[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 131 (Friday, July 7, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42008-42014]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-17204]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

[Program Announcement No. 93612-004]


Administration for Native Americans; Availability of Financial 
Assistance.

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

ACTION: Announcement of availability of competitive financial 
assistance for information dissemination and strategy development 
relating to the de-regulation of electricity and its impact upon tribal 
populations. Projects would be funded in four areas--1 national grant 
and 3 grants in the following geographic areas: Area I--WA, OR, ID, 
western MT; Area II--ND, SD, NE, KS, eastern MT, MN, WI; Area III--CA, 
NV, UT, AZ, NM, CO, WY. This assistance, in the form of competitive 
grants is to be administered by the Administration for Native 
Americans.

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SUMMARY: The Administration for Native Americans (ANA) announces the 
availability of fiscal year 2000 funds for information dissemination 
and strategy development relating to the de-regulation of electricity 
as it affects Indian Tribes and other Native American communities. 
Outreach activities would focus primarily on the energy policies 
established as a result of the Energy Policy Act of 1992, such as: (1) 
the Energy Planning and Management Program; and (2) the Comprehensive 
Electricity Competition Plan, implemented by the Clinton 
administration. The Energy Policy Act also contains provisions 
affecting Indian Tribes and Native communities and should be included 
in information dissemination/outreach activities. ANA plans to fund 
four (4) grants--one at the national level and the others in the 
following geographic areas: Area I: WA, OR, ID, western MT; Area II: 
ND, SD, NE, KS, eastern MT, MN, WI; Area III: CA, NV, UT, AZ, NM, CO, 
WY. These projects are for the purpose of developing comprehensive 
electricity de-regulation information dissemination and strategies 
designed to assist tribal and community leaders in making informed 
decisions relating to participation in new energy relationships as both 
a potential supplier and consumer.
    Financial assistance provided by ANA in support of projects in this 
area is intended to promote information dissemination and strategy 
development concerning the de-regulation of electricity for the benefit 
of all Indian Tribes and Native communities affected by these changes 
in the electricity industry.

DATES: The closing data for receipt of applications is August 7, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Application kits, containing the necessary forms and 
instructions to apply for a grant under this program announcement, may 
be obtained from:
RJS & Associates, Inc., Dr. Robert Swan, C.E.O., RR1, Box 694, Box 
Elder, MT 59521, Tel: 406-395-4727 or 888-838-4757, Fax: 406-395-4759, 
e-mail: [email protected], website: http//www.rjsinc.org/region2.html

Native American Management Services, Inc., Tonya Parker, Project 
Director, 6858 Old Dominion Drive, Suite 302, McLean, VA 22101, Tel: 
703-821-2226 or 800-388-7670, Fax: 703-821-3680 e-mail: 
[email protected]

Development Associates, Inc., E. Robles, Project Director, 1475 North 
Broadway, Suite 200, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, Tel: 925-935-9711 or 800-
666-9711, Fax: 925-935-0413 e-mail: [email protected], website: http://www.devassoc.com/ana/anaversion2.htm

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: ANA Help Desk, Administration for 
Children and Families, Administration for Native Americans, 370 
L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Mail Stop HHH 348F, Washington, D.C. 20447, 
Tel: (202) 690-7776 or toll free 1-877-922-9262 Fax: (202) 690-7441.
    Copies of this program announcement and many of the required forms 
may be obtained electronically at the ANA web page: www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/ana/

Introduction and Purpose

    This Announcement describes the availability of fiscal year 2000 
financial assistance for grants to develop and disseminate consistent 
program

[[Page 42009]]

