Fund Availability Under the Grants for Transportation of Veterans in Highly Rural Areas, 26149-26154 [2018-11944]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 5, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26149-26154]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11944]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Fund Availability Under the Grants for Transportation of Veterans 
in Highly Rural Areas

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice of funding availability (new applicants).

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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the 
availability of funds under the Grants for Transportation of Veterans 
in Highly Rural Areas program. This Notice of Funding Availability 
(Notice) contains information concerning the Grants for Transportation 
of Veterans in Highly Rural Areas program, grant application process, 
and amount of funding available.
    Informational Webinar: Organizations who are interested in applying 
for this grant can view an informational Webinar about the Highly Rural 
Transportation Grants program at the following link: https://va-eerc-ees.adobeconnect.com/p552nvc4m5e/.
    Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Availability.
    Funding Opportunity Number: VA-HRTG-NEW-2018.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 64.035.

DATES: Applications for assistance under the Grants for Transportation 
of Veterans in Highly Rural Areas program must be submitted to 
www.grants.gov by 4:00 p.m. eastern daylight time on July 30, 2018. In 
the interest of fairness to all competing applicants and with the 
single exception described below regarding unforeseen technical 
problems beyond the control of the applicant with the Grants.gov 
website, this deadline is firm as to date and hour, and VA will not 
consider any application that is received after the deadline. 
Applicants should take this practice into account and make early 
submission of their materials to avoid any risk of loss of eligibility 
brought about by unanticipated delays, computer service outages (in the 
case of grants.gov), or other delivery-related problems.

ADDRESSES:

Access to the Application

    The application can be found at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html, utilizing the ``search by Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance number'' function, and entering in that search 
field the number 64.035. Questions should be referred to the Veterans 
Transportation Program Office at (404) 828-5380 (this is not a toll-
free number) or by email at [email protected]. For further information on 
Grants for Transportation of Veterans in Highly Rural Areas program 
requirements, see the Final Rule published in the Federal Register (78 
FR 19586) on April 2, 2013, which is codified in 38 CFR 17.700-730.

Submission of Application Package

    Applications may not be sent by facsimile. Applications must be 
submitted to www.grants.gov by the application deadline. Applications 
must be submitted as a complete package. Materials arriving separately 
will not be included in the application package for consideration and 
may result in the application being rejected. All applicable forms 
cited in the application description must be included.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mindy LaCrone, Acting National 
Coordinator, Highly Rural Transportation Grants, Veterans 
Transportation Program, Member Services (10NF4), 2957 Clairmont Road, 
Atlanta, GA 30329; (918) 348-5564 (this is not a toll-free number); and 
Mindy LaCrone at Mind[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Funding Opportunity Description

Overview

    Access to VA care for veterans that are in highly rural areas 
continues to be an issue across the United States. VA has established 
this program to help address barriers to access to care. This program 
funds innovative approaches to transporting veterans in highly rural 
areas who typically have longer commute times to Department of Veterans 
Affairs medical centers (VA medical centers).

Purpose

    VA Veterans Transportation Program (VTP) is pleased to announce 
that it is seeking grant applications for the Grants for Transportation 
of Veterans in Highly Rural Areas program. This Highly Rural 
Transportation Grant program furthers the Department's mission by 
offering this Notice for new grantees to assist veterans in highly 
rural areas through innovative transportation services to travel to VA 
medical centers and to otherwise assist in providing transportation 
services in connection with the provision of VA medical care to these 
veterans.
    Definitions: 38 CFR 17.701 contains definitions of terms used in 
the Grants for Transportation of Veterans in Highly Rural Areas 
program. Definitions of key terms are also provided below for 
reference; however, 38 CFR 17.701

