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Notice2023-02341

Funding Opportunity: Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program Case Management Grant

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Published

February 3, 2023

Issuing agencies

Veterans Affairs Department

Abstract

VA is announcing the availability of approximately $15 million per year for up to 2 years, pending availability of funding and grantee performance, in new grants under the case management component of the VA Homeless Providers GPD program. Applications for grants are being accepted from eligible entities to support case management services. These time-limited case management services will improve retention of housing by Veterans who are at risk of becoming homeless or who were previously homeless and are transitioning to permanent housing from programs such as VA's Homeless Providers GPD program or VA's Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Contracted Residential Services (CRS) program. VA anticipates that the grants will be for a period of 2 years, starting in fiscal year (FY) 2024 on October 1, 2023, and ending on September 30, 2025. VA anticipates awarding approximately 100 grants for up to a total of approximately 150 full-time equivalent case (FTE) manager positions nationwide. Awards may be up to $300,000 total costs per FTE case manager position, with funding requests broken out by year 1 and year 2. This NOFO contains information concerning the program, application process, available funding, selection criteria and award process.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 23 (Friday, February 3, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 23 (Friday, February 3, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7540-7553]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-02341]

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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Funding Opportunity: Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem (GPD)
Program Case Management Grant

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice of funding opportunity (NOFO).

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SUMMARY: VA is announcing the availability of approximately $15 million
per year for up to 2 years, pending availability of funding and grantee
performance, in new grants under the case management component of the
VA Homeless Providers GPD program.
Applications for grants are being accepted from eligible entities
to support case management services. These time-limited case management
services will improve retention of housing by Veterans who are at risk
of becoming homeless or who were previously homeless and are
transitioning to permanent housing from programs such as VA's Homeless
Providers GPD program or VA's Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV)
Contracted Residential Services (CRS) program.
VA anticipates that the grants will be for a period of 2 years,
starting in fiscal year (FY) 2024 on October 1, 2023, and ending on
September 30, 2025. VA anticipates awarding approximately 100 grants
for up to a total of approximately 150 full-time equivalent case (FTE)
manager positions nationwide. Awards may be up to $300,000 total costs
per FTE case manager position, with funding requests broken out by year
1 and year 2.
This NOFO contains information concerning the program, application
process, available funding, selection criteria and award process.

DATES: Applications for grants must be received by the GPD National
Program Office no later than 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, May 4,
2023.
In the interest of fairness to all, this deadline is firm as to
date and hour. VA will treat any application received after the
deadline as ineligible. Applicants should take this practice into
account and submit their materials early to avoid the risk of
unanticipated delays, computer service outages or other submission-
related problems that might result in ineligibility.

ADDRESSES: Instructions for accessing the application are available at
<a href="http://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp">www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp</a>. The required documentation for
applications is outlined under the Content and Form of the Application
section of this NOFO. Standard forms, which must be included as part of
a complete application package, may be downloaded directly from VA's
GPD program website at <a href="http://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp">www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp</a>. Questions may be
referred to the GPD National Program Office at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cf889f8b88bdaea1bbbc8fb9aee1a8a0b9">[email&#160;protected]</a>. For
detailed GPD program information and requirements, see 38 CFR part 61.
Application Submission: Applications must be submitted by following
the instructions at <a href="http://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp">www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp</a>. Applications must be
received by the GPD National Program Office no later than 4:00 p.m.
Eastern Time on the date of 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 or not funded.
In the event of certain errors, such as duplicate applications or
multiple applications per Employer Identification Number (EIN), per VA
medical center catchment area, VA reserves the right to select which
application to consider based on the submission dates and times or
based on other factors.
Applicants are advised to refer to this NOFO when completing the
online application. NOFO content provides supplementary guidance for
completing the online application.
Technical Assistance: Information regarding how to obtain technical
assistance with the preparation of a grant application is available on
the GPD website at <a href="http://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp">www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp</a>.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chelsea Watson, Director, VA Homeless
Providers GPD Program Office, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#efa8bfaba89d8e819b9caf998ec1888099">[email&#160;protected]</a> or 727-273-5619 (This is
not a toll-free telephone number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Funding Opportunity Title: GPD Case Management Grant.
Announcement Type: Initial.
Funding Opportunity Number: VA-GPD-CM-FY2024.
Assistance Instrument: Grant.
Assistance Listing: 64.024, VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per
Diem Program.

Table of Contents

I. Funding Opportunity Description
A. Purpose
B. Background
C. Definitions
D. Approach
Goals and Objective
GPD Case Management
Required Minimum Performance Metrics/Targets
E. Authority
F. Guidance for the Use of Funds
II. Award Information
A. Allocation of Funds
B. Funding Priorities
C. Award Period
III. Eligibility Information
A. Eligibility
B. Cost Sharing or Matching
IV. Application and Scoring Information
A. Content and Form of Application
Organization Profile (Eligibility)
Overview
Application
Abstract
Detailed Application Design
Budget
Organization Leadership
External Attachments
Certifications
B. Scoring
V. Review and Selection Process
A. Application Review
B. Application Selection
Tie Score
Funding Actions

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Purpose

Ending and preventing homelessness among Veterans is a priority for
VA. VA Homeless Programs Office constitutes the Nation's largest
integrated network of homelessness, housing, prevention and
rehabilitation services for Veterans. These programs are designed to
help Veterans live as self-sufficiently and independently as possible.
The

[[Page 7541]]

foundation for these programs is based on Housing First principles
combined with supportive services to ensure Veterans are able to end
the cycle of homelessness.
Since 1994, the GPD program has provided Veterans who are
experiencing homelessness with community-based transitional housing,
supportive services such as case management, and more. These services
assist Veterans in attaining or retaining permanent residence. Several
types of grants are offered under the umbrella of the GPD program. The
grants are designed to meet Veterans at various stages as they move to
housing stability. The community organizations who receive these grants
offer focused housing stability services through a variety of service
models. The GPD program plays a vital role in the continuum of homeless
services.

B. Background

Ending Veteran homelessness requires multifaceted approaches. This
NOFO represents one such approach. In response to the mounting need in
communities to prevent homelessness, this NOFO focuses on upstream
prevention approaches to reduce the risk of housing instability. Grants
funded from this NOFO will increase housing stability for Veterans.
VA is committed to supporting community-based organizations as they
transform projects to meet the challenge of ending homelessness among
Veterans.

C. Definitions

The regulations for the GPD program are codified in 38 CFR part 61.
Definitions of terms used in the GPD program and in Federal grant
programs that are applicable to this NOFO are available in 38 CFR part
61 and 2 CFR part 200. See 38 CFR 61.1 for the definitions. Selected
and additional definitions are highlighted here for purposes of this
NOFO:
<bullet> By-name list: A comprehensive list of every person in a
community experiencing homelessness updated in real time.
<bullet> Case management: A collaborative client-driven process
whereby a range of services are provided to assist individuals in
developing their skills to gain or maintain access to needed housing,
medical, behavioral health, employment, social, educational and other
essential services. Case management activities include housing
navigation and providing linkages and training related to the use of
basic community resources. Interventions may occur at both the Veteran
and system levels. This may include progressive engagement strategies
that tailor resources to each Veteran's needs and flexes up supports as
greater needs are identified. Case management supports the client's
achievement of safe, realistic and reasonable goals within a complex
health, social and fiscal environment.
<bullet> Case manager: One who provides case management and other
services. For purposes of this NOFO, the role generally is not a
clinical role. An appropriate candidate might have any of a variety of
titles, clinical or non-clinical, as long as they are qualified and
able to fill the minimum expectations of the role as described in the
NOFO and in the grant application. The case manager routinely assesses
the needs of the Veteran and arranges, coordinates, monitors, evaluates
and advocates for a package of multiple services to meet the specific
client's complex needs.
<bullet> Caseload: The average monthly number of Veterans an FTE
case manager is engaged with in housing navigation and in housing
retention services.
<bullet> Continuum of Care (CoC): According to the Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD), a CoC is a program designed to
promote community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness;
provide funding for efforts by nonprofit providers and state or local
governments to quickly rehouse individuals and families experiencing
homelessness while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused to
individuals, families and communities by homelessness; promote access
to and effect utilization of mainstream programs by individuals and
families experiencing homelessness; and optimize self-sufficiency among
individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
<bullet> Coordinated entry process: A process through which people
experiencing homelessness can access the crisis response system and
housing in a streamlined way, have their strengths and needs quickly
assessed and connect to tailored housing and mainstream services within
the community.
<bullet> Critical Time Intervention (CTI): An evidence-based,
structured and time-limited case management practice that mobilizes
support for vulnerable populations during transition periods. This
phased case management approach bolsters substantial supports in the
early months of transition with these supports gradually tapering over
time.
<bullet> Encounter: An initial engagement with a Veteran that may
or may not lead to initiating case management services. Encounters are
part of a case manager's overall workload but are not counted toward
caseload.
<bullet> Full-time equivalent (FTE): A full-time case management
position is defined as an average of 40 hours per week. Workload may be
shared among multiple staff. Therefore, ``FTE'' refers to the number of
full-time equivalent positions regardless of how many case managers
contribute to completing the hours. Half-time equivalent positions of
20 hours per week may be requested.
<bullet> Homeless Management Information System (HMIS): A locally
administered web-based data system used to record and analyze both
project and client information at the local CoC level. HMIS is used by
Federal partners, including VA, to measure project performance and
participate in benchmarking of the national effort to end homelessness.
Currently, using HMIS is required for GPD case management grantees.
<bullet> Housing Navigation: Services provided to help Veteran
participants locate and obtain or retain permanent, stable residence.
It may include activities such as outreach to property owners,
connecting to legal services, landlord mediation, education, providing
information on landlord and tenant issues or identifying local
community resources.
<bullet> Supplemental Security Income/Social Security Disability
Insurance (SSI/SSDI) Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR): A non-VA,
Federal resource that can substantially assist Veterans experiencing or
at risk for homelessness by providing them with consistent income that
often promotes permanent housing stability, self-sustainment,
functional independence and ongoing care for Veterans with disabling
conditions.
<bullet> Workload: Activities performed during the 40-hour work
week. Case manager workload includes caseload (for example, housing
navigation and housing retention services for Veterans) and outreach
(for example, encounters with Veterans). Associated administrative
responsibilities also are included in workload.

