[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 149 (Friday, August 1, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45078-45081]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-17622]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Veterans' Employment and Training Service


Fiscal Years (FYs) 2008 Through 2010 Stand Down Grant Award 
Requests

AGENCY: Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS), U.S. 
Department of Labor (USDOL).

ACTION: Initial announcement of available FY 2008, FY-2009, and FY-2010 
funds under the Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP) to 
Support Local Stand Down Events. Funding Opportunity No.: 17-805.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Veterans' Employment and 
Training Service (VETS) continues to support local Stand Down events 
that assist homeless veterans and is now accepting applications for 
Stand Down grant awards. A Stand Down is an event held in a local 
community where homeless veterans are provided with a wide variety of 
social services. Under this announcement, VETS anticipates that up to 
$400,000 will be available in each of the three fiscal years for grant 
awards of up to a maximum of $10,000 per multi-day event (more than one 
day), and a maximum of $7,000 for a one (1) day event. VETS expects to 
award approximately forty-five (45) grants each fiscal year. 
Availability of Fiscal Year 2009, and Fiscal Year 2010 funds will be 
dependent upon Congressional appropriations. Applications for Stand 
Down funds will be accepted from State Workforce Agencies and State and 
local Workforce Investment Boards, Veterans Service Organizations 
(VSO), local public

[[Page 45079]]

agencies, and non-profit organizations, including community and faith-
based organizations. USDOL is not authorized to award grant funds to 
organizations that are registered with Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 
as a 501(c)(4) organization.
    Application for Stand Down grant funding are to be submitted to the 
appropriate State Director of Veterans Employment and Training/ Grant 
Officer Technical Representative (DVET/GOTR). Address and contact 
information for each State DVET/GOTR can be found at Web site address: 
http://www.dol.gov/vets/aboutvets/contacts/main.htm.
    To be considered for FY-2008 funding, applications must be received 
within thirty (30) days of this announcement. This will allow for 
obligation of funds prior to 9/30/08. Any events approved in Fiscal 
Year 2008 must be held prior to 12/31/08.
    Applications for other events planned in Fiscal Year 2009 must be 
received at least sixty (60) days prior to the event and no later than 
July 30, 2009.
    Applications for events planned in Fiscal Year 2010 must be 
received at least sixty (60) days prior to the event and no later than 
July 30, 2010.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Stand Down is a military term referring to an opportunity to 
achieve a brief respite from combat. Troops would assemble in a base 
camp to receive new clothing, hot food, and a relative degree of safety 
before returning to the front. Today more than 160 organizations across 
the country partner with local businesses, government agencies, and 
community- and faith-based service providers to hold Stand Down events 
for homeless veterans and their families in the local community.
    Each year, the Assistant Secretary for Veterans' Employment and 
Training awards Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP) grants 
to programs that enhance employment and training opportunities and/or 
promote self-sufficiency for homeless veterans. Residual HVRP funds can 
be awarded as grants to organizations sponsoring Stand Down events for 
homeless veterans.
    The critical services provided at a Stand Down are often the 
catalyst that enables homeless veterans to reenter mainstream society. 
Typically, some of the services available at these events include 
temporary shelter, showers, haircuts, meals, clothing, hygiene kits, 
medical examinations, immunizations, legal advice, State identification 
cards, veterans benefit information, training program information, 
employment services, and referral to other supportive services. For the 
purpose of this Stand Down grant award, applicants must plan (and 
indicate in writing in their grant application package) to provide the 
following minimum services to homeless veteran participants:
    Department of Veterans Affairs medical and mental health services;
    Department of Labor--State Workforce Agency employment and training 
services to include Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program and Local 
Veterans' Employment Representatives participation where available;
    An assortment of hot and/or cold foods to provide to homeless 
veteran participants;
    An assortment of clothing appropriate for the local climate to 
provide to homeless veteran participants; and
    Referral services to secure emergency housing on-the-spot for 
homeless veteran participants.

