[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 10 (Wednesday, January 15, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2057-2066]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-817]



[[Page 2057]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

[Program Announcement No. 93587-2003]


Administration for Native Americans: Availability of Financial 
Assistance

AGENCY: Administration for Native Americans, ACF, DHHS.

ACTION: Announcement of availability of competitive financial 
assistance to promote the survival and continuing vitality of Native 
American languages.

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    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number: 93.587 
Promoting the Survival and Continuing Vitality of Native American 
languages.
SUMMARY: The Administration for Native Americans (ANA) announces the 
availability of Fiscal Year 2003 funds for Native American Language 
projects. Financial assistance provided by ANA is designed to assist 
applicants in designing projects which will promote the survival and 
continuing vitality of Native American Language.
    The printed Federal Register notice is the only official program 
announcement. Although reasonable efforts are taken to assure that the 
files on the ANA World Wide Web Page containing electronic copies of 
this Program Announcement are accurate and complete; they are provided 
for information only. The applicant bears sole responsibility to assure 
that the copy download and/or printed from any other source is accurate 
and complete. Copies of this program announcement and many of the 
required forms may be obtained by calling the toll-free ANA applicant 
help desk or electronically at the ANA World Wide Web address http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ana/.
    Closing Date: The closing date for submission of applications is 
March 28, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact the ANA Applicant Help Desk at 
202-690-7776 or toll free at 1-877-922-9262 for assistance.

Part I: Supplementary Information

A. Purpose and Availability of Funds

    The purpose of this notice is to announce the availability for 
fiscal year 2003 financial assistance to eligible applicants for the 
purposes of assisting Native Americans in ensuring the survival and 
continuing vitality of their languages. Financial assistance awards 
made under this program announcement will be on a competitive basis and 
the proposals will be reviewed against the evaluation criteria in this 
announcement.
    Approximately $2,000,000 in Fiscal Year 2003 has been allocated for 
category I and II grants.
    For Category I, Planning Grants (projects length: 12 months), the 
funding level for a budget period of 12 months will be up to $60,000.
    For Category II, Design and/or Implementation Grants (project 
length: up to 36 months), the funding level for a budget period of 12 
months will be up to $150,000.
    In accordance with current agency policies, ANA may fund additional 
highly ranked applications if additional funds become available prior 
to the next competition.
    ANA continues a variety of requirements directed towards enforcing 
its policy that an eligible grant recipient may only have one active 
ANA grant awarded from a competitive area at any time. Therefore, while 
eligible applicants may compete for a Native American language grant in 
either of the two categories, an applicant may only submit one 
application and no applicant may receive more than one Native American 
language grant.
    Ongoing for fiscal year 2003, are two White House Initiatives 
relating to Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, and People with 
Disabilities. In accordance with the Executive Order on Asian American 
and Pacific Islanders, ANA encourages greater participation from 
Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. The Executive Order on 
People with Disabilities encourages all communities to address the 
needs of people with disabilities in all programs in accordance with 
the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). ANA encourages all Native 
communities to address the needs of people with disabilities in all 
aspects of their programs. ANA also encourages greater participation 
from Native organizations serving people with disabilities.

    Note: Organizations from Palau are no longer eligible for 
assistance under ANA programs.

B. Background

    The Congress has recognized that the history of past policies of 
the United States toward Indian and other Native American languages has 
resulted in a dramatic decrease in the number of Native American 
languages that have survived over the past 500 years. Consequently, the 
Native American Languages Act (Title 1, Pub. L. 101-477) was enacted to 
address this decline. This legislation vested the United States 
government with the responsibility to work together with Native 
Americans to ensure the survival of cultures and languages unique to 
Native America. This law declared that it is the policy of the United 
States to ``preserve, protect and promote the rights and freedom of 
Native Americans to use, practice and develop Native American 
languages''. While the Congress made a significant first step in 
passing this legislation in 1990, it served only as a declaration of 
policy. No program initiatives were proposed, nor any funds authorized 
to enact any significant programs in furtherance of this policy. In 
1992, Congressional testimony provided estimates that of the several 
hundred languages that once existed, only about 150 are still spoken or 
remembered toady. Furthermore, only 20 are spoken by persons of all 
ages, 30 are spoken by adults of all ages, about 60 are spoken by 
middle-aged adults, and 45 are spoken by the most elderly. In response 
to this testimony, the Congress passed the Native American Languages 
Act of 1992 (the Act), Public Law 102-524, to assist Native Americans 
in assuring the survival and continuing vitality of their languages. 
Passage of the Act was an important second step in an attempt to ensure 
the survival and continuation of Native languages. It provided the 
basic foundation upon which tribal nations can rebuild their economic 
strength and enhance the rich cultural diversity. The Federal 
government recognizes the substantial loss of Native American languages 
over the past several hundred years, and acknowledges the nature and 
magnitude of the status of Native American languages will be better 
defined when eligible applicants under the Act have completed language 
assessments. The Administration for Native Americans (ANA) believes 
that the responsibility for achieving self-sufficiency rests with the 
governing bodies of Indian Tribes, Alaska Native villages, and in the 
leadership of Native American groups. This belief supports the ANA 
principle that the local community and its leadership are responsible 
for determining goals, setting priorities, and planning and 
implementing programs that support the community's long-range goals.
    Therefore, since preserving a language and ensuring its 
continuation is generally one of the first steps taken toward 
strengthening a group's identity, activities proposed under this 
program announcement will contribute to the social development of 
Native communities and significantly contribute to their efforts toward 
self-sufficiency.
    The Administration for Native Americans recognizes that eligible

