[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 102 (Thursday, May 28, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29221-29229]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14132]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families
[Program Announcement No. 93612-983]
Administration for Native Americans: Availability of Financial
Assistance
AGENCY: Administration for Native Americans, ACF, DHHS.
ACTION: Announcement of availability of competitive financial
assistance for projects administered by the Administration for Native
Americans for Native Hawaiian organizations and groups.
SUMMARY: The Administration for Native Americans (ANA) announces the
anticipated availability of fiscal year 1998 funds in the area of
governance and social and economic development for Native Hawaiian
entities. Financial assistance provided by ANA in support of such
projects is intended to promote.
EFFECTIVE DATE: The closing date for submission of applications under
this program announcement: July 1, 1998.
Native Hawaiian applicants who submitted applications for the May
1, 1998 SEDS closing previously announced in the Federal Register, Vol.
62, No. 186, September 25, 1997, pp. 50372-50386, have the opportunity
to withdraw their application and submit the same proposal or a
different proposal for this closing. Eligible Native Hawaiian entities
who do not withdraw their application from the May 1, 1998 SEDS
closing, will not be eligible to submit another application under this
closing. To withdraw an application, notice must be provided to ANA no
later than Midnight, June 15, 1998.
Notice to withdraw an application must be in writing and sent to:
Jean Luka, Program Specialist, Administration for Native Americans, 370
L'Enfant Promenade, Mail Stop: HHH 348F, Washington, D.C. 20447.
Telefax or e-mail will be accepted. The telefax number is (202) 690-
7441 and the e-mail address is: jluka@acf.dhhs.gov.
All instructions to withdraw an application will be confirmed in
writing.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jean Luka, Program Specialist,
Department of
[[Page 29222]]
Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families,
Administration for Native Americans, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, Mail Stop
HHH 348F, Washington, DC 20447, tel: (202) 690-6324, Fax (202) 690-
7441, e-mail: jluka@acf.dhhs.gov.
APPLICATION KIT: Application kits, (Approved by the OMB under control
number 0980-0294, which expires August 31, 1999) containing the
necessary forms and instructions to apply for a grant under this
program announcement, 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. 20447, Attention: 93612-983, Telephone:
(202) 690-7776, Fax: (202) 690-7441.
Copies of this program announcement and many of the required forms
may be obtained electronically at the ANA World Wide Web Page: http://
www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/ana/index.html
The printed Federal Register notice is the only official program
announcement. Although, all reasonable efforts are taken to assure that
the files on the ANA World Wide Web Page containing electronic copies
of this Program Announcement are accurate and complete, they are
provided for information only. The applicant bears role responsibility
to assure that the copy downloaded and/or printed from any other source
is accurate and complete.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
Introduction and Purpose
The purpose of this program announcement is to announce the
anticipated availability of fiscal year 1998 funds for Native Hawaiian
entities, authorized under the Native American Program Act of 1974
(ACT), as amended, to promote the goal of social and economic self-
sufficiency for American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and
Native American Pacific Islanders. Funding authorization is provided
under sections 803(a), and 803(d) of the Native American Programs Act
of 1974, as amended (Pub. L. 96-644. 88 Stat. 2324, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.).
The Administration for Native Americans assists eligible applicants
to undertake 12 to 36 months development projects that are part of
long-range comprehensive plans to move toward governance, social, and/
or economic self-sufficiency.
The Administration for Native Americans promotes the goal of self-
sufficiency in Native American communities primarily through Social and
Economic Development Strategies (SEDS) projects.
Eligible applicants may compete for a grant award in each of ANA's
competitive areas (published in earlier program announcements). ANA
continues its policy that an applicant may only submit one application
per competitive funding area.
Part I--ANA Policy and Goals
Provides general information about ANA's policies and goals.