[[Page 26150]]

should be consulted for a complete list of definitions.
    Applicant means an eligible entity that submits an application for 
a grant announced in a Notice of Funding Availability.
    Eligible entity means either a Veterans Service Organization or a 
State Veterans Service Agency.
    Grantee means an applicant that is awarded a grant under this NOFA.
    Highly rural area means an area consisting of a county or counties 
having a population of less than seven persons per square mile. NOTE: A 
listing of these highly rural areas may be found with the application 
materials on grants.gov, or at this website under additional resources: 
https://www.va.gov/HEALTHBENEFITS/vtp/grant_applicants.asp.
    Notice means a Notice of Funding Availability published in the 
Federal Register in accordance with 38 CFR 17.710.
    Participant means a veteran in a highly rural area who is receiving 
transportation services from a grantee.
    Provision of VA medical care means the provision of hospital or 
medical services as authorized under sections 1710, 1703, and 8153 of 
title 38 United States Code (U.S.C.).
    State Veterans Service Agency means the element of a State 
government that has responsibility for programs and activities of that 
government relating to veterans benefits.
    Subrecipient means an entity that receives grant funds from a 
grantee to perform work for the grantee in the administration of all or 
part of the grantee's program.
    Transportation services means the direct provision of 
transportation, or assistance with transportation, to travel to VA 
medical centers and other VA or non-VA facilities in connection with 
the provision of VA medical care.
    Veteran means a person who served in the active military, naval, or 
air service, and who was discharged or released there from under 
conditions other than dishonorable.
    Veterans Service Organization means an organization recognized by 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the representation of veterans 
under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code.

Authority

    Grants applied for under this Notice are authorized by section 307 
of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010, 
Public Law 111-163, (the 2010 Act), as implemented by regulations 
codified at 38 CFR 17.700-.730, Grants for Transportation of Veterans 
in Highly Rural Areas. Funds made available under this Notice are 
subject to the requirements of the aforementioned regulations and other 
applicable laws and regulations.

Award Information

    In accordance with 38 CFR 17.710, VA is issuing this Notice for 
grants under the Grants for Transportation of Veterans in Highly Rural 
Areas program for fiscal year 2018. Approximately $1 million is 
authorized to be appropriated for this fiscal year. VA is issuing this 
additional Notice to permit other applicants to apply for grants under 
the program (in accordance with the terms and conditions of this 
Notice). The following requirements apply to grants awarded under this 
Notice:
     One grant may be awarded to each grantee for fiscal year 
2018 for each highly rural area in which the grantee provides 
transportation services. (The available counties that are not being 
serviced by a current grantee will be included in the full announcement 
on www.grants.gov).
     Transportation services may not be simultaneously provided 
by more than one grantee in any single highly rural area.
     No single grant will exceed $50,000.
     A veteran who is provided transportation services through 
a grantee's use of these grant monies will not be charged for such 
services.
     Grants awarded under this Notice will be for a 1-year 
period.
     All awards are subject to the availability of appropriated 
funds and to any modifications or additional requirements that may be 
imposed by law.

Eligibility Information

Eligible Applicants

    The only entities eligible to apply for and receive grants are 
Veterans Service Organizations that are recognized by the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs and State Veterans Service Agencies. Current Highly 
Rural Transportation grantees are ineligible to apply for a grant under 
this notice. Interested eligible entities must submit a complete grant 
application package to be considered for a grant.

Cost Sharing or Matching

    This solicitation does not require grantees to provide matching 
funds as a condition of receiving such grants.

Other

    2 CFR part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost 
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards states that 
applicants that are awarded grant funds should operate by sound 
business practices. Organizations that are awarded funds under this 
Notice will be asked to submit organizational policies and procedures. 
Additional grant application requirements are specified in the 
application package. Submission of an incomplete application package 
will result in the application being rejected during the threshold 
review, the initial review conducted by VA to ensure the application 
package contains all required forms and certifications. Complete and 
accurate packages will then be subject to the evaluation/scoring and 
selection processes described in Sec.  17.705(c) and (d), respectively. 
Applicants will be notified of any additional information needed to 
confirm or clarify information provided in the grant application and 
the deadline by which to submit such information.

