5898 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 25 / Monday, February 7, 2000 / Notices

DOL-ETA REPORTING BURDEN FOR WIA TITLE I–B STATES—Continued

Requirements PY 1999 PY 2000 PY 2001 PY 2002

Number of Entities Reporting .......................................................................... 16 56 56 56

Total Number of Hours Required for Reporting Burden Per Year .................. 192 672 672 672

Note: Number of reports required per entity

per quarter/per year is impacted by the 3 year

life of each year of appropriated funds, i.e.,

PY 1997 and 1998 funds are available for

expenditure in PY 1999, thus 3 reports reflect

3 available funding years. DOL estimates 16

entities reporting for PY 1999. Beginning in

PY 2000, all entities (56) are required to

report under WIA.

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup):

$0.

Total Burden Cost (operating/

maintaining): $0.

Description: The proposed

Information Collection Request (ICR)

incorporates the necessary reporting

instructions for States to report financial

data related to Workforce Investment

Act programs to DOL. These

instructions have been prepared in

response to the requirement set forth at

20 CFR 667.300, for DOL to issue

financial reporting instructions to

States; and to ensure State compliance

with the reporting elements contained

in the Workforce Investment Act (WIA)

of 1998, Subtitle E. Sec. 185.

The WIA requires quarterly financial

reports which shall include information

identifying all program and activity

costs by cost category in accordance

with generally accepted accounting

principles and by year of appropriation.

The WIA also requires reporting any

income or profits earned, such

including such income or profits earned

by subrecipients and any costs incurred

(such as stand-in costs) that are

otherwise allowable except for funding

limitations. In addition, WIA requires

the reporting of costs only as

administrative or programmatic, with

computerization/technology costs not

included in the administrative cost limit

calculation.

The Standard Form 269 has been

modified to provide the six reporting

formats which will be used for WIA

reporting. Separate reporting formats

will be needed for: (1) Local area youth,

(2) local area adults, (3) local area

dislocated workers, (4) local

administration, (5) Statewide activities

(15% total Federal allotment), and (6)

Statewide rapid response.

ETA is designing software that will

contain the data elements required for

each of the reporting formats.

Instructions corresponding to the

required data elements also will be

provided to the States in the software

package. Transmittal of this data will

occur on a quarterly basis via the

Internet.

The data collection and reporting

requirements requested by the

Employment and Training

Administration are necessary to

effectively manage and evaluate the

financial status of the WIA program, to

measure regulatory compliance, to

prepare required reports to Congress,

and for audit purposes.

Ira L. Mills,

Departmental Clearance Officer.

[FR Doc. 00–2646 Filed 2–4–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510–30–M

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Assistant Secretary for

Veterans’ Employment and Training

Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration

Project Competitive Grants

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant

Secretary for Veterans’ Employment and

Training.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds

and solicitation for grant applications

for Homeless Veterans Reintegration

Projects (SGA 00–01).

SUMMARY: This notice contains all of the

necessary information and forms needed

to apply for grant funding. All

applicants for grant funds should read

this notice in its entirety. The U.S.

Department of Labor, Veterans’

Employment and Training Service

(VETS) announces a grant competition

for Homeless Veterans Reintegration

Projects (HVRP) authorized under the

Stewart B. McKinney Homeless

Assistance Act. Such projects will assist

eligible veterans who are homeless by

providing employment, training,

supportive and transitional housing

assistance. Under this solicitation, VETS

may award up to thirty-three grants in

FY 2000.

This notice describes the background,

the application process, description of

program activities, evaluation criteria,

and reporting requirements for

Solicitation of Grant Applications (SGA)

00–01. VETS anticipates that up to

$8.25 million will be available for grant

awards under this SGA.

The information and forms contained

in the Supplementary Information

Section of this announcement constitute

the official application package for this

Solicitation. In order to receive any

amendments to this Solicitation which

may be subsequently issued, all

applicants must register their name and

address with the Procurement Services

Center. Please send this information as

soon as possible, Attention: Grant

Officer, to the following address: U.S.

Department of Labor, Procurement

Services Center, Room N–5416, 200

Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington,

DC 20210. Please reference SGA 00–01.

DATES: One (1) blue ink-signed original,

complete grant application plus three

(3) copies of the Technical Proposal and

three (3) copies of the Cost Proposal

shall be submitted to the U.S.

Department of Labor, Procurement

Services Center, Room N–5416, 200

Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington,

DC 20210, not later than 4:45 p.m.,

Eastern Standard Time, March 8, 2000,

or be postmarked by the U.S. Postal

Service on or before that date. Hand

delivered applications must be received

by the Procurement Services Center by

that time.

