[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 57 (Tuesday, March 25, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14276-14282]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7522]
[[Page 14275]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Part IV
Department of Health and Human Services
_______________________________________________________________________
Administration for Children and Families
_______________________________________________________________________
Administration for Native Americans; Availability of Financial
Assistance; Notice
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 57 / Tuesday, March 25, 1997 /
Notices
[[Page 14276]]
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families
[Program Announcement No. 93612-973]
Administration for Native Americans: Availability of Financial
Assistance
AGENCY: Administration for Native Americans (ANA), ACF, DHHS.
ACTION: Notice of funding availability.
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SUMMARY: The Administration for Native Americans (ANA) announces the
availability of fiscal year 1997 funds for information dissemination
and strategy development relating to the implementation of the tribal-
specific provisions of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity
Reconciliation Act of 1996, Pub. L. 104-193 (the Act). ANA plans to
fund applicants in six (6) geographic areas to develop comprehensive
TANF information dissemination and strategies designed to assist tribal
and community leaders in making informed decisions relating to
participation in the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
Program. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is
responsible for the implementation of the Act, including tribal-
specific TANF provisions.
Financial assistance provided by ANA in support of projects in this
area is intended to promote information dissemination and strategy
development concerning the TANF program for the benefit of entities
designated in Pub. L. 104-193 as eligible to administer a TANF
program--federally-recognized tribes, the Metlakatla Indian Community
and the 12 Alaska Native regional non-profit corporations.
DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications is May 27, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Application kits, containing the necessary forms and
instructions to apply for a grant under this program announcement, may
be obtained from: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Administration for Children and Families, Administration for Native
Americans, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, Mail Stop HHH 348F, Washington, DC
20447, Attention: 93612-973, Telephone: (202) 690-7776.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Deborah Yatsko, Program Specialist,
Administration for Children and Families, Administration for Native
Americans, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, Mail Stop HHH 348F, Washington, D.C.
20447, tel: (202) 690-7843, fax: (202) 690-7441.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction and Purpose
This Announcement describes the availability of fiscal year 1997
financial assistance for grants to develop and disseminate consistent
program information on the legal, fiscal and administrative
requirements of the TANF Block Grant Program to federally-recognized
tribes, the Metlakatla Indian Community and the 12 Alaska Native
regional non-profit corporations.
ANA fully supports and assists tribal and Alaska Native Village
governments, Native American institutions, and local leadership in
exercising local control and decision-making over their resources.
Consistent with this policy, ANA will assist federally-recognized
tribes, the Metlakatla Indian Community and the 12 Alaska Native
regional non-profit corporations in obtaining the information necessary
to make informed decisions about exercising their options under TANF;
i.e. to administer this program and apply directly for Federal funding,
participate in TANF through the State government, form tribal
consortia, or contract for services. This will be accomplished by
funding six (6) TANF information dissemination and strategy development
grants. Eligibility for these grants extends to all tribes,
organizations and groups listed in PART II, Section D ``Eligible
Applicants''.
Funding authorization is provided under section [803(a) of the
Native American Programs Act of 1974, as amended (Public Law 93-644, 88
Stat. 2324, 42 U.S.C. 2991b).]
Proposed projects will be reviewed on a competitive basis against
the specific evaluation criteria presented in this announcement.
Applicants may submit proposals for more than one geographic area, but
it is anticipated that no single organization will be awarded a grant
for more than one region. However, should a shortage of highly ranked
organizations develop, ANA may award more than one grant to an
organization or may combine regions under one grant.
This program announcement consists of three parts:
Part I--ANA Policy and Goals
Provides general information about ANA's policies and goals as
they relate to TANF information dissemination and strategy
development grants.
Part II--TANF Information Dissemination and Strategy Development Grants
Describes the TANF Information Dissemination and Strategy
Development Grants under which ANA is requesting applications.
