Notice2022-21603
Funding Opportunity Under Legal Services for Homeless Veterans and Veterans At-Risk for Homelessness Grant Program
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
October 6, 2022
Issuing agencies
Veterans Affairs Department
Abstract
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the availability of funds for legal services grants under the Legal Services for Homeless Veterans and Veterans At-Risk For Homelessness Grant (LSV) Program. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) contains information concerning the LSV Program, the grant application processes and the amount of funding available. Awards made for legal services grants will fund operations beginning on or around June 1, 2023, for a period of 12 months.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 193 (Thursday, October 6, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 193 (Thursday, October 6, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60809-60813]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-21603]
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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Funding Opportunity Under Legal Services for Homeless Veterans
and Veterans At-Risk for Homelessness Grant Program
AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.
ACTION: Notice of Funding Opportunity.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the
availability of funds for legal services grants under the Legal
Services for Homeless Veterans and Veterans At-Risk For Homelessness
Grant (LSV) Program. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) contains
information concerning the LSV Program, the grant application processes
and the amount of funding available. Awards made for legal services
grants will fund operations beginning on or around June 1, 2023, for a
period of 12 months.
DATES: Applications for legal services grants under the LSV Program
must be received by LSV Program by 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
on December 30, 2022. In the interest of fairness to all eligible
applicants, as described in this NOFO, this deadline is firm as to date
and hour, and VA will treat as ineligible for consideration any
application that is received after the deadline. Applicants should take
this practice into account and make early submissions of their
materials to avoid any risk of loss of eligibility brought about by
unanticipated delays, computer service outages or other submission-
related problems.
ADDRESSES: For a copy of the application package: Copies of the
application can be download from the LSV website at <a href="http://www.va.gov/homeless/lsv.asp">www.va.gov/homeless/lsv.asp</a>. Questions may be referred to LSV Program via email at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a0ccd3d6e0d6c18ec7cfd6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="68041b1e281e09460f071e">[email protected]</span></a>. For detailed LSV Program information and requirements, see
part 79 of title 38, Code of Federal Regulations (38 CFR part 79).
Submission of Application Package: Applicants must submit
applications electronically following instructions found at <a href="http://www.va.gov/homeless/lsv.asp">www.va.gov/homeless/lsv.asp</a>. Applications may not be mailed, hand carried or sent
by facsimile. Applications must be received by the LSV Program by 4
p.m. EST on the application deadline date. 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. See Section II. A. of this NOFO for maximum
allowable grant amounts.
Technical Assistance: Information regarding how to obtain technical
assistance with preparing a legal service grant application is
available on the LSV Program website at <a href="http://www.va.gov/homeless/lsv.asp">www.va.gov/homeless/lsv.asp</a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Funding Opportunity Title: Legal Services for Homeless-Veterans and
Veterans At-Risk for Homelessness Grant.
Announcement Type: Initial.
Funding Opportunity Number: VA-VJP-LSV-H-0922.
Assistance Listing Number: 64.056, Legal Services for Homeless-
Veterans and Veterans At-Risk for Homelessness Grant.
Authorizing Legislation: Public Law 116-315 Id. Sec. 4202 of the
Act, codified at Sec. 2022A of title 38, U.S.C., directs the Secretary
of VA (Secretary) to make grants to eligible entities to provide
certain legal services to homeless Veterans and Veterans at risk for
homelessness.
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995: 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521 requires
approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
OMB Control Number: 2900-0905.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
A. Assistance Listing Number: 64.056, Legal Services for Homeless-
Veterans and Veterans At-Risk for Homelessness Grant (hyperlink added).
B. Purpose: The LSV Program's purpose is to provide legal services
grants to public or non-profit private entities who will provide legal
services to eligible Veterans who are homeless or at risk for
homelessness. The goal of the LSV Program is to assist homeless and at-
risk Veterans who have unaddressed needs for legal services, which may
create barriers to housing stability. Services provided to Veterans
under this NOFO are designed to help Veterans increase housing
stability by providing legal services, including eviction defense, that
will help Veterans avoid homelessness or help them return to permanent
housing in the community.