Application and Submission Information

    Applications will be submitted through Grants.gov. Grants.gov is a 
``one-stop storefront'' that provides a unified process for all 
customers of federal awards to find funding opportunities and apply for 
funding. Complete instructions on how to register and submit a grant 
application can be found at www.Grants.gov. If the applicant 
experiences technical difficulties at any point during this process, 
please call the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 800-518-4726, 24 
hours a day, 7 days a week, except federal holidays.
    Registration in Grants.gov is required prior to submission. VA 
strongly encourages registering with Grants.gov several weeks before 
the deadline for application submission. In addition, applicants who 
are new to applying for Federal grants or want to learn more about the 
Federal grant process should review the Grants 101 modules found at 
https://grants101.usalearning.net/. The deadline for applying for 
funding under this announcement is July 30, 2018.
    Search for the funding opportunity on Grants.gov by using the 
following identifying information. The Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance (CFDA) number for this solicitation is 64.035, titled 
``Veterans transportation program,'' and the funding opportunity number 
is VA-HRTG-NEW-2018.
    Submit an application consistent with this solicitation by 
following the directions in Grants.gov. Within 24-48 hours after 
submitting the electronic application, the applicant should receive an 
email validation message from Grants.gov. The validation message

[[Page 26151]]

will state whether the grant application has been received and 
validated, or rejected, with an explanation. Important: Applicants are 
urged to submit their applications at least 72 hours prior to the due 
date of the application to allow time to receive the validation message 
and to correct any problems that may have caused a rejection 
notification.
    If an applicant experiences unforeseen Grants.gov technical issues 
beyond the applicant's control that prevents submission of its 
application by the deadline, the applicant must contact the VTP Office 
staff no later than 24 hours after the deadline and request approval to 
submit its application. At that time, VTP Office staff will instruct 
the applicant to submit specific information detailing the technical 
difficulties. The applicant must email the following: A description of 
the technical difficulties, a timeline of submission efforts, the 
complete grant application, the applicant's Data Universal Numbering 
System (DUNS) number, and Grants.gov Help Desk tracking number(s) 
received. After the program office reviews all of the information 
submitted, and contacts the Grants.gov Help Desk to validate the 
technical issues reported, VA will contact the applicant to either 
approve or deny the request to submit a late application. If the 
technical issues reported cannot be validated, the application will be 
rejected as untimely.
    To ensure a fair competition for limited discretionary funds, the 
following conditions are not valid reasons to permit late submissions: 
(1) Failure to begin the registration process in sufficient time, (2) 
failure to follow Grants.gov instructions on how to register and apply 
as posted on its website, (3) failure to follow all of the instructions 
in the VA solicitation, and (4) technical issues experienced with the 
applicant's computer or information technology (IT) environment. 
Notifications regarding known technical problems with Grants.gov, if 
any, are posted on the Grants.gov website.

Content and Form of Application Submission

    This section describes what a grant application must include. 
Failure to submit an application that contains all of the specified 
elements will result in the rejection of their application at the 
threshold review stage. Moreover, if applications are not adequately 
responsive to the scope of the solicitation, particularly to any 
critical element, or fail to include a program narrative, budget detail 
worksheet including a budget narrative, tribal resolution (if 
applicable), eligibly entity designation, or a list of the highly rural 
county or counties to be served, they will be rejected and receive no 
further consideration.

Threshold Review Criteria: (Critical Elements)