D. Approach

Goals and Objective
The goals of projects under assistance listing 64.024, VA Homeless
Providers Grant and Per Diem program, are to provide transitional
housing and supportive services to Veterans experiencing homelessness
as they move toward and retain permanent

[[Page 7542]]

housing. To achieve these goals, the objective of this NOFO is to
provide funds for case management services. Grants awarded under this
NOFO will contribute to the achievement of the goals and objective by
increasing the availability of case management services available to
Veterans and by increasing permanent housing retention by Veterans.
Program performance and project performance will be indicated by the
average monthly caseload of the FTE GPD-funded case managers and by the
percentage of Veterans who retained permanent housing upon exiting from
case management.
Applicants agree to meet the applicable requirements of 38 CFR part
61 as a part of the effort to end homelessness among the Nation's
Veterans. Applicants agree to meet the applicable requirements of 2 CFR
part 200 as part of the Federal-wide initiative to administer Federal
financial assistance systematically and uniformly.
GPD Case Management
Case management services, as defined in this NOFO and as described
in 38 CFR 61.90(b), may be provided to help overcome and troubleshoot
barriers to acquiring, reacquiring and maintaining permanent housing.
Case management, including housing navigation services, can help
Veterans obtain permanent housing based on their unique needs,
preferences and financial resources. Case managers may provide supports
to address issues that may impede access to housing (such as credit
history, arrears and legal issues), may negotiate manageable and
appropriate lease agreements with landlords and may make appropriate
and time-limited services available. Case managers also may monitor
participants' housing stability after securing housing and during
project participation, ideally through home visits and communication
with landlords and may be available to resolve housing-related crises.
Examples of case management services that grantees can provide
using these grant funds include, but are not limited to, the following:
<bullet> Supporting housing search and placement activities to
facilitate transitions for Veterans into permanent housing.
<bullet> Making home visits by the case manager to monitor housing
stability and assess the need for services or other supports.
<bullet> Providing or coordinating educational activities related
to meal planning, tenant responsibilities, the use of public
transportation, community resources, financial management and
development of natural supports.
<bullet> Navigating resources provided by the Federal Government
and State, local and Tribal governments.
<bullet> Making referrals to needed services, such as mental
health, substance use disorder, medical and employment services.
<bullet> Participating in case conferencing with other service
providers working with Veterans (e.g., GPD transitional housing
grantees, Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) grantees,
other community-based organizations).
<bullet> Eviction diversion through the facilitation of landlord/
tenant mediation.
Applicants should note that, when possible, case management
services should occur in-person; however, virtual case management
services (for example, conducting home visits remotely) may be
necessary at times. In these cases, GPD encourages applicants to
maximize use of technology that offers the richest possible interaction
for the individuals involved, such as video and accessibility-friendly
technology, and to have written procedures in place regarding the use
of virtual case management services.
The minimum educational requirement for case managers funded by GPD
case management grants is a bachelor's degree. Four years of case
management or housing navigation experience may be substituted for the
educational requirement. Grantees may consider lived experience when
selecting Case Managers, but lived experience is not a substitute for
the educational or work experience requirements. Applicants proposing
to use staff who have not yet met the minimum local requirements for
licensure and certification, may propose such individuals as staff
under the grant as long as they: (1) demonstrate that the project is
located in a geographic area where such staff are in high demand; and
(2) confirm that the proposed individuals will have a master's degree
in social work, will be undergoing training to meet the local licensure
and certification requirements and will be under the supervision of a
person who meets the local licensure and certification requirements.
Within the application, applicants may establish more stringent minimum
education, experience and training requirements (see Detailed
Application Design section of the NOFO, e.g., Ability). Applicants
should carefully consider the minimum educational requirements
established in their grant applications, because the GPD National
Program Office will likely not honor reductions to minimum credentials
after the grant is awarded. Grantees are responsible for complying with
any local requirements for licensure or certification.
An FTE position is expected to manage an average monthly caseload
of at least 16 Veterans in permanent housing or in housing navigation.
Encounters with Veterans count toward the FTE's overall workload but do
not count toward caseload. The majority of each FTE's overall workload
must be dedicated to caseload. Applicants must have written procedures
and position descriptions to implement these FTE workload and caseload
requirements. Applicants who can demonstrate that the need in their
community is sufficient to meet or exceed caseload expectations are
encouraged to apply.
All grantees must participate in HMIS and in their local
coordinated entry system. These systems rely on real-time, high-quality
data entry. Precise and accurate data is expected to be entered into
HMIS by grantees in a timely manner. Grantees are expected to conduct
second-level reviews of entered data. Chart reviews of participant
files in HMIS must be conducted monthly to ensure all required
documentation of services. At a minimum, the following should be
included in the HMIS file to the extent the local HMIS implementation
allows for it: all HMIS Universal Data Elements, all applicable Program
Specific Data Elements and all Federal Partner Program Data Elements.
These elements are defined by the VA Data Guide and include participant
identification information, household information, demographics, entry
and exit data, income source data, health and health care information
and updated release of information. Grantees also are expected to
engage with their local CoCs and by-name list, case conferencing and
general planning processes to the fullest extent possible. Applicants
should plan staff time and position descriptions accordingly in order
to fulfill HMIS responsibilities. Grantees must treat the data for
activities funded from the GPD grant separate from that of activities
funded by other programs. Grantees will be required to work with their
HMIS Administrators to export client-level data for activities funded
from the GPD grant to VA on at least a monthly basis. The completeness
and quality of grantee uploads into HMIS will be factored into the
evaluation of their grant performance.
The case management resource must not be used to duplicate or
replace activities that are funded from another source (refer to 2 CFR
200.405(c)-(d) for details about allocable costs). Also, the case
management resource must be maximized to provide case management

[[Page 7543]]