[[Page 2058]]

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

C. ANA Program and Administration Policies

    Applicants must comply with the following programming policies.
    [sbull] Funds will not be awarded for projects addressing dead 
languages. For purposes of this announcement, dead languages are those 
languages that are no longer spoken by any tribal member or community 
member.
    [sbull] At the end of the project period, products or project 
models of Native American language grants funded by this program 
announcement should be sent to the designated ANA repository. Federally 
recognized Indian Tribes are not required to comply with this 
condition. The Commissioner shall determine the repository for copies 
of products from Native American language grants funded under this 
program announcement.
    Applicants must comply with the following administrative policies:
    [sbull] Current Native American language grantees whose project 
period extends beyond September 30, 2003, or who have requested an 
extension of the grant project beyond that date, are not eligible to 
apply for a grant under the same program area and may not compete for 
additional Native American language grants.
    [sbull] Applicants for Category I may propose a 12- to 17-month 
project period.
    [sbull] Applicants for Category II may propose up to 36-month 
projects.
    [sbull] Applicants must describe a locally determined strategy to 
carry out a proposed project with fundable objectives and activities.
    [sbull] 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.
    [sbull] ANA will not accept applicants 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 the Native American languages program both for the 
current competition and for the duration of the approved grant period, 
should the application be funded.
    [sbull] If a federally recognized Tribe or Alaska Native village 
chooses not to apply, it may support another applicant's project (e.g., 
a tribal organization) which serves or impacts their reservation. In 
this case, the applicant must include a tribal resolution that clearly 
demonstrates the Tribe's approval of the project and the Tribe's 
understanding that the other applicant's project supplants the Tribe's 
authority to submit an application under the Native American languages 
program both for the current competition and for the duration of the 
approved grant period, should the application be funded.
    [sbull] ANA will only accept one application that serves or impacts 
a reservation, Tribe, or Native American community.
    [sbull] Any non-profit organization submitting an application must 
submit proof of its non-profit status in the application at the time of 
submission. The non-profit agency can accomplish this by providing a 
copy of the applicant's listing in the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) 
most recent list of tax exempt organizations described in section 
501(c)(3) of the IRS code, or by providing a copy of the currently 
valid IRS tax exemption certificate, or by providing a copy of the 
articles of incorporation bearing the seal of the Federally recognized 
Tribe or State in which the corporation or association is domiciled. 
Organizations incorporating in American Somoa are cautioned that the 
Samoan government relies exclusively upon IRS determinations of non-
profit status; therefore, articles of incorporation approved by the 
Samoan government do not establish non-profit status for these 
organizations for the purpose of eligibility for ANA funds.
    [sbull] If the applicant, other than a Tribe or an Alaska Native 
Village government, is proposing a project benefiting Native Americans 
or Native Alaskans, or both, it must provide assurance that a majority 
of its duly elected or appointed board of directors is representative 
of the community, to be served. To establish compliance with this 
requirement, applicants should provide information, such as by-laws or 
board regulations, establishing that at least a majority 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.
    [sbull] Grantees must provide at least a 20 percent matching share 
of the total approved cost of the project. The total approved cost of 
the project is the sum of the federal request and the non-Federal 
share. Applications originating from American Samoa, Guam, or the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Island are covered under Section 
501(d) of Public Law 95-134, as amended (78 U.S.C. 1469a) under which 
HHS waives any requirement for matching funds under $200,000 (including 
in-kind contributions). Therefore, no match is required for grants to 
these insular areas.
    [sbull] An itemized budget detailing the applicant's Federal and 
non-Federal share, and the source(s), must be included as an 
application.
    [sbull] If an applicant plans to charge or otherwise seek credit 
for indirect costs in its ANA application, a current copy of its 
Indirect Cost Agreement must be included in the application.

