VA-GPD-CM-FY2026 NOFO 12.18.2024.pdf

Publication date: December 18, 2024

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program

Case Management Grant

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Table of Contents

I. Basic Information

II. Before You Begin

III. Eligibility…

IV. Program Description–General

V. Program Description–GPD Case Management

VI. Application Contents and Format

VII. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

VIII. VApplication Review Information

IX. Award Notices

X. Post-Award Requirements and Administration

XI. Appendices

Appendix A. Application Components

Appendix B. Definitions

Appendix C. Relevant Resources

I. Basic Information Federal Agency Name Announcement Type Department of Veterans Affairs Renewal Grant Funding Opportunity Title Funding Opportunity Number GPD Case Management Grant VA-GPD-CM-FY2026

Assistance Listing Number 64.024, VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program

Funding Details Approximately $15 million per year for 3 years is available for renewal grants under this

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Renewal grants are expected to be approximately $75,000 to $300,000 per year depending on factors such as the number of case managers.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) anticipates awarding approximately 90 case management renewal grants for approximately 120 full-time equivalent (FTE) case manager positions. Awards may not exceed $150,000 in total costs per FTE case manager position per year.

Applicants for renewal funding may request the number of case managers needed for the proposed project. Applicants must request at least 0.5 FTE positions (at least 20 hours on average per week) per application. Applicants must not request more than the approved number of FTE in the current grant (start date October 1, 2023). Applicants must fully demonstrate the need for the request in the application.

Grants are expected to be for 3 years starting on or around October 1, 2025.

Continuation funding is not guaranteed. VA reserves the right in any year to adjust funding levels, staffing, services, locations, performance targets, dates, or other factors, as needed within the intent of this NOFO based on a variety of factors, including program priorities, availability of funding, and grantee performance. VA may provide funding for the entire project period at the time of award or may provide funding in increments (for example, annually). Payment details will be given to the grantee at the time of award.

Key Dates Applications for grants must be received by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, February 26, 2025.

In the interest of fairness to all applicants, the date and time of this deadline is firm. VA will treat as ineligible any application received after the deadline. Applicants should submit materials early to avoid the risk of ineligibility, unanticipated delays, computer service outages, or other submission-related problems.

On time submission requires an Entity Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal

Revenue Service (IRS), a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) from the System for Award

Management (SAM), and an active registration in SAM. For details, see also the Before

You Begin section.

Executive Summary VA’s Homeless Providers GPD National Program Office anticipates awarding renewal grants to community-based organizations to provide case management services to improve Veteran housing retention. Awards are expected to be for 3 years starting on or around October 1, 2025. The goals and objective of this NOFO are described in the

Program Description section.

The target audience for this funding is current GPD case management grantees. VA targets these organizations to provide case management services to improve housing retention by Veterans who are at risk of becoming homeless or who were previously homeless and are transitioning to permanent housing from programs such as the GPD program or the VA Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Contracted Residential

Services (CRS) program. Renewal grants will defray the operational costs of facilitating housing stability for vulnerable Veterans.

Only the 90 current GPD case management grantees are eligible to apply. No other applicants are eligible to apply. For full details, see the Eligibility section. For program information and requirements, see 38 C.F.R. part 61.

https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/docs/GPD/GPD_Award_List_Case_Management.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-61

Agency Contact Information:

Questions may be emailed to GPDGrants@va.gov.

Ms. Chelsea Watson, Director VA Homeless Providers GPD National Program Office, 813-816-7155 extension 100109 (this is not a toll-free telephone number) or

GPDGrants@va.gov.

Copies of the application materials and technical assistance resources are available on the GPD website. You may use the QR code to access the GPD website.

GPD website Scan me mailto:GPDGrants@va.gov mailto:GPDGrants@va.gov https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp

II. Before You Begin The following steps may take several weeks.

Entity Identifiers If you believe your organization is a good candidate for this funding opportunity, get your EIN, UEI, and SAM.gov registration now. If your organization already is registered in SAM.gov, make sure the registration is active and up to date.

• EIN. Your organization must have an EIN from the IRS.

• UEI. Your organization must have a UEI from SAM.gov.

• SAM.gov registration. Your organization must have an active account with

SAM.gov.

Be sure to answer Yes to the Financial Assistance Representation and

Certification item. For a sample, see the GPD website.

Prepare these requirements immediately. They may take weeks to complete. Do not wait until you are ready to submit your application to start these requirements.

Incomplete requirements may prevent you from submitting on time. Applications submitted without an active UEI may be rejected at threshold, meaning the application would be considered ineligible. For information about SAM, see also the Key Dates section, the Eligibility section, and the Submission Requirements and Deadlines section.

