Solicitation for Grant Applications (SGA); Non-Urban Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP) Grants for Program Year (PY) 2006, July 1, 2006 Through June 30, 2007, 20474-20484 [06-3628]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
• Veterans' Employment and Training Service
• Veterans Employment and Training Service

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 76 (Thursday, April 20, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20474-20484]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-3628]



[[Page 20473]]

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Part III





Department of Labor





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Veterans' Employment and Training Service



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Solicitations for Grant Applications; Non-Urban Homeless Veterans' 
Reintegration Program; Veterans' Workforce Investment Program; Urban 
Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program; New Grantee Homeless 
Veterans' Reintegration Program; Grants for Program Year (PY) 2006, 
July 1, 2006 Through June 30, 2007; Notices

Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 76 / Thursday, April 20, 2006 / 
Notices

[[Page 20474]]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Veterans' Employment and Training Service

[SGA 06-02/PY 06]


Solicitation for Grant Applications (SGA); Non-Urban Homeless 
Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP) Grants for Program Year (PY) 
2006, July 1, 2006 Through June 30, 2007

AGENCY: Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS), Labor.

ACTION: Posting of SGA.

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SUMMARY: The Veterans' Employment and Training Service is posting 
availability of funds for the Non-Urban Homeless Veterans' 
Reintegration Program.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cassandra Mitchell, Grants Management 
Specialist, Procurement Services Center, at (202) 693-4570.
    Date Extension: N/A.

DATES: The closing date for receipt of the application is May 22, 2006 
at 5 p.m. (eastern time) at the address listed.
    Executive Summary (Applicants For Grant Funds Should Read This 
Notice In Its Entirety): The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), 
Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS), announces a grant 
competition under 38 U.S.C. 2021, as added by Section 5 of Public Law 
107-95, the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001 
(HVCAA). Section 2021 requires the Secretary of Labor to 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.
    The only jurisdictions that are eligible to be served through this 
non-urban competition for HVRPs are the geographical areas in the 
United States other than the metropolitan areas of the 75 U.S. cities 
largest in population and the metropolitan area of San Juan, Puerto 
Rico (see Appendix G for a list of the jurisdictions that are not 
eligible to be served by the non-urban competition for HVRPs).
    HVRP grants are intended to address two objectives: (1) To provide 
services to assist in reintegrating homeless veterans into meaningful 
employment within the labor force, and (2) to stimulate the development 
of effective service delivery systems that will address the complex 
problems facing homeless veterans. Successful applicants will design 
programs that assist eligible veterans by providing job placement 
services, job training, counseling, supportive services, and other 
assistance to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the 
labor force. Successful programs will also be designed to be flexible 
in addressing the universal as well as the local or regional problems 
that have had a negative impact on homeless veterans reentering the 
workforce.
    Under this solicitation covering Fiscal Year (FY) 2006, VETS 
anticipates that up to $1,400,000 will be available for grant awards up 
to a maximum of $200,000 for each grant award. VETS expects to award 
approximately seven (7) grants. This notice contains all of the 
necessary information and forms to apply for grant funding. The period 
of performance for these PY 2006 grants will be July 1, 2006 through 
June 30, 2007. Two (2) optional years of additional funding may be 
available, depending upon Congressional appropriations, the agency's 
decision to exercise the optional year(s) of funding, and satisfactory 
grantee and sub-awardee(s) performance.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Veterans' Employment and 
Training Service (VETS), announces a grant competition under 38 U.S.C. 
2021, as added by Section 5 of Public Law 107-95, the Homeless Veterans 
Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001 (HVCAA). Section 2021 requires the 
Secretary of Labor to conduct, directly or through grant or contract, 
such programs as the Secretary determines appropriate to provide job 
training, counseling, and placement services (including job readiness, 
literacy training, and skills training) to expedite the reintegration 
of homeless veterans into the labor force.

1. Program Concept and Emphasis

    HVRP grants are intended to address two objectives: (a) To provide 
services to assist in reintegrating homeless veterans into meaningful 
employment within the labor force, and (b) to stimulate the development 
of effective service delivery systems that will address the complex 
problems facing homeless veterans.
    For this Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 grant solicitation, VETS seeks 
applicants that will provide services through a case management 
approach that networks with Federal, State, and local resources for 
veteran support programs. Successful applicants will have clear 
strategies and obtainable goals for employment and retention of 
employment for homeless veterans. Successful applicants will design 
programs that assist eligible veterans by providing job placement 
services, job training, counseling, mentoring, supportive services, and 
other assistance to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans 
into the labor force. Successful applicants will also design programs 
that are flexible in addressing the universal as well as the local or 
regional problems that have had a negative impact on homeless veterans 
reentering the workforce. The HVRP in PY 2006 will seek to continue to 
strengthen development of effective service delivery systems, to 
provide comprehensive services through a case management approach that 
addresses complex problems facing eligible veterans trying to 
transition into gainful employment, and to improve strategies for 
employment and retention in employment.
    The only jurisdictions that are eligible to be served through this 
non-urban competition for HVRPs are the geographical areas in the 
United States other than the metropolitan areas of the 75 U.S. cities 
largest in population and the metropolitan area of San Juan, Puerto 
Rico (see Appendix G for a list of the jurisdictions that are not 
eligible to be served by the non-urban competition for HVRPs).

