[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 173 (Monday, September 8, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53146-53151]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-21138]
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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
38 CFR Part 36
RIN 2900-AO70
Loan Guaranty--Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology
Grant Program
AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is proposing to
implement through regulation statutory authority to provide grants for
the development of new assistive technologies for use in specially
adapted housing for eligible veterans or servicemembers, as authorized
by the Veterans' Benefits Act of 2010 (the Act), enacted on October 13,
2010. The Act authorizes VA to provide grants of up to $200,000 per
fiscal year to persons or entities to encourage the development of
specially adapted housing assistive technologies. VA is amending its
regulations to outline the process, the criteria, and the priorities
relating to the award of these research and development grants.
DATES: Comments must be received by VA on or before November 7, 2014.
ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted through http://www.Regulations.gov; by mail or hand-delivery to: Director, Regulation
Policy and Management (02REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810
Vermont Avenue NW., Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or by fax to (202)
273-9026. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response
to ``RIN 2900-AO70-Loan Guaranty--Specially Adapted Housing Assistive
Technology Grant Program.'' Copies of comments received will be
available for public inspection in the Office of Regulation Policy and
Management, Room 1068, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.,
Monday through Friday (except holidays). Please call (202) 461-4923 for
an appointment (this is not a toll-free number). In addition, during
the comment period, comments may be
[[Page 53147]]
viewed online through the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at
http://www.Regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Bell III, Assistant Director for
Loan Policy and Valuation (262), Veterans Benefits Administration,
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC
20420, (202) 632-8786. (This is not a toll-free number.)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Law 111-275, the Veterans' Benefits
Act of 2010 (the Act), was enacted on October 13, 2010. Section 203 of
the Act amended chapter 21, title 38, United States Code, to establish
the Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology Grant Program.
Veterans' Benefits Act of 2010, Public Law 111-275, Sec. 203, 124
Stat. 2874 (2010). The Act authorizes VA to provide grants of up to
$200,000 per fiscal year, through September 30, 2016, to a ``person or
entity'' for the development of specially adapted housing assistive
technologies and limits to $1 million the aggregate amount of such
grants VA may award in any fiscal year. Id. VA is publishing these
proposed regulations to outline the process, the criteria, and the
priorities relating to the award of these research and development
grants.
The Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant Program is administered
by the Loan Guaranty Service (LGY) of the Veterans Benefits
Administration (VBA). Through the SAH program, LGY provides grants to
servicemembers and veterans with certain service-connected disabilities
to help purchase or construct an adapted home, or modify an existing
home to allow them to live more independently. Currently, most SAH
adaptations involve structural modifications such as ramps, wider halls
and doorways, and lower countertops.
Pursuant to the authority established by the Act, VA is proposing
to amend its regulations to implement a new grant program to encourage
the development of specially adapted housing assistive technologies. As
proposed, Sec. 36.4412(a)(1) and (2) would state that the Secretary
will make grants for the development of new assistive technologies for
specially adapted housing and that a person or entity may apply for
such grants. Proposed Sec. 36.4412(a)(3) would also require that the
new grant program be administered in a manner as consistent as possible
with part 200 of title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Part
200 is where the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has issued
regulatory guidance to Federal agencies that provide grant awards to
non-Federal entities, that is, to States, local governments, Indian
tribes, institutions of higher education, or non-profit organizations
that carry out a Federal award as recipient or subrecipient. See 2 CFR
200.69. The part broadly outlines pre-award requirements on agencies
and applicants, as well as post-award requirements related to financial
and program management, property standards, procurement standards,
reports and records, and standards on termination and enforcement. The
part also sets forth after-the-award requirements related to closeout,
subsequent adjustments, continuing responsibilities, and collections of
amounts due.
