,,ii #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #ejhc ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,december #ba1 #bjbj ,mr4 ,young introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to establish within the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs a pay for results pilot program to assist veterans1 members of the ,armed ,forces on active duty1 and their family members at risk of social isolation and loneliness1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,volunteers ,improving ,social ,isolation and loneliness ,together ,act of #bjbj or the ,,visit ,act of #bjbj4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,active duty ,the term active duty has the meaning given that term in section #aja of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#b7 ,armed ,forces ,the term ,armed ,forces has the meaning given that term in section #aja of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#c7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means an entity qualified to provide services under this ,act1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7#d7 ,eligible individual ,the term eligible individual means-- 7,a7 a veteran2 7,b7 a member of the ,armed ,forces on active duty2 7,c7 a member of the ,national ,guard2 or 7,d7 a family member of an individual described in subparagraph 7,a71 7,b71 or 7,c74 7#e7 ,intervention ,the term intervention means a specific service delivered to achieve an impact through a ,,visit pay for results project under the pilot program4 7#f7 ,participant ,the term participant means a staff member or volunteer of an eligible entity that receives assistance under the pilot program to carry out a ,,visit pay for results project who provides a service to eligible individuals under the project4 7#g7 ,pilot program ,the term pilot program means the pilot program under section #d4 7#h7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs4 7#i7 ,veteran ,the term veteran has the meaning given that term in section #aja of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#aj7 ,,visit pay for results project ,the term ,,visit pay for results project means a project under the pilot program that uses a ,volunteers ,improving ,social ,isolation and ,loneliness ,together 7,,visit7 pay for results model4 7#aa7 ,volunteers ,improving ,social isolation and ,loneliness ,together 7,,visit7 pay for results model ,the term ,volunteers ,improving ,social isolation and ,loneliness ,together 7,,visit7 pay for results model means a method of financing national service programs in which-- 7,a7 except as provided in section #e1 ,federal funds are awarded to an eligible entity only if the eligible entity achieves certain outcomes agreed to by the entity and the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,federal ,interagency ,council on ,social ,impact ,partnerships and the ,secretary of ,defense2 7,b7 the eligible entity coordinates with the ,secretary and the ,federal ,interagency ,council on ,social ,impact ,partnerships and the ,secretary of ,defense to identify an intervention expected to produce the outcome or outcomes2 and 7,c7 the eligible entity delivers the intervention to the target population of the intervention4 #c4 ,purposes ,the purposes of this ,act are as follows3 7#a7 ,to mitigate the damage from the current social recession upon veterans1 members of the ,armed ,forces1 and their family members who are vulnerable to isolation and loneliness that has been found to impair physical and mental well-being1 including causing premature death4 7#b7 ,to renew the spirit of community to aid veterans1 members of the ,armed ,forces1 and their family members at risk of social isolation and loneliness1 particularly those without robust social connections4 7#c7 ,to facilitate the efforts of public-private partnerships to assist veterans1 members of the ,armed ,forces1 and their family members at risk of social isolation and loneliness4 #d4 ,pilot program to assist veterans1 members of the ,armed ,forces1 and their family members who are at risk of social isolation and loneliness 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall carry out1 in consultation with the ,federal ,interagency ,council on ,social ,impact ,partnerships and the ,secretary of ,defense1 a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of assisting eligible individuals at risk of social isolation and loneliness through the funding of ,,visit pay for results projects4 7b7 ,tiers ,the ,secretary shall carry out the pilot program in two tiers 7in this ,act referred to as ,tier #a and ,tier #b74 7c7 ,participation of veterans service organizations 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall encourage the participation of veterans service organizations in the pilot program1 including participation that involves partnerships between veterans service organizations and other organizations4 7#b7 ,veterans service organization defined ,in this paragraph1 the term veterans service organization means an organization recognized by the ,secretary for the representation of veterans under section #eijb of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 7d7 ,funding partnerships ,an eligible entity that seeks to participate in the pilot program may partner with investors or philanthropic entities for purposes of funding a ,,visit pay for results project4 #e4 ,tier #a of pilot program 7a7 ,notice ,not later than #bgj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall publish in the ,federal ,register a request for proposals from eligible entities to conduct ,,visit pay for results projects under ,tier #a of the pilot program4 7b7 ,qualification of ,,visit pay for results project ,to qualify as a ,,visit pay for results project under ,tier #a of the pilot program1 a project must effectively use participants to meet unmet social isolation or loneliness needs of eligible individuals through interventions described in the application and agreed upon by the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,federal ,interagency ,council on ,social ,impact ,partnerships and the ,secretary of ,defense1 to improve one or more measurable performance indicators1 including better mental or physical health outcomes that lower risk of mortality for the target population of the project4 7c7 ,application required ,the notice published under subsection 7a7 shall require an eligible entity seeking to participate in ,tier #a of the pilot program to submit to the ,secretary1 not later than #ahj days after the date of such publication1 an application for a ,,visit pay for results project that addresses each of the following3 7#a7 ,a description of each proposed intervention under the project and anticipated outcomes of the intervention1 including expected benefits to the target population of the intervention1 the participants working on the project1 and other individuals who may be affected by the invention4 7#b7 ,a summary of the unmet need in the area where the intervention will be delivered or among the target population of the intervention4 7#c7 ,the criteria used to determine the eligibility of an individual to be served by the project1 including how selected populations will be identified and referred to and enrolled in the project4 7#d7 ,the anticipated number of participants needed to implement the project4 7#e7 ,the criteria used to determine the eligibility of a participant for the project1 including how the potential participants will be identified1 recruited for the project1 and trained for their roles in the project4 7#f7 ,a plan for implementing each intervention through the use of participants4 7#g7 ,rigorous evidence demonstrating that the intervention can be expected to produce the desired outcome or outcomes or1 if the eligible entity lacks such rigorous evidence but demonstrates promising evidence that the intervention can be expected to produce the desired outcome or outcomes1 a plan described in subsection 7d77#d77;,b74 7#h7 ,the target population that will be served by the project4 7#i7 ,the projected cost to the eligible entity to carry out the project1 and any costs to the ,federal1 ,state1 or local government associated with the project4 7#aj7 ,projected costs avoided by the ,federal ,government and ,state and local governments if the project is implemented and the outcomes are achieved as a result of the intervention4 7#aa7 ,a description of the expertise of the eligible entity1 including a summary of the experience of the eligible entity in delivering the proposed intervention or a similar intervention1 or demonstrating the capacity of the eligible entity to deliver the intervention to the number of eligible individuals the eligible entity proposes to serve under the project4 7#ab7 ,the proposed payment terms1 the methodology used to calculate outcome payments1 the payment schedule1 and performance thresholds4 7#ac7 ,the budget for the project4 7#ad7 ,subject to subsection 7g71 the timeline for the project4 7#ae7 ,the design for the evaluation required by subsection 7i71 including the metrics that will be used in the evaluation to determine whether the outcomes have been achieved as a result of the intervention and how the metrics will be measured4 7#af7 ,an explanation of how the metrics described in paragraph 7#ae7 are independent1 objective indicators of impact and are not subject to manipulation by the eligible entity or any investor4 7#ag7 ,an explanation of the independence of the evaluator who will conduct the evaluation required by subsection 7i7 from the other entities involved in the project and the experience of the evaluator in conducting rigorous evaluations of program effectiveness including1 where available1 well-implemented randomized controlled trials on the intervention or similar interventions4 7#ah7 ,an explanation of how any potential payment disputes related to the outcomes of the evaluation will be managed4 7d7 ,agreements on participation in pilot program 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after the deadline for applications under subsection 7c7 has expired1 the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,federal ,interagency ,council on ,social ,impact ,partnerships and the ,secretary of ,defense1 shall enter into an agreement with not fewer than eight eligible entities to participate in ,tier #a of the pilot program4 7#b7 ,fewer applicants 7,a7 ,in general ,notwithstanding paragraph 7#a71 if the ,secretary determines that fewer than eight eligible entities meet the requirements for participation in ,tier #a of the pilot program1 the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,federal ,interagency ,council on ,social ,impact ,partnerships and the ,secretary of ,defense1 may enter into an agreement with fewer than eight eligible entities to participate in ,tier #a of the pilot program4 7,b7 ,insufficient number