2. Project Awareness Program Information and Orientation Activities

    In order to promote networking between the HVRP-funded program and 
local service providers (and thereby eliminate gaps or duplication in 
services and enhance the provision of assistance to participants), the 
grantee and sub-awardee(s) must provide project orientation workshops 
and program awareness activities that it determines are the most 
feasible for the types of providers listed below. Grantees and sub-
awardee(s) are encouraged to propose strategies for incorporating small 
faith-based and community organizations (defined as organizations with 
social services budgets of $500,000 or less and ten (10) or fewer full-
time employees) into their outreach plans. Project orientation 
workshops conducted by grantees and sub-awardee(s) have been an 
effective means of sharing information and informing the community of 
the availability of other services; they are encouraged but not 
mandatory. Rather, grantees and sub-awardee(s) will have the 
flexibility to attend service provider meetings, seminars, and 
conferences, to outstation staff, and to develop individual service 
contracts as well as to involve other agencies in program planning.
    The grantee and sub-awardee(s) will be responsible for providing 
project

[[Page 20475]]

awareness, program information, and orientation activities to the 
following:
    A. Direct providers of services to homeless veterans, including 
shelter and soup kitchen operators, to make them aware of the services 
available to homeless veterans to make them job-ready and to aid their 
placement into jobs.
    B. Federal, State, and local agencies such as the Social Security 
Administration (SSA), Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), State 
Workforce Agencies (SWAs) and local One-Stop Career Centers (which 
integrate Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and other employment and 
training services), mental health services, and healthcare 
detoxification facilities: to familiarize them with the nature and 
needs of homeless veterans.
    C. Civic and private sector groups, in particular veterans' service 
organizations, support groups, job training and employment services, 
and community-based organizations (including faith-based 
organizations), to provide information on homeless veterans and their 
needs.
    The grantee and sub-awardee(s) will also be responsible for 
participating in ``Stand Down'' events. A ``Stand Down'' is an event 
held in a locality, usually for one (1) to three (3) days, where 
services are provided to homeless veterans along with shelter, meals, 
clothing, employment services, and medical attention. This type of 
event is mostly a volunteer effort, which is organized within a 
community and brings service providers together such as the Department 
of Veterans Affairs, Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program Specialists 
(DVOP) and Local Veterans' Employment Representatives (LVER) staff from 
the State Workforce Agencies, Veteran Service Organizations, military 
personnel, civic leaders, and a variety of other interested persons, 
groups, and organizations. Many services are provided on-site with 
referrals also made for continued assistance after the Stand Down 
event. These events can often be the catalyst that enables homeless 
veterans to get back into mainstream society. The Department of Labor 
has supported replication of these events and many have been held 
throughout the nation.
    In areas where an HVRP is operating, grantees and sub-awardee(s) 
are expected and encouraged to participate fully and offer their 
services for all locally planned Stand Down event(s). Toward this end, 
up to $8,000 of the requested HVRP grant funds may be used to 
supplement the Stand Down efforts, where funds are not otherwise 
available, and may be requested and explained in the budget narrative.

3. Scope of Program Design

    In addition to the activities described above, the project design 
must include the following services:
    A. Outreach, intake, assessment, peer counseling or mentoring to 
the degree practical, employment services, and follow-up support 
services to enhance retention in employment. Program staff providing 
outreach services should have experience in dealing with, and an 
understanding of the needs of, homeless veterans. Outreach activities 
must include and coordinate with the DVOP and LVER staff in the State 
Workforce Agencies or in the workforce investment systems' One-Stop 
Career Centers System, Veterans' Workforce Investment Program (VWIP), 
and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
    B. Provision of or referral to employment services such as: Job 
search workshops, job counseling, assessment of skills, resume writing 
techniques, interviewing skills, subsidized trial employment (work 
experience), job development services, job placement into unsubsidized 
employment, and job placement follow-up services to enhance retention 
in employment.
    C. Provision of or referral to training services such as: Basic 
skills instruction, remedial education activities, life skills and 
money management training, on-the-job training, classroom training, 
vocational training, specialized and/or licensing training programs, 
and other formal training programs as deemed appropriate to benefit the 
participant. At least 80% of the enrolled HVRP participants must 
participate in training activities.
    D. Grantees and sub-awardee(s) must perform a preliminary 
assessment of each participant's eligibility for Department of Veterans 
Affairs (DVA) service-connected disability, compensation, and/or 
pension benefits. As appropriate, grantees and sub-awardee(s) will work 
with the veterans' service organizations or refer the participants to 
DVA in order to file a claim for compensation or pension. Grantees and 
sub-awardee(s) will track the progress of claims and report outcomes in 
individual participant case management records.
    E. Coordination with veterans' services programs, including: DVOPs 
and LVERs in the workforce investment system's One-Stop Career Centers, 
as well as Veterans' Workforce Investment Programs (VWIPs), Department 
of Veterans Affairs (DVA) services, including its Health Care for 
Homeless Veterans, Domiciliary Care, Regional Benefits Assistance 
Program, and Transitional Housing under Homeless Provider Grant and Per 
Diem programs.
    F. Networking, collaborating, and coordinating efforts with 
veterans' service organizations such as: The American Legion, Disabled 
American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of 
America, The American Veterans (AMVETS), or etc., to ensure 
participants apply for and/or receive other veterans' benefits that 
they may be eligible for.
    G. Referral as necessary to health care, counseling, and 
rehabilitative services including, but not limited to: alcohol and drug 
rehabilitation, therapeutic services, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder 
(PTSD) services, and mental health services as well as coordination 
with McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (MVHAA) programs for health 
care for the homeless, and health care programs under the Homeless 
Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act (HVCAA) of 2001.
    H. Referral to housing assistance, as appropriate, provided by: 
local shelters, Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) food 
and shelter programs, transitional housing programs and single room 
occupancy housing programs funded under MVHAA and HVCAA, and permanent 
housing programs for disabled homeless persons funded under MVHAA and 
HVCAA.

