VA NOFO Grant and Per Diem FY 2027 Special Need Final 12-12-2025 signed.pdf

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Homeless Providers Grant & Per Diem Special Need

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Table of Contents

I. Basic Information

II. Before You Begin

III. Eligibility

IV. Program Description–General

V. Program Description–GPD SN

VI. Application Contents and Format

VII. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

VIII. Application Review Information

IX. Award Notices

X. Post-Award Requirements and Administration XI. Other Information……………………………………………………………………….32

XII. Appendices

Appendix A. Application Components

Appendix B. Definitions

Appendix C. Relevant Resources

I. Basic Information

Federal Agency Name Announcement Type

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Renewal Grant

Funding Opportunity Title Funding Opportunity Number

Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Special Need

(SN) Grant

VA-GPD-SN-Fiscal Year (FY) 2027

Assistance Listing Number

64.024, GPD Program

Funding Details

Approximately $5 million per year for three years is available for 13 SN grants

(approximately $384,000 per award) under this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO).

The maximum allowable grant size is determined by the number of beds previously awarded and by each applicant’s unique Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN).

Applicants for renewal funding may request up to the number of beds approved under their currently active GPD SN grant (start date October 1, 2024). Applicants may request fewer beds but may not request more.

Grants are expected to be for a period of three years starting on or around

October 1, 2026, and ending September 30, 2029. Funding is not guaranteed. VA reserves the right in any year to adjust funding levels, 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 17, 2026.

In the interest of fairness to all applicants, the date and time of this deadline is firm. VA will treat any application received after the deadline as ineligible. 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 SN supportive housing services to facilitate Veteran engagement in permanent housing. Awards are expected to be for three years starting on or around October 1, 2026. The goals and objectives of this

NOFO are described in the Program Description section.

Ending Veteran homelessness requires multifaceted approaches. This NOFO is designed to be one such approach. This NOFO responds to the mounting need in communities to end homelessness in unique and targeted ways tailored to the needs of diverse populations of Veterans and to the unique skills and resources in different communities. Grants funded from this NOFO will increase housing stability for Veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and who are in one of the five SN-targeted populations listed at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/USCODE-2023-title38/USCODE-2023-title38-partII-chap20-subchapVII-sec2061: 1) chronically mentally ill, 2) frail elderly, 3) individuals who care for minor dependents, 4) terminally ill, or 5) women. This renewal funding will provide assistance to offset operational costs, including costs that would not otherwise be incurred, but for the fact that the recipient is providing supportive housing beds in private rooms with private bathrooms for a homeless Veteran population with SN. Eligible entities may apply for funding only if they are a current GPD grantee receiving a SN award through opportunity VA-GPD-SN-FY

2025 are eligible to apply. For full details, see the Eligibility section. For program https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/USCODE-2023-title38/USCODE-2023-title38-partII-chap20-subchapVII-sec2061 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/USCODE-2023-title38/USCODE-2023-title38-partII-chap20-subchapVII-sec2061 information and requirements, see 38 CFR Part 61 at https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-

38/chapter-I/part-61.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-61 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;

(202) 461-0056 (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 at https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp. 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 at https://sam.gov/ registration. If your organization is already 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 at https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp.

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 your application 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 before 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.

https://sam.gov/

III. Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

To be eligible, an applicant must be one of the 13 current GPD SN grantees awarded a grant with a start date of October 1, 2024, based on the FY 2025 Special Need NOFO published to Grants.gov at https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/352176 on

February 2, 2024. A list of active GPD SN grantees is on the GPD website at https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp. No other applicants are eligible to apply.

Applicants must propose to continue the currently funded GPD SN project. Adjustments to the project services may be proposed. However, VA will not consider completely different or new project populations.

Applicants must not be out of compliance with any reporting requirements or other requirements under any other GPD grant (e.g., outstanding Standard Form (SF) 425

Federal Financial Report (FFR), outstanding closeout requirements). At the Office of

Management and Budget’s (OMB) instruction (2 CFR § 200.344(i)), VA will publicly report to the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System and enter or amend information in SAM.gov (Responsibility/Qualification) for any organization whose reporting is not completed within one year from the grant end date. GPD may decide not to provide a grant under this NOFO to an organization who is out of compliance with any VA, GPD, or other Federal, state, or local agency grants requirements. 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.

https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/352176

Cost Sharing

Cost sharing is not allowed for this grant program.