ADDRESSES: Applications shall be

mailed to the U.S. Department of Labor,

Procurement Services Center, Attention:

Lisa Harvey, Reference SGA 00–01,

Room N–5416, 200 Constitution

Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20210.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa

Harvey, U.S. Department of Labor,

Procurement Services Center, telephone

(202) 219–6445 [not a toll free number].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Homeless Veterans Reintegration

Project Solicitation

I. Purpose

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL),

Veterans’ Employment and Training

Service (VETS) is requesting grant

applications for the provision of

employment and training services in

accordance with the Stewart B.

McKinney Homeless Assistance Act

(MHAA), as reauthorized and codified

at Title 38, Chapter 41, Section 4111.

These instructions contain general

program information, requirements and

forms for application for funds to

operate a Homeless Veterans

Reintegration Project (HVRP).

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 25 / Monday, February 7, 2000 / Notices 5899

II. Background

The Stewart B. McKinney Homeless

Assistance Act of 1987, enacted on July

22, 1987, under Title VII, Subtitle C,

Section 738 provides that ‘‘The

Secretary shall conduct, directly or

through grant or contract, such

programs as the Secretary determines

appropriate to expedite the reintegration

of homeless veterans into the labor

force.’’ This program was reauthorized

under Section 621 of the McKinney

Homeless Assistance Amendments Act

of 1990 (Public Law 101–645) for an

additional three years, i.e., through FY

1993. Under the Homeless Veterans

Comprehensive Service Programs Act of

1992 (Public Law 102–590—enacted on

November 10, 1992) the Homeless

Veterans Reintegration Project was

reauthorized through Fiscal Year 1995.

However, the program was rescinded in

FY 1995. Public Law 104–275, dated

October 9, 1996, was amended to

reauthorize the program through FY

1998. Public Laws 105–41 and 105–114,

enacted in 1997, extend the program

through FY 1999. Public Law 106–73

dated October 19, 1999, reauthorized

and codified at Title 38, Chapter 41,

Section 4111 extends the program

through FY 2003.

The Homeless Veterans Reintegration

Project was the first nationwide Federal

program that focused on placing

homeless veterans into jobs. In

accordance with the MHAA, the

Assistant Secretary for Veterans’

Employment and Training (ASVET) is

making approximately $8.25 million of

the funds available to award grants for

HVRPs in selected cities in FY 2000

under this competition. A separate

competition for a small number of

demonstration grants to operate in rural

areas will be announced separately

within a short time. Both types of

projects, urban and rural, in the past

have provided valuable information on

approaches that work in the different

environments.

III. Application Process

A. Potential Jurisdictions to be Served

Due to the demonstration nature of

the Act, the amount of funds available,

and the emphasis on establishing or

strengthening existing linkages with

other recipients of funds under the

MHAA, the only potential jurisdictions

which will be served through this urban

competition for HVRPs in FY 2000 are

the metropolitan areas of the 75 U.S.

cities largest in population and the city

of San Juan, Puerto Rico. All potential

HVRP jurisdictions are listed in

Appendix E.

B. Eligible Applicants

Applications for funds will be

accepted from State and local public

agencies, Private Industry Councils, and

nonprofit organizations as follows:

1. Private Industry Councils (PICS)

and/or Workforce Investment Boards

(WIBS) as defined in Title I, Section 102

of the Job Training Partnership Act

(JTPA), Public Law 97–300, are eligible

applicants, as well as State and local

public agencies. ‘‘Local public agency’’

refers to any public agency of a general

purpose political subdivision of a State

which has the power to levy taxes and

spend funds, as well as general

corporate and police powers. (This

typically refers to cities and counties). A

State agency may propose in its

application to serve one or more of the

potential jurisdictions located in its

State. This does not preclude a city or

county agency from submitting an

application to serve its own jurisdiction.

Applicants are encouraged to utilize,

through subgrants, experienced public

agencies, private nonprofit

organizations, and private businesses

which have an understanding of the

unemployment and homeless problems

of veterans, a familiarity with the area

to be served, and the capability to

effectively provide the necessary

services.

2. Also eligible to apply are nonprofit

organizations which have operated an

HVRP or similar employment and

training program for the homeless or

veterans; have proven capacity to

manage Federal grants; and have or will

provide the necessary linkages with

other service providers. Nonprofit

organizations will be required to submit

with their application recent (within

one year) financial audit statements that

attest to the financial responsibility of

the organization.

Entities described in Section 501(c)4

of the Internal Revenue Code that

engage in lobbying activities are not

eligible to receive funds under this

announcement. The Lobbying

Disclosure Act of 1995, Public Law No.

104–65, 109 Stat. 691, prohibits the

award of Federal funds to these entities

if they engage in lobbying activities.

C. Funding Levels

The total amount of funds available

for this solicitation is $8.25 million. It

is anticipated that up to 33 awards may

be made under this solicitation. Awards

are expected to range from $100,000 to

$250,000. The Federal government

reserves the right to negotiate the

amounts to be awarded under this

competition. Please be advised that

requests exceeding this range by 15% or

more may be considered nonresponsive.