4. Results-Oriented Model

    No specific model is mandatory, but successful applicants will 
design a program that is responsive to the needs of the local community 
and achieves the HVRP objectives. The HVRP objectives are to 
successfully reintegrate homeless veterans into the workforce and to 
stimulate the development of effective service delivery systems that 
will address the complex problems facing homeless veterans. Under the 
Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), Congress and the public 
are looking for program results rather than program processes.
    For purposes of assessing performance of grantees selected under 
this SGA, VETS will focus on two performance measures described below. 
However, grantees also will be required to report additional 
performance information, as required in DOL guidance on OMB Common 
Measures and as described below. All performance outcomes will be 
reported quarterly using an Internet-based reporting system for HVRP, 
with access provided to successful grantees after the award process has 
been completed.
    There are two (2) outcome measures with established performance 
targets for

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HVRP grants. The first outcome measure is the placement rate with a 
performance target for grantees and sub-awardee(s) to meet a minimum 
placement rate of 61.5%. This is determined by dividing the number of 
participants placed into employment by the total number of HVRP 
participants. While the percentage of HVRP participants placed into 
employment is an important outcome, it is also necessary to evaluate 
and measure the program's longer-term results, through the 90-day and 
180-day follow-up periods. The second outcome measure is retention 
following placement with a performance target for grantees and sub-
awardee(s) to meet a minimum rate of retention of 58.5% at 180 days 
following placement. This is determined by dividing the number of 
participants retained in employment at 180 days following placement 
divided by the total number of participants placed into employment. 
While there is no performance target established for retention at 90 
days following placement, grantees are required to collect and report 
the rate of retention in employment at that point.
    In applying the Common Measures, grantees will be required to 
collect additional information according to the Common Measures 
definitions but no performance targets for grantees will be established 
according to those definitions during this period of performance. That 
is because the baseline information required to establish performance 
targets does not yet exist. Upon award, grantees will be provided with 
detailed information regarding the specific information required to be 
collected and reported. At this point, it is sufficient for grantees to 
be aware of two requirements in addition to the requirements identified 
above. First, it will be necessary for grantees to collect and report 
on the rate of retention in employment at 270 days following placement 
into employment. Second, at the 180-day and 270-day points of retention 
in employment following placement, grantees will be required to collect 
and report the average weekly earnings of those retained in employment. 
This is calculated by multiplying each participant's hourly wage by the 
average number of hours per week that the participant was employed 
during the previous quarter.
    The applicant's program should be based on a results-oriented 
model. The first phase of activity should consist of the level of 
outreach necessary to introduce the program to eligible homeless 
veterans. Outreach also includes establishing contact with other 
agencies that encounter homeless veterans. Once the eligible homeless 
veterans have been identified, an assessment must be made of each 
individual's abilities, interests, needs, and barriers to employment. 
In some cases, participants may require referrals to services such as 
rehabilitation, drug or alcohol treatment, or a temporary shelter 
before they can be enrolled into the HVRP program. Once the eligible 
homeless veteran is stabilized, the assessment must concentrate on the 
employability of the individual and whether the individual is to be 
enrolled into the HVRP program.
    A determination should be made as to whether the HVRP participant 
would benefit from pre-employment preparation such as resume writing, 
job search workshops, related employment counseling, and case 
management, or possibly an initial entry into the job market through 
temporary jobs. Additionally, sheltered work environments such as the 
Department of Veterans Affairs Compensated Work Therapy Program, 
classroom training, and/or on-the-job training must be evaluated. Such 
services should be noted in an Individual Employment Plan to facilitate 
the staff's successful monitoring of the participant's progress. Entry 
into full-time employment or a specific job-training program should 
follow, in keeping with the overall objective of HVRP, to bring the 
participant closer to self-sufficiency. The grantee should provide or 
arrange for these supportive services that will enable the HVRP 
participant to successfully perform all the activities specified in the 
Individual Employment Plan.
    Job development, a crucial part of the employability process, 
usually occurs when there are no competitive job openings that the HVRP 
participant is qualified to apply for; therefore, a job opportunity 
with an employer is created, developed, and customized specifically for 
that HVRP participant. HVRP participants who are ready to enter 
employment and are in need of intensive case management services for 
employment purposes are to be referred to the DVOP and LVER staff at a 
One-Stop Career Center. DVOP and LVER staff are able to provide HVRP 
participants the following services: job development, employment 
services, case management for employment purposes, and career 
counseling. Most DVOP and LVER staff received training in case 
management for employment purposes at the National Veterans' Training 
Institute. All DVOP and LVER staff provide employment-related services 
to veterans who are most at a disadvantage in the labor market. VETS 
recommends working hand-in-hand with DVOP/LVER and other One-Stop 
Career Center staff to achieve economies of resources and to avoid 
duplication of services. DVOP/LVER staff may also be able to provide 
grantees and sub-awardee(s) valuable assistance in tracking 
participants within their State wage record management information 
system for follow-up purposes at 90 and 180 days after a participant 
enters employment.
    The applicant's program must include tracking of program 
participants. Participant tracking should begin with the referral to 
supportive services and training activities and continue at placement 
into employment and through the 90-day and 180-day follow-up periods 
after entering employment. It is important that the grantee and sub-
awardee(s) maintain contact with veterans after placement to ensure 
that employment-related problems are addressed. The 90-day and 180-day 
follow-ups are fundamental to assessing program results. Grantees and 
sub-awardee(s) need to budget for 90-day and 180-day follow-up activity 
so that it can be performed for those participants placed at or near 
the end of the grant performance period. All grantees and sub-
awardee(s), prior to the end of the grant performance period, must 
obligate sufficient funds to ensure that follow-up activities are 
completed. Such results will be reported in the final technical 
performance report.

II. Award Information

1. Type of Funding Instrument

    One (1) year grant with optional funding for an additional two 
years.

    Note: Selection of an organization as a grantee does not 
constitute final approval of the grant application as submitted. 
Before the actual grant is awarded, USDOL may enter into 
negotiations about such items as program components, staffing, and 
funding levels, and administrative systems in place to support grant 
implementation. If the negotiations do not result in a mutually 
acceptable submission, the Grant Officer reserves the right to 
terminate the negotiation and decline to fund the application.