Since the new program would also be open to individuals and private
entities, some of the applicants will not meet the definition of non-
Federal entity or recipient, as defined under part 200, and certain
provisions of part 200 may not be applicable to all applicants in this
technology grant program. Where the Secretary determines a provision is
not applicable or where the Secretary determines that additional
requirements are necessary due to the uniqueness of a situation, the
Secretary would apply the same standard applicable to exceptions under
2 CFR 200.102.
Although part 200 does not define the term exception, Sec. 200.102
is clear that an exception can relax an existing requirement or make
additional, more restrictive requirements on a participant. Section
200.102 requires that if an exception is more restrictive on a certain
class of participants than that which is otherwise provided in part
200, VA must receive approval from OMB. If an exception is less
restrictive than what is provided in part 200, Sec. 200.102 authorizes
VA to grant the exception on a case-by-case basis. It is impossible to
anticipate every way in which the Secretary can or should exercise
oversight authority. The purpose of this provision is to ensure that a
loophole in a regulation does not unduly hinder the Secretary's ability
to protect the public interest or prevent private individuals or
organizations from participating because of technicalities related to
oversight.
The regulation would also include proposed paragraph (b) covering
the definitions applicable to the SAH technology grant. The definitions
found at 38 CFR 36.4401 would be incorporated by reference. New
definitions for ``technology grant applicant'' and ``new assistive
technology'' would be added, but they would not be relevant to the
types of SAH grants that are provided directly to veterans. They would
solely be limited to the SAH technology grant.
The new definitions would provide who may apply for an SAH
technology grant and the type of product that would have to be
developed using SAH technology grant funds. House Report 111-109 stated
that the ``research and development community is diverse, ranging from
single-person inventors to large corporations and academic
institutions.'' H.R. Rep. No. 111-109, at 3 (2009). Accordingly, for
the purpose of determining who may apply to this grant program, VA
would define ``technology grant applicant'' to include a person or
entity that applies for a grant pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 2108 and 38 CFR
36.4412 to develop new assistive technology or technologies for
specially adapted housing. House Report 111-109 also explained that
there are many emerging technologies that could improve home adaptions
or otherwise enhance a veteran or servicemember's ability to live
independently, such as voice-recognition and voice-command operations,
living environment controls, and adaptive feeding equipment. Id.
Therefore, VA is proposing to define ``new assistive technology'' as an
advancement that the Secretary determines could aid or enhance the
ability of an eligible individual, as defined in 38 CFR 36.4401, to
live in an adapted home.
Proposed paragraph (c) would provide that, as funds are made
available for the program, VA would publish in the Federal Register a
Notice of Funds Availability (NoFA), soliciting applications for the
grant program and information on applications. Upon publication of a
NoFA, a technology grant applicant seeking a grant under this section
would submit an application to the Secretary via www.Grants.gov, as
required under proposed paragraph (d). Applications would include: (1)
Standard Form 424 (Application for Federal Assistance) with the box
labeled ``application'' marked; (2) a certification that the applicant
has not been debarred or suspended and is eligible to participate in
the VA grant process and receive Federal funds; (3) statements
addressing the scoring criteria; and (4) any additional information as
deemed appropriate by VA.
Under proposed paragraph (e), the NoFA would set forth the full and
specific procedural requirements for assistive technology grant
applicants, such as whether the grant cycle would be limited to
applications submitted during a particular timeframe or if applications
would be accepted on a rolling basis.
[[Page 53148]]
Under proposed paragraph (f), the Secretary would establish the
specific scoring criteria used to evaluate all technology grant
applications received by VA. The scoring criteria and the maximum
amount of points available are as follows:
(i) A description of how the new assistive technology is innovative
(up to 50 points);
(ii) An explanation of how the new assistive technology will meet a
specific, unmet need among eligible individuals (up to 50 points);
(iii) An explanation of how the new assistive technology is
specifically designed to promote the ability of eligible individuals to
live more independently (up to 30 points);
(iv) A description of the new assistive technology's concept, size,
and scope (up to 30 points);
(v) An implementation plan with major milestones for bringing the
new assistive technology into production and to the market. Such
milestones must be meaningful and achievable within a specific
timeframe (up to 30 points); and
(vi) An explanation of what uniquely positions the technology grant
applicant in the marketplace. This can include a focus on
characteristics such as the economic reliability of the technology
grant applicant, the technology grant applicant's status as a minority
or veteran-owned business, or other characteristics that the technology
grant applicant wants to include to show how it will help protect the
interests of, or further the mission of, VA and the program (up to 20
points).