information on the de-regulation of electricity as it affects Indian 
Tribes and Native communities.
    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 Indian Tribes and Native 
communities in obtaining the most recent and relevant information 
regarding de-regulation of the electricity industry. This information 
will assist Tribes in making informed decisions about options under new 
regulations resulting from the Energy Policy Act of 1992. Outreach 
materials and activities must fully address the range of options 
available to Indian Tribes and Native communities under de-regulation. 
Types of information to be provided include but are not limited to: The 
latest agreements Tribes have made with federal power marketing 
agencies such as Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) and 
Bonneville Power Administration (BPA); federal funding and future 
potential arrangements among Indian Tribes, Federal agencies, state 
governments, power companies, and other energy resource entities.
    This will be accomplished by funding four (4) information 
dissemination and strategy development grants, consisting of 1 national 
grant and 3 grants in the following geographic areas: Area I: WA, OR, 
ID, western MT; Area II: ND, SD, NE, KS, eastern MT, MN, WI; Area III: 
CA, NV, UT, AZ, NM, CO, WY. The emphasis on information dissemination 
in these geographic areas is based upon: (1) The high concentration of 
tribal populations in those areas; and (2) the imminent nature of 
changes relating to electricity de-regulation for Tribes in the those 
regions, particularly for those Tribes affected by WAPA's power 
allocation. Eligibility for these grants extends to those 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 (Pub. L. 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 area. However, should a shortage of highly ranked 
organizations develop, ANA may award more than one grant to an 
organization or may combine areas 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 electricity de-regulation information dissemination 
and strategy development grants.

Part II. Electricity De-Regulation Information Dissemination and 
Strategy Development Grants

    Describes the Electricity De-regulation 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
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 
four (4) geographic 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 Indian Tribes and Native 
communities to gain information relating to the de-regulation of 
electricity. Information and analysis to be provided through these four 
(4) ANA grants must fully address the range of options available to 
Indian Tribes and Native communities.
    ANA will provide financial assistance to successful applicants to 
disseminate information about de-regulation of electricity in specific 
geographic areas. These electricity de-regulation information 
dissemination and strategy development grants will last for up to one 
year. Applicants must describe concrete strategies to gather, organize 
and disseminate information. Planning for the project must consider the 
maximum use of all available resources, including: initial coordination 
with ANA, other government agencies, and energy related organizations 
to ensure that the electricity de-regulation information to be provided 
to Tribes is comprehensive and current; how resources will be directed 
to information dissemination; and comprehensive strategies for 
presenting the information, such as meetings, forums, workshops, 
cluster sessions and on-site presentations. Applicants should explain 
how they would use their in-house expertise and experience in 
developing their information dissemination strategies.
    An application from a Federally-Recognized Tribe 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.

Part II--Electricity De-Regulation 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 2000 
financial assistance for grants to develop and disseminate consistent 
program information on the de-regulation of electricity as it affects 
Indian Tribes and Native American communities.
    Approximately a total of $850,000 of financial assistance is 
anticipated to be available for electricity de-regulation information 
dissemination and strategy development. ANA anticipates awarding four 
(4) competitive grants divided into (1) nationwide for $250,000

[[Page 42010]]

and (3) geographic areas for $200,000 each--Area I: WA, OR, ID, western 
MT; Area II: ND, SD, NE, KS, eastern MT, MN, WI; Area III: CA, NV, UT, 
AZ, NM, CO, SY.