2. Funding Levels

    The total funding available for this Non-Urban HVRP solicitation is 
up to $1,400,000. It is anticipated that approximately seven (7) awards 
will be made under this solicitation. Awards are expected to range from 
a minimum of $75,000 to a maximum of $200,000. The Department of Labor 
reserves the right to negotiate the amounts to be awarded under this 
competition. Please be advised that requests exceeding

[[Page 20477]]

$200,000 will be considered non-responsive and will not be evaluated. 
If there are any residual programmatic funds, the Department of Labor 
reserves the right to select for funding the next highest scoring 
applicant(s) on the competitive list developed for this SGA up to one 
(1) year after the initial performance period begins or June 30, 2007.

3. Period of Performance

    The period of performance will be for the twelve (12) month period 
of July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007, unless modified by the Grant Officer. 
It is expected that successful applicants will begin program operations 
under this solicitation on July 1, 2006. All program funds must be 
obligated by June 30, 2007; a limited amount of funds may be obligated 
and reserved for follow-up activities and closeout.

4. Optional Year Funding

    Should Congress appropriate additional funds for this purpose, VETS 
may consider up to two (2) additional years of optional funding. The 
Government does not, however, guarantee optional year funding for any 
grantee or sub-awardee(s). In deciding whether to exercise any optional 
year(s) of funding, VETS will consider grantee and sub-awardee(s) 
performance during the previous period of operations as follows:
    A. The grantee and sub-awardee(s) must meet, at minimum, 90% of 
planned cumulative goals for Federal expenditures, enrollments, 
placements into employment, and training by the end of the third 
quarter; and
    B. The grantee and sub-awardee(s) must have complied with all terms 
identified in the Solicitation for Grant Application (SGA), grant award 
document, and General and Special Grant Provisions; and
    C. All program and fiscal reports must have been submitted by the 
established due dates and the grantee and sub-awardee(s) must verify 
these reports for accuracy purposes.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    Applications for funds will be accepted from State and local 
Workforce Investment Boards, local public agencies, for-profit/
commercial entities, and non-profit organizations, including faith-
based and community organizations. Applicants must have a familiarity 
with the area and population to be served and the ability to administer 
an effective and timely program.
    Eligible applicants will generally fall into one of the following 
categories:
     State and local Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs), 
established under Sections 111 and 117 of the Workforce Investment Act.
     Public agencies, meaning any public agency of a State or 
of a general purpose political subdivision of a State that 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 
jurisdictions located in its State. This does not preclude a city or 
county agency from submitting an application to serve its own 
jurisdiction.
     For-profit/commercial entities.
     Non-profit organizations (including faith-based and 
community organizations). If claiming 501(c)(3) status, the Internal 
Revenue Service statement indicating 501(c)(3) status approval must be 
submitted.
    Note that entities organized under Section 501(c)(4) of the 
Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activities are not 
eligible to receive funds under this announcement. Section 18 of the 
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, Public Law 104-65, 109 Stat. 691 (2 
U.S.C. 1611) prohibits instituting an award, grant, or loan of federal 
funds to 501(c)(4) entities that engage in lobbying.

2. Cost Sharing

    Cost sharing and matching funds are not required. However, we do 
encourage grantees and sub-awardee(s) to maximize the resources 
available to the HVRP program and it's participants.

3. Other Eligibility Criteria

    A. The only jurisdictions that are eligible to be served through 
this non-urban competition for HVRPs are the geographical areas in the 
United States other than the metropolitan areas of the 75 U.S. cities 
largest in population and the metropolitan area of San Juan, Puerto 
Rico (see Appendix G for a list of the jurisdictions that are not 
eligible to be served by the non-urban competition for HVRPs).
    B. The proposal must include a participant outreach component that 
uses DVOP/LVER staff and/or trained outreach staff. Programs must be 
``employment-focused.'' An ``employment-focused'' program is a program 
directed toward: (1) Increasing the employability of homeless veterans 
through training or arranging for the provision of services that will 
enable them to reintegrate into the labor force and (2) matching 
homeless veterans with potential employers and/or entrepreneurial 
opportunities.
    C. Applicants are encouraged to utilize, through partnerships or 
sub-awards, experienced public agencies, private non-profit 
organizations, private businesses, faith-based and community 
organizations, and colleges and universities (especially those with 
traditionally high enrollments of minorities) that have an 
understanding of unemployment and the barriers to employment unique to 
homeless veterans, a familiarity with the area to be served, linkages 
with the One-Stop Career Center(s), and the capability to effectively 
provide the necessary services.
    D. Legal rules pertaining to inherently religious activities by 
organization that receive Federal Financial Assistance. Neutral, non-
religious criteria that neither favor nor disfavor religion will be 
employed in the selection of grant recipients and must be employed by 
grantees or in the selection of sub-awardee(s). The government is 
generally prohibited from providing direct financial assistance for 
inherently religious activities. These grants may not be used for 
religious instruction, worship, prayer, proselytizing or their 
inherently religious activities. In this context, the term direct 
financial assistance means financial assistance that is provided 
directly by a government entity or an intermediate organization, as 
opposed to financial assistance that an organization receives as the 
result of the genuine and independent private choice of a beneficiary. 
In other contexts, the term ``direct'' financial assistance may be used 
to refer to financial assistance that an organization receives directly 
from the Federal government (also known as ``discretionary'' 
assistance), as opposed to assistance that it receives from a State or 
local government (also known as ``indirect'' or ``block'' grant 
assistance). The term ``direct'' has the former meaning throughout this 
SGA.
    E. To be eligible for enrollment as a participant under this HVRP 
grant an individual must be homeless and a veteran defined as follows:
     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 public 
or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular 
sleeping

[[Page 20478]]

accommodation for human beings. [42 U.S.C. 11302(a)].
     The term ``veteran'' means a person who served in the 
active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or 
released under conditions other than dishonorable. [38 U.S.C. 101(2)].

