# AGENCY:

 Administration for Native Americans (ANA), ACF, DHHS. 

# ACTION:

 Notice.

# SUMMARY:

 The Administration for Native Americans (ANA) announces the availability of Fiscal Year 2000 funds and other available funds for Native American language projects. Financial assistance provided by ANA is designed to assist applicants in designing projects which will promote the survival and continuing vitality of Native American languages. 

# Special Note:

The Administration for Native Americans advises all applicants that grant awards made under this announcement will have a September 30, 2000 project Start Date. Applicants should, therefore develop projects that begin no earlier than this date.

Application Kit: Application kits, approved by the OMB under control number 0980-0204, which expires August 31, 2000, containing the necessary forms and instructions to apply for a grant under this program announcement, may be obtained by calling: The Applicant Help Desk, Administration for Native Americans, 202-690-7843. 

Application kits may also be obtained from ANA training and technical assistance providers. ANA employs contractors to provide short-term training and technical assistance (T/TA) to eligible applicants. T/TA is available under these contracts for a wide range of grant application needs, however, the contractors are not authorized to write applications. The Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA) is provided at no cost. 

The ANA Providers serve six areas divided as follows: 

Area I, Eastern serves federally recognized Tribes in AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, and WV. 

Area II, Central serves federally recognized Tribes in AZ, CO, IA, KS, ND, NE, NM, MO, MT, OK, SD, UT, WY, NV, ID, and TX. 

Area III, Western serves federally recognized Tribes in CA, OR, and WA. 

Area IV, Alaska serves all eligible applicants in AK. 

Area V, Pacific serves all eligible applicants in Hawaii (HI) and the Pacific Islands of American Samoa (AS), Guam (GU), Northern Mariana Islands (MP), and Palau (PW). 

Area VI, National serves all eligible applicants on the mainland United States not served by providers for areas 1 through 5. This includes non-federally recognized Tribes, Urban Indians, off-reservation rural Indian communities, Native Americans served through non-federally recognized urban and consortia arrangements and organizations serving Native Hawaiians and Pacific Island Natives living on the Mainland. 

ANA employs contracting firms to provide short-term training and technical assistance (T/TA) to clients in the six identified, geographical regions which are served by ANA. The ANA training and technical assistance (T/TA) contractors and their Geographic Areas are: 

## Geographic Area I 

### Eastern 

                        Native American Management Services, Inc., Tonya Parker, Project Director, 6858 Old Dominion Drive, Suite 302, McLean, Va. 22101, (703) 821-2226, Fax (703) 821-3680 or (703) 821-8626, 1 (800) 388-7670 (Toll Free), e-mail:                         *nams@namsinc.org*.                     

## Geographic Area II 

### Central

                        RJS & Associates, Inc., Dr. Robert J. Swan, C.E.O., RR1, Box 694, Box Elder, Mt. 59521, (406) 395-4727, Fax (406) 395-4759, 1 (888) 838-4757 (Toll Free), Website:                         *http://www.rjsinc.org/​region2.html,*                        e-mail:                         *rjsinc@rjsinc.org*.                     

## Geographic Area III 

### Western 

                        Development Associates, Inc., E. Robles, Project Director, 1475 North Broadway, Suite 200, Walnut Creek, Ca. 94596, (925) 935-9711, 1 (800) 666-9711 (Toll Free), Fax (925) 935-0413, Website:                         *http://www.devassoc.com/​ana/​anaversion2.htm*, e-mail:                         *ana3@devassoc.com*.                    

## Geographic Area IV 

### Alaska 

                        Native American Management Services, Inc., P.J. Wilkins-Bell, Project Director, 1515 Tudor Road, Suite No. #4, Anchorage, Alaska 99519, (907) 770-6230, Fax (907) 770-6232, e-mail:                         *pbell@gci.com*.                    

## Geographic Area V 

### Pacific

Please call the ANA Help Desk at (202) 690-7776 to learn the name and telephone number of the T/TA Provider for this area. ANA is issuing a new contract for this geographic area. 

## Geographic Area VI

### National 

                        RJS & Associates, Inc., Dr. Robert J. Swan, C.E.O., RR 1, Box 694, Box Elder, Mt. 59521, (406) 395-4757, Fax (406) 395-4759, 1 (888) 838-4757 (Toll Free), Website:                         *http://www.rjsinc.org/​region6.html,*                        e-mail: rjsinc@rjsinc.org.                    