services to as many Veterans as possible, including those who are
transitioning to permanent housing from programs such as GPD or HCHV
CRS. One way to maximize the case management resource is to proactively
develop strong collaborations to fill in service gaps left by other
programs and to complement or enhance activities happening under other
programs. Keeping carefully documented records can demonstrate how a
grantee is distinguishing between duplication (unallowable) versus
complementation or enhancement (allowable). The following are examples
of how to collaborate with other programs to complement or enhance
activities while avoiding duplication:
<bullet> GPD's Bridge Housing model provides short-term
transitional housing for Veterans who have accepted a permanent housing
intervention but are not able to immediately enter their permanent
housing unit. Successful case management grants are deeply connected
with community providers who use the Bridge Housing model and are
prepared to provide housing navigation services (if not being provided
under the Bridge Housing grant) and to facilitate a warm handoff as the
Veteran enters permanent housing and becomes eligible for the case
management services.
[cir] For example, case management grantees could begin engagement
with Veterans discharged from Bridge Housing and placed in permanent,
non-VA-supported housing (in other words, a Veteran in permanent
housing that is not supported by the Department of Housing and Urban
Development- Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH)).
<bullet> GPD's Transition in Place (TIP) housing model offers
Veteran residents housing in which supportive services transition out
of the residence over time, rather than the resident. This allows the
Veteran to remain in the residence rather than being forced to find
other housing while stabilizing. Successful case management grants are
deeply connected with community providers who use the TIP housing model
and are prepared to provide case management after the Veteran assumes
the lease and completes the TIP services.
[cir] For example, case management grantees could begin engagement
with Veterans discharged from TIP and in permanent, non-VA-supported
housing.
<bullet> SSVF offers temporary financial assistance and supportive
services to Veterans entering permanent housing or residing in
permanent housing and at risk for homelessness. These Veterans are
ideal candidates for rich, time-limited case management services to
assist them in retaining stable housing. Successful case management
grantees maintain strong connections to SSVF programs in their area to
provide complementary (but not duplicative) case management services to
Veterans, where appropriate and needed to ensure the Veteran can
maintain permanent housing.
[cir] For example, case management grantees may potentially serve a
Veteran receiving SSVF Temporary Financial Assistance only.
Coordination with VA team members, such as the SSVF regional
coordinator or GPD liaison, should occur to ensure appropriate use of
the service.
<bullet> HUD-VASH provides supportive services to Veterans who have
received a HUD voucher. The supportive services assist Veterans in
retaining stable housing and in paying for permanent housing. GPD
encourages case management grantees to maintain relationships with VA
medical center Homeless Programs staff, to include HUD-VASH staff.
[cir] Typically, however, Veterans served by HUD-VASH have lifetime
access to case management services and will not likely be eligible to
be served by this grant. If the VA medical center HUD-VASH team is
unable to provide case management services to a Veteran in need,
grantees should reach out to their GPD liaison to discuss coordination
and ability to serve a Veteran in this instance.
[cir] GPD case management grantees have the option of participating
in the HUD-VASH GPD Collaborative Case Management (CCM) partnership if
the partnering VA medical center agrees. CCM is an opportunity for GPD
case managers to collaborate with their local VA medical facilities
HUD-VASH program to provide housing navigation and time-limited case
management services to lower acuity Veterans who are entering housing
via a HUD-VASH enrollment. CCM enhances and expedites HUD-VASH voucher
utilization by partnering with existing GPD case management services.
Veterans served by this collaboration must be eligible to receive
services through both programs. Much of the pre-housing work normally
performed by VA HUD-VASH staff shifts to the GPD CCM case manager. CCM
case managers may assist Veterans with searching for housing, obtaining
housing placements, utilizing a HUD-VASH voucher and receiving time-
limited case management services after placement in permanent housing.
After a Veteran is successfully in permanent housing, the GPD CCM case
manager provides 6 months of subsequent case management before
transferring the Veteran to the local VA HUD-VASH team for ongoing case
management services.
[cir] All applicants proposing to provide services through CCM must
demonstrate this within their application. Also:
[ssquf] Current GPD case management grantees who already are
approved to provide services through CCM, and who wish to continue
participating in CCM during the new award period, must include in the
application their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was
countersigned by the local VA medical facility director. For these
applicants, if they are selected for funding under this NOFO, a signed
grant agreement with a start date of October 1, 2023, constitutes
approval for continuing CCM in the new award period.
[ssquf] Applicants who are not current GPD case management
grantees, or who are not already approved to provide services through
CCM, may request written approval from the GPD National Program Office
to participate in CCM through the change of scope process after they
are selected for a case management grant under this NOFO. A signed case
management grant agreement, with a start date of October 1, 2023, does
not constitute approval for initiating CCM services. However, GPD will
use information provided in the application and through the change of
scope process after the case management grant is awarded to provide
written approvals for initiating CCM services.
A specific case management practice or model is not required for
GPD grants. Applicants must fully articulate within their application
any case management model they intend to employ and must demonstrate
that the skills, experience and training of the case manager(s) align
with the service delivery approach. For example, an applicant that
proposes to use the CTI case management model would demonstrate within
the application that their case manager(s) will have access to specific
CTI training and describe how the CTI model will work for their
specific project. Strong fidelity to the CTI model would include the
case managers' supervisor having a master's level clinical degree. CTI
resources are available online at <a href="https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/nchav/resources/interventions/critical-time-intervention.asp">https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/nchav/resources/interventions/critical-time-intervention.asp</a> and <a href="https://www.criticaltime.org/cti-model/">https://www.criticaltime.org/cti-model/</a>). Examples of other models for case
management are available at <a href="https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/nchav/resources/index.asp">https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/nchav/resources/index.asp</a> under

[[Page 7544]]

Interventions. However, all applicants must offer a Housing First, low
barrier, harm reduction approach to providing services to Veterans and
must have policies and procedures for maintaining low barriers and
high-quality engagement through the provision of case management
service. All applicants must demonstrate an ability to maximize the
case management resource at all stages of the housing retention
process, from referral to housing navigation, through the six months of
case management and including post-case management phasing out of
services.
Required Minimum Performance Metrics/Targets
VA has established performance metrics and targets for all
successful applicants. VA may, at its discretion, update these targets
at any point before or during the award period. If any new metrics or
targets come into effect, VA will notify grantees in writing.
<bullet> Caseload--A full-time equivalent position is expected to
manage an average monthly caseload of at least 16 Veterans in permanent
housing or in housing navigation.
<bullet> Permanent Housing--At least 90% of Veterans engaged in
case management services are expected to have retained permanent
housing at the time of exit from case management.

E. Authority

Funding applied for under this NOFO is authorized by 38 U.S.C.
2013.

F. Guidance for the Use of Funds

1. Funding applied for under this NOFO may be used to provide case
management services. Funding may not be used for capital costs, per
diem costs or the cost of operating transitional housing beds or
service centers for Veterans.
2. There is a six-month time limit for Veterans to receive case
management services (excluding housing navigation). However, VA may
approve a request to extend services beyond the six-month period if an
organization submits a request to VA in writing and if VA approves it
before the six-month time limit expires.
3. Applications do not have to include coverage for the entire VA
medical facility catchment area in the application. The coverage area
must not exceed the catchment area identified in the application.
4. Case management grant funding may be used for the following
purposes:
a. Providing funding for case management staff (for example,
salary, fringe benefits, professional development).
b. Training, education, licensing costs for case management staff.
c. Incidental costs related to supervising or mentoring the case
management staff (exclusive of supervisor salary costs).
d. Costs for organizational development related to case management
(for example, accreditation).
e. Providing transportation for the case manager(s) or the Veterans
they are working with to support housing navigation or other related
case management activities.
f. Providing case manager(s) with cell phones, headsets, computers,
tablets, printers and other incidentals needed to facilitate home
visits and other case management activities associated with the grant.
g. Providing case manager(s) or the Veterans they are working with
personal protective supplies, such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer,
disinfecting wipes and other incidentals for safety and health.
h. Providing office space and furniture for the use of the case
management staff or other necessary supplies, software and utilities.
i. HMIS participation fees and related staffing costs associated
with inputting data and monthly reporting (only if not available
through other means at no cost to the grant).
j. Limited non-cash incentives of up to $500 per Veteran engaged in
case management services are allowed for costs such as furniture,
household items, moving costs, disposable phone, groceries, clothing or
other items typically associated with independent living in permanent
housing. Incentives may not include cash, gift cards or items purchased
by the Veteran for reimbursement.
k. Costs for outreach activities directly related to the grant.
l. Indirect costs, as described in 2 CFR 200.412-415, are allowable
if supported by a Federally Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement
(NICRA) or if supported by a certification of de minimis indirect cost
rate declaring a rate of up to 10% of modified total direct costs as
described in 2 CFR 200.414. Otherwise, all requested costs must be
direct costs.
5. Applicants should ensure their funding requests are based on a
two-year total project period, divided into 1 year annual budget
periods. Include good faith estimated costs considering all available
information, such as reasonable cost of living increases, established
salary scale adjustments and variations in the projected numbers of
Veterans per year.
6. Funding restrictions:
a. Costs for temporary financial assistance or rent are not allowed
under this grant.
b. Costs for any other salaries, such as supervisor salary costs,
are not allowed.
c. Costs for capital improvements or to purchase vans or real
property. Vehicles, however, may be leased to facilitate required
transportation within the community. Costs for necessary gas, insurance
and maintenance are allowable.
7. Funds provided through this NOFO must not duplicate funding
provided by any other GPD or VA grants and must not duplicate or
replace funds from any Federal, State or local government agency or
program to assist homeless persons.
8. VA reserves the right to fund only those projects or portions of
projects based on the percentage of use by VA and based on the actual
need as determined by VA. Those activities deemed outside the scope of
this NOFO will not be funded.
9. Allowable costs are described for all Federal grants in 2 CFR
part 200 subpart E--Cost Principles. One factor affecting allowability
of costs is that costs must be treated consistently with the grantee's
normal written standards.

