION

1. Application Screening Criteria

Use the checklist below as a guide when preparing your application package to ensure that the application meets all the screening criteria and contains all required items. Applicants should not include the checklist in their application package. It is only an application aid. Applications that do not include all the requirements provided in the table below will be deemed non-responsive, will not advance to the merit review process, and will not be considered further for funding.

Application Requirement Instructions Complete?

Electronic submission requirements through Grants.gov are met no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date. Section IV.C

Eligibility criteria are met. Section III.A The federal fund request for the first year of the PoP falls within the required threshold (maximum of $500,000 and minimum of $150,000).

Section II.A

Active System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Registration Section IV.B.1.b

SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance includes the applicant’s Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Number. (Total reflects the amount requested on the SF-424: maximum of $500,000 and minimum of $150,000.)

Section

IV.B.1

SF-424A, Budget Information Form. (Total reflects the amount requested on the SF-424: maximum of $500,000 and minimum of $150,000.)

Section

IV.B.2

Standalone Budget Narrative. (Total reflects the amount requested on the SF-424: maximum of $500,000 and minimum of $150,000.)

A sample format is available at Attachment B, Budget Narrative Template.

Section IV.B.2.a

Standalone Project Narrative. Section

IV.B.3

https://sam.gov/content/home

Application Requirement Instructions Complete?

HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) Letter of Support dated within 12 months from the FOA publication date. If your Service Delivery Area (SDA) encompasses multiple CoCs, you must provide a letter from each CoC.

Section IV.B.4.a.ii

Chart of Past Performance (Attachment C). Section IV.B.3.e

VETS-704 Form – Abstract and Planned Goals Chart (all tabs in Attachment A).

Section IV.B.4.a.i

2. Population Categories and Number of Applications Applicants May Submit

This FOA establishes three population categories:

1. Category 1 (HVRP) includes applicants who propose to serve veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Under this category, applicants may serve populations eligible under all three categories.

2. Category 2 (HWVHVWC) includes applicants that want to use 100 percent of their grant funding to serve homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children, which is defined in 38 U.S.C. § 101(4).

3. Category 3 (IVTP) includes applicants that want to use 100 percent of their grant funding to serve the following populations:

a. Veterans described in 38 U.S.C. § 2023(d) who are transitioning from certain institutions or any other veterans who are transitioning from being incarcerated, meaning they are scheduled to be released from incarceration or an institution within 18 months (at the time of enrollment in HVRP).

b. Veterans recently released (within the last 18 months from the date of HVRP enrollment) from incarceration who are at risk of homelessness.

DOL/VETS intends to make at least one Category 2 grant award and at least one Category 3 grant award if they receive competitive applications under those categories.

Saturation Level Affecting Services

DOL/VETS is committed to developing an appropriate distribution of HVRP funds to serve the most veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Thus, DOL/VETS will consider the saturation levels of grant recipients versus the homeless veteran population in each geographical area to ensure services are within saturation limits.

DOL/VETS has an SDA Saturation Map of every CoC HVRP grant recipients serve. The saturation level is calculated by dividing the total number of HVRP planned enrollments in the CoC by the most recent HUD PIT count for the number of veterans experiencing homelessness.

https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning/coc/competition/giws https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning/coc/competition/giws https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning/coc/competition/giws https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title38-section101&num=0&edition=prelim https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?hl=false&edition=prelim&req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title38-section2023&num=0&saved=%7CKHRpdGxlOjM4IHNlY3Rpb246MjAyMSBlZGl0aW9uOnByZWxpbSk%3D%7C%7C%7C0%7Cfalse%7Cprelim https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/hvrp/SDA-Saturation-Map https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning/coc/competition/giws https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning/coc/competition/giws https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/hdx/pit-hic/#2024-pit-count-and-hic-guidance

CoCs with saturation levels of 100 percent or more indicate that current HVRP grant recipients are already planning to enroll more participants than the estimated number of veterans experiencing homelessness for the CoC. Applicants should be aware that requesting an oversaturated SDA may result in failing to meet their planned enrollment goals. Applicants may submit more than one application for different SDAs.

DOL/VETS will look at an applicant’s proposed SDA(s), saturation levels, and planned enrollments served by an active grant in the same CoC. Applicants proposing to serve a CoC with a saturation level of 100 percent or more must justify the existence of unmet demand in the Abstract (tab 3 in Attachment A). Saturation levels are available in the Abstract (tab 2 in Attachment A), Planned Enrollments by CoC – Current Saturation Level column or in the HVRP SDA Saturation Map.