                        By World-Wide-Web: Copies of this program announcement and many of the required forms may also be obtained electronically at the ANA World Wide Web Page:                         *http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/​programs/​ana*.                    

                        The printed                         **Federal Register**                         notice is the only official program announcement. Although 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 sole responsibility to assure that the copy downloaded and/or printed from any other source is accurate and complete.                     

# DATES:

 The closing date for submission of applications is March 17, 2000. 

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

 Dr. Kenneth Ryan, Native American Program Specialist, 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, telephone: (202) 401-7365 or (202) 690-7776, telefax: (202) 690-7441, or e-mail: kryan@acf.dhhs.gov

## Part I: Supplementary Information

### A. Purpose and Availability of Funds 

                            The purpose of this notice is to announce the availability of fiscal year 2000 financial assistance to eligible applicants for the purpose of assisting Native Americans in assuring the survival and continuing vitality of their languages. Financial assistance awards made under this program announcement will be on a competitive basis and the proposals will be reviewed against the evaluation criteria in this                             Start Printed Page 5979                            announcement. Approximately $2,000,000 in Fiscal Year 2000 has been allocated for category I and II grants. For Category I, Planning Grants (project length: 12 months), the funding level for a budget period of 12 months will be up to $50,000. For Category II, Design and/or Implementation Grants (project length: up to 36 months), the funding level for a budget period of 12 months will be up to $125,000. In accordance with current agency policies, ANA may fund additional highly ranked applications if additional funds become available prior to the next competition.                         

ANA continues a variety of requirements directed towards enforcing its policy that an eligible grant recipient may only have one active ANA grant awarded from a competitive area at any time. Therefore, while eligible applicants may compete for a Native American language grant in either of the two categories, an applicant may only submit one application and no applicant may receive more than one Native American language grant. 

All applicants must clearly demonstrate a plan for an employee fringe benefit package which includes an employee retirement benefit plan of .05%. Applicants must also include within their program budgets adequate funding to allow two program personnel to travel and attend post-award grant management and administration training which is sponsored by ANA T/TA providers in their assigned geographical region. 

New for fiscal year 2000, under the goals of Executive Order 13031 of October 19, 1996 on Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCU's), TCU's may now independently apply for an ANA Grant without impacting the eligibility of the Tribe to apply. Previously, only one application was accepted, either from the Tribe or the TCU. Now both the Tribe and the TCU may compete for and receive ANA grants at the same time, in the same program(s). 

### B. Background 

The Congress has recognized that the history of past policies of the United States toward Indian and other Native American languages has resulted in a dramatic decrease in the number of Native American languages that have survived over the past 500 years. Consequently, the Native American languages Act (Title 1, Pub.L. 101-477) was enacted to address this decline. 

This legislation invested the United States government with the responsibility to work together with Native Americans to ensure the survival of cultures and languages unique to Native America. This law declared that it is the policy of the United States to “preserve, protect and promote the rights and freedom of Native Americans to use, practice and develop Native American languages.” While the Congress made a significant first step in passing this legislation in 1990, it served only as a declaration of policy. No program initiatives were proposed, nor any funds authorized to enact any significant programs in furtherance of this policy. 

In 1992, Congressional testimony provided estimates that of the several hundred languages that once existed, about 150 are still spoken or remembered today. However, only 20 are spoken by persons of all ages, 30 are spoken by adults of all ages, about 60 are spoken by middle-aged adults, and 45 are spoken by the most elderly. 

In response to this testimony, the Congress passed the Native American languages Act of 1992 (the Act), P.L. 102-524, to assist Native Americans in assuring the survival and continuing vitality of their languages. Passage of the Act was an important second step in attempting to ensure the survival and continuation of Native languages, as it provides the basic foundation upon which the tribal nations can rebuild their economic strength and rich cultural diversity. 

While the Federal government recognizes that substantial loss of Native American languages over the past several hundred years, the nature and magnitude of the status of Native American languages will be better defined when eligible applicants under the Act have completed language assessments. 

The Administration for Native Americans (ANA) believes that the responsibility for achieving self-sufficiency rests with the governing bodies of Indian Tribes, Alaska Native villages, and in the leadership of Native American groups. This belief supports the ANA principle that the local community and its leadership are responsible for determining goals, setting priorities, and planning and implementing programs which support the community's long-range goals. 