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request an Application and Amendments

    This SGA, together with its attachments, includes all the 
information needed to apply. Additional application packages and 
amendments to this SGA may be obtained from the VETS Web site address 
at https://www.dol.gov/vets, Federal Grant Opportunities Web site 
address at https://www.grants.gov, and from the Federal Register Web 
site address at https://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/. The Federal 
Register may also be obtained from your nearest government office or 
library. Additional copies of the standard forms can be downloaded 
from: https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/grants_forms.html.
    All grant applications are to be mailed to: Department of Labor, 
Procurement Services Center, Attention: Cassandra Mitchell, Reference 
SGA 06-02, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room N-5416, 
Washington, DC 20210, Phone Number: (202) 693-4570 (this is not a toll-
free number).
     Applicants may also apply online at https://www.grants.gov. 
Applicants submitting proposals online are requested to refrain from 
mailing a hard copy application as well. It is strongly recommended 
that applicants using https://www.grants.gov immediately initiate and 
complete the ``Get Started'' registration steps at https://
www.grants.gov/GetStarted. These steps may take multiple days to 
complete, and this time should be factored into plans for electronic 
submission in order to avoid facing unexpected delays that could result 
in the rejection of an application. If submitting electronically 
through https://www.grants.gov it would be appreciated if the 
application submitted is saved as .doc, .pdf, or .txt files.
     Any application received after the deadline will be 
considered as non-responsive and will not be evaluated.

2. Content and Form of Application

    The application must include the name, address, telephone number, 
fax number, and e-mail address (if applicable) of a key contact person 
at the applicant's organization in case questions should arise. To be 
considered responsive to this solicitation the application must consist 
of three (3) separate and distinct sections: The Executive Summary, the 
Technical Proposal, and the Cost Proposal. The information provided in 
these three (3) sections is essential to demonstrate an understanding 
of the programmatic and fiscal contents of the grant proposal.
    A complete grant application package must not exceed 75 single-
sided pages (8\1/2\'' x 11''), double-spaced, 12-point font, typed 
pages (all attachments are included in the 75 page maximum). 
Applications that contain more than 75 pages total will be considered 
non-responsive. Major sections and sub-sections of the application 
should be divided and clearly identified (e.g., with tab dividers), and 
all pages shall be numbered. To be considered responsive grant 
applications are to include:
     An original, blue ink-signed, and two (2) copies of the 
cover letter.
     An original and two (2) copies of the Executive Summary 
(see below).
     An original and two (2) copies of the Technical Proposal 
(see below) that includes a completed Technical Performance Goals Form 
(Appendix D). Also include all attachments with the technical proposal, 
such as the applicant's information showing outcomes of employment and 
training programs that it has had in the past three (3) years in terms 
of enrollments and participants who have entered into employment.
     An original and two (2) copies of the Cost Proposal (see 
below) that includes an original, blue ink-signed, Application for 
Federal Assistance, SF-424 (Appendix A), a Budget Narrative, Budget 
Information Sheet SF-424A (Appendix B), an original, blue ink-signed, 
Assurances and Certifications Signature Page (Appendix C), a Direct 
Cost Description for Applicants and Sub-applicants (Appendix E), a 
completed Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants (Appendix 
F), and the applicant's grant specific financial and/or audit statement 
dated within the last 18 months (does not count towards the 75 page 
limitation).
    A. Section 1--Executive Summary: A one to two page ``Executive 
Summary'' reflecting the grantee's and sub-awardee(s) proposed overall 
strategy, timeline, and outcomes to be achieved in their grant proposal 
is required. The Executive Summary should include:
     The proposed area to be served through the activities of 
this grant application.
     The grantee's experience in serving the residents in the 
proposed service area.
     The proposed projects and activities that will expedite 
the reintegration of homeless veterans into the workforce.
     A summary of anticipated outcomes, benefits, and value 
added by the project.
    B. Section 2--Technical Proposal consists of a narrative proposal 
that demonstrates the need for this particular grant program, the 
services and activities proposed to obtain successful outcomes for the 
homeless veterans to be served; and the applicant's ability to 
accomplish the expected outcomes of the proposed project design. All 
applications must respond to the requirements for the program concept, 
required activities, and results oriented model set forth in Section I 
of the SGA.
    Required Content: There are program activities that all 
applications must contain to be found technically acceptable under this 
SGA. Programs must be ``employment-focused'' and must be responsive to 
the rating criteria in Section V(1). The required program activities 
are: Participant outreach and project awareness activities, pre-
enrollment assessments, individual employment plans for each 
participant, case management, job placement, job retention follow-up 
(at 90 and 180 days) after individual enters employment, utilization 
and coordination of employment services through the One-Stop Career 
Center System, including the DVOP and LVER staff, and with community 
linkages with other programs that provide support to homeless veterans. 
All applicants must respond to the requirements for the program 
concept, required activities and results-oriented model are described 
in Section I.3. of the SGA.
    The following format for the technical proposal is recommended:
    Need for the program: The applicant must identify the geographical 
area to be served and provide an estimate of the number of homeless 
veterans in the designated geographical area. Include poverty and 
unemployment rates in the area and identify the disparities in the 
local community infrastructure that exacerbate the employment barriers 
faced by the targeted veterans. Include labor market information and 
job opportunities in the employment fields and industries that are in 
demand in the geographical area to be served. Applicants are to clearly 
describe the proposed program awareness and participant outreach 
strategies.
    Approach or strategy to increase employment and job retention: 
Applicants must be responsive to the

[[Page 20479]]

