PKG00260577-instructions.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Veterans’ Employment and Training Service

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

ANNOUNCEMENT FOR: Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP), Incarcerated Veterans’ Transition Program (IVTP), and the Homeless Female Veterans’ and Veterans’ with Families Program (HFVVWF) (referred to collectively as HVRP)

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Initial

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: FOA-VETS-20-01

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER: 17.805

KEY DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications under this Announcement is April 27, 2020. We must receive applications no later than 4:00:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

ADDRESSES: Address mailed applications to:

The U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration, Office of Grants Management Attention: Kia Mason, Grant Officer Reference FOA-VETS-20-01 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room N4716 Washington, D.C. 20210

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

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

A Prospective Applicant Webcast will be available on April 3, 2020 at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6335361116275947276. While a review of this Webcast is strongly encouraged to support successful grant applications, it is not mandatory.

https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fattendee.gotowebinar.com%2Fregister%2F6335361116275947276&data=02%7C01%7Cmason.kia%40dol.gov%7C9d6bcedaf95246ddc78408d7d0e30a52%7C75a6305472044e0c9126adab971d4aca%7C0%7C0%7C637207545851533168&sdata=0GqgasE4KUKA8wjnZz%2B%2BaOZm0xxqcN1i7n%2Bik9HOmsM%3D&reserved=0 ii

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

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

B. COST SHARING OR MATCHING

C. OTHER INFORMATION

1. Application Screening Criteria

2. Population Categories and Number of Applications Applicants May Submit

3. Eligible Participants

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. HOW TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION PACKAGE

B. CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

1. SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance”

2. Project Budget

3. Project Narrative

4. Attachments to the Project Narrative

C. SUBMISSION DATE, TIME, PROCESS, AND ADDRESS

1. Hardcopy Submission

2. Electronic Submission through Grants.gov

D. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

E. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

1. Indirect Costs

2. Intellectual Property Rights

3. Use of Grant Funds for Participant Wages

F. OTHER SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. CRITERIA

iii

1. Statement of Need

2. Expected Outcomes and Outputs

3. Project Design

4. Organizational, Administrative, and Fiscal Capacity

5. Past Performance–Programmatic Capability

6. Budget and Budget Narrative

7. Opportunity Zone – Bonus Points (2 bonus points)

B. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

1. Merit Review and Selection Process

2. Risk Review Process

VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. AWARD NOTICES

B. ADMISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS

1. Administrative Program Requirements

2. Other Legal Requirements

3. Other Administrative Standards and Provisions

4. Special Program Requirements

C. REPORTING

1. Quarterly Financial Reports

2. Quarterly Performance Reports

3. Closeout

VII. AGENCY CONTACTS

VIII. OTHER INFORMATION

A. WEB-BASED RESOURCES

B. INDUSTRY COMPETENCY MODELS AND CAREER CLUSTERS

C. WORKFORCEGPS RESOURCES

D. SKILLSCOMMONS RESOURCES

E. APPRENTICESHIP

F. RESOURCES FOR SERVING HOMELESS VETERANS

IX. OMB INFORMATION COLLECTION

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL, or the Department, or we), announces the availability of approximately $22 million in grant funds.

The funds are authorized by Title 38 of United States Code (U.S.C.) Sections 2021 and 2023 for programs to assist homeless veterans, incarcerated veterans, female veterans, and veterans with families (referred to here as the HVRP program).

Under this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), DOL will award grants with a 36-month period of performance, which DOL expects to begin on July 1, 2020 and end on June 30, 2023.

This performance period includes necessary implementation, start-up, and follow-up tracking activities. Annual funding for the second and third years is contingent on the availability of funds.