B. Background

    The electricity industry in the United States is undergoing a 
complete restructuring process as a result of the federal government's 
move to de-regulate interstate electricity markets. Already more than 
half of the states representing the larger share of electricity 
consumption in the country have created competitive markets, 
particularly at the wholesale and industrial levels.
    Competition is slowly spreading to the retail, residential market. 
In previous years, Tribes had little opportunity to seek lower prices 
or better service, although technically they were exempt from state 
regulation because all of the other players with whom they would do 
business were regulated. De-regulation and the opening of markets to 
competition provide Tribes with an opportunity for future economic and 
social development.
    After passage of the Energy Policy Act of 1992, Tribes saw emerging 
opportunities arising from the de-regulation of the electricity 
industry. Tribes, tribal coalitions and organizations began working 
together with federal power marketing administrations (Bonneville Power 
Administration and Western Area Power Administration) to assure tribal 
status as preferred customers and recipients of low cost electricity. 
Before 1992, Tribes were essentially barred from receiving low-cost, 
federally-generated hydropower by WAPA's policy which required that a 
tribe obtain full utility status before receiving WAPA Power. In 1993, 
however, Deputy Energy Secretary Bill White decreed that Indian Tribes 
no longer were required to own their own distribution systems to 
received federal power allocations. Since 1993 Tribes have been 
designated as non-utility preference customers and are provided an 
allocation of low-cost, federally-generated hydropower. In 1995, WAPA 
published their final rule for the Energy Planning and Management 
(EPAM) Program, the goal of which is: (1) To require planning and 
efficient electric energy use by WAPA's firm power resource pools when 
existing resource commitments expire; and (2) to allocate power from 
these pools to new preference customers. Implications for Tribes 
include: Recognition of federally recognized Tribes as ``preference 
customers''; contractual arrangements with WAPA and local energy 
providers to manage energy allocation; tribal collaboration with local 
energy providers to transmit their energy allocation to end-users.
    In order to assist Tribes in maximizing opportunities arising from 
these historic changes in the electricity industry, as ad hoc National 
Intertribal Energy Network was formed.
    In 1999, representatives from over 200 Tribes met and produced the 
National Tribal Energy Vision for the Year 2010. Achieving this 
vision--that every tribe has the right to access a sufficient, reliable 
electricity supply at a reasonable price to meet its social and 
economic needs--was projected to come from three strategies: accessing 
hydropower as preference customers; taking advantage of local 
conventional and renewable energy resources to produce their own; and 
working together to purchase power in a competitive electricity market.
    Tribes now have an opportunity to access federal hydropower; 
develop partnerships with other Tribes and private industry; set 
standards for service while protecting their emerging internal domestic 
market; develop their own programs and plans responsive to the local 
vision.
    The information will be disseminated through four ANA grants--one 
(1) at the national level and three (3) in the following geographic 
areas--Area I: WA, OR, ID, western MT; Area II: ND, SD, NE, KS, eastern 
MT, MN, WI; Area III: CA, NV, UT, AZ, NM, CO, WY. These grantees will 
assist Indian Tribes and Native communities in understanding and 
assessing their options resulting from the de-regulation of 
electricity. Such information may include the background and current 
status of electricity de-regulation; data systems and other 
administrative requirements needed to enter into collaborative or 
contractual arrangements such as the EPAM Program; current or 
anticipated funds available to Indian Tribes and Native communities in 
designing new energy programs and technologies; implications of the 
National Tribal Energy Vision for the Year 2010; opportunities for 
Tribes in energy infrastructure development, accessing outside markets 
for tribal energy services, purchasing power in a competitive 
electricity market, and opportunities in creating utility ordinates and 
operations.
    Applications should also address 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. Information and 
strategies developed in the three geographic area projects will be 
shared with the national project, and the national project will work 
together with an coordinate closely with the three geographic area 
projects.

C. Competitive Areas of Consideration

    In addition to the national project, three projects will cover the 
following geographic areas:--Area I: WA, OR, ID, western MT; Area II: 
ND, SD, NE, KS, eastern MT, MN, WI; Area III: CA, NV, UT, AZ, NM, CO, 
WY.
    Applicants may submit one application per grographic area. An 
applicant may receive only one grant, regardless of the number of 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 geographic areas under one grant.

D. Eligible Applicants

    The following organizations are eligible to apply under this 
announcement:
     Federally recognized Indian Tribes;
     Consortia of Indian Tribes;
     Incorporated non-federally recognized Tribes;
     Incorporated nonprofit multi-purpose community-based 
Indian organizations;
     Urban Indian Centers;
     National or regional incorporated nonprofit Native 
American organizations with Native American community-specific 
objectives;
     Alaska Native Villages as defined in the Alaska Native 
Claims and Settlement Act (ANCSA) and/or non-profit village consortia;
     Incorporated nonprofit Alaska Native multi-purpose 
community-based organizations;
     Nonprofit Alaska Native Regional Corporations/Associations 
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

[[Page 42011]]

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (The populations served 
may be located on these islands or in the United States);
     Tribally controlled community colleges, Tribally 
controlled post secondary vocational institutions, and Native 
controlled 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.

    Note: Current ANA SEDS grantees are 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, other than a Tribe or an Alaska Native Village 
government is proposing a project benefiting Native Americans, 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 this requirement in the 
regulations, applicants must 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.