D. Proposed Projects To Be Funded

Category I--Planning Grants
    The purpose of a Planning Grant is to conduct an assessment and to 
develop the plan needed to describe the current status of the 
language(s) to be addressed and to establish community long-range 
goal(s) to ensure its survival. Project activities may include, but are 
not limited to:
    [sbull] Data collection, compilation, organization and description 
of current language status through a ``formal'' method (e.g. work 
performed by a linguist, and/or a language survey conducted by 
community members) or an ``informal'' method (e.g. a community 
consensus of the language status based on elders, tribal scholars, and/
or other community members);
    [sbull] Establishment of community long-range language goals; and
    [sbull] Acquisition of necessary training and technical assistance 
to administer the project and achieve project goal(s).
Category II--Design and/or Implementation Grants
    The purposes of Design and/or Implementation Grants are so Tribes 
or communities may design and/or implement a language program to 
achieve their long-range goal(s) and to accommodate the Tribe or 
community in reaching their long-term language goal(s). The types of 
projects ANA may fund under Category II include, but are not limited 
to:

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    [sbull] Establishment and support of a community Native American 
language project to bring older and younger Native Americans together 
to facilities and encourage the teaching of Native American language 
skills from one generation to another;
    [sbull] Establishment of a project to train Native American to 
teach Native American language to others or to enable them to serve as 
interpreters or translators of such languages;
    [sbull] Development, printing, and dissemination of materials to be 
used for the teaching and enhancement of Native American languages;
    [sbull] Establishment or support of a project to train Native 
Americans to produce or participate in television or radio programs to 
be broadcast in Native American language;
    [sbull] Compilation, transcription and analysis of oral testimony 
to record and preserve Native American languages; and
    [sbull] To purchase specialized equipment (including audio and 
video recording equipment, computers, and software) necessary to 
achieve the project objectives. The applicant must fully justify the 
need for this equipment and explain how it will be used to achieve the 
project objectives.
    Applicants under Category II must be able to document that: 
language information has been collected and analyzed, that it is 
current (compiled within 36 months prior to the grant application); 
and, the community has established long-range language goals.

E. Eligible Applicants

    Applications from the Republic of Palau are no longer eligible for 
assistance under ANA programs. Palau ceased to be a Trust Territory of 
the United States by virtue of the compact of Free Association Act.
    The following organizations are eligible to apply under this 
competitive area:
    [sbull] Federally recognized Indian Tribes;]
    [sbull] Consortia of Indian Tribes;
    [sbull] Incorporated non-federally recognized Tribes;
    [sbull] Incorporated nonprofit multi-purpose community-based Indian 
organizations;
    [sbull] Urban Indian Centers;
    [sbull] National or regional incorporated nonprofit Native American 
organizations with Native American community-specific objectives;
    [sbull] Alaska Native villages as defined in the Alaska Native 
Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) and/or nonprofit village consortia;
    [sbull] Incorporated nonprofit Alaska Native multi-purpose 
community-based organizations;
    [sbull] Nonprofit Alaska Native Regional Corporations/Associations 
in Alaska with village specific projects;
    [sbull] Nonprofit Native organizations in Alaska with village 
specific projects;
    [sbull] Public and nonprofit private agencies serving Native 
Hawaiians (The populations served may be located on these islands or on 
the continental United States);
    [sbull] Public and nonprofit private agencies serving native 
peoples from Guam, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands. The populations served may be located on these islands 
or in the United States;
    [sbull] Tribally controlled community colleges, tribally controlled 
post-secondary vocational institutions;
    [sbull] Native controlled colleges and universities located in 
Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands, which serve Native American Pacific Islanders; and
    [sbull] Non-profit Alaska Native community entities or tribal 
governing bodies (Indian Reorganization Act or traditional Councils) as 
recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
    [sbull] Participating Organizations: If a tribal organization, or 
other eligible applicant, decides that the objective of its proposed 
Native American language project would be accomplished more effectively 
through a partnership arrangement with a tribal school, college, or 
university, the applicant shall identify such school, college or 
university as a participating organization in its' application. Under a 
partnership agreement, the applicant will be responsible for the 
fiscal, administrative and programmatic management of the grant.