Part II--ANA Competitive Areas
Describes Competitive Area 4: Governance, Social and Economics
Development (SEDS) for Native Hawaiian entities under which ANA is
requesting applications:
A. Purpose and Availability of Funds;
B. Background;
C. Proposed Projects to be Funded;
D. Eligible Applicants;
E. Grantee Share of the Project; and
F. Review Criteria;
Part III General Application Information and Guidance
Provides important information and guidance that must be taken into
account in developing an application:
A. Definitions;
B. General Considerations;
C. Activities That Cannot be Funded by ANA;
D. Multi-Year Projects;
E. Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs;
F. The Application Process;
G. The Review Process;
H. General Guidance to Applicants;
I. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; and
J. Receipt of Applications
Part I--ANA Policy and Goals
The mission of the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) is to
promote the goal of social and economic self-sufficiency for American
Indians, Alaska Natives, Natives Hawaiians, and other Native American
Pacific Islanders.
The Administration for Native Americans believes that a Native
American community is self-sufficient when it can generate and control
the resources necessary to meet its social and economic goals, and the
needs of its members.
The Administration for Native Americans also believes that the
responsibility for 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 which is consistent with its
established long-range goals.
The Administration for Native Americans' policy is based on three
interrelated goals:
1. Governance: To assist tribal and Alaska Native village
governments, Native American institutions, and local leadership to
exercise local control and decision-making over their resources.
2. Economic Development: To foster the development of stable,
diversified local economics and economic activities which will provide
jobs and promote economic well-being.
3. Social Development: To support local access to, control of, and
coordination of services and programs which safeguard the health, well-
being and culture of people, provide support services and training so
people can work, all of which are essential to a thriving and self-
sufficient community.
Applicants under this program announcement may propose to undertake
12 to 36 month projects. For each type of project, applicants must
describe a locally-determined strategy to carry out a proposed project
with fundable objectives and activities. Local long-range planning must
consider the maximum use of all available resources, how the resources
will be directed to development opportunities, and present a strategy
for overcoming the local issues that hinder movement toward self-
sufficiency in the community.
Part II--ANA Competitive Areas
This competitive area is in addition to other competitive areas
identified in the Federal Register, Vol. 62, No. 186, September 25,
1997, pp. 50372-50386, and is designated as competitive area 4. This
part describes ANA's funding authorities, priorities, special
initiatives, special application requirements, and review criteria
under competitive area 4. The standard requirements necessary for each
application, as well as standard ANA program guidance and technical
guidance are described in Part III of this announcement.
Native Hawaiian applicants who submitted applications for the May
1, 1998 SEDS closing previously announced in the Federal Register, Vol.
62, No. 186, September 25, 1997, pp. 50372-50386, have the opportunity
to withdraw their application and submit the same proposal or a
different proposal for this closing. Eligible Native Hawaiian entities
who do not withdraw their application from the May 1, 1998 SEDS
closing, will not be eligible to submit another application under this
closing. To withdraw an application,
[[Page 29223]]
notice must be provided to ANA no later than Midnight, June 15, 1998.
Notice to withdraw an application must be in writing and sent to:
Jean Luka, Program Specialist, Administration for Native Americans, 370
L'Enfant Promenade, Mail Stop: HHH 348F, Washington, D.C. 20447.
Telefax or e-mail will be accepted. The telefax number is (202) 690-
7441 and the e-mail address is jluka@acf.dhhs.gov. All instructions to
withdraw an application will be confirmed in writing.
Under this competitive area, ANA will only accept one application
per Native Hawaiian entity.
Hawaiian-Specific Social and Economic Development Strategies (SEDS)
Projects
A. Purpose and Availability of Funds
The purpose of this competitive area is to announce the anticipated
availability of fiscal year 1998 funds for Native Hawaiian social and
economic development projects. Approximately $2 million of financial
assistance is anticipated under the competitive area for Native
Hawaiian governance, social and economic development projects.
With the participation by the State of Hawaii's Office of Hawaiian
Affairs and the statutory limitations placed on their funding, funding
of successful applicants may be through a combination of state and
federal funds.
All funded applications will receive federal awards and the entire
project will be monitored by ANA.
ANA plans to award approximately 10-15 grants under this
competitive area.