Registering in the Online Application System For guidance on registering your organization in the online application system, see the

How-To: Register a New Organization reference guide. Reminders: Applications are due by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the date stated in the Key Dates section. Keep this

NOFO with you when completing the application. It includes supplementary guidance for completing the application.

III. Eligibility Eligible Applicants To be eligible, an applicant must be one of the 90 current GPD case management grantees who was awarded a grant with a start date of October 1, 2023, based on the

FY 2024 Case Management NOFO published to Grants.gov on February 3, 2023 (VA-

GPD-CM-FY2024). A copy of the NOFO and a list of active GPD case management http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/docs/GPD/providers/UDPaaS_How-ToRegisterNewOrg_in_eGMS.pdf https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/docs/GPD/VA-GPD-CM-FY2024_NOFO.pdf http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/345778 https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/345778 grantees are on the GPD website. No other applicants are eligible to apply. Applicants must propose to continue the current GPD case management project. Adjustments to the project may be proposed. However, VA will not consider completely different or new projects. For additional information about eligibility, see the Eligible Participants section.

Entity Identifiers Eligible applicants must have an EIN from the IRS, a UEI from SAM, and an active registration in SAM. Entities must maintain their active status in SAM throughout the application period. VA may not make a Federal award to an applicant if the applicant does not meet the EIN, UEI, and SAM requirements.

Organizations applying as a nonprofit must be Federally recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) nonprofit organization. Successful applicants must maintain this status for the duration of the grant as a continuing condition of eligibility.

For additional information about SAM, see the Before You Begin section.

Cost Sharing Not applicable. Cost sharing is not required for this grant program. Applications that propose cost sharing will not receive preference during the review process.

IV. Program Description–General Purpose Ending and preventing homelessness among Veterans is a priority for VA. VA’s

Homeless Programs Office constitutes the Nation’s largest integrated network of homelessness, housing, prevention, and rehabilitation services for Veterans. These programs help Veterans live self-sufficiently and independently. The basis for these programs is Housing First principles combined with supportive services to ensure

Veterans can end the cycle of homelessness.

Since 1994, the GPD program provides Veterans who are experiencing homelessness with community-based transitional housing, supportive services such as case management, and more. These services assist Veterans in attaining and retaining permanent residence. VA offers several types of grants under the umbrella of the GPD program. The grants are designed to meet Veterans at various stages as they move to housing stability. Community organizations that receive the grants offer focused support through a variety of service models. The GPD program plays a vital role in the continuum of homeless services.

Ending Veteran homelessness requires multifaceted efforts. This NOFO represents one such effort. In response to the mounting need in communities to prevent homelessness, this NOFO focuses on upstream prevention approaches to reduce housing instability.

Grants funded by this NOFO will help Veterans get and stay housed. VA is committed to supporting community-based organizations as they meet the challenge of ending homelessness among Veterans.

Funding Priorities VA has established the following funding priorities.

• Priority 1: VA will place in the first funding priority those applications from operational GPD-funded organizations that have provided a written commitment to give up per diem only or special need funding and convert their transitional housing to permanent housing. Successful priority 1 applicants who received a

GPD capital grant that has met the minimum period of operation (refer to

38 C.F.R. 61.67 for the minimum period of operation) will be considered to have complied with all terms of the grant, to include any applicable real property disposition requirements. To obtain this priority, organizations must provide documentation showing that their permanent housing meets the housing quality standards established under section 42 U.S.C. § 1437f(o)(8)(B). Applicants wishing to be considered under funding priority 1 must submit with their application a signed letter on agency letterhead noting that, if selected for funding, the agency withdraws from their currently operational GPD project and understands that they will be held to normal closeout and post-closeout requirements (see 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.344-345). This letter of commitment must be provided as an attachment to the case management grant application. See the

External Attachments section of this NOFO. Applications will be ranked in score order within the funding priority.

• Priority 2: VA will place in the second funding priority those applications from organizations that demonstrate a capability to provide case management services, particularly organizations that are successfully providing GPD transitional housing services using per diem only or special need funding.

Applications will be ranked in score order within the funding priority. These applicants do not have to submit a written commitment to give up per diem only or special need funding and convert their transitional housing to permanent housing.

• Priority 3: VA will place in the third funding priority those applications from other organizations without GPD transitional housing grant experience that seek to provide time limited case management to Veterans to support their acquiring, reacquiring, and maintaining permanent housing.

Applications will be ranked in score order within the funding priority.