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. They facilitate the delivery of supportive housing to ensure Veterans can end the cycle of homelessness.

Since 1994, the GPD program has provided Veterans 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

None.

Goals and Objective

The goals of projects under assistance listing 64.024, VA Homeless Providers GPD 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. Grants awarded under this NOFO will contribute to the achievement of the goals and objective by making available approximately 13 SN grantees nationwide and supporting permanent housing retention by Veterans. Applicants for renewal funding must address the needs of the same homeless Veteran SN population identified in the previous SN application and approved in the grant agreement effective October 1, 2024, or in a subsequently approved change of scope. Changes to the SN population served through this renewal opportunity are not allowed. Applicants must demonstrate compliance with the SN population requirements in their renewal application and during the grant award period if selected for funding. Refer to 38 CFR § 61.41 for additional information on SN populations

Performance Metrics and Targets

GPD measures performance using key performance indicators (KPI). The KPIs for this grant at time of Veteran discharge from the SN program are the

1. Percentage of Veterans who exit to permanent housing;

2. Percentage of employed Veterans (if applicable); and

3. Percentage of negative exits.

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 per SN population-based model

KPI Target

Chronically mentally ill Percentage of Veterans discharged to permanent housing 60% or greater Percentage of Veterans discharged negatively 20% or less Percentage of Veterans with employment at discharge 55% or greater

Frail elderly Percentage of Veterans discharged to permanent housing 65% or greater Percentage of Veterans discharged negatively 20% or less Percentage of Veterans with employment at discharge n/a

Individuals who care for minor dependents

Percentage of Veterans discharged to permanent housing 70% or greater

Percentage of Veterans discharged negatively 20% or less Percentage of Veterans with employment at discharge 55% or greater

Terminally ill Percentage of Veterans discharged to permanent housing n/a Percentage of Veterans discharged negatively n/a Percentage of Veterans with employment at discharge n/a

Women Percentage of Veterans discharged to permanent housing 70% or greater Percentage of Veterans discharged negatively 20% or less Percentage of Veterans with employment at discharge 55% or greater

Guidance for the Use of Funds

Funding applied for under this NOFO may be used to operate the SN transitional housing project. Funding may not be used to operate Case Management projects, Transition in Place projects, Service Centers, or other GPD transitional housing bed models offered under the Per Diem Only NOFO.

1. Funds requested for renewal grant activities should be calculated taking into consideration the occupancy rates and authorized per diem rates for FY 2025 and the first quarter of FY 2026. VA reserves the right to negotiate with grantees regarding funding requests as needed.

2. Per diem may be requested to offset the cost of operating the SN transitional housing project, minus other sources of income, including programmatic and administrative costs such as:

a. Operating costs as defined in 38 CFR § 61.1.

b. No separate payments for Veterans with minor dependents are allowable.

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

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

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

e. Indirect costs, as defined in 2 CFR § 200.1 and prescribed in

2 CFR §§ 200.412-415, are allowable if supported by a Federally

Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement or if the applicant is eligible for the de minimis rate of up to 15% of modified total direct costs as described in 2 CFR § 200.414. Otherwise, all requested costs must be direct costs.

f. Costs related to data and evaluation are allowed (2 CFR § 200.455(c)).

3. Funding under this NOFO may not be used for capital improvements or to purchase vehicles or real property. Vehicles, however, may be leased to facilitate required transportation within the community if needed. Costs for necessary gas, insurance and maintenance of the vehicle are allowable.