B. Background
ANA assists tribal and village governments, and Native American
organizations in their efforts to develop and implement community-
based, long-term governance, social and economic development strategies
(SEDS). These strategies must promote the goal of self-sufficiency in
local communities.
Based on the three ANA goals described in part I, ANA is
implementing a special Native Hawaiian social and economic initiative
through the joint efforts of the State of Hawaii's Office of Hawaiian
Affairs. This special effort is designed to provide financial
assistance at the local level or for community-specific projects aimed
at improving a community's governance capabilities and for social and
economic development.
The SEDS approach is based on ANA's program goals and incorporates
two fundamental principles:
1. The local community and its leadership are responsible for
determining goals, setting priorities, and planning and implementing
programs aimed at achieving those goals. The local community is in the
best position to apply its own cultural, political, and socio-economic
values to its long-term strategies and programs.
2. Governance and social and economic development are interrelated.
In order to move toward self-sufficiency, development in one area
should be balanced with development in the others. Consequently,
comprehensive development strategies should address all aspects of the
governmental, economic, and social infrastructures needed to promote
self-sufficient communities. ANA's SEDS policy uses the following
definitions:
Governmental infrastructure includes the constitutional,
legal, and administrative development requisite for independent
governance.
Economic infrastructure includes the physical, commercial,
industrial and/or agricultural components necessary for a functioning
local economy which supports the life-style embraced by the Native
American community.
Social infrastructure includes those components through
which health, economic well-being and culture are maintained within the
community and that support governance and economic goals.
These definitions should be kept in mind as a local social and
economic development strategy is developed as part of a grant
application.
A community's movement toward self-sufficiency could be jeopardized
if a careful balance between governmental, economic and social
development is not maintained. For example, expansion of social
services, without providing opportunities for employment and economic
development, could lead to dependency on social services.
Conversely, inadequate support services and training could
seriously impede productivity and local economic development.
Additionally, the necessary infrastructures must be developed or
expanded at the community level to support social and economic
development and growth. In designing their social and economic
development strategies, ANA encourages an applicant to use or leverage
all available human, natural, financial, and physical resources.
In discussion their community-based, long-range goals. and the
objectives for the proposed projects, ANA recommends that Native
organizations include a description of what constitutes their specific
community.
ANA encourages the development and maintenance of comprehensive
strategic plans which are an integral part of attaining and supporting
the balance necessary for successful activities that lead to self-
sufficiency.
C. Proposed Projects To Be Funded
This section provides descriptions of activities which are
consistent with the SEDS philosophy. Proposed activities should be
tailored to reflect the governance, social and economic development,
needs of the local community and should be consistent with supportive
of the proposed project objectives. Examples of the types of projects
that ANA may fund include, but are not limited to, projects that will:
Governance
Increasing the ability of Hawaiian groups and
organizations to plan, develop, and administer a comprehensive program
to support community social and economic self-sufficiency (including
strategic planning); and
Increasing awareness of and exercising the legal rights to
which Hawaiians are entitled, either by virtue of treaties, the Federal
trust relationship, legislative authority, executive orders,
administrative and court decisions, or as citizens of a particular
state, territory, or of the United States.
Economic Development
Development of a community economic infrastructure that
will result in businesses, jobs, and an economic support structure.
Establishment or expansion of businesses and jobs in areas
such as tourism, specialty agriculture, light and/or heavy
manufacturing, construction, housing and fisheries or aquaculture.
Stabilizing and diversifying a Hawaiian community's
economic base through business development ventures; and,
Creation of microenterprises or private sector
development.
Social Development
Enhancing organizational capabilities to design or
administer programs aimed at strengthening the social environment
desired by the local community;
Developing local models related to comprehensive planning
and delivery of services;
Developing programs or activities to preserve and enhance
Hawaiian heritage and culture; and
Establishing programs which involve extended families or
Hawaiian
[[Page 29224]]
communities in activities that strengthen cultural identity and promote
community development or self-esteem.
Other SEDS Relationships. ANA encourages projects designed to use
the SEDS approach to help achieve current priorities of the
Administration for Children and Families which are to:
Address welfare reform such as moving families to work.