Goals and Objective The goals of projects under assistance listing 64.024, VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem program, are to provide transitional housing and supportive services to

Veterans experiencing or at risk for homelessness as they move toward and retain permanent housing. To achieve these goals, the objective of this NOFO is to provide funds to defray the cost of case management services. Grants awarded under this

NOFO will contribute to the achievement of the goals and objective by increasing the number of Veterans receiving case management services and by increasing the number of Veterans who are permanently housed.

Performance Metrics and Targets GPD measures performance using key performance indicators (KPI). The KPIs for this grant are (1) the average monthly caseload of the full-time, GPD-funded case managers and (2) the percentage of Veterans who retained permanent housing upon exiting from case management. To measure successful projects, VA establishes a target for each

KPI (see table 1). VA may, at its discretion, update targets at any point before or during the award period.

Table 1: KPIs and Targets.

KPI Target

Caseload A full-time equivalent position is expected to manage an average monthly caseload of at least 16 Veterans in permanent housing or in housing navigation.

Permanent Housing At least 90% of Veterans engaged in case management services are expected to have retained permanent housing at the time of exit from case management.

Guidance for the Use of Funds

1. Funding applied for under this NOFO may be used to provide case management services. Funding may not be used for capital costs, per diem costs, or the cost of operating transitional housing beds or service centers for Veterans.

2. All applicants must use funding to offer a low-barrier, harm-reduction approach that applies Housing First principles to engage Veterans in services. Applicants must have policies and procedures for maintaining low barriers and high-quality engagement throughout the service period, including for Veterans who relapse.

Generally, this means service occurs on the same day the Veteran is identified or referred to the GPD project or within no more than 72 hours.

3. The time limit for Veterans to receive case management services is 6 months

(excluding housing navigation). However, VA may approve a request to extend services beyond 6 months if an organization submits a request to VA in writing and if VA approves it before the 6-month time limit expires.

4. Applications do not have to include coverage for an entire VA medical facility catchment area. However, the coverage area must not exceed the catchment area of the VA medical facility identified in the application.

5. VA reserves the right to provide funding based on the percentage of the project that benefits the VA grant (2 C.F.R. § 200.405) and based on actual need as determined by VA. VA will not fund activities that are outside the scope of this

NOFO.

6. Applicants may incur eligible project costs up to 90 calendar days before the start of the award without written prior approval (2 C.F.R. § 200.308(g)(1)). Any costs incurred before VA makes the award are at the applicant’s risk. VA is not required to reimburse such costs if for any reason the applicant does not receive a grant, if the costs are determined to be unallowable, or if the grant is less than anticipated or inadequate to cover such costs (see also 2 C.F.R. § 200.458).

7. Applicants should ensure their funding requests are based on a 3-year total project period divided into 1-year increments. Include good faith estimated costs.

Consider all available factors, such as reasonable cost of living increases, established salary scale adjustments, and variations in the number of Veterans projected to be served per year.

8. Funds provided through this NOFO must not duplicate funding provided by any other GPD or VA grant and must not duplicate or replace funds from any Federal, state, or local government agency or program to assist homeless persons.

9. The cost principles for grants in 2 C.F.R. part 200 subpart E describe allowable costs for Federal grants. Among other requirements, grantees must treat costs consistently with their normal written standards.

10. Case management grant funding may be used for the following purposes:

a. Funding for case management staff (for example, salary, fringe benefits, professional development).

b. Training, education, or licensing costs for case management staff.

c. Limited funding of up to $15,000 per FTE case manager for salary costs of the case manager’s supervisor.

d. Incidental costs related to supervising or mentoring the case managers.

e. Costs for organizational development related to case management (for example, accreditation, financial training, grants management training).

f. Transportation for the case managers or the Veterans they serve to support housing navigation or other related case management activities.

g. Cell phones, headsets, computers, tablets, printers, and other incidentals needed by the case managers to facilitate home visits and other related case management activities.

h. Personal protective supplies, such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, and other incidentals for the safety and health of the case managers or the Veterans they serve.

i. Office space and furniture for the use of the case management staff or other necessary supplies, software, and utilities.

j. Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) participation fees and related staffing costs associated with inputting data and monthly reporting

(only if not available at no cost to the grant through other means).

k. Limited non-cash incentives of up to $500 per Veteran engaged in case management services for costs such as furniture, household items, moving costs, disposable phone, groceries, clothing, or other items typically associated with independent living in permanent housing.

Incentives may not include cash, gift cards, or items purchased by the

Veteran for reimbursement.

l. Costs for outreach activities directly related to the grant.

m. Indirect costs as described in 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.412-415 are allowed if supported by a Federally Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement

(NICRA) or if supported by a certification of de minimis indirect cost rate declaring a rate of up to 15% of modified total direct costs as described in

2 C.F.R. § 200.414(f). Otherwise, all requested costs must be direct costs.

n. Costs related to data and evaluation are allowed (2 C.F.R. § 200.455(c)).