II. Allowable Costs

    Stand Down grant funds must be used to enhance employment and 
training opportunities or to promote self-sufficiency for homeless 
veterans. The funds may be used to support Stand Down activities such 
as:
    The purchase of food, bottled water, clothing, sleeping bags, one-
person tents, backpacks filled with non-perishable foods, and hygiene 
care kits;
    Rental of facilities and/or tents for the duration of the Stand 
Down event;
    Payment for special one-time electricity costs, equipment rentals, 
advertising, event posters, portable toilets, janitorial/kitchen 
supplies, and communications/Internet access for the duration of the 
Stand Down event;
    The hiring of security personnel for the duration of the event;
    Rental of transportation equipment (bus, van, car, taxi, etc.) and/
or actual gasoline expenses of volunteer drivers to provide 
transportation of homeless veterans to and from the Stand Down event; 
and
    Other pertinent items and services for homeless veteran 
participants as deemed appropriate by USDOL--VETS.

III. Funding Restrictions

    Stand Down grant funds may not be used to pay for administrative 
costs and administrative and/or programmatic staff, because these 
events are usually an all ``volunteer'' effort. Stand Down grant funds 
may not be used to purchase special monogrammed tee shirts, pen sets, 
specialty hats (unless for cold weather use), military and veteran type 
patches, memento gifts for staff members/visitors/volunteers, and any 
other supplementary/replacement item(s) that has not been approved by 
the DVET/GOTR.

IV. Award Information

    The maximum amount that can be awarded to support a local Stand 
Down event is $10,000 per applicant per year. If the event is held for 
one (1) day, the maximum amount that can be awarded is $7,000.

V. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants will generally fall into one of the following 
categories: State and local Workforce Boards, Veteran Service 
Organizations, local public agencies, and non-profit organizations 
including community and faith-based organizations. Organizations 
registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (c) (4) 
organizations are not eligible to apply for this funding opportunity.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    Cost Sharing and matching funds are not required. However, we 
strongly encourage applicants to maximize the resources available to 
the Stand Down event and its homeless veteran participants.

3. Other Eligibility Requirements

    Applicant Registration Requirements: All applicants for Federal 
funding are required to include a Dun and Bradstreet Number (DUNS) with 
their application. Applicants can obtain a DUNS number through the 
following Web site: http://www.dunandbradstreet.com/ or by phone at 1-
866-705-5711.
    A. After receiving a DUNS number, all grant applicants must also 
register as a vendor with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) 
through the following Web site: http://www.ccr.gov or by phone at 1-
888-227-2423. CCR registration should become active within 24 hours of 
completion. If grant applicants have questions regarding registration, 
please contact the CCR Assistance Center at 1-888-227-2423.
    After registration, grant applicants will receive a confirmation 
number.
    Grantee listed point of Contact will receive a Trader Partnership 
Identification Number (TPIN) via mail. The TPIN is, and should remain, 
a confidential password.

VI. Application Content

    To be considered responsive, all applications for Stand Down 
funding must include:
    Applicant letter requesting Stand Down funds (original signed in 
blue ink);

[[Page 45080]]

    1. Application for Federal Assistance, Standard Form (SF) 424 (OMB 
No. 4040-0004) (original signed in blue ink). Also Note: The 02 version 
of the SF-424 which expires on 1/31/2009 must now be used. The Grant 
Officer will not accept previously issued versions of the SF-424.
    2. SF-424A, Budget Information (OMB No. 4040-0006)--Non-
Construction Programs (SF-424 and SF-424A forms can be downloaded from 
the following Web site: www.grants.gov);
    Budget Narrative--a detailed description of each planned 
expenditure listed on the SF-424A. The description should provide the 
methodology used in determining the cost estimates such as quantity and 
if the item will be purchased or rented. Please indicate whether the 
items will be utilized by the participants or assist the volunteer(s) 
at the event;
    Complete the Direct Cost Description for Applicants and Sub-
Applicants (see Appendix D);
    Demonstrate and document Stand Down Activities and develop a 
timeline for completion of activities. For Stand Down events that occur 
on or after July 1st, grant applicants must demonstrate and document 
planning activities prior to the end of the Fiscal Year (September 
30th);
    Original signed Assurances and Certifications Signature Page (see 
Appendix C);
    Complete the Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants 
(OMB No. 1894-0010) (see Appendix E);
    3. A copy of the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) confirmation 
number. Please do not send the Trader Partnership Identification Number 
(TPIN) (see Section III.3.A.);
    Letters of support, particularly from the local One-Stop Career 
Centers and/or Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program Specialists (DVOPs) 
and Local Veterans' Employment Representative (LVER) staff, the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Housing and Urban 
Development (HUD) or the local Continuum of Care (COC), Veterans' 
Service Organizations (VSO), State and local government agencies, local 
businesses, local non-profit organizations including community-based 
and faith-based organizations, etc; when applicable; and
    A copy of the Internal Revenue Service documentation indicating 
approval of non-profit status (for example: 501(c)(3), 501(c)(19), 
etc.) as required to verify eligibility when claiming non-profit 
status.