The following sections provide specific information to be used
to develop an application for ANA funds:
A Purpose and Availability of Funds;
B Background;
C Competitive Geographical Areas of Consideration
D Eligible Applicants;
E Grantee Share of the Project;
F Review Criteria;
G Application Due Date; and
H Contacts to Obtain Further Information
Part III--General Application Information and Guidance
Provides important information and guidance that must be taken
into account in developing an application for one or more of the six
(6) geographical areas. These geographic areas are defined in PART
II, Section C. ``Competitive Geographic Areas of Consideration''.
Part I--ANA Policy and Goals
The mission of the Administration for Native Americans is to
promote the goal of social and economic self-sufficiency for American
Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and other Native American
Pacific Islanders. ANA believes that the responsibility of achieving
self-sufficiency resides with the governing bodies of Indian tribes,
Alaska Native Villages and in the leadership of Native American groups.
A community's progress toward self-sufficiency is based on its efforts
to plan, organize and direct resources in a comprehensive manner
consistent with its long-range goals. ANA fully supports and assists
tribal and Alaska Native Village governments, Native American
institutions, and local leadership in exercising local control and
decision-making over their resources.
Consistent with this policy, ANA is offering federal assistance
through grant projects designed to assist federally-recognized tribes,
the Metlakatla Indian Community and the 12 Alaska Native regional non-
profit corporations to gain information relating to their options under
the TANF Block Grant Program. Information and analysis to be provided
through the six (6) ANA grants must fully address this range of
options: to administer this program and apply directly for Federal
funds; participate through State governments; form tribal consortia; or
contract for services.
ANA will provide financial assistance to successful applicants to
disseminate information about the TANF Block Grant Program in specific
geographic areas. These TANF information dissemination and strategy
development projects will last for up to one year. Applicants must
describe concrete strategies to gather, organize and disseminate
program information. Planning for the project must consider
[[Page 14277]]
the maximum use of all available resources, including: initial
coordination with ACF to ensure that the TANF information to be
provided to tribes is comprehensive and current; how resources will be
directed to program information dissemination; and comprehensive
strategies for presenting the information, such as meetings, forums,
workshops, cluster sessions and on-site presentations.
An application from a federally-recognized Tribe, Alaska Native
Village or Native American organization must be from the governing body
of the Tribe or organization. ANA will not accept applications from
tribal components which are tribally-authorized divisions of a larger
tribe, unless the application includes a Tribal resolution which
clearly demonstrates the Tribe's support of the project and the Tribe's
understanding that the other applicant's project supplants the Tribe's
authority to submit an application under that specific competitive area
for the duration of the approved grant period.
Part II--TANF Information Dissemination and Strategy Development Grants
This part describes ANA's funding authority, priorities,
requirements and review criteria. The standard requirements necessary
for each application as well as the standard ANA program guidance and
technical guidance are described in Part III of this announcement.
A. Purpose and Availability of Funds
This Announcement describes the availability of fiscal year 1997
financial assistance for grants to develop and disseminate consistent
program information on the legal, fiscal and administrative
requirements of the TANF Block Grant Program to federally-recognized
tribes, the Metlakatla Indian Community and the 12 Alaska Native
regional non-profit corporations.
Approximately $ 1,200,000 of financial assistance is anticipated to
be available for TANF information dissemination and strategy
development. ANA anticipates awarding six (6) competitive grants to
provide geographic coverage for the continental United States and
Alaska.
B. Background
Recent legislation significantly changes the administration and
delivery of welfare services by enabling federally-recognized tribes,
the Metlaketla Indian Community and the 12 Alaska Native regional non-
profit corporations to receive direct Federal funding to administer
social welfare programs. Pub. L. 104-193 (the Act) authorizes tribes to
apply directly to the Department of Health and Human Services to
receive funds and administer TANF Block Grants; participate through the
state government; form tribal consortia; or to contract for services.
The TANF Block Grant Program replaces the former Aid to Families With
Dependent Children Program (AFDC), the Job Opportunity and Basic Skills
Training Program (JOBS) and the Emergency Assistance (EA) Program.