Historically, HVRP grantees have demonstrated the following:

• Clear need for the program based upon current statistical or empirical evidence, including the numbers and characteristics of the eligible veterans who are homeless in their proposed service delivery area;

• Ability to develop and implement strategies with attainable goals for job training based on Labor Market Information (LMI) and evidence-based practices;

• Ability to collaborate and coordinate with organizations to ensure that local, state, and federal resources are used effectively and efficiently to expedite the reintegration of eligible veterans into the labor force;

• Ability to deliver or connect participants to effective job training, counseling, and other wraparound services, such as the provision of housing and necessary health services, as the means for expediting the reintegration of eligible veterans into the labor force;

• Ability to provide services specifically tailored to the needs of female homeless veterans and homeless veterans with families, as appropriate;

• Ability to provide services specifically tailored to the needs of incarcerated or recently incarcerated veterans who are at risk of homelessness, as appropriate; and

• Ability to provide services to chronically homeless veterans, as appropriate. 1

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. PROGRAM PURPOSE

The purpose of this program is to provide services to reintegrate homeless veterans into the labor force by placing them into family-sustaining employment and to stimulate the development of effective service delivery systems that will address the complex problems facing homeless

1 A chronically homeless person is an individual who has been continuously homeless for one year or more or has experienced at least four episodes of homelessness in the last three years with a combined length of time homeless of at least 12 months. Note: This definition of chronically homeless differs from the definition used by the U.S.

Department of Housing and Urban Development, as the DOL definition does not require the chronically homeless individual to have a verified disability.

veterans. DOL defines family-sustaining employment as paid employment, in line with the homeless veteran’s aspirations, talents, and abilities. Ideally, the employment should provide a family-sustaining wage or, in other words, at least the minimum income necessary for a worker to meet his or her basic financial needs.

In Homelessness in America: Focus on Veterans, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) stated that just over 9 percent of all adults experiencing homelessness in the United States are veterans of the U.S. Military. 2 Most veterans who experience homelessness are men over age 50 in urban areas. Older veterans are expected to be a majority of the population of veterans who experience, or are at risk of, homelessness in the coming years.

As members of this group get older, they are likely to have increasingly complex and age-related needs. Women make up about 9 percent of veterans who are experiencing homelessness.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), female veterans are more than twice as likely as female non-veterans to experience homelessness.3 Fewer than 3 percent of veterans experiencing homelessness were in families with children. The VA further reports that veteran women experiencing homelessness are more likely to be part of a family with children than male veterans. USICH reported, among veterans who experience homelessness, and particularly among those who have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or other behavioral health disorders, involvement in the criminal justice system may be both a risk factor for homelessness and/or a consequence of homelessness. About half of all veterans experiencing homelessness who have participated in VA homeless assistance programs are involved in the justice system.4

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has released the 2019 Point in- Time (PIT) count, which reflects that 37,085 veterans experienced homelessness on a single night in January 2019. The 2019 PIT count suggests a reduction of 2.1 percent of veterans experiencing homelessness since 2018.5

To meet the fluctuations in population and the changing needs of veterans experiencing homelessness, VETS expects grant recipients to provide an array of client-centered services utilizing a case management approach that directly assists homeless veterans and provides critical linkages to a variety of support services available in their local communities. This program is focused on obtaining employment. Veterans should receive the job training and employment services they need to re-enter the labor force. In order to realize long-term benefits for veterans experiencing homelessness, grant recipients must address the complex employment-

2 U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (June 2018), Homelessness in America: Focus on Veterans, https://www.usich.gov/resources/uploads/asset_library/Homelessness_in_America._Focus_on_Veterans.pdf.

3 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans, July 2016, Homeless Evidence & Research Round Table Series: Women Veterans and Homelessness, https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/nchav/docs/HERS-Womens-Proceedings.pdf.

4 U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (June 2015), Breaking the Cycle of Veteran Incarceration and Homelessness: Emerging Community Practices, https://www.usich.gov/resources/uploads/asset_library/Justice_Involved_Veterans.pdf.

52019 Annual Homeless Assessment Report: Part 1 – PIT Estimates of Homelessness in the U.S.

https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/5948/2019-ahar-part-1-pit-estimates-of-homelessness-in-the-us/.

https://www.usich.gov/resources/uploads/asset_library/Homelessness_in_America._Focus_on_Veterans.pdf https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/nchav/docs/HERS-Womens-Proceedings.pdf https://www.usich.gov/resources/uploads/asset_library/Justice_Involved_Veterans.pdf https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/5948/2019-ahar-part-1-pit-estimates-of-homelessness-in-the-us/ related needs and provide support services to meet the needs of this population, either through direct services or through a robust referral system establishing tools, resources, and partnerships to identify, recruit, prepare, and support veterans experiencing homelessness. Grant recipients should therefore provide job placement, job training, job development, career counseling, and resumé preparation services.