II. Award Information

A. Allocation of Funds

1. Under this NOFO approximately $15 million per year for 2 years
is available for grants to support time-limited case management
services to support Veterans in acquiring, reacquiring and maintaining
permanent housing.
2. To facilitate geographic dispersion, each applicant, as defined
by EIN, may submit no more than one application per VA medical facility
catchment area. Additionally, VA will fund up to two case management
grants per VA medical facility catchment area, in priority and rank
order. Additional selections may be considered, at VA's discretion, if
sufficient funding is available.
3. Funding is dependent upon factors such as need, geographic
dispersion, funding availability, the recipient meeting the performance
goals, statutory and regulatory requirements, as well as the results of
VA inspections or audits.
4. Depending on the quantity and quality of applications received
and the availability of funding, VA reserves the right to make
additional rounds of conditional selections from this NOFO to the
eligible pool of applicants. VA also reserves the right to negotiate
with

[[Page 7545]]

applicants, at any point, including prior to award, an upward or
downward adjustment to factors including but not limited to FTE
positions per catchment area, FTE positions per grant, services,
project period dates or dollars amounts including adjustments that
exceed the limits stated in this NOFO if needed to accomplish the
overall goals and objective.
5. All projects must be able to start serving Veterans as of
October 1, 2023. Failure to initiate services to Veterans and to meet
the minimum caseload requirements no later than 180 days after the
start of the award start date may indicate a failure to comply with the
terms and conditions of award. VA may impose specific conditions or
remedies for noncompliance, including termination of the grant, at any
point during the grant period (2 CFR 200.208, 200.339). Terminations
and other performance matters may impact future award decisions (2 CFR
200.206).

B. Funding Priorities

VA has established the following funding priorities.
<bullet> Priority 1: VA will place in the first funding priority
those applications from operational GPD-funded organizations that have
provided a written commitment to give up per diem only or special need
funding and convert their transitional housing to permanent housing.
Successful priority 1 applicants who received a GPD capital grant that
has met the minimum period of operation (refer to 38 CFR 61.67 for the
minimum period of operation) will be considered to have complied with
all terms of the grant, to include any applicable real property
disposition requirements. In order to obtain this priority,
organizations must provide documentation showing that their permanent
housing meets the housing quality standards established under section
42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(8)(B). Applicants wishing to be considered under
funding priority 1 must submit with their application a signed letter
on agency letterhead noting that, if selected for funding, the agency
withdraws from their currently operational GPD project and understands
that they will be held to normal closeout and post-closeout
requirements (see 2 CFR 200.344-345). This letter of commitment must be
provided as an attachment to the case management grant application. See
External Attachments section of the NOFO. Applications will be ranked
in score order within the funding priority.
<bullet> Priority 2: VA will place in the second funding priority
those applications from organizations that demonstrate a capability to
provide case management services, particularly organizations that are
successfully providing GPD transitional housing services using per diem
only or special need funding. Applications will be ranked in score
order within the funding priority. These applicants do not have to
submit a written commitment to give up per diem only or special need
funding and convert their transitional housing to permanent housing.
<bullet> Priority 3: VA will place in the third funding priority
those applications from other organizations without GPD transitional
housing grant experience that seek to provide time limited case
management to Veterans to support their acquiring, reacquiring and
maintaining permanent housing.
Applications will be ranked in score order within the funding
priority.

C. Award Period

VA anticipates that the grants will be for a period of up to two
years starting in FY 2024 on October 1, 2023 and ending September 30,
2025.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligibility

Any eligible entity may apply for funding. Current GPD grantee
organizations are eligible to apply. Applicants are not required to be
a current GPD grantee. An application is eligible for consideration if
it is complete, if it meets all the requirements stated in the NOFO and
is submitted by the date and time on the NOFO from an eligible entity
for eligible activities.
1. Eligible entity:
a. An entity is eligible to apply if it is a 501(c)(3) or
501(c)(19) nonprofit organization, State, local or Tribal government.
For purposes of this program, the term ``Tribal government'' means an
entity described in paragraph (2) of the definition of ``public
entity'' in 38 CFR 61.1.
b. An entity that is religious or faith-based is eligible, on the
same basis as any other organization to participate. Faith-based
organizations should refer to 38 CFR 61.64(b)-(g) for grant compliance
requirements.
c. Eligible entities may submit up to one application per EIN, per
VA medical center catchment area.
d. Successful applicants must maintain their status as 501(c)(3) or
501(c)(19) nonprofit organization, State, local or Tribal government.
e. Eligible entities must have an active registration in the System
for Award Management (SAM) and must maintain their active status
throughout the grant award period.
2. Eligible activities:
a. Projects that propose to support case management services to
assist Veterans in obtaining and retaining permanent housing are
eligible. See Definitions section, GPD Case Management section and
Guidance for the Use of Funds section of this NOFO for details about
case management and services.
b. Each application must propose at least 0.5 FTE position (at
least 20 hours on average per week). This NOFO does not establish a
maximum number of hours. Applicants must propose the number of hours
based on the number of Veterans estimated to be served, considering the
minimum caseload requirements established in the NOFO.
c. Each applicant must propose a two-year project period.
Applicants must not be out of compliance with any reporting
requirements or other requirements under any other GPD grant (for
example, outstanding SF-425 Federal Financial Report or outstanding
closeout requirements). Pursuant to 2 CFR 200.344(i), VA will publicly
report to the Federal Award and Performance Integrity and Information
System (FAPIIS) any organization whose reporting is not complete within
one year from the grant end date. GPD may decide not to provide a grant
under this NOFO to an organization who is out of compliance with
requirements under other VA or GPD grants.
Refer to the Award Information section for funding priorities.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

None.

IV. Application and Scoring Information

A. Content and Form of Application

The numbered questions below make up the Case Management
application that all applicants must complete. VA is seeking to focus
resources to assist Veterans with obtaining and retaining permanent
housing. Applicants must include all required documents in their
application submission. Submission of an incorrect, incomplete,
inconsistent, unclear or incorrectly formatted application package may
result in the application being rejected.
VA may make a reasonable effort to confirm or clarify information
in the application. VA reserves the right to consider ineligible or to
not select any application with inconsistent information or information
that cannot be readily confirmed or that leads to an unclear
understanding of the proposed project.

[[Page 7546]]

This NOFO cannot predict all potential circumstances. Applicants
are expected to propose plans within the requirements and guidance of
the NOFO. When a specific situation is not explicitly addressed in the
NOFO, applicants must use their judgment to propose plans that meet the
intent of the NOFO and may explain how their choices align with the
intent. All applications will be evaluated against the requirements and
guidance in the NOFO.
Organization Profile (Eligibility)
1. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).
2. Employer Identification Number (EIN).
3. Organization Name.
4. Organization Address (including city, state, postal code and
congressional district).
5. Indirect Cost Rate (percentage) and upload a copy of your
agency's NICRA that supports this rate or upload a copy of your
agency's certification of de minimis indirect cost rate. Note:
Applicants not requesting indirect costs as described in 2 CFR 200.414
are not required to upload anything here.
6. System for Award Management (SAM) expiration date. Note:
Applicants are required to be registered in SAM before submitting an
application and must maintain an active SAM registration with current
information at all times during which they have an active Federal award
or an application under consideration by a Federal awarding agency.
Refer to the Funding Actions section of the NOFO and 2 CFR part 25 for
more details.
Overview
7. Identify the funding priority for which this application is
being submitted (select one).
8. Amount requested (must match what is provided in the Budget
table section):
a. Year 1 total amount.
b. Year 2 total amount.
c. Combined 2-year total amount (i.e., 8a + 8b = 8c).
9. Station number of the VA medical facility whose catchment area
includes the proposed area to be served in this application (select
one).
10. Veterans Integrated Services Network (select one)
11. Continuum of Care (CoC) (select all that apply).
Application
12. Total number of hours per week grantee will provide services
under the GPD case management grant (one FTE = 40 labor hours per week;
minimum amount per application = 20 hours per week).
13. Number of case management staff members proposed to fill the
hours requested above.
14. Average number of Veterans to be served per FTE case manager
position per month (must be 16 or more Veterans).
15. Total number of Veterans to be served per FTE case manager
position annually.
16. Site address(es), city, state, zip code + four-digit extension,
county, congressional district (the location of the case manager(s)
office and where project records will be retained).
Abstract
17. In approximately 500 words, provide a brief abstract
introducing and summarizing the proposed project. Abstracts may
elaborate on information provided elsewhere and may provide necessary
context about the intent and impact of the project. As applicable,
include a discussion of multiple positions, multiple CoCs and other
information relevant to an understanding of the overall project.
Detailed Application Design
This is the portion of the application that describes the proposed
project. VA reviewers will score the application based on how the
detailed application design addresses the areas of need, project plan,
ability and coordination in relation to assisting Veterans to obtain
and retain permanent housing. VA expects successful applicants to
propose high quality staff who will provide a milieu of services for
Veterans. These sections are in compliance with 38 CFR part 61.
Reviewers will give consideration to how the application
demonstrates plans to maximize the case management resource. All
scores, including need and coordination scores, may be impacted by this
consideration. For example, applications that propose to participate in
CCM or that otherwise show access to a reliable referral stream of
potential Veteran participants, will be considered more responsive to
this NOFO than applications that do not demonstrate access to a
reliable referral stream.
Need (See 38 CFR 61.92(e))
When providing information to support the need for case management
services, keep in mind that case management services may not be
duplicative of the services provided under other programs but may work
in collaboration.
18. Need 1--In approximately 500 words, discuss the overall need
for this grant in your community. Responses must include community
level data and discussion that supports your assertions regarding need.
19. Need 2--In approximately 500 words, discuss how many eligible
Veterans your organization commits to serving. Include:
a. Explain how you determined the average number of Veterans to be
served per FTE case manager position per month and the total number of
Veterans to be served per FTE case manager position annually, as stated
in the Application section. (See GPD Case Management section for
minimum average monthly caseload expectations.)
b. Current GPD case management grantees must discuss the average
number of Veterans served per case manager under their current award
and the total number of Veterans served from October 1, 2021, through
September 30, 2022. Explain how this past experience informed the
current declared need for this proposed new grant.
Project Plan (See 38 CFR 61.92(c))
20. Project Plan 1--In approximately 500 words describe the
outreach, referral and acceptance process for case management services.
Responses must include all of the following:
a. Strategies your agency will employ to outreach to local
community providers (for example, HCHV, GPD) to engage Veterans in
services.
b. Your organization's involvement with the local coordinated entry
system and how this project fits into the system.
c. The minimum frequency and method of contact (home visit, video,
phone, etc.) each Veteran will have with their case manager. (See GPD
Case Management section for minimum average monthly caseload
expectations.)
21. Project Plan 2--In approximately 250 words, describe the
policies, procedures, admission criteria and strategies your
organization employs to ensure equity and nondiscrimination. VA is
committed to advancing equity and support for underserved and
underrepresented communities. VA requires all projects to be
nondiscriminatory and expects grantees to include strategies for
nondiscrimination of any individuals based on factors including but not
limited to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, gender
expression, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, pregnancy,
national origin, disability, age, genetic information, marital status,
parental status or political affiliation.
22. Project Plan 3--In approximately 750 words, describe your plans
for how, when, and by whom the progress of participants who are
receiving case