D. Period of Performance

The period of performance will be for

nine months from date of award. It is

expected that successful applicants will

commence program operations under

this solicitation on or before April 1,

2000. Actual start dates will be

negotiated with each successful

applicant.

E. Second Year Option

As stated in Section II of this Part, the

Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project

was reauthorized and codified by statute

at Title 38, Chapter 41, Section 4111.

Should there be action by Congress to

appropriate funds for this purpose, a

second year option may be considered.

The Government does not, however,

guarantee an option year for any

awardee.

The grantees’ performance during the

first period of operations will be taken

into consideration as follows:

1. By the end of the second quarter,

has the grantee achieved at least 60% of

the nine month total goals for Federal

expenditures, enrollments, and

placements? or

2. Has the grantee met 85% of goals

for Federal expenditures, enrollments

and placements for the nine month

period if planned activity is NOT evenly

distributed in each quarter? and

3. The Grantee is in compliance with

all terms identified in the solicitation

for grant applications.

All instructions for modifications and

announcement of fund availability will

be issued at a later date. Please note that

the Government does reserve its right to

compete any subsequent funds

appropriated for this purpose in lieu of

an option year.

F. Late Proposals

The grant application package must

be received at the designated place by

the date and time specified or it will not

be considered. Any application received

at the Office of Procurement Services

after 4:45 pm EST, March 8, 2000, will

not be considered unless it is received

before the award is made and:

1. It was sent by registered or certified

mail not later than the fifth calendar day

before March 8, 2000;

2. It is determined by the Government

that the late receipt was due solely to

mishandling by the Government after

receipt at the U.S. Department of Labor

at the address indicated; or

3. It was sent by U.S. Postal Service

Express Mail Next Day Service-Post

Office to Addressee, not later than 5:00

pm at the place of mailing two (2)

5900 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 25 / Monday, February 7, 2000 / Notices

working days, excluding weekends and

Federal holidays, prior to March 8,

2000.

The only acceptable evidence to

establish the date of mailing of a late

application sent by registered or

certified mail is the U.S. Postal Service

postmark on the envelope or wrapper

and on the original receipt from the U.S.

Postal Service. If the postmark is not

legible, an application received after the

above closing time and date shall be

processed as if mailed late. ‘‘Postmark’’

means a printed, stamped or otherwise

placed impression (not a postage meter

machine impression) that is readily

identifiable without further action as

having been applied and affixed by an

employee of the U.S. Postal Service on

the date of mailing. Therefore applicants

should request that the postal clerk

place a legible hand cancellation

‘‘bull’s-eye’’ postmark on both the

receipt and the envelope or wrapper.

The only acceptable evidence to

establish the date of mailing of a late

application sent by U.S. Postal Service

Express Mail Next Day Service-Post

Office to Addressee is the date entered

by the Post Office receiving clerk on the

‘‘Express Mail Next Day Service-Post

Office to Addressee’’ label and the

postmark on the envelope or wrapper

and on the original receipt from the U.S.

Postal Service. ‘‘Postmark’’ has the same

meaning as defined above. Therefore,

applicants should request that the postal

clerk place a legible hand cancellation

‘‘bull’s-eye’’ postmark on both the

receipt and the envelope or wrapper.

The only acceptable evidence to

establish the time of receipt at the U.S.

Department of Labor is the date/time

stamp of the Procurement Services

Center on the application wrapper or

other documentary evidence or receipt

maintained by that office. Applications

sent by telegram or facsimile (FAX) will

not be accepted.

G. Submission of Proposal

A cover letter, and an original and

three (3) copies of the proposal shall be

submitted. The proposal shall consist of

two (2) separate and distinct parts:

Part I—Technical Proposal shall

consist of a narrative proposal that

demonstrates the applicant’s knowledge

of the need for this particular grant

program, its understanding of the

services and activities proposed to

alleviate the need and its capabilities to

accomplish the expected outcomes of

the proposed project design. The

technical proposal shall consist of a

narrative not to exceed fifteen (15) pages

double-spaced, typewritten on one side

of the paper only. Resumes, charts,

standard forms, exhibits, letters of

support and letters of reference are not

counted against the page limit.

Applicants should be responsive to the

Rating Criteria contained in Section VI

and address all of the rating factors

noted as thoroughly as possible in the

narrative. The following format is

strongly recommended:

1. Need for the project: the applicant

should identify the geographical area to

be served and provide an estimate of the

number of homeless veterans and their

needs, poverty and unemployment rates

in the area, and gaps in the local

community infrastructure the project

would fill in addressing the

employment and other barriers of the

targeted veterans. Include the outlook

for job opportunities in the service area.