C. Funding Priorities: This NOFO will provide awards designed to
address the needs identified in 38 CFR 79.20(a), including legal
services related to housing; family law; protective orders and other
matters related to domestic or intimate partner violence; access to
health care; requests to upgrade military discharge; consumer law, such
as financial services, debt collection, garnishments, usury, fraud and
financial exploitation; employment law; and the top 10 unmet legal
needs as enumerated on VA's annual Community Homelessness Assessment,
Local Education and Networking Groups (CHALENG) survey for the grant
award year. CHALENG survey results can be found at <a href="https://www.va.gov/homeless/chaleng.asp">https://www.va.gov/homeless/chaleng.asp</a>. Funds provided through this NOFO must not
duplicate or replace funds provided from any Federal, State or local
government agency or program to assist homeless Veterans.
D. Definitions: 38 CFR 79.5 contains definitions of terms used in
the LSV Program.
E. Authority: Funding available under this NOFO is authorized by 38
U.S.C. 2022A. VA implements the LSV Program through regulations in 38
CFR part 79. Funds made available under this NOFO are subject to the
requirements of these regulations.
F. Requirements: The applicant's request for funding must be
consistent with the limitation and uses of legal services grant funds
outlined in 38 CFR part 79 and this NOFO. Per the regulations and this
NOFO, the following requirements apply to legal services grants awarded
under this NOFO:
Grantees may use a maximum of 10% of legal services grant funds
for administrative costs as identified in 38 CFR 79.90.
Administrative costs consist of all costs, including all direct and
indirect costs, associated with the management of the program. These
costs may include professional training for attorneys to provide
legal services for Veterans or other activities that are not direct
services. These costs also include the administrative costs of
subcontractors.
G. Guidance for Providing Legal Services: Consistent with 38 CFR
79.20, grantees are expected to provide legal
[[Page 60810]]
services relevant to issues that interfere with the participant's
ability to obtain or retain permanent housing. (NOTE: Specific details
of the legal services provided may be protected from being released to
the grantee or VA under attorney-client privilege; however, the grantee
must provide sufficient information to demonstrate the frequency and
type of legal services delivered.) Support for legal services can
include paying for court filing fees to assist a participant with
issues that interfere with the participant's ability to obtain or
retain permanent housing or legal services, including issues that
affect the participant's employability and financial security.
When serving participants who are at risk for homelessness, the
grantee must document that the Veteran does not have sufficient
resources or support networks (e.g., friends, faith-based or other
social networks) immediately available to prevent them from becoming
homeless. The definition of at-risk may be demonstrated by one or more
of the following living situations:
1. Has moved because of economic reasons two or more times during
the 60 days immediately preceding the application for homelessness
prevention assistance;
2. Is living in the home of another because of economic hardship;
3. Has been notified in writing that their right to occupy their
current housing or the living situation will be terminated within 21
days after the date of application for assistance;
4. Is constructively evicted from their current housing because of
untenable conditions created by the landlord such as shutting off
electricity and water or discriminatory acts;
5. Lives in a hotel or motel, and the cost of the hotel or motel
stay is not paid by charitable organizations or by Federal, State or
local government programs for low-income individuals;
6. Lives in a single-room occupancy or efficiency apartment unit in
which there reside more than two persons or lives in a larger housing
unit in which reside more than 1.5 persons reside per room, as defined
by the United States Census Bureau;
7. Is exiting a publicly funded institution or system of care (such
as a health-care facility, a mental health facility, foster care or
another youth facility, or correction program or institution);
8. Is fleeing/attempting to escape domestic violence, dating
violence, sexual assault, stalking or other dangerous or life-
threatening conditions that relate to violence against the individual,
including a child, that has either taken place within the individual's
primary nighttime residence or has made the individual afraid to return
to their primary nighttime residence; and
9. Otherwise lives in housing that has characteristics associated
with instability and an increased risk for homelessness.
