Loan Guaranty: Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology Grant Program, 6264-6268 [2020-02115]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 4, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6264-6268]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-02115]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Loan Guaranty: Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology 
Grant Program

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the 
availability of funds for the Specially Adapted Housing Assistive 
Technology (SAHAT) Grant Program for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020. The 
objective of the grant is to encourage the development of new assistive 
technologies for specially adapted housing (SAH). This notice is 
intended to provide applicants with the information necessary to apply 
for the SAHAT Grant Program. VA strongly recommends referring to the 
SAHAT Grant Program regulation in conjunction with this notice. The 
registration process described in this notice applies only to 
applicants who will register to submit project applications for FY 2020 
SAHAT Grant Program funds.

DATES: Applications for the SAHAT Grant Program must be submitted via 
www.Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on March 6, 2020. 
Awards made for the SAHAT Grant Program will fund operations for FY 
2020. The SAHAT Grant Program application package for funding 
opportunity VA-SAHAT-20-05 is available through www.Grants.gov and is 
listed as VA-Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology Grant 
Program. Applications may not be sent by mail, email, or facsimile. All 
application materials must be in a format compatible with the 
www.Grants.gov application submission tool. Applications must arrive 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. Technical assistance with the preparation 
of an initial SAHAT Grant Program application is available by 
contacting the program official listed below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jason Latona (Program Manager), 
Specially Adapted Housing Program (262), Veterans Benefits 
Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, 
Washington, DC 20420, [email protected], (202) 632-8862. (This is not 
a toll-free number.)

DATES: February 4, 2020.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice is divided into eight sections. 
Section I provides a summary of and background information on the SAHAT 
Grant Program as well as the statutory authority, desired outcomes, 
funding priorities, definitions, and delegation of authority. Section 
II covers award information, including funding availability, and the 
anticipated start date of the SAHAT Grant Program. Section III provides 
detailed information on eligibility and the threshold criteria for 
submitting an application. Section IV provides detailed application and 
submission information, including how to request an application, 
application content, and submission dates and times. Section V 
describes the review process, scoring criteria, and selection process. 
Section VI provides award administration information such as award 
notices and reporting requirements.
    Section VII lists agency contact information. Section VIII provides 
additional information related to the SAHAT Grant Program. This notice 
includes citations from 38 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 36, 
and VA Financial Policy, Volume X Grants Management, which applicants 
and stakeholders are expected to read to increase their knowledge and 
understanding of the SAHAT Grant Program.

I. Program Description

A. Summary

    Pursuant to the Veterans' Benefits Act of 2010 (Public Law (Pub. 
L.) 111-275, Sec.  203, 124 Stat. 2864), the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs (Secretary), through the Loan Guaranty Service (LGY) of the 
Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), is authorized to provide grants 
of financial assistance to develop new assistive technology. The 
objective of the SAHAT Grant Program is to encourage the development of 
new assistive technologies for adapted housing.

B. Background

    LGY currently administers the SAH Grant Program. Through this 
program, LGY provides funds to eligible veterans and servicemembers 
with certain service-connected disabilities to help purchase or 
construct an adapted home, or modify an existing home, to allow them to 
live more independently. Please see 38 United States Code (U.S.C.) 
2101(a)(2)(B) and (C) and 38 U.S.C. 2101(b)(2) for a list of qualifying 
service-connected disabilities. Currently, most SAH adaptations involve 
structural modifications such as ramps; wider hallways and doorways; 
roll-in showers; and other accessible bathroom features, etc. For more 
information about the

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SAH Grant Program, please visit: https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/adaptedhousing.asp.
    VA acknowledges there are many emerging technologies and 
improvements in building materials that could improve home adaptions or 
otherwise enhance a veteran's or servicemember's ability to live 
independently. Therefore, in 38 CFR 36.4412(b)(2), VA has defined ``new 
assistive technology'' as an advancement that the Secretary determines 
could aid or enhance the ability of an eligible individual, as defined 
in 38 CFR 36.4401, to live in an adapted home. New assistive technology 
can include advancements in new-to-market technologies, as well as new 
variations on existing technologies. Examples of the latter might 
include modifying an existing software application for use with a smart 
home device; upgrading an existing shower pan design to support 
wheelchairs; using existing modular construction methods to improve 
bathroom accessibility; or using existing proximity technology to 
develop an advanced application tailored to blind users.
    Please Note: SAHAT funding does not support the construction or 
modification of residential dwellings for accessibility. Veterans and 
servicemembers interested in receiving assistance to adapt a home are 
encouraged to review the following fact sheet: https://www.prosthetics.va.gov/factsheet/PSAS-FactSheet-Housing-Adaptation-Programs.pdf to identify Home Adaptation programs offered by VA.