The new law represents a significant departure from the previous
welfare laws and contains many provisions of major consequence to
tribes. These provisions must be implemented in a relatively short time
to maximize the availability of Federal funds. The specific references
to tribal-specific TANF provisions are found in sections 412 and 417
(4) of the amended IV-A of the Social Security Act:
Title I of Pub.L. 104-193 amends part A of title IV of the
Social Security Act by replacing the Aid to Families with Dependent
Children (AFDC) Program, the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills
(JOBS) Program and the Emergency Assistance (EA) program with the
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program. Under the
new IV-A, open-ended funding and guaranteed individual entitlement
to public assistance has been repealed. The purpose of TANF is to
give States and federally-recognized tribes, the Metlakatla Indian
Community and the 12 Alaska Native regional non-profit corporations
the opportunity to create a system that promotes work and
responsibility and strengthens families. Flexibility is now provided
to States and Indian tribes to operate a program designed to provide
assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in
their own homes or in the homes of relatives; reduce dependency on
public benefits by promoting job preparation, work and marriage,
prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies; and
encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families. The
new statute provides both challenges and opportunities to help needy
families.
The information to be disseminated through the six (6) ANA grants
will assist federally-recognized tribes, the Metlakatla Indian
Community, and the 12 Alaska Native regional non-profit corporations in
understanding and assessing their options under TANF. Such information
may include the background and statutory requirements of TANF; data
systems and other administrative requirements to conduct a TANF
program; schematics for program models and designs, including intake
processing for TANF applicants; identification of data sources on size
and composition of the TANF-eligible population; availability of TANF
funds; financial consequences and anticipated costs for tribes under
each option; requirements for forming consortia or contracting for
services; consideration of tribal-state cooperative agreements;
participation as part of a State program; and the relationship of TANF
to other social service programs.
Applications should also address the mechanisms to be used in
gathering information and assuring that all information provided to
tribes is authoritative, comprehensive and current. Proposals should be
as specific as possible in identifying how information will be
disseminated to tribes and how options will be explored. Proposals
should also clearly identify the approaches to be taken, such as
meetings, forums, cluster groups, and on-site presentations. A
recognition of the diversity of local tribal needs and capabilities
should also be fully articulated.
C. Competitive Geographical Areas of Consideration
Competitive geographical areas are approximately equivalent to the
federal regional system, with Alaska as a separate area. These
geographical divisions are designated according to the concentration of
TANF-eligible entities (federally-recognized tribes, the Metlakatla
Indian Community and the 12 Alaska Native regional non-profit
corporations) in each area. Eligible applicants for the six (6) ANA
grants (as listed in Part II, Section D, ``Eligible Applicants'') may
compete in each of the following six (6) geographical areas:
Area 1--Federal regions 1-5: CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT, NY, NJ, DE, MD,
PA, AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN, IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI, VA, WV
Area 2--Federal regions 6 & 7: AR, LA, NM, OK, TX, IA, KS, MO, NE
Area 3--Federal region 8: CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY
Area 4--Federal region 9: AZ, CA, NV
Area 5--Federal region 10: ID, OR, WA
Area 6--AK
Applicants may submit one application per geographical area. An
applicant may receive only one grant, regardless of the number of
geographic areas in which it competes. Should a shortage of highly
ranked organizations develop, however, ANA may award more than one
grant to an organization or may combine regions under one grant.
D. Eligible Applicants
The following organizations are eligible to apply under this
competitive area:
Federally recognized Indian Tribes;
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Consortia of Indian Tribes;
Incorporated non-Federally recognized Tribes;
Incorporated nonprofit multi-purpose community-based
Indian organizations;
Urban Indian Centers;
National or regional incorporated nonprofit Native
American organizations with Native American community-specific
objectives;
Alaska Native villages as defined in the Alaska Native
Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) and/or nonprofit village consortia;
Incorporated nonprofit Alaska Native multi-purpose
community-based organizations;
Nonprofit Alaska Native Regional Corporations/Associations
in Alaska with village specific projects;
Nonprofit Native organizations in Alaska with village
specific projects;
Public and nonprofit private agencies serving Native
Hawaiians;
Public and nonprofit private agencies serving native
peoples from Guam, American Samoa, Palau, or the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands. (The populations served may be located on
these islands or in the United States); and
Tribally Controlled Community Colleges, Tribally
Controlled Post-Secondary Vocational Institutions, and colleges and
universities located in Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Palau, or the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands which serve Native
American Pacific Islanders.