of applicants ,notwithstanding paragraph 7#a71 if the ,secretary determines that an insufficient number of eligible entities meet the requirements for participation in ,tier #a of the pilot program1 the ,secretary may-- 7i7 7,i7 publish in the ,federal ,register a second request for proposals from eligible entities to conduct ,,visit pay for results projects under ,tier #a of the pilot program2 and 7,,ii7 include in such request application requirements that are broader than the requirements under subsection 7c72 or 7ii7 carry out ,tier #b of the pilot program1 in accordance with section #f4 7#c7 ,considerations ,in determining whether to enter into an agreement with an eligible entity under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 seek to ensure geographic diversity among selected entities1 including by selecting not fewer than one eligible entity that plans to serve a rural community and not fewer than one eligible entity that plans to serve an urban community2 and 7,b7 consider-- 7i7 the anticipated use of participants1 and whether the eligible entity plans to use participants who come from a high-risk background2 7ii7 the value to the ,federal ,government of the outcomes expected to be achieved by the eligible entity under the pilot program1 which the ,secretary shall define to include-- 7,i7 measurable costs avoided2 and 7,,ii7 other outcomes of intrinsic value such as the health1 well-being1 and prosperity of eligible individuals2 7iii7 the likelihood1 based on evidence provided in the application and other evidence1 that the eligible entity will achieve those outcomes1 balanced with the need to develop more rigorous evidence if the ,secretary decides such evidence is necessary2 7iv7 the value to ,state and local governments if those outcomes are achieved2 and 7v7 the expected quality of the evaluation that would be conducted with respect to the ,,visit pay for results project under subsection 7i74 7#d7 ,requirements for entering into agreements 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary may enter into an agreement with an eligible entity under paragraph 7#a7 if the ,secretary determines that each of the following requirements are met3 7i7 ,except as provided in subsection 7f71 the eligible entity agrees to achieve one or more outcomes as a result of the project1 as specified in the agreement and validated by independent evaluation1 in order to receive payment4 ,such outcomes shall be significant metrics closely correlated with intervention under the project4 7ii7 ,except as provided in subsection 7f71 payment from the ,federal ,government to the eligible entity for each specified outcome achieved as a result of the project will be less than or equal to the value of the outcome to the ,federal ,government over a period not to exceed ten years1 as determined by the ,secretary1 in consultation with the eligible entity4 7iii7 ,the eligible entity meets the requirement under subparagraph 7,b74 7iv7 ,the project will begin not later than one year after the eligible entity has entered into the agreement with the ,secretary4 7v7 ,the duration of the project will not exceed five years4 7vi7 ,the eligible entity has shown that it has experience delivering the intervention used in the project1 a similar intervention1 or has otherwise demonstrated the capability necessary to deliver the intervention4 7vii7 ,the project will use participants to implement the project4 7viii7 ,the eligible entity has made such other assurances as the ,secretary may require4 7,b7 ,plan for evaluation ,the requirement described in this subparagraph is that the eligible entity has demonstrated1 through the application submitted under subsection 7c71 that there is-- 7i7 a clear and feasible plan to evaluate the ,,visit pay for results project with a rigorous experimental or quasi-experimental study or other rigorous methodology that can establish a clear causal connection between the intervention and performance indicators2 and 7ii7 a strong circumstantial case1 based on existing measurable outcomes associated with the project1 that the study or methodology is likely to establish such a connection4 7e7 ,raising funds 7#a7 ,in general ,to the extent that the eligible entity does not have experience raising private or philanthropic capital to fund social service investments or is unable to secure such capital prior to submittal of the application under subsection 7c71 the ,secretary may assist the entity in attaining such funding4 7#b7 ,ensuring diversity of eligible entities ,the ,secretary-- 7,a7 shall take all practicable steps to ensure a pool of eligible entities enrolled in the pilot program that reflects the diversity of the population of eligible individuals2 and 7,b7 shall not permit historical lack of access to private or philanthropic capital by any eligible entity to limit inclusion of the eligible entity in the pilot program4 7f7 ,ability ,to finance project 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date on which an eligible entity enters into an agreement with the ,secretary under subsection 7d7 for a ,,visit pay for results project under ,tier #a of the pilot program1 the entity shall provide to the ,secretary a plan demonstrating that the entity-- 7,a7 has the capability to fund at least #ej percent of the up-front costs of the project1 with or without funds from partner investors or philanthropic entities2 and 7,b7 will have the funds described in