2. Approach or strategy to increase

employment and job retention: The

applicant should describe the specific

supportive services and employment

and training services to be provided

under this grant and the sequence or

flow of such services. Participant flow

charts may be provided. Include a

description of the relationship with

other employment and training

programs such as Disabled Veterans’

Outreach Program (DVOP) and the Local

Veterans’ Employment Representative

(LVER) program, and programs under

the Job Training Partnership Act. Please

include a plan for follow up of

participants who entered employment at

30 and 90 days and also a plan for

follow up six months after the end of

the ninety day period. (See discussion

on results in Section V. D.) Include the

chart of proposed performance goals

and planned expenditures listed in

Appendix D. Although the form itself is

not mandatory, the information called

for in Appendix D must be provided by

the applicant.

3. Linkages with other providers of

employment and training services to the

homeless and to veterans: Describe the

linkages this programs will have with

other providers of services to veterans

and to the homeless outside of the

HVRP grant. List the types of services

provided by each. Note the type of

agreement in place if applicable.

Linkages with the workforce

development system [inclusive of JTPA

and State Employment Security

Agencies (SESAs)] should be delineated.

Describe any linkages with Department

of Housing and Urban Development

(HUD) and Department of Veterans

Affairs resources and programs for the

homeless. Indicate how the applicant

will coordinate with any ‘‘continuum of

care’’ efforts for the homeless among

agencies in the community.

4. Organizational capability in

providing required program activities:

The applicant’s relevant current or prior

experience in operating employment

and training programs should be

delineated. (For consideration by panel

members, the government reserves the

right to have a representative of the

Veterans’ Employment and Training

Service within your state provide

programmatic and fiscal information

about applicants and forward those

findings to the National Office during

the review of applications) Provide

information denoting outcomes of past

programs in terms of enrollments and

placements. Applicants who have

operated an HVRP program, or

Homeless Veterans Employment and

Training (HVET) program should

include final or most recent technical

performance reports. (This information

is also subject to verification by the

Veterans’ Employment and Training

Service.) Provide evidence of key staff

capability. Non-profit organizations

should submit evidence of satisfactory

financial management capability

including recent financial and/or audit

statements.

5. Proposed housing strategy for

homeless veterans: Describe how

housing resources for homeless veterans

will be obtained or accessed. These

resources may be from linkages or

sources other than the HVRP grant such

as HUD, community housing resources,

DVA leasing or other programs. The

applicant should explain whether HVRP

resources will be used and why this is

necessary.

Part II—Cost Proposal shall contain

the Standard Form (SF) 424,

‘‘Application for Federal Assistance,’’

and the Budget Information Sheet in

Appendix B. In addition the budget

shall include—on a separate page(s)—a

detailed cost break-out of each line item

on the Budget Information Sheet. Please

label this page or pages the ‘‘Budget

Narrative.’’ Also to be included in this

Part is the Assurance and Certification

Page, Appendix C. Copies of all required

forms with instructions for completion

are provided as appendices to this

solicitation. The Catalog of Federal

Domestic Assistance number for this

program is 17.805, which should be

entered on the SF 424, Block 10. Please

show leveraged resources/matching

funds and/or the value of in-kind

contributions in Section B of the Budget

Information Sheet.

Budget Narrative Information

As an attachment to the Budget

Information Sheet, the applicant must

provide at a minimum, and on separate

sheet(s), the following information:

(a) A breakout of all personnel costs

by position, title, salary rates and

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 25 / Monday, February 7, 2000 / Notices 5901

percent of time of each position to be

devoted to the proposed project

(including subgrantees);

(b) An explanation and breakout of

extraordinary fringe benefit rates and

associated charges (i.e., rates exceeding

35% of salaries and wages);

(c) An explanation of the purpose and

composition of, and method used to

derive the costs of each of the following:

travel, equipment, supplies, subgrants/

contracts and any other costs. The

applicant should include costs of any

required travel described in this

Solicitation. Mileage charges shall not

exceed 32.5 cents per mile;

(d) In order that the Department of

Labor meet legislative requirements,

submit a plan along with all costs

associated with retaining participant

information pertinent to a longitudinal

follow up survey for at least six months

after the ninety day closeout period.

(e) Description/specification of and

justification for equipment purchases, if

any. Tangible, non-expendable, personal

property having a useful life of more

than one year and a unit acquisition cost

of $5,000 or more per unit must be

specifically identified; and

(f) Identification of all sources of

leveraged or matching funds and an

explanation of the derivation of the

value of matching/in-kind Services.