Note: Current ANA grantees are also eligible to apply under this
announcement.
Any non-profit organization submitting an application must submit
proof of its non-profit status in its application at the time of
submission. The non-profit agency can accomplish this by providing a
copy of the applicant's listing in the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS)
most recent list of tax exempt organizations described in Section
501(c)(3) of the IRS code or by providing a copy of the currently valid
IRS tax exemption certificate, or by providing a copy of the articles
of incorporation bearing the seal of the State in which the corporation
or association is domiciled.
If the applicant is other than a tribe or an Alaska Native Village
government and is proposing a project benefiting Native Americans or
Alaska Natives, or both, it must provide assurance that its duly
elected or appointed board of directors is representative of the
community to be served. An organization can conclusively establish that
it meets this requirement through a signed statement or resolution
stating that its duly elected or appointed board of directors are
either Native Americans or Native Alaskans or a copy of the
organizational charter or by-laws that clearly states that the
organization has a board drawn from members of those groups.
E. Grantee Share of the Project
Grantees must provide at least 20 percent of the total approved
cost of the project. (The total approved cost of the project is the sum
of the ACF share and the non-Federal share.) The non-Federal share may
be met by cash or in-kind contributions; although applicants are
encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash contributions.
Therefore, a project requesting $200,000 in Federal funds must include
a match of at least $50,000 (20% total project cost).
As per 45 CFR Part 74.2, In-Kind contributions is defined as ``the
value of non-cash contributions provided by non-Federal third parties.
Third party-in kind contributions may be in the form of real property,
equipment, supplies and other expendable property, and the value of
goods and services directly benefiting and specifically identifiable to
the project or program.''
In addition it may include other Federal funding sources where its
legislation or regulations authorizes using specific types of funds for
a match and provided the source relates to the ANA project, as follows:
Indian Child Welfare funds, through the Department of
Interior;
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance funds,
through the Department of Interior and the Department of Health and
Human Services; and
Community Development Block Grant funds, through the
Department of Housing and Urban Development.
An itemized budget detailing the applicant's non-Federal share, and
its source, must be included in an application.
If an applicant plans to charge indirect costs in its ANA
application, a current copy of its Indirect Cost Agreement must be
included in the application.
A request for a waiver of the non-Federal share requirement may be
submitted in accordance with 45 CFR 1336.50(b)(3) of the Native
American Program Regulations.
Note: Applications originating from American Samoa, Guam, Palau,
or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are covered
under Section 501(d) of Public Law 95-134, as amended (48 U.S.C.
1469a) under which HHS waives any requirement for local matching
funds under $200,000 (including in-kind contributions).
F. Review Criteria
The evaluation criteria are closely related to each other and are
considered as a whole in judging the overall quality of an application.
Points are awarded only to applications which are responsive to this
program announcement. Proposed projects will be reviewed on a
competitive basis using the following evaluation criteria:
(1) Goals and Available Resources--(10 points)
(a) The application describes the applicant's goals and strategy,
including:
How applicant's goals relate to the Tribal-specific
provisions of P.L. 104-193;
How the applicant intends to achieve these goals;
Applications must clearly explain how the project was originated,
state who the intended beneficiaries will be, and describe how the
recipients will actually benefit from the project. National Indian and
Native organizations should define their membership and describe how
the organization operates.
(b) Available resources (other than ANA and the non-Federal share)
which will assist, and be coordinated with the project are described.
These resources should be documented by letters or documents of
commitment of resources, not merely letters of support.
``Letters of support'' merely express another
organization's endorsement of a proposed project. Support letters are
not binding commitment letters or do not factually establish the
authenticity of other resources.