subparagraph 7,a7 available and reserved for the project not later than one year after the date of such agreement4 7#b7 ,termination of agreement ,the ,secretary may terminate an agreement entered into under subsection 7d7 with an eligible entity for a ,,visit pay for results project under ,tier #a of the pilot program if-- 7,a7 the ,secretary determines that the eligible entity is not likely to have the capability to fund at least #ej percent of the up-front costs of the project2 or 7,b7 the eligible entity does not have the funds available and reserved to fund at least #ej percent of the up-front costs of the project4 7g7 ,duration ,each ,,visit pay for results project conducted under ,tier #a of the pilot program shall be limited to a duration of not more than five years4 7h7 ,payment 7#a7 ,amount of payment ,the ,secretary shall have discretion in determining the amount of funds awarded for each ,,visit pay for results project under ,tier #a of the pilot program1 except that such amount shall be specified as part of the agreement with each eligible entity under subsection 7d74 7#b7 ,up-front costs ,an eligible entity with which the ,secretary enters into an agreement under subsection 7d7 for a ,,visit pay for results project under ,tier #a of the pilot program shall pay for at least #ej percent of the entire up-front costs of the project4 7#c7 ,outcome payment 7,a7 ,in general ,after completion of a ,,visit pay for results project under the pilot program1 the ,secretary shall pay the remaining obligation of the ,secretary under the agreement entered into between the ,secretary and the eligible entity only if the independent evaluator described in subsection 7i7 determines that the project has-- 7i7 met the requirements specified in the agreement with respect to such project2 and 7ii7 has achieved an outcome as a result of the intervention used in such project1 as specified in the agreement and validated by the independent evaluator4 7,b7 ,exception ,notwithstanding subparagraph 7,a71 the ,secretary may pay up to #ej percent of costs of a ,,visit pay for results project under ,tier #a of the pilot program-- 7i7 before completion of the evaluation conducted by the independent evaluator under subsection 7i72 and 7ii7 before the measurements of value described in subsection 7d77#d77;,a77ii7 are made4 7i7 ,evaluations 7#a7 ,agreements 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall enter into an agreement with each eligible entity carrying out a ,,visit pay for results project under the pilot program to pay for all or part of an independent evaluation to determine whether the project has achieved a specific outcome in order for the entity to receive outcome payments under subsection 7h77#c74 7,b7 ,waiver authority ,the ,secretary may waive the requirement under subparagraph 7,a7 for up to #bj percent of all ,,visit pay for results projects under ,tier #a of the pilot program if the ,secretary determines that such a waiver is necessary for ensuring robust diversity of project geography and focus4 7#b7 ,evaluator qualifications ,the ,secretary may not enter into an agreement with an eligible entity under paragraph 7#a7 unless the ,secretary determines that-- 7,a7 the evaluator is independent of the other parties to the agreement2 and 7,b7 the evaluator has demonstrated substantial experience in conducting rigorous evaluations of program effectiveness1 including1 as available and appropriate1 well-implemented randomized controlled trials on the intervention used in the ,,visit pay for results project covered by the agreement or a similar intervention4 7#c7 ,methodologies to be used 7,a7 ,in general ,subject to subparagraph 7,b71 the evaluation used to determine whether an eligible entity will receive outcome payments under subsection 7h77#c7 shall use experimental designs using random assignment1 or other reliable1 evidence-based research methodologies that allow for the strongest possible causal inferences when random assignment is not feasible4 7,b7 ,waiver ,the ,secretary may waive the requirement under subparagraph 7,a7 if-- 7i7 multiple evaluations or one large1 multi-site evaluation have been conducted with respect to an intervention used in a ,,visit pay for results project2 and 7ii7 such evaluations or evaluation established substantial and statistically significant effects of the intervention4 7#d7 ,progress reports 7,a7 ,submittal of reports ,an eligible entity shall ensure that the independent evaluator conducting the evaluation under this subsection with respect to a ,,visit pay for results project conducted by the entity under the pilot program-- 7i7 not later than two years after the project has been approved by the ,secretary1 and annually thereafter until the project is concluded1 submits to the ,secretary and the ,federal ,interagency ,council on ,social ,impact ,partnerships a written report summarizing the progress that has been made in achieving each outcome specified in the agreement under subsection 7d72 and 7ii7 before the scheduled time of each payment under subsection 7h77#c7 to be made to the eligible entity with respect to such project1 submits to the ,secretary and the ,federal ,interagency ,council on ,social ,impact ,partnerships a written report that includes-- 7,i7 the results of the evaluation conducted to determine whether a payment should be made2 and 7,,ii7 information on-- 7aa7 the unique factors that contributed to achieving or failing