IV. Participant Eligibility

To be eligible for participation under

HVRP, an individual must be homeless

and a veteran defined as follows:

A. The term ‘‘homeless or homeless

individual’’ includes persons who lack

a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime

residence. It also includes persons

whose primary nighttime residence is

either a supervised public or private

shelter designed to provide temporary

living accommodations; an institution

that provides a temporary residence for

individuals intended to be

institutionalized; or a private place not

designed for, or ordinarily used as, a

regular sleeping accommodation for

human beings. (Reference 42 USC

11302).

B. The term ‘‘veteran’’ means a person

who served in the active military, naval,

or air service, and who was discharged

or released therefrom under conditions

other than dishonorable. [Reference 38

USC 101(2)]

V. Project Summary

A. Program Concept and Emphasis

The HVRP grants under Section 738

of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless

Assistance Act are intended to address

dual objectives:

Provide services to assist in

reintegrating homeless veterans into the

labor force; and stimulate the

development of effective service

delivery systems that will seek to

address the complex problems facing

homeless veterans. These programs are

designed to be flexible in addressing the

universal as well as local or regional

problems barring homeless veterans

from the workforce. The program in FY

2000 will continue to strengthen the

provision of comprehensive services

through a case management approach,

the attainment of housing resources for

veterans entering the labor force, and

strategies for employment and retention.

B. Required Features

1. The HVRP has since its inception

featured an outreach component

consisting of veterans who have

experienced homelessness. In recent

years this requirement was modified to

allow the projects to utilize formerly

homeless veterans in other positions

where there is direct client contact if

outreach was not needed extensively,

such as counseling, peer coaching,

intake and follow up. This requirement

applies to projects funded under this

solicitation.

2. Projects will be required to show

linkages with other programs and

services which provide support to

homeless veterans. Coordination with

the Disabled Veterans’ Outreach

Program (DVOP) Specialists in the

jurisdiction is required.

3. Projects will be ‘‘employment

focused.’’ That is, they will be directed

towards (a) increasing the employability

of homeless veterans through providing

for or arranging for the provision of

services which will enable them to

work; and (b) matching homeless

veterans with potential employers.

C. Scope of Program Design

The HVRP project design should

provide or arrange for the following

services:

—Outreach, intake, assessment,

counseling and employment services.

Outreach should, to the degree

practical, be provided at shelters, day

centers, soup kitchens, VA medical

centers and other programs for the

homeless. Program staff providing

outreach services are to be veterans

who have experienced homelessness.

Coordination with veterans’ services

programs and organizations such as:

—Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program

(DVOP) Specialists and Local

Veterans’ Employment

Representatives (LVERs) in the State

Employment Security/Job Service

Agencies (SESAs) or in the newly

instituted workforce development

system’s One-Stop Centers, JTPA Title

IV, Part C (IV–C) Veterans’

Employment Program

—Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)

services, including its Health Care for

Homeless Veterans, Domiciliary and

other programs, including those

offering transitional housing

—Veteran service organizations such as

The American Legion, Disabled

American Veterans, and the Veterans

of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of

America, and the American Veterans

(AMVETS)

Referral to necessary treatment

services, rehabilitative services, and

counseling including, but not limited to:

—Alcohol and drug

—Medical

—Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

—Mental Health

—Coordinating with MHAA Title VI

programs for health care for the

homeless

Referral to housing assistance

provided by:

—Local shelters

—Federal Emergency Management

Administration (FEMA) food and

shelter programs

—Transitional housing programs and

single room occupancy housing

programs funded under MHAA Title

IV

—Permanent housing programs for the

handicapped homeless funded under

MHAA Title IV

—Department of Veterans’ Affairs

programs that provide for leasing or

sale of acquired homes to homeless

providers

—Transitional housing leased by HVRP

funds (HVRP funds cannot be used to

purchase housing)

Employment and training services

such as:

—Basic skills instruction

—Basic literacy instruction

—Remedial education activities

—Job search activities

—Job counseling

—Job preparatory training, including

resume writing and interviewing

skills

—Subsidized trial employment (Work

Experience)

—On-the-Job Training

—Classroom Training

—Job placement in unsubsidized

employment

—Placement follow up services

—Services provided under JTPA

Program Titles

D. Results-Oriented Model

Based on past experience of grantees

working with this target group, a

workable program model evolved which

5902 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 25 / Monday, February 7, 2000 / Notices

is presented for consideration by

prospective applicants. No model is

mandatory, and the applicant should

design a program that is responsive to

local needs, but will carry out the

objectives of the HVRP to successfully

reintegrate homeless veterans into the

workforce.

With the advent of implementing the

Government Performance and Results

Act (GPRA), Congress and the public are

looking for results rather than process.

While entering employment is a viable

outcome, it will be necessary to measure

results over a longer term to determine

the success of programs. The following

program discussion emphasizes that

followup is an integral program

component.

