Loan Guaranty: Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology Grant Program, 16276-16280 [2021-06311]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 57 (Friday, March 26, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16276-16280]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-06311]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Loan Guaranty: Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology 
Grant Program

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is republishing the 
agency's announcement of the availability of funds for the Specially 
Adapted Housing Assistive Technology (SAHAT) Grant Program for fiscal 
year (FY) 2021. On February 8, 2021, VA published the initial 
announcement that referenced certain Executive Orders that have been 
rescinded. VA is republishing the announcement, removing the reference 
to the rescinded orders, extending the application date and grant 
cycle, and making a minor grammatical correction. The objective of the 
grant is to

[[Page 16277]]

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 2021 SAHAT Grant Program funds.

DATES: Applications for the SAHAT Grant Program must be submitted via 
www.Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on April 30, 2021. 
Awards made for the SAHAT Grant Program will fund operations for FY 
2021. The SAHAT Grant Program application package for funding 
opportunity VA-SAHAT-21-06 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 herein.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 8, 2021, VA published an 
announcement of the availability of funds for the SAHAT Grant Program 
for FY 2021, 86 FR 8678-8682, Feb. 8, 2021. The notice included 
references to certain rescinded Executive Orders. Therefore, VA is 
republishing the announcement to amend the section titled ``Notices of 
Funding Opportunity'' by removing the references to those Executive 
Orders. To give applicants an opportunity to respond to this amendment, 
VA is extending the application deadline to April 30, 2021 and is 
extending the corresponding grant cycle start and close-out dates. VA 
is making a grammatical correction to the numbering of ``VI. Agency 
Contact(s),'' ``VII. Other Information,'' and ``VIII. Notices of 
Funding Opportunity.'' Those sections should be numbered as ``VII. 
Agency Contact(s),'' ``VIII. Other Information,'' and ``IX. Notices of 
Funding Opportunity.''
    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 CFR, part 36, and VA 
Financial Policy, Volume X Grants Management, which applicants and 
partners 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 (Pub. L. 111-275 
Sec.  203), 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 Service members 
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 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 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 Service member's ability to live 
independently. Therefore, in 38 CFR 36.4412(b)(2), VA has defined ``new 
assistive technology'' as an advancement 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 and 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 
Service members 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. On October 1, 2020, the 
Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act was 
enacted (Pub. L. 116-159, Sec.  5201). Section 5201 of Public Law 116-
159 extended the authority for VA to provide grants in the manner 
listed above through September 30, 2022 (see 38 U.S.C. 2108 and 38 CFR 
36.4412).

[[Page 16278]]

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 the proposed rules and the 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 FR 53146, 53148, Sept. 8, 2014; 80 FR 55763, 55764, Sept. 17, 
2014). For FY 2021, 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

    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 June 8, 2021. The funding period will not exceed 15 
months from the start date and will be followed by a 90-day period for 
closeout. Grant projects must be closed out by December 8, 2022.

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 following herein. 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 the Secretary determines could aid or enhance the ability 
of a Veteran or Service member 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 of April 30, 2021. 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 September 8, 
2022, (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 2 CFR part 200 is not applicable or 
where the Secretary determines 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 may be 
referred to the program official: Oscar Hines (Program Manager), 
Specially Adapted Housing Program, [email protected], 202-632-8862 
(not a toll-free number).

[[Page 16279]]

B. Content and Form of Application Submission

    The SAHAT Grant Program application package provided at 
www.Grants.gov (Funding Opportunity Number: VA-SAHAT-21-06) contains 
electronic versions of the required application forms. 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 previously listed herein, 
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 Service members;
    b. An estimated schedule including the length of time (not to 
extend past September 8, 2022) 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 
Service members 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 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. 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 Daylight 
Time on April 30, 2021. 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 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 CBI is included in an 
application, applicants should clearly indicate which portion or 
portions 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 in Section A.

A. Scoring Criteria

    The Secretary will score technology grant applications based on the 
following scoring criteria listed herein. 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 2021, 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

[[Page 16280]]

within a specific timeframe (up to 30 points); and
    6. An explanation of what uniquely positions the technology grant 
applicant in the marketplace. This explanation 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 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 consider 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, section 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 June 8, 2021. 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 an 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 Daylight Time, December 8, 2022.

VII. Agency Contact(s)

    For additional general information about this announcement contact 
the program official: Oscar Hines (Program Manager), Specially Adapted 
Housing Program, [email protected], 202-632-8862 (not a toll-free 
number).
    Mailed correspondence, which should not include application 
material, may be sent to: Loan Guaranty Service, VA Central Office, 
Attn: Oscar Hines (262), 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420.
    All correspondence with VA concerning this announcement must 
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, 2022. 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 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 must adhere to PMS user policies.

IX. Notices of Funding Opportunity

    In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget's guidance 
located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal laws, and relevant 
Executive guidance, the Federal awarding agency will review and 
consider applications for funding pursuant to this notice of funding 
opportunity in accordance with the Guidance for Grants and Agreements 
in Title 2, Code of Federal Regulations.

    Signing Authority: Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs, approved this document on March 22, 2021, 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.

Jeffrey M. Martin,
Assistant Director, Office of Regulation Policy & Management, Office of 
the Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2021-06311 Filed 3-25-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P