4. All Federal grant funds made available for infrastructure projects must include terms and conditions of award that maximize the use of goods, products and materials produced in, and services offered in, the United States. See PL 117-58;

2 CFR § 200.322. GPD transitional housing grants are not infrastructure projects.

Therefore, generally, infrastructure costs are not allowed, including but not limited to costs for acquisition, renovation, construction or other changes to buildings or real property. However, consistent with Federal-wide initiatives

(e.g., Executive Order (EO) 14005, OMB memos M-21-26 and M-22-11 and

PL 117-58), if written prior approval is received from the GPD National Program

Office for infrastructure costs, then GPD grantees must ensure domestic preference for those infrastructure activities (consistent with 2 CFR § 200.322 and with PL 117-58). Information about Made In America policies is available:

https://www.madeinamerica.gov/.

5. Funds provided through this NOFO must not duplicate funding provided by any other GPD or VA grants and must not duplicate or replace funds from any

Federal, state or local government agency or program to assist homeless persons (see 2 CFR § 200.405 for details about allocable costs).

6. VA reserves the right to fund only those projects or portions of projects based on the percentage of use by VA and based on the actual need as determined by VA.

Those activities deemed outside the scope of this NOFO will not be funded.

7. Allowable costs are described for all Federal grants in 2 CFR Part 200

Subpart E - Cost Principles.

Eligible Participants

Individuals who meet the definition of Veteran, as described in Appendix B, and experiencing homelessness who choose a supportive transitional housing environment that provides services prior to entering permanent housing are eligible for SN participation.

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

Program Authority

The program authority is 38 U.S.C. §§ 2011, 2012, and 2061. VA implements this authority in 38 CFR Part 61. Funding is subject to other applicable laws and regulations, including those in title 2, CFR (such as 2 CFR 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

38 U.S.C. §§ 2011 and 2012, 38 CFR Part 61, and 2 CFR Part 200. This includes requirements for monitoring and examining records.

V. Program Description–GPD SN

Services

SN provides transitional housing and a milieu of services that facilitate individual stabilization, increased income and movement of the Veteran to permanent housing in the residence as rapidly as clinically appropriate.

Facility Specifications

The SN beds supported under this grant must be in private rooms with private bathrooms including the following characteristics:

1. The minimum square footage for the private bedroom and private bathroom combined is 120 square feet. The bedroom and bathroom do not need to be attached in which case the walkway would not usually count toward the square footage calculation.

2. The bathroom must include shower or tub, sink, and toilet.

3. Neither the bedroom nor the bathroom facilities may be shared (e.g., no shared sink area outside the toilet room).

4. Rooms with partial walls are not acceptable. Walls must go floor-to-ceiling.

Rooms must have a door and not involve unauthorized passage through another dwelling unit.

Applicants must own or lease a facility(s) appropriate for the activities required under the NOFO. For example, an applicant for a transitional supportive housing grant who owns or leases a single-family home, an apartment building, Tiny Homes or other types of housing units may propose how the selected facility(s) is appropriate for the required activities.

Facility configurations must account for the privacy, safety, security, and dignity needs of Veterans.

Facilities must be in locations that are supportive to the goals of Veterans and the project. For example, a neighborhood’s level of safety, sobriety, economic opportunity, transportation and inclusion can impact a Veteran’s success in gaining or maintaining permanent housing.

Applicants who need to acquire, construct or renovate a facility(s) for use as GPD transitional housing or who do not include a clear plan for identifying a facility(s) in a timely manner will not be considered for award under this NOFO.

All facilities must meet the inspection standards outlined at title 38 CFR §§ 61.80(a)-(b).

Population Descriptions

Applicants must address the needs of one of the homeless Veteran populations identified in 38 CFR § 61.41 as summarized here.

1. Chronically mentally ill. Applications that include this population must show how the detailed application design will:

a. Help participants join in and engage with the community;

b. Facilitate reintegration with the community and provide services that may optimize reintegration such as life skills education, recreational activities, and follow up case management;

c. Ensure that participants have opportunities and services for reestablishing relationships with family;

d. Ensure adequate supervision, including supervision of medication and monitoring of medication compliance; and

e. Provide opportunities for participants, either directly or through referral, to obtain other services particularly relevant for a chronically mentally ill population, such as vocational development, benefits management, fiduciary or money management services, medication compliance, and medication education.