     Application deadline: Applications not received by the 
application deadline through www.grants.gov will not be reviewed.
     Eligibility: Applications that do not conform to the 
eligibility requirements at the beginning section of this document will 
not be reviewed.
     Budget detail worksheet including a budget narrative: VA 
strongly recommends use of appropriately descriptive file names (e.g., 
``Program Narrative,'' ``Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget 
Narrative,'' ``Timelines,'' ``Memoranda of Understanding,'' 
``Resumes'') for all attachments. VA recommends that resumes be 
included in a single file.
     Information to complete the Application for Federal 
Assistance (SF-424): The SF-424 is a standard form required for use as 
a cover sheet for submission of pre-applications, applications, and 
related information. Grants.gov takes information from the applicant's 
profile to populate the fields on this form.
     Program Narrative: Provide a detailed narrative of your 
program scope and specifically discuss the innovative modes and methods 
of transportation services to be provided. If the provision of 
transportation services will necessitate procurement or use of specific 
equipment, such equipment must be specifically listed.
    Note on project evaluations: Applicants that propose to use funds 
awarded through this solicitation to conduct project evaluations should 
be aware that certain project evaluations (such as systematic 
investigations designed to develop or contribute to knowledge) may 
constitute research. However, project evaluations that are intended 
only to generate internal improvements to a program or service, or are 
conducted only to meet VA's performance measure data reporting 
requirements, likely do not constitute research. Research, for the 
purposes of VA-funded programs, is defined as, ``a systematic 
investigation, including research development, testing, and evaluation, 
designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge.'' 38 CFR 
16.102(d). In addition, research involving human subjects is subject to 
certain added protections, as set forth in 38 CFR part 16. Applicants 
should provide sufficient information for VA to determine whether 
particular project activities they propose would either intentionally 
or unintentionally collect and/or use information in such a way that it 
meets VA's regulatory definition of research and thereby invoke the 
requirements and procedures set forth in 38 CFR part 16.

Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative

    Budget Detail Worksheet: A sample SF 424A Budget Detail Worksheet 
can be found at the www.grants.gov website. Please submit a budget and 
label it, as the example above indicates. If the budget is submitted in 
a different format, the budget categories listed in the sample budget 
worksheet must be included.
    Budget Narrative: The Budget Narrative should thoroughly and 
clearly describe every category of expense listed in the Budget Detail 
Worksheet. The narrative should be mathematically sound and correspond 
with the information and figures provided in the Budget Detail 
Worksheet. The narrative should explain how all costs were estimated 
and calculated and how they are relevant to the completion of the 
proposed project. The narrative may include tables for clarification 
purposes but need not be in a spreadsheet format. As with the Budget 
Detail Worksheet, the Budget Narrative must be broken down by year. 
Note: All non-federal entities have to comply with 2 CFR 200.400-475 
Cost Principles and all Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
Regulations and Circulars.
    Budget Brief (example):
    1. Our organization requests __for the acquisition of___ van(s).
    2. The total cost of the van(s)___. This is the amount requested 
from VA.
    3. Our organization will utilize___ for innovative approaches for 
transporting veterans. This is the amount requested from VA for a 
maximum of $50,000.

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (If Applicable)

    Indirect costs are allowed only if the applicant has a federally 
approved indirect cost rate. (This requirement does not apply to units 
of local government.) A copy of the rate approval must be attached. If 
the applicant does not have an approved rate, one can be requested by 
contacting the applicant's cognizant federal agency, which will review 
all documentation and approve a rate for the applicant organization or, 
if the applicant's accounting system permits, costs may be allocated in 
the direct cost categories. If VA is the cognizant federal agency,

[[Page 26152]]

obtain information needed to submit an indirect cost rate proposal from 
the contact person listed in this solicitation.

Tribal Authorizing Resolution (If Applicable)

    If an application identifies a subrecipient that is either (1) a 
tribe or tribal organization or (2) a third party proposing to provide 
direct services or assistance to residents on tribal lands, then a 
current authorizing resolution of the governing body of the tribal 
entity or other enactment of the tribal council or comparable governing 
body authorizing the inclusion of the tribe or tribal organization and 
its membership must be included with the application. In those 
instances when an organization or consortium of tribes proposes to 
apply for a grant on behalf of a tribe or multiple specific tribes, 
then the application must include a resolution from all tribes that 
will be included as a part of the services/assistance provided under 
the grant. A consortium of tribes for which existing consortium bylaws 
allow action without support from all tribes in the consortium (i.e., 
without authorizing resolution or other enactment of each tribal 
governing body) may submit a copy of its consortium bylaws with the 
application in order to satisfy this requirement.