F. Grantee Share of the Project

    Grantees must provide at least a 20 percent matching share of the 
total approved cost of the project. The total approved cost of the 
project is the sum of the Federal share and the non-Federal share. For 
example, a project requesting $100,000 in Federal funds must provide a 
non-federal share match of at least $25,000 (20% total approved project 
cost or 25% of federal request).
    The non-Federal share may be met by cash or in-kind contributions. 
Grantees will be held accountable for commitments of non-Federal 
resources even if over the amount of the required match. Failure to 
provide the amount will result in disallowance of Federal match.
    As per 45 CFR 74.2, in-kind contributions are defined as ``the 
value of non-cash contributions provided by non-Federal third parties. 
Third party in-kind contributions may be in the form of real property, 
equipment, supplies and other expendable property, and the value of 
goods and services directly benefiting and specifically identifiable to 
the project or program''.
    In addition, an applicant may include other Federal funding sources 
where legislation authorizes using specific types of funds for match, 
examples follow:
    [sbull] Indian Child Welfare funds, through the Department of 
Interior;
    [sbull] Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance funds, 
through the Department of Interior and the Department of Health and 
Human Services; and
    [sbull] Community Development Block Grant funds, through the 
Department of Housing and Urban Development.
    A request for a waiver of the non-Federal share requirement may be 
submitted in accordance with 45 CFR 1336.50(b)(3) of the Native 
American Program Regulations.
    Applications originating from American Samoa, Guam or the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are covered under section 
501(d) of Public Law 95-134, as amended (48 U.S.C. 1469a) under which 
HHS waives any requirement for matching funds under $200,000 (including 
in-kind contributions). Therefore, for grants under this Native 
American language program, no match is required for grants to these 
insular areas.

 G. Review Criteria

    The proposed project should address the purposes of the Native 
American Language Acts stated and described in the Section I.B, 
``Background'' of this announcement.
    The evaluation criteria below are closely inter-related. Proposed 
projects will be reviewed on a competitive basis using the following 
separate sets of evaluation criteria; one set for Planning grant 
applications, the other set for Design and/or Implementation grant 
applications. Points are awarded only for applications that respond to 
these criteria.
Category I: Planning Grants
(1) Current Status of Native American Language(s) (15 points)
    The application fully describes the current status of Native 
American language(s) in the community. Since obtaining this data may be 
part of the planning grant application being reviewed, applicants can 
meet this requirement by explaining their current language status and 
providing a detailed