E. Grantee Share of the Project

    Grantees must provide at least 20 percent of the total approved 
cost of the project. (The total approved cost of the project is the sum 
of the ACF share and the non-Federal share.) The non-Federal share may 
be met by cash or in-kind contributions; although applicants are 
encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash contributions.
    Therefore, a project requesting $200,000 in Federal funds must 
include a match of at least $50,000 (20% total project cost). As per 45 
CFR Part 74.2, In-Kind contributions is defined as ``the value of non-
cash contributions provided by non-Federal third parties. Third party-
in kind contributions may be in the form of real property, equipment, 
supplies and other expendable property, and the value of goods and 
services directly benefiting and specifically identifiable to the 
project or program.''
    In addition it may include other Federal funding sources where its 
legislation or regulations authorizes using specific types of funds for 
a match and provided the source relates to the ANA project, as follows: 
Indian self-determination and Education Assistance funds, through the 
Department of Interior and the Department of Health and Human Services 
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) of the Native American 
Program Regulations.

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 (20 points)
    a. the application describes the project goals and strategy, 
including: how applicant's goals relate to the de-regulation of 
electricity as it affects Indian Tribes and Native American communities 
how the proposed project 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 or 
commitment of resources, not merely letters of support. ``Letters of 
support'' merely express another organization's endorsement of a 
proposed project. Support letters are not binding commitment letters or 
do not factually establish the authenticity of other resources. 
``Letters and other documents of commitment'' are binding when they 
specifically state the nature the amount, and conditions under which 
another individual, agency or organization will support a project 
funded with ANA funds.
    These resources may be human, natural or financial, and may include 
other Federal and non-Federal resources. (Applicant statements that 
additional funding will be sought from other specific sources are not 
considered a binding commitment of outside resources.)
(2) Organizational Capabilities and Qualifications. (25 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 cope 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. Applicant 
must also explain how organizational experience and expertise in the 
area of energy resource management will benefit the project.
    b. Position descriptions and/or resumes of key personnel, including 
those of consultants, represented. 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

[[Page 42012]]

the application includes project objectives and activities for the 
budget period and demonstrates that each of the objectives and its 
activities: Identifies the basic approach to be used in collecting, 
disseminating and presenting electricity de-regulation information; 
includes initial coordination with ANA; includes strategies and methods 
for analyzing options available to Indian Tribes and Native communities 
as a result of electricity de-regulation; is measurable and/or 
quantifiable in terms of results or outcomes; clearly relates to the 
applicant's goals and strategies; can be accomplished with the 
available or expected resources during the proposed project period; 
indicates when the objective, and major activities under each 
objective, will be accomplished; specifies who will conduct the 
activities under each objective;
(4) Results or Benefits Expected. (15 points)
    Completion of the proposed objectives will result in specific, 
measurable results. The specific information provided in the narrative 
and objective work plans on expected results or benefits for each 
objective is the standard upon which its achievement can be evaluated 
at the end of the project.
(5) Budget. (10 points)
    A detailed and fully explained budget is provided for the budget 
period requested which: Justifies each line item, with a well-written 
justification, in the budget categories in Section B of the Budget 
Information of the application, including the applicant's non-Federal 
share and its source; Includes and justifies sufficient cost and other 
necessary details to facilitate the determination of cost allowability 
and the relevance of these costs to the proposed project; and Requests 
funds which are appropriate and necessary for the scope of the proposed 
project.

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. 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, 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 the following 
Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA) Providers:

RJS & Associates, Inc., Dr. Robert Swan, C.E.O., RR1, Box 694, Box 
Elder, MT 59521, Tel: 406-395-4727 or 888-838-4757 Fax:406-395-4759, e-
mail: [email protected], website: http//www.rjsinc.org/region2.html

Native American Management Services, Inc., Tonya Parker, Project 
Director, 6858 Old Dominion Drive, Suite 302, McLean, VA 22101, Tel: 
703-821-2226 or 800-388-7670, Fax: 703-821-3680, e-mail: 
[email protected]

Development Associates, Inc., E. Robles, Project Director, 1475 North 
Broadway, Suite 200, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, Tel: 925-935-9711 or 800-
666-9711, Fax: 925-935-0413, e-mail: [email protected], website: http://www.devassoc.com/ana/anaversion2.htm
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, SW., Mail Stop HHH 326-F, Washington, DC 20447, Attention: 
Lois B. Hodge ANA No. 93612-0004.
    Hand delivered applications are accepted between the hours of 8 
a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, on or prior to the 
established closing date at: Administration for Children and Families, 
Office of Grants Management, ACF Mailroom, 2nd Floor Loading Dock, 
Aerospace Center, 901 D Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024.
    The application (Form 424) must be signed by an individual 
authorized (1) to act for the applicant Tribe or organization, and (2) 
to assume the applicant's obligations under the terms and conditions of 
the grant award, including Native American Program statutory and 
regulatory requirements.
    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. Should a shortage of highly ranked 
organizations develop, however, ANA may award more than one grant to an 
organization or may combine geographic areas under one grant.
    The Administration for Native Americans will accept only one

