Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 13 / Wednesday, January 21, 1998 / Notices 3157

• minimize the burden of the

collection of information on those who

are to respond, including through the

use of appropriate automated,

electronic, mechanical, or other

technological collection technique or

other forms of information technology,

e.g., permitting electronic submissions

of responses.

DATES: Written comments must be

submitted by March 23, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments are to be

submitted to the Docket Office, Docket

No. ICR 98–2, U.S. Department of labor,

Room N–2625, 200 Constitution

Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20210,

telephone number (202) 219–7894.

Written comments limited to 10 pages

or less in length may also be transmitted

by facsimile to (202) 219–5046.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Adrian Corsey, Directorate of Health

Standards Programs, Occupational

Safety and Health Administration, U.S.

Department of Labor, Room N3718,

telephone (202) 219–7075. Copies of the

referenced information collection

request are available for inspection and

copying in the Docket Office and will be

mailed immediately to persons who

request copies by telephoning Barbara

Bielaski at (202) 219–8076 or Adrian

Corsey at (202) 219–7075. For electronic

copies of the Information Collection

Request on Acrylonitrile, contact

OSHA’s WebPage on the Internet at

http://www.osha.gov/ and click on

standards.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The Acrylonitrile standard and its

information collection requirements is

to provide protection for employees

from the adverse health effects

associated with occupational exposure

to Acrylonitrile. The Standard requires

that employers must establish and

maintain a training and compliance

program, including exposure monitoring

and medical surveillance records. These

records are used by employees,

physicians, employers and the OSHA to

determine the effectiveness of the

employers’ compliance efforts. Also the

standard requires that OSHA have

access to various records to ensure that

employers are complying with the

disclosure provisions of the

Acrylonitrile Standard.

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Occupational Safety and

Health Administration.

Title: Acrylonitrile 29 CFR 1910.1045.

OMB Number: 1218–0126.

Affected Public: Business or other forprofit, Federal government, State and

Local governments.

Total Respondents: 26.

Frequency: On occasion.

Total Responses: 25,602.

Average Time per Response: Ranges

from 5 minutes to maintain records to

1.5 hours for an employee to have a

medical exam.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 6,621.

Total Annualized capital/startup

costs: -0-.

Total initial annual costs (operating/

maintaining systems or purchasing

services): $311,360.

Comments submitted in response to

this notice will be summarized and

included in the request for Office of

Management and Budget approval of the

information collection request. The

comments will become a matter of

public record.

Dated: January 13, 1998.

Ray Donnelly,

Acting Deputy Director, Directorate of Health

Standards Program.

[FR Doc. 98–1329 Filed 1–20–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510–26–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, Labor.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds

and solicitation for grant applications

for Homeless Veterans Reintegration

Projects (SGA 98–01).

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

expects to award up to twenty grants in

FY 1998.

This notice describes the background,

the application process, description of

program activities, evaluation criteria,

and reporting requirements for

Solicitation of Grant Applications (SGA)

98–01. VETS anticipates that up to

$2.25 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, N.W.,

Washington, D.C. 20210. Please

reference SGA 98–01.

DATES: One (1) 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, N.W.,

Washington, D.C. 20210, not later than

4:45 p.m., Eastern Standard Time,

February 23, 1998, 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 98–01,

Room N–5416, 200 Constitution

Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 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 Title VII, Subtitle C,

Section 738 of the Stewart B. McKinney

Homeless Assistance Act (MHAA), 42

U.S.C. 11448. These instructions

contain general program information,

requirements and forms for application

for funds to operate a Homeless

Veterans Reintegration Project (HVRP).

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
3158 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 13 / Wednesday, January 21, 1998 / Notices

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.

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 $2.25 million of

the funds available to award grants for

HVRPs in selected cities in FY 1998

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, 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 linkage with

other recipients of funds under the

MHAA, the only potential jurisdictions

which will be served through this

competition for HVRPs in FY 1998 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) 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 who 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 $2.25 million. It

is anticipated that up to 20 awards will

be made under this solicitation. Awards

are expected to range from $100,000 to

$125,000 with an average of $112,500.