Help ensure child support from both parents.
Create access to afford child care for low income working
families.
Reach children earlier to promote full development,
including links to Head Start, Early Head Start and Child Care.
Help enroll children in quality Head Start and prepare
them to be ready to learn.
Provide safety, permanency and well-being for children and
double the number of adoptions from the public child welfare system.
D. Eligible Applicants
Native Hawaiian applicants who submitted applications for the May
1,1998 SEDS closing previously announced in the Federal Register, Vol.
62, No. 186, September 25, 1997, pp. 50372-50386, have the opportunity
to withdraw their application and submit the same proposal or a
different proposal for this closing. Eligible Native Hawaiian entities
who do not withdraw their application from the May 1, 1998 SEDS
closing, will not be eligible to submit another application under this
closing. To withdraw an application, notice must be provided to ANA no
later than Midnight, June 15, 1998.
Notice to withdraw an application must be in writing and sent to:
Jean Luka, Program Specialist, Administration for Native Americans, 370
L'Enfant Promenade, Mail Stop: HHH 348F, Washington, D.C. 20477.
Telefax or e-mail will be accepted. The telefax number is (202) 690-
7441 and the e-mail address is: jluka@acf.dhhs.gov All instructions to
withdraw an application will be confirmed in writing.
Current Hawaiian ANA SEDS grantees whose project period ends on or
before September 30, 1998 are eligible to apply for a grant award under
this program.
The following organizations are eligible to apply under this
competitive area:
Non-profit private agencies serving Hawaiians (The
populations served may be located on these islands or on the
continental United States). The non-profit private agency must submit
proof of its non-profit status in the application at the same time of
submission. The non-profit agency can accomplish this by providing a
copy of their agency's listing in the Internal Revenue Services (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 current 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.
All agencies must provide assurance that its duly elected or
appointed board of directors is representative of the community, to be
served. To establish compliance with the requirement in the regulations
for a Board representative of the community applicants should provide
information establishing that at least ninety (90) percent of the
individuals serving on a non-profit applicant's board fall into one or
more or the following categories;
(1) A current or past member of the community to be served; (2) a
prospective participant or beneficiary of the project to be funded; or
(3) have a cultural relationship with the community to be served.
ANA will only accept one application which serves or impacts a
Native Hawaiian community.
E. Grantee Share of the Project
Grantees must provide at least 20 percent of the total approved
cost of the project; i.e. 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 $300,000 in Federal funds must include a match of at least
$75,000 (20% of the total $375,000 project cost).
As per 45 CFR 74.2, In-Kind contributions are 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
legislation or regulations authorize using specific types of funds for
match and provided the source relates to the ANA project.
F. Review Criteria
A proposed project should reflect the purposes of ANA's SEDS policy
and program goals described in the Background section of this
competitive area: include a social and economic development strategy
which reflects the needs and specific circumstances of the local
community; and address the specific developmental steps that the
Hawaiian community is undertaking toward self-sufficiency.
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 applicants which are responsive to this
competitive area and these criteria. Proposed projects will be reviewed
on a competitive basis using the following evaluation criteria:
(1) Long-Range Goals and Available Resources. (15 points)
(a) The application describes the long-range goals and strategy,
including:
How specific social, governance and economic long-range
community goals relate to the proposed project and strategy;
How the community intends to achieve these goals;
The relationship between the long-range goals and the
applicant's comprehensive community social and economic development
plan. (Inclusion of the community's entire development plan is not
necessary); and
A clearly delineated social and economic development
strategy (SEDS).
The application identifies and documents pre-existing and planned
involvement and support of the community in the planning process and
implementation of the proposed project. The type of community you serve
and nature of the proposal being made, will influence the type of
documentation necessary. Examples of documentation include: community
surveys; minutes of community meetings; questionnaires; and/or
discussion position papers.
