To
assist States in the establishment, expansion, and improvement of
veterans' cemeteries.
TYPES
OF ASSISTANCE:
Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES
AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
Monetary
assistance is provided under this program to construct, expand,
and improve State veterans' cemeteries. Cemeteries must be State-owned
and operated solely for the interment of eligible veterans and their
dependents and/or spouses. Construction cost means the amount found
necessary to convert a tract of land to an operational cemetery.
ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant
Eligibility: Any State may apply.
Beneficiary
Eligibility: While the cemetery must be used
solely for the interment of veterans, their wives, husbands, surviving
spouses, minor children, and unmarried adult children who were
physically or mentally disabled and incapable of self support:
States may impose eligibility requirements for burial more stringent
than those cited in section 1.620 of 38 CFR. For example, a State
can require that veterans have honorable discharges, wartime service,
or residency in the State.
Credentials/Documentation:
Costs will be determined in accordance with revised OMB Circular
No. A-87 for State Governments, dated May 4, 1995, and further
amended August 29, 1997.
Pre-application
Coordination: Consultation or assistance is
available from VA Central Office personnel (State Cemetery Grants
Service) to aid in the preparation of an application. The standard
application forms as furnished by VA and required by OMB Circular
No. A- 102 must be used for this program (Standard Form 424, "Application
for Federal Assistance," with attachments). An environmental impact
assessment is required. This program is eligible for coverage under
E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant
should consult the office or official designated as the single point
of contact in his or her State for more information on the process
the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if
the State has selected the program for review.
Application
Procedure: Submit Standard Form 424, "Application
for Federal Assistance for Construction Programs," with attachments,
to the Director, State Cemetery Grants Service (401C), Department
of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420.
This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No.
A-110.
Award
Procedure: Formal notification of the award
to the State is made by the Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs,
National Cemetery Administration.
Deadlines:
A deadline of July 1 is established for the filing of applications
in the year prior to the fiscal year in which funding is requested.
Range
of Approval/Disapproval Time: From 30 to 60
days.
Appeals:
No application shall be disapproved until the applicant has been
afforded an opportunity for a hearing.
Renewals:
Not applicable.
ASSISTANCE
CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula
and Matching Requirements: The amount of the
Federal contribution to a State is up to 100 percent of the cost
of establishing, improving or expanding State Veterans Cemeteries.
In the case of establishment grants, the cost of operating equipment
may also be included. Land value is not included as an allowable
cost for reimbursement under the grant.
Length
and Time Phasing of Assistance: Funds are
provided by electronic transfer of funds and must be used within
3 years.
POST
ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports:
Outlay Report and Request for Reimbursement for Construction Programs,
and Performance Reports are accomplished in accord with 38 CFR Part
43.
Audits:
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised,
June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit
Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance
of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a
program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities
that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt
from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted
in Circular No. A-133.
Records:
Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records and
all other records pertinent to a grant shall be retained for a
period of 3 years. If any claim or audit is started before the
expiration of the 3 year period, the records shall be retained
until all litigation, claims or audit findings involving the records
have been resolved.
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION:
Account
Identification: 36-0183-0-1-705.
Obligations:
(Grants) FY 01 $23,755,855; FY 02 est $41,701,559; and FY 03 est
$32,000,000.
Range
and Average of Financial Assistance: $4,305 to $10,965,607. Average: $1,072,041.
For fiscal year 2002, the State Cemetery Grants Service has received
requests totaling $41,701,559. The State Cemetery Grants Service
estimates approximately 15 to 20 applications to establish, expand,
or improve State veterans cemeteries in fiscal years 2003 and 2004.
REGULATIONS,
GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
VA Regulations 38 CFR Parts 39 and 43, State Cemetery Grant Program;
State Cemetery Grants Program Guide (PG 40-1); and, "Federal Assistance
for Establishment, Expansion and Improvement of State Veterans'
Cemeteries (State Cemetery Grants Program)" (VA Pamphlet 40-96).
INFORMATION
CONTACTS:
Regional
or Local Office: None.
Headquarters
Office: Director, State Cemetery Grants Service,
(401C), National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans
Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420. Contact:
Mr. William Jayne. Telephone: (202) 565-6152 or 565-6801. Fax:
(202) 565-6141.
Web
Site Address: http://www.va.gov
EXAMPLES
OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
1) Construction necessary to convert a tract of land to an operational
cemetery; 2) construction of a chapel administration/maintenance
building, and improve storm drainage system; and 3) the expansion
of cemetery acreage or building a committal shelter.
CRITERIA
FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
Applications are prioritized and ranked with other projects in the
order received. The priority system consists of six groups or categories.
Examples: The extent to which States have adequate funds to match
the Federal grant; and the extent to which a project involves additional
gravesites necessary to keep the cemetery open. The availability
of the Federal and nonfederal share of the project is a primary
consideration.