As provided, each scoring criterion would be capped at a maximum
number of points. Although VA would not set a maximum aggregate score
possible, an application would have to receive 70 points or more to be
considered for an award. If an application does not score a minimum of
70 points, VA would not consider it for an award, even if it means an
award cannot be made during a particular grant cycle. VA believes the
scoring framework would allow the Secretary to make awards based on
priorities of veterans and VA, while also ensuring that taxpayer funds
are used responsibly.
The actual number of points received would not be based solely on
the technology grant applicant's responses, but also on a number of
variables such as specific needs of veterans and servicemembers, number
of technology grant applicants, type of technology grant applicants,
the availability of funds, and other factors related to VA's mission of
serving veterans. VA would explain scoring priorities in the published
NoFA so that technology grant applicants have the opportunity to tailor
their responses accordingly. The change in priorities would not
introduce new scoring criteria. It would merely help technology grant
applicants understand how the scores will be weighted.
To illustrate: VA might emphasize in one grant cycle the need for
innovation, and as a result, explain in the NoFA that innovation will
be a top priority. A technology grant applicant would then know to
concentrate on how innovative its product would be. In reviewing the
application, the Secretary might award all 50 allowable points to the
technology grant applicant who best satisfies that criterion. In the
next grant cycle, the Secretary might determine that a particular need
has gone unmet among eligible individuals who are adapting their homes.
The Secretary might choose to place more emphasis on meeting that need
than on general innovation. As a result, the published NoFA for that
grant cycle would explain the Secretary's new priorities. A technology
grant applicant would then know that its application would have more
success if it were to focus on how the product would meet the need.
When reviewing applications, the Secretary could choose to award all 50
points for that criterion, while only scoring the most innovative
product 30 points.
As shown, proposed paragraph (f) would provide technology grant
applicants all the substantive information necessary for meeting VA
requirements. Meanwhile, it would allow VA to adapt to veterans' needs
and to the marketplace without requiring a new regulatory change each
time a new grant cycle is introduced.
Proposed paragraph (g) would state that deadlines for program
applications would be established in the NoFA. Proposed paragraph (h)
would also note that decisions for awarding technology grants would be
made in accordance with the guidelines (covering such issues as timing
and method of notification) described in the NoFA. The Secretary would
provide written approvals, denials, or requests for additional
information. As part of the annual program report to Congress required
by the Act, VA would conduct periodic audits of all approved grants
under this program to ensure that the actual project size and scope are
consistent with those outlined in the proposal and that established
milestones are achieved. Such audits would be consistent with the
requirements under 2 CFR part 200.
Proposed paragraph (i) would also include a new delegation of
authority specific to the technology grant program. Currently, 38 CFR
36.4409 authorizes certain VA employees to act on behalf of the
Secretary with respect to assisting eligible individuals in acquiring
specially adapted housing. This delegation does not extend to the
technology grant program. Therefore, VA proposes that the VA officials
who would be authorized to exercise the powers and functions of the
Secretary with respect to providing assistance under 38 U.S.C. 2108
would be as follows: (a) Under Secretary for Benefits, (b) Deputy Under
Secretary for Economic Development, (c) Director, Loan Guaranty
Service, and (d) Deputy Director, Loan Guaranty Service.
Finally, we would note in proposed paragraph (j) that the
technology grant is not a veterans' benefit and, therefore, is not
subject to the same rights of appeal as an adjudication of benefits.