``Letters and other documents of commitment'' are binding
when they specifically state the nature, the amount, and conditions
under which another individual, agency or organization will support a
project funded with ANA funds.
These resources may be human, natural or financial, and may include
other Federal and non-Federal resources. (Applicant statements that
additional funding will be sought from other specific sources are not
considered a binding commitment of outside resources.)
Note: Applicants from the Native American Pacific Islands are
not required to provide a 20% match for the non-Federal share if it
is under $200,000 and may not have points reduced for this policy.
They are, however, expected to coordinate non-ANA resources for the
proposed project, as are all ANA applicants.
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(2) Organizational Capabilities and Qualifications--(30 points)
(a) The management and administrative structure of the applicant is
explained. Evidence of the applicant's ability to manage a project of
the proposed scope is demonstrated. The application clearly shows the
successful management of projects of similar scope by the organization,
and/or by the individuals designated to manage the project.
(b) Position descriptions and/or resumes of key personnel,
including those of consultants, are presented. The position
descriptions and/or resumes relate specifically to the staff proposed
in the Approach Page and in the proposed Budget of the application.
Position descriptions very clearly describe each position and its
duties and clearly relate to the personnel staffing required to achieve
the project objectives. Resumes demonstrate that the proposed staff are
qualified to carry out the project activities. Either the position
descriptions or the resumes contain the qualifications and/or
specialized skills necessary for overall quality management of the
project. Resumes must be included if individuals have been identified
for positions in the application.
Note: Applicants are strongly encouraged to give preference to
Native Americans in hiring staff and subcontracting services under
an approved ANA grant.
(3) Project Objectives, Approach and Activities.--(30 points)
The application proposes specific project Objective Work Plans with
activities related to each specific objective.
The Objective Work Plan(s) in the application includes project
objectives and activities for the budget period and demonstrates that
each of the objectives and its activities:
identifies the basic approach to be used in collecting,
disseminating and presenting TANF information; includes initial
coordination with ACF;
includes strategies and methods for analyzing options
available to federally recognized tribes, the Metlakatla Indian
Community and the 12 Alaska Native regional non-profit corporations
regarding participating in TANF programs.
is measurable and/or quantifiable in terms of results or
outcomes;
clearly relates to the applicant's goals and strategies;
can be accomplished with the available or expected
resources during the proposed project period;
indicates when the objective, and major activities under
each objective, will be accomplished;
specifies who will conduct the activities under each
objective;
(4) Results or Benefits Expected--(15 points)
Completion of the proposed objectives will result in specific,
measurable results. The specific information provided in the narrative
and objective work plans on expected results or benefits for each
objective is the standard upon which its achievement can be evaluated
at the end of the project.
(5) Budget--(15 points)
A detailed and fully explained budget is provided for the budget
period requested which:
Justifies each line item, with a well-written
justification, in the budget categories in Section B of the Budget
Information of the application, including the applicant's non-Federal
share and its source;
Includes and justifies sufficient cost and other necessary
details to facilitate the determination of cost allowability and the
relevance of these costs to the proposed project; and
Requests funds which are appropriate and necessary for the
scope of the proposed project.
Note: (Applicants from the Native American Pacific Islands are
exempt from the $200,000 non-Federal share requirement).
Part III--General Application Information and Guidance
A. General Considerations
Non-ANA resources should be leveraged to strengthen and broaden the
impact of the proposed project in the community. Project designs should
explain how those parts of projects which ANA does not fund will be
financed through other sources. Applicants must show the relationship
of non-ANA funded activities to those objectives and activities that
are funded with ANA grant funds.
Costs of fundraising, including financial campaigns, endowment
drives, solicitation of gifts and bequests, and similar expenses
incurred solely to raise capital or obtain contributions are
unallowable under a grant award. However, even though these costs are
unallowable for purposes of computing charges to Federal awards, they
must be treated as direct costs for purposes of determining indirect
cost rates and be allocated their share of the organization's indirect
costs if they represent activities which (1) include the salaries of
personnel, (2) occupy space, and (3) benefit from the organization's
indirect costs.
