[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 57 (Tuesday, March 25, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14276-14282]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7522]



[[Page 14275]]

_______________________________________________________________________

Part IV





Department of Health and Human Services





_______________________________________________________________________



Administration for Children and Families



_______________________________________________________________________



Administration for Native Americans; Availability of Financial 
Assistance; Notice

Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 57 / Tuesday, March 25, 1997 / 
Notices

[[Page 14276]]



DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families
[Program Announcement No. 93612-973]


Administration for Native Americans: Availability of Financial 
Assistance

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

ACTION: Notice of funding availability.

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SUMMARY: The Administration for Native Americans (ANA) announces the 
availability of fiscal year 1997 funds for information dissemination 
and strategy development relating to the implementation of the tribal-
specific provisions of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity 
Reconciliation Act of 1996, Pub. L. 104-193 (the Act). ANA plans to 
fund applicants in six (6) geographic areas to develop comprehensive 
TANF information dissemination and strategies designed to assist tribal 
and community leaders in making informed decisions relating to 
participation in the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) 
Program. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is 
responsible for the implementation of the Act, including tribal-
specific TANF provisions.
    Financial assistance provided by ANA in support of projects in this 
area is intended to promote information dissemination and strategy 
development concerning the TANF program for the benefit of entities 
designated in Pub. L. 104-193 as eligible to administer a TANF 
program--federally-recognized tribes, the Metlakatla Indian Community 
and the 12 Alaska Native regional non-profit corporations.

DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications is May 27, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Application kits, containing the necessary forms and 
instructions to apply for a grant under this program announcement, may 
be obtained from: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 
Administration for Children and Families, Administration for Native 
Americans, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, Mail Stop HHH 348F, Washington, DC 
20447, Attention: 93612-973, Telephone: (202) 690-7776.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Deborah Yatsko, Program Specialist, 
Administration for Children and Families, Administration for Native 
Americans, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, Mail Stop HHH 348F, Washington, D.C. 
20447, tel: (202) 690-7843, fax: (202) 690-7441.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction and Purpose

    This Announcement describes the availability of fiscal year 1997 
financial assistance for grants to develop and disseminate consistent 
program information on the legal, fiscal and administrative 
requirements of the TANF Block Grant Program to federally-recognized 
tribes, the Metlakatla Indian Community and the 12 Alaska Native 
regional non-profit corporations.
    ANA fully supports and assists tribal and Alaska Native Village 
governments, Native American institutions, and local leadership in 
exercising local control and decision-making over their resources. 
Consistent with this policy, ANA will assist federally-recognized 
tribes, the Metlakatla Indian Community and the 12 Alaska Native 
regional non-profit corporations in obtaining the information necessary 
to make informed decisions about exercising their options under TANF; 
i.e. to administer this program and apply directly for Federal funding, 
participate in TANF through the State government, form tribal 
consortia, or contract for services. This will be accomplished by 
funding six (6) TANF information dissemination and strategy development 
grants. Eligibility for these grants extends to all tribes, 
organizations and groups listed in PART II, Section D ``Eligible 
Applicants''.
    Funding authorization is provided under section [803(a) of the 
Native American Programs Act of 1974, as amended (Public Law 93-644, 88 
Stat. 2324, 42 U.S.C. 2991b).]
    Proposed projects will be reviewed on a competitive basis against 
the specific evaluation criteria presented in this announcement. 
Applicants may submit proposals for more than one geographic area, but 
it is anticipated that no single organization will be awarded a grant 
for more than one region. However, should a shortage of highly ranked 
organizations develop, ANA may award more than one grant to an 
organization or may combine regions under one grant.
    This program announcement consists of three parts:

Part I--ANA Policy and Goals

    Provides general information about ANA's policies and goals as 
they relate to TANF information dissemination and strategy 
development grants.