See 38 U.S.C. 7104(a). Moreover, although VA would provide technology
grant applicants with as much information and assistance as possible,
the Secretary does not have a duty to assist technology grant
applicants in obtaining a grant. See 38 U.S.C. 5103A(a).
Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess all
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, when
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public
health and safety effects, and other advantages; distributive impacts;
and equity). Executive Order 13563 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory
Review) emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and
benefits, reducing costs, harmonizing rules, and promoting flexibility.
Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) defines a
``significant regulatory action,'' requiring review by OMB, as ``any
regulatory action that is likely to result in a rule that may: (1) Have
an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or adversely
affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy,
productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or
safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or communities; (2)
Create a serious inconsistency or interfere with an action taken or
planned by another agency; (3) Materially alter the budgetary impact of
entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights and
obligations of recipients thereof; or (4) Raise novel legal or policy
issues arising out of legal mandates, the President's priorities, or
[[Page 53149]]
the principles set forth in this Executive Order.
The economic, interagency, budgetary, legal, and policy
implications of this proposed rule have been examined, and it has been
determined to be a significant regulatory action under Executive Order
12866 because it is likely to result in a rule that may raise novel
legal or policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the President's
priorities, or the principles set forth in Executive Orders 12866 or
13563. VA's impact analysis can be found as a supporting document at
http://www.regulations.gov, usually within 48 hours after the
rulemaking document is published. Additionally, a copy of the
rulemaking and its impact analysis are available on VA's Web site at
http://www1.va.gov/orpm/, by following the link for ``VA Regulations
Published.''
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Secretary hereby certifies that this proposed rule would not
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities as they are defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5
U.S.C. 601-612. There would be no significant economic impact on any
small entities because grant applicants are not required to provide
matching funds to receive the maximum grant amount of $200,000. The
assistive technology grant program would not impact a substantial
number of small entities because VA may only award a maximum of $1
million in aggregate grant funds per fiscal year, and VA's authority to
award these grants expires September 30, 2016. On this basis, the
Secretary certifies that the adoption of this proposed rule would not
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities as they are defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5
U.S.C. 601-612. Therefore, under 5 U.S.C. 605(b), this rulemaking is
exempt from the initial and final regulatory flexibility analysis
requirements of sections 603 and 604.
Unfunded Mandates
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 requires, at 2 U.S.C.
1532, that agencies prepare an assessment of anticipated costs and
benefits before issuing any rule that may result in an expenditure by
State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the
private sector, of $100 million or more (adjusted annually for
inflation) in any one year. This proposed rule would have no such
effect on State, local, and tribal governments, or on the private
sector.
Paperwork Reduction Act
This proposed rule includes provisions constituting collections of
information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-
3521) that require approval by OMB. Accordingly, under 44 U.S.C.
3507(d), VA has submitted a copy of this rulemaking action to OMB for
review.
OMB assigns control numbers to collections of information it
approves. VA may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a
currently valid OMB control number. Proposed 38 CFR 36.4412(d) contains
a collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
If OMB does not approve the collection of information as requested, VA
will immediately remove the provisions containing a collection of
information or take such other action as is directed by OMB.
Comments on the collections of information contained in this
proposed rule should be submitted to the Office of Management and
Budget, Attention: Desk Officer for the Department of Veterans Affairs,
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Washington, DC 20503,
with copies sent by mail or hand delivery to the Director, Regulation
Policy and Management (02REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810
Vermont Avenue NW., Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; fax to (202) 273-
9026; email to www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they
are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AO70.''
OMB is required to make a decision concerning the collections of
information contained in this proposed rule between 30 and 60 days
after publication of this document in the Federal Register. Therefore,
a comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect if OMB
receives it within 30 days of publication. This does not affect the
deadline for the public to comment on the proposed rule.