In rare metropolitan geographic locations, the SDA may be undersaturated and may allow for multiple applications providing services in different parts of the SDA (e.g., the Eastside and San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles or Queens and the Lower East Side of New York City).

Regardless of the category type, if DOL/VETS receives multiple applications from the same applicant with the same SDA proposed in your Abstract (Attachment A), you must explain how the same SDA justifies multiple applications in the Abstract (tab 3 in Attachment A). If there is no justification in the Abstract (Attachment A), only the most recently received application that meets the deadline will be considered.

If a current HVRP grant recipient applies, and your PoP does not end on June 30, 2025, the application will be disqualified if your proposed SDA covers more than 25 percent of your current grant’s SDA (e.g., if the current grant’s SDA has four counties (Counties A, B, C, and D) and the application’s SDA proposes to serve three counties (Counties C, D, and E), the application’s SDA contains 50 percent (two of the four counties) of the current grant’s SDA). If the application’s SDA counties overlap at less than 25 percent of your current grant’s SDA, the applicant must justify the need for an additional grant in the Abstract (tab 3 in Attachment A).

Applicants must justify that the proposed service areas will not duplicate existing services.

3. Eligible Participants

HVRP provides services to veterans experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.

According to 38 U.S.C. § 2021, veterans served by this program include the following categories:

a. Homeless veterans, including:

1. Veterans who were homeless but found housing during the 60-day period preceding the date of HVRP enrollment; and

2. Veterans who, at the time of enrollment in HVRP, are at risk of homelessness within the next 60 days.

b. Veterans participating in a HUD-VA supported housing program for which rental assistance is provided pursuant to section 8(o)(19) of the United States Housing Act of https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning/coc/competition/giws https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning/coc/competition/giws https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning/coc/competition/giws https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/USCODE-2022-title38/USCODE-2022-title38-partII-chap20-subchapIII-sec2021

1937 (42 U.S.C. § 1437f(o)(19)) or the Tribal HUD-VA Supportive Housing (Tribal HUD-VASH) program;

c. Veterans who are receiving assistance under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. § 4101 et seq.);

d. Veterans described in 38 U.S.C. § 2023(d) or any other veterans who are transitioning from being incarcerated; and

e. Veterans participating in the VA rapid rehousing and/or prevention program authorized in 38 U.S.C. § 2044.

Annual appropriation acts may authorize HVRP grant recipients to serve other veteran populations at risk of homelessness. As of this publication, Congress has authorized HVRP grant recipients to serve the following population:

• Veterans recently released from incarceration who are at risk of homelessness.

Please reference VPL 06-24 HVRP Requirements and Functions, or the most current guidance on this topic, for more information on eligibility definitions.

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. HOW TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION PACKAGE

This FOA, found at Grants.gov, contains all the information and links to forms needed to apply for grant funding.

B. CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

Applications submitted in response to this FOA must consist of four separate and distinct parts:

1. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance;

2. Project Budget, composed of the SF-424A and Budget Narrative;

3. Project Narrative; and

4. Attachments to the Project Narrative.

You must ensure that the funding amount requested is consistent across all parts and sub-parts of the application.

1. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

You must complete the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance (available at https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family).

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-2015-title42-section1437f&num=0&edition=2015 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-1999-title25-section4101&num=0&edition=1999 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?hl=false&edition=prelim&req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title38-section2023&num=0&saved=%7CKHRpdGxlOjM4IHNlY3Rpb246MjAyMSBlZGl0aW9uOnByZWxpbSk%3D%7C%7C%7C0%7Cfalse%7Cprelim https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?hl=false&edition=prelim&path=%2Fprelim%40title38%2Fpart2%2Fchapter20%2Fsubchapter5&req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title38-section2044&num=0&saved=L3ByZWxpbUB0aXRsZTM4L3BhcnQyL2NoYXB0ZXIyMC9zdWJjaGFwdGVyNQ%3D%3D%7CZ3JhbnVsZWlkOlVTQy1wcmVsaW0tdGl0bGUzOC1jaGFwdGVyMjAtc3ViY2hhcHRlcjU%3D%7C%7C%7C0%7Cfalse%7Cprelim https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/VETS/files/HVRP-VPL-06-24-Requirements-Functions-20240923.pdf https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family

• In the address field, fill out the nine-digit (plus hyphen) zip code. Nine-digit zip codes can be looked up on the U.S. Postal Service website (https://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupAction!input.action).