Therefore, since preserving a language and ensuring its continuation is generally one of the first steps taken toward strengthening a group's identity, activities proposed under this program announcement will contribute to the social development of Native communities and significantly contribute to their efforts toward self-sufficiency. 

The Administration for Native Americans recognizes that eligible applicants must have the opportunity to develop their own language plans, technical capabilities, and access to the necessary financial and technical resources in order to assess, plan, develop and implement programs to assure the survival and continuing vitality of their languages. ANA also recognizes that potential applicants may have specialized knowledge and capabilities to address specific language concerns at various levels. This program announcement reflects these special needs and circumstances. 

### C. ANA Program and Administrative Policies 

Applicants must comply with the following programmatic policies: 

- Funds will not be awarded for projects addressing dead languages. For purposes of this announcement, dead languages are those languages that are no longer spoken by any tribal member or community member.
- The Commissioner shall determine the repository for copies of products from Native American language grants funded under this program announcement. At the end of the project period, products or project models of Native American languages grants funded by this program announcement should be sent to the designated repository. Federally recognized Indian Tribes are not required to comply with this condition.

Applicants must comply with the following administrative policies: 

- Current Native American language grantees whose grant project period extends beyond September 30, 2000, or who have requested an extension of the grant project beyond that date, are not eligible to apply for a grant under the same program area. Current Native American language grantees with project periods beyond September 30, 2000, may not compete for additional Native American language grants.
- Applicants for Category I may propose 12- to 17-month projects; applicants for Category II may propose up to 36-month projects.
- Applicants must describe a locally-determined strategy to carry out a proposed project with fundable objectives and activities.
- 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  Start Printed Page 5980                             project and the Tribe's understanding that the other applicant's project supplants the Tribe's authority to submit an application under the Native American languages program both for the current competition and for the duration of the approved grant period, should the application be funded.                         
- If a federally recognized Tribe or Alaska Native village chooses not to apply, it may support another applicant's project (e.g., a tribal organization) which serves or impacts their reservation. In this case, the applicant must include a tribal resolution which clearly demonstrates the Tribe's approval of the project and the Tribe's understanding that the other applicant's project supplants the Tribe's authority to submit an application under the Native American languages program both for the current competition and for the duration of the approved grant period, should the application be funded.
- ANA will only accept one application which serves or impacts a reservation, Tribe, or Native American community.
- Any non-profit organization submitting an application must submit proof of its non-profit status in the 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, other than a Tribe or an Alaska Native Village government, is proposing a project benefiting Native Americans or Native Alaskans, or both, it 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 of 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.
- Organizations incorporating in American Samoa are cautioned that the Samoan government relies exclusively upon IRS determinations of non-profit status; therefore, articles of incorporation approved by the Samoan government do not establish non-profit status for these organizations for the purpose of eligibility for ANA funds.
- 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. Therefore, a project requesting $100,000 in Federal funds must include a match of at least $25,000 (20% of the total $125,000 project cost).                         

As per 45 CFR Part 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; examples follow: 

- 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(s), must be included in an application. 

- If an applicant plans to charge or otherwise seek credit for 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. 
- Applications originating from American Samoa, Guam, 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 matching funds under $200,000 (including in-kind contributions). Therefore, for the grants under this Native American language program, no match is required for grants to these insular areas. 

### D. Proposed Projects to be Funded 

#### Category I—Planning Grants 

The purpose of a Planning Grant is to conduct an assessment and to develop the plan needed to describe the current status of the language(s) to be addressed and to establish community long-range goal(s) to ensure its survival. Project activities may include, but are not limited to: 

- Data collection, compilation, organization and description of current language status through a “formal” method ( e.g.                              work performed by a linguist, and/or a language survey conducted by community members) or an “informal” method (e.g. a community consensus of the language status based on elders, tribal scholars, and/or other community members);                         
- Establishment of community long-range language goals; and
- Acquisition of necessary training and technical assistance to administer the project and achieve project goal(s).

#### Category II—Design and/or Implementation Grants 

The purposes of Design and/or Implementation Grants are (1) So Tribes or communities may design and/or implement a language program to achieve their long-range goal(s); and (2) To accommodate where the Tribe or community is in reaching their long-term language goal(s). 

Applicants under Category II must be able to document that: 

(a) Language information has been collected and analyzed, and that it is current (compiled within 36 months prior to the grant application); 

(b) The community has established long-range language goals; and 

(c) Community representatives are adequately trained so that the proposed project goals can be achieved. 