The Department considers comments by the public on proposed
collections of information in--
Evaluating whether the proposed collections of information
are necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the
Department, including whether the information will have practical
utility;
Evaluating the accuracy of the Department's estimate of
the burden of the proposed collections of information, including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
Enhancing the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
Minimizing the burden of the collections of information on
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting
electronic submission of responses.
The new collection of information contained in 38 CFR 36.4412(d) is
described immediately following this paragraph, under its title.
Title: Applicant Scoring Criteria and Certification Regarding
Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion.
Summary of collection of information: The new collection
of information in proposed 38 CFR 36.4412(d) would require applicants
for an SAH Assistive Technology grant to submit VA Form 26-0967,
``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and
Voluntary Exclusion,'' and to provide statements addressing the scoring
criteria for grant awards. VA Form 26-0967 is currently pending OMB
approval. Additionally, 38 CFR 36.4412(d) contains an existing
information collection that is currently approved by OMB and has been
assigned OMB control number 4040-0004.
Description of need for information and proposed use of
information: Section 2108 of Title 38 of the United States Code states
that a person or entity seeking an SAH technology grant shall submit an
application for the grant in such form and manner as the Secretary
shall specify. VA is specifying in regulation that the information
provided under this collection of information is necessary for a
complete SAH Assistive Technology grant application. The information
will be used by Loan Guaranty personnel in deciding whether an
applicant meets the requirements and satisfies the scoring criteria for
award of an SAH Assistive Technology grant under 38 U.S.C. 2108.
Description of likely respondents: Respondents will likely
include non-Federal entities, private entities, and individuals who
choose to submit applications for an SAH Assistive Technology grant.
Estimated number of respondents: 20 in Fiscal Year (FY)
2015; 20 in FY 2016.
Estimated frequency of responses: This is a one-time
collection.
Estimated average burden per response: 120 minutes.
Estimated total annual reporting and recordkeeping burden:
40 hours in FY 2015; 40 hours in FY 2016.
[[Page 53150]]
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance program numbers and
titles for the programs affected by this document are 64.106, Specially
Adapted Housing for Disabled Veterans and 64.118, Veterans Housing--
Direct Loans for Certain Disabled Veterans.
Signing Authority
The Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or designee, approved
this document 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. Jose D. Riojas, Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans
Affairs, approved this document on August 15, 2014, for publication.
List of Subjects in 38 CFR Part 36
Condominiums, Housing, Indians, Individuals with disabilities, Loan
programs--housing and community development, Loan programs--Indians,
Loan programs--veterans, Manufactured homes, Mortgage insurance,
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Veterans.
Dated: September 2, 2014.
Robert C. McFetridge,
Director, Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the General
Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.
For the reasons set out in the preamble, VA proposes to amend 38
CFR part 36, subpart C to read as follows:
PART 36--LOAN GUARANTY
Subpart C--Assistance to Eligible Individuals in Acquiring
Specially Adapted Housing
0
1. The authority citation for part 36, subpart C continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501 and as otherwise noted.
0
2. Add Sec. 36.4412 to read as follows:
Sec. 36.4412 Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology Grant
Program.
(a) General. (1) The Secretary will make grants for the development
of new assistive technologies for specially adapted housing.
(2) A person or entity may apply for, and receive, a grant pursuant
to this section.
(3)(i) All technology grant recipients, including individuals and
entities formed as for-profit entities, will be subject to the rules on
Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements With
Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and other Non-profit
Organizations, as found at 2 CFR Part 200.
(ii) Where the Secretary determines that 2 CFR Part 200 is not
applicable or where the Secretary determines that additional
requirements are necessary due to the uniqueness of a situation, the
Secretary will apply the same standard applicable to exceptions under 2
CFR 200.102.
(b) Definitions. To supplement the definitions contained in Sec.
36.4401, the following terms are herein defined for purposes of this
section:
(1) A technology grant applicant is a person or entity that applies
for a grant pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 2108 and this section to develop new
assistive technology or technologies for specially adapted housing.