B. PROGRAM AUTHORITY

Title 38 U.S.C. Sections 2021 and 2023 authorizes 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 $22 million in grant funds. Applicants may apply for an amount of up to $500,000 for the first year of a three-year project totaling up to $1,500,000, which will be funded incrementally over the 3-year period of performance (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2023), with an annual funding ceiling of $500,000. Awards made under this Announcement are subject to the availability of federal funds. In the event that additional funds become available, we reserve the right to use such funds to select additional grantees from applications submitted in response to this Announcement.

B. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance is 36 months with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2020. This performance period includes all necessary implementation, start-up activities, and follow-up activities.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

• State Government

• County Government

• City or Township Government

• Special District Government

• U.S. Territory or Possession

• Public/State Controlled Institution of Higher Education

• Private Institution of Higher Education

• Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Federally Recognized)

• Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Other than Federally Recognized)

• Indian/Native American Tribally Designated Organization

• Public and Indian Housing Agencies

• Non-profit Organizations

• For-profit/Commercial Entities

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

• Other State and Local Government Agencies

• Faith-based Organizations

B. COST SHARING OR MATCHING

This program does not require cost sharing or matching funds. Including such funds is not one of the application screening criteria and applications that include any form of cost sharing or match will not receive additional 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 You should use the checklist below as a guide when preparing your application package to ensure that the application has met all of the screening criteria. Note that this checklist is only an aid for applicants and should not be included in the application package. We urge you to use this checklist to ensure that your application contains all required items. If your application does not meet all of the screening criteria, it will not move forward through the merit review process.

Application Requirement Instructions Complete?

The deadline submission requirements are met Section IV.C

Eligibility Section III.A

If submitted through Grants.gov, the components of the application are saved in any of the specified formats and are not corrupt. (We will attempt to open the document, but will not take any additional measures in the event of problems with opening.)

Section IV.C.2

SAM Registration Section IV.B.1 SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance reflects first year increment of not more than $500,000

Section IV.B.1

SF-424 includes a DUNS Number Section IV.B.1 SF-424A, Budget Information Form reflects first-year increment of not more than $500,000 Section IV.B.2

Budget Narrative Section IV.B.2

Project Narrative Section IV.B.3

2. Population Categories and Number of Applications Applicants May Submit This FOA establishes three population categories:

(1) Category 1 (HVRP) consists of applicants that meet the requirements of this FOA, but do not fall under categories 2 or 3.

(2) Category 2 (HFVVWF) consists of applicants that propose to use 100 percent of their grant funding to serve homeless female veterans and veterans with families.

(3) Category 3 (IVTP) consists of applicants that propose to use 100 percent of their grant funding to serve incarcerated and/or recently incarcerated veterans at risk of homelessness.

The Department plans to make at least one grant award under Category 2 and at least one under Category 3, if we receive competitive applications.

Applicants must identify, in the abstract, if an application is Category 1 (HVRP), Category 2 (HFVVWF), or Category 3 (IVTP). If the applicant does not explicitly identify one single category in the abstract, the application will be reviewed under Category 1 (HVRP). There will be no additional changes or discussions of this category determination during or after the competition.

Applicants must identify one or more service delivery area for each unique application submitted; a service delivery area is defined as a county, parish, independent city, or Native American tribal area. See Attachment A for definitions. The service delivery area and

6 The Continuum of Care (CoC) program is designed to promote community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness; provide funding for efforts by non-profit providers and state and local governments to rehouse homeless individuals and families quickly while minimizing the trauma and dislocation faced by homeless individuals, families, and communities by homelessness; promote access to and effect utilization of mainstream programs by homeless individuals and families; and optimize self-sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing homelessness. See https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/coc/.