11. Funding restrictions:

a. Costs for temporary financial assistance or rent are not allowed.

b. Costs for any other salaries are not allowed.

c. Costs for capital improvements or to purchase vans or real property are not allowed. However, costs for leasing vehicles to facilitate required transportation within the community are allowed. Costs such as those necessary for gas, insurance, and maintenance are allowed.

Eligible Participants Individuals who meet the definition of Veteran, as described in Appendix B, and who are at risk of becoming homeless or who were previously homeless and are transitioning to permanent housing are eligible for services under a case management grant. Such

Veterans may or may not have been enrolled in programs like the GPD transitional housing program or the HCHV CRS program.

Veterans who are receiving services from permanent supportive housing programs like

Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) or Supportive

Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) are not eligible for duplicate services under this

GPD case management grant. Instead, grantees are encouraged to collaborate without duplicating to maximize the case management resource. See the Collaboration versus

Duplication section.

When eligibility questions arise, the VA’s Health Eligibility Center makes determinations regarding Veteran eligibility. The GPD National Program Office does not determine eligibility for individual Veterans. For details about applicant eligibility, see the Eligibility section.

Program Authority The program authority is 38 U.S.C. §§ 2011 and 2013. VA implements this authority in

38 C.F.R. part 61. Funding is subject to other applicable laws and regulations, including those in title 2, Code of Federal Regulations (such as 2 C.F.R. parts 1, 25, 170, 175, 180, 182, 183, 184, 200, 801, and 802). Organizations that carry out a Federal award as a recipient or subrecipient of this grant program including for-profit organizations are subject to 2 C.F.R. part 200. This includes requirements for monitoring and examining records.

V. Program Description–GPD Case Management Services Grantees may provide case management services as defined in this NOFO and as described in 38 C.F.R. § 61.90(b) to help Veterans overcome and troubleshoot barriers to acquiring, reacquiring, and maintaining permanent housing. Case management, including housing navigation services, can help Veterans obtain permanent housing based on their unique needs, preferences, and financial resources. Case managers may provide supports to address issues that impede access to housing (such as credit history and legal issues), may negotiate manageable and appropriate lease agreements with landlords, and may provide access to appropriate and time-limited services. Case managers also may monitor the participant’s housing stability after securing housing and during project participation. Ideally, case managers monitor in-person through home visits and communication with landlords. Case managers may be available to resolve housing-related crises.

Grantees may use awarded funds to provide case management services including, but not limited to:

• Supporting housing search and placement activities to facilitate Veterans transitioning into permanent housing.

• Making home visits by the case manager to monitor housing stability and assess the need for services or other supports.

• Providing or coordinating educational activities related to meal planning, tenant responsibilities, the use of public transportation, community resources, financial management, and development of natural supports.

• Navigating resources provided by the Federal Government and state, local, and tribal governments.

• Making referrals to needed services, such as mental health, substance use disorder, medical, and employment services.

• Participating in case conferencing with other service providers that work with

Veterans (for example, GPD transitional housing grantees, SSVF grantees, and other community-based organizations).

• Facilitating eviction diversion through landlord-tenant mediation.

Applicants should note that case management services should occur in person.

However, virtual case management services (for example, conducting home visits remotely) may be necessary at times. In these cases, GPD encourages applicants to maximize the use of technology that offers the richest possible interaction for the individuals involved, such as video and accessibility-friendly technology. Applicants must have written procedures in place regarding the use of virtual case management services to augment in-person engagement.

Staffing Key Personnel

GPD designates the following role as the grant’s key personnel role: Project Director.

The applicant must identify this role, confirm the responsibilities of the Project Director, and list this individual as a key contact in the application (see the Overview section).

The Project Director is the role on the grant that VA identifies as being accountable for achieving the expected performance results of the grant-funded project. The person filling this role takes responsibility for the success and failure of the project. For example, the person filling this role makes sure the case manager roles are filled with appropriate people who are providing the services required by the grant. When performance targets are not met, or other problems arise, the person filling this role is one of the primary people with whom GPD will negotiate to improve performance or to take remedies for noncompliance (for example, 2 C.F.R. § 200.208, § 200.339). This role is subject to prior approval requirements, such as those in 2 C.F.R. § 200.308(f)(2)-

(3). See also the Definitions section and the Performance Metrics and Targets section.

Other Personnel

Applicants may identify other personnel who will be involved in the project. Other personnel are not subject to prior approval requirements. Other personnel may be identified in the application as key contacts or as users at the applicant’s discretion and according to the guidance in the Overview section.