[[Page 42013]]

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. Four (4) separate ranking 
lists, one for each geographic area, will be utilized in the decision 
process.
3. Application Consideration
    The ANA Commissioner determines the final action to be taken on 
each grant application received under this program announcement.
    The following points should be taken into consideration by all 
applicants:
     Incomplete applications and applications that do not 
conform to this announcement will not be accepted for review.
     Applicants will be notified in writing of any such 
determination by ANA.
     Complete applications that conform to all the requirements 
of this program announcement are subjected to a competitive review and 
evaluation process (discussed in section F below).
     Independent review panels consisting of reviewers familiar 
with American Indian Tribes, Native American communities and 
organizations, and the de-regulation of electricity evaluate each 
application using the published criteria. As a result of the review, a 
numerical score will be assigned to each application.
     The Commissioner's funding decision is based on the review 
panel's analysis of the application, recommendation and comments of ANA 
staff, State and Federal agencies having contract and grant performance 
related information, and other interested parties.
     The Commissioner makes grant awards consistent with the 
purpose of the Act, all relevant statutory and regulatory requirements, 
this program announcement, and the availability of funds.
     After the Commissioner has made decisions on all 
applications, unsuccessful applicants are notified in writing within 
approximately 30 days. Successful applicants are notified through an 
official Financial Assistance Award (FAA) document.
     ANA staff cannot respond to requests for information 
regarding funding decisions prior to the official notification to the 
applicants.
     The FAA will state the amount of Federal funds awarded, 
the purpose of the grant, the terms and conditions of the grant award, 
the effective date of the award, the project period, the budget period, 
and the amount of the non-ACF matching share requirement.

F. The Review Process

1. Initial Application Review
    Applications submitted by the closing date and verified by the 
postmark under this program announcement will undergo a pre-review to 
determine that: The applicant is eligible in accordance with the 
Eligible Applicants Section of this announcement; and the application 
is signed and submitted by the deadline explained in section I, Receipt 
of Applications, of this announcement.
2. Competitive Review of Accepted Applications
    Applications which pass the pre-review will be evaluated and rated 
by an independent review panel on the basis of the specific evaluation 
criteria listed in Part II. These criteria are used to evaluate the 
quality of a proposed project, and to determine the likelihood of its 
success.
3. Appeal of Ineligibility
    Applicants who are initially rejected from competitive evaluation 
because of ineligibility, may appeal an ANA decision of applicant 
ineligibility. Likewise, applicants may also appeal an ANA decision 
that an applicant's proposed activities are ineligible for funding 
consideration.

G. General Guidance to Applicants

    The following information is provided to assist applicants in 
developing a competitive application.
1. Program Guidance
    The Administration for Native Americans funds projects that 
demonstrate the strongest prospects for addressing the stated purposes 
of this program announcement. Projects will not be funded on the basis 
of need alone. In discussing the goals, strategy, and problems being 
addressed in the application, present sufficient background concerning 
these issues, including electricity deregulation policy.
    This material will assist the reviewers in determining the 
appropriateness and potential benefits of the proposed project. 
Applicants must document the community's support for the proposed 
project and explain the role of the community in the planning process 
and implementation of the proposed project. For Tribes, a current 
signed resolution from the governing body of the Tribe supporting the 
project proposal stating that there has been community involvement in 
the planning of this project will suffice as evidence of community 
support/involvement. For all other eligible applicants, the type of 
community you serve will determine the type of documentation necessary. 
For example, a tribal organization may submit resolutions supporting 
the project proposal from each of its members Tribes, as well as a 
resolution from the applicant organization.
    The project application, including the Objective Work Plans, must 
clearly identify in measurable terms the expected results, benefits or 
outcomes of the proposed project, and the positive or continuing impact 
that the project will have on the community.
    Supporting documentation, including letters of support, if 
available, or other testimonies from concerned interests other than the 
applicant should be included to demonstrate support for the feasibility 
of the project and the commitment of other resources to the proposed 
project.
2. Technical Guidance
    Applicants are encouraged to have someone other than the author 
apply the evaluation criteria in the program announcement and score the 
application prior to its submission, in order to gain a better sense of 
the application's quality and potential competitiveness in the ANA 
review process.
    For purposes of developing an application, applicants should plan 
for a project start date approximately 60 days after the closing date 
under which the application is submitted.
    For purposes of this announcement, ANA is using the Bureau of 
Indian Affairs' list of Federally recognized Indian Tribes which 
includes nonprofit Alaska Native community entities or tribal governing 
bodies (IRA or traditional councils). Other Federally recognized Indian 
Tribes which, may not yet be included on this list (e.g., those Tribes 
which have been recently recognized or restored by the United States 
Congress) are also eligible to apply for ANA funds.
    Eligible applicants may submit one application per geographic area. 
If an eligible applicant sends in two applications for the same 
geographic area, the one with the earlier postmark will be accepted for 
review unless the applicant withdraws the earlier application.
    An application from a Tribe 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