Applications from Native Hawaiian organizations must clearly
demonstrate a need for the project, explain how the project was
originated, state who the intended beneficiaries will be, and describe
how the recipients will actually benefit from the project. Native
Hawaiian 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
[[Page 29225]]
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 agency or organization will support a project
funded with ANA funds.
For example, a letter from another Federal agency or foundation
pledging a commitment of $200,000 in construction funding to complement
proposed ANA funded pre-construction activity is evidence of a firm
funding commitment. 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 resource.)
(2) Organizational Capabilities and Qualifications. (10 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 Objective Work Plan and in the proposed budget. Position
descriptions very clearly describe each position and its duties and
clearly relate to the personnel staffing required to achieve the
project objectives. Resumes and/or proposed position descriptions
demonstrate that the proposed staff are or will be 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. (45 points) The
application proposes specific project Objective Work Plan(s) with
activities related to each specific objective.
The Objective Work Plan(s) in the application includes project
objectives and activities for each budget period proposed and
demonstrates that each of the objectives and its activities:
Is measurable and/or quantifiable in terms of results or
outcomes;
Supports the community's social and economic development
strategy;
Clearly relates to the community's long-range goals;
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; and
Supports a project that will be completed, self-
sustaining, or financed by other than ANA funds at the end of the
project period.
(4) Results or Benefits Expected. (20 points)
Completion of the proposed objectives will result in specific,
measurable results. The application shows how the expected results will
help the community meet its long-range goals. 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 each budget year.
(5) Budget. (10 points)
A detailed and fully explained budget is provided for each 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;
Included 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.
For business development projects, the proposal demonstrates that
the expected return on the funds used to develop the project provides a
reasonable operating income and return within a future specified time
frame.
Part III--General Application Information and Guidance
A. Definitions
References in this program announcement are based on the following
definitions:
A multi-purpose community-based Native American
organzation is an association and/or corporation whose charter
specifies that the community designates the Board of Directors and/or
officers of the organization through an elective procedure and that the
organization functions in several different areas of concern to the
members of the local Native American community. These areas are
specified in the by-laws and/or policies adopted by the organization.
They may include, but need not be limited to, economic, artistic,
cultural, and recreational activities, and the delivery of human
serviced such as health care, day care, counseling, education, and
training.
A multi-year project is a project on a single theme that
requires more than 12 months to complete and affords the applicant an
opportunity to develop and address more complex and in-depth strategies
than can be completed in one year. A multi-year project cannot be a
series of unrelated objectives with activities presented in
chronological order over a two or three year period.
Budget Period is the interval of time (usually 12 months)
into which the project period is divided for budgetary and funding
purposes.
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.
Real Property means land, including land improvements,
structures and appurtenances thereto, excluding movable machinery and
equipment.
Construction is the term which specifies a project
supported rough a discretionary grant or a cooperative agreement, to
support the initial building of a facility.
B. 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. For example, ANA does not fund
construction. Applicants musts show the relationship of non-ANA funded
activities to those objectives and activities that are funded with ANA
grant funds.
Costs of fund raising, including financial campaign, 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
[[Page 29226]]
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, or self-sustaining or
supported with other than ANA funds at the end of the project period.
``Completed'' means that the project ANA funded is finished, and the
desired result(s) have been attained. ``Self-sustaining'' means that a
project will continue without outside resources. ``Supported by other
than ANA funds'' means that the project will continue beyond the ANA
project period, but will be supported by funds other than ANA's.
C. 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.
Projects in which a grantee would provide training and/or
technical assistance (T/TA) to other tribes or Native American
organizations which are otherwise eligible to apply to ANA (``third
party T/TA''). However, the purchase of T/TA by a grantee for its own
use or for its members' use (as in the case of a consortium), where T/
TA is necessary to carry out project objectives, is acceptable.
The support of on-going social service delivery programs
or the expansion or continuation of existing social service delivery
programs.
ANA will not fund the purchase of real property.
ANA will not fund construction.
Objectives or activities for the support of 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 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.