H. Evaluation and Performance as noted in Section D. of VI. Award
Administration Information of this Notice (hyperlink added).
II. Award Information
A. Allocation of Funds: Under this NOFO, approximately $11.25
million is available for grants to provide legal services to homeless
Veterans or Veterans at-risk for homelessness. The LSV Program aims to
provide grant funding up to a maximum of $150,000 to eligible
applicants in an approximately 1-year grant cycle. The funding amount
and number of awards will be determined based on the number of
responses received by the VA. Funding will only be awarded to
applicants who demonstrate sufficient capacity to provide legal
services to homeless Veterans or Veterans at risk for homelessness.
Renewal funding may be available in a future NOFO and is subject to the
availability of funding.
Grants governed by this NOFO are expected to be awarded on or
around June 1, 2023. Future renewal funding is dependent on such
factors as need, geographical dispersion; funding availability; the
recipient meeting performance goals and statutory and regulatory
requirements; as well as results of VA performance measurement and
monitoring.
If VA determines that grantee spending is not meeting the minimum
percentage milestones identified below, VA may elect to recoup
projected unused funds and reallocate funds among other grantees who
are able to fully use the funds to provide legal services during the
grant period. Should VA elect to recoup unspent funds, reductions in
available grant funds would take effect the first business day
following the end of the quarter. VA may elect to recoup funds in the
following circumstances:
<bullet> The grantee's requests to VA for grant funds are less than
10% of the total grant award by the end of the first quarter of the
grant cycle, no later than September 30, 2023.
<bullet> The grantee's requests to VA for grant funds are less than
30% of the total grant award by the end of the second quarter of the
grant cycle, no later than December 31, 2023.
<bullet> The grantee's requests to VA for grant funds are less than
55% of the total grant award by the end of the third quarter of the
grant cycle, no later than March 31, 2024.
Reductions will be calculated based on the total amount of payment
requests submitted in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services'
(HHS) Payment Management System (PMS) by 5 p.m. EST on the last
business day of the quarter. Should VA elect to recoup unspent funds,
reductions in available grant funds would take place the second
business day following the end of the quarter. If additional funds
become available from funds recouped under the Award Information
section of this NOFO, funds that are voluntarily returned by grantees,
funds that become available due to a grant termination, or other funds
still available for grant awards, VA may elect to offer these funds to
other grantees. Additional funds may be provided to grantees that are
in compliance with their grant agreement and have the capacity to use
the additional funds, with priority given in descending order based on
grantees' original application's ranking/score.
B. Funding Restrictions: Applicants may not receive funding to
replace funds provided by any other Federal, State, or local government
agency or program to assist homeless Veterans. VA will not fund
projects or activities deemed outside the scope of those enumerated in
38 CFR 79.20 and this NOFO.
III. Eligibility Information
A. Eligibility: For purposes of this NOFO, an eligible applicant is
a public or non-profit private entity as defined in 38 CFR 79.10.
Applicants must have the necessary technical and administrative
abilities and resources to execute the program successfully. Applicants
must provide sufficient eligibility information to allow VA to evaluate
their application for scoring purposes. Only eligible entities can
apply in response to this NOFO.
Applicants with 501(c)(3) Internal Revenue status must provide a
copy of their status determination letter received from the Internal
Revenue Service. Award recipients must maintain their status as
501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) non-profit, State or local government or
recognized Indian Tribal government as defined by General Services
Administration regulations, 41 CFR 105-71.102, for the entire award
cycle. Faith-based organizations may apply for the LSV grant program.
Faith-based organizations are eligible, on the same basis as any other
organization, to
[[Page 60811]]
participate in the LSV grant program as described in 38 CFR 79.80.
B. Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost-sharing or matching is not
required for this funding opportunity.
C. Other Eligibility Criteria: System for Award Management
(<a href="http://SAM.gov">SAM.gov</a>) Registration. Applicants are required to register in <a href="http://SAM.gov">SAM.gov</a>
before submitting a Federal award application. Federal award recipients
must continue to maintain an active <a href="http://SAM.gov">SAM.gov</a> registration with current
information through the life of their Federal award.