Part II--TANF Information Dissemination and Strategy Development Grants

    Describes the TANF Information Dissemination and Strategy 
Development Grants under which ANA is requesting applications.
    The following sections provide specific information to be used 
to develop an application for ANA funds:

A  Purpose and Availability of Funds;
B  Background;
C  Competitive Geographical Areas of Consideration
D  Eligible Applicants;
E  Grantee Share of the Project;
F  Review Criteria;
G  Application Due Date; and
H  Contacts to Obtain Further Information

Part III--General Application Information and Guidance

    Provides important information and guidance that must be taken 
into account in developing an application for one or more of the six 
(6) geographical areas. These geographic areas are defined in PART 
II, Section C. ``Competitive Geographic Areas of Consideration''.

Part I--ANA Policy and Goals

    The mission of the Administration for Native Americans is to 
promote the goal of social and economic self-sufficiency for American 
Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and other Native American 
Pacific Islanders. ANA believes that the responsibility of achieving 
self-sufficiency resides with the governing bodies of Indian tribes, 
Alaska Native Villages and in the leadership of Native American groups. 
A community's progress toward self-sufficiency is based on its efforts 
to plan, organize and direct resources in a comprehensive manner 
consistent with its long-range goals. ANA fully supports and assists 
tribal and Alaska Native Village governments, Native American 
institutions, and local leadership in exercising local control and 
decision-making over their resources.
    Consistent with this policy, ANA is offering federal assistance 
through grant projects designed to assist federally-recognized tribes, 
the Metlakatla Indian Community and the 12 Alaska Native regional non-
profit corporations to gain information relating to their options under 
the TANF Block Grant Program. Information and analysis to be provided 
through the six (6) ANA grants must fully address this range of 
options: to administer this program and apply directly for Federal 
funds; participate through State governments; form tribal consortia; or 
contract for services.
    ANA will provide financial assistance to successful applicants to 
disseminate information about the TANF Block Grant Program in specific 
geographic areas. These TANF information dissemination and strategy 
development projects will last for up to one year. Applicants must 
describe concrete strategies to gather, organize and disseminate 
program information. Planning for the project must consider

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the maximum use of all available resources, including: initial 
coordination with ACF to ensure that the TANF information to be 
provided to tribes is comprehensive and current; how resources will be 
directed to program information dissemination; and comprehensive 
strategies for presenting the information, such as meetings, forums, 
workshops, cluster sessions and on-site presentations.
    An application from a federally-recognized Tribe, Alaska Native 
Village or Native American organization must be from the governing body 
of the Tribe or organization. ANA will not accept applications from 
tribal components which are tribally-authorized divisions of a larger 
tribe, unless the application includes a Tribal resolution which 
clearly demonstrates the Tribe's support of the project and the Tribe's 
understanding that the other applicant's project supplants the Tribe's 
authority to submit an application under that specific competitive area 
for the duration of the approved grant period.

Part II--TANF Information Dissemination and Strategy Development Grants

    This part describes ANA's funding authority, priorities, 
requirements and review criteria. The standard requirements necessary 
for each application as well as the standard ANA program guidance and 
technical guidance are described in Part III of this announcement.
A. Purpose and Availability of Funds
    This Announcement describes the availability of fiscal year 1997 
financial assistance for grants to develop and disseminate consistent 
program information on the legal, fiscal and administrative 
requirements of the TANF Block Grant Program to federally-recognized 
tribes, the Metlakatla Indian Community and the 12 Alaska Native 
regional non-profit corporations.
    Approximately $ 1,200,000 of financial assistance is anticipated to 
be available for TANF information dissemination and strategy 
development. ANA anticipates awarding six (6) competitive grants to 
provide geographic coverage for the continental United States and 
Alaska.
B. Background
    Recent legislation significantly changes the administration and 
delivery of welfare services by enabling federally-recognized tribes, 
the Metlaketla Indian Community and the 12 Alaska Native regional non-
profit corporations to receive direct Federal funding to administer 
social welfare programs. Pub. L. 104-193 (the Act) authorizes tribes to 
apply directly to the Department of Health and Human Services to 
receive funds and administer TANF Block Grants; participate through the 
state government; form tribal consortia; or to contract for services. 
The TANF Block Grant Program replaces the former Aid to Families With 
Dependent Children Program (AFDC), the Job Opportunity and Basic Skills 
Training Program (JOBS) and the Emergency Assistance (EA) Program.
    The new law represents a significant departure from the previous 
welfare laws and contains many provisions of major consequence to 
tribes. These provisions must be implemented in a relatively short time 
to maximize the availability of Federal funds. The specific references 
to tribal-specific TANF provisions are found in sections 412 and 417 
(4) of the amended IV-A of the Social Security Act:

    Title I of Pub.L. 104-193 amends part A of title IV of the 
Social Security Act by replacing the Aid to Families with Dependent 
Children (AFDC) Program, the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills 
(JOBS) Program and the Emergency Assistance (EA) program with the 
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program. Under the 
new IV-A, open-ended funding and guaranteed individual entitlement 
to public assistance has been repealed. The purpose of TANF is to 
give States and federally-recognized tribes, the Metlakatla Indian 
Community and the 12 Alaska Native regional non-profit corporations 
the opportunity to create a system that promotes work and 
responsibility and strengthens families. Flexibility is now provided 
to States and Indian tribes to operate a program designed to provide 
assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in 
their own homes or in the homes of relatives; reduce dependency on 
public benefits by promoting job preparation, work and marriage, 
prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies; and 
encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families. The 
new statute provides both challenges and opportunities to help needy 
families.

    The information to be disseminated through the six (6) ANA grants 
will assist federally-recognized tribes, the Metlakatla Indian 
Community, and the 12 Alaska Native regional non-profit corporations in 
understanding and assessing their options under TANF. Such information 
may include the background and statutory requirements of TANF; data 
systems and other administrative requirements to conduct a TANF 
program; schematics for program models and designs, including intake 
processing for TANF applicants; identification of data sources on size 
and composition of the TANF-eligible population; availability of TANF 
funds; financial consequences and anticipated costs for tribes under 
each option; requirements for forming consortia or contracting for 
services; consideration of tribal-state cooperative agreements; 
participation as part of a State program; and the relationship of TANF 
to other social service programs.
    Applications should also address the mechanisms to be used in 
gathering information and assuring that all information provided to 
tribes is authoritative, comprehensive and current. Proposals should be 
as specific as possible in identifying how information will be 
disseminated to tribes and how options will be explored. Proposals 
should also clearly identify the approaches to be taken, such as 
meetings, forums, cluster groups, and on-site presentations. A 
recognition of the diversity of local tribal needs and capabilities 
should also be fully articulated.
C. Competitive Geographical Areas of Consideration
    Competitive geographical areas are approximately equivalent to the 
federal regional system, with Alaska as a separate area. These 
geographical divisions are designated according to the concentration of 
TANF-eligible entities (federally-recognized tribes, the Metlakatla 
Indian Community and the 12 Alaska Native regional non-profit 
corporations) in each area. Eligible applicants for the six (6) ANA 
grants (as listed in Part II, Section D, ``Eligible Applicants'') may 
compete in each of the following six (6) geographical areas:

Area 1--Federal regions 1-5: CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT, NY, NJ, DE, MD, 
PA, AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN, IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI, VA, WV
Area 2--Federal regions 6 & 7: AR, LA, NM, OK, TX, IA, KS, MO, NE
Area 3--Federal region 8: CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY
Area 4--Federal region 9: AZ, CA, NV
Area 5--Federal region 10: ID, OR, WA
Area 6--AK

    Applicants may submit one application per geographical area. An 
applicant may receive only one grant, regardless of the number of 
geographic areas in which it competes. Should a shortage of highly 
ranked organizations develop, however, ANA may award more than one 
grant to an organization or may combine regions under one grant.
D. Eligible Applicants
    The following organizations are eligible to apply under this 
competitive area:
    <bullet> Federally recognized Indian Tribes;