The first phase of activity consists of

the level of outreach that is necessary in

the community to reach veterans who

are homeless. This may also include

establishing contact with other agencies

that encounter homeless veterans such

as shelters, soup kitchens and other

facilities. An assessment should be

made of the supportive and social

rehabilitation needs of the client and

referral may take place to services such

as drug or alcohol treatment or

temporary shelter. When the individual

is stabilized, the assessment should

focus on the employability of the

individual and they are enrolled into

the program if they would benefit from

pre-employment preparation such as

resume writing, job search workshops,

related counseling and case

management, and initial entry into the

job market through temporary jobs,

sheltered work environments, or entry

into classroom or on-the-job training.

Such services should also be noted in an

Employability Development Plan so that

successful completion of the plan may

be monitored by the staff.

Entry into full-time employment or a

specific job training program should

follow in keeping with the objective of

HVRP to bring the participant closer to

self-sufficiency. Transitional housing

may assist the participant at this stage

or even earlier. Job development is a

crucial part of the employability

process. The DVOP and LVER staff must

be utilized for job development and

placement activities for veterans who

are ready to enter employment or who

are in need of intensive case

management services. Many of these

staff have received training in case

management at the National Veterans’

Training Institution and have as a

priority of focus, assisting those most at

a disadvantage in the labor market.

VETS urges working hand-in-hand with

DVOP/LVER staff to achieve economies

of resources. If the DVOP and LVER staff

are not being utilized, the applicant

must submit a written explanation

explaining the reasons why they are not.

Follow up to determine if the veteran

is in the same or similar job at the 30

day period after entering employment is

required and important in keeping

contact with the veterans and so that

assistance in keeping the job may be

provided. The 90 day followup is

fundamental to assessing the results of

the program interventions. Grantees

should be careful to budget for this

activity so that followup can and will

occur for those placed at or near the end

of the grant period. Such results will be

reported in the final technical

performance report.

VETS emphasizes in its Strategic Plan

to implement GPRA that suitable

outcomes involve careers, not just jobs.

Successful results are achieved when

the veteran is in the same or similar job

after one or more years. Towards that

end, VETS solicits the cooperation of

successful applicants to budget for the

activity of retaining participant

information pertinent to a longitudinal

follow up survey, i.e., at least for six

months after the ninety day closeout

period. Retention of records will be

reflected in the Special Provisions at

time of award.

E. Related HVRP Program Development

Activities

1. Community Awareness Activities

In order to promote linkages between

the HVRP program and local service

providers (and thereby eliminate gaps or

duplication in services and enhance

provision of assistance to participants),

the grantee must provide project

orientation and/or service awareness

activities that it determines are the most

feasible for the types of providers listed

below. Project orientation workshops

conducted by HVRP grantees have been

an effective means of sharing

information and revealing the

availability of other services; they are

encouraged but not mandatory. Rather,

the grantee will have the flexibility to

attend service provider meetings,

seminars, conferences, to out station

staff, to develop individual service

contracts, and to involve other agencies

in program planning. This list is not

exhaustive. The grantee will be

responsible for providing appropriate

awareness, information sharing, and

orientation activities to the following:

a. Providers of hands-on services to

the homeless, such as shelter and soupkitchen operators, to make them fully

aware of services available to homeless

veterans to make them job-ready and

place them in jobs.

b. Federal, State and local entitlement

services such as the Social Security

Administration, Department of

Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), State

Employment Security Agencies (SESAs)

and their local Job Service offices, OneStop Centers (which integrate JTPA,

labor exchange and other employment

and social services), detoxification

facilities, etc., to familiarize them with

the nature and needs of homeless

veterans.

c. Civic and private sector groups, and

especially veterans’ service

organizations, to describe homeless

veterans and their needs.

2. Stand Down Support

A ‘‘Stand Down’’ as it relates to

homeless veterans is an event held in a

locality usually for three days where

services are provided to homeless

veterans along with shelter, meals,

clothing and medical attention. For the

most part this type of event is a

volunteer effort which is organized

within a community and brings service

providers such as the DVA, Disabled

Veterans Outreach Program Specialists,

Local Veterans’ Employment

Representatives from the State

Employment Service Agencies, veteran

service organization, military personnel,

civic leaders, and a variety of other

interested persons and organizations.

Many services are provided on site with

referrals also made for continued

assistance after the event. This can often

be the catalyst that enables the homeless

veterans to get back into mainstream

society. The Department of Labor has

supported replication of this event.

Many such exercises have been held

throughout the nation. In areas where an

HVRP is operating, the grantees are

encouraged to participate fully and offer

their services for any planned Stand

Down event. Towards this end, up to

$5,000 of the currently requested HVRP

MHAA grant funds may be used to

supplement the Stand Down effort

where funds are not otherwise available

and should be reflected in the budget

and budget narrative.