2. Frail elderly. Applications that include this population must show how the detailed application design will:

a. Ensure the safety of the residents in the facility to include preventing harm and exploitation;

b. Ensure opportunities to keep residents mentally and physically agile to the fullest extent through the incorporation of structured activities, physical activity, and plans for social engagement within the program and in the community;

c. Provide opportunities for participants to address life transitional issues and separation or loss issues;

d. Provide access to walkers, grippers, or other assistance devices necessary for optimal functioning;

e. Ensure adequate supervision, including supervision of medication and monitoring of medication compliance; and

f. Provide opportunities for participants either directly or through referral for other services particularly relevant for the frail elderly, including services or programs addressing emotional, social, spiritual and generative needs.

3. Individuals who care for minor dependents. Applications that include this population must show how the detailed application design will:

a. Ensure transportation for individuals who care for minor dependents, and their children, especially for health care and educational needs;

b. Provide directly or offer referrals for adequate and safe childcare;

c. Ensure children’s health care needs are met, especially age-appropriate wellness visits and immunizations; and

d. Address safety and security issues including segregation from other program participants if deemed appropriate.

4. Terminally ill. Applications that include this population must show how the detailed application design will:

a. Help participants address life transition and life-end issues;

b. Ensure that participants are afforded timely access to relevant services

(e.g., hospice services, nursing services, palliative care);

c. Provide opportunities for participants to engage in activities of ‘‘getting things in order or other therapeutic actions that help resolve end of life issues and enable transition and closure;

d. Ensure adequate supervision including supervision of medication and monitoring of medication compliance; and

e. Provide opportunities for participants either directly or through referrals for other services particularly relevant for terminally ill such as legal counsel and pain management.

5. Women. Applications that include this population must show how the detailed application design will:

a. Ensure transportation for women, especially for health care and educational needs; and

b. Address safety and security issues including segregation from other program participants if deemed appropriate.

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. 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 CFR §§ 200.208, 200.339). This role is subject to prior approval requirements, such as those in 2 CFR §§ 200.308(f)(2)-(3).

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

Applicants are encouraged to include, within the attachments section of their application, the position description(s) and corresponding minimum qualifications of staff identified as key personnel. This will ensure thorough description of each key role, facilitating a clearer evaluation during the application review process.

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.

Within the application, applicants may establish minimum education, experience, and training requirements for positions cited in the Ability Section of the Application. 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.

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

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 at https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp. 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 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 not to 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 before submitting an application. Entities must maintain their active status in SAM throughout the application period. VA will 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 CFR Parts 200 and 25 as well as SAM.gov at https://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 CFR §§ 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 the representations and certifications in SAM. For a sample, see the GPD website at https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp.

Information is also available in the Before You Begin section.

Submission Instructions

See the Before You Begin section.

Applicants must submit applications electronically following instructions on the GPD website at https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp. Applicants must not submit applications by email, mail, facsimile, or any other method.

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 at https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp or a modified funding opportunity would be posted on Grants.gov at https://www.grants.gov/ indicating the extended application submission deadline, if applicable.

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 three business days to receive responses.

Submission Dates and Times

See the Key Dates section.

https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp https://www.grants.gov/ mailto:GPDgrants@va.gov

Intergovernmental Review

EO 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 assistance and direct Federal development. Generally, GPD grants are not subject to EO 12372.

Funded grantees are also required to comply with all applicable EOs.

VIII. Application Review Information

Threshold

Pursuant to 38 CFR § 61.41, VA may provide special need funds to entities that are eligible to receive a capital grant. Therefore, an applicant must meet the initial threshold review requirements of 38 CFR § 61.41. 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 CFR § 61.41 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 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 provide transitional housing and a milieu of services that facilitate individual stabilization, increased income and movement of the Veteran to permanent housing in the residence as rapidly as clinically appropriate.

• Applicants must propose a three-year project period.

Merit Review Criteria

Criteria for Points

VA has instituted procedures for assessing the technical merit of applications to provide for an objective review of applications and to assist you in understanding the standards against which your application will be scored. Reviewers will award points based on the evaluation criteria described in 38 CFR § 61.40(b) as summarized below. For the evaluation criteria, see 38 CFR 61.13(b)-(g) at https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-

38/chapter-I/part-61#61.92, as summarized in table 2.