[[Page 7547]]

management services toward meeting their individual goals will be
monitored, evaluated and documented. Responses would include the
following:
a. Descriptions of the specific case management services that will
be provided to Veterans, such as housing navigation, landlord
engagement, home visits and financial management, and how these
supports will be individualized to assist Veterans in acquiring,
reacquiring and retaining housing.
b. A discussion of the case management model or approach your
agency will employ to facilitate successful retention of housing.
(Refer to the GPD Case Management section of the NOFO.)
c. How education will be provided to Veterans, as needed, in areas
including but not limited to tenant rights and responsibilities, rental
and lease agreements, landlord's rights and responsibilities, natural
supports and budgeting.
d. How Veterans will receive support in areas including but not
limited to increasing income, accessing benefits and gaining or
retaining employment. GPD encourages applicants to demonstrate an
awareness of and commitment to using the SSI/SSDI SOAR program.
e. How crisis intervention services will be used, as needed, to
promote the maintenance of permanent housing, access to medical care,
mental health or substance use disorder treatment.
23. Project Plan 4--For applicants not proposing to participate in
HUD-VASH CCM, this question is not applicable and applicants should
enter ``N/A.'' For applicants proposing to participate in HUD-VASH CCM,
in approximately 500 words, describe all of the following:
a. How your organization will receive referrals to serve Veterans
appropriate to this collaboration.
b. How your organization will ensure ongoing collaboration with the
local VA medical center partners.
c. Your organization's experience with housing searches.
d. How Veterans will be assessed for acuity and appropriateness for
this collaboration.
24. Project Plan 5--In approximately 500 words, describe your plans
that will result in accomplishing the proposed case management grant
project. Responses must include all of the following:
a. How your organization will incentivize Veteran engagement.
b. How Veterans will be periodically assessed to determine the need
for reduced or increased case management services.
c. How case management for each Veteran will be phased out over
time prior to termination of services. Reminder that according to 38
CFR 61.90(c), case management services are expected to be for up to six
months. Case-by-case extensions may be available if VA receives and
approves a written request for additional time before the six-month
time limit expires.
d. How your organization will incentivize recruitment and retention
of skilled case managers, for example through competitive salaries or
professional development.
25. Project Plan 6--In approximately 250 words, if your agency
plans to use any subrecipient(s) or contractor(s) for providing any of
the project the plan services discussed in this section, describe the
responsibilities of the subrecipient(s) or contractor(s). For each
subrecipient or contractor, include the name, EIN, UEI and activity to
be completed. Information provided here must align with that which is
provided in the Budget section. For applicants not proposing to use
subrecipients or contractors, this question is not applicable, and
applicants should enter ``N/A.''
Ability (See 38 CFR 61.92(d))
26. Ability 1--In approximately 500 words, describe your agency's
past performance with VA and non-VA projects. Responses must include
(as applicable):
a. Current GPD case management grantees must discuss their
performance under their case management award from October 1, 2021,
through September 30, 2022. Include how many Veterans were served, the
average length of time case management services were provided,
percentage of permanent housing retention or other performance results.
b. All applicants must discuss any current and past projects
pertaining to the activities proposed in this application, including
VA, non-VA, Federal, state, local and private grants or contracts and
how this experience demonstrates your agency's ability to successfully
execute the proposed project.
c. Include an explanation of any corrective action plans or
performance improvement activities your agency has undertaken and the
outcome(s).
d. Any accreditations your organization has related to case
management.
27. Ability 2--Complete the staffing plan table section of the
application for this project (see Example 1). Successful applicants
will be allowed to exceed the minimum standards during the grant period
without the need for written prior approval from the GPD National
Program Office, but they will not be allowed to reduce the standards.
Position descriptions for up to two key positions may be attached. Do
not include resumes.
Example 1:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount of
Hours per week Amount of salary, per
Job title (do not name specific Brief (1-2 sentence) allocated to annual salary job title, for
names) (agency, contractors, sub- description of Minimum required the GPD Number of FTE allocated to the full-time
contractors) responsibilities educational level project (40 the GPD equivalent
hours equals project per position(s)
full-time) year per year
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case manager....................... Responsible for working Bachelor's degree..... 60 1.5 $90,000 $60,000
with the Veteran to
develop and monitor an
individual service plan
and to adjust the plan as
needed. Coordinates
support with other
community agencies.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

28. Ability 3--In approximately 250 words, describe your agency's
ability to operationalize this project by October 1, 2023, in order to
begin enrolling Veterans as quickly as possible. Responses must
include:
a. A discussion of the start-up activities, the timing involved and
when the project will be fully operational.
b. An explanation of how your agency has already secured, or will
secure, the staffing and other resources needed for the proposed
services. Applicants should demonstrate an ability to maximize the case
management resources efficiently.
c. Your organization's experience working with landlords.

[[Page 7548]]