Submission Dates and Times

    Grant applications under the Grants for Transportation of Veterans 
in Highly Rural Areas Program must be submitted to www.grants.gov by 
4:00 p.m. eastern daylight time on July 30, 2018. In the interest of 
fairness to all competing applicants, this deadline is firm as to date 
and hour and with the single exception described above regarding 
unforeseen technical problems beyond the control of the applicant with 
the Grants.gov website, VA will treat as ineligible for consideration 
any application that is received after the deadline. Applicants should 
take this into account and make early submission of their materials to 
avoid any risk of loss of eligibility brought about by unanticipated 
delays, computer service outages (in the case of grants.gov), or other 
delivery-related problems.
    The application can be found at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html, utilizing the ``search by Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance number'' function, and entering in that search 
field the number 64.035. Questions should be referred to the Veterans 
Transportation Program Office at (404) 828-5380 (this is not a toll-
free number) or by email at [email protected]. For further information on 
Grants for Transportation of Veterans in Highly Rural Areas program 
requirements, see the governing regulations codified at 38 CFR 17.700-
730.
    Grant applications may not be sent by facsimile. These applications 
must be submitted to www.grants.gov by the application deadline; they 
must also be submitted as a complete package. Materials arriving 
separately will not be included in the application package for 
consideration and may result in the application being rejected. All 
applicable forms cited in the application description must be included.

Intergovernmental Review

    Some states require that applicants must contact their State's 
Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to find out and comply with the State's 
process, to comply with Executive Order (E.O.) 12372 (1982). Names and 
addresses of the SPOCs are listed in the Office of Management and 
Budget's homepage at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/SPOC-Feb.-2018.pdf.

Funding Restrictions

    Grants will only be awarded to those organizations that are 
eligible under law as described in the eligibility information section.

Other Submission Requirements

    For technical assistance with submitting the application, contact 
the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 800-518-4726 or via email to 
[email protected].

    Note: The Grants.gov Support Hotline hours of operation are 24 
hours a day, 7 days a week, except federal holidays. For assistance 
with any other requirement of this solicitation, contact Mindy 
LaCrone, Acting National Program Coordinator for Grants for 
Transportation of Veterans in Highly Rural Areas, at (918) 348-5564 
(this is not a toll-free number) or by email to 
[email protected].

    Additional forms that may be required in connection with an award 
are available for download on www.grants.gov. Examples of these forms 
can be viewed at the www.grants.gov website. For successful applicants, 
receipt of funds will be contingent upon submission of all necessary 
forms. Please note in particular the following forms: Certifications 
Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility 
Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirement; Disclosure of Lobbying 
Activities (Required for any applicant that expends any funds for 
lobbying activities; this form must be downloaded, completed, and then 
uploaded); and Standard Assurances (SF 424B) (Required to be submitted 
to the VTP Office prior to the receipt of any award funds).

Application Review Information

Criteria

    VA is committed to ensuring a fair and open process for awarding 
these grants. The VTP Office will review the grant application to make 
sure that the information presented is reasonable, understandable, 
measurable, and achievable, as well as consistent with the 
solicitation. Peer reviewers will conduct a threshold review of all 
applications submitted under this solicitation to ensure they meet all 
of the critical elements and all other minimum requirements as 
identified herein. The VTP Office may use either internal peer 
reviewers, external peer reviewers, or a combination to review the 
applications under this solicitation. An external peer reviewer is an 
expert in the field of the subject matter of a given solicitation who 
is NOT a current VA employee. An internal reviewer is a current VA 
employee who is well-versed or has expertise in the subject matter of 
this solicitation. Eligible applications will then be evaluated, 
scored, and rated by a peer review panel. Peer reviewers' ratings and 
any resulting recommendations are advisory only.
    The VTP, Member Services Office conducts a financial review of 
applications for potential discretionary awards to evaluate the fiscal 
integrity and financial capability of applicants; examines proposed 
costs to determine if the Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative 
accurately explain project costs; and determines whether costs are 
reasonable, necessary, and allowable under applicable federal cost 
principles and agency regulations.
    Absent explicit statutory authorization or written delegation of 
authority to the contrary, the Veterans Health Administration, through 
the VTP Office, will forward the reviewers' recommendations for award 
to the Secretary of VA, who will then review and approve each award 
decision. Such determinations by the Secretary will be final. VA will 
also give consideration to factors including, but not limited to: 
underserved populations, geographic diversity, strategic priorities, 
and available funding when making awards.