to achieve the outcome2 7bb7 the challenges faced in attempting to achieve the outcome2 and 7cc7 the improved future delivery of the intervention used in the project or a similar intervention4 7,b7 ,transmittal to ,congress ,not later than #cj days after receipt of the written report under subparagraph 7,a77ii71 the ,secretary shall transmit the report to ,congress4 7#e7 ,final report 7,a7 ,submittal of report ,an eligible entity shall ensure that the independent evaluator conducting the evaluation under this subsection with respect to a ,,visit pay for results project conducted by the entity under the pilot program1 not later than #ahj days after the ,,visit pay for results project is completed-- 7i7 evaluates the effects of the activities undertaken pursuant to the agreement under subsection 7d7 with regard to each outcome specified in the agreement2 and 7ii7 submits to the ,president a written report that includes-- 7,i7 the results of the evaluation and the conclusion of the evaluator as to whether the eligible entity has fulfilled each obligation of the agreement2 and 7,,ii7 information on-- 7aa7 the unique factors that contributed to the success or failure of the project2 7bb7 the challenges faced in attempting to achieve the outcome2 and 7cc7 the improved future delivery of the intervention used in the project or a similar intervention4 7,b7 ,transmittal to ,congress ,not later than #cj days after receipt of the written report under subparagraph 7,a77ii71 the ,secretary shall transmit the report to ,congress4 #f4 ,tier #b of pilot program 7a7 ,notice 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary may carry out ,tier #b of the pilot program1 including by publishing in the ,federal ,register a request for proposals from eligible entities to conduct ,,visit pay for results projects under ,tier #b of the pilot program1 if the ,secretary certifies that a reasonable number of eligible entities could provide rigorous evidence demonstrating that the interventions of such projects can be expected to produce desired outcomes4 7#b7 ,considerations for certification ,in making a certification under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall consider-- 7,a7 an analysis of the number of eligible entities that could provide rigorous evidence described such paragraph2 and 7,b7 whether an analysis of the final results of ,,visit pay for results projects under ,tier #a of the pilot program is necessary to inform such certification4 7b7 ,qualification for ,,visit pay for results project ,section #e7;b7 shall apply with respect to ,tier #b of the pilot program4 7c7 ,application required ,the notice published under subsection 7a7 shall require an eligible entity seeking to participate in ,tier #b of the pilot program to submit to the ,secretary1 not later than #ahj days after the date of such publication1 an application for a ,,visit pay for results project under ,tier #b of the pilot program that addresses each element under section #e7;c71 except that1 with respect to paragraph 7#g7 of such section1 an application shall include rigorous evidence demonstrating that the intervention of the project can be expected to produce the desired outcome or outcomes4 7d7 ,agreements on participation in pilot program 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after the deadline for applications under subsection 7c7 has expired1 the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,federal ,interagency ,council on ,social ,impact ,partnerships and the ,secretary of ,defense1 shall enter into an agreement with one or more eligible entities to participate in ,tier #b of the pilot program4 7#b7 ,number ,the ,secretary is encouraged to enter into agreements under paragraph 7#a7 with a number of eligible entities that is at least half of the number of eligible entities that participated under ,tier #a of the pilot program4 7#c7 ,considerations ,in determining whether to enter into an agreement with an eligible entity under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 seek to ensure geographic diversity among selected entities as described in subparagraph 7,a7 of section #e7;d77#c72 and 7,b7 consider the elements under subparagraph 7,b7 of such section4 7#d7 ,requirements for entering into agreements 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary may enter into an agreement with an eligible entity under paragraph 7#a7 if the ,secretary determines that each of the following requirements are met3 7i7 ,the eligible entity agrees to achieve one or more outcomes as a result of the project1 as specified in the agreement and validated by independent evaluation1 in order to receive payment4 ,such outcomes shall be significant metrics closely correlated with intervention under the project4 7ii7 ,payment from the ,federal ,government to the eligible entity for each specified outcome achieved as a result of the project will be less than or equal to the value of the outcome to the ,federal ,government over a period not to exceed ten years1 as determined by the ,secretary1 in consultation with the eligible entity4 7iii7 ,based on prior rigorous experimental evaluations or rigorous quasi-experimental studies1 the project can be expected to achieve each outcome specified in the agreement4 7iv7 ,the project will begin not later than one year after the eligible entity has entered into the agreement with the ,secretary4 7v7 ,the duration of the project will not exceed