As described in 38 CFR 79.10, this program prohibits issuing awards
to entities that do not meet criteria for an eligible entity.
IV. Application and Submission Information
A. Obtaining an Application Package: Applicants must submit
applications electronically following instructions found at <a href="http://www.va.gov/homeless/lsv.asp">www.va.gov/homeless/lsv.asp</a>. VA will not accept applications by mail, in person or
by facsimile. Applications must be received electronically by the LSV
Program by 4 p.m. EST on the application deadline date. Applications
must arrive as a complete package, and VA will not review materials
arriving separately from the original application package, resulting in
the application being rejected. See Section II.A. of this NOFO for
maximum allowable grant amounts. The required documentation for
application submission is outlined in the Application Documentation
Required section of this NOFO. Forms that must be included as part of a
complete application package may be downloaded directly from VA's LSV's
website at <a href="http://www.va.gov/homeless/lsv.asp">www.va.gov/homeless/lsv.asp</a>. Questions may be referred to
the LSV Program at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4e223d380e382f60292138"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="127e61645264733c757d64">[email protected]</span></a>.
B. Content and Form of Application: VA is seeking to focus
resources to provide legal services to Veterans who are homeless or at
risk for homelessness. Applicants must submit applications
electronically following instructions found at <a href="http://www.va.gov/homeless/lsv.asp">www.va.gov/homeless/lsv.asp</a>. Applicants must include all required documents in their
application submission as described in ``Application Documentation
Required'' section (see below). VA will reject application packages
that are incorrect, incomplete or incorrectly formatted.
Application Documentation Required:
1. Applicants must provide a current Employer Identification
Number, Data Universal Number System number, a valid Unique Entity
Identifier (UEI) if available and a <a href="http://SAM.gov">SAM.gov</a> expiration date. VA
reserves the right to verify the information and reject applications if
the information cannot be readily verified. Applicants are required to
register in <a href="http://SAM.gov">SAM.gov</a> before applying. They must continue to maintain an
active <a href="http://SAM.gov">SAM.gov</a> registration with current information for the entire
time they have an active Federal award or an application under
consideration.
2. VA will give preference to applicants who have a demonstrated
focus on women Veterans. For a preference to be given, the applicant
must provide a plan that describes how the applicant will use at least
10% of the grant funds to service eligible women Veterans.
3. VA notes that legal services grant applications must include
applicants' identification of the target populations and the area or
community the applicant proposes to serve.
4. Funding Restrictions: Applicants may not receive funding to
replace funds provided by any other Federal, State or local government
agency or program to assist homeless Veterans. VA will not fund
projects or activities deemed outside the scope of those enumerated in
38 CFR 79.20 and this NOFO.
V. Application Review Information
A. Application: VA will use the following criteria to score
applicants who are applying for a legal services grant:
Section A (35 maximum points): Background, Qualifications,
Experience and Past Performance of Applicant and any Identified
Subcontractor. VA will award points based on the background,
qualifications, experience and past performance of the applicant and
any subcontractors identified by the applicant in the legal services
grant application, as demonstrated by the following:
(1) Background and Organizational History.
(i) Applicant's, and any identified subcontractors', background and
organizational history are relevant to the program.
(ii) Applicant, and any identified subcontractors, maintain
organizational structures with clear lines of reporting and defined
responsibilities.
(iii) Applicant, and any identified subcontractors, have a history
of complying with agreements and not defaulting on financial
obligations.
(2) Staff qualifications.
(i) Applicant's staff, and any identified subcontractors' staff,
have experience working with individuals who are homeless, at risk for
homelessness, or who have very low income, as defined under this part.
(ii) Applicant's staff, and any identified subcontractors' staff,
have experience administering programs similar to the grant program
under this part.
(3) Organizational qualifications and past performance.