Rating Criteria contained in Section V(1) and address all of the rating 
factors as thoroughly as possible in the narrative. The applicant must:
     Describe the specific employment and training services to 
be provided under this grant and the sequence or flow of such services;
     Indicate the type(s) of training that will be provided 
under the grant and how it relates to the jobs that are in demand, 
length of training, training curriculum, and how the training will 
improve the eligible veterans' employment opportunities within that 
geographical area;
     Provide a follow-up plan that addresses retention after 90 
and 180 days with participants who have entered employment;
     Include the completed Planned Quarterly Technical 
Performance Goals (and planned expenditures) form listed in Appendix D. 
If the Planned Quarterly Technical Performance Goals form listed in 
Appendix D is not submitted, the grant application package will be 
considered as non-responsive.
    Linkages with facilities that serve homeless veterans: Describe 
program and resource linkages with other facilities that will be 
involved in identifying potential clients for this program. Applicants 
are encouraged to submit a list of their local area network of service 
providers that offer and provide services to benefit HVRP participants. 
Describe any networks with other related resources and/or other 
programs that serve homeless veterans. Indicate how the program will be 
coordinated with any efforts that are conducted by public and private 
agencies in the community. Indicate how the applicant will coordinate 
with any continuum of care efforts for the homeless among agencies in 
the community. If a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or other service 
agreement with service providers exists, copies should be provided.
    Linkages with other providers of employment and training services 
to homeless veterans: Describe the linkages, networks, and 
relationships the proposed program will have with other providers of 
services to homeless veterans; include a description of the 
relationship with other employment and training programs in the One-
Stop Career Center System such as Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program 
(DVOP), the Local Veterans' Employment Representative (LVER) program, 
and programs under the Workforce Investment Act such as the Veterans' 
Workforce Investment Program (VWIP); list the type of services that 
will be provided by each. Note the type of agreement in place, if 
applicable. Linkages with the workforce investment system are required. 
Describe any networks with any other resources and/or other programs 
for homeless veterans. If a MOU or other service agreement with other 
service providers exists, copies should be provided.
    Linkages with other Federal agencies: Describe program and resource 
linkages with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), 
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and Department of 
Veterans Affairs (DVA), to include the Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) 
and Grant and Per Diem programs. If a MOU or other service agreement 
with other service providers exists, copies should be provided.
    Proposed supportive service strategy for veterans: Describe how 
supportive service resources for veterans will be obtained and used. If 
resources are provided by other sources or linkages, such as Federal, 
State, local, or faith-based and community programs, the applicant must 
fully explain the use of these resources and how they will be applied. 
If a MOU or other service agreement with other service providers exist, 
copies should be provided.
    Organizational capability to provide required program activities: 
The applicant's relevant current and prior experience (within the last 
three year period) in operating employment and training programs is to 
be clearly described, if applicable. A summary narrative of program 
experience and employment and training performance outcomes is 
required. The applicant must provide information showing outcomes of 
employment and training programs that it has had in the past three (3) 
years in terms of enrollments and participants who have entered into 
employment. An applicant that has operated a HVRP, other homeless 
employment and training program, or VWIP program must also include the 
final or most recent cumulative quarterly technical performance report.
    Please note that the Department of Labor grant review panel 
members, who will be reviewing all grant applications submitted as a 
result of this SGA, do not have access to any reporting information 
systems during the review process, therefore, if final or most recent 
cumulative quarterly technical performance reports are not submitted, 
the grant application may be considered non-responsive.
    The applicant must also provide evidence of key staff capability to 
include resumes, staff biographies organizational charts, statements of 
work, and etc. It is preferred that the grantee and sub-awardee(s) be a 
well established service provider and not in the initial start-up phase 
or process.
    Proposed housing strategy for homeless veterans: Describe how 
housing resources for eligible homeless veterans will be obtained or 
accessed. These resources must be from linkages or sources other than 
the HVRP grant such as HUD, HHS, community housing resources, DVA Grant 
and Per Diem Program, or other local housing programs.
    C. Section 3--The Cost Proposal must contain the following: 
Applicants can expect that the cost proposal will be reviewed for 
allocability, allowability, and reasonableness.
    (1) Standard Form SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance'' 
(with the original signed in blue-ink) (Appendix A) must be completed.
    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number for this program 
is 17.805 and it must be entered on the SF-424, in Block 11.
    The organizational unit section of Block 8 of the SF-424 must 
contain the Dun and Bradstreet Number (DUNS) of the applicant. 
Beginning October 1, 2003, all applicants for Federal grant funding 
opportunities are required to include a DUNS number with their 
application. See OMB Notice of Final Policy Issuance, 68 FR 38402 (June 
27, 2003). Applicants' DUNS number is to be entered into Block 8 of SF-
424. The DUNS number is a nine-digit identification number that 
uniquely identifies business entities. There is no charge for obtaining 
a DUNS number. To obtain a DUNS number call 1-866-705-5711 or access 
the following Web site: https://www.dunandbradstreet.com/. Requests for 
exemption from the DUNS number requirement must be made to the Office 
of Management and Budget. If no DUNS number is provided then the grant 
application will be considered non-responsive;
    (2) Standard Form SF-424A ``Budget Information Sheet'' (Appendix B) 
must be included;
    (3) As an attachment to SF-424A, the applicant must provide a 
detailed cost breakout of each line item on the Budget Information 
Sheet. Please label this page or pages the ``Budget Narrative'' and 
ensure that costs reported on the SF-424A correspond accurately with 
the Budget Narrative;
    The Budget Narrative must include, at a minimum:
     Breakout of all personnel costs by position, title, annual 
salary rates, and percent of time of each position to be devoted to the 
proposed project (including sub-grantees) by completing the ``Direct 
Cost Descriptions for

[[Page 20480]]

Applicants and Sub-Applicants'' form (Appendix E);
     Explanation and breakout of extraordinary fringe benefit 
rates and associated charges (i.e., rates exceeding 35% of salaries and 
wages);
     Explanation of the purpose and composition of, and 
methodology used to derive the costs of each of the following: travel, 
equipment, supplies, sub-awards/contracts, and any other costs. The 
applicant must include costs of any required travel described in this 
Solicitation. Planned travel expenditures may not exceed 5% of the 
total HVRP funds requested. Mileage charges may not exceed 44.5 cents 
per mile or the current Federal rate;
     All associated costs for obtaining and retaining 
participant information pertinent to the follow-up survey, at 90 and 
180 days after the program performance period ends;
     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
     Matching funds, leveraged funds, and in-kind services are 
not required for HVRP grants. However, if matching funds, leverage 
funds, or in-kind services are to be used, an identification of all 
sources of leveraged or matching funds and an explanation of the 
derivation of the value of matching/in-kind services must be provided. 
When resources such as matching funds, leveraged funds, and/or the 
value of in-kind contributions are made available, please describe in 
Section B of the Budget Information Sheet.
    (4) A completed Assurance and Certification signature page 
(Appendix C) (signed in blue ink) must be submitted;
    (5) All applicants must submit evidence of satisfactory financial 
management capability, which must include recent (within the last 18 
months) grant specific financial and/or audit statements (does not 
count towards the 75 page limitation). All successful grantees and sub-
awardee(s) are required to utilize Generally Accepted Accounting 
Practices (GAAP), maintain a separate accounting for these grant funds, 
and have a checking account;
    (6) All applicants must include, as a separate appendix, a list of 
all employment and training government grants and contracts that they 
have had in the past three (3) years, including grant/contract officer 
contact information. VETS reserves the right to have a DOL 
representative review and verify this data;
    (7) A completed Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants 
(Appendix F) must be provided.