VII. Award Administration Information

    Stand Down funding is a non-competitive grant awarded on a first-
come, first-served basis until available residual funding is exhausted. 
Funding is subject to approval by the Grant Officer. If approved, the 
grantee will receive a grant award document and financial form to 
complete in order for USDOL Office of Financial Management to set-up an 
account in the Health and Human Services, Payment Management System 
(HHS/PMS) to electronically draw down funds.
    If awarded funds, the grantee must submit the completed HHS/PMS 
financial forms directly to the USDOL, Division of Financial Management 
Operations in order to electronically draw down funds. The financial 
forms should be sent via FedEx, UPS, or other non-U.S. Postal Service 
provider to avoid processing delays. If grantee has previously set-up 
an electronic HHS/PMS account, additional awarded funds will be added 
into that existing bank account unless otherwise notified in writing. 
Questions or problems relating to the HHS/PMS paperwork or processes 
should be referred to the USDOL Office of Financial management at (202) 
693-4479.
    Upon receipt of grant award financial documents, HHS/PMS will 
forward a packet of instructions to the grantee on how to set up a 
payment account. After setting up the account, the grantee will be able 
to draw down funds to reimburse approved expenses already incurred and 
to cover approved expenses that will be paid within three (3) days of 
the draw down. Funds requested for draw down through the HHS/PMS are 
directly deposited into the account within 24 hours of the request.
    Since grantees may draw funds down in more than one quarter, up to 
and after the date of the Stand Down event, grantees are required to 
complete a PSC Federal Cash Transaction Report (PS 272) no later than 
forty-five (45) days after the end of each quarter in which grantees 
received all or part of their grant award (February 15th, May 15th, 
August 15th, and November 15th). Instructions for completing this 
requirement are provided in the HHS/PMS information packet. Grantees 
are to print hard copies of all PSC 272s submitted to HHS/PMS and 
provide them with their After Action Activity and Expenditure Report 
submitted to their appropriate DVET/GOTR.