VI. Rating Criteria for Award

Applications will be reviewed by a

DOL panel using the point scoring

system specified below. Applications

will be ranked based on the score

assigned by the panel after careful

evaluation by each panel member. The

ranking will be the primary basis to

identify approximately 33 applicants as

potential grantees. Although the

Government reserves the right to award

on the basis of the initial proposal

submissions, the Government may

establish a competitive range, based

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upon the proposal evaluation, for the

purpose of selecting qualified

applicants. The panel’s conclusions are

advisory in nature and not binding on

the Grant Officer. The government

reserves the right to ask for clarification

or hold discussions, but is not obligated

to do so. The Government further

reserves the right to select applicants

out of rank order if such a selection

would, in its opinion, result in the most

effective and appropriate combination

of funding, demonstration models, and

geographical service areas. The Grant

Officer’s determination for award under

SGA 00–01 is the final agency action.

The submission of the same proposal

from any prior year HVRP or HVET

competition does not guarantee an

award under this Solicitation.

Panel Review Criteria

1. Need for the Project: 15 Points

The applicant shall document the

extent of need for this project, as

demonstrated by: (1) the potential

number or concentration of homeless

individuals and homeless veterans in

the proposed project area relative to

other similar areas of jurisdiction; (2)

the high rates of poverty and/or

unemployment in the proposed project

area as determined by the census or

other surveys; and (3) the extent of gaps

in the local infrastructure to effectively

address the employment barriers which

characterize the target population.

2. Overall Strategy To Increase

Employment and Retention: 30 Points

The application must include a

description of the proposed approach to

providing comprehensive employment

and training services, including job

training, job development, placement

and post placement followup services.

The supportive services to be provided

as part of the strategy of promoting job

readiness and job retention should be

indicated. The applicant should identify

the local human resources and sources

of training to be used for participants. A

description of the relationship, if any,

with other employment and training

programs such as SESAs (DVOP and

LVER Programs), JTPA IV-C, other JTPA

programs, and Workforce Development

Boards or entities where in place,

should be presented. It should be

indicated how the activities will be

tailored or responsive to the needs of

homeless veterans. A participant flow

chart may be used to show the sequence

and mix of services. Note: The applicant

MUST complete the chart of proposed

program outcomes to include

participants served, and job retention.

(See Appendix D)

3. Quality and Extent of Linkages With

Other Providers of Services to the

Homeless and to Veterans: 20 Points

The application should provide

information on the quality and extent of

the linkages this program will have with

other providers of services to benefit the

homeless or veterans in the local

community outside of the HVRP grant.

For each service, it should be specified

who the provider is, the source of

funding (if known), and the type of

linkages/referral system established or

proposed. Describe to the extent

possible, how the project would fit into

the community’s ‘‘continuum of care’’

approach to respond to homelessness

and any linkages to HUD or DVA

programs or resources to benefit the

proposed program.

4. Demonstrated Capability in Providing

Required Program Services: 20 Points

The applicant should describe its

relevant prior experience in operating

employment and training programs and

providing services to participants

similar to that which is proposed under

this solicitation. Specific outcomes

achieved by the applicant should be

described in terms of clients placed in

jobs, etc. The applicant must also

delineate its staff capability and ability

to manage the financial aspects of

Federal grant programs. Relevant

documentation such as financial and/or

audit statements should be submitted

(required for applicants who are nonprofit agencies). Final or most recent

technical reports for HVRP, HVET or

other relevant programs should be

submitted as applicable. The applicant

should also address its capacity for

timely startup of the program.

5. Quality of Overall Housing Strategy:

15 Points

The application should demonstrate

how the applicant proposes to obtain or

access housing resources for veterans in

the program and entering the labor

force. This discussion should specify

the provisions made to access

temporary, transitional, and permanent

housing for participants through

community resources, HUD, lease,

HVRP or other means. HVRP funds may

not be used to purchase housing.

Applicants can expect that the cost

proposal will be reviewed for

allowability, allocability, and

reasonableness of costs, but will not be

scored.

VII. Post Award Conference

A post-award conference for those

awarded FY 2000 HVRP funds is

tentatively planned for April or May,

2000. Costs associated with attending

this conference for up to three grantee

representatives will be allowed as long

as they were incurred in accordance

with Federal travel regulations. Such

costs shall be charged as administrative

costs and reflected in the proposed

budget. The site of the conference has

not yet been determined but will likely

be for three days in Washington, DC.

Please use Washington, DC for budget

planning purposes. The conference will

focus on providing information and

assistance on reporting, record keeping,

and grant requirements, and will also

include best practices from past

projects.

VIII. Reporting Requirements

The grantee shall submit the reports

and documents listed below:

A. Financial Reports

The grantee shall report outlays,

program income, and other financial

information on a quarterly basis using

SF 269A, Financial Status Report, Short

Form. These forms shall cite the

assigned grant number and be submitted

to the appropriate State Director for

Veterans’ Employment and Training

(DVET) no later than 30 days after the

ending date of each Federal fiscal

quarter during the grant period. In

addition, a final SF 269 shall be

submitted no later than 90 days after the

end of the grant period.

