State Cemetery Grants (64.203)

Program

64.203 State Cemetery Grants

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs
Office: National Cemetery System

Authorization

Veterans Housing Benefits Act of 1978, Section 202, 38 U.S.C 2408.

Program Number

64.203

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To assist States in the establishment, expansion, and improvement of veterans' cemeteries.

Types of Assistance

PROJECT GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

Monetary assistance is provided under this program to establish, expand, and improve State or Tribal government veterans� cemeteries. Cemeteries must be State or Tribal Government 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.

*Tribal Government refers to the 520 federally recognized tribal governments.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Any State may apply.

Beneficiary Eligibility

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: section 38 CFR Part 38.620.

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. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is required. An environmental impact statement is required for this program. An environmental impact assessment is required for this program. 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

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. 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, N.W., 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

Jul 01, 2009 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. 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

This program has no statutory formula.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Funds are provided by electronic transfer of funds and must be used within 3 years. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: lump sum.

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. Cash reports are not applicable. Progress reports are not applicable. Expenditure reports are not applicable. Performance monitoring is not applicable.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 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 three years. If any claim or audit is started before the expiration of the three year period, the records shall be retained until all litigation, claims or audit findings involving the records have been resolved.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: In fiscal year 2009 alone the State Cemetery Grants Program has received initial requests totaling $104,093,400. The State Cemetery Grants Service estimates approximately five to ten applications to establish, expand, improve or operate State veterans cemeteries in FY 2009 and 2010.

*To date the program has awarded more than $349 million dollars to establish, expand, or improve 74 state cemeteries in 38 states and territories (including Guam and Saipan). Fiscal Year 2009: In fiscal year 2009 alone the State Cemetery Grants Program has received initial requests totaling $104,093,400. The State Cemetery Grants Service estimates approximately five to ten applications to establish, expand, improve or operate State veterans cemeteries in FY 2009 and 2010.

*To date the program has awarded more than $349 million dollars to establish, expand, or improve 74 state cemeteries in 38 states and territories (including Guam and Saipan). Fiscal Year 2010: In fiscal year 2009 alone the State Cemetery Grants Program has received initial requests totaling $104,093,400. The State Cemetery Grants Service estimates approximately five to ten applications to establish, expand, improve or operate State veterans cemeteries in FY 2009 and 2010.

*To date the program has awarded more than $349 million dollars to establish, expand, or improve 74 state cemeteries in 38 states and territories (including Guam and Saipan).

Financial Information

Account Identification

36-0183-0-1-703.

Obligations

(Project Grants) FY 08 $36,937,000; FY 09 est $43,500,000; FY 10 est $43,401,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Range and Average of Financial Assistance from 1980
$2,897 to $8,725,780 Average $1,319,338.21.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

VA Regulations 38 CFR Parts 39 and 43, State Cemetery Grant Program and "Federal Assistance for Establishment, Expansion, and Improvement of State Veterans' Cemeteries (State Cemetery Grants Program)" (VA Pamphlet 40-96).

Related Programs

64.101 Burial Expenses Allowance for Veterans; 64.201 National Cemeteries; 64.202 Procurement of Headstones and Markers and/or Presidential Memorial Certificates

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Frank K. Salavas 810 Vermont Ave., N.W., Washington, District of Columbia 20420 Phone: 202-461-8947 Fax: 202-565-6141

Web Site Address

http://www.va.gov.

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: 1) Construction necessary to convert a tract of land to an operational cemetery; 2) construction of main entrance, roads, committal service shelter, administration/maintenance building, storm drainage system and irrigation; and 3) the expansion of cemetery acreage or building of columbarium. Fiscal Year 2009: 1) Construction necessary to convert a tract of land to an operational cemetery; 2) construction of main entrance, roads, committal service shelter, administration/maintenance building, storm drainage system and irrigation; and 3) the expansion of cemetery acreage or building of columbarium. Fiscal Year 2010: 1) Construction necessary to convert a tract of land to an operational cemetery; 2) construction of main entrance, roads, committal service shelter, administration/maintenance building, storm drainage system and irrigation; and 3) the expansion of cemetery acreage or building of columbarium.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Applications are prioritized and ranked with other projects in the order received. The priority system consists of four groups or categories. Examples: The extent to which States have adequate funds to initiate and complete the design process required for approval for the grant program, and the extent to which a project involves additional gravesites necessary to keep the cemetery open.