• The organization’s legal name on the SF-424 must match the name registered in SAM.gov. If unsure of the legal name of your organization, visit SAM.gov to confirm.

• The organization’s Employer Identification Number (EIN) and UEI Number should match its information in SAM.gov. If unsure of the EIN or UEI of your organization, visit SAM.gov to confirm.

• The SF-424 must clearly identify the applicant and must be signed by an individual with authority to enter into a grant agreement. Upon confirmation of an award, the individual signing the SF-424 on behalf of the applicant is considered the Authorized Representative of the applicant. As stated in block 21 of the SF-424 form, the signature of the Authorized Representative on the SF-424 certifies that the organization is in compliance with the Assurances and Certifications form SF-424B (available at https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family). You do not need to submit the SF-424B with the application.

a. Requirement for Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)

All applicants for federal grant and funding opportunities must have a UEI and must supply their UEI on the SF-424. The UEI is a 12-character alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies all entities. Any entity registering to do business with the government is required to have one.

UEIs are issued by SAM.gov and are a part of an entity’s record in the Entity Information section of SAM.gov. If your organization does not have a UEI, one can be obtained for free at SAM.gov.

Grant recipients authorized to make subawards must meet these requirements related to UEIs:

• Grant recipients must notify potential sub-awardees that no entity may receive a subaward unless the entity has provided its UEI.

• Grant recipients may not make a subaward to an entity unless the entity has provided its

UEI.

(See Appendix A to 2 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) Part 25.)

b. Requirement for Registration with SAM.gov

Applicants must register with SAM.gov before applying. Find instructions for registering at SAM.gov.

A recipient must always maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information while it has an active federal award or an application under consideration. To remain registered in the SAM.gov database after the initial registration, the applicant is required to review and update the registration at least every 12 months from the date of initial registration or subsequently update its information in the SAM.gov database to ensure it is current, accurate, and complete. If you do https://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupAction!input.action https://www.sam.gov/ https://www.sam.gov/ https://www.sam.gov/ https://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family https://www.sam.gov/ https://www.sam.gov/ https://www.sam.gov/ https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/appendix-Appendix%20A%20to%20Part%2025 https://www.sam.gov/ https://www.sam.gov/ https://www.sam.gov/ https://www.sam.gov/ https://www.sam.gov/ https://www.sam.gov/ not renew your SAM.gov registration, it will expire. An expired registration can delay or prevent application submission in Grants.gov. Registration and renewal can take up to 10-15 business days to process. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicant is the entity that meets the eligibility criteria and has the legal authority to apply and to receive the award. If an applicant has not fully complied with these requirements by the time the Grant Officer is ready to approve a federal award, the Grant Officer may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive the federal award and use that determination as a basis for awarding another applicant instead.

2. Project Budget

You must complete the SF-424A Budget Information Form (available at https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family). The totals in Sections A, B, and D must match. In preparing the Budget Information Form, you must provide a concise narrative explanation to support the budget request, explained in detail below.

a. Budget Narrative (Up to 6 Points)

The Budget Narrative must outline a one-year budget that is no more than $500,000 in total costs, including all direct and indirect expenses. All costs must be allocable to the proposed project supporting an identified population and SDA(s). The Budget Narrative must also justify the costs for each line item shown on the SF-424A form.

Applicants must use whole dollar amounts. For assistance, please refer to the sample Budget Narrative Template (Attachment B). This Excel template has sections where you can enter information for each object class category. You can use this template or create your own Budget Narrative to submit.

Applicants must show that their proposed costs are allowable (2 C.F.R. § 200.403). Costs must be necessary and reasonable for carrying out the HVRP grant. You should follow the cost principles guidelines in 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Subpart E. A cost is considered “necessary” if it helps achieve a program goal and is necessary and reasonable for the performance of the HVRP grant.

A cost is “reasonable” if it meets the “prudent person” standard (2 C.F.R. § 200.404). Shared costs among multiple programs or projects must be proportionate. For example, if a Program Manager spends 20 percent of their time on HVRP, then only 20 percent of the Program Manager’s cell phone or laptop would be charged to HVRP, with the rest being split among the other programs.

