§ 3056l. Competitive requirements relating to grant awards
(a)
Program authorized
(1)
Initial approval of grant applications
From the funds available for national grants under section
3056d
(d) of this title, the Secretary shall award grants under section
3056
(b) of this title to eligible applicants, through a competitive process that emphasizes meeting performance requirements, to carry out projects under this subchapter for a period of 4 years, except as provided in paragraph (2). The Secretary may not conduct a grant competition under this subchapter until the day described in section
3056k
(e) of this title.
(2)
Continuation of approval based on performance
If the recipient of a grant made under paragraph (1) meets the expected levels of performance described in section
3056k
(d)(2)(A) of this title for each year of such 4-year period with respect to a project, the Secretary may award a grant under section
3056
(b) of this title to such recipient to continue such project beyond such 4-year period for 1 additional year without regard to such process.
(c)
Criteria
For purposes of subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall select the eligible applicants to receive grants based on the following:
(1)
The applicant’s ability to administer a project that serves the greatest number of eligible individuals, giving particular consideration to individuals with greatest economic need, individuals with greatest social need, and individuals described in subsection (a)(3)(B)(ii) or (b)(2) of section
3056p of this title.
(2)
The applicant’s ability to administer a project that provides employment for eligible individuals in the communities in which such individuals reside, or in nearby communities, that will contribute to the general welfare of the communities involved.
(3)
The applicant’s ability to administer a project that moves eligible individuals into unsubsidized employment.
(4)
The applicant’s prior performance, if any, in meeting core measures of performance and addressing additional indicators of performance under this subchapter and the applicant’s ability to address core indicators of performance and additional indicators of performance under this subchapter and under other Federal or State programs in the case of an applicant that has not previously received a grant under this subchapter.
(5)
The applicant’s ability to move individuals with multiple barriers to employment, including individuals described in subsection (a)(3)(B)(ii) or (b)(2) of section
3056p of this title, into unsubsidized employment.
(6)
The applicant’s ability to coordinate activities with other organizations at the State and local level.
(7)
The applicant’s plan for fiscal management of the project to be administered with funds received in accordance with this section.
(d)
Responsibility tests
(1)
In general
Before final selection of a grantee, the Secretary shall conduct a review of available records to assess the applicant’s overall responsibility to administer Federal funds.
(2)
Review
As part of the review described in paragraph (1), the Secretary may consider any information, including the applicant’s history with regard to the management of other grants.
(3)
Failure to satisfy test
The failure to satisfy a responsibility test with respect to any 1 factor that is listed in paragraph (4), excluding those listed in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of such paragraph, does not establish that the applicant is not responsible unless such failure is substantial or persists for 2 or more consecutive years.
(4)
Test
The responsibility tests include review of the following factors:
(A)
Unsuccessful efforts by the applicant to recover debts, after 3 demand letters have been sent, that are established by final agency action, or a failure to comply with an approved repayment plan.
(B)
Established fraud or criminal activity of a significant nature within the organization or agency involved.
(C)
Serious administrative deficiencies identified by the Secretary, such as failure to maintain a financial management system as required by Federal rules or regulations.
(E)
Failure to provide services to participants for a current or recent grant or to meet applicable core measures of performance or address applicable indicators of performance.
(F)
Failure to correct deficiencies brought to the grantee’s attention in writing as a result of monitoring activities, reviews, assessments, or other activities.
(G)
Failure to return a grant closeout package or outstanding advances within 90 days of the grant expiration date or receipt of the closeout package, whichever is later, unless an extension has been requested and granted.
(J)
Failure to have maintained effective cash management or cost controls resulting in excess cash on hand.
(K)
Failure to ensure that a subrecipient complies with its Office of Management and Budget Circular A–133 audit requirements specified at section
667.200(b) of title
20, Code of Federal Regulations.
(e)
Grantees serving individuals with barriers to employment
(1)
Definition
In this subsection, the term “individuals with barriers to employment” means minority individuals, Indian individuals, individuals with greatest economic need, and individuals described in subsection (a)(3)(B)(ii) or (b)(2) of section
3056p of this title.
(2)
Special consideration
In areas where a substantial population of individuals with barriers to employment exists, a grantee that receives a national grant in accordance with this section shall, in selecting subgrantees, give special consideration to organizations (including former recipients of such national grants) with demonstrated expertise in serving individuals with barriers to employment.
(f)
Minority-serving grantees
The Secretary may not promulgate rules or regulations affecting grantees in areas where a substantial population of minority individuals exists, that would significantly compromise the ability of the grantees to serve their targeted population of minority older individuals.