Review and Selection Process

    1. Initial Grant Scoring: Selection of Renewal Grants for 
Transportation of Veterans in Highly Rural Areas is very competitive. 
Applications will be scored using the following selection criteria:

[[Page 26153]]

    A. VA will award up to 40 points (an applicant must score a minimum 
of 20 points) based on the program's plan for successful 
implementation, as demonstrated by the following:
    (1) Program scope is defined, and applicant has specifically 
indicated the mode(s) or method(s) of transportation services to be 
provided.
    (2) Program budget is defined, and applicant has indicated that 
grant funds will be sufficient to completely implement the program.
    (3) Program staffing plan is defined, and applicant has indicated 
that there will be adequate staffing for delivery of transportation 
services according to program scope.
    (4) Program timeframe for implementation is defined, and applicant 
has indicated that the delivery of transportation services will be 
timely.
    B. VA will award up to 30 points (an applicant must score a minimum 
of 15 points) based on the program's evaluation plan, as demonstrated 
by the following:
    (1) Measurable goals for determining the success of delivery of 
transportation services.
    (2) Ongoing assessment of B.(1), with a means of adjusting the 
program if required.
    C. VA will award up to 20 points (an applicant must score a minimum 
of 10 points) based on the applicant's community relationships in the 
areas to be serviced, as demonstrated by the following:
    (1) Applicant has existing relationships with state or local 
agencies or private entities, or will develop such relationships, and 
has shown these relationships will enhance the program's effectiveness.
    (2) Applicant has established past working relationships with state 
or local agencies or private entities which have provided services 
similar to those offered by the program.
    D. VA will award up to 10 points (an applicant must score a minimum 
of 5 points) based on the innovative aspects of the program, as 
demonstrated by the following:
    (1) How the program will identify and serve veterans who otherwise 
would be unable to obtain care.
    (2) How the program will utilize or integrate existing public 
resources (VA, State, or Other).
    2. Initial Grant Selection: VA will use the following process to 
award initial grants:
    A. VA will rank those applications who receive at least the minimum 
amount of total points (50) and points per category set forth in this 
Notice. The applications will be ranked in order from highest to lowest 
scores.
    B. VA will use the grantee's ranking as the basis for selection for 
funding. VA will fund the highest ranked grantees for which funding is 
available.
    3. Renewal Grant Scoring: There is a separate NOFA for renewal 
applications. However, we are including scoring for renewal grants for 
the further information of new applicants. Renewal applications will be 
scored using the following selection criteria:
    A. VA will award up to 55 points (an applicant must score at a 
minimum of 27.5 points) based on the success of the grantee's program, 
as demonstrated by the following: Application shows that the grantee or 
identified subrecipient provided transportation services which allowed 
participants to be provided medical care timely and as scheduled; and 
application shows that participants were satisfied with the 
transportation services provided by the grantee or identified 
subrecipient, as described in the Notice;
    B. VA will award up to 35 points (an applicant must score at a 
minimum of 17.5 points) based on the cost effectiveness of the program, 
as demonstrated by the following: The grantee or identified 
subrecipient administered the program on budget and grant funds were 
utilized in a sensible manner, as interpreted by information provided 
by the grantee to VA under 38 CFR 17.725(a)(1-7); and
    C. VA will award up to 15 (an applicant must score at a minimum of 
7.5 points) points based on the extent to which the program complied 
with the grant agreement and applicable laws and regulations.
    4. Renewal Grant Selection: Selection of Renewal Grants for 
Transportation of Veterans in Highly Rural Areas is very competitive. 
VA will use the following process to award renewal grants:
    A. VA will rank those grantees who receive at least the minimum 
amount of total points (52.5) and points per category set forth in the 
Notice. The grantees will be ranked in order from highest to lowest 
scores.
    B. VA will use the grantees' ranking as the basis for selection for 
funding. VA will fund the highest-ranked grantees for which funding is 
available.