All projects funded by ANA must be completed by the end of the
project period. ``Completed'' means that the project ANA funded is
finished, and the desired result(s) have been attained.
B. Activities That Cannot Be Funded By ANA
The Administration for Native Americans does not fund projects that
operate indefinitely or require ANA funding on a recurring basis. The
Administration for Native Americans does not fund objectives or
activities for the core administration of an organization. ``Core
administration'' is funding for staff salaries for those functions
which support the organization as a whole, or for purposes unrelated to
the actual management or implementation of work conducted under an ANA
approved project.
However, functions and activities that are clearly project related
are eligible for grant funding. For example, the 2 management and
administrative functions necessary to carry out an ANA approved project
are not considered ``core administration'' and are, therefore, eligible
costs. Additionally, ANA will fund the salaries of approved staff for
time actually and reasonably spent to implement a funded ANA project.
Projects or activities that generally will not meet the purposes of
this announcement are discussed further in Part III, Section H, General
Guidance to Applicants, below.
C. Length of Projects
Awards, on a competitive basis, will be for a one-year project and
budget period.
D. Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs
This program is not covered by Executive Order 12372 or 45 CFR Part
100.
E. The Application Process
1. Availability of application forms. In order to be considered for
a grant under this program announcement, an application must be
submitted on the forms supplied and in the manner prescribed by ANA.
The application kits containing the necessary forms and instructions
may be obtained from: Department of Health and Human Services,
Administration for Children and Families, Administration for Native
Americans, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, Mail Stop HHH 348F, Washington, D.C.
[[Page 14280]]
20447, Attention: 93612-973, Telephone: (202) 690-7776.
2. Application submission. One signed original, and two copies, of
the grant application, including all attachments, must be mailed on or
before the closing date to: Department of Health and Human Services,
Administration for Children and Families, Division of Discretionary
Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W., Mail Stop 6C-462, Washington,
D.C. 20447, Attention: William J. McCarron, ANA No. 93612-973.
Hand delivered applications are accepted between the hours of 8:00
a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, on or prior to the
established closing date at: Administration for Children and Families,
Division of Discretionary Grants, ACF Mailroom, 2nd Floor Loading Dock,
Aerospace Center, 901 D Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024.
The application (Form 424) must be signed by an individual
authorized (1) to act for the applicant tribe or organization, and (2)
to assume the applicant's obligations under the terms and conditions of
the grant award, including Native American Program statutory and
regulatory requirements.
Each eligible applicant may compete in all geographic areas.
However, it can receive a grant award in only one of the geographic
areas under this announcement. The Administration for Native Americans
will accept only one application per geographic area from any one
applicant. If an eligible applicant sends in two applications for the
same geographic area, the one with the earlier postmark will be
accepted for review unless the applicant withdraws the earlier
application.
Six (6) separate ranking lists, one for each geographic area, will
be utitilized in the decision process.
3. Application consideration. The ANA Commissioner determines the
final action to be taken on each grant application received under this
program announcement.
The following points should be taken into consideration by all
applicants:
Incomplete applications and applications that do not
conform to this announcement will not be accepted for review.
Applicants will be notified in writing of any such determination by
ANA.
Complete applications that conform to all the requirements
of this program announcement are subjected to a competitive review and
evaluation process (discussed in section F below). Independent review
panels consisting of reviewers familiar with American Indian Tribes,
Native American communities and organizations, and Pub. L. 104-193,
evaluate each application using the published criteria. As a result of
the review, a numerical score will be assigned to each application.
The Commissioner's funding decision is based on the review
panel's analysis of the application, recommendation and comments of ANA
staff, State and Federal agencies having contract and grant performance
related information, and other interested parties.
The Commissioner makes grant awards consistent with the
purpose of the Act, all relevant statutory and regulatory requirements,
this program announcement, and the availability of funds.