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    <bullet> Consortia of Indian Tribes;
    <bullet> Incorporated non-Federally recognized Tribes;
    <bullet> Incorporated nonprofit multi-purpose community-based 
Indian organizations;
    <bullet> Urban Indian Centers;
    <bullet> National or regional incorporated nonprofit Native 
American organizations with Native American community-specific 
objectives;
    <bullet> Alaska Native villages as defined in the Alaska Native 
Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) and/or nonprofit village consortia;
    <bullet> Incorporated nonprofit Alaska Native multi-purpose 
community-based organizations;
    <bullet> Nonprofit Alaska Native Regional Corporations/Associations 
in Alaska with village specific projects;
    <bullet> Nonprofit Native organizations in Alaska with village 
specific projects;
    <bullet> Public and nonprofit private agencies serving Native 
Hawaiians;
    <bullet> 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
    <bullet> Tribally Controlled Community Colleges, Tribally 
Controlled Post-Secondary Vocational Institutions, and colleges and 
universities located in Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Palau, or the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands which serve Native 
American Pacific Islanders.

    Note: Current ANA grantees are also eligible to apply under this 
announcement.

    Any non-profit organization submitting an application must submit 
proof of its non-profit status in its application at the time of 
submission. The non-profit agency can accomplish this by providing a 
copy of the applicant's listing in the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) 
most recent list of tax exempt organizations described in Section 
501(c)(3) of the IRS code or by providing a copy of the currently valid 
IRS tax exemption certificate, or by providing a copy of the articles 
of incorporation bearing the seal of the State in which the corporation 
or association is domiciled.
    If the applicant is other than a tribe or an Alaska Native Village 
government and is proposing a project benefiting Native Americans or 
Alaska Natives, or both, it must provide assurance that its duly 
elected or appointed board of directors is representative of the 
community to be served. An organization can conclusively establish that 
it meets this requirement through a signed statement or resolution 
stating that its duly elected or appointed board of directors are 
either Native Americans or Native Alaskans or a copy of the 
organizational charter or by-laws that clearly states that the 
organization has a board drawn from members of those groups.
E. Grantee Share of the Project
    Grantees must provide at least 20 percent of the total approved 
cost of the project. (The total approved cost of the project is the sum 
of the ACF share and the non-Federal share.) The non-Federal share may 
be met by cash or in-kind contributions; although applicants are 
encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash contributions. 
Therefore, a project requesting $200,000 in Federal funds must include 
a match of at least $50,000 (20% total project cost).
    As per 45 CFR Part 74.2, In-Kind contributions is defined as ``the 
value of non-cash contributions provided by non-Federal third parties. 
Third party-in kind contributions may be in the form of real property, 
equipment, supplies and other expendable property, and the value of 
goods and services directly benefiting and specifically identifiable to 
the project or program.''
    In addition it may include other Federal funding sources where its 
legislation or regulations authorizes using specific types of funds for 
a match and provided the source relates to the ANA project, as follows:
    <bullet> Indian Child Welfare funds, through the Department of 
Interior;
    <bullet> Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance funds, 
through the Department of Interior and the Department of Health and 
Human Services; and
    <bullet> Community Development Block Grant funds, through the 
Department of Housing and Urban Development.
    An itemized budget detailing the applicant's non-Federal share, and 
its source, must be included in an application.
    If an applicant plans to charge indirect costs in its ANA 
application, a current copy of its Indirect Cost Agreement must be 
included in the application.
    A request for a waiver of the non-Federal share requirement may be 
submitted in accordance with 45 CFR 1336.50(b)(3) of the Native 
American Program Regulations.

    Note: Applications originating from American Samoa, Guam, Palau, 
or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are covered 
under Section 501(d) of Public Law 95-134, as amended (48 U.S.C. 
1469a) under which HHS waives any requirement for local matching 
funds under $200,000 (including in-kind contributions).
F. Review Criteria
    The evaluation criteria are closely related to each other and are 
considered as a whole in judging the overall quality of an application. 
Points are awarded only to applications which are responsive to this 
program announcement. Proposed projects will be reviewed on a 
competitive basis using the following evaluation criteria:

(1) Goals and Available Resources--(10 points)