Applicants proposing case management staff who have not yet met the minimum local requirements for licensure and certification may propose such individuals to participate in the project as long as they (1) demonstrate that the project is located in a geographic area where such staff are in high demand and (2) confirm that the proposed individuals will have a master’s degree in social work, will be undergoing training to meet the local licensure and certification requirements, and will be under the supervision of a person who meets the local licensure and certification requirements.

Within the application, applicants may establish minimum education, experience, and training requirements for the case manager positions (for example, see the Narrative section, including the part on Ability). It is the role of the Project Director to ensure the grantee achieves the required performance results. Grantees are responsible for complying with any local requirements for licensure or certification.

An FTE case manager position is expected to manage an average monthly caseload of at least 16 Veterans in permanent housing or in housing navigation. Encounters with

Veterans count toward the FTE’s overall workload but do not count toward caseload.

The majority of each FTE’s overall workload must be dedicated to caseload. Applicants must have written procedures and position descriptions to implement these workload and caseload requirements. VA encourages applicants to apply if they can demonstrate sufficient need in the community to meet or exceed caseload requirements.

See also the Definitions section and the Performance Metrics and Targets section.

Homeless Management Information System All grantees must participate in Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and in their local coordinated entry system. These systems rely on real-time, high-quality data entry. VA expects grantees to enter precise and accurate data into HMIS on time.

VA expects grantees to conduct second-level reviews of entered data. Chart reviews of participant files in HMIS must be conducted monthly to ensure all services are documented as required.

At a minimum, and to the extent the local HMIS implementation allows for it, the HMIS file should include the following:

• All HMIS Universal Data Elements.

• All applicable Program Specific Data Elements.

• All Federal Partner Program Data Elements.

The VA Data Guide defines these elements (see the GPD HMIS Management Guide).

Elements include participant identification information, household information, demographics, entry and exit data, income source data, health and health care information, and updated release of information.

Grantees also are expected to engage with their local continuums of care (CoC), by-name list, case conferencing, and general planning processes to the fullest extent possible. Applicants should plan staff time and position descriptions accordingly to fulfill

HMIS responsibilities. Grantees must treat the data for grant-funded activities separately from data for activities funded by other programs. Grantees must work with their HMIS Administrators to export client-level data for grant-funded activities. Exports https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/docs/GPD/providers/GPD_CM_HMIS_Management_Guide.pdf to VA must happen at least monthly. Performance is evaluated in part on the completeness and quality of HMIS uploads.

Collaboration versus Duplication The case management resource must not duplicate or replace activities funded from another source (see requirements such as 2 C.F.R. § 200.405(c)-(d) for details about allocable costs). The case management resource must provide quality case management services to as many Veterans as possible, including those transitioning to permanent housing from programs such as GPD or HCHV CRS. Grantees are encouraged to collaborate without duplicating to maximize resources.

GPD case management grantees have the option to participate in the HUD-VASH GPD

Collaborative Case Management (CCM) partnership if the partnering VA medical facility agrees. CCM is an opportunity for GPD case managers to collaborate with their local

VA medical facility’s HUD-VASH program to provide housing navigation and time-limited case management services to lower acuity Veterans who are entering housing through a HUD-VASH enrollment. CCM enhances and expedites HUD-VASH voucher usage by partnering with existing GPD case management services. Veterans served by this collaboration must be eligible to receive services through both programs. Much of the pre-housing work normally performed by VA HUD-VASH staff shifts to the GPD CCM case manager. CCM case managers may assist Veterans with searching for housing, obtaining housing placements, using a HUD-VASH voucher, and receiving time-limited case management services after placement in permanent housing. After a Veteran is successfully in permanent housing, the GPD CCM case manager provides 6 months of subsequent case management before transferring the Veteran to the local VA HUD-

VASH team for ongoing case management services.

To participate in CCM:

• Applicants who already are approved to provide services through CCM, and who wish to continue participating in CCM during the renewal award period, must include in the application their existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was countersigned by the local VA medical facility Director or designee. For these applicants, if they are selected for funding under this NOFO, a grant agreement signed by VA with a start date of October 1, 2025, constitutes approval for continuing CCM during the renewal award period. Note that a new or updated MOU is not required for this application. For this application, include the

MOU that already is in place.

• Applicants who are not already approved to provide services through CCM, may request written approval from the GPD National Program Office to participate in

CCM through the change of scope process after they are selected for a case management grant under this NOFO. For these applicants, a grant agreement signed by VA with a start date of October 1, 2025, does not constitute approval for initiating CCM services. However, GPD will use information provided in the application and through the change of scope process after the case management grant is awarded to provide written approvals for initiating CCM services.