29. Ability 4--In approximately 750 words, provide information
about the proposed case management position(s). Be sure to describe
only the minimum standards that will be used for the position(s).
Successful applicants will be allowed to exceed the minimum standards
during the grant period, but they will not be allowed to reduce the
standards. Responses must include all of the following:
a. The minimum education, training, skills and prior experience
requirements. If identifying specific licenses or degrees required for
the position(s), list all acceptable credentials. (See Funding
Opportunity Description section for minimum requirements.
b. The resources that will be provided to the case manager(s) to
facilitate engagement with Veterans, such as vehicle, cell phone,
computer, or office space.
c. How the position(s) or hours will be adjusted if caseloads are
less than the minimum cited in the project plan section of the
application to ensure that caseloads return to average levels as soon
as possible and to maximize the position(s) or hours for allowable
activities during periods when caseloads are less than full.
d. The professional development that will be available to the case
manager(s), including but not limited to training, licensing,
supervision or mentoring.
e. How the case manager's knowledge and skills will be strengthened
through staff training and development, including but not limited to
suicide prevention, equity and inclusion.
f. How staff performance will be measured, reviewed and improved.
Coordination (See 38 CFR 61.92(g))
30. Coordination 1--In approximately 500 words, describe how your
agency, prior to submitting the application, coordinated directly with
relevant partners about the proposed project. Responses must include:
a. A description of coordination efforts with the VA medical
facility Director (or the appropriate authorized representative per the
local practice), with local SSVF and HUD-VASH grantees, with the local
CoC and with HCHV and GPD providers in the community who would
potentially be referring Veterans for case management services. Clearly
identify the points of coordination and discuss the outcome of past
coordination efforts.
b. How medical care, mental health and substance use care for
Veterans will be coordinated with external partners as needed.
c. If proposing a HUD-VASH GPD CCM partnership, include how CCM has
been or will be coordinated with the local VA medical facility HUD-VASH
team and with medical center leadership. Describe ongoing meetings and
communication plans that will ensure coordination between VA and your
organization. Current GPD case management grantees who already are
approved to provide services through CCM must include in the
application their MOU, countersigned by the local VA medical facility,
if they wish to continue participating in CCM during the new award
period. Other applicants who are proposing CCM may attach a letter of
coordination to demonstrate discussions prior to applying and if
selected for a grant, full documentation will be required as part of
the change of scope process prior to being approved for CCM
participation. (CCM information is available on the GPD provider
website at <a href="https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/GPD_Providerwebsite.asp">https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/GPD_Providerwebsite.asp</a>.)
Letters of coordination from the VA medical facility, CoC or other
partners are not required but may be provided and may help substantiate
information included in the application (see the External Attachments
section at the end of the application). Applicants are strongly
encouraged to allow as much time as possible, but no less than 30 days,
for letters of coordination. All application materials must be
submitted together in a single package by the due date and time
indicated in this NOFO. Any materials arriving separately or late will
not be accepted as part of the application.
Note: VA reserves the right to confirm with local VA medical
facility staff or others any information related to an application. If
information cannot be confirmed or if discrepancies are identified, VA
reserves the right to adjust award decisions, to not select the
application, to consider other application(s) in rank order or to make
other remedies as appropriate.
Budget
In addition to the part of the application that is scored (the
Detailed Application Design section), this part of the application
(Budget) is not scored but is required for an application to be
considered complete. Information provided may impact award decisions,
for example award amounts or specific conditions of award. Applications
that are not complete may be rejected at threshold and not be
considered for award.
31. Budget Table--Applicants must complete the itemized detailed
budget table section of the application.
Example 2:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year 1 Year 2 Total Notes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salary
Fringe Benefits
Transportation
Phone, Computer, and misc IT
Office Space
HMIS
Veteran Incentives (see limit)
Other
Indirect costs
TOTAL
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Budget Narrative--In approximately 250 words, describe how you
calculated the costs of services and staffing proposed in the
application. The Budget Narrative must thoroughly and clearly describe
every category of expense listed in the Budget Table. The narrative
must be mathematically sound and correspond with the information and
figures provided in the Budget Table and in the Application for Federal
Assistance (SF-424). The narrative must explain how all costs are
estimated and calculated and how they are relevant to the completion of
the proposed project. As with the Budget Table, the Budget Narrative
must be broken down by year. If applicable, identify the amount(s) and
source(s) of other funding (aside from the funding requested in this
application) that would be used to

[[Page 7549]]

support project costs. Explain how other funding, if any, impacted the
cost calculations for the activities proposed in this application. The
narrative must demonstrate an understanding of and compliance with the
guidelines in the NOFO, 38 CFR part 61, Federal cost principles (2 CFR
part 200 subpart E) and other applicable funding requirements.
a. If an applicant plans to provide pass-through funding to a
subrecipient or to a contractor, the applicant must discuss cost
calculations, including indirect costs, for each subrecipient or
contractor. Applicants must comply with Subrecipient Monitoring and
Management requirements in 2 CFR 200.331-333. Information provided here
must align with that which is provided in the Project Plan section.
b. See the Guidance for the Use of Funds section for details about
indirect costs. Information provided here must align with that which is
provided in the Organization Profile section.
32. Assessment of Management Systems--In approximately 150 words,
and as authorized under 2 CFR 200.206(b), provide a description of your
organization's financial stability, the quality of management systems,
your ability to meet the management standards described in 2 CFR
200.300-309 and 38 CFR 61.66 and your ability to effectively implement
statutory, regulatory or other requirements imposed on non-Federal
entities. Applicants who have received training on Federal grants
management practices or who have registered for such training to happen
in the near future may include the dates, titles and providers of the
training.
Organization Leadership
33. Complete the organization leadership table. At minimum, this
table must include the positions with the following titles or
equivalent titles: Executive Director, Chief Financial Officer and
Project Manager. The table also must include a complete list of the
current Board of Directors. For each position, include name, title,
phone number and email address. See also Conflicts of Interest section.
Example 3:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name Title Phone number Email address
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thi Nguyen....................... Executive Director.. 111-222-3333 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8de8e0ece4e1cdece9e9ffe8fefea3e2ffea">[email&#160;protected]</a>.
Anisa Osman...................... Chief Financial 111-222-3333 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5c39313d35301c3d38382e392f2f72332e3b">[email&#160;protected]</a>.
Officer.
Marco Aguilar.................... Project Officer..... 111-222-3333 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3a5f575b53567a5b5e5e485f49491455485d">[email&#160;protected]</a>.
Angel Banmeke.................... Chair, Board of 111-222-3333 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#51343c30383d11303535233422227f3e2336">[email&#160;protected]</a>.
Directors.
Lei Yang......................... Treasurer, Board of 111-222-3333 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#147179757d7854757070667167673a7b6673">[email&#160;protected]</a>.
Directors.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

External Attachments
When submitting an attachment in spreadsheet or table format,
applicants are encouraged to convert to portable document format (PDF)
prior to submission.Applicants who submit materials in PDF are
encouraged to submit a native PDF (a machine-readable PDF, not an image
only or a scanned PDF), if possible.
34. Applicants may provide required and optional materials as
attachments, including:
a. SF-424. (required)
b. Letter(s) of coordination. (optional)
c. Position descriptions for up to two key positions may be
attached. Do not include resumes. (optional)
d. Priority 1 letter. (required for those applying under priority
1)
e. CCM MOU. (required for CCM applicants who are current GPD
grantees already approved for CCM)
f. Other. (optional)
Standard Form (SF)
Provide as an attachment the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
SF-424. The SF-424 must be signed by a person at the applicant
organization who is authorized to make legal commitments on behalf of
the organization. The signature on the SF-424 must be digital or must
be a wet-ink signature. A blank signature field or a ``signature'' that
is manually typed will not be accepted. VA reserves the right to
communicate with an applicant, as needed, prior to making threshold
decisions. A signature on the SF-424 indicates the applicant agrees to
comply with all SF-424B Non-Construction Assurances and terms and
conditions of award. Applicants do not need to submit the SF-424B with
the application. Instead, the applicant agrees to the assurances by
maintaining an active registration in SAM. Applicants must submit proof
of SAM registration upon submission of their application and, if
awarded the grant, applicants should maintain an active SAM account for
the duration of the grant period as a continuing condition of
eligibility. For awareness, however, applicants may refer to the GPD
website for a list of assurances and for a sample standard terms and
conditions of award.
Certifications
35. By signing and submitting this application for Federal
assistance, I agree to the following:
a. The applicant commits to engaging in the local coordinated entry
process and the by-name list, as appropriate.
b. The applicant commits to using HMIS to document GPD grant
services.
c. The applicant commits to having written standard operating
procedures on conflicts of interest (see Conflicts of Interest
section).
d. The applicant commits to ensuring staff supported by grant funds
are trained annually regarding suicide prevention and commits to having
written standard operating procedures on suicide prevention developed
in consultation with the local VA medical center.
e. The applicant commits to ensuring staff supported by grant funds
are trained annually regarding equity and inclusion and commits to
having written standard operating procedures on nondiscrimination of
any individuals based on factors including but not limited to race,
color, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sex
characteristics, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin,
disability, age, genetic information, marital status, parental status
or political affiliation.
f. The applicant organization commits to complying with all
applicable requirements for the grant including but not limited to 38
CFR part 61, 2 CFR part 200, Federal cost principles, terms and
conditions of award, requirements in the NOFO, performance measures and
reporting requirements.
g. The applicant does not have any past due SF-425 Federal
Financial Report (FFR) or any other outstanding requirement under any
GPD grant.

B. Scoring

Applications will be scored according to the number of points
available for each section as stated in 38 CFR 61.92.

V. Review and Selection Process

A. Application Review

An applicant must meet the initial threshold review requirements of
38 CFR 61.92(a). Applications must be submitted on time, in the correct
format,

[[Page 7550]]

be complete, from an eligible entity and for eligible activities. Not
meeting these criteria may result in the application being rejected at
threshold and not being considered for award.
Applications that meet threshold will be scored. VA may use
historical program documents of past performance, both VA and non-VA,
including those from other Federal, State and local agencies as well as
audits by private or public entities in determining scores.
Applications will be ranked in score order by funding priority as
described in 38 CFR 61.94. Applications in priority 1 that receive the
minimum score to be eligible for selection will be considered in score
order before applications in priority 2 are considered, etc. VA will
select up to two case management grants per VA medical facility
catchment area, in priority and rank order. Additional selections may
be considered, at VA's discretion, until available funding is
exhausted. If VA determines that an application was received under the
wrong priority, VA reserves the right to consider the application
ineligible. VA also reserves the right to consider such application
under the correct priority, or under priority three, if the application
otherwise meets the threshold criteria.
Reviewers will give consideration to how the application
demonstrates plans to maximize the case management resource.