    (a) The application describes the applicant's goals and strategy, 
including:
    <bullet> How applicant's goals relate to the Tribal-specific 
provisions of P.L. 104-193;
    <bullet> How the applicant intends to achieve these goals;
    Applications must clearly explain how the project was originated, 
state who the intended beneficiaries will be, and describe how the 
recipients will actually benefit from the project. National Indian and 
Native organizations should define their membership and describe how 
the organization operates.
    (b) Available resources (other than ANA and the non-Federal share) 
which will assist, and be coordinated with the project are described. 
These resources should be documented by letters or documents of 
commitment of resources, not merely letters of support.
    <bullet> ``Letters of support'' merely express another 
organization's endorsement of a proposed project. Support letters are 
not binding commitment letters or do not factually establish the 
authenticity of other resources.
    <bullet> ``Letters and other documents of commitment'' are binding 
when they specifically state the nature, the amount, and conditions 
under which another individual, agency or organization will support a 
project funded with ANA funds.
    These resources may be human, natural or financial, and may include 
other Federal and non-Federal resources. (Applicant statements that 
additional funding will be sought from other specific sources are not 
considered a binding commitment of outside resources.)

    Note: Applicants from the Native American Pacific Islands are 
not required to provide a 20% match for the non-Federal share if it 
is under $200,000 and may not have points reduced for this policy. 
They are, however, expected to coordinate non-ANA resources for the 
proposed project, as are all ANA applicants.

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(2) Organizational Capabilities and Qualifications--(30 points)

    (a) The management and administrative structure of the applicant is 
explained. Evidence of the applicant's ability to manage a project of 
the proposed scope is demonstrated. The application clearly shows the 
successful management of projects of similar scope by the organization, 
and/or by the individuals designated to manage the project.
    (b) Position descriptions and/or resumes of key personnel, 
including those of consultants, are presented. The position 
descriptions and/or resumes relate specifically to the staff proposed 
in the Approach Page and in the proposed Budget of the application. 
Position descriptions very clearly describe each position and its 
duties and clearly relate to the personnel staffing required to achieve 
the project objectives. Resumes demonstrate that the proposed staff are 
qualified to carry out the project activities. Either the position 
descriptions or the resumes contain the qualifications and/or 
specialized skills necessary for overall quality management of the 
project. Resumes must be included if individuals have been identified 
for positions in the application.

    Note: Applicants are strongly encouraged to give preference to 
Native Americans in hiring staff and subcontracting services under 
an approved ANA grant.

(3) Project Objectives, Approach and Activities.--(30 points)

    The application proposes specific project Objective Work Plans with 
activities related to each specific objective.
    The Objective Work Plan(s) in the application includes project 
objectives and activities for the budget period and demonstrates that 
each of the objectives and its activities:
    <bullet> identifies the basic approach to be used in collecting, 
disseminating and presenting TANF information; includes initial 
coordination with ACF;
    <bullet> includes strategies and methods for analyzing options 
available to federally recognized tribes, the Metlakatla Indian 
Community and the 12 Alaska Native regional non-profit corporations 
regarding participating in TANF programs.
    <bullet> is measurable and/or quantifiable in terms of results or 
outcomes;
    <bullet> clearly relates to the applicant's goals and strategies;
    <bullet> can be accomplished with the available or expected 
resources during the proposed project period;
    <bullet> indicates when the objective, and major activities under 
each objective, will be accomplished;
    <bullet> specifies who will conduct the activities under each 
objective;

(4) Results or Benefits Expected--(15 points)

    Completion of the proposed objectives will result in specific, 
measurable results. The specific information provided in the narrative 
and objective work plans on expected results or benefits for each 
objective is the standard upon which its achievement can be evaluated 
at the end of the project.

(5) Budget--(15 points)

    A detailed and fully explained budget is provided for the budget 
period requested which:
    <bullet> 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;
    <bullet> Includes and justifies sufficient cost and other necessary 
details to facilitate the determination of cost allowability and the 
relevance of these costs to the proposed project; and
    <bullet> Requests funds which are appropriate and necessary for the 
scope of the proposed project.

    Note: (Applicants from the Native American Pacific Islands are 
exempt from the $200,000 non-Federal share requirement).