A letter of support from a State Workforce Agency (SWA) or a local American Job Center (AJC) This letter must be included as an attachment.

Section

IV.B.3

A letter of support from a HUD Continuum of Care (CoC).6 If serving multiple CoCs, only one letter is required, regardless of the number of CoCs identified as the service delivery area.

IV.B.3

Abstract (included as an attachment) Section

IV.B.4

Completed Competitive Grants Goals Chart (see Attachment B)

IV.B.4

https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/coc/ corresponding category MUST be stated clearly in the abstract. DOL will not read the entire application to make this determination.

Applicants will receive two bonus points if the applicant’s proposed service delivery area overlaps with a qualified Opportunity Zone as designated by the Secretary of the Treasury (see IRS Notices 2018–48 and 2019–42); applicants will not receive additional bonus points for more than one Opportunity Zone. For more information on Opportunity Zones, go to https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/opportunity-zones-frequently-asked-questions.

DOL will not accept multiple grant applications, regardless of the category type with the same service delivery area by the same applicant. If DOL receives multiple applications from the same applicant for the same service delivery area, regardless of the category type, DOL will consider only the most recently received application that meets the deadline. If the most recent application is deemed non-responsive for any reason, DOL will not replace it with an earlier application.

3. Eligible Participants

a) Participants Eligible to Receive Training Veterans served by this program include:

• Homeless veterans (including veterans who were homeless at some point within the 60-day period preceding the date on which the veteran begins to participate in the program);

• Veterans who, at the time of enrollment in the program, are “at risk” of homelessness within the next 60 days;7

• Veterans participating in the Department of Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program for which rental assistance is provided pursuant to section 8(o)(19) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)) or the Tribal HUD–VA Supportive Housing (Tribal HUD–VASH) program;

• Indians who are veterans and receiving assistance under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4101 et seq.);

• Veterans described in section 2023(e) of Title 38 of the U.S. Code, and any veterans recently released from being incarcerated who are at risk of homelessness; and

• Veterans participating in the Department of Veterans Affairs Rapid Rehousing and Prevention program.

Note: While these veterans at risk of homelessness are eligible participants, this FOA encourages applicants to focus on veterans who are currently homeless.

A Homeless Veteran is defined as:

• A person who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence;

7 Please note that VETS expects grantees’ participants to include no more than 10 percent who are housed but “at risk” of homelessness.

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/opportunity-zones-frequently-asked-questions

• A person living in a supervised public or privately-operated shelter designed to provide temporary living arrangements;

• A person who resided in a shelter or place not meant for human habitation and who is exiting an institution where they temporarily resided;

• A person with a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings, including a car, park, abandoned building, bus or train station, airport, or camping ground;

• A person who will imminently lose his or her primary nighttime residence, provided that: (i) the residence will be lost within 60 days of the date of application for homeless assistance; (ii) no subsequent residence has been identified; and (iii) the individual or family lacks the resources or support networks needed to obtain other permanent housing;

• An unaccompanied youth defined as homeless under other federal statutes, who has experienced a long period without permanent housing; who has experienced persistent instability as measured by frequent moves over such period; and who can be expected to continue in such status for an extended period of time because of chronic disabilities, chronic physical health or mental health conditions, substance addiction, histories of domestic violence or childhood abuse, the presence of a child or youth with a disability, or multiple barriers to employment; or

• A person who is fleeing, or is attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or other dangerous or life-threatening conditions in the individual’s or family’s current housing situation, including conditions in which the health and safety of children are jeopardized, and who has no other residence and lacks the resources or support network to obtain other permanent housing.

An Incarcerated Veteran is defined as:

• A veteran who is a resident of a penal institution, or an institution that provides long-term care for mental illness, and is at risk for homelessness absent referral and counseling services provided under the demonstration program.

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. HOW TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION PACKAGE

This FOA, found at www.Grants.gov and https://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm, contains all of 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 http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm https://usdol-my.sharepoint.com/personal/luetkenhaus_eric_dol_gov/Documents/All%20FOAs%202020/Application_for#_SF-424,_

4. Attachments to the Project Narrative.

Note: Applications will contain a project narrative and budget narrative reflecting the full three-year period of performance, but grantees will submit an SF-424, SF-424A, and budget narrative for each program year of the grant award according to guidelines from

DOL.

1. SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance” You must complete the SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance” (available at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1.

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

• 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/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1). You do not need to submit the SF-424B with the application.

a) Requirement for DUNS Number All applicants for federal grant and funding opportunities must have a DUNS number, and must supply their DUNS Number on the SF-424. The DUNS Number is a nine-digit identification number that uniquely identifies business entities. If you do not have a DUNS Number, you can get one free through the D&B website:

https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do.

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

• Grant recipients must notify potential subawardees that no entity may receive a subaward unless the entity has provided its DUNS number.

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

(See Appendix A to 2 CFR Part 25.)

b) Requirement for Registration with SAM Applicants must register with the System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting an application. Find instructions for registering with SAM at https://www.sam.gov.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1 https://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupAction!input.action https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1 https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do https://www.sam.gov/

A recipient must maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active federal award or an application under consideration. To remain registered in the SAM 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 database to ensure it is current, accurate, and complete. 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 make a federal award, the Grant Officer may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a federal award to another applicant.

2. Project Budget You must complete the SF-424A Budget Information Form (available at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1), which reflects first year increment of not more than $500,000. 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 Applicants must provide a budget narrative that reflects a three-year period of performance and supports the location of the target population and the veterans to be served. Additionally, proposed allocations must be proportional to the resources needed to implement the proposed project. For example, in the project narrative, applicants may propose to serve a large service delivery area that includes several counties or states. The allocation in the budget for staff conducting outreach must be proportional to the outreach resources needed to accomplish a multi-county/multi-state outreach effort.

The budget narrative must crosswalk with the proposed project design. For example, if the project design includes training for 30 veterans to attend a vocational school for a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), there must be an allocation in the budget for 30 veterans to attend a vocation school that trains students for CDL licenses.

The Budget Narrative must provide a description of costs associated with each line item on the

SF-424A.

Although applicants will submit the SF-424A only for the first year, each category of the budget narrative must include the total cost for each program 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) including the roles and responsibilities. For each position, give the annual salary, the percentage of time devoted to the project, and the amount of each position’s salary funded by the grant.

Fringe Benefits: Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages that comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA, retirement, etc.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1

Travel: For grantee 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. The applicant must include funds and allowable expenses to provide for travel to and from an annual post-award conference, professional conference, and/or trainings at an estimated national location (Washington, D.C.). Travel expenditures may not exceed 10 percent of the total HVRP funds requested in the application.

Equipment: Identify each item of equipment you expect to purchase that has an estimated acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit (or if your capitalization level is less than $5,000, use your capitalization level) and a useful lifetime of more than one year (see 2 CFR 200.33 for the definition of Equipment). List the item, quantity, and the unit cost per item.

Items with a unit cost of less than $5,000 are supplies, not “equipment.” In general, we do not permit the purchase of equipment during the last funded year of the grant.

Supplies: Identify categories of supplies (e.g., office supplies) in the detailed budget and list the item, quantity, and the unit cost per item. Supplies include all tangible personal property other than “equipment” (see 2 CFR 200.94 for the definition of Supplies).

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

Contracts are defined according to 2 CFR 200.22 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 CFR 200.92, means an award provided by a pass-through entity to a subrecipient for the subrecipient to carry out part of a 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.

For each proposed contract and subaward, specify the purpose and activities to be provided, and the estimated cost.

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) may be allowable. We do 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 costs, for each item so that we are able to determine whether the costs are necessary, reasonable, and allocable. List items, such as stipends or incentives, not covered elsewhere.

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 10 percent de minimis rate, please confirm that your organization meets the requirements as described in 2 CFR 200.414(f). Clearly state that your organization has never received a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA), and your organization is not one described in 2 CFR 200, Appendix VII(D)(1)(b).

Applicants choosing to claim indirect costs using the de minimis rate must use Modified Total Direct Costs (see 2 CFR 200.68 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. See the definitions below to assist you in your calculation.