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description of any circumstances or barriers which have prevented the 
collection of community language data. If documentation exists, 
describe it in terms of current language status.
(2) Goals and Available Resources (25 points)
    (a) The application describes the proposed project's long-range 
goals and strategies, including:
    [sbull] How the specific long-range community goal(s) relate to the 
proposed project.
    [sbull] How the goal(s) fit within the context of the current 
language status.
    [sbull] The application explains how the community and the tribal 
government (where one exists) intend to achieve these goals.
    [sbull] Applicants must indicate in their application how they 
intend to involve elders and other community members in the development 
of language goals and strategies, and in evaluation of project 
outcomes.
    [sbull] Demonstrate community and Tribal government support for the 
project. The type of community served will determine the type of 
documentation necessary. Ways to demonstrate support include:
    [sbull] A resolution from Tribes or tribal organizations stating 
that community involvement has occurred in project planning;
    [sbull] Community surveys and questionnaires, including those 
developed to determine the level of community support for tribal 
resolutions; and
    [sbull] Minutes of community meetings, tribal presentations and 
discussion forums.
    [sbull] Applications from National Indian and Native organizations 
must clearly demonstrate a need for the project, explain how the 
project was originated, state who the intended beneficiaries will be, 
and describe how the recipients will actually benefit from the project. 
National Indian and native organizations should describe their 
membership and define how the organization operates.
    (b) Available resources (other than ANA and the non-federal share) 
which will assist and be coordinated with the project are described.
    Non-ANA resources should be leveraged to strengthen and broaden the 
impact of the proposed project in the community. Project designs should 
explain how those parts of projects which ANA does not fund will be 
financed through other sources. For example, ANA does not fund 
construction. Applicants must show the relationship of non-ANA funded 
activities to those objectives and activities that are funded with ANA 
grant funds.
    If the applicant proposes to enter into a partnership arrangement 
with a school, college or university, documentation of this commitment 
must be included in the application.
(3) Project Approach: Objectives and Activities (30 points)
    The application provides a narrative on the overall approach and 
operation of proposed project throughout entire project period. The 
application proposes a specific project Objective Work Plan (OWP). The 
proposed objectives in the Objective Work Plan(s) relate to the goal to 
ensure the survival and continuing vitality of Native American 
language(s). More specifically, they will achieve the Tribe's or Native 
American community's language goals for the proposed project.
    The OWP includes project objectives and specific activities for 
each budget period proposed and demonstrates that each of the 
objectives and its activities:
    [sbull] The tribal government's and community's active involvement 
in the continuing participation of Native American language speakers;
    [sbull] Measurable or quantifiable results or outcomes;
    [sbull] How the results or outcomes relate to the community's long-
range goals or the establishment of those goals;
    [sbull] The approach supports a project that will be completed, or 
self-sustaining, or financed by other than ANA funds at the end of the 
project period.
    [sbull] How the project can be accomplished with the available or 
expected resources during the project period;
    [sbull] How the main activities will be accomplished;
    [sbull] Who specifically will conduct the activities under each 
objective; and
    [sbull] What the next steps may be after the Planning project is 
completed.
    The project application, including the Objective Work Plan, 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.
    The Objective Work Plan proposed should be of sufficient detail to 
become a monthly staff guide for project responsibilities. Applicants 
are encouraged to follow the recommended ANA application kit format 
however, it is not a requirement. The relevant information included in 
an Objective Work Plan should indicate what is to be achieved, how, by 
whom, when with indicators of evaluation.
(4) Organizational Capabilities/Qualifications (20 points)
(a) Organizational Capability
    [sbull] The management and administrative structure of the 
applicant is explained.
    [sbull] Evidence of the applicant's ability to manage a project of 
the proposed scope is well defined.
    [sbull] The application clearly demonstrates the successful 
management of projects of similar scope by the organization and or by 
the individual designated to manage the project.
    [sbull] An organizational chart is included that indicates where 
the proposed project will fit within the current structure.
(b) Organization/Project Staff Qualifications
    [sbull] Position descriptions and/or resumes of project personnel, 
including those of consultants, are presented.
    [sbull] The position descriptions and/or resumes relate 
specifically to the staff proposed in the Approach section and in the 
proposed budget of the application.
    [sbull] Position descriptions very clearly describe the position 
and its duties, and clearly relate to the personnel staffing pattern 
required to achieve the project objectives.
    [sbull] Resumes demonstrate that the proposed staff are qualified 
to carry out the proposed activities. Resumes clearly identify which 
project staff position they fill. Resumes must be included if 
individuals have been identified for positions in the application.
    [sbull] Either the position descriptions or the resumes contain the 
qualifications, and/or specialized skills, necessary for overall 
quality management of the project.

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

(5) Budget (10 points)
    A detailed and fully explained budget is provided for the budget 
period requested which:
    [sbull] Aligns with budget categories in Section B of the Budget 
Information of the application (SF424-A)
    [sbull] Includes a fully explained non-Federal share budget and its 
source(s).
    [sbull] Justifies sufficient cost and necessary details to 
facilitate the determination of allowable cost and the relevance of 
these costs to the proposed project.

[[Page 2061]]