B. Application Selection

The rating and selection process may be found at 38 CFR 61.92-94.
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 as described earlier.
Depending on factors such as the quantity and quality of
applications received and the availability of funding, VA reserves the
right to make additional rounds of conditional selections from this
NOFO to the eligible pool of applicants, to reduce the number of hours
awarded or to take other actions as appropriate. VA reserves the right
to negotiate with applicants as needed to accomplish the overall goals
and objective. Consistent with 2 CFR 200.206(b), VA evaluates risk
posed by applicants at any time pre-award or post-award. Special
conditions, adjustments or remedies corresponding to the degree of risk
may be applied to an award (2 CFR 200.206, 200.208, 200.339). Risk
evaluations may include but are not limited to an evaluation of the
applicant's eligibility, the quality of its application, the needs of
the community, the organization's financial stability, management
systems and standards, the history of performance, the status of Single
Audit reports, an ability to effectively implement requirements, the
status of any VA or other Federal debt and the findings of any VA
fiscal reviews.
Tie Score
In the event of a tie score between applications, VA will determine
at its discretion how to handle selection decisions (for example,
selecting multiple applications for award, awarding for less than
requested, or reducing hours). VA will consider the intent of this NOFO
to fund case managers to assist vulnerable Veterans in retaining their
permanent housing. VA's discretionary funding decisions are final.
Funding Actions
VA will provide funding to all eligible applicants in score order
as described in this NOFO until eligible applications or funding is
exhausted. Funding is not guaranteed. Conditionally selected applicants
may be asked to submit additional information. Applicants will be
notified of the deadline to submit such information. If an applicant is
unable to meet any conditions for the grant award within the specified
time, VA may non-select the applicant and may use the funding for
another applicant(s). VA may negotiate arrangements with conditionally
selected applicants and will incorporate any changes into the grant
agreement. Prior to awarding a grant agreement, VA reserves the right
to make upward or downward adjustments to factors including but not
limited to hours, FTE positions, services, project period dates or
dollars amounts, including adjustments that exceed the limits of the
NOFO, as needed within the intent of this NOFO. Adjustments may be
based on a variety of factors including the quantity and quality of
applications, the needs of the community, 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 SAM requirements. Applicants may refer to 2 CFR part
200, 2 CFR part 25 and <a href="http://www.sam.gov">www.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 may use that determination as a basis for making an
award to another applicant. VA may elect to negotiate an increase to
another conditionally selected applicant(s), to award additional
applications, to publish another funding opportunity or to take other
actions based on factors such as the availability of funds and quality
of applications. Signature of the grant agreement by the Secretary, or
designated representative, indicates final selection is completed and
the grant funds will be obligated for the funding period.

VI. Award Administration Information

A. Award Notice

Although subject to change, the GPD National Program Office expects
to announce grant awards around the fourth quarter of FY 2023 (July-
September 2023). The initial announcement will be made through a news
release which will be posted on the GPD program website at <a href="http://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp">www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp</a>. VA anticipates that the grants will be for a period
of two years. Continuation funding is not guaranteed. VA reserves the
right in any year to make adjustments to funding levels, services,
performance targets, dates or otherwise as needed within the intent of
the NOFO based on a variety of factors including availability of
funding and performance.
GPD will notify both 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 the grant
award. Other notices, letters or announcements are not authorizing
documents. Applicants may incur eligible project costs up to 90
calendar days before the start of the award without written prior
approval (2 CFR 200.308(e)(1)). Any costs incurred before VA makes the
award are at the applicant's risk. VA is not required to reimburse such
costs if for any reason the applicant does not receive a Federal award,
if the costs are determined to be unallowable or if the Federal award
is less than anticipated or inadequate to cover such costs (see also 2
CFR 200.458).
The grant agreement includes terms and conditions of award. Sample
terms and conditions are available on the GPD website at <a href="https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp">https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp</a>, including

[[Page 7551]]

requirements such as prohibition on covered telecommunications and
video surveillance services or equipment (2 CFR 200.216), debarment and
suspension (2 CFR part 180), as well as integrity and performance
reporting (2 CFR part 200 appendix XII).
The applicant's signature on the SF-424, including electronic
signature, constitutes a binding offer by the applicant and constitutes
agreement to the terms and conditions. VA may elect to award funds with
or without discussions with the applicant. Applicants may review GPD's
general terms and conditions of award at any time on the GPD website at
<a href="https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp">https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp</a>.
VA may obligate funding for the entire grant period at the time of
award or may provide funding in annual increments. Conditionally
selected applicants will be informed by way of the grant agreement.
Monthly reimbursements will be issued to grantees based on costs
incurred. Awards under this NOFO are dependent on funding availability
and program authorization. Future years may be impacted by factors such
as carry forward amounts, performance, caseloads, risk assessment or
organizational financial stability and management standards. At any
time during the grant, VA reserves the right to make upward or downward
adjustments to factors including but not limited to FTE positions,
services, project period dates or dollar amounts including adjustments
that exceed the limits stated in this NOFO as appropriate to accomplish
the overall goals and objective.

B. Administrative and National Policy

VA places great emphasis on responsibility and accountability. VA
has procedures in place to monitor grants provided under this NOFO.
Federal funding must be expended, and grant projects must be
implemented, in full accordance with the U.S. Constitution, Federal law
and public policy requirements, including, but not limited to, those
protecting free speech, religious liberty, public welfare, the
environment and prohibiting discrimination (2 CFR 200.300(a)).
Grantees are responsible for complying with all requirements of the
Federal award. For all Federal awards this includes the provisions of
the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act, which includes
requirements on executive compensation, and other requirements found at
2 CFR parts 25 and 170. Grantees and their employees also are subject
to the whistleblower rights and remedies established in 41 U.S.C. 4712.
Conflicts of Interest
Consistent with 2 CFR 200.112, grantees must disclose in writing
any potential conflict of interest to the Federal awarding agency or
pass-through entity immediately and no less frequently than annually
thereafter.
The conflict-of-interest guidance for general procurement standards
(2 CFR 200.318) will be applied to other grant actions beyond
procurement actions. Specifically, grantees must maintain written
standards of conduct covering conflicts of interest and governing the
actions of its employees or other personnel engaged in activities
funded from the GPD grant, such as the selection, award and
administration of a contract supported by a Federal grant, if they have
a real or apparent conflict of interest. Such a conflict of interest
would arise when the employee, officer, agent, any member of the
immediate family, a partner or an organization which employs or is
about to employ any of the parties indicated herein, has a financial or
other interest in or a tangible personal benefit from a firm considered
for a contract. The officers, employees and agents of the grantee
organization may neither solicit nor accept gratuities, favors or
anything of monetary value from contractors or parties to subcontracts.
However, grantees may set standards for situations in which the
financial interest is not substantial, or the gift is an unsolicited
item of nominal value. The standards of conduct must provide for
disciplinary actions to be applied for violations of such standards.
Suicide Prevention
Grantees must ensure staff supported by grant funds are trained
annually regarding suicide prevention and how to address situations in
which Veterans demonstrate suicidal ideation. Standard operating
procedures are to be developed on suicide prevention in consultation
with your local VA medical facility. VA training is available at
<a href="https://www.va.gov/EMPLOYEEEDUCATION/ees_vha_train.asp">https://www.va.gov/EMPLOYEEEDUCATION/ees_vha_train.asp</a>. Suicide
Prevention Coordinator (for in-person training) locator is available at
<a href="https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/local-resources">https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/local-resources</a>.
Equity and Inclusion
Grantees must ensure staff supported by grant funds are trained
annually regarding equity and inclusion. Standard operating procedures
are to be developed on nondiscrimination of any individuals based on
factors including but not limited to race, color, religion, sex, gender
identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, sexual orientation,
pregnancy, national origin, disability, age, genetic information,
marital status, parental status or political affiliation. VA training
is available at <a href="https://www.va.gov/EMPLOYEEEDUCATION/ees_vha_train.asp">https://www.va.gov/EMPLOYEEEDUCATION/ees_vha_train.asp</a>.