(i) Applicant, and any identified subcontractors, have
organizational experience providing legal services to individuals who
are homeless, at risk for homelessness or who have very low income as
defined under this part.
(ii) Applicant, and any identified subcontractors, have
organizational experience administering a program similar in type and
scale to the grant program.
(iii) Applicant, and any identified subcontractors, have or plan to
hire staff, who are qualified to administer legal services, and as
applicable, are in good standing as a member of the applicable state
bar.
(4) Experience working with Veterans.
(i) Applicant's staff, and any identified subcontractors' staff,
have experience working with Veterans.
(ii) Applicant, and any identified subcontractors, have
organizational experience providing legal services to Veterans.
Section B (maximum 25 points): Program Concept and Legal Services
Plan. VA will award points based on the applicant's program concept and
legal services plan, as demonstrated by the following:
(1) Need for program.
(i) Applicant has shown a need among eligible Veterans in the area
or community where the program will be based.
(ii) Applicant understands the legal services needs unique to
eligible Veterans in the area or community where the program will be
based.
(2) Outreach and screening plan.
(i) Applicant has a feasible outreach and referral plan to identify
and assist eligible veterans that are most in need of legal services.
This plan should include how the applicant will ensure that services
are provided to eligible Veterans, including women Veterans and how the
applicant will use at least 10% of the grant funds to service eligible
women Veterans.
(ii) Applicant has a plan to process and receive referrals from
eligible Veterans.
(iii) Applicant has a plan to assess and accommodate the needs of
incoming eligible Veterans.
(3) Program concept.
(i) Applicant's program concept, size, scope and staffing plan are
feasible.
(ii) Applicant's program is designed to meet the legal needs of
eligible Veterans in the area or community where the program will be
based.
[[Page 60812]]
(4) Program implementation timeline.
(i) Applicant's program will be implemented in a timely manner and
legal services will be delivered to eligible Veterans as quickly as
possible and within a specified timeline.
(ii) Applicant has a hiring plan in place to meet the applicant's
program timeline or has existing staff to meet such timeline.
(5) Collaboration and communication with VA. Applicant has a plan
to coordinate outreach and services with local VA facilities.
(6) Ability to meet VA's requirements, goals and objectives for the
grant program. Applicant is committed to ensuring that its program
meets VA's requirements, goals and objectives for the grant program as
identified in the regulation and the Purpose Section of the NOFO
(hyperlink added).
(7) Capacity to undertake program. Applicant has sufficient
capacity, including staff resources, to undertake the program.
Section C (maximum 15 points): Quality Assurance and Evaluation
Plan. VA will award points based on the applicant's quality assurance
and evaluation plan, as demonstrated by the following:
(1) Program evaluation.
(i) Applicant has created clear, realistic and measurable metrics
that align with the grant program's aim of addressing the legal needs
of eligible Veterans against which the applicant's program performance
can be continually evaluated.
(2) Monitoring.
(i) Applicant has adequate controls in place to regularly monitor
the program, including any subcontractors, for compliance with all
applicable laws, regulations and guidelines.
(ii) Applicant has adequate financial and operational controls in
place to ensure the proper use of legal services grant funds.
(iii) Applicant has a plan for ensuring that the applicant's staff
and any subcontractors are appropriately trained and comply with the
requirements of 38 CFR part 79.
(3) Remediation. Applicant has a plan to establish a system to
remediate non-compliant aspects of the program if and when they are
identified.
(4) Management and reporting. Applicant's program management team
has the capability and a system in place to provide to VA timely and
accurate reports at the frequency set by VA.
Section D (maximum 15 points): Financial Capability and Plan. VA
will award points based on the applicant's financial capability and
plan, as demonstrated by the following:
(1) Organizational finances. Applicant, and any identified
subcontractors, are financially stable.
(2) Financial feasibility of program.
(i) Applicant has a realistic plan for obtaining all funding
required to operate the program for the period of the legal services
grant.
(ii) Applicant's program is cost-effective and can be effectively
implemented on-budget.