    [sbull] Requests funds that are appropriate and necessary for the 
scope of the proposed project.
    [sbull] Includes sufficient funds for principal representatives 
from the applicant organization to travel to one post-award grant 
training and technical assistance conference. This expenditure is 
mandatory for new grantees and optional for grantees that have had an 
ANA grant in the past. This travel and training should occur as soon as 
practical.
    [sbull] Where implemented, includes an employee fringe benefit 
budget that provides grant-funded employees with a retirement plan in 
addition to Social Security.
    The applicant is strongly encouraged to provide a retirement plan 
fringe benefit for grant-funded employees' salaries up to five (5) 
percent. ANA supports a retirement plan to be a necessary, reasonable 
and allowable cost in accordance with OMB rules. Minimum standards for 
an acceptable retirement fringe benefit plan are:
    [sbull] The plan exists for the benefit of the grant-funded staff; 
funds are to be used for retirement and certain other pre-retirement 
needs, not for the organization's needs.
    [sbull] The plan must have a vesting schedule that does not exceed 
the initial budget period of the ANA grant.
    Other plans may be submitted for review and approval during grant 
award negotiations. Alternate plans may include the use of Individual 
Retirement Accounts, Money Purchase Pension Plans, Defined Benefit 
Pension Plans, Combination Plans, etc.
Category II: Design and/or Implementation Grants
(1) Current Status of Native American language(s) (10 points)
    (a) The application fully describes the current status of the 
Native American language to be addressed; current status is defined as 
data complied within the previous 48 months. The describion of the 
current status minimally includes the following information:
    [sbull] Number of speakers.
    [sbull] Age of speakers.
    [sbull] Gender of speakers.
    [sbull] Level(s) of fluency.
    [sbull] Number of first language speakers (Native language as the 
first language acquired).
    [sbull] Number of second language speakers (Native language as the 
second language required).
    [sbull] Where Native language is used (e.g., home, court system, 
religious ceremonies; church, media, school, governance and cultural 
activities).
    [sbull] Source of data (formal and/or informal).
    [sbull] Rate of language loss or gain.
    (b) The application fully describes existing community language or 
language training programs and projects, if any, in support of the 
Native American language to be addressed by the proposed project. The 
description should answer the following:
    (1) Has applicant had a community language or language training 
program within the last 48 months? Within the last 10 years? If so, 
fully describe the program(s), and include the following:
    [sbull] Program goals.
    [sbull] Number of program participants.
    [sbull] Number of speakers.
    [sbull] Age range of participants (e.g., 0-5, 6-10, -11-18, etc.).
    [sbull] Number of language teachers.
    [sbull] Criteria used to acknowledge competency of language 
teachers.
    [sbull] Resources available to the applicant (e.g., valid grammars, 
dictionaries, and orthographies or describe other suitable resources).
    [sbull] Program achievements.
    (2) If applicant has never had a language program, a detailed 
explanation of what barriers or circumstances prevented the 
establishment of a community language program should be included.
    (2) Goals and Available Resources (20 points)
    (a) The application describes the proposed project's long-range 
goals and strategies, including:
    [sbull] How the specific Native American long-range community 
goal(s) relate to the proposed project; and
    [sbull] How the goal(s) fit within the context of the current 
language status;
    [sbull] A clearly delineated strategy to assist in assuring the 
survival and continued vitality of the Native American language 
addressed in the community.
    [sbull] The application explains how the community and the tribal 
government (where one exists) intend to achieve these goals.
    [sbull] All Tribes and communities, however, must indicate in their 
application how they intend to involve elders and other community 
members in development of language goals and strategies, and in 
evaluation of project outcomes. The type of community served will 
determine the type of documentation necessary to demonstrate 
participation.
    [sbull] A resolution from Tribes or tribal organizations stating 
that community involvement has occurred in project planning. Ways to 
demonstrate community and tribal government support for the project 
include: Community surveys and questionnaires, including those 
developed to determine the level of community support for tribal 
resolution; and minutes of community meetings, tribal presentations and 
discussion forums.
    [sbull] Applications from National Indian and Native organizations 
must clearly demonstrate a need for the project, explain how the 
project was originated, state who the intended beneficiaries will be, 
and describe how the recipients will actually benefit from the project. 
National Indian and Native organizations should describe their 
membership and define how the organization operates.
    (b) Available Resources (other than ANA and the non-federal share) 
Available resources that will assist and be coordinated with the 
project are described. Non-ANA resources should be leveraged to 
strengthen and broaden the impact of the proposed project in the 
community. Project designs should explain how those parts of projects 
which ANA does not fund will be financed through other sources. For 
example, ANA does not fund construction. Applicants must show the 
relationship of non-ANA funded activities to those objectives and 
activities that are funded with ANA grant funds.
    If the applicant proposes to enter into a partnership arrangement 
with a school, college or university, documentation of this commitment 
must be included in the application.
(3) Project Approach: Objectives and Activities (30 points)
    The proposed objectives in the Objective Work Plan(s) related to 
the goal to ensure the survival and continuing vitality of Native 
American language(s). More specifically, together they will achieve the 
Tribe's or Native American community's language goals for the proposed 
project. If the project is for more than one year, the application 
includes Objective Work Plans for each year (budget period) proposed. 
Each Objective Work Plan clearly describes:
    [sbull] The tribal government's and community's active involvement 
in the continuing participation of Native American language speakers;
    [sbull] Measurable or quantifiable results or outcomes;
    [sbull] How they relate to the community's long-range goals or the 
establishment of those goals;
    [sbull] How the project can be accomplished with the available or 
expected resources during the project period;