After the Commissioner has made decisions on all
applications, unsuccessful applicants are notified in writing within
approximately 30 days. Successful applicants are notified through an
official Financial Assistance Award (FAA) document. ANA staff cannot
respond to requests for information regarding funding decisions prior
to the official notification to the applicants. The FAA will state the
amount of Federal funds awarded, the purpose of the grant, the terms
and conditions of the grant award, the effective date of the award, the
project period, the budget period, and the amount of the non-ACF
matching share requirement.
F. The Review Process
1. Initial application review. Applications submitted by the
closing date and verified by the postmark under this program
announcement will undergo a pre-review to determine that:
The applicant is eligible in accordance with the Eligible
Applicants Section of this announcement; and
The application is signed and submitted by the deadline
explained in section I, Receipt of Applications, of this announcement.
2. Competitive review of accepted applications. Applications which
pass the pre-review will be evaluated and rated by an independent
review panel on the basis of the specific evaluation criteria listed in
Part II. These criteria are used to evaluate the quality of a proposed
project, and to determine the likelihood of its success.
3. Appeal of ineligibility. Applicants who are initially rejected
from competitive evaluation because of ineligibility, may appeal an ANA
decision of applicant ineligibility. Likewise, applicants may also
appeal an ANA decision that an applicant's proposed activities are
ineligible for funding consideration.
G. General Guidance to Applicants
The following information is provided to assist applicants in
developing a competitive application.
1. Program Guidance
The Administration for Native Americans funds projects
that demonstrate the strongest prospects for addressing the stated
purposes of this program announcement. Projects will not be funded on
the basis of need alone.
In discussing the goals, strategy, and problems being
addressed in the application, present sufficient background concerning
these issues, including TANF requirements. This material will assist
the reviewers in determining the appropriateness and potential benefits
of the proposed project.
Applicants must document the community's support for the
proposed project and explain the role of the community in the planning
process and implementation of the proposed project. For tribes, a
current signed resolution from the governing body of the tribe
supporting the project proposal stating that there has been community
involvement in the planning of this project will suffice as evidence of
community support/involvement. For all other eligible applicants, the
type of community you serve will determine the type of documentation
necessary. For example, a tribal organization may submit resolutions
supporting the project proposal from each of its members tribes, as
well as a resolution from the applicant organization.
The project application, including the Objective Work
Plans, must clearly identify in measurable terms the expected results,
benefits or outcomes of the proposed project, and the positive or
continuing impact that the project will have on the community.
Supporting documentation, including letters of support, if
available, or other testimonies from concerned interests other than the
applicant should be included to demonstrate support for the feasibility
of the project and the commitment of other resources to the proposed
project.
2. Technical Guidance
Applicants are encouraged to have someone other than the
author apply the evaluation criteria in the program announcement and
score the application prior to its submission, in order to gain a
better sense of the application's quality and potential competitiveness
in the ANA review process.
[[Page 14281]]
For purposes of developing an application, applicants
should plan for a project start date approximately 90 days after the
closing date under which the application is submitted.
For purposes of this announcement, ANA is using the Bureau
of Indian Affairs' list of Federally recognized Indian tribes which
includes nonprofit Alaska Native community entities or tribal governing
bodies (IRA or traditional councils). Other Federally recognized Indian
tribes which may not yet be included on this list (e.g., those Tribes
which have been recently recognized or restored by the United States
Congress) are also eligible to apply for ANA funds.
Eligible applicants may submit one application per
geographic area. If an eligible applicant sends in two applications for
the same geographic area, the one with the earlier postmark will be
accepted for review unless the applicant withdraws the earlier
application.
An application from a tribe, Alaska Native Village or
Native American organization must be from the governing body of the
Tribe or organization. ANA will not accept applications from tribal
components which are tribally-authorized divisions of a larger tribe,
unless the application includes a Tribal resolution which clearly
demonstrates the Tribe's support of the project and the Tribe's
understanding that the other applicant's project supplants the Tribe's
authority to submit an application for the duration of the approved
grant period.