3. Submission Dates and Times (Acceptable Methods of Submission)

    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 5 p.m. 
e.d.t., May 22, 2006, will not be considered unless it is received 
before the award is made and:
     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
     It was sent by registered or certified mail not later than 
the fifth calendar day before May 22, 2006; or
     It was sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail Next Day 
Service-Post Office to Addressee, not later than 5 p.m. at the place of 
mailing two (2) working days, excluding weekends and Federal holidays, 
prior to May 22, 2006.
    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. Applications cannot be 
accepted by e-mail or facsimile machine.
    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 
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 
other delivery services, such as Federal Express, UPS, etc., will also 
be accepted.
    All applicants are advised that U.S. mail delivery in the 
Washington, DC area has been erratic due to security concerns. All 
applicants must take this into consideration when preparing to meet the 
application deadline, as you assume the risk for ensuring a timely 
submission, that is, if, because of these mail problems, the Department 
does not receive an application or receives it too late to give proper 
consideration, even if it was timely mailed, the Department is not 
required to consider the application.

4. Intergovernmental Review

    Not Applicable.

5. Funding Restrictions

    A. Proposals exceeding $200,000 will be considered non-responsive 
and will not be evaluated.
    B. There is a limit of one (1) application per submitting 
organization and physical location serving the same HVRP participant 
population. If two (2) original applications from the same organization 
for the same physical location serving the same HVRP participant 
population are submitted, the application with the later date will be 
considered as non-responsive. Please do not submit duplicate original 
grant applications as only one (1) grant application will be considered 
for funding purposes.
    C. Due to the limited availability of funding, if an organization 
was awarded Fiscal Year 2004 or Fiscal Year 2005 HVRP funds for a 
specific physical location serving the same HVRP participant population 
and will be applying for second and possible third year funding in PY 
2006, then that organization at that specific physical location serving 
the same HVRP participant population will be considered ineligible to 
compete for these FY 2006 HVRP funds. Therefore, due to the limited 
funding availability, we are unable to award more than one (1) HVRP 
grant per organization at a specific physical location serving the same 
HVRP participant population. A separate Director's Memorandum Number 
09-06 has been issued for grantees that are eligible to apply for 
second and third optional year funding

[[Page 20481]]

that includes detailed instructions on how to apply for these funds.
    D. There will not be reimbursement of pre-award costs unless 
specifically agreed upon in writing by the Department of Labor.
    E. 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 because Section 18 of the Lobbying 
Disclosure Act of 1995, Public Law No. 104-65, 109 Stat. 691, prohibits 
the award of Federal funds to these entities.
    F. The only potential areas that will be served through this Non-
Urban competition for HVRPs in FY 2006 are the geographic areas in the 
United States other than the metropolitan areas of the 75 U.S. cities 
largest in population and the metropolitan area of San Juan, Puerto 
Rico (see Appendix G).
    G. Limitations on Administrative and Indirect Costs:
     Administrative costs, which consist of all direct and 
indirect costs associated with the supervision and management of the 
program, are limited to and may not exceed 20% of the total grant 
award.
     Indirect costs claimed by the applicant must be based on a 
Federally approved rate. A copy of the current negotiated approved and 
signed indirect cost negotiation agreement must be submitted with the 
application. Furthermore, indirect costs are considered a part of 
administrative costs for HVRP purposes and, therefore, may not exceed 
20% of the total grant award.
     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 within 90 days of grant award with the 
appropriate DOL Regional Office of Cost Determination or with the 
applicant's cognizant agency for indirect cost rates (See Office of 
Management and Budget Web site at https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/
attach.html).
     Indirect cost rates traceable and trackable through the 
State Workforce Agency's Cost Accounting System represent an acceptable 
means of allocating costs to DOL and, therefore, can be approved for 
use in grants to State Workforce Agencies.

V. Application Review Information

1. Application Evaluation Criteria

    Applications may receive up to 110 total points based on the 
following criteria:
    A. Need for the project: 10 points.
    The applicant will document the need for this project, as 
demonstrated by: (i) The potential number or concentration of homeless 
individuals and homeless veterans in the proposed project area relative 
to other similar areas; (ii) the rates of poverty and unemployment in 
the proposed project area as determined by the census or other surveys; 
and (iii) the extent of the gaps in the local infrastructure to 
effectively address the employment barriers that characterize the 
target population.
    B. Overall strategy to increase employment and retention in 
employment: 35 points [and up to 10 additional points (for a total of 
45 points) if overall strategy includes an approach for addressing 
barriers to employment faced by chronically homeless veterans as 
described below.]
    The application must include a description of the approach to 
providing comprehensive employment and training services, including 
outreach, pre-enrollment assessment, job training, job development, 
obtaining employer commitments to hire, placement, and post-placement 
follow-up services. Applicants must address how they will target 
occupations that are locally in demand with career growth potential and 
that will provide wages to ensure self-sufficiency for the participant. 
Supportive services provided as part of the strategy of promoting job 
readiness and job retention must be indicated. The applicant must 
identify the local services and sources of training to be used for 
participants. At least 80% of participants must participate in training 
activities. A description of the relationship with other employment and 
training programs delivered through the One-Stop Career Center System 
must be specified. Applicants must indicate 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.
    Additional Points: Up to an additional 10 points under this section 
will be awarded to grant proposals that focus some of their effort on 
addressing the barriers to employment faced by chronically homeless 
veterans. A veteran who is ``chronically homeless'' is an unaccompanied 
homeless individual with a disabling condition who has either been 
continuously homeless for a year or more, OR who has had at least four 
(4) episodes of homelessness in the past three (3) years. In order to 
be considered chronically homeless, a person must have been sleeping in 
a place not meant for human habitation (e.g., living on the streets) 
and/or in an emergency homeless shelter. A disabling condition is 
defined as a diagnosable substance use disorder, serious mental 
illness, developmental disability, or chronic physical illness or 
disability including the co-occurrence of two or more of these 
conditions. A disabling condition limits an individual's ability to 
work or perform one or more activities of daily living.