[[Page 2062]]

    [sbull] How the main activities will be accomplished;
    [sbull] Who specifically will conduct the activities under each 
objective; and
    [sbull] The approach supports a project that will be completed, or 
self-sustaining, or financed by other than ANA funds at the end of the 
project period.
    Applicants proposing multi-year projects under Category II must 
fully describe each year's project objectives and activities. Separate 
Objective Work Plans (OWPs) must be presented for each project year and 
a separate itemized budget of the Federal and non-Federal costs of the 
project for each budget period must be included.
    Multi-year projects under Category II must justify the entire time-
frame of the project (i.e., why the project needs funding for more than 
one year) and clearly describe the results to be achieved for each 
objective by the end of each budget period of the total project period.
    The project application, including the Objective Work Plan(s), 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.
    The Objective Work Plan proposed should be of sufficient detail to 
become a monthly staff guide for project responsibilities. Applicants 
are encouraged to follow the recommended ANA application kit format 
however, it is not a requirement. The relevant information included in 
an Objective Work Plan should indicate what is to be achieved, how, by 
whom, when and indicators of evaluation.
(4) Organizational Capabilities/Qualifications (15 points)
    The management and administrative structure of the applicant is 
explained.
(a) Organizational Capability
    [sbull] Evidence of the applicant's ability to manage a project of 
the proposed scope is well defined.
    [sbull] The application clearly demonstrates the successful 
management of projects of similar scope by the organization and or by 
the individual designated to manage the project.
    [sbull] An organizational chart indicating where the proposed 
Language project fits within the current organization is included.
(b) Organization/Project Staff Qualifications
    [sbull] Position descriptions and/or resumes of project personnel, 
including those of consultants, are presented.
    [sbull] The position descriptions and/or resumes relate 
specifically to the staff proposed in the Approach Section and in the 
proposed budget of the application.
    [sbull] Position descriptions very clearly describe the position 
and its duties and clearly relate to the personnel staffing required to 
achieve the project objectives.
    [sbull] Resumes demonstrate that the proposed staff is qualified to 
carry out the proposed activities. Either the position descriptions or 
the resumes contain the qualifications, and/or specialized skills, 
necessary for overall quality management of the project. Resumes must 
be included if individuals have been identified for positions in the 
application.

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

(5) Budget (10 points)
    Detailed Federal and Non-federal Share budgets and detailed budget 
justifications are provided for each budget period requested. The 
budget includes a line item justification for each requested budget 
category as listed in Section B of the Budget Categories Section on the 
SF 424A.
    A detailed and fully explained budget is provided for each budget 
period requested which:
    [sbull] Justifies sufficient cost and provides necessary details to 
facilitate the determination of allowable costs and the relevance of 
these costs to the proposed project.
    [sbull] Requests funds that are appropriate and necessary for the 
scope of the proposed project.
    [sbull] Includes sufficient funds for principal representatives 
from the applicant organization to travel to one post-award grant 
training the technical assistance conference. This expenditure is 
mandatory for new grant recipients and optional for grantees that have 
had ANA grants in the past. This travel and training should occur as 
soon as practical.
    [sbull] Where implemented, includes an employee fringe benefit 
budget that provides grant-funded employees with a retirement plan in 
addition to Social Security. The applicant is strongly encouraged to 
provide a retirement plan fringe benefit for grant-funded employees' 
salaries up to five (5) percent. ANA supports a retirement plan to be a 
necessary, reasonable and allowable cost in accordance with OMB rules. 
Minimum standards for an acceptable retirement fringe benefit plan are:
    [sbull] The plan exists for the benefit of the grant-funded staff; 
funds are to be used for retirement and certain other pre-retirement 
needs, not for the organization's needs.
    [sbull] The plan must have a vesting schedule that does not exceed 
the initial budget period of the ANA grant. An alternate plan may be 
submitted for review and approval during grant award negotiations. 
Other plans may include the use of Individual Retirement Accounts, 
Money Purchase Pension Plans, Defined Benefit Pension Plans, 
Combination Plans, etc.
(6) Evaluation, Sharing and Preservation Plans (15 points)
    The application should include the following three (3) plans:
    (1) An ``Evaluation Plan'' with a baseline to measure project 
outcomes, including, but not limited to, describing effective language 
growth in the community (e.g., an increase of Native American language 
use). This plan will be the basis for evaluating the community's 
progress in achieving its language goals and objectives.
    (2) A ``Sharing Plan'' that identifies how the project's 
methodology, research data, outcomes or other products can be shared 
and modified for use by other Tribes or communities. If this is not 
feasible or culturally apropriate, provide the reasons. The goal is to 
provide opportunities to ensure the survival and the continuing 
vituality of Native languages.
    (3) A ``Preservation Plan'' to preserve project products describes 
how the products of the project will be preserved through archival or 
other culturally appropriate methods, for the benefit of future 
generations.