Category II applications may include purchasing specialized equipment (including audio and video recording equipment, computers, and software) necessary to achieve the project objectives. The applicant must fully justify the need for this equipment and explain how it will be used to achieve the project objectives. 

The types of projects ANA may fund under Category II include, but are not limited to: 

1. Establishment and support of a community Native American language project to bring older and younger Native Americans together to facilitate and encourage the teaching of Native American languages skills from one generation to another; 

                            2. Establishment of a project to train Native Americans to teach Native                             Start Printed Page 5981                            American languages to others or to enable them to serve as interpreters or translators of such languages;                         

3. Development, printing, and dissemination of materials to be used for the teaching and enhancement of Native American languages; 

4. Establishment or support of a project to train Native Americans to produce or participate in television or radio programs to be broadcast in Native American languages; and

5. Compilation, transcription and analysis of oral testimony to record and preserve Native American languages 

### Eligible Applicants 

The following organizations are eligible to apply under this competitive area: 

- Federally recognized Indian Tribes;
- Consortia of Indian 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 (The populations served may be located on these islands or on the continental United States);
- 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.
- Non-profit Alaska Native community entities or tribal governing bodies (Indian Reorganization Act or traditional Councils) as recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Further information on eligibility requirements is presented in Part I.C, ANA Program and Administrative Policy. Some important policies found in Part I are highlighted as follows: 

Current ANA Native American language grantees whose grant project period ends on or before September 30, 2000 are eligible to apply for a grant award under this program announcement. The Project Period is noted in Block 9 of the “Financial Assistance Award” document. Applicants for new grants may not have a pending request to extend their existing grant beyond September 30, 2000. 

Any non-profit organization submitting an application must submit proof of its non-profit status in the 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 or Tribe in which the corporation or association is domiciled. 

If the applicant, other than a Tribe or an Alaska Native Village government, 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. 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 of 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. A list of board members with this information including tribal or Village affiliation is one of the most suitable approaches for demonstrating compliance with this requirement. 

Under each competitive area, ANA will only accept one application which serves or impacts a reservation, Tribe, or Native American community. If a federally recognized Tribe or Alaska Native village chooses not to apply, it may support another applicant's project (e.g., a tribal organization) which serves or impacts their reservation. In this case, the applicant must include a tribal resolution which clearly demonstrates the Tribe's approval 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 both for the current competition and for the duration of the approved grant period. 

Participating Organizations: If a tribal organization, or other eligible applicant, decides that the objective of its proposed Native American language project would be accomplished more effectively through a partnership arrangement with a tribal school, college, or university, the applicant shall identify such school, college or university as a participating organization in its application. Under a partnership agreement, the applicant will be responsible for the fiscal, administrative and programmatic management of the grant. 

### F. 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 Federal share and the non-Federal share. Further information on this requirement is presented in Part I.C, ANA Program and Administrative Policy. 

Applications originating from American Samoa, Guam, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are covered under Section 501(d) of Public Law 95-134, as amended (78 U.S.C. 1469a) under which HHS waives any requirement for matching funds under $200,000. (including in-kind contributions). Therefore, for the ANA grants under these announced programs, no match is required for grants to these insular areas. 

### G. Review Criteria 

The proposed project should address the purposes of the Native American languages stated and described in the section I.B, “Background” of this announcement. 

The evaluation criteria below are closely inter-related. Points are awarded only to applications which respond to these criteria. Proposed projects will be reviewed on a competitive basis using the following separate sets of evaluation criteria; one set for planning grant applications, the other for design and/or implementation grant applications: 

### H. Planning Grants 

#### (1) Current Status of Native American language(s) (15 points) 

- The application fully describes the current status of Native American language(s) in the community. Since  Start Printed Page 5982                             obtaining this data may be part of the planning grant application being reviewed, applicants can meet this requirement by explaining their current language status and providing a detailed description of any circumstances or barriers which have prevented the collection of community language data. If documentation exists, describe it in terms of current language status.                         

#### (2) Goals and Available Resources (25 points) 

(a) The application describes the proposed project's long-range goals and strategies, including: 

- How the specific Native American long-range community goal(s) relate to the proposed project; and
- How the goal(s) fit within the context of the current language status.