• 2 CFR 200.68 Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) means all direct salaries and wages, applicable fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, and up to the first $25,000 of each subaward (regardless of the period of performance of the subawards 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 in excess of $25,000. Other items may only be excluded when necessary to avoid a serious inequity in the distribution of indirect costs, and with the approval of the cognizant agency for indirect costs.

The definition of MTDC in 2 CFR 200.68 no longer allows for any sub-contracts to be included in the calculation. You will also note that participant support costs are not included in modified total direct cost. Participant support costs are defined below.

• 2 CFR 200.75 Participant Support Cost means direct costs for items such as stipends or subsistence allowances, travel allowances, and registration fees paid to or on behalf of participants or trainees (but not employees) in connection with conferences or training projects.

See Section IV.B.4. and Section IV.E.1 for more information. Additionally, the following link contains information regarding the negotiation of Indirect Cost Rates at DOL:

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.dol.gov/agencies/oasam/centers-offices/business-operations-center/cost-determination

Note that the SF-424, SF-424A, and Budget Narrative must include the annual federal grant amount requested. This is a three-year grant application; however, the SF-425, SF-424A, and budget narrative must include the Federal grant amounts only for the first year (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021) of the three-year period of performance.

Do not show leveraged resources on the SF-424 and SF-424A. You should describe leveraged resources in the Budget Narrative.

DOL will consider the SF-424 the official funding amount requested. However, if the amount specified on the SF-424 would render the application nonresponsive, the Grant Officer will use his or her discretion to determine whether the intended funding request (and match if applicable) is within the responsive range.

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 15 double-spaced single-sided 8.5 x 11 inch pages with Times New Roman 12 point text font and 1-inch margins. You must number the Project Narrative beginning with page number 1.

We will not read or consider any materials beyond the specified page limit in the application review process.

The following instructions provide all of 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. You must use the same section headers identified below for each section of the Project Narrative.

a) Statement of Need Present current evidence (within the last two years) to support the need for the proposed project, including any supporting evidence that identifies the nature and extent of the need and the reasons the proposed service delivery area will benefit from HVRP services. The description must include both quantitative and qualitative information as listed below.

(1) Clearly state the selected population category (as described in Section III.C.2), the specific service delivery area they propose to serve and if their service delivery area is urban or non-urban (see Attachment D). DOL defines a service delivery area as a county, parish, independent city, or Native American tribal area.

(2) Specify the total planned number of eligible veterans (as discussed in Section III.C.3.) to be enrolled by the project annually. The number of enrollments must be supported by the number of eligible veterans in need of project services in the proposed service delivery area and the demographic information of the population to be served. Describe the employment and job training needs of the local employers.

(3) Provide estimates of sheltered and unsheltered homeless veterans in the identified service delivery area (cite the date of the reported estimates). Local estimates of veteran homelessness can be found at https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/5948/2019-ahar-part-1-pit-estimates-of-homelessness-in-the-us/.

(4) Provide and cite labor market information (LMI) for the identified service delivery area including in-demand occupations as determined by the Local Workforce Development Board (LWDB), industry, or employers, and the types of jobs and careers that are in demand.

(5) Describe factors in the service delivery area contributing to the problem or the circumstances creating the need.

(6) Provide unemployment and poverty rates for the identified service delivery area.

(7) Explain how you propose to support the Mayor or Governor’s pledge to end homelessness, if applicable.

VETS will use the distinction between urban and non-urban areas to derive performance goals for the project. Utilize Attachment D, which identifies the 75 largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) in population in 2018, as estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau; these are considered urban areas. Areas not listed in Attachment D are considered non-urban. For applicants proposing to serve both urban and non-urban areas, identify the service delivery area as urban if over half of the population proposed is in an urban area.