H. Application Due Date

    The closing date for submission of applications under this program 
announcement is March 28, 2003.

Part II: General Guidance to Applicants

    The following is provided to assist applicants in the development 
of a competitive application.

A. Definitions

    [sbull] Language Preservation: is the maintenance of a language so 
that it will not decline into non-use.
    [sbull] Language vitality: is the is the active use of a language 
in a wide range of domains of human life.

[[Page 2063]]

    [sbull] Language Replication: is the application of a language 
program model developed in one community to other linguistically 
similar communities.
    [sbull] Language Survival: is the maintenance and continuation of 
language from one generation to another in a wide range of aspects of 
community life.
    [sbull] Multi-purpose Community-based Native American Organization: 
is an association and/or corporation whose charter specifies that the 
community designates the Board of Directors and/or Officers of the 
organization through an elective procedure and that the organization 
functions in several different areas of concern to the members of the 
local Native American community. These areas are specified in the by-
laws and/or policies adopted by the organization. They may include, but 
need not be limited to, economic, artistic, cultural, and recreational 
activities, and the delivery of human services such as health care, day 
care, counseling, education, and training.
    [sbull] Multi-year Project: is a project on a single theme that 
requires more than 12 months to complete and affords the applicant an 
opportunity to develop and address more complex and in-depth strategies 
than can be completed in one year. A multi-year project cannot be a 
series of unrelated objectives with activities presented in 
chronological order over a two or three year period.
    [sbull] Budget Period: is the interval of time (usually 12 months) 
into which the project period is divided for budgetary and funding 
purposes.
    [sbull] Core Administration: is funding for staff salaries for 
those functions that support the organization as a whole, or for 
purposes unrelated to the actual management or implementation of work 
conducted under an ANA approved project. However, functions and 
activities that are clearly project related are eligible for grant 
funding. For example, the management and administrative functions 
necessary to carry out an ANA approved project are not considered 
``core administration'' and are, therefore, eligible costs. 
Additionally, ANA will fund the salaries of approved staff for time 
actually and reasonably spent to implement a funded ANA project.
    [sbull] Real Property: means land, including land improvements, 
structures and appurtenances thereto, excluding movable machinery and 
equipment.
    [sbull] Construction: is the term that specifies a project 
supported through a discretionary grant or cooperative agreement, to 
support the initial building of a facility.

B. Activities That Cannot Be Funded

    The Administration for Native Americans does not fund:
    [sbull] Projects that operate indefinitely or require ANA funding 
on a recurring basis.
    [sbull] Projects in which a grantee would provide training and/or 
technical assistance (T/TA to other Tribes or Native American 
organizations which are otherwise eligible to apply to ANA (``third 
party T/TA''). However, the purchase of T/TA by a grantee for its own 
use or for its members' use (as in the case of a consortium), where T/
TA is necessary to carry out project objectives is acceptable.
    [sbull] The support of on-going social service delivery programs or 
the expansion, or continuation, of existing social service delivery 
programs.
    [sbull] ANA will not fund the purchase of real property.
    [sbull] ANA will not fund construction.
    [sbull] ANA will not fund objectives or activities for the support 
of core administration of an organization.
    [sbull] 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. They must also 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.
    [sbull] Projects or activities that generally will not meet the 
purposes of this announcement are discussed further in Section G, 
``General Guidance to Applicants'', below.

C. Multi-Year Projects

    Only Category II, ``Design and/or Implementation'', projects may be 
developed as multi-year projects, i.e., for up to three years. The 
information in this section is not applicable to Category I, Planning 
projects.
    A multi-year project is a project on a single theme that requires 
more than 12 to 17 months to complete. It affords the applicant an 
opportunity to develop and address more complex and in-depth 
strategies. A multi-year project cannot be a series of unrelated 
objectives with activities presented in chronological order over a two 
or three year period. Initial awards, on a competitive basis, will be 
for a one-year budget period (up