If you include indirect costs in Section J, make sure you do not list those same costs again in any direct cost categories. You must categorize costs as either indirect or direct, but not both.

The Budget Narrative must justify all proposed costs and match the SF-424A and the estimated funding amount in the SF-424 (Section 18a). The Budget Narrative must be consistent with and support the activities, resources, staff, and other items described in the Project Narrative.

The Budget Narrative should also include a section describing any leveraged resources provided (as applicable) to support grant activities. DOL/VETS considers any resources contributed to the project, beyond the funds provided by the agency, as leveraged resources. Applicants are encouraged to leverage resources to increase stakeholder investment in the project and broaden https://www.sam.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRea20080eff2ea53/section-200.403 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRea20080eff2ea53/section-200.404 and sustain the impact of the project itself. If leveraged resources are provided, the Budget Narrative should include a description of the leveraged resources, the specific grant activities the resources will support, and the funding source. Valuation of leveraged resources follows the same requirements as cost sharing.

Participant Support Costs A participant support cost is allowed only when incurred to enable the eligible veteran’s participation in HVRP services and must be tied to a specific HVRP service. It is not meant to cover all the participant’s needs. Typically, needs are identified during the intake and assessment process and included in the employment plan. A participant support payment is given to, or on behalf of, eligible participants to provide temporary assistance that supports the individual’s employment plan. A participant support cost must be reasonable and necessary to help the participant engage in services and activities related to the employment plan. A participant support cost should not duplicate a service a participant receives from another program (i.e., federal, state, local programs). For specific guidance on Participant Support Costs, please see VPL 06-24 HVRP Requirements and Functions or the most current guidance on this topic.

Participant Wages HVRP grant funds may be used to pay participant wages. Examples of wage subsidies include On-the-Job Training (OJT), subsidized state- or federally approved registered apprenticeships, and/or transitional jobs (TJ) strategies. The participant must be involved in job training, and the expectation is for employers to hire them afterwards. Funds can cover job training wages for up to 90 days and can contribute up to half of the participant’s wages, based on the county living wage for the SDA county as shown in the Abstract (Attachment A).

To use HVRP funds for OJT, subsidized registered apprenticeships, and/or TJ wages, grant recipients must show that participants need the subsidized job training wages and create an agreement with the employer that stipulates the terms of the subsidy, duration of the job training, and that it must lead to employment. The agreement must stipulate that HVRP funds will reimburse the employer for the agreed-upon earnings to be subsidized, not more than 50 percent.

Subsidized job training is not a job placement. Awardees must have a standard operating procedure (SOP) to implement and execute this process consistently.

Incentives Incentives may be provided to active HVRP participants for recognition and achievement directly tied to participation in the program and employment goals. Incentives may be provided to enrolled participants and participants maintaining employment throughout the 12-month retention period.

If you plan to use incentive funds, your Budget Narrative must include the planned amount and type of incentives (e.g., gift cards, vouchers, etc.). Planned costs for incentives must be categorized under the “Other” cost category and not as a Participant Support Cost. Awardees that want to use grant funding for incentives must have an SOP outlining a disbursement policy and tracking system to ensure supportive services are implemented and executed consistently before incentives are dispersed.

For specific guidance on incentives, including the SOP requirements, please see VPL 06-24 HVRP Requirements and Functions or the most current guidance on this topic.

Each category should include the total cost for the first year of the period of performance. Use the following guidance for preparing the Budget Narrative.

Personnel: List all staff positions by title (both current and proposed) and include the roles and responsibilities as they pertain to the award. List each full-time equivalent (FTE) position separately and provide the annual salary, the percentage of time devoted to the project, and the amount of each position’s salary funded by the grant. Grant recipients that charge Personnel positions among multiple HVRP grants cannot exceed 100 percent FTE collectively among potential active grants entering PY 2025.

Fringe Benefits: Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages that comprise fringe benefit costs, i.e., health insurance, Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), retirement, etc.