Part III--General Application Information and Guidance

A. General Considerations
    Non-ANA resources should be leveraged to strengthen and broaden the 
impact of the proposed project in the community. Project designs should 
explain how those parts of projects which ANA does not fund will be 
financed through other sources. Applicants must show the relationship 
of non-ANA funded activities to those objectives and activities that 
are funded with ANA grant funds.
    Costs of fundraising, including financial campaigns, endowment 
drives, solicitation of gifts and bequests, and similar expenses 
incurred solely to raise capital or obtain contributions are 
unallowable under a grant award. However, even though these costs are 
unallowable for purposes of computing charges to Federal awards, they 
must be treated as direct costs for purposes of determining indirect 
cost rates and be allocated their share of the organization's indirect 
costs if they represent activities which (1) include the salaries of 
personnel, (2) occupy space, and (3) benefit from the organization's 
indirect costs.
    All projects funded by ANA must be completed by the end of the 
project period. ``Completed'' means that the project ANA funded is 
finished, and the desired result(s) have been attained.
B. Activities That Cannot Be Funded By ANA
    The Administration for Native Americans does not fund projects that 
operate indefinitely or require ANA funding on a recurring basis. The 
Administration for Native Americans does not fund objectives or 
activities for the core administration of an organization. ``Core 
administration'' is funding for staff salaries for those functions 
which support the organization as a whole, or for purposes unrelated to 
the actual management or implementation of work conducted under an ANA 
approved project.
    However, functions and activities that are clearly project related 
are eligible for grant funding. For example, the 2 management and 
administrative functions necessary to carry out an ANA approved project 
are not considered ``core administration'' and are, therefore, eligible 
costs. Additionally, ANA will fund the salaries of approved staff for 
time actually and reasonably spent to implement a funded ANA project.
    Projects or activities that generally will not meet the purposes of 
this announcement are discussed further in Part III, Section H, General 
Guidance to Applicants, below.
C. Length of Projects
    Awards, on a competitive basis, will be for a one-year project and 
budget period.
D. Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs
    This program is not covered by Executive Order 12372 or 45 CFR Part 
100.
E. The Application Process
    1. Availability of application forms. In order to be considered for 
a grant under this program announcement, an application must be 
submitted on the forms supplied and in the manner prescribed by ANA. 
The application kits containing the necessary forms and instructions 
may be obtained from: Department of Health and Human Services, 
Administration for Children and Families, Administration for Native 
Americans, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, Mail Stop HHH 348F, Washington, D.C.

[[Page 14280]]