D. Multi-Year Projects
A multi-year project is a project on a single theme that requires
more than 12 months to complete and affords the applicant an
opportunity to develop and address more complex and in-depth strategies
than can be completed in one year. Applicants are encouraged to develop
multi-year projects as defined in Section D of this Part. A multi-year
project cannot be a series of unrelated objectives with activities
presented in chronological order over a two or three year period.
Awards, on a competitive basis, will be for a one-year budget
period, although project periods may be for three years. Applications
for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the one-year
budget period, but within a two-to-three year project period, will be
entertained in subsequent years on a non-competitive basis, subject to
the availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the grantee and
determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of
the Government. Therefore, this program announcement does not apply to
current ANA grantees with multi-year projects that apply for
continuation funding for their second or third year budget periods.
E. Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs
This program is not covered by Executive Order 12372 or 45 CFR Part
100.
F. 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, SW., Mail
Stop HHH 348F, Washington, D.C. 20447, Attention: 93612-983, Telephone:
(202) 690-7776, fax (202) 690-7441.
Copies of this program announcement and many of the required forms
may be obtained electronically at the ANA World Wide Web Page:
www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/ana/index.html
The printed Federal Register notice is the only program
announcement. Although all reasonable efforts are taken to assure that
the files on the ANA World Wide Web Page containing electronic copies
of the Program Announcement are accurate and complete, they are
provided for information only. The applicant bears sole responsibility
to assure that the copy downloaded and/or printed from any other source
is accurate and complete.
2. Application Submission
One signed original, and two copies, of the grant application,
including all attachments, must be mailed on or before the specific
closing date of each ANA competitive area to: 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, DC 20447, Attention: Lois B. Hodge, ANA No. 93612-983.
Hand delivered applications are accepted between the hours of 8:00
a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, if they are either received
on or before the deadline date or postmarked on or before the
established closing date at: Administration for Children and Families,
Division of Discretionary Grants, ACF Mail Room, Second Floor Loading
Dock, Aerospace Center, 901 D Street, SW, Washington, DC 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.
Native Hawaiian applicants who submitted applications for the May
1, 1998 SEDS closing previously announced in the Federal Register, Vol.
62, No. 186, September 25, 1997, pp. 50372-50386, have the opportunity
to withdraw their application and submit the same proposal or a
different proposal for this closing. Eligible Native Hawaiian entities
who do not withdraw their application from the May 1, 1998 SEDS
closing, will not be eligible to submit another application under this
closing. To withdraw an application, notice must be provided to ANA no
later than Midnight, June 15, 1998.
Notice to withdraw an application must be in writing and sent to:
Jean Luka, Program Specialist, Administration for Native Americans, 370
L'Enfant Promenade, Mail Stop: HHH 348F, Washington, D.C. 20447.
Telefax or e-mail will be accepted. The
[[Page 29227]]
telefax number is (202) 690-7441 and the e-mail address is:
jluka@acf.dhhs.gov.
All instructions to withdraw an application will be confirmed in
writing.
Each eligible Native Hawaiian organization may compete for a grant
award in each of ANA's competitive funding areas (eg. SEDS, Native
Languages Preservation and Enhancement). However, no applicant may
receive more than one grant in each area.
If an eligible applicant sends in two applications for the same
competitive area, the one with the earlier postmark will be accepted
for review unless the applicant withdraws the earlier application.
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. An incomplete application is one that is: Missing Form SF 424; or
Does not have a signature on Form SF 424; or Does not include proof of
non-profit status, if applicable.
Complete applications that conform to all the requirements
of this program announcement are subjected to a competitive review and
evaluation process (discussed in section G below). Independent review
panels consisting of reviewers familiar with Native Hawaiian
communities and organizations, evaluate each application using the
published criteria in each funding competitive area. As a result of the
review, normalized numerical score will be assigned to each
application. A normalized score reflects the average score from the
reviewers, adjusted to reflect the average score from the panels.
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.
Due to the participation and source of funding from OHA,
funding will be from either funding source with limitations as
applicable.
ANA staff cannot respond to requests for information
regarding funding decisions prior to the official notification to the
applicants.