Award Administration Information

Award Notices and Grant Agreements

    After an applicant is selected for a grant in accordance with 38 
CFR 17.705(d), VA will send a notice of award (NoA) letter with an 
enclosed grant agreement to be executed by the Assistant Deputy Under 
Secretary for Health for Administrative Operations in VA and the 
grantee. Upon execution of the grant agreement, VA will obligate the 
approved amount provided that:
    1. The grantee must operate the program in accordance with the 
provisions of this section and the grant application;
    2. If a grantee's application identified a subrecipient, such 
subrecipient must operate the program in accordance with the provisions 
of this section and the grant application; and
    3. If a grantee's application identified that funds will be used to 
procure or operate vehicles to directly provide transportation 
services, the following requirements must be met:
    A. Title to the vehicles must vest solely in the grantee or in the 
identified subrecipient or with leased vehicles in an identified 
lessor;
    B. The grantee or identified subrecipient must, at a minimum, 
provide motor vehicle liability insurance for the vehicles to the same 
extent they would insure vehicles procured with their own funds;
    C. All vehicle operators must be licensed in a U.S. State or 
Territory to operate such vehicles;
    D. Vehicles must be safe and maintained in accordance with the 
manufacturer's recommendations; and
    E. Vehicles must be operated in accordance with applicable 
Department of Transportation regulations concerning transit 
requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
    Recipients will use the U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services Payment Management System for grant drawdowns. Instructions 
for submitting requests for payment may be found at https://www.dpm.psc.gov/.
    The Grant Agreement will be sent through the U.S. Postal Service to 
the awardee organization as listed on its SF 424. Note that any 
communication between the VTP Office and awardees prior to the issuance 
of the NoA is not authorization to begin performance on the project.
    Unsuccessful applicants will be notified of their status by letter, 
which will likewise be sent through the U.S. Postal Service to the 
applicant organization as listed on its SF 424.

Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    Successful applicants selected for awards must agree to comply with 
additional applicable legal requirements upon acceptance of an award. 
(VA strongly encourages applicants to review the information pertaining 
to these additional requirements prior to submitting an application.) 
As to those

[[Page 26154]]

additional requirements, we note that while their original grants were 
subject to additional legal requirements as set forth in 38 CFR parts 
43 and 49 those regulatory provisions have since been superseded by the 
Common Rule governing all Federal Grant Programs. The Common Rule is 
codified at 2 CFR part 200. Thus, grantees and identified subrecipients 
awarded grants under the Program must agree as part of their grant 
agreement to comply with all requirements of the Common Rule, as 
applicable.

Reporting

Progress Reports

    Awardees must agree to cooperate with any VA evaluation of the 
program and provide required quarterly, annual, and final (at the end 
of the fiscal year) reports in a form prescribed by VTP. A final report 
consists of a summation of grant activities which include progress 
toward goals, financial administration of grant funds, grant 
administration issues and barriers. Reports are to be submitted 
electronically. These reports must outline how grant funds were used, 
describe program progress and barriers, and provide measurable 
outcomes.
    Required quarterly and annual reports must include the following 
information:
     Record of time expended assisting with the provision of 
transportation services;
     Record of grant funds expended assisting with the 
provision of transportation services;
     Trips completed;
     Total distance covered;
     Veterans served;
     Locations which received transportation services; and
     Results of veteran satisfaction survey.