(b) The application explains how the community and the tribal government (where one exists) intends to achieve these goals. The type of community served will determine the type of documentation necessary to demonstrate participation. All Tribes and communities, however, must indicate in their application how they intend to involve elders and other community members in their projects and include them in development of language goals and strategies and in evaluation of project outcomes. Ways to demonstrate community and tribal government support for the project include: 

- A resolution from Tribes or tribal organizations stating that community involvement has occurred in project planning;
- Community surveys and questionnaires, including those developed to determine the level of community support for tribal resolutions; and
- Minutes of community meetings, tribal presentations and discussion forums;

Applications from National Indian and Native 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. National Indian and Native organizations should describe their membership and define how the organization operates. 

(c) 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 of commitment of resources, and not “letters of support”. 

- “Letters of support” merely express another organization's endorsement of a proposed project. Such support letters and related documentation do not indicate a binding commitment, do not establish the authenticity of other resources, and do not offer or bind specific resources to the project.
- “Letters of commitment” are binding and specify the nature, amount and conditions under which another 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.
- 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 must show the relationship of non-ANA funded activities to those objectives and activities that are funded with ANA grant funds.

If the applicant proposes to enter into a partnership arrangement with a school, college or university, documentation of this commitment must be included in the application. 

#### (3) Project Objectives, Approach and Activities (30 points) 

The proposed objectives in the Objective Work Plan(s) relate to the goal to ensure the survival and continuing vitality of Native American language(s). More specifically, together they will achieve for the Tribe or community's language goals for the proposed project. 

Each Objective Work Plan clearly describes: 

- The tribal government's and community's active involvement in the continuing participation of Native American language speakers;
- Measurable or quantifiable results or outcomes;
- How the results or outcomes relate to the community's long-range goals or the establishment of those goals;
- How the project can be accomplished with the available or expected resources during the project period;
- How the main activities will be accomplished;
- Who specifically will conduct the activities under each objective; and
- What the next steps may be after the Planning project is completed.

#### (4) Organizational capabilities/Qualifications (20 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 well-defined. The application clearly demonstrates the successful management of projects of similar scope by the organization and or by the individual 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 the 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 proposed 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 encouraged to give preference to Native Americans in hiring staff and contracting services under an approved ANA grant.

#### (5) Budget (10 points) 

A detailed and fully explained budget is provided for each budget period requested which: 

- Identifies and explains 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. Applicants from American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands are not required to provide a 20% match for the non-Federal share since the level of funding available for the grants would not invoke a required match for grants to these insular areas. Therefore, applicants from these insular areas may not have points reduced for the lack of matching funds. They are, however, expected to coordinate and organize the delivery of any non-ANA resources they propose for the project, as are all ANA applicants.
- Includes and justifies sufficient cost and other necessary details to facilitate the determination of cost allowability  Start Printed Page 5983                             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.
- Includes sufficient funds for principal representatives from the applicant organization to travel to one post-award grant training and technical assistance conference. This travel and training should occur as soon as practical.
- Includes an employee fringe benefit budget that provides grant-funded employees with a qualified, self-directed, portable retirement plan in addition to Social Security. ANA will fund at least five (5) percent of the employer's share, and up to the full grant-project Federal share of employer contributions when based on a program providing benefits equally to all grant-and non-grant employees.

ANA considers a retirement plan to be a necessary, reasonable and allowable cost in accordance with OMB rules. Minimum standards for an acceptable retirement fringe benefit plan are: 

- The plan must be “qualified”, i.e., approved by the Internal Revenue Service to receive special tax-favored treatment.
- The plan exists for the exclusive benefit of the participants; funds are to be used for retirement and certain other pre-retirement needs, not for the organization's needs.
- The plan must have a vesting schedule that does not exceed the initial budget period of the ANA grant.
- The plan must be a 401(k) for people who work in corporations or 403(b) plan for people who work for not-for-profit organizations. An alternate proposal may be submitted for review and approval during grant award negotiations. Alternate proposals may include the use of Individual Retirement Accounts, Money Purchase Pension Plans, Defined Benefit Pension Plans, Combination Plans, etc. In no case will a non-qualified deferred compensation plan, e.g., Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERPs) or Executive Bonus Plan be accepted.