Travel: For grant recipient staff only, specify the purpose, number of staff traveling, mileage, per diem, estimated number of in-state and out-of-state trips, and other costs for each type of travel. If an overnight trip, provide the start location and the destination location so DOL/VETS can determine if the costs are reasonable. This category should include allowable expenses to cover travel to DOL/VETS-sponsored training events such as the region or state annual post-award conference, professional conference, and/or any other offered trainings. The National Post Award Conference is virtual, so do not include travel costs for that event. Identify the name and location of the conference that staff will attend. Full day per diem rates should not be claimed for the first and last day of travel. Lodging and per diem expenditures must not exceed the rates established by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) for the location of your trip.

Find your per diem and lodging rates on the GSA per diem rate page. Applicants must provide a justification for travel expenditures that exceed 10 percent of the one-year budget. Mileage reimbursements must not exceed the current federal mileage reimbursement rate and can be verified at GSA privately owned vehicle mileage reimbursement rate page.

Equipment: Identify each item of equipment you expect to purchase that has an estimated acquisition cost of $10,000 or more per unit (or if your capitalization level is less than $10,000, use your capitalization level) and a useful lifetime of more than one year (see 2 C.F.R. § 200.1 for the definition of Equipment). List the item, quantity, and the unit cost per item. Items with a unit cost of less than $10,000 are supplies, not “equipment.” DOL/VETS does not allow the purchase of motor vehicles, buildings, or land.

Supplies: Supplies means all tangible personal property other than those described in the definition of Equipment. A computing device (laptop) is a supply if the acquisition cost is below the lesser of the capitalization level established by the recipient (or subrecipient for financial statement purposes) or $10,000, regardless of the length of its useful life. Identify the categories of supplies for staff (e.g., office supplies) and, as needed, list the item, quantity, and total costs.

Cost allocations for supplies that are not broken down by individual item in the narrative must document the methodology used in determining the amount allocated for this line item, per 2 C.F.R. § 200.405(d). Note: Supplies for participants should be placed in the “Other” line item.

https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/VETS/files/HVRP-VPL-06-24-Requirements-Functions-20240923.pdf https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/VETS/files/HVRP-VPL-06-24-Requirements-Functions-20240923.pdf https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-a-trip/transportation-airfare-rates-pov-rates-etc/privately-owned-vehicle-pov-mileage-reimbursement https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFR2a6a0087862fd2c/section-200.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.405#p-200.405(d)

Contractual: Under the Contractual line item, delineate contracts and subawards separately.

Contracts are defined according to 2 C.F.R. § 200.1 as a legal instrument by which a non-federal entity purchases property or services needed to carry out the project or program under a federal award. A subaward, defined by 2 C.F.R. § 200.1, means an award provided by a pass-through entity to a subrecipient for the subrecipient to contribute to the goals and objectives of the project by carrying out part of the federal award received by the pass-through entity. It does not include payments to a contractor or payments to an individual that is a beneficiary of a federal program.

A subaward may be provided through any form of legal agreement consistent with criteria in with §200.331, including an agreement the pass-through entity considers a contract. For each proposed contract and subaward, specify the purpose and activities to be provided and the estimated cost. Phone and copier contracts, agreements, or leases should not be included in this section.

Construction: Construction costs are not allowed, and this line must be left as zero. Minor alterations to adjust an existing space for grant activities (such as a classroom alteration that does not involve construction costs) may be allowable. DOL/VETS does not consider this as construction, and you must show the costs on other appropriate lines such as Contractual.

Other: Provide clear and specific detail, including cost methodology, for each item so that DOL/VETS can determine whether the costs are necessary, reasonable, and allocable. For further information on Participant Support Cost allowability, please see VPL 06-24 HVRP Requirements and Functions or the most current guidance on this topic.

List items, such as participant support costs (e.g., training, clothing, etc.), stipends, or incentives not covered elsewhere. Professional liability insurance, also referred to as errors and omissions insurance, is unallowable in accordance with 2 C.F.R. § 200.447(b)(5).

Indirect Costs: If you include an amount for indirect costs (through a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement or De Minimis) on the SF-424A budget form, then include one of the following:

a) If you have a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA), provide an explanation of how the indirect costs are calculated. This explanation should include which portion of each line item, along with the associated costs, are included in your cost allocation base.

Also, provide a current version of the NICRA.

or

b) If you intend to claim indirect costs using the 15 percent de minimis rate of modified total direct costs, please confirm that your organization meets the requirements as described in 2 C.F.R. § 200.414(f). Clearly state that your organization does not have a current negotiated (including provisional) rate.