C. Payment

1. Under this NOFO, VA will make payments in a method consistent
with VA policy and other Federal fiscal requirements. Payments are only
for allowable costs, as specified under OMB cost principles for grants,
for the activities outlined in this NOFO. All payment specifics will be
given to the grantee at the time of award. Grantees are subject to
requirements of this NOFO, 2 CFR part 200, 38 CFR part 61 and other
Federal grant requirements. A full copy of the regulations governing
the GPD program is available at the GPD website at <a href="http://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp">www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp</a>. Grantees are required to maintain internal records supporting
their request for payments with adequate fiscal documentation,
including caseload, program income and expenses. GPD reserves the right
to review grantee's documentation as needed.
2. Grantees will receive payments electronically through the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Payment Management
System. Grantees will have the ability to request payments as
frequently as they choose subject to the following limitations:
a. During the first quarter of each annual budget period, the
grantee's cumulative requests for funds may not exceed 35% of the
annual grant award amount without written prior approval by VA.
b. By the end of the second quarter of each annual budget period,
the grantee's cumulative requests for funds may not exceed 60% of the
annual grant award amount without written prior approval by VA.
c. By the end of the third quarter of each annual budget period,
the grantee's cumulative requests for funds may not exceed 80% of the
annual grant award amount without written prior approval by VA.
d. By the end of the fourth quarter of each annual budget period,
the grantee's cumulative requests for funds may not exceed 100% of the
annual grant award.
3. If applicable, grantees with unobligated balances may, with
approval from the GPD National Program Office, carry forward such
unobligated balances. If applicable, at

[[Page 7552]]

VA's discretion, a future budget period amount may be subject to
reductions. Reductions are permanent and not restorable. Reductions
will be calculated based on the amount of the unobligated balance shown
in the HHS Payment Management System by the third quarter of each year.
VA may calculate reductions with or without input from grantees.
Grantees are advised to stay current with reimbursements from the
payment system in order to avoid the appearance of inaccurately high
unobligated balances.
4. VA will make payments to reimburse amounts expended (38 CFR
61.61(b)). Advance payments are not provided to GPD grantees. Grantees
must maintain written procedures to minimize the time elapsing between
drawing down funds from the Federal government and disbursing the funds
for grant costs. Also, grantees must maintain financial management
systems that meet the standards for fund control and accountability as
established in 2 CFR 200.305. Payments drawn must be limited to the
minimum amounts needed and be timed in accordance with actual and
immediate cash requirements of the grantee in carrying out the purpose
of the approved project. The timing and amount of payments must be as
close as is administratively feasible to the actual disbursements by
the grantee for direct project costs and the proportionate share of any
allowable indirect costs. Typically, ``immediate'' means within three
business days, as articulated by HHS: <a href="https://pms.psc.gov/grant-recipients/funding-request-formula.html">https://pms.psc.gov/grant-recipients/funding-request-formula.html</a>.
5. Per-item cost documentation:
a. At any time, including prior to payment, VA reserves the right
to request documentation for any item of cost.
b. Grantees are advised to keep careful records, including
documentation of cost calculations, such as itemized invoices, and of
cost reasonableness.
c. Grantees are advised to keep documentation of having secured any
voluntary leveraged funding from other sources if applicable.

D. Program Evaluation

1. Grantees will participate in VA's national project monitoring
and evaluation to determine successful outcomes. Each grantee's
performance will be measured against established performance targets.
For the targets associated with each metric, refer to the Required
Minimum Performance Targets/Metrics section of the NOFO.
2. Grantees that do not meet the performance measures or who
otherwise perform or appear to perform less than satisfactorily (for
example, as a result of a risk assessment or due to information
regarding the organization's financial stability or management
standards) may be subject to additional conditions of award. Additional
conditions may include but are not limited to increased reporting or
monitoring, reductions, withholding, suspension, termination or other
remedies for non-compliance at VA's discretion.
3. VA reserves the right to add, remove or change, at any time
prior to or during the award period the performance measures, targets,
number of FTE positions, hours, services, caseload requirements, grant
payment amounts, payment schedule or other grant requirements.
4. VA's overall performance for all grants funded from this NOFO
will be measured against the same criteria and targets used for each
grant.

E. Monitoring and Reporting

1. Monitoring
a. Grantees will work with a GPD liaison from a nearby VA medical
facility who will provide oversight and monitoring.
b. The maximum length of time the Veteran is expected to be in the
project is 6 months (excluding housing navigation). Grantees will
consult with the liaison prior to the end of the 6-month period if
considering an extension in exceptional cases. The liaison may consider
approving extensions of up to six additional months at a time.
c. Grantees may not make significant changes to a project after a
grant is awarded without prior approval from the GPD National Program
Office.
d. Grantees may request prior written approval from GPD to
participate in the CCM collaboration during the grant project period.
Interested grantees must submit a change of scope request. (CCM
information is available on the GPD provider website at https://
www.va.gov/HOMELESS/GPD_ProviderWebsite.asp.) Grantees who were already
approved for CCM under a previous GPD case management grant, and who
demonstrated an intent to continue CCM in the FY 2024 application, do
not need to request written prior approval through the change of scope
process. Other grantees who proposed CCM participation in the FY 2024
application or who wish to propose participation after award, must
receive prior written approval from the GPD National Program Office.
e. VA reserves the right to disallow costs for services provided by
the grantee if VA determines that they are of unacceptable quality in
which case grant funds may not be used to pay for them.
f. Grantees are responsible for monitoring and managing their
subrecipients if applicable (2 CFR 200.331-333).
g. All grantees are subject to fiscal reviews and audits conducted
by VA or its representative.
h. Monitoring may include a review of the agency's income and
expenses as they relate to this project to ensure payment is accurate
and to ensure compliance with program requirements.
2. Reporting
a. Performance reporting:
i. Monthly HMIS reports: Grantees will enter data into HMIS, such
as information on participants served, types of services provided and
participant outcomes. Client-level data for activities funded under
this grant must be exported and provided to VA monthly.
ii. Quarterly reviews: Quarterly reviews will be conducted by VA of
each grantee. At minimum, grantees will provide information on their
performance and their progress helping Veterans maintain housing
stability, adequate income support and self-sufficiency as identified
in the application. Grantees also may be required to provide
information on financial and management activities to ensure compliance
with Federal and VA requirements. The grantee will be expected to
demonstrate adherence to the proposed project concept, as described in
the application, as well as requirements defined by the regulations and
this NOFO.
b. Financial reporting:
i. Quarterly GPD Case Management Requirement: The quarterly
requirement is a financial report that is required to be submitted 30
days after the end of each FY quarter via the online electronic grants
management system (eGMS). Instructions are on the GPD provider website
at https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/GPD_ProviderWebsite.asp.
ii. Annual SF-425 FFR: An annual FFR is required to be submitted no
later than 120 days of the end of each grant year (no later than
January 31). Grantees who do not submit on time are subject to being
withheld from receiving payments temporarily pending receipt of the
report. An FFR form is available on the GPD provider website at https:/
/www.va.gov/HOMELESS/GPD_ProviderWebsite.asp or on <a href="http://www.grants.gov">www.grants.gov</a>.
Instructions for submission also are on the GPD provider website.

[[Page 7553]]

c. Option year reporting: For any multi-year grants funded in
annual increments, grantees will be given instructions about any annual
reporting requirements prior to each option year. Annual reporting may
include, but is not limited to:
i. A list of your organization's leadership, such as Board of
Directors and Executive Officers, is updated in eGMS annually.
ii. An updated NICRA or de minimis certification is attached in
eGMS annually (if needed).
iii. Your organization's <a href="http://SAM.gov">SAM.gov</a> registration is updated annually.
iv. Any conflicts of Interest are disclosed to GPD annually.
v. Training for staff regarding suicide prevention is provided
annually.
vi. Training for staff regarding equity and inclusion is provided
annually.
vii. Any required SF-425 FFRs have been submitted to VA for all GPD
grants.
viii. Your organization is up to date on any actions required by an
A-133 Single Audit or a VA-specific fiscal review (e.g., a fiscal
review of GPD or SSVF grants conducted by VA's Office of Business
Oversight).
ix. Your organization does not have an outstanding GPD, VA or
Federal debt.
x. Your organization continues to meet the management standards
described in 2 CFR part 200 and 38 CFR part 61 and continues to be able
to effectively implement statutory, regulatory and other requirements
imposed on grantees (per requirements such as 2 CFR 200.206(b)(2)).
3. Closeout
a. A final SF-425 FFR is due within 120 days of the grant end date.
Grantees who do not comply are subject to public reporting for material
failure to comply with the terms of the award on the Federal websites,
FAPIIS and SAM (per 2 CFR 200.344).
b. Grantees must promptly refund any balances of unobligated
funding that are not authorized to be retained. Any funds paid to the
grantee in excess of the amount to which the grantee is finally
determined to be entitled under the terms of the Federal award
constitute a debt to the Federal Government (2 CFR 200.346).
c. Refer to the terms and conditions of the grant agreement for
other closeout requirements and ongoing requirements after closeout, to
include audits and records retention. Applicants may refer to the GPD
website for a sample of the standard terms and conditions of award.

Signing Authority

Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, approved this
document on January 27, 2023, 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.

Luvenia Potts,
Regulation Development Coordinator, Office of Regulation Policy &
Management, Office of the Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2023-02341 Filed 2-2-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P

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