Service Delivery Models GPD grants do not require a specific case management practice or model. Applicants must fully articulate within the application any case management model they intend to employ and must demonstrate that the skills, experience, and training of the case managers align with the service delivery approach. For example, an applicant who proposes to use the critical time intervention (CTI) case management model would demonstrate within the application that their case managers will have access to specific

CTI training and describe how the CTI model will work for their specific project. Strong fidelity to the CTI model would include the case manager’s supervisor having a master’s level clinical degree. CTI resources are available on the VA National Center on

Homelessness Among Veterans (NCHAV) website. There you will find a CTI webinar as well as other resources related to case management models (search under All NCHAV

Resources, then Best Practices). The Center for the Advancement of CTI website is another source for information about the CTI model.

All applicants must offer a low-barrier, harm-reduction approach that applies Housing

First principles to engage Veterans in services. Applicants must have policies and procedures for maintaining low barriers and high-quality engagement throughout the service period, including for Veterans who relapse. Generally, this means service occurs on the same day the Veteran is identified or referred to the GPD project or within no more than 72 hours. All applicants must demonstrate an ability to maximize case https://www.va.gov/homeless/nchav/index.html https://www.va.gov/homeless/nchav/index.html https://players.brightcove.net/2851863979001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6345127472112 https://www.criticaltime.org/ https://www.criticaltime.org/cti-model/ management at all stages of the housing retention process, from referral to housing navigation, through the 6 months of case management and including the post-case management phasing out period.

VI. Application Contents and Format To apply for a grant, applicants must use the online application system by following the instructions on the GPD website. See also the Submission Requirements and Deadlines section of this NOFO. When an applicant completes the Acknowledgement part of the application (see the Overview section in Appendix A) and submits the application, the applicant provides an authorized electronic signature on the SF-424 and on the application. These signatures are legal and binding.

Pre-Application Materials See the Before You Begin section.

Application Introduction The numbered questions in Appendix A are required application components for a GPD case management renewal grant. Applicants must include all required materials in their application submission. Submission of an incorrect, incomplete, inconsistent, unclear, or incorrectly formatted application package may result in a rejected application.

Any character count limits are suggested maximum limits. Most applicants will use less than the suggested limit. Applicants are strongly encouraged to provide complete responses while also being clear and concise.

VA may make a reasonable effort to confirm or clarify information in the application. VA reserves the right to consider ineligible or to not select any application with inconsistent information or information that cannot be readily confirmed or that leads to an unclear understanding of the proposed project.

This NOFO cannot predict all potential circumstances. VA expects applicants to propose plans within the requirements and guidance of this NOFO. When a specific situation is not explicitly addressed in this NOFO, applicants must use their judgment to propose plans that meet the intent of this NOFO and may explain how their choices align with the intent. All applications will be evaluated against the requirements and guidance of this NOFO.

Application Components See Appendix A.

Pre-Award Materials See the Review and Selection Process section.

VII. Submission Requirements and Deadlines Address This NOFO contains everything needed. No additional address information is necessary.

UEI and SAM Eligible applicants must have an EIN from the IRS, a UEI from SAM, and an active registration in SAM. Entities must maintain their active status in SAM throughout the application period. VA may not award a grant to an applicant if the applicant has not complied with the EIN, UEI, and SAM requirements. For more information, see 2 C.F.R.

parts 200 and 25 as well as SAM.gov. Certain requirements also apply to subrecipients and contractors.

If an applicant is out of compliance with the EIN, UEI, or SAM requirements at the time

VA is ready to make an award, VA may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and may use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant or for making a different funding decision.

If awarded a grant, applicants must maintain compliance with EIN, UEI, and SAM requirements for the duration of the grant as a continuing condition of eligibility.

GPD grants are Federal financial assistance as defined in 2 C.F.R. §§ 25.400 and

200.1. Therefore, applicants must answer yes in SAM.gov saying they wish to apply for a Federal assistance project or program under the Financial Assistance Representation and Certification section. Then, applicants must certify to the representations and certifications in SAM. For a sample, see the GPD website.

Information is also available in the Before You Begin section.

http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/

Submission Instructions See the Before You Begin section.

Applicants must submit applications electronically following instructions on the GPD website. Applicants must not submit by email, mail, facsimile (fax), or any other way.

The GPD National Program Office must receive applications no later than 4:00 p.m.

Eastern Time on the application deadline date stated in the Basic Information section.

Applications must arrive as a complete package. Materials arriving separately will not be included in the application package for consideration and may result in a rejected application.