C. Statutory Authority

    Public Law 111-275, the Veterans' Benefits Act of 2010 (the Act), 
was enacted on October 13, 2010. Section 203 of the Act added 38 U.S.C. 
2108 to establish the SAHAT Grant Program. The Act authorized VA to 
provide grants of up to $200,000 per fiscal year, through September 30, 
2016, to a ``person or entity'' for the development of specially 
adapted housing assistive technologies. The Act limited the aggregate 
amount of such grants VA may award in any fiscal year to $1 million. On 
September 29, 2018, the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring 
Authorities Act of 2018 was enacted (Pub. L. 115-251, 122, 132 Stat. 
3166, 3169). Section 122 of Public Law 115-251 extended the authority 
for VA to provide grants in the manner listed above through September 
30, 2020. See 38 U.S.C. 2108 and 38 CFR 36.4412.

D. Desired Outcomes and Funding Priorities

    Grantees will be expected to leverage grant funds to develop new 
assistive technologies for SAH. In 38 CFR 36.4412(f)(2), VA set out the 
scoring criteria and the maximum points allowed for each criterion. As 
explained in the preambles to both the proposed and final rules, while 
the scoring framework is set out in the regulation text, each notice 
will address the scoring priorities for that particular grant cycle (79 
Federal Register (FR) 53146, 53148, Sept. 8, 2014; 80 FR 55763, 55764, 
Sept. 17, 2014). For FY 2020, the Secretary has identified the 
categories of innovation and unmet needs as top priorities. These 
categories are further described as scoring criteria 1 and 2 in Section 
V(A) of this notice. Although VA encourages innovation across a wide 
range of specialties, VA is, in this grant cycle, particularly 
interested in technologies that could help blinded veterans optimize 
their independence (e.g., mobile applications, safety devices, etc.). 
VA also has particular interest in applications that either demonstrate 
innovative approaches in the design and building of adaptive living 
spaces or would lead to new products and techniques that expedite the 
modification of existing spaces, so as to reduce the impact that 
adaptive projects can have on a veteran's quality of life during the 
construction phase. VA notes that applications addressing these 
categories of special interest are not guaranteed selection, but they 
would, on initial review, be categorized as meeting the priorities for 
this grant cycle.
    Additional information regarding how these priorities will be 
scored and considered in the final selection is contained in Section 
V(A) of this notice.

E. Definitions

    Definitions of terms used in the SAHAT Grant Program are found at 
38 CFR 36.4412(b).

F. Delegation of Authority

    Pursuant to 38 CFR 36.4412(i), certain VA employees appointed to or 
lawfully fulfilling specific positions within VBA are delegated 
authority, within the limitations and conditions prescribed by law, to 
exercise the powers and functions of the Secretary with respect to the 
SAHAT Grant Program authorized by 38 U.S.C. 2108.

II. Award Information

A. Funding Availability

    The aggregate amount of assistance VA may award in any fiscal year 
is limited to $1 million. This funding will be provided as an 
assistance agreement in the form of grants. The number of assistance 
agreements VA will fund as a result of this notice will be based on the 
quality of the technology grant applications received and the 
availability of funding. However, the maximum amount of assistance a 
technology grant applicant may receive in any fiscal year is limited to 
$200,000.

B. Additional Funding Information

    Funding for these projects is not guaranteed and is subject to the 
availability of funds and the evaluation of technology grant 
applications based on the criteria in this announcement. In appropriate 
circumstances, VA reserves the right to partially fund technology grant 
applications by funding discrete portions or phases of proposed 
projects that relate to adapted housing. Award of funding through this 
competition is not a guarantee of future funding. The SAHAT Grant 
Program is administered annually and does not guarantee subsequent 
awards. Renewal grants to provide new assistive technology will not be 
considered under this announcement.