In cases where there are other HVRP grantees who are already serving homeless veterans in a proposed service delivery area (see Attachment C), applicants must submit justification that an additional award is needed to serve the homeless veteran population. That justification must include the service delivery area, the remaining participants available to be served, and the reasons why another award will enhance HVRP services being provided within the identified service delivery area. That justification must also include the name of the current grantee and the number of veterans by category it serves (see Attachment C).

b) Expected Outcomes and Outputs Grantees are required to have measurable outcomes in order to maximize the impact of federal grant dollars. For this FOA, each applicant must submit first year performance goals. Each grantee will be required to report on its progress toward its goals on a quarterly basis throughout the three-year period of performance. This is the second year grantees will report outcomes on three WIOA performance indicators, scored as part of the application, Section V.A. 2.

Grantees will be held to performance goals submitted each year of the period of performance.

Failure to meet those goals may result in technical assistance, or intervention by VETS.

Inability to achieve performance goals may have a significant impact on competition for a new award.

Overall success or failure of a grant-funded project is based on seven performance indicators.

Performance on each active participant performance indicator will be defined as a range, bounded by an upper value representing the performance goal and a lower value representing 85 percent of the performance goal. Performance below 85 percent of the goal on a critical performance indicator will be considered failure of that indicator. Please refer to Attachment A for definitions of the performance indicators. You will provide numeric goals for the following performance indicators in the Competitive Grants Goals Chart (see Attachment B):

The critical performance indicators are as follows:

(1) number of participants enrolled (addressed in the Statement of Need section and

Attachment B; not included in the chart below for scoring purposes);

(2) placement rate for all exiters;

(3) average hourly wage at placement;

(4) placement rate for the chronically homeless;8

(5) percentage of program participants who are in unsubsidized employment in the second quarter after exit from the program;

(6) percentage of program participants who are in unsubsidized employment in the fourth quarter after exit from the program; and

(7) median earnings of program participants who are in unsubsidized employment in the second quarter after exit from the program.

We recognize there are differences in labor markets, both when developing participant performance indicators and when comparing urban to non-urban areas. For example, applicants in non-urban areas of the country may not have the same training resources available as in urban areas. Additionally, some areas of the country have higher unemployment rates. Therefore, to account for these differences when proposing goals, we ask applicants to use the adjusted Program Year (PY) 2018 values in Table 1 as a starting point.

8 A chronically homeless person is an individual who has been continuously homeless for one year or more or has experienced at least four episodes of homelessness in the last three years with a combined length of time homeless of least 12 months. Please note this definition of chronically homeless differs from the definition used by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as the individual is not required to have a verified disability.

Table 1 Goal Setting Parameters

Urban Area

Average Non-Urban Area

Average Cost Per Enrollment9 $2,334 $2,637

Placement Rate for All Exiters 68 percent 62 percent Average Hourly Wage at Placement $15.38 $12.95

Placement Rate for the Chronically Homeless 63 percent 63 percent

Program participants who are in unsubsidized employment in the second quarter after exit from the program 52 percent 46 percent

Program participants who are in unsubsidized employment in the fourth quarter after exit from the program 49 percent 43 percent

Median earnings of program participants who are in unsubsidized employment in the second quarter after exit from the program.

$5,672 $5,100

The averages in Table 1 were derived from PY 2018 actual HVRP outcome data reported by 164 grant recipients. The highest and lowest five data outliers were removed when calculating the averages. Applicants should note that a grant is considered to be operating in an urban area if its service area falls into one of the 75 largest MSAs as determined by the Bureau of the Census (see Attachment D). For applicants proposing to serve both urban and non-urban areas, identify the service delivery area as urban if over half of the population proposed to serve is in an urban area.

An “extremely low planned outcome” is a performance outcome value that 90 percent or more of the grants awarded are expected to meet or exceed in PY 2020. The “extremely low planned outcomes” were determined using PY 2018 actual outcome data. Applications selected for funding that submitted extremely low active participant planned outcomes will be subject to revision as a condition of the grant award.

The participant indicator and the associated extremely low planned outcome values are in Table 2.

9 This may be useful to determine the total amount of funding requested, for example, if an urban area applicant proposes to enroll 150 participants in the Statement of Need, which the applicant should base on the identified need in the service delivery area, then the estimated funding request would be $350,100 ($2,334 x 150 = $350,100).