Table 2: Evaluation Criteria

Criteria Points Range

Need (38 CFR § 61.13(e)) 0-150

Outreach (38 CFR § 61.13(c)) 0-100

Project Plan (38 CFR § 61.13(b)) 0-300

Ability (38 CFR § 61.13(d)) 0-200

Coordination (38 CFR § 61.13(g)) 0-200

Completion Confidence (38 CFR § 61.13(f)) 0-50

Total (38 CFR § 61.13(a)) 0-1,000 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

Other Considerations

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). VA will consider the goals and objectives 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 CFR Part 61 and 2 CFR Part 200 for review guidance.

To determine scores, VA may use information such as VA and non-VA historical program documents of past performance, 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 demonstrates plans to maximize grant utilization to facilitate permanent housing placements; and

2. Past performance (for example, performance metrics).

The panel results are advisory in nature and not binding on the Grant Program Officer.

Adjustments may be based on a variety of factors including the quantity and quality of applications, the needs of the community, geographic dispersion, as well as the availability of funding. 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 scope of the award (e.g., beds, staffing, and site locations as applicable to the type of award), 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, full-time equivalent employee 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 NOFO, 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.

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 at https://sam.gov/. VA will comply with the requirements of

2 CFR Parts 180 and 801. VA will conduct a business risk assessment in accordance with 2 CFR 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 August

2026. VA reserves the right in any year to adjust the award (for example, to change funding amounts) as needed with 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 at https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp.

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, 2026.

VA expects to notify unsuccessful applicants by email to the registered organizational contacts around October 1, 2026.

X. Post-Award Requirements and Administration

Administrative and National Policy Requirements

The grant agreement includes the terms and conditions of the 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 CFR § 200.208, 200.339). Termination and other performance matters may impact future award decisions (2 CFR § 200.206).

Conflicts of Interest

Consistent with 2 CFR § 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 CFR § 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 by 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. Grantees must develop standard operating procedures on suicide prevention in consultation with the local VA medical facility. VA training is available at Veterans

Health Administration (VHA) TRAIN at https://www.train.org/vha/welcome which is part of the VHA Institute for Learning, Education, and Development (ILEAD) at https://www.va.gov/VHALEADERSHIPDEVELOPMENT/index.asp. The VA S.A.V.E.

course is also available at https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/va-save.

The Veterans Crisis Line at https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/find-resources/local-https://www.train.org/vha/welcome https://www.va.gov/VHALEADERSHIPDEVELOPMENT/index.asp https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/va-save https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/find-resources/local-resources resources provides a search tool for locating a Suicide Prevention Coordinator in your area for in-person training.

Health Care Engagement

The GPD National Program Office expects grantees to engage proactively with

Veterans to maximize access to any applicable private or public health care services, including but not limited to VA, Medicare, Medicaid, and local or regional services.

Inspections

Grantees must pass a VA inspection. Grantees must receive an activation date from VA after each unit or facility passes inspection. Activation dates indicate the date on or after which a grantee may admit a Veteran into the inspected unit or facility. All projects must pass inspection and be able to start serving Veterans as of October 1, 2026, and no later than 180 days from the award start date (38 CFR § 61.30(c)). Failure to establish the grant within 180 days will result in termination of the grant and may impact future award decisions (38 CFR § 61.12(i)).

All units must be reinspected no less frequently than annually. VA reserves the right to withhold payments, reduce beds, terminate a grant or take other action as appropriate when inspection or reinspection requirements are delayed.

Grantees must report to the VA GPD liaison any sentinel, serious, or other critical incidents impacting VA-funded participants or occurring at a facility where VA-funded participants are receiving services, including the occurrence of these type of events affecting non-VA-funded participants on the grantee’s premises. Additionally, grantees must report any adverse health or safety inspection results or similar findings made concerning the grantee’s premises or operations by any non-VA oversight entity, such as a Federal, state, county, or local regulatory body. Some examples of sentinel events or critical incidents include Veteran injury, overdose, death, or damage to the grantee’s facility where Veterans reside. Grantees should have an internal incident reporting system and must ensure that these incident reports are provided to the GPD liaison within 24 hours of the incident. If liaisons are not being informed by the grantee of critical issues affecting Veterans or the grantee’s facilities, the VA medical facility https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/find-resources/local-resources oversight team may conduct unannounced inspections, request a written communication plan, or take other actions necessary to protect Veteran health and safety, including immediately halting all new admissions to the GPD program.