VIII. Required Post-Event Reporting

    No later than forty-five (45) calendar days after the Stand Down 
event, grantees must submit the Stand Down Report of actual activities 
and expenditures to the appropriate DVET/GOTR and to the USDOL 
Procurement Services. If grantees experience any delay in submitting 
this report, they should immediately contact their appropriate DVET/
GOTR and provide a justification to request an extension.
    The following documents are required to be submitted by the 
grantees to their appropriate DVET/GOTR, within forty-five (45) days 
after completion of the Stand Down event:
    An original signed invoice or list of all items purchased with 
USDOL-VETS grant funding;
    Original sales receipts of items purchased with USDOL-VETS funding;
    Comparison of planned budget items (per object class categories 
listed on the SF 424A) vs. actual expenditures. Note, some planned 
expenditure items are donated at the last minute for these events, 
therefore, actual expenditures are subject to change. If budget 
revisions are needed, grantees are to seek prior approval from their 
appropriate DVET/GOTR;
    <bullet> SF 269A, Financial Status Reports are to be electronically 
data entered into E-grants and a signed and dated copy provided to the 
appropriate DVET/GOTR. Access to E-grants will be provided upon award. 
SF 269A Financial Status Report forms are available for download at: 
www.grants.gov);
    The Stand Down After Action Report (see Appendix F); and
    Copies of all PSC 272s that were also submitted to HHS/PMS.
    Grantees are to submit the Stand Down Activity and Expenditure 
Report to the appropriate DVET/GOTR. The DVET/GOTR will review the 
report to ensure it is complete and accurate and that all expenditures 
are appropriate, and allowable.
    To prevent processing delays and/or the need to recoup over 
payments, grantees should wait for notification from the DVET/GOTR that 
the report has been reviewed and approved at the VETS regional level 
prior to entering financial reports into E-grants, and prior to sending 
the originals to Procurement Services. After notification from the 
DVET/GOTR, grantees are to distribute the Activity and Expenditure 
Report as follows:
    1. The original SF 269A, signed invoice or list of expenditures and 
the Stand Down After Action Report is mailed to: U.S. Department of 
Labor, Procurement Services Center, Room S-4307, Attn: Cassandra 
Mitchell, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210.

[[Page 45081]]

    Original sales receipts of items purchased with USDOL-VETS funding, 
a copy of the signed SF 269A, signed invoice or signed list of 
expenditures, a comparison of actual versus planned activities and 
expenditures, Stand Down After Action Report, and copies of all PSC 
272s sent to HHS/PMS are to be submitted to the appropriate DVET/GOTR.
    If the DVET/GOTR does not recommend approval of a particular 
expenditure, he/she will notify the grantee in writing with an 
explanation for the disapproval and instruct grantee to electronically 
return the funds within 15 calendar days to the HHS/PMS account if 
already drawn down. All FY 2008 Stand Down awarded funds must be 
electronically drawn down by no later than November 30, 2008. If Stand 
Down funds are not electronically drawn down by the grantee within 90 
calendar days following the commencement of the Stand Down event and if 
practicable, the USDOL may reallocate these funds for other purposes 
accordingly.
    Any grantee who fails to comply with the guidance set forth in the 
Stand Down Special Grant Provisions and reporting requirements will not 
be considered favorably from any future funding from U.S. Department of 
Labor Veterans' Employment and Training Service.

IX. Agency Contacts

    Questions regarding this announcement should be directed to the 
DVET/GOTR in your State. Contact information for each DVET/GOTR is 
located in the VETS Staff Directory at the following Web page: http://www.dol.gov/vets/aboutvets/contacts/main.htm or access the staffing 
directory at Web site address: http://www.dol.gov/vets.

X. Other Information

    Current competitive HVRP grantees are not eligible for a separate 
non-competitive Stand Down grant award as described in this 
announcement. Current competitive HVRP grantees are authorized to 
utilize existing funds for Stand Down purposes.
    Appendices: (Located on U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans' 
Employment and Training Service Web page www.dol.gov/vets follow link 
for 2008 Stand Down Grants and Required Forms listed under 
announcements.)
    Appendix A: Application for Federal Assistance SF-424
    Appendix B: Budget Information Sheet SF-424A
    Appendix C: Certifications and Assurances Signature Page
    Appendix D: Direct Cost Description for Applicants and Sub-
Applicants
    Appendix E: Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants
    Appendix F: Stand Down After Action Report
    OMB Information Collection No. 1205-0458 Expires September 30, 2009
    According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are 
required to respond to a collection of information unless such 
collection displays a valid OMB control number. Public reporting burden 
for this collection of information is estimated to average 20 hours per 
response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing 
data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing 
and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding 
the burden estimated or any other aspect of this collection of 
information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: OIRA 
Desk Officer for VETS/DOL, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th 
St., NW., Washington, DC 20503.
    Please do not send your completed application to the OMB. Send it 
to the sponsoring agency as specified in this solicitation.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 25th day of July 2008.
Cassandra Mitchell,
Grant Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-17622 Filed 7-31-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-79-P