## II. Design and/or Implementation Grants 

### (1) Current Status of Native American Language(s) (10 points) 

(a) The application fully describes the current status of the Native American language to be addressed; current status is defined as data compiled within the previous 48 months. The description of the current status minimally includes the following information: 

- Number of speakers
- Age of speakers
- Gender of speakers
- Level(s) of fluency
- Number of first language speakers (Native language as the first language acquired)
- Number of second language speakers (Native language as the second language acquired)
- Where Native language is used (e.g. home, court system, religious ceremonies; church, media, school, governance and cultural activities)
- Source of data (formal and/or informal)
- Rate of language loss or gain

(b) the application fully describes existing community language or language training programs and projects, if any, in support of the Native American language to be addressed by the proposed project. Existing programs and projects may be formal (e.g., work by a linguist, and/or language survey conducted by community members) or “informal” (e.g., a community consensus of the language status based on elders, tribal scholars, and/or other community members). 

The description should answer the following: has applicant had a community language or language training program within the last 48 months? (2) Within the last 10 years? If so, fully describe the program(s), and include the following: 

- Program goals
- Number of program participants
- Number of speakers
- Age range of participants (e.g., 0-5, 6-10, 11-18, etc.)
- Number of language teachers
- Criteria used to acknowledge competency of language teachers
- Resources available to the applicant (e.g. valid grammars, dictionaries, and/or thographics or describe other suitable resources)
- Program achievements

If applicant has never had a language program, a detailed explanation of what barriers or circumstances prevented the establishment of a community language program should be included. 

### (2) Goals and Available Resources (20 points) 

(a) The application describes the proposed project's long-range goals and strategies, including: 

- How the specific Native American long-range community goal(s) relate to the proposed project; and
- How the goal(s) fit within the context of the current language status;
- A clearly delineated strategy to assist in assuring the survival and continued vitality of the Native American languages addressed in the community.

(b) The application explains how the community and the tribal government (where one exists) intends to achieve these goals. The type of community served will determine the type of documentation necessary to demonstrate participation. All Tribes and communities, however, must indicate in their application how they intend to involve elders and other community members in their projects and include them in development of language goals and strategies and in evaluation of project outcomes. Ways to demonstrate community and tribal government support for the project include: 

- A resolution from Tribes or tribal organizations stating that community involvement has occurred in project planning;
- Community surveys and questionnaires, including those developed to determine the level of community support for tribal resolutions; and
- Minutes of community meetings, tribal presentations and discussion forums;

Applications from National Indian and Native 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. National Indian and Native organizations should describe their membership and define how the organization operates. 

(c) 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 of commitment of resources, and not “letters of support”. 

- “Letters of support” merely express another organization's endorsement of a proposed project. Such support letters and related documentation do not indicate a binding commitment, do not establish the authenticity of other resources, and do not offer or bind specific resources to the project.
- “Letters of commitment” are binding and specify the nature, amount and conditions under which another 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.  Start Printed Page 5984 
- 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 must show the relationship of non-ANA funded activities to those objectives and activities that are funded with ANA grant funds.

If the applicant proposes to enter into a partnership arrangement with a school, college or university, documentation of this commitment must be included in the application. 

### (3) Project Objectives, Approach and Activities (30 points) 

The proposed objectives in the Objective Work Plan(s) relate to the goal to ensure the survival and continuing vitality of Native American language(s). More specifically, together they will achieve for the Tribe or community's language goals for the proposed project. If the project is for more than one year, the application includes Objective Work Plans for each year (budget period) proposed. 

Each Objective Work Plan clearly describes: 

- The tribal government's and community's active involvement in the continuing participation of Native American language speakers;
- Measurable or quantifiable results or outcomes;
- How they relate to the community's long-range goals or the establishment of those goals;
- How the project can be accomplished with the available or expected resources during the project period;
- How the main activities will be accomplished;
- Who specifically will conduct the activities under each objective; and
- How the project will be completed, become self-sustaining, or be financed by other than ANA funds at the end of the project period.

### (4) Organizational capabilities/Qualifications (15 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 well-defined. The application clearly demonstrates the successful management of projects of similar scope by the organization and/or by the individual 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 the 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 proposed 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 encouraged to give preference to Native Americans in hiring staff and contracting services under an approved ANA grant.