Section E (maximum 10 points): Area Linkages and Relations. VA will
award points based on the applicant's area or community linkages and
relations, as demonstrated by the following:
(1) Area or community linkages. Applicant has a plan for developing
or has existing linkages with Federal (including VA), State, local and
tribal governments, agencies, and private entities for the purposes of
providing additional legal services to eligible Veterans.
(2) Past working relationships. Applicant (or applicant's staff),
and any identified subcontractors (or subcontractors' staff), have
fostered successful working relationships and linkages with public and
private organizations providing services to Veterans in need of
services similar to those covered under the grant program.
(3) Local presence and knowledge.
(i) Applicant has a presence in the area or community to be served
by the applicant.
(ii) Applicant understands the dynamics of the area or community to
be served by the applicant.
(4) Integration of linkages and program concept. Applicant's
linkages to the area or community to be served by the applicant enhance
the effectiveness of the applicant's program.
B. Applicant Certifications and Assurances: Applicants must sign
and submit the grant application agreeing to the following:
(1) Project Budget Template. Applicants must attach an itemized
detailed budget using the approved SF 424A form and corresponding to
the narrative provided in the financial capability and plan. The
categories and costs included in the detailed budget must indicate the
plan and demonstrate compliance with cost principles. See the
Attachments section at the end of the application. Successful
applicants must follow all applicable budget requirements, including
the Federal cost principles in 2 CFR part 200, LSV regulations at 38
CFR part 79 and budget requirements of this NOFO.
(2) Additional Eligibility Documentation. Applicants will provide
other required or optional materials as attachments, including:
(i) Budget Template (required);
(ii) Letters of coordination (optional); and
(iii) Resumes or position descriptions of key staff (required).
C. Criteria for Threshold Review: Submission of an incorrect or
incomplete application package will result in the application being
rejected and not considered for award. Only applications that meet
threshold requirements in 38 CFR 79.30 will be scored consistent with
criteria in 38 CFR 79.35.
D. Review and Selection Process: Review and selection process may
be found at 38 CFR 79.40. In case of a discrepancy between information
provided by the applicant and other information available to VA, VA
reserves the right to make funding decisions based on all available
information or to not select an application. VA also will use the
following considerations in 38 CFR 79.40(d) to select applicants for
funding:
(1) VA will rank those applicants who score at least 50 cumulative
points and receive at least one point under each of the categories: (a)
Background, Qualifications, Experience and Past Performance of
Applicant and Any Identified Subcontractor, (b) Program Concept and
Legal Services Plan, (c) Quality Assurance and Evaluation Plan, (d)
Financial Capability and Plan and (e) Area Linkages and Relations. VA
will use the ranked scores of applicants as the primary basis for
selection. The applicants will be ranked in order from highest to
lowest.
(2) VA will give preference to applicants who have the demonstrated
ability to provide or coordinate the provision of legal services
individuals who are homeless, at risk for homelessness or have very low
income, as defined by this part.
(3) To the extent practicable, VA will ensure that legal services
grants are equitably distributed across geographic regions, including
with respect to rural communities, trust lands, Native Americans and
tribal organizations.
(4) VA will give preference to applicants with a demonstrated focus
on women Veterans. For such a preference to be given, the applicant
must provide a plan that describes how the applicant will use at least
10% of grant funds to provide legal services to women Veterans.
E. Funding Actions: VA will provide funding to all eligible
applicants in the score order described in this NOFO until funding is
exhausted. Funding is not guaranteed. Before awarding a grant
agreement, VA reserves the right to make adjustments (e.g., to funding
[[Page 60813]]
levels) as needed within the intent of this NOFO based on a variety of
factors, including the quantity and quality of applications, geographic
dispersion, as well as the availability of funding. VA will consider
any information that comes to its attention, including information in
the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment
about the applicant's integrity, business ethics and performance under
Federal awards. VA may not make a Federal award to an applicant if the
applicant has not complied with all applicable UEI and <a href="http://SAM.gov">SAM.gov</a>
requirements. Applicants may refer to 2 CFR part 25 and <a href="http://SAM.gov">SAM.gov</a> for
more information. If an applicant has not fully complied by the time
the Federal awarding agency is ready to make a Federal award, the
Federal awarding agency may determine that the applicant is not
qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a
basis for making a Federal award to another applicant. VA may elect to
award additional applications based on the availability of funds and
quality of applications. Upon signature of the grant agreement by the
Secretary, or designated representative, final selection will be
completed, and the grant funds will be obligated for the funding
period.