Table 2

Extremely Low Planned Outcome Values

Extremely Low Planned Outcome

Value

Placement Rate for All Exiters Less than 50 percent

Average Hourly Wage at Placement Less than $11.73 per hour

Placement Rate for the Chronically Homeless Less than 46 percent

Program Participants Who Are in Unsubsidized Employment in the Second Quarter After Exit from the Program

Less than 40 percent

Program Participants Who Are in Unsubsidized Employment in the Fourth Quarter After Exit from the Program

Less than 33 percent

Median Earnings of Program Participants Who Are in Unsubsidized Employment in the Second Quarter After Exit from the Program

Less than $3,119

c) Project Design Applicants must describe their overall strategy for providing employment and job training services. Applicants must deliver services through a client-centered case management approach that imparts relevant skills, connects participants with local employment opportunities, and leads to improvements in employment and earnings over time. Describe the types of support services and the approaches to provide these support services. Notably, applicants applying under Category 2 (HFVVWF) or Category 3 (IVTP) are limited to serving only individuals who are part of that Category’s population group. Applicants are to propose methods that the project will use to address the stated outcomes and outputs. Applicants are to develop a plan of action that describes the scope and detail of how the project will accomplish the proposed work. Applicants are to account for all functions or activities identified in the application. Applicants are to cite factors that might accelerate or decelerate the work and state the reason for taking the proposed approach rather than other approaches. Applicants are to identify any potential barriers and describe how the project will be able to overcome those barriers. Applicants are to fully describe how the partnerships in place for the project are comprehensive.

i. Participant Outreach, Recruitment, and Engagement–Applicants must describe in their application how their program will conduct effective client outreach, recruitment, and engagement to meet participant enrollment goals, including the use of Stand Down events, and collaboration with American Job Centers. For example, effective outreach strategies may include HUD CoC coordinated entry or inclusion in a local or state plan to end homelessness.

The description must include evidence to support the proposed recruitment and engagement strategy with references from published research studies, government reports, or the applicant’s experience showing the strategy yielded positive results.

Outreach, recruitment, and engagement must include a phase that is non-threatening, persistent over time, and offers a flexible array of services, including help with basic survival needs.

ii. Intake and Assessment–Applicants must describe and provide evidence of how they will design and implement an intake and assessment process to serve eligible participants. This evidence must refer to published research studies, government reports, or the applicant organization’s experience that shows the strategy yielded positive results in the past.

The applicant’s proposed intake process must demonstrate the collection of necessary information on individuals seeking services in order to determine eligibility for the program, and for the assessment of the types of services needed to assist the eligible veteran in gaining and retaining meaningful employment. The assessment should determine employment, job training, and related support services needed for the participant to meet employment goals.

The assessment process must demonstrate how the applicant will determine a participant’s readiness to enter employment following the receipt of services and training, including the use of information about the individual’s medical, social, and environmental needs, as well as his or her behavioral and cognitive status. For example, when responding to this requirement, the applicant must describe the process of assessing homeless veterans. The applicant must list assessment tools, including the theoretical purpose of the assessment. For each tool listed, the applicant must describe the anticipated results or benefit.

iii. Employment and Job Training–Applicants must describe in their application the employment and job training strategy that will be made available to participants in obtaining and retaining meaningful employment. Job training received by participants may be provided directly through the grant or provided to participants through partnerships with an AJC, the GI Bill, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E), State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) programs, or other training organizations. A minimum of 80 percent of proposed participants must participate in at least one job-training program through a third party or through the grantee’s direct services. Some examples of job training that may be provided to participants are on-the-job training (OJT), apprenticeships, customized job training, upgrading or retraining (or other work-based learning), and occupational skills training provided by an educational institution. Employment and training programs must target in-demand occupations indicated in the Labor Market Information provided in the Statement of Need. Applicants should be aware that placement into an unsubsidized apprenticeship is considered placement into employment.

Applicants must also describe in their application how they will develop a formal employment and job-training plan, based on the individual job training needs assessment, for each participant. Applicants must indicate how they will manage and document participant progress. The description must include evidence to support the proposed employment and job training strategy. For example, evidence might be a narrative describing how the job training process works.