### (5) Budget (10 points) 

A detailed and fully explained budget is provided for each budget period requested which: 

- Identifies and explains 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. Applicants from American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands are not required to provide a 20% match for the non-Federal share since the level of funding available for the grants would not invoke a required match for grants to these insular areas. Therefore, applicants from these insular areas may not have points reduced for the lack of matching funds. They are, however, expected to coordinate and organize the delivery of any non-ANA resources they propose for the project, as are all ANA applicants.
- 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.
- Requests funds which are appropriate and necessary for the scope of the proposed project.
- Includes sufficient funds for principal representatives from the applicant organization to travel to one post-award grant training and technical assistance conference. This travel and training should occur as soon as practical.
- Includes an employee fringe benefit budget that provides grant-funded employees with a qualified, self-directed, portable retirement plan in addition to Social Security. ANA will fund at least five (5) percent of the employer's share, and up to the full grant-project Federal share of employer contributions when based on a program providing benefits equally to all grant- and non-grant employees.

ANA considers a retirement plan to be a necessary, reasonable and allowable cost in accordance with OMB rules. Minimum standards for an acceptable retirement fringe benefit plan are: 

- The plan must be “qualified”, i.e.,                              approved by the Internal Revenue Service to receive special tax-favored treatment.                         
- The plan exists for the exclusive benefit of the participants; funds are to be used for retirement and certain other pre-retirement needs, not for the organization's needs.
- The plan must have a vesting schedule that does not exceed the initial budget period of the ANA grant.
- The plan must be a 401(k) for people who work in corporations or 403(b) plan for people who work for not-for-profit organizations. An alternate proposal may be submitted for review and approval during grant award negotiations. Alternate proposals may include the use of Individual Retirement Accounts, Money Purchase Pension Plans, Defined Benefit Pension Plans, Combination Plans, etc. In no case will a non-qualified deferred compensation plan, e.g.,                              Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERPs) or Executive Bonus Plan be accepted.                         

### (6) Evaluation, Sharing and Preservation Plans (15 points) 

The application should include the following three plans: 

                            (a) An “evaluation plan” with a baseline to measure project outcomes, including, but not limited to, describing effective language growth in the community (                            *e.g.,*                             an increase of Native American language use). This plan will be the basis for evaluating the community's progress in achieving its language goals and objectives.                         

(b) A “sharing plan” that identifies how the project's methodology, research data, outcomes or other products can be shared and modified for use by other Tribes or communities. If this is not feasible or culturally appropriate, provide the reasons. The goal is to provide opportunities to ensure the survival and the continuing vitality of Native languages. 

                            (c) A “plan to preserve project products” describes how the products of the project will be preserved through archival or other culturally appropriate methods, for the benefit of future generations.                             Start Printed Page 5985

### I. Application Due Date 

The closing date for submission of applications under this program announcement is March 17, 2000.

# Special Note:

The Administration for Native Americans advises all applicants that grant awards made under this announcement will have a September 30, 2000 project start date. Applicants should, therefore develop projects that begin no earlier than this date.

### J. For Further Information Contact 

Dr. Kenneth Ryan, Native American Program Specialist, 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, telephone: (202) 401-7365 or (202) 690-7776; telefax: 202-690-7441; e-mail: kryan@acf.dhhs.gov. 

## Part II: General Guidance to Applicants 

The following is provided to assist applicants to develop a competitive application. 

### A. Definitions 

- “Language preservation” is the maintenance of a language so that it will not decline into non-use.
- “Language vitality” is the active use of a language in a wide range of domains of human life.
- “Language replication” is the application of a language program model developed in one community to other linguistically similar communities.
- “Language survival” is the maintenance and continuation of language from one generation to another in a wide range of aspects of community life.
- A “multi-purpose community-based Native American organization” 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 services 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 that 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.
- “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 through a discretionary grant or cooperative agreement, to support the initial building of a facility.

### B. Activities That Cannot Be Funded 

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.
- 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.

Projects or activities that generally will not meet the purposes of this announcement are discussed further in Section H, “General Guidance to Applicants”, below. 

### C. Multi-Year Projects 

Only Category II “Design and/or Implementation” projects may be developed as multi-year projects, i.e. for up to three years. The information in this section is not applicable to Category I, planning projects. 

A multi-year project is a project on a single theme that requires more than 12 to 17 months to complete. It affords the applicant an opportunity to develop and address more complex and in-depth strategies. A multi-year project cannot be a series of unrelated objectives with activities presented in chronological order over a two or three year period. Initial awards, on a competitive basis, will be for a one-year budget period (up to 17 months), although project periods may be for three years. 