(2) A new assistive technology is an advancement that the Secretary
determines could aid or enhance the ability of an eligible individual,
as defined in 38 CFR 36.4401, to live in an adapted home.
(c) Grant application solicitation. As funds are available for the
program, VA will publish in the Federal Register a Notice of Funds
Availability (NoFA), soliciting applications for the grant program and
providing information on applications.
(d) Application process and requirements. Upon publication of the
NoFA, a technology grant applicant must submit an application to the
Secretary via www.Grants.gov. Applications must consist of the
following:
(1) Standard Form 424 (Application for Federal Assistance) with the
box labeled ``application'' marked;
(2) VA Form 26-0967 (Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension,
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion) to ensure that the technology
grant applicant has not been debarred or suspended and is eligible to
participate in the VA grant process and receive Federal funds;
(3) Statements addressing the scoring criteria in 38 CFR
36.4412(f); and
(4) Any additional information as deemed appropriate by VA.
(e) Threshold requirements. The NoFA will set out the full and
specific procedural requirements for technology grant applicants.
(f) Scoring criteria. (1) The Secretary will score technology grant
applications based on the scoring criteria in paragraph (f)(2) of this
section. Although there is not a cap on the maximum aggregate score
possible, a technology grant application must receive a minimum
aggregate score of 70 points to be considered for a technology grant.
(2) The scoring criteria and maximum points are as follows:
(i) A description of how the new assistive technology is innovative
(up to 50 points);
(ii) An explanation of how the new assistive technology will meet a
specific, unmet need among eligible individuals (up to 50 points);
(iii) An explanation of how the new assistive technology is
specifically designed to promote the ability of eligible individuals to
live more independently (up to 30 points);
(iv) A description of the new assistive technology's concept, size,
and scope (up to 30 points);
(v) An implementation plan with major milestones for bringing the
new assistive technology into production and to the market. Such
milestones must be meaningful and achievable within a specific
timeframe (up to 30 points); and
(vi) An explanation of what uniquely positions the technology grant
applicant in the marketplace. This can include a focus on
characteristics such as the economic reliability of the technology
grant applicant, the technology grant applicant's status as a minority
or veteran-owned business, or other characteristics that the technology
grant applicant wants to include to show how it will help protect the
interests of, or further the mission of, VA and the program (up to 20
points).
(g) Application deadlines. Deadlines for technology grant
applications will be established in the NoFA.
(h) Awards process. Decisions for awarding technology grants under
this section will be made in accordance with guidelines (covering such
issues as timing and method of notification) described in the NoFA. The
Secretary will provide written approvals, denials, or requests for
additional information. The Secretary will conduct periodic audits of
all approved grants under this program to ensure that the actual
project size and scope are consistent with those outlined in the
proposal and that established milestones are achieved.
(i) Delegation of authority. (1) Each VA employee appointed to or
lawfully fulfilling any of the following positions is hereby delegated
authority, within the limitations and conditions prescribed by law, to
exercise the powers and functions of the Secretary with respect to the
grant program authorized by 38 U.S.C. 2108:
(i) Under Secretary for Benefits.
(ii) Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Development.
(iii) Director, Loan Guaranty Service.
[[Page 53151]]
(iv) Deputy Director, Loan Guaranty Service.
(2) [Reserved]
(j) Miscellaneous. (1) The grant offered by this chapter is not a
veterans' benefit. As such, the decisions of the Secretary are final
and not subject to the same appeal rights as decisions related to
veterans' benefits.
(2) The Secretary does not have a duty to assist technology grant
applicants in obtaining a grant.
(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 2108)
(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information
collection requirements in this section that are within the scope of
control number 4040-0004. The additional information collection
requirements have been submitted to OMB and are pending OMB
approval.)
[FR Doc. 2014-21138 Filed 9-5-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P