C. Start and Close-Out Date

    The anticipated start date for funding grants awarded under this 
announcement is April 1, 2020. The funding period will not exceed 15 
months from the start date, to be followed by a 90-day period for 
closeout. Grant projects must be closed out by September 30, 2021.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

    As authorized by 38 U.S.C. 2108, the Secretary may provide a grant 
to a ``person or entity'' for the development of specially adapted 
housing assistive technologies.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

    There is no cost sharing, matching, or cost participation for the 
SAHAT Grant Program.

C. Threshold Criteria

    All technology grant applicants and applications must meet the 
threshold criteria set forth below. Failure to meet any of the 
following threshold criteria in the application will result in the 
automatic disqualification for funding consideration. Ineligible 
participants will be notified within 30 days of the finding of 
disqualification for award consideration based on the following 
threshold criteria:
    1. Projects funded under this notice must involve new assistive 
technologies

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that the Secretary determines could aid or enhance the ability of a 
veteran or servicemember to live in an adapted home.
    2. Projects funded under this notice must not be used for the 
completion of work which was to have been completed under a prior 
grant.
    3. Applications in which the technology grant applicant is 
requesting assistance funds in excess of $200,000 will not be reviewed.
    4. Applications that do not comply with the application and 
submission information requirements provided in Section IV of this 
notice will be rejected.
    5. Applications submitted via mail, email, or facsimile will not be 
reviewed.
    6. Applications must be received through www.Grants.gov, as 
specified in Section IV of this announcement, on or before the 
application deadline, March 6, 2020. Applications received through 
www.Grants.gov after the application deadline will be considered late 
and will not be reviewed.
    7. Technology grant applicants that have an outstanding obligation 
that is in arrears to the Federal Government or have an overdue or 
unsatisfactory response to an audit will be deemed ineligible.
    8. Technology grant applicants in default by failing to meet the 
requirements for any previous Federal assistance will be deemed 
ineligible.
    9. Applications submitted by entities deemed ineligible will not be 
reviewed.
    10. Applications with project dates that extend past June 30, 2021, 
(this period does not include the 90-day closeout period) will not be 
reviewed.
    All technology grant recipients, including individuals and entities 
formed as for-profit entities, will be subject to the rules on Uniform 
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements 
for Federal Awards, as found at 2 CFR part 200. See 2 CFR 200.101(a). 
Where the Secretary determines that 2 CFR part 200 is not applicable or 
where the Secretary determines that additional requirements are 
necessary due to the uniqueness of a situation, the Secretary will 
apply the same standard applicable to exceptions under 2 CFR 200.102.

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Address To Request Application Package

    Technology grant applicants may download the application package 
from www.Grants.gov. Questions regarding the application process should 
be referred to the program official: Jason Latona (Program Manager), 
Specially Adapted Housing Program, [email protected], (202) 632-8862 
(This is not a toll-free number.)

B. Content and Form of Application Submission

    The SAHAT Grant Program application package provided at 
www.Grants.gov (Funding Opportunity Number: VA-SAHAT-20-05) contains 
electronic versions of the application forms that are required. 
Additional attachments to satisfy the required application information 
may be provided; however, letters of support included with the 
application will not be reviewed. All technology grant applications 
must consist of the following:
    1. Standard Forms (SF) 424, 424A, and 424B. SF-424, SF-424A, and 
SF-424B require general information about the applicant and proposed 
project. The project budget should be described in SF-424A. Please do 
not include leveraged resources in SF-424A.
    2. VA Form 26-0967: Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, 
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion.
    3. VA Form 26-0967a: Scoring Criteria for SAHAT Grants.
    4. Applications: In addition to the forms listed above, each 
technology grant application must include the following information:
    a. A project description, including the goals and objectives of the 
project, what the project is expected to achieve, and how the project 
will benefit veterans and servicemembers;
    b. An estimated schedule including the length of time (not to 
extend past June 30, 2021) needed to accomplish tasks and objectives 
for the project;
    c. A description of what the project proposes to demonstrate and 
how this new technology will aid or enhance the ability of veterans and 
servicemembers to live in an adapted home. The following link has 
additional information regarding adapted homes: https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/adaptedhousing.asp.; and
    d. Each technology grant applicant is responsible for ensuring that 
the application addresses each of the scoring criteria listed in 
Section V(A) of this notice.

C. Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) and System for 
Award Management (SAM)

    Each technology grant applicant, unless the applicant is an 
individual or Federal awarding agency that is excepted from these 
requirements under 2 CFR 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved 
by VA under 2 CFR 25.110(d), is required to:
    1. Be registered in SAM prior to submitting an application;
    2. Provide a valid DUNS number in the application; and
    3. Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current 
information at all times during which the technology grant applicant 
has an active Federal award or an application under consideration by 
VA.
    VA will not make an award to an applicant until the applicant has 
complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM requirements, and if the 
applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time VA 
is ready to make an award, VA will determine the applicant is not 
qualified to receive a Federal award and will use this determination as 
a basis for making the award to another applicant.

D. Submission Dates and Times

    Applications for the SAHAT Grant Program must be submitted via 
www.Grants.gov to be transmitted to VA by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard 
Time on March 6, 2020. Submissions received after this application 
deadline will be considered late and will not be reviewed or 
considered. Submissions via email, mail, or fax will not be accepted.
    Applications submitted via www.Grants.gov must be submitted by an 
individual registered with www.Grants.gov and authorized to sign 
applications for Federal assistance. For more information and to 
complete the registration process, visit www.Grants.gov. Technology 
grant applicants are responsible for ensuring that the registration 
process does not hinder timely submission of the application.
    It is the responsibility of grant applicants to ensure a complete 
application is submitted via www.Grants.gov. Applicants are encouraged 
to periodically review the ``Version History Tab'' of the funding 
opportunity announcement in www.Grants.gov to identify if any 
modifications have been made to the funding announcement and/or 
opportunity package. Upon initial download of the funding opportunity 
package, applicants will be asked to provide an email address that will 
allow www.Grants.gov to send the applicant an email message in the 
event this funding opportunity package is changed and/or republished on 
www.Grants.gov prior to the posted closing date.

E. Confidential Business Information

    It is recommended that confidential business information (CBI) not 
be included in the application. However, if

[[Page 6267]]

CBI is included in an application, applicants should clearly indicate 
which portion(s) of their application they are claiming as CBI. See 2 
CFR 200.333-200.337 (addressing access to a non-Federal entity's 
records pertinent to a Federal award).

F. Intergovernmental Review

    This section is not applicable to the SAHAT Grant Program.

G. Funding Restrictions

    The SAHAT Grant Program does not allow reimbursement of pre-award 
costs.

V. Application Review Information

    Each eligible proposal (based on the Section III threshold 
eligibility review) will be evaluated according to the criteria 
established by the Secretary and provided below in Section A.

A. Scoring Criteria

    The Secretary will score technology grant applications based on the 
scoring criteria listed below. As indicated in Section I of this 
notice, the Secretary is placing the greatest emphasis on criteria 1 
and 2. This emphasis does not establish new scoring criteria but is 
designed to assist technology grant applicants in understanding how 
scores will be weighted and ultimately considered in the final 
selection process. A technology grant application must receive a 
minimum aggregate score of 70. Instructions for completion of the 
scoring criteria are listed on VA Form 26-0967a. This form is included 
in the application package materials on www.Grants.gov. The scoring 
criteria and maximum points are as follows:
    1. A description of how the new assistive technology is innovative, 
to include an explanation of how it involves advancements in new-to-
market technologies, new variations on existing technologies, or both 
(up to 50 points);
    2. An explanation of how the new assistive technology will meet a 
specific, unmet need among eligible individuals, to include whether and 
how the new assistive technology fits within a category of special 
emphasis for FY 2020, as explained in Section I(D) of this notice (up 
to 50 points);
    3. An explanation of how the new assistive technology is 
specifically designed to promote the ability of eligible individuals to 
live more independently (up to 30 points);
    4. A description of the new assistive technology's concept, size, 
and scope (up to 30 points);
    5. An implementation plan with major milestones for bringing the 
new assistive technology into production and to the market. Such 
milestones must be meaningful and achievable within a specific 
timeframe (up to 30 points); and
    6. An explanation of what uniquely positions the technology grant 
applicant in the marketplace. This can include a focus on 
characteristics such as the economic reliability of the technology 
grant applicant, the technology grant applicant's status as a minority 
or veteran-owned business, or other characteristics that the technology 
grant applicant wants to include to show how it will help protect the 
interests of, or further the mission of, VA and the program (up to 20 
points).