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 funded 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. 

### 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. Application Submission by Mail 

                            One signed original, and two copies, of the grant application, including all                             Start Printed Page 5986                            attachments, must be mailed on or before the closing date to: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, ACYF/Office of Grants Management, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW, Mail Stop HHH 326-F, Washington, DC 20447-0002, Attention: Lois B. Hodge, ANA No. 93612-992.                        

#### 2. Application Submission by Courier 

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, between the hours of 8 am and 4 pm at: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, ACYF/Office of Grants Management, ACF Mail Room, Second Floor Loading Dock, Aerospace Center, 901 D Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024, Attention: Lois B. Hodge, ANA No. 93612-992.

#### 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 ACF. An incomplete application is one that is:
- Missing Form SF 424.
- Does not have a signature on Form SF 424.
- Does not include proof of non-profit status, if applicable.
- 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.
- Complete applications that conform to all the requirements of this program announcement are subjected to a competitive review and evaluation process. Independent review panels consisting of reviewers familiar with American Indian Tribes and Native American communities and organizations, and Native American languages evaluate each application using the published criteria in this announcement.

As a result of the review, a normalized numerical score will be assigned to each application. 

- Each Tribe, Native American organization, or other eligible applicant may compete for one grant award under this program announcement.
- The Administration for Native Americans will accept only one application for this program announcement from any one applicant. If an eligible applicant sends in two applications for this program announcement, the one with the earlier postmark will be accepted for review unless the applicant withdraws the earlier 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 requires this program announcement, and the availability of funds.
- 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.

# Special Note:

The Administration for Native Americans advises all applicants that grant awards made under this announcement will have a September 30, 2000 project start date. Applicants should, therefore develop projects that begin no earlier than this date.

### 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; and,
- 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. 

- 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 funded with fiscal year 2000 funds, unsuccessful applicants are notified in writing within 30 days. The notification will be accompanied by a critique including recommendations for improving the application.

#### 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).                         

### 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 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, non-Federally recognized and off-reservation groups 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  Start Printed Page 5987                             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. Other examples of documentation include: community surveys; minutes of community meetings; questionnaires; tribal presentations; and/or discussion/position papers.                         
- Applications from National Indian and Native American 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, language goals, and 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.
- Applications which were not funded under a previous years closing date and for resubmission should make a reference to the changes, or reasons for not making changes, in their current ANA 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 120 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.
- 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 are not 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.
- The Objective Work Plan proposed should be of sufficient detail to become a monthly staff guide for project responsibilities if the applicant is funded.
- Applicants proposing multi-year projects under Category II 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 under Category II 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 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 month 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 timely mailing.

#### 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 and tabbing of the sections be provided.
- 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.
- Applicants may propose up to a 17 month project period under Category I and up to a 36 month project period under Category II.

#### 4. Projects or Activities That Generally Will Not Meet The Purposes of This Announcement 

- 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.  Start Printed Page 5988 
- Proposals from consortia of Tribes that are not specific with regard to support from, and roles of, member Tribes. ANA expects an application from a consortium to have goals and objectives that will create positive impacts and outcomes in the communities of its members. Proposals from consortia of Tribes should have individual objectives which are related to the larger goal of the proposed project. Project objectives may be tailored to each consortia member, but within the context of a common goal for the consortia. In situations where both tribal consortia and a Tribe who belongs to the consortia receives ANA funding, ANA expects that consortia groups will not seek funding that duplicates activities being conducted by their member Tribes.
- Projects that will not be completed, self-sustaining, or supported by other than ANA funds, at the end of the project period. 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.
- 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, 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. This program announcement does not contain information collection requirements beyond those approved for ANA grant applications under the Program Narrative Statement by OMB. 

### I. Receipt of Applications 

Applications must either be hand delivered or mailed to the address in Section E, The Application Process. 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 regardless 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. 

#### 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, ACYF/Office of Grants Management, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW, Mail Stop HHH 326-F, Washington, DC 20447-0002 Attention: Lois B. Hodge ANA No. 93612-992 

- 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, ACYF/Office of Grants Management, 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; and 93.587 Promoting the Survival and Continuing Vitality of Native American languages) 

Dated: January 20, 2000. 

Gary N. Kimble, 

Commissioner, Administration for Native Americans. 

[FR Doc. 00-2602 Filed 2-4-00; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4184-01-P