No case-by-case exceptions to the deadline are allowed even in the case of illness, death, computer difficulties, staff turnover, or other reasons. In the extremely rare event that a group exception is provided, a public notice would be posted on the GPD website or a modified funding opportunity would be posted on Grants.gov indicating the extended application submission deadline if applicable. An example of a rare group exception for an application submission deadline might be a VA system outage documented by VA Enterprise Helpdesk.

In the event of errors, such as duplicate applications or multiple applications per EIN, per VA medical facility catchment area, VA reserves the right to select which application to consider based on the submission dates and times or based on other factors.

VA advises applicants to refer to this NOFO when completing the online application.

NOFO content provides supplementary guidance for completing the online application.

For technical assistance, contact GPDgrants@va.gov. GPD commits to providing technical assistance to applicants who have procedural questions prior to the application submission deadline. Response times can vary. Applicants should plan accordingly and allow at least 3 business days to receive responses.

Submission Dates and Times See the Key Dates section.

Intergovernmental Review Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs, was issued to foster the intergovernmental partnership and strengthen federalism by relying on state and local processes for the coordination and review of proposed Federal financial https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp http://www.grants.gov/ mailto:GPDgrants@va.gov assistance and direct Federal development. Generally, GPD grants are not subject to

E.O. 12372. To learn about your state’s process, see the single point of contact list.

VIII. Application Review Information Threshold An applicant must meet the initial threshold review requirements of 38 C.F.R.

§ 61.92(a). Not meeting these criteria may result in the application being rejected at threshold and not being considered for award. The following sections summarize the threshold requirements. Please see 38 C.F.R. § 61.92(a) for additional information.

Application is Complete

VA must receive all required application components in the required manner. See the

Application Contents and Format section. If VA identifies discrepancies or concerns, including with any signatures (for example, electronic or scanned signatures), VA reserves the right to request additional or revised materials (including a true ink signature). VA reserves the right to communicate with an applicant, as needed, prior to making threshold decisions.

Applicant is Eligible

The applicant organization must be an eligible entity. See the Eligibility section.

Activities are Eligible

Activities proposed in the application must be eligible, including:

• Applicants must propose to support case management services to assist

Veterans in obtaining and retaining permanent housing.

• Applicants must propose at least 0.5 FTE positions (at least 20 hours on average per week). Applicants must not request more than the approved number of FTE in the current grant (start date October 1, 2023). Applicants must consider local need and the minimum caseload requirements in the Performance

Metrics and Targets section when proposing the number of FTE positions.

• Applicants must propose a 3-year project period.

For more details, see the Program Description – General section and Program

Description – GPD Case Management section.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SPOC-list-as-of-2023.pdf

Merit Review Criteria Criteria for Points

Reviewers will award points based on each applicant’s responses to the scored items in the Narrative section of Appendix A. For the evaluation criteria, see 38 C.F.R. §

61.92(b)-(g), as summarized in table 2.

Table 2: Evaluation Criteria.

Criterion Points

(maximum)

1. Need 150

2. Project Plan 400

3. Ability 200

4. Coordination 200

5. Completion Confidence (38 C.F.R. 61.92(f)) 50

TOTAL 1,000

Other Considerations

Cost sharing is not required and is not a review criterion. See the Cost Sharing section.

In the event of a tie score between applications, VA will determine at its discretion how to handle selection decisions (for example, selecting multiple applications for award, awarding for less than requested, or reducing hours). VA will consider the goals and objective of this NOFO. VA’s discretionary funding decisions are final.

Review and Selection Process A technical merit review panel will evaluate applications against the criteria stated in this

NOFO. Applications may earn up to 1,000 points depending on the quality of responses.

The final scores will serve as the primary basis for selecting applications for funding.

The review panel will follow 38 C.F.R. part 61 and 2 C.F.R. part 200 for review guidance. To determine scores, VA may use information such as historical program documents of past performance, VA and non-VA, including those from other Federal, state, and local agencies, as well as audits by private or public entities. When scoring applications, VA will instruct the review panel to consider (1) how the application https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-61#61.92 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-61#61.92 demonstrates plans to maximize the case management resource and (2) past performance (for example, performance metrics and lengths of case management service per Veteran). The panel results are advisory in nature and not binding on the

Grant Program Officer.

To facilitate geographic dispersion, VA will fund up to two case management grants per

VA medical facility catchment area in rank order. If sufficient funding is available, VA may make additional selections at its discretion. Funding is not guaranteed. Depending on factors such as the quantity and quality of applications received, the availability of funding, and past performance, VA reserves the right to make additional rounds of conditional selections from this NOFO, to reduce the amount of funding or staffing awarded, or to take other actions as appropriate.