After the Commissioner has made decisions on all
applications, unsuccessful applicants are notified in writing within 30
days. The notification will be accompanied by a critique including
recommendations for improving the application.
Successful applicants are notified through an official
Financial Assistance Award (FAA) document. 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.
G. 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 G, Application Due Date, in each competitive area
of this announcement;
The applicant has provided written correspondence that
they have withdrawn from the May 1, 1998 SEDS closing previously
announced in the Federal Register, Vol. 62, No. 186, September 25,
1997, pp. 50372-50386.
The application narrative, forms and materials submitted
are adequate to allow the review panel to undertake an in-depth
evaluation and the project described is an allowable type. (All
required materials and forms are listed in the Grant Application
Checklist in the Application Kit). Applications subjected to the pre-
review described above which fail to satisfy one or more of the listed
requirements will be ineligible or otherwise excluded from competitive
evaluation.
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 excluded 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. The appeals process is stated in the final rule
published in the Federal Register on August 19, 1996 (61 FR 42817).
H. 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 ranked on the basis of general
financial need.
In discussing the goals, strategy, and problems being
addressed in the application, include sufficient background and/or
history of the community concerning these issues and/or progress to
date, as well as the size of the population to be served. This material
will assist the reviewers in determining the appropriateness and
potential benefits of the proposed project.
In the discussion of community-based, long-range goals,
Native Hawaiian entities are encouraged to include a description of
what constitutes their specific ``community.''
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. The type of
community you serve will determine the type of documentation necessary.
Examples of documentation include: community surveys; minutes of
community meetings; questionnaires; and/or discussion/position papers.
Applications from Native Hawaiian organizations must
demonstrate a need for the project, explain how the project was
originated, state who the intended beneficiaries will be, and describe
how the recipients will actually benefit from the project.
An application should describe a clear relationship
between the proposed project, the social and economic development
strategy, or environmental or language goals, as appropriate, and
[[Page 29228]]
the community's long-range goals or plan.
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.
In the ANA Project Narrative, Section A of the application
package, ``Resources Available to the Proposed Project,'' the applicant
should describe any specific financial circumstances which may impact
on the project, such as any monetary or land settlements made to the
applicant, and any restrictions on the use of those settlements. When
the applicant appears to have other resources to support the proposed
project and chooses not to use them, the applicant should explain why
it is seeking ANA funds and not utilizing these resources for the
project.
Reviewers of applications for ANA indicate they are better able to
evaluate whether the feasibility has been addressed and the
practicality of a proposed economic development project, or a new
business, if the applicant includes a business plan that clearly
describes its feasibility and the approach for the implementation and
marketing of the business. (ANA has included sample business plans in
the application kit). It is strongly recommended that an applicant use
these materials as guides in developing a proposal for an economic
development project or business that is part of the application.
Applications which were not funded under a previous
closing date and revised for resubmission should make reference to the
changes, or reasons for not making changes, in their current
application which are based on ANA panel review comments.
2. Technical Guidance
It is strongly suggested that the applicant follow the
Supplemental Guide included in the ANA application kit to develop an
application. The Guide provides practical information and helpful
suggestions, and is an aid to help applicants prepare ANA applications.
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.
For purposes of developing an application, applicants
should plan for a project start date approximately 60 days after the
closing date under which the application is submitted.
The Administration for Native Americans will not fund
essentially identical projects serving the same constituency.
If a project could be supported by other Federal funding
sources, the applicant should fully explain its reasons for not
pursuing other Federal funds for the project.
The Administration for Native Americans will accept only
one application, per competitive area, from any one applicant. If an
eligible applicant sends in two applications for the same competitive
funding area, the one with the earlier postmark will be accepted for
review unless the applicant withdraws the earlier application.
An application from a Native Hawaiian organization must be
from the governing body of the organization.
The Objective Work Plan proposed should be of sufficient
detail to become a monthly staff guide for project responsibilities if
the applicant is funded.
