Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology Grant Program

Pursuant to the Veterans' Benefit Act of 2010, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary), through the Loan Guaranty Service (LGY) of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), is authorized to provide grants of financial assistance to develop ne

Pursuant to the Veterans' Benefit Act of 2010, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary), through the Loan Guaranty Service (LGY) of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), is authorized to provide grants of financial assistance to develop new assistive technology. The objective of the grant, known as the Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology (SAHAT) Grant Program, is to encourage the development of new assistive technologies for specially adapted housing grant participants. In particular, Veterans that have lost the use of their upper or lower extremities, and blindness.

As authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 2108, the Secretary may award grants to a "person or entity" for the development of specially adapted housing assistive technologies. In order to foster competition and best serve the needs of Veterans and Servicemembers, VA is placing no restrictions on the types of eligible entities outside of threshold criteria listed in the NOFA. All technology grant recipients, including individuals and entities formed as for-profit entities, will be subject to the rules of the Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and other Non-profit Organizations, as found at 2 CFR Part 200. Where the Secretary determines that 2 CFR Part 200 is not applicable or where the Secretary determines that additional requirements are necessary due to the uniqueness of a situation, the Secretary will apply the same standard applicable to exceptions under 2 CFR 200.102.

Projects funded under this announcement must involve new assistive technologies the Secretary determines could aid or enhance the ability of a Veteran or Servicemember to live in an adapted home. However, projects funded under this announcement must not be used for the completion of activities which were to have been completed under a prior grant.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) acknowledges there are many emerging technologies that could improve home adaptions or otherwise enhance a Veteran's or Servicemember's ability to live independently, such as voice-recognition and voice-command operations, living environment controls, and adaptive feeding equipment. Therefore, VA has defined ''new assistive technology'' as an advancement the Secretary determines could aid or augment the ability of a Veteran or Servicemember to live in an adapted home. Grantees will be expected to leverage grant funds to plan, develop, manage, and implement new assistive technologies for specially adapted housing. Since the new program would also be open to individuals and private entities, some of the applicants will not meet the definition of non-Federal entity or recipient, as defined under part 200, and certain provisions of part 200 may not be applicable to all applicants in this technology grant program. Where the Secretary determines a provision is not applicable or where the Secretary determines that additional requirements are necessary due to the uniqueness of a situation, the Secretary would apply the same standard applicable to exceptions under 2 CFR 200.102. Although part 200 does not define the term exception, Sec. 200.102 is clear that an exception can relax an existing requirement or make additional, more restrictive requirements on a participant. Section 200.102 requires that if an exception is more restrictive on a certain class of participants than that which is otherwise provided in part 200, VA must receive approval from OMB. If an exception is less restrictive than what is provided in part 200, Sec. 200.102 authorizes VA to grant the exception on a case-by-case basis. It is impossible to anticipate every way in which the Secretary can or should exercise oversight authority. The purpose of this provision is to ensure that a loophole in a regulation does not unduly hinder the Secretary's ability to protect the public interest or prevent private individuals or organizations from participating because of technicalities related to oversight.

Length-of-time limitations are established in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NoFO). Grantees will receive payments electronically through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Payment Management System (HHS PMS). Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Disbursement.

Preapplication coordination is not required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. The VA will publish, in the Federal Register, Grants. Gov, or authorized equivalent, a NOFO, soliciting applications for the grant program and information on applications for requesting eligibility to receive grant funds.

VA will publish, in the Federal Register, Grants.Gov, or authorized equivalent, a notice of funding availability NOFO, soliciting applications for the grant program and information on applications for requesting eligibility to receive grant funds. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. Forms furnished by VA must be used for the program. Applications will only be accepted when received within the timeframe and meeting the requirements described in a notice of funding availability NOFO published in the Federal Register.

Pending Congressional approval, a NOFO will be posted on the Grants.gov website. Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology Grant, listing number 64.051

Formal approval of the award of assistance is made by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or those staff with delegated authority. Pursuant to 36 CFR § 36.4412, each VA employee appointed to or lawfully fulfilling any of the following positions is hereby delegated authority, within the limitations and conditions prescribed by law, to exercise the powers and functions of the Secretary with respect to the SAHAT Grant Program authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 2108: 1. Under Secretary for Benefits 2. Principal Deputy Undersecretary for Benefits 3. Executive Director, Loan Guaranty Service 4. Deputy Director, Loan Guaranty Service