Program Monitoring

    The VTP is responsible for program monitoring. All awardees will be 
required to cooperate in providing the necessary data elements to the 
VTP. The goal of program monitoring is to ensure program requirements 
are met; this will be accomplished by tracking performance and 
identifying quality and compliance problems through early detection. 
Methods of program monitoring may include: Monitoring the performance 
of a grantees or subrecipient's personnel, procurements, and/or use of 
grant-funded property; collecting, analyzing data, and assessing 
program implementation and effectiveness; assessing costs and 
utilization; and providing technical assistance when needed. Site visit 
monitoring will include the above-described activities, in addition to 
the conduct of safety assessments and, if applicable, verification of 
both current driver's licenses and vehicle insurance coverage.

Federal Financial Report

    Awardees are required to submit the FFR SF 425 on a quarterly 
basis. More details will be announced in the NoA.

Audit Requirements

    Awardees must comply with the audit requirements of Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) Uniform Guidance 2 CFR part 200 subpart F. 
Information on the scope, frequency and other aspects of the audits can 
be found on the internet at https://federalregister.gov/a/2013-30465.

Program Variations

    Any changes in a grantee's program activities which result in 
deviations from the grant agreement must be reported to VA.

Additional Reporting

    Additional reporting requirements may be requested by VA to allow 
VA to fully assess program effectiveness.

Notice of New Post-Award Reporting Requirements

    All recipients (excluding an individual recipient of Federal 
assistance) of awards of $25,000 or more under this solicitation, 
consistent with the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act 
of 2006 (FFATA), Public Law 109-282 (Sept. 26, 2006), will be required 
to report award information on the subaward reporting system of any 
first-tier subawards totaling $25,000 or more, and, in certain cases, 
to report information on the names and total compensation of the five 
most highly compensated executives of the recipient and first-tier 
subrecipients. Each applicant entity must ensure that it has the 
necessary processes and systems in place to comply with the reporting 
requirements should it receive funding.
    It is expected that reports regarding subawards will be made 
through the FFATA Subaward Reporting System (FSRS) found at https://www.fsrs.gov. The FFATA Subaward Reporting System is the reporting tool 
Federal prime awardees (i.e., prime contractors and prime grants 
recipients) use to capture and report subaward and executive 
compensation data regarding their first-tier subawards to meet the 
FFATA reporting requirements. Prime contract awardees will report 
against sub-contracts awarded and prime grant awardees will report 
against sub-grants awarded. Prime Contractors awarded a Federal 
contract or order that is subject to Federal Acquisition Regulation 
clause 52.204-10 (Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier 
Subcontract Awards) are required to file a FFATA subaward report by the 
end of the month following the month in which the prime contractor 
awards any subcontract greater than $25,000.
    Please note also that no subaward of an award made under this 
solicitation may be made to a subrecipient that is subject to the terms 
of FFATA unless the potential subrecipient acquires and provides a DUNS 
number.

Other Information

    Pursuant to 38 CFR 17.730(a), VA may recover from the grantee any 
funds that are not used in accordance with a grant agreement. If VA 
decides to recover funds, VA will issue to the grantee a notice of 
intent to recover grant funds, and the grantee will then have 30 days 
to submit documentation demonstrating why the grant funds should not be 
recovered. After review of all submitted documentation, VA will 
determine whether action will be taken to recover the grant funds. When 
VA determines action will be taken to recover grant funds from the 
grantee, the grantee is then prohibited under 38 CFR 17.730(b) from 
receiving any further grant funds.

Signing Authority

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or designee, approved this 
document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document 
to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as 
an official document of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Peter M. 
O'Rourke, Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs, approved this 
document on May 24, 2018, for publication.

    Dated: May 24, 2018.
Jeffrey M. Martin,
Impact Analyst, Office of Regulation Policy & Management, Office of the 
Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2018-11944 Filed 6-4-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8320-01-P