[[Page 42014]]

clearly demonstrates the Tribe's support of the project and the Tribe's 
understanding that the other applicant's project supplants the Tribe's 
authority to submit an application for the duration of the approved 
grant period.
    The application's Form 424 must be signed by the applicant's 
representative authorized to act with full authority on behalf of the 
applicant.
    The Administration for Native Americans recommends that the pages 
of the application be numbered sequentially and that a table of 
contents be provided. Simple tabbing of the sections of the application 
is also helpful to the reviewers.
    An application with an original signature and two additional copies 
are required. The Cover Page (included in the Kit) should be the first 
page of an application, followed by the one-page abstract.
    The Approach page (Section B of the ANA Program Narrative) for each 
Objective Work Plan proposed should be of sufficient detail to become a 
monthly staff guide for project responsibilities if the applicant is 
funded.
    Line 15a of the Form 424 must specify the Federal funds requested 
for the Budget Period. The Administration for Native Americans will 
critically evaluate applications in which the acquisition of equipment 
is a major component of the Federal share of the budget. ``Equipment is 
tangible, non-expendable personal property having a useful life of more 
than one year and an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit.'' 
During negotiation, such expenditures may be deleted from the budget of 
an otherwise approved application, if not fully justified by the 
applicant and not deemed appropriate to the needs of the project by 
ANA.
    Applicants are encouraged to request a legibly dated receipt from a 
commercial carrier or U.S. Postal Service as proof of timely mailing.
3. Projects or Activities That Generally Will Not Meet The Purposes of 
This Announcement
    The support of on-going social service delivery programs or the 
expansion, or continuation, of existing social service delivery 
programs.
    Core administration functions, or other activities, which 
essentially support only the applicant's on-going administrative 
functions. Project goals, which are not responsive to this program 
announcement.
    Proposals from consortia of Tribes that are not specific with 
regard to support from, and roles of, member Tribes.
    Projects that will not be completed by the end of the project 
period.
    ANA will not fund the purchase of real estate (see 45 CFR 1336.50 
(e)) or construction.
    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 recordkeeping 
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 April 30, 2003.

I. Receipt of Applications

    The closing date for the submission of applications is [30 days 
from the date of publication in the Federal Register]. Applications 
postmarked after the closing date will be classified as late.
1. Deadline
    Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an announced 
deadline if they are either received on or before the deadline date or 
sent on or before the deadline date and received by ACF in time for the 
independent review to: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 
Administration for Children and Families, Office of Grants Management, 
370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW, Mail Stop 6C-462, Washington, DC 20447.
    Applicants are cautioned to request a legibly dated U.S. Postal 
Service postmark or to obtain a legibly dated receipt from a commercial 
carrier or the U.S. Postal Service. Private metered postmarks shall not 
be acceptable as proof of timely mailing.
    Applications hand carried by applicants, applicant couriers, or by 
overnight/express mail couriers shall be considered as meeting an 
announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline date, 
Monday through Friday (excluding Federal holidays), between the hours 
of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., at: U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services, Administration for Children and Families, 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.
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.

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


    Dated: June 30, 2000.
Gary Mounts,
Acting Commissioner, Administration for Native Americans.
[FR Doc. 00-17204 Filed 7-6-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-M