[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 224 (Thursday, November 20, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 62060]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-30566]



[[Page 62060]]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Notice of a Cooperative Agreement With the American Indian Higher 
Education Consortium

    The Office of Minority Health (OMH), Office of Public Health and 
Science (OPHS) announces that it will enter into an umbrella 
cooperative agreement with the American Indian Higher Education 
Consortium (AIHEC). This cooperative agreement will establish the broad 
framework in which specific projects can be funded as they are 
identified during the project period.
    The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to assist AIHEC in 
expanding and enhancing its activities relevant to the tribally 
controlled community colleges affected by executive order #13021. 
Further, this agreement establishes mechanisms for the 22 Operating and 
Staffing Divisions of the DHHS to comply with the mandates contained in 
the order. OMH, as the lead agency for implementing the executive 
order, will provide consultation, including administrative and 
technical assistance as needed for the execution and evaluation of all 
aspects of this cooperative agreement. OMH will also participate and/or 
collaborate with the awardee in any workshops or symposia to exchange 
information, opinions or activities that will enhance the educational 
status of the American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) students attending 
the Tribal Colleges. Further, OMH will coordinate the Inter/Intra 
departmental activities as directed in the executive order.

Authorizing Legislation

    This cooperative agreement is authorized under Title XVII, Section 
1707(d)(1) of the Public Health Service Act, as amended by Public Law 
101-527.

Background

    Assistance will be provided only to AIHEC. No other applications 
are solicited. AIHEC is the only organization capable of administering 
this cooperative agreement because:
     AIHEC is the only national organization that is comprised 
of and represents the Tribal Colleges and Universities. AIHEC signed or 
is in the process of signing several cooperative agreements and MOA's 
with other Federal Departments in compliance with the directives of 
Executive Order #13021. In order to assure continuity with other 
Federal Departments, a cross fertilization of efforts, and minimize any 
redundancy of activities, AIHEC should be the recipient of the 
cooperative agreement;
     AIHEC, founded in 1972, has been involved in the 20-year 
effort that resulted in the President signing the executive order. The 
organization's board of directors consists of Presidents of each of the 
Tribal Colleges. Also, the organization has well established linkages 
with AI/AN Tribes, national Indian organizations and other Federal 
Departments that are actively involved with the implementation of the 
executive order;
     AIHEC has highly qualified management staff with the 
background and experience to develop, guide, operate and evaluate the 
complex elements of this cooperative agreement. They have extensive 
experience in mediation with Federal Departments and tribal 
governments;
     AIHEC has demonstrated through past activities its ability 
to assist the Tribal Colleges in their development and expansion. In 
1972, AIHEC was founded by the first six Tribally Controlled Community 
Colleges and began to develop and implement programs that are 
consistent with the inherent rights of tribal sovereignty and self-
determination; and
     AIHEC has assisted the Tribal Colleges in the development 
and maintenance of the highest standards of quality education for AI/
ANs by improving the accessibility of educational programs, 
significantly increasing student enrollments and assisting the tribal 
colleges in becoming fully accredited institutions of higher education.
    This cooperative agreement will be awarded in FY 1998 for a 12-
month budget period within a project period of 5 years. Continuation 
awards within the project period will be made on the basis of 
satisfactory progress and the availability of funds.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 5, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments shall be mailed to CDR Robert J. Carson, Office of 
Minority Health, 5515 Security Lane, Suite 1000, Rockville, Maryland 
20852, telephone (301) 443-5084, fax (301) 594-0767, E-MAIL 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: CDR Robert J. Carson, Office of 
Minority Health, 5515 Security Lane, Suite 1000, Rockville, Maryland 
20852, telephone (301) 443-5084, fax (301) 594-0767, E-MAIL 
[email protected].
Clay E. Simpson, Jr.,
Deputy Assistant Secretary Director for Minority Health.
[FR Doc. 97-30566 Filed 11-19-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-17-M