20447, Attention: 93612-973, Telephone: (202) 690-7776.
    2. Application submission. One signed original, and two copies, of 
the grant application, including all attachments, must be mailed on or 
before the closing date to: Department of Health and Human Services, 
Administration for Children and Families, Division of Discretionary 
Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W., Mail Stop 6C-462, Washington, 
D.C. 20447, Attention: William J. McCarron, ANA No. 93612-973.
    Hand delivered applications are accepted between the hours of 8:00 
a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, on or prior to the 
established closing date at: Administration for Children and Families, 
Division of Discretionary Grants, ACF Mailroom, 2nd Floor Loading Dock, 
Aerospace Center, 901 D Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024.
    The application (Form 424) must be signed by an individual 
authorized (1) to act for the applicant tribe or organization, and (2) 
to assume the applicant's obligations under the terms and conditions of 
the grant award, including Native American Program statutory and 
regulatory requirements.
    Each eligible applicant may compete in all geographic areas. 
However, it can receive a grant award in only one of the geographic 
areas under this announcement. The Administration for Native Americans 
will accept only one application per geographic area from any one 
applicant. If an eligible applicant sends in two applications for the 
same geographic area, the one with the earlier postmark will be 
accepted for review unless the applicant withdraws the earlier 
application.
    Six (6) separate ranking lists, one for each geographic area, will 
be utitilized in the decision process.
    3. Application consideration. The ANA Commissioner determines the 
final action to be taken on each grant application received under this 
program announcement.
    The following points should be taken into consideration by all 
applicants:
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> Complete applications that conform to all the requirements 
of this program announcement are subjected to a competitive review and 
evaluation process (discussed in section F below). Independent review 
panels consisting of reviewers familiar with American Indian Tribes, 
Native American communities and organizations, and Pub. L. 104-193, 
evaluate each application using the published criteria. As a result of 
the review, a numerical score will be assigned to each application.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> After the Commissioner has made decisions on all 
applications, unsuccessful applicants are notified in writing within 
approximately 30 days. Successful applicants are notified through an 
official Financial Assistance Award (FAA) document. ANA staff cannot 
respond to requests for information regarding funding decisions prior 
to the official notification to the applicants. The FAA will state the 
amount of Federal funds awarded, the purpose of the grant, the terms 
and conditions of the grant award, the effective date of the award, the 
project period, the budget period, and the amount of the non-ACF 
matching share requirement.
F. The Review Process
    1. Initial application review. Applications submitted by the 
closing date and verified by the postmark under this program 
announcement will undergo a pre-review to determine that:
    <bullet> The applicant is eligible in accordance with the Eligible 
Applicants Section of this announcement; and
    <bullet> The application is signed and submitted by the deadline 
explained in section I, Receipt of Applications, of this announcement.
    2. Competitive review of accepted applications. Applications which 
pass the pre-review will be evaluated and rated by an independent 
review panel on the basis of the specific evaluation criteria listed in 
Part II. These criteria are used to evaluate the quality of a proposed 
project, and to determine the likelihood of its success.
    3. Appeal of ineligibility. Applicants who are initially rejected 
from competitive evaluation because of ineligibility, may appeal an ANA 
decision of applicant ineligibility. Likewise, applicants may also 
appeal an ANA decision that an applicant's proposed activities are 
ineligible for funding consideration.
G. General Guidance to Applicants
    The following information is provided to assist applicants in 
developing a competitive application.

1. Program Guidance

    <bullet> The Administration for Native Americans funds projects 
that demonstrate the strongest prospects for addressing the stated 
purposes of this program announcement. Projects will not be funded on 
the basis of need alone.
    <bullet> In discussing the goals, strategy, and problems being 
addressed in the application, present sufficient background concerning 
these issues, including TANF requirements. This material will assist 
the reviewers in determining the appropriateness and potential benefits 
of the proposed project.
    <bullet> Applicants must document the community's support for the 
proposed project and explain the role of the community in the planning 
process and implementation of the proposed project. For tribes, a 
current signed resolution from the governing body of the tribe 
supporting the project proposal stating that there has been community 
involvement in the planning of this project will suffice as evidence of 
community support/involvement. For all other eligible applicants, the 
type of community you serve will determine the type of documentation 
necessary. For example, a tribal organization may submit resolutions 
supporting the project proposal from each of its members tribes, as 
well as a resolution from the applicant organization.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> Supporting documentation, including letters of support, if 
available, or other testimonies from concerned interests other than the 
applicant should be included to demonstrate support for the feasibility 
of the project and the commitment of other resources to the proposed 
project.

2. Technical Guidance

    <bullet> 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.