Applicants choosing to claim indirect costs using the de minimis rate must use Modified Total Direct Costs (see 2 C.F.R. § 200.1 below for definition) as their cost allocation base. Provide an explanation of which portion of each line item, along with the associated costs, are included in your cost allocation base. Note that there are various items not included in the calculation of Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC). See the definitions below to assist you in your calculation.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFR2a6a0087862fd2c/section-200.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFR2a6a0087862fd2c/section-200.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.331 https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/VETS/files/HVRP-VPL-06-24-Requirements-Functions-20240923.pdf https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/VETS/files/HVRP-VPL-06-24-Requirements-Functions-20240923.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.447#p-200.447(b)(5) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRd93f2a98b1f6455/section-200.414 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFR2a6a0087862fd2c/section-200.1

• 2 C.F.R. § 200.1 MTDC: To avoid a serious inequity in the distribution of indirect costs, DOL defines MTDC as all direct salaries and wages, applicable fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, and travel and up to the first $50,000 of each subaward or subcontract (regardless of the PoP of the subawards and subcontracts under the award).

MTDC excludes equipment, capital expenditures, charges for patient care, rental costs, tuition remission, scholarships and fellowships, participant support costs, and the portion of each subaward and subcontract in excess of $50,000. You will also note that participant support costs are not included in MTDC. Participant support costs are defined below.

• 2 C.F.R. § 200.1 Participant Support Cost means direct costs that support participants and their involvement in a federal award, such as stipends or subsistence allowances, registration fees, temporary dependent care, and per diem paid to or on behalf of participants.

See Sections IV.B.4 and IV.E.1 for more information. Additionally, the Cost & Price Determination Division (CPDD) contains information regarding the negotiation of Indirect Cost Rates at DOL.

Note that the SF-424, SF-424A, and Budget Narrative must include the federal grant amount requested for the first year only of the PoP. All total amounts must match on each document.

Do not show leveraged resources on the SF-424 and SF-424A. If leveraged resources are included, they must be described in the Budget Narrative.

Applicants should list the same requested federal grant amount on the SF-424, SF-424A, and Budget Narrative. If minor inconsistencies are found between the budget amounts specified on the SF-424, SF-424A, and the Budget Narrative, DOL/VETS will consider the Abstract (Attachment A) the official funding amount requested. However, if the amount specified on the SF-424 would render the application nonresponsive, the Grant Officer will use their discretion to determine whether the intended funding request (and cost sharing, if applicable) is within the responsive range.

Applicants must submit, as an attachment, the information requested in Word, PDF, or Excel format. A template for applicants is available at Budget Narrative Template (Attachment B). The naming convention for the attachment must be “Attachment-B-Budget-Narrative.”

The score for this category will depend on how well the Budget Narrative shows the following:

• Use of the Bureau of Labor Statistic benchmark for wage estimates for Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs (43-4061.00) to show that the personnel salaries for Case Managers, Employment Specialists, or equivalent positions meet or exceed the local wages of the lowest 10 percent of workers for the proposed service address(es) zip code(s). This benchmark does not apply to the Program Directors/Managers, Outreach Staff, etc., personnel positions. (Up to 2 Points) https://www.dol.gov/agencies/oasam/centers-offices/business-operations-center/cost-determination https://www.dol.gov/agencies/oasam/centers-offices/business-operations-center/cost-determination https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes434061.htm https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/43-4061.00 https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/43-4061.00

• Provide realistic and reasonable costs that align with the proposed project activities and outcomes. (Up to 1 Point)

• Show in the object class category descriptions that costs are necessary for the project and ensure not to include things that are not allowed by DOL/VETS, like buying construction materials, vehicles, buildings, or land. (Up to 2 Points)

• Ensure the cost description matches each line item on the SF-424A. For example, the personnel section should show how many full-time staff are involved and what percentage of their time they will dedicate to HVRP and include a complete description of proposed leveraged resources (as applicable) to support grant activities and participant supportive services. (Up to 1 Point)

3. Project Narrative

The Project Narrative must demonstrate your capability to implement the grant project in accordance with the provisions of this Announcement. It provides a comprehensive framework and description of all aspects of the proposed project. It must be succinct, self-explanatory, and well-organized so that reviewers can understand the proposed project.

The Project Narrative is limited to 25 double-spaced single-sided 8.5 x 11-inch pages with Times New Roman 12-point font and 1-inch margins. You must number the pages of the Project Narrative beginning with page number 1.

