Stand Down Grant Requests for Fiscal Years 2014 through 2016 Justification

Generic Solicitation for Grant Applications

Control Number 1225-0086

Stand Down Grant Requests for Fiscal Years 2014 through 2016

Abstract:

This request seeks OMB approval for the unique information collections contained in the Stand Down Grant Requests for Fiscal Years 2014 through 2016. The grants help homeless veterans attain meaningful civilian employment. Authority to support such events is in 38 U.S.C. section 2021, which provides that the “Secretary of Labor shall conduct, directly or through grant or contract, such programs as the Secretary determines appropriate to provide job training, counseling, and placement services (including job readiness and literacy and skills training) to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor force.” A Stand Down is a local community event where homeless veterans are provided a wide variety of services and incentives. Stand Down funding is provided in the form of non-competitive grants that are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until available funding is exhausted. The Veterans’ Employment Training Service anticipates to award $600,000 to 70 grants in each of the three Federal fiscal years covered by this solicitation. Awards will be made for a maximum of $10,000 per multi-day event, which is up to three days, or $7,000 per one-day event.

Applicants must provide a program narrative clearly stating the need for the Stand Down. The narrative must detail the geographical area to be served and the estimated number of homeless veterans to be served. The narrative must explain the role of the DVOP specialist or other American Job Center (AJC) staff and include a timeline for completion of all Stand Down event activities. The timeline must clearly indicate critical dates in the planning, execution, and follow-up process. If applicable, the timeline will demonstrate the need to draw down awarded funding in advance of the event date with the purpose and date of the funding need. The timeline must include the date the post-event report is due to the DVET (30 days following the end of the Federal fiscal quarter in which the Stand Down was held).

Applicants must also provide a detailed description of each planned expenditure listed on the SF 424A. The description should describe or indicate the methodology used to determine the cost estimates such as price per quantity, if the item will be purchased or rented, and whether the items will be utilized by the homeless veteran participants, other homeless participants or assist the volunteer(s) at the event. Budget narratives must clearly itemize all expenditures.

Furthermore applicant must provide letters of support, particularly from the local AJC and/or DVOP specialists, VA, Department of Housing and Urban Development or the local Continuum of Care, VSOs, State and local government agencies, local businesses, and local non-profit organizations including community-based and faith-based organizations. Letters clearly stating that the DVOP specialist(s) will actively provide employment services at the Stand Down must be provided.

Finally, if applicable, a grantee must provide a copy of the Internal Revenue Service documentation indicating approval of non-profit status, for example: 501(c)(3), 501(c)(19).

Electronic availability:

This grant solicitation is available on the grants.gov web site. Based on past Department of Labor (DOL) experience, the Department anticipates 60 percent of responses will be submitted electronically.

Small Entities:

This information collection will not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities.

Assurances of confidentiality:

These grant solicitations do not offer applicants assurances of confidentiality.

Special circumstances:

This information collection does not implicate any special circumstances referenced in 5 CFR 1320.5.

Burden:

Based on prior competitions under the program, the DOL expects to receive approximately 5 applications from an equal number of respondents. Public reporting burden for the information collection is estimated to average 20 hours per response for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

90 applications x 20 hours = 1,800 hours.

The DOL has increased the August 2013, average hourly earnings in the professional and business services industry of $28.51 by 40 percent (total $39.91) to monetize this burden. See The Employment Situation—October 2013, DOL, Bureau of Labor Statistics, http://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/empsit_11082013.pdf at 33.

1,800 hours x $39.91 = $71,838.

The DOL associates no other burden costs with this information collection.

Total burden: 90 respondents, 90 responses, 1,800 hours, $0 other cost burden.

Supporting Statement B; Statistical Methods

This information collection does not employ statistical methods.

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