Payments of Grant Funds

Payment Requests

Under this NOFO, VA will make payments in a method consistent with VA policy and other Federal fiscal requirements. Payment details will be given to the grantee at the time of award.

Payments are only for allowable costs, as specified under the Federal cost principles for grants (2 CFR Part 200 Subpart E) and for the activities outlined in this NOFO. Awards under this NOFO are dependent on funding availability and program authorization.

Factors such as carry forward amounts, performance, risk assessments, or organizational financial stability and management standards may impact future year funding amounts.

Grantees will receive payments electronically as identified by VA (e.g., through the local

VA medical facility, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Payment

Management System, etc.)

1. Per-dem payments:

a. Payments for Veterans will be at a rate not to exceed what is allowed by regulation, which at the time of NOFO publication is not to exceed 200% of the current VA State Home per diem rate for domiciliary care as set by the Secretary under 38 U.S.C. § 1741(a)(1) and 38 CFR § 61.44(b)(2).

b. The per diem payment calculation may be found at 38 CFR § 61.33 and current maximum per diem rates are available on the GPD provider website at https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/GPD_ProviderWebsite.asp.

2. Payment vouchers: Grantees are required to submit properly prepared and fully documented vouchers within 30 days of the end of each month.

Grantees who are unsure if their submission is properly prepared and fully https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/GPD_ProviderWebsite.asp documented should submit early to allow time for review and resubmission no later than 30 days after the end of each month.

3. EO 14332 does not allow for the grantee to draw down funds unless: To the extent practicable and consistent with applicable law, agency heads shall insert in future discretionary grant agreements terms and conditions that: (i) prohibit recipients from directly drawing down general grant funds for specific projects without the affirmative authorization of the agency; and (ii) require grantees to provide written explanations or support, with specificity, for requests for each drawdown.

4. Per diem rate monitoring: Grantees are required to monitor their per diem rate for accuracy monthly. It is essential to avoid accumulating significant unobligated funds due to overestimating the per diem rate, as this indicates a lack of internal controls (2 CFR § 200.303). If a grantee determines that their per diem rate does not accurately reflect the allowable and allocable costs incurred, they must submit a per diem rate modification immediately.

a. At any time, including prior to payment, VA reserves the right to request documentation for any item of cost.

b. Grantees are advised to keep careful records, including documentation of cost calculations (e.g., itemized invoices) and of cost reasonableness.

Grantees are advised to keep documentation of having secured any voluntary leveraged funding from other sources if applicable.

Immediate Cash Needs

VA will make payments to reimburse grantees for amounts spent (38 CFR § 61.61(b)).

VA does not provide advanced payments to GPD grantees. Grantees must maintain written procedures to minimize the time elapsing between drawing down funds from the

Federal Government and disbursing the funds for grant costs. Also, grantees must maintain financial management systems that meet the standards for fund control and accountability as established in 2 CFR § 200.305. Grantees must limit payment requests to the minimum amounts needed. Grantees must time payment requests with actual and immediate cash needs for carrying out the approved project. The timing and amount of payments must be as close as administratively feasible to actual disbursements by the grantee for direct project costs and the proportional share of any allowable indirect costs. Typically, immediate means within 3 business days, as articulated on the HHS website at https://pms.psc.gov/grant-recipients/funding-request-formula.html.

Cost Documentation

Grantees must support their request for payments with adequate fiscal documentation, including documentation of program income and expenses. VA advises grantees to keep careful records, including documentation of voluntary leveraged funding from other sources, and including cost calculations, such as itemized invoices and evidence of cost reasonableness.

Reporting and Monitoring

VA will oversee and monitor the grantee’s services to…