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 will be

considered non-responsive.

D. Period of Performance

The period of performance will be for

one year from date of award. It is

expected that successful applicants will

commence program operations under

this solicitation on or before March 31,

1998. 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 by statute through FY

1998 only. Should there be action by

Congress to reauthorize HVRP beyond

that time and should funds be

appropriated 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 third quarter, has

the grantee achieved at least 60% of the

first year total goals for Federal

expenditures, enrollments, and

placements?

2. Has the grantee met 85% of goals

for Federal expenditures, enrollments

and placements for the year if planned

activity is NOT evenly distributed in

each quarter?

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 at

4:45 pm EST, February 23, 1998, 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 February 23, 1998;

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)

working days, excluding weekends and

Federal holidays, prior to February 23,

1998.

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
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 13 / Wednesday, January 21, 1998 / Notices 3159

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. Charts and exhibits

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 fulfill 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 followup of

participants who entered employment at

age 30 and 90 days and the capacity to

assist the Department of Labor in oneyear and/or multi-year followup efforts.

(See discussion on results in Section V.

D.) Please 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 program 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. Provide information

denoting outcomes of past programs in

terms of enrollments and placements.

Applicants who have operated an HVRP

program, or more recent Homeless

Veterans Employment and Training

(HVET) program should include final or

most recent technical performance

reports. (This information is 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

may 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

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 31 cents per mile;

(d) 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

(e) Identification of all sources of

leveraged or matching funds and an
3160 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 13 / Wednesday, January 21, 1998 / Notices

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 U.S.C.

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

1998 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 particularly encouraged.

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, 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

re ́sume ́ writing and interviewing

skills

—Subsidized trial employment (Work

Experience)

—On-the-Job Training

—Job placement in unsubsidized

employment

—Placement followup 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

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

out come, 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
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 13 / Wednesday, January 21, 1998 / Notices 3161

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

re ́sume ́ 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. Wherever possible, DVOP and

LVER staff should 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-inhand with DVOP/LVER staff to achieve

economies of resources.

Followup 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 in retaining

participant information pertinent to a

longitudinal followup survey, i.e., at

least for one year after the grant period

ends. 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 outstation

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 20 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

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 98–01 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
3162 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 13 / Wednesday, January 21, 1998 / Notices

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 follow up 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

program 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 non-profit 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 1998 HVRP funds is

tentatively planned for April or May,

1998. 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 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 30 days

after the end of each Federal fiscal

quarter to the DVET which contains the

following:

1. a comparison of actual

accomplishments to established goals

for the reporting period and any

findings related to monitoring efforts;

2. reason for slippage if established

goals are not met and identification of

the corrective action which will be

taken to meet the goals, and the

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.

C. Summary of Final Report Package

The grantee shall submit 90 days after

the grant expiration date the following

final report package:

1. Final Financial Status Report.

2. Final Technical Performance

Report.

3. Final Narrative Report—Grantees

will be required to submit a final

narrative report identifying major

successes of the program as well as

obstacles to success.

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:
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 13 / Wednesday, January 21, 1998 / Notices 3163

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 NonProfit 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, D.C., this 14th day

of January 1998.

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

BILLING CODE 4510–75–M
3164 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 13 / Wednesday, January 21, 1998 / Notices
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 13 / Wednesday, January 21, 1998 / Notices 3165
3166 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 13 / Wednesday, January 21, 1998 / Notices
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 13 / Wednesday, January 21, 1998 / Notices 3167
3168 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 13 / Wednesday, January 21, 1998 / Notices
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 13 / Wednesday, January 21, 1998 / Notices 3169
3170 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 13 / Wednesday, January 21, 1998 / Notices
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 13 / Wednesday, January 21, 1998 / Notices 3171
3172 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 13 / Wednesday, January 21, 1998 / Notices
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 13 / Wednesday, January 21, 1998 / Notices 3173

[FR Doc. 98–1330 Filed 1–20–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510–79–C