B. Program Reports

Grantees shall submit a Quarterly

Technical Performance Report no later

than 30 days after the end of each

Federal fiscal quarter. Grantee will

submit to the DVET a Quarterly

Technical Performance Report (QTPR)

containing the following:

1. A comparison of actual

accomplishments to established goals

for the reporting period and any

findings related to monitoring efforts;

2. An explanation for variances of

plus or minus 15% of planned program

and/or expenditure goals, to include: (i)

identification of the corrective action

which will be taken to meet the planned

goals, and (ii) a timetable for

accomplishment of the corrective

action.

A final Technical Performance Report

will also be required as part of the final

report package due 90 days after grant

expiration.

In addition, the grantees will also be

required to submit a closeout Technical

Performance Report pertinent to the

longitudinal follow up efforts due 6

months after the 90 day closeout period.

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C. Summary of Final Report Packages

No later than 90 days after the grant

period ends, regardless of approval for

second year funding, the grantee will

submit a final report containing the

following:

1. Final Financial Status Report (SF–

269A).

2. Final Technical Performance

Report—(Program Goals).

3. Final Narrative Report

identifying—(a) major successes of the

program; (b) obstacles encountered and

actions taken (if any) to overcome such

obstacles; (c) the total combined

(directed/assisted) number of veterans

placed during the entire grant period;

(d) the number of veterans still

employed at the end of the grant period;

(e) an explanation regarding why those

veterans placed during the grant period,

but not employed at the end of the grant

period, are not so employed; and (f) any

recommendations to improve the

program.

No later than 6 months after the 90

day closeout period, the grantee will

submit a followup report containing the

following:

1. Closeout Financial Status Report

(SF–269A).

2. Closeout Narrative Report

identifying—(a) the total combined

(directed/assisted) number of veterans

placed during the entire grant period;

(b) the number of veterans still

employed during follow up; (c) are the

veterans still employed at the same or

similar job, if not what are reasons; (d)

was the training received applicable to

jobs held; (e) wages at placement and

during follow up period; (f) an

explanation regarding why those

veterans placed during the grant, but not

employed at the end of the follow up

period, are not so employed; and (g) any

recommendations to improve the

program.

IX. Administrative Provisions

A. Limitation on Administrative and

Indirect Costs

1. Direct Costs for administration,

plus any indirect charges claimed, may

not exceed 20 percent of the total

amount of the grant.

2. Indirect costs claimed by the

applicant shall be based on a federally

approved rate. A copy of the negotiated,

approved, and signed indirect cost

negotiation agreement must be

submitted with the application. (Do not

submit the State cost allocation plan.)

3. Rates traceable and trackable

through the SESA Cost Accounting

System represent an acceptable means

of allocating costs to DOL and,

therefore, can be approved for use in

MHAA grants to SESAs.

4. If the applicant does not presently

have an approved indirect cost rate, a

proposed rate with justification may be

submitted. Successful applicants will be

required to negotiate an acceptable and

allowable rate with the appropriate DOL

Regional Office of Cost Determination

within 90 days of grant award.

B. Allowable Costs

Determinations of allowable costs

shall be made in accordance with the

following applicable Federal cost

principles:

State and local government—OMB

Circular A–87

Nonprofit organizations—OMB Circular

A–122

C. Administrative Standards and

Provisions

All grants shall be subject to the

following administrative standards and

provisions:

29 CFR Part 97—Uniform

Administrative Requirements for

Grants and Cooperative Agreements to

State and Local Governments.

29 CFR Part 95—Grants and Agreements

with Institutes of Higher Education,

Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit

Organizations.

29 CFR Part 96—Federal Standards for

Audit of Federally Funded Grants,

Contracts and Agreements.

29 CFR Part 30—Equal Employment

Opportunity in Apprenticeship and

Training.

29 CFR Part 31—Nondiscrimination in

Federally Assisted Programs of the

Department of Labor—Effectuation of

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of

1964.

Signed at Washington, DC this 1st day of

February, 2000.

Lawrence J. Kuss,

Grant Officer.

Appendices

Appendix A: Application for Federal

Assistance SF Form 424

Appendix B: Budget Information Sheet

Appendix C: Assurances and Certifications

Signature Page

Appendix D. Technical Performance Goals

Form

Appendix E. List of 75 largest U.S. Cities

Appendix F. HVRP Performance Goals

Definitions

Appendix G. Direct Cost Descriptions for

Applicants and Sub-Applicants

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[FR Doc. 00–2643 Filed 2–4–00; 8:45 am]

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