The application's Form 424 must be signed by the
applicant's representative authorized to act with full authority on
behalf of the applicant.
The Administration for Native Americans recommends that
the pages of the application be numbered sequentially and that a table
of contents be provided. Simple tabbing of the sections of the
application is also helpful to the reviewers.
An application with an original signature and two
additional copies are required.
The Cover Page (included in the Kit) should be the first
page of an application, followed by the one-page abstract.
The Approach page (Section B of the ANA Program Narrative)
for each Objective Work Plan proposed should be of sufficient detail to
become a monthly staff guide for project responsibilities if the
applicant is funded.
Line 15a of the Form 424 must specify the Federal funds
requested for the Budget Period.
The Administration for Native Americans will critically
evaluate applications in which the acquisition of equipment is a major
component of the Federal share of the budget. ``Equipment is tangible,
non-expendable personal property having a useful life of more than one
year and an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit.'' During
negotiation, such expenditures may be deleted from the budget of an
otherwise approved application, if not fully justified by the applicant
and not deemed appropriate to the needs of the project by ANA.
Applicants are encouraged to request a legibly dated
receipt from a commercial carrier or U.S. Postal Service as proof of
timely mailing.
3. Projects or Activities That Generally Will Not Meet the Purposes of
This Announcement
The support of on-going social service delivery programs
or the expansion, or continuation, of existing social service delivery
programs.
Core administration functions, or other activities, which
essentially support only the applicant's on-going administrative
functions.
Project goals which are not responsive to this program
announcement.
Proposals from consortia of tribes that are not specific
with regard to support from, and roles of, member tribes.
Projects that will not be completed by the end of the
project period.
ANA will not fund the purchase of real estate (see 45 CFR
1336.50 (e)) or construction (see ACF Grants Administration Manual
Sec. 3.12).
Projects originated and designed by consultants who
provide a major role for themselves in the proposed project and are not
members of the applicant organization, tribe or village.
H. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13, the
Department is required to submit to the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) for review and approval any reporting and record keeping
requirements in regulations including program announcements.
Information collection through this Program Announcement, including the
program narrative statement, are approved by the OMB under control
number 0980-0204, which expires August 31, 1999.
I. Receipt of Applications
The closing date for the submission of applications is May 27,
1997. Applications postmarked after the closing date will be classified
as late.
1. Deadline
Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an
announced deadline if they are either received on or before the
deadline date or sent on or before the deadline date and received by
ACF in time for the independent review to: U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Division of
Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Mail Stop 6C-462
Washington, D.C. 20447.
Applicants are cautioned to request a legibly dated U.S.
Postal Service postmark or to obtain a legibly dated receipt from a
commercial carrier or the U.S. Postal Service. Private metered
postmarks shall not be acceptable as proof of timely mailing.
Applications handcarried by applicants, applicant
couriers, or by overnight/express mail couriers shall be considered as
meeting an announced deadline if they are received on or before the
deadline date, Monday through Friday (excluding Federal holidays),
between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:30 pm, at: U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Division
of Discretionary Grants, ACF Mailroom, 2nd Floor Loading Dock,
Aerospace Center, 901 D Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024.
(Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not
always deliver as agreed.)
ACF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by fax
or through other electronic media. Therefore, applications transmitted
to ACF electronically will not be accepted regardless of date or time
of submission and time of receipt.
2. Late Applications
Applications which do not meet the criteria above are considered
late applications. ACF shall notify each late applicant that its
application will not be considered in the current competition.
3. Extension of Deadlines
The Administration for Children and Families may extend the
deadline for all applicants because of acts of God such as floods,
hurricanes, etc., widespread disruption of the mails, or when it is
anticipated that many of the applications will come from rural or
remote areas. However, if ACF does not extend the deadline for all
applicants, it may not waive or extend the deadline for any applicant.
[[Page 14282]]
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number: 93.612
Native American Programs)
Dated: March 18, 1997.
Gary N. Kimble,
Commissioner, Administration for Native Americans.
[FR Doc. 97-7522 Filed 3-24-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P