B. Review and Selection Process

    Eligible applications will be evaluated by a review panel 
comprising five VA employees. The review panel will score applications 
using the scoring criteria provided in Section V(A) and refer to the 
selecting official those applications that receive a minimum aggregate 
score of 70. In determining which applications to approve, the 
selecting official will take into account the review panel score, the 
priorities described in this Notice of Funding Availability, the 
governing statute, 38 U.S.C. 2108, and the governing regulation, 38 CFR 
36.4412. VA Financial Policy, Volume X Grants Management, Chapter 4 
Grants Application and Award Process, Sec.  040202.06, https://www.va.gov/finance/docs/VA-FinancialPolicyVolumeXChapter04.pdf.

VI. Award Administration Information

A. Award Notices

    Although subject to change, the SAHAT Grant Program Office expects 
to announce grant recipients by April 1, 2020. Prior to executing any 
funding agreement, VA will contact successful applicants; make known 
the amount of proposed funding; and verify the applicant's desire to 
receive the funding. Any communication between the SAHAT Grant Program 
Office and successful applicants prior to the issuance of an award 
notice is not authorization to begin project activities. Once VA 
verifies that the grant applicant is still seeking funding, VA will 
issue a signed and dated award notice. The award notice will be sent by 
U.S. mail to the organization listed on the SF-424. All applicants will 
be notified by letter, sent by U.S. mail to the address listed on the 
SF-424.

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    This section is not applicable to the SAHAT Grant Program.

C. Reporting

    VA places great emphasis on the responsibility and accountability 
of grantees. Grantees must agree to cooperate with any Federal 
evaluation of the program and provide the following:
    1. Quarterly Progress Reports: These reports will be submitted 
electronically and outline how grant funds were used, describe program 
progress, and describe any barriers and measurable outcomes. The format 
for quarterly reporting will be provided to grantees upon grant award.
    2. Quarterly Financial Reports: These reports will be submitted 
electronically using the SF-425-Federal Financial Report.
    3. Grantee Closeout Report: This final report will be submitted 
electronically and will detail the assistive technology developed. The 
Closeout Report must be submitted to the SAHAT Grant Program Office not 
later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, September 30, 2021.

VII. Agency Contact(s)

    For additional general information about this announcement contact 
the program official: Jason Latona (Program Manager), Specially Adapted 
Housing Program, [email protected]., (202) 632-8862 (This is not a 
toll-free number.)
    Mailed correspondence, which should not include application 
material, should be sent to: Loan Guaranty Service, VA Central Office, 
Attn: Jason Latona (262), 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420.
    All correspondence with VA concerning this announcement should 
reference the funding opportunity title and funding opportunity number 
listed at the top of this solicitation. Once the announcement deadline 
has passed, VA staff may not discuss this competition with applicants 
until the application review process has been completed.

VIII. Other Information

    Section 2108 authorizes VA to provide grants for the development of 
new assistive technologies through September 30, 2020. Additional 
information related to the SAHAT Grant Program administered by LGY is 
available at: https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/adaptedhousing.asp.
    The SAHAT Grant is not a veterans' benefit. As such, the decisions 
of the Secretary are final and not subject to the same appeal rights as 
decisions related

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to veterans' benefits. The Secretary does not have a duty to assist 
technology grant applicants in obtaining a grant.
    Grantees will receive payments electronically through the U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services Payment Management System 
(PMS). All grant recipients should adhere to PMS user policies.

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. Robert L. 
Wilkie, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs, approved this 
document on January 28, 2020, for publication.

Luvenia Potts,
Regulation Development Coordinator, Office of Regulation Policy & 
Management, Office of the Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2020-02115 Filed 2-3-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8320-01-P