If a profit-making venture is being proposed, profits must
be reinvested in the business in order to decrease or eliminate ANA's
future participation. Such revenue must be reported as general program
income. A decision will be made at the time of grant award regarding
appropriate use of program income. (See 45 CFR Part 74 and Part 92).
Applicants proposing multi-year projects must fully
describe each year's project objectives and activities.
Separate Objective Work Plans (OWPs) must be presented for
each project year and a separate itemized budget of the Federal and
non-Federal costs of the project for each budget period must be
included.
Applicants for multi-year projects must justify the entire
time-frame of the project (i.e., why the project needs funding for more
than one year) and clearly describe the results to be achieved for each
objective by the end of each budget period of the total project 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 deemed not 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
meeting application deadline.
3. Grant Administrative Guidance
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 applicant should specify the entire project period
length on the first page of the Form 424, Block 13, not the length of
the first budget period. Should the application propose one length of
project period and the Form 424 specify a conflicting length of project
period, ANA will consider the project period specified on the Form 424
as the request. ANA may negotiate a reduction of the project period.
The approved project period is shown on block 9 of a Financial
Assistance Award.
Line 15a of the Form 424 must specify the Federal funds
requested for the first Budget Period, not the entire project period.
For one-year projects, an applicant may propose up to a 17
month project period. However, the project period for the first year of
a multi-year project may only be 12 months.
4. Projects or Activities That Generally Will Not Meet the Purposes of
This Announcement
Projects that request funds for feasibility studies,
business plans, marketing plans or written materials, such as manuals,
that are not an essential part of the applicant's long-range
development plan. As an objective of a larger project, business plans
are allowable. However, ANA is not
[[Page 29229]]
interested in funding ``wish lists'' of business possibilities. ANA
expects written evidence of the solid investment of time and
consideration on the part of the applicant with regard to the
development of business plans. Business plans should be developed based
on market analysis and feasibility studies regarding the potential
success to the business prior to the submission of the application.
Core administration functions, or other activities, which
essentially support only the applicant's on-going administrative
functions.
Project goals which are not responsive to one or more of
the funding competitive areas.
Projects that will not be completed, self-sustaining, or
supported by other than ANA funds, at the end of the project period.
Project goals which are not responsive to one or more of
the funding competitive areas.
Projects that will not be completed, self-sustaining, or
supported by other than ANA funds, at the end of the project period.
ANA will not fund investment capital for purchase or
takeover of an existing business, for purchase or acquisition of a
franchise, or for purchase of stock or other similar investment
instruments.
Renovation or alteration unless it is essential for the
project. Renovation or alteration costs may not exceed the lesser of
$150,000 or 25 percent of the total direct costs approved for the
entire budget period.
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.
I. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13)
Public reporting burden for this collection of information is
estimated to average 29.5 hours per response, including the time for
reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and
reviewing the collection of information.
The following information collections are included in the program
announcement: ANA grant applications, OMB control number 0980-0204,
expires August 31, 1999.
An agency may conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to
respond to, collection of information unless it displays a currently
valid OMB control number.
J. Receipt of Applications
Applications must either be hand delivered or mailed to the address
in Section F, The Application Process: Application Submission. The
Administration for Native Americans cannot accommodate transmission of
applications by fax or through other electronic media. Therefore,
applications transmitted to ANA electronically will not be accepted
regrdless of date or time of submission and time of receipt. Videotapes
and cassette tapes may not be included as part of a grant application
for panel review.
Applications and related materials postmarked after the closing
date will be classified as late; and not considered in the current
competition.
1. Deadlines
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 hand carried 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 or postmarked 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, SW., Washington, DC 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.
No additional material will be accepted, or added to an
application, unless it is postmarked by the deadline date.
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 an
application deadline for applicants affected by acts of God such as
floods and hurricanes, or when there is a widespread disruption of the
mails. A determination to extend or waive deadline requirements rests
with the Chief Grants Management Officer.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Numbers: 93:612
Native American Programs)
Dated: May 22, 1998.
Gary N. Kimple,
Commissioner, Administration for Native Americans.
[FR Doc. 98-14132 Filed 5-27-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-M