We will not read or consider any materials beyond the specified 25-page limit except those attachments listed in Section IV.B.4 that impact the scoring of the application.

The following instructions provide all the information needed to complete the Project Narrative.

Carefully read and consider each section and include all required information in your Project Narrative. The agency will evaluate the Project Narrative using the evaluation criteria identified in Section V.A. The Project Narrative must use the following format, using the same section headers identified below for each section of the Project Narrative.

Please be advised that full points will not be awarded if the narrative does not clearly and accurately address the required factors. To receive full points, the applicant must describe, in their own words, how they will meet the stated requirement and convincingly demonstrate that they are using a sound approach.

a. Statement of Need (Up to 12 Points)

Scoring for this section will depend on how well the following factors are explained and covered.

Panelists will not refer to the Abstract (Attachment A) for answers to these factors. They must be addressed in the Statement of Need.

• Identify the proposed SDA(s), including each state or territory in which the grant will operate, relevant counties, parishes, independent cities, Native American tribal areas, and other applicable geographic areas. (This information must also be included in the Abstract (Attachment A). If there are any differences between the Statement of Need and the Abstract (Attachment A), DOL/VETS will use the SDA(s) in the Abstract (Attachment A) as the official request.) (Up to 1 Point)

• Applicants must maintain a physical location within the identified proposed SDAs where staff will be located and provide participant support and services. As a result, you must provide the proposed physical address(es) where staff will be located. (This information must also be included in the Abstract (tab 1 in Attachment A).) For definition of physical address, please refer to the HVRP Glossary of Terms. The address(es) must be within 50 continuous miles of each proposed SDA. The following sites provide an estimate for this information: StatsAmerica Big Radius Tool (includes list of counties within a 50-mile radius of a city or county); Smappen (includes a map of locations that are within a 50-mile driving radius of an address); and CalcMaps (includes a map of locations that are within a 50-mile radius of an address). (Up to 1 Point)

• Describe how you determined the proposed project is needed in each SDA and why you chose those proposed physical locations where staff will be located. Include any evidence that supports the nature and extent of the need and why the proposed SDA(s) will benefit from HVRP services. You must justify the proposed SDA(s) and explain how services will be provided within the entire SDA(s). The SDA(s) must align with the proposed resources identified in the application (i.e., staff, funding, etc.) and reflect an area where the applicant could reasonably and effectively provide services. The Project Narrative must capture the description, as the panel will not refer to the Abstract (Attachment A) for the quantitative and qualitative information required below: (Up to 10 Points) o Provide demographic information of the population to be served in the proposed SDA(s) as identified in the Abstract (Attachment A). Include how many eligible veterans you plan to enroll each year for the project. The planned number of enrollments must be supported by the number of eligible veterans in need of project services in your proposed SDA(s) and the demographic information of the population to be served.

o Describe what local employers in your SDA(s) need in relationship to hiring workers and providing job training.

o Describe how you determined the number of sheltered and unsheltered veterans experiencing homelessness in the identified SDA(s). The Abstract (Attachment A) form provides local estimates of veteran homelessness by HUD CoC; however, other data sources are encouraged. Other data sources include VA Domiciliary/Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program housing data or local area data from Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)/HUD. Applicants must cite the date and source of all data.

o Provide current labor market information (LMI) for the identified SDA(s), including in-demand jobs identified by the Local Workforce Development Board (LWDB), industry, or employers. Applicants must cite the date and source of the information.

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/hvrp/glossary-of-terms https://www.statsamerica.org/radius/big.aspx https://www.smappen.com/app/ https://www.calcmaps.com/map-radius/ https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/hdx/pit-hic/#2024-pit-count-and-hic-guidance-and-training https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning/coc/competition/giws https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp#:%7E:text=Program%20Description,services%20to%20Veterans%20experiencing%20homelessness.

https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp#:%7E:text=Program%20Description,services%20to%20Veterans%20experiencing%20homelessness.

https://www.va.gov/homeless/housing.asp o Describe factors in the SDA(s) contributing to veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness or the circumstances creating the need for receiving an HVRP grant.

b. Expected Outcomes and Outputs (Up to 16 Points)

Cost per Enrollment (Up to 9 Points) Applicants are required to enter the Cost per Enrollment goal within the Planned Goals Chart (tab 4 in Attachment A).