    Note: The applicant must complete Appendix D, the Recommended 
Format for Planned Quarterly Technical Performance Goals, with 
proposed programmatic outcomes, including participants served, 
placement/entered employments and job retention.

    C. Quality and extent of linkages with other providers of services 
to the homeless and to veterans: 20 points.
    The application must provide information on the quality and extent 
of the linkages this program will have with other providers of services 
to homeless veterans in the local community including faith-based and 
community organizations. For each service, the applicant must specify 
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 be incorporated into the local 
community's continuum of care approach and the local community's ten 
(10) year plan to end homelessness, if applicable (see Interagency 
Council on Homelessness Web page at https://www.ich.gov for additional 
information). Describe how the proposed project links to the 
appropriate State Workforce Agency and One-Stop Career Center(s) 
including coordination and collaboration with DVOP/LVER and other One-
Stop Career Center staff, HUD, HHS, DVA, and other local community-
based programs and the services that will be provided as necessary on 
behalf of the homeless veteran participants to be served.
    D. Demonstrated capability in providing required program services, 
including programmatic reporting and participant tracking: 25 points.
    The applicant must describe its relevant prior experience in 
operating employment and training programs and providing services to 
participants similar to those that are proposed under this 
solicitation. Specific outcomes previously achieved by the applicant 
must be described, such as number of enrollments, number of 
participants that were placed into employment, cost per placement into 
employment, benefits secured, network coalitions, etc. The applicant 
must also address its capacity for timely startup of the program, 
programmatic reporting, and participant tracking. The applicant should 
describe

[[Page 20482]]

its staff experience and ability to manage the administrative, 
programmatic, and financial aspects of a grant program. Include a 
recent (within the last 18 months) grant specific financial statement 
and/or audit (does not count towards the 75 page limitation). Final or 
most recent financial and technical performance reports for other 
relevant programs must be submitted, if applicable. Because prior HVRP 
experience is not a requirement for this grant, some applicants may not 
have any HVRP financial and technical performance reports to submit but 
may have other similar type programmatic performance reports to submit 
as evidence of experience in operating other employment and training 
type programs.
    E. Quality of overall housing strategy: 10 points.
    The application must demonstrate how the applicant proposes to 
obtain or access housing resources for participants in the program and 
participants entering into the labor force. This discussion should 
specify the provisions made to access temporary, transitional, and 
permanent housing for participants through various community resources 
such as HUD, DVA Grant and Per Diem Program, and other locally funded 
housing programs. HVRP funds may not be used for housing purposes or 
purchasing or leasing of vehicles.

2. Review and Selection Process

    Grant applications will be reviewed by a Department of Labor grant 
review panel using the point scoring system specified above in Section 
V(1). The grant review panel will assign a score after objectively and 
carefully evaluating each responsive grant application and all 
responsive grant applications will be ranked based on this score. The 
ranking will be the primary basis to identify applicants as potential 
grantees. The grant review panel will establish a competitive range, 
based upon the proposal evaluation, for the purpose of selecting 
qualified applicants. For this solicitation, the minimum acceptable 
score is 70.
    The grant review panel, the Assistant Secretary for Veterans' 
Employment and Training (ASVET), and Grant Officer may further evaluate 
grant applications deemed within the competitive range in order to 
compare goals of other grant applications deemed within the competitive 
range. The grant review team, the ASVET, and the Grant Officer may 
consider any information that comes to their attention, including past 
performance of a previous grant, and will make a final selection 
determination based on what is most advantageous to the Government, 
considering factors such as grant review panel findings, geographical 
presence of the applicants, existing grants, or the areas to be served 
and the best value to the government, cost, and other factors 
considered. The grant review panel's conclusions are advisory in nature 
and not binding on the Grant Officer. However, if no application 
receives at least that minimum score, the Grant Officer may either 
designate no grantee or may designate an entity based on demonstrated 
capability to provide the best services to the client population. 
Further, the Grant Officer reserves the right to select applicants with 
scores lower than the minimum or lower than the competing applications, 
if such a selection would, in the Grant Officer's judgment, result in 
the most effective and appropriate combination of services to grant 
beneficiaries.
    The grant review panel will screen all applicant cost proposals to 
ensure expenses are allocable, allowable, and reasonable. 
Determinations of allowable costs will be made in accordance with the 
applicable Federal cost principles, e.g., Non-Profit Organizations--OMB 
Circular A-122. Unallowable costs are those charges to a grant that a 
grantor agency or its representatives determined not to be allowed in 
accordance with the applicable Federal Cost Principles or other 
conditions contained in the grant. If the grant review panel, ASVET, 
and Grant Officer conclude that the cost proposal contains an 
expense(s) that is not allocable, allowable, and/or reasonable, the 
application may be considered ineligible for funding. Further, the 
grant review team, the ASVET, and the Grant Officer will consider 
applicant information concerning the proposed cost per placement, 
percentage of participants placed into unsubsidized