VA may require conditionally selected applicants to submit additional information.

Applicants will receive a deadline to submit such information. VA reserves the right to negotiate with applicants, at any point, including prior to award, an upward or downward adjustment to factors including but not limited to FTE positions per catchment area, FTE positions per grant, services, project period dates, or dollar amounts, including adjustments that exceed the limits stated in this NOFO if needed to accomplish the overall goals and objective. VA will incorporate changes into the grant agreement.

If an applicant has not fully complied by the time VA is ready to make an award, VA may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award and may use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant. VA may elect to negotiate an increase to another conditionally selected applicant or applicants, to award additional applications, to publish another notice, or to take other actions based on factors such as program priorities, availability of funds, and quality of applications.

Due to the volume of applications received and in fairness to all applicants, individual application feedback is not provided. However, after the grant review process is complete, general feedback about how to improve future applications will be available to applicants on the GPD website.

https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/GPD.asp

Risk Review Prior to making an award, and at any time post-award, VA will review any available information, including its own records and any Office of Management and Budget-designated repository of Government-wide eligibility or financial integrity information, such as SAM.gov. VA will comply with the requirements of 2 C.F.R. parts 180 and 801.

VA will conduct a business risk assessment in accordance with 2 C.F.R. § 200.206. VA may ask applicants or grantees to submit additional information regarding their ability to manage Federal funds. The risk assessment may consider results of the applicant’s eligibility (threshold review) or the quality of its application (merit review). If VA decides to make an award, VA may add specific conditions to the award corresponding to the degree of risk. Applicants may review and comment on any information in SAM.gov about their organization. If the applicant comments on any SAM.gov records, VA will consider the comment as part of the risk review.

IX. Award Notices Although subject to change, VA expects to announce awards by approximately

September 2025. VA reserves the right in any year to adjust the award (for example, to change funding amounts) as needed within the intent of this NOFO based on a variety of factors, including program priorities and the availability of funding.

The applicant’s signature on the SF-424, including electronic signature, constitutes a binding offer by the applicant and constitutes agreement to the terms and conditions of award. VA may elect to award funds with or without discussions with the applicant.

Applicants may review the general terms and conditions of award on the GPD website.

Only a grant agreement with a VA signature is evidence of an award and is an authorizing document allowing costs to be incurred against the grant. Other notices, letters, or announcements are not authorizing documents. VA expects to provide a grant agreement with a VA signature through the online application system to the registered organizational contacts around October 1, 2025.

VA expects to notify unsuccessful applicants by email to the registered organizational contacts around October 1, 2025. Usually during the month of October 2025 general feedback applicable to all unsuccessful applicants will be available on the GPD website.

http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/

X. Post-Award Requirements and Administration Administrative and National Policy Requirements The grant agreement includes the terms and conditions of award and must be signed by

VA to be legally binding. Applicants may review the general terms and conditions of award on the GPD website. VA places great emphasis on responsibility and accountability. VA has procedures in place to monitor grants provided under this NOFO.

VA may impose specific conditions or remedies for noncompliance, including termination of the grant, at any point during the grant period (2 C.F.R. § 200.208, § 200.339). Terminations and other performance matters may impact future award decisions (2 C.F.R. § 200.206).

Conflicts of Interest

Consistent with 2 C.F.R. § 200.112, grantees must disclose in writing any potential conflicts of interest to VA or to the pass-through entity immediately as conflicts arise and provide updates no less frequently than annually thereafter. The conflict-of-interest guidance for general procurement standards (2 C.F.R. § 200.318) is hereby applied to other grant actions beyond procurement actions. Specifically, grantees must maintain written standards of conduct covering conflicts of interest and governing the actions of their employees or other personnel engaged in activities funded from the GPD grant.

Activities include the selection, award, and administration of contracts. No employee, officer, or agent may participate in the selection, award, or administration of a contract supported by a Federal award if he or she has a real or apparent conflict of interest.

Such a conflict of interest would arise when the employee, officer, agent, any member of the immediate family, a partner, or an organization which employs or is about to employ any of the involved parties, has a financial or other interest in, or a tangible personal benefit from, a firm considered for a contract. The officers, employees, and agents of the grantee organization may neither solicit nor accept gratuities, favors, or anything of monetary value from contractors or parties to subcontracts. However, grantees may set standards for situations in which the financial interest is not substantial, or the gift is an unsolicited item of nominal value. The standards of conduct must provide for disciplinary actions for violations.

Suicide Prevention

Grantees must ensure they train grant-funded staff annually regarding suicide prevention and how to address situations in which Veterans demonstrate suicidal ideation.