seven years4 7vi7 ,the eligible entity has shown that it has experience delivering the intervention used in the project1 a similar intervention1 or has otherwise demonstrated the capability necessary to deliver the intervention4 7vii7 ,the project will use participants to implement the project4 7viii7 ,the eligible entity has made such other assurances as the ,secretary may require4 7e7 ,raising funds ,section #e7;e7 shall apply with respect to ,tier #b of the pilot program4 7f7 ,ability ,to finance project 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date on which an eligible entity enters into an agreement with the ,secretary under subsection 7a7 for a ,,visit pay for results project under ,tier #b of the pilot program1 the entity shall provide to the ,secretary a plan demonstrating that the entity-- 7,a7 has the capability to fully fund the up-front costs of the project1 with or without funds from partner investors or philanthropic entities2 and 7,b7 will have the funds described in subparagraph 7,a7 available and reserved for the project not later than one year after the date of such agreement4 7#b7 ,termination of agreement ,the ,secretary may terminate an agreement entered into under subsection 7a7 with an eligible entity for a ,,visit pay for results project under ,tier #b of the pilot program if-- 7,a7 the ,secretary determines that the eligible entity is not likely to have the capability to fully fund the up-front costs of the project2 or 7,b7 the eligible entity does not have the funds available and reserved to fully fund the up-front costs of the project4 7g7 ,duration ,each ,,visit pay for results project conducted under ,tier #b of the pilot program shall be limited to a duration of not more than seven years4 7h7 ,payment 7#a7 ,amount of payment ,section #e7;h77#a7 shall apply with respect to ,tier #b of the pilot program4 7#b7 ,up-front costs ,an eligible entity with which the ,secretary enters into an agreement under subsection 7d7 for a ,,visit pay for results project under ,tier #b of the pilot program shall pay the entire up-front costs of the project4 7#c7 ,outcome payments ,subparagraph 7,a7 of section #e7;h77#c7 shall apply with respect to ,tier #b of the pilot program1 except that the exception under subparagraph 7,b7 of such section shall not apply with respect ,tier #b of the pilot program4 7i7 ,evaluation ,section #e7;i7 shall apply with respect to ,tier #b of the pilot program1 except that the waiver authority under paragraph 7#a77;,b7 of such section shall not apply with respect to ,tier #b of the pilot program4 #g4 ,task force 7a7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary shall establish a task force to support the pilot program through feedback and engagement with relevant entities4 7b7 ,membership 7#a7 ,in general ,the task force established under subsection 7a7 shall be composed of members selected by the ,secretary from among experts described in paragraph 7#b7 who have some experience-- 7,a7 working with veterans and family members of veterans2 or 7,b7 serving in the ,armed ,forces4 7#b7 ,experts described ,the experts described in this paragraph are individuals with expertise in-- 7,a7 the social impact partnership model under subtitle ,c of title ,,xx of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acign et seq471 or similar pay for results model2 7,b7 evaluation methodologies2 7,c7 relevant interventions and support available to eligible individuals2 or 7,d7 health effects associated with social isolation and loneliness4 7c7 ,duties ,the task force established under subsection 7a7 shall-- 7#a7 proactively offer feedback1 advice1 and technical assistance to ,state and local governments and other entities seeking to participate in the pilot program2 and 7#b7 work to proactively engage such governments and entities with the goal of ensuring that many strong proposals for such program are submitted4 7d7 ,independent operation ,an employee of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs may not simultaneously serve on the ,task ,force and have responsibilities for selecting eligible entities for participation in the pilot program4 #h4 ,funding 7a7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out this ,act #ej1jjj1jjj1 to remain available for expenditure until #ae years after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 7b7 ,prohibition on ,federal funding for credit enhancements ,no amount appropriated to carry out this ,act may be used to provide any insurance1 guarantee1 or other credit enhancement to an eligible entity under which a ,federal payment would be made to an eligible entity as the result of such entity failing to achieve an outcome specified in an agreement under the pilot program4 7c7 ,limitation on cost of evaluations ,of the amounts appropriated to carry out this ,act in any fiscal year1 the ,secretary may not obligate more than #ae percent to evaluate under sections #e7;i7 and #f7;i7 the implementation and outcomes of ,,visit pay for results projects under the pilot program4 7d7 ,task force ,in any fiscal year1 the ,secretary may use not more than #e percent of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to carry out this ,act for the task force under section #g4 7e7 ,administrative expenses ,in any fiscal year1 the ,secretary may use not more than #e percent of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to carry out this ,act for administrative expenses4