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    <bullet> For purposes of developing an application, applicants 
should plan for a project start date approximately 90 days after the 
closing date under which the application is submitted.
    <bullet> For purposes of this announcement, ANA is using the Bureau 
of Indian Affairs' list of Federally recognized Indian tribes which 
includes nonprofit Alaska Native community entities or tribal governing 
bodies (IRA or traditional councils). Other Federally recognized Indian 
tribes which may not yet be included on this list (e.g., those Tribes 
which have been recently recognized or restored by the United States 
Congress) are also eligible to apply for ANA funds.
    <bullet> Eligible applicants may submit one application per 
geographic area. If an eligible applicant sends in two applications for 
the same geographic area, the one with the earlier postmark will be 
accepted for review unless the applicant withdraws the earlier 
application.
    <bullet> An application from a tribe, Alaska Native Village or 
Native American organization must be from the governing body of the 
Tribe or organization. ANA will not accept applications from tribal 
components which are tribally-authorized divisions of a larger tribe, 
unless the application includes a Tribal resolution which clearly 
demonstrates the Tribe's support of the project and the Tribe's 
understanding that the other applicant's project supplants the Tribe's 
authority to submit an application for the duration of the approved 
grant period.
    <bullet> The application's Form 424 must be signed by the 
applicant's representative authorized to act with full authority on 
behalf of the applicant.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> An application with an original signature and two 
additional copies are required.
    <bullet> The Cover Page (included in the Kit) should be the first 
page of an application, followed by the one-page abstract.
    <bullet> The Approach page (Section B of the ANA Program Narrative) 
for each Objective Work Plan proposed should be of sufficient detail to 
become a monthly staff guide for project responsibilities if the 
applicant is funded.
    <bullet> Line 15a of the Form 424 must specify the Federal funds 
requested for the Budget Period.
    <bullet> The Administration for Native Americans will critically 
evaluate applications in which the acquisition of equipment is a major 
component of the Federal share of the budget. ``Equipment is tangible, 
non-expendable personal property having a useful life of more than one 
year and an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit.'' During 
negotiation, such expenditures may be deleted from the budget of an 
otherwise approved application, if not fully justified by the applicant 
and not deemed appropriate to the needs of the project by ANA.
    <bullet> Applicants are encouraged to request a legibly dated 
receipt from a commercial carrier or U.S. Postal Service as proof of 
timely mailing.

3. Projects or Activities That Generally Will Not Meet the Purposes of 
This Announcement

    <bullet> The support of on-going social service delivery programs 
or the expansion, or continuation, of existing social service delivery 
programs.
    <bullet> Core administration functions, or other activities, which 
essentially support only the applicant's on-going administrative 
functions.
    <bullet> Project goals which are not responsive to this program 
announcement.
    <bullet> Proposals from consortia of tribes that are not specific 
with regard to support from, and roles of, member tribes.
    <bullet> Projects that will not be completed by the end of the 
project period.
    <bullet> ANA will not fund the purchase of real estate (see 45 CFR 
1336.50 (e)) or construction (see ACF Grants Administration Manual 
Sec. 3.12).
    <bullet> Projects originated and designed by consultants who 
provide a major role for themselves in the proposed project and are not 
members of the applicant organization, tribe or village.
H. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
    Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13, the 
Department is required to submit to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) for review and approval any reporting and record keeping 
requirements in regulations including program announcements. 
Information collection through this Program Announcement, including the 
program narrative statement, are approved by the OMB under control 
number 0980-0204, which expires August 31, 1999.
I. Receipt of Applications
    The closing date for the submission of applications is May 27, 
1997. Applications postmarked after the closing date will be classified 
as late.

1. Deadline

    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> Applications handcarried by applicants, applicant 
couriers, or by overnight/express mail couriers shall be considered as 
meeting an announced deadline if they are received on or before the 
deadline date, Monday through Friday (excluding Federal holidays), 
between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:30 pm, at: U.S. Department of Health 
and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Division 
of Discretionary Grants, ACF Mailroom, 2nd Floor Loading Dock, 
Aerospace Center, 901 D Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024. 
(Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not 
always deliver as agreed.)
    <bullet> ACF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by fax 
or through other electronic media. Therefore, applications transmitted 
to ACF electronically will not be accepted regardless of date or time 
of submission and time of receipt.

2. Late Applications

    Applications which do not meet the criteria above are considered 
late applications. ACF shall notify each late applicant that its 
application will not be considered in the current competition.

3. Extension of Deadlines

    The Administration for Children and Families may extend the 
deadline for all applicants because of acts of God such as floods, 
hurricanes, etc., widespread disruption of the mails, or when it is 
anticipated that many of the applications will come from rural or 
remote areas. However, if ACF does not extend the deadline for all 
applicants, it may not waive or extend the deadline for any applicant.


[[Page 14282]]


(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number: 93.612 
Native American Programs)

    Dated: March 18, 1997.
Gary N. Kimble,
Commissioner, Administration for Native Americans.
[FR Doc. 97-7522 Filed 3-24-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P