VI. Award Administration Information
A. Award Notice: Although subject to change, the LSV Program
expects to announce grant awards on or around June 1, 2023. VA reserves
the right to make adjustments (e.g., to funding levels) as needed
within the intent of the NOFO based on a variety of factors, including
the availability of funding and performance. The initial announcement
will be made via a news release posted on the VA's LSV website at
<a href="http://www.va.gov">www.va.gov</a>./homeless/lsv.asp.
The LSV Program will notify successful and unsuccessful applicants.
Only a grant agreement with a VA signature is evidence of an award and
is an authorizing document allowing costs to be incurred against a
grant award. Other notices, letters or announcements are not
authorizing documents. The grant agreement includes the terms and
conditions of the award and must be signed by the entity and VA to be
legally binding.
B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: VA places great
emphasis on responsibility and accountability. VA has procedures in
place to monitor grants provided under the Legal Services for Homeless
Veterans and Veterans At-Risk for Homelessness Grant. All applicants
selected in response to this NOFO must agree to meet applicable
inspection standards outlined in the grant agreement.
C. Payment: Grantees will receive payments electronically through
HHS PMS. Grantees will have the ability to request payments as
frequently as they choose subject to the following limitations:
1. During the first quarter of the grantee's legal services
annualized grant award period, the grantee's cumulative requests for
legal services grant funds may not exceed 35% of the total legal
services grant award without written approval by the VA.
2. By the end of the second quarter of the grantee's legal services
annualized grant award period, the grantee's cumulative requests for
legal services grant funds may not exceed 60% of the total legal
services grant award without written approval by VA.
3. By the end of the third quarter of the grantee's legal services
annualized grant award period, the grantee's cumulative requests for
legal services grant funds may not exceed 80% of the total legal
services grant award without written approval by VA.
4. By the end of the fourth quarter of the grantee's annualized
legal services grant award period, the grantee's cumulative requests
for legal services grant funds may not exceed 100% of the total legal
services grant award.
D. Reporting, Evaluation and Performance: VA places great emphasis
on the responsibility and accountability of grantees. As described in
38 CFR 79.95, VA has procedures to monitor legal services provided to
participants and outcomes associated with the legal services provided
under the LSV Program. Applicants should be aware of the following:
1. Grantees will be required to track data that will consist of
information on the participants served and the types of legal services
provided by grantees. Information regarding legal services provided may
be protected from being released to the VA under attorney-client
privilege; however, the grantee must provide sufficient information to
demonstrate the frequency and type of services delivered to meet
performance measurement outcomes, as defined in 2 CFR 200.301.
2. VA will complete annual monitoring evaluations of each grantee.
Monitoring also will include the submission of quarterly and yearly
financial and performance reports by the grantee. The grantee will be
expected to demonstrate adherence to the grantee's proposed program
concept, as described in the grantee's application. All grantees are
also subject to audits conducted by the VA or its representative.
3. Grantees will be assessed based on their ability to meet
critical reporting requirements that are defined by the regulations.
VII. Federal Awarding Agency Contact
Ms. Madolyn Gingell, National Coordinator, Legal Services for
Veterans, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#86cbe7e2e9eaffe8a8c1efe8e1e3eaeac6f0e7a8e1e9f0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="da97bbbeb5b6a3b4f49db3b4bdbfb6b69aacbbf4bdb5ac">[email protected]</span></a>.
Signing Authority:
Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, approved this
document on September 29, 2022, 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
General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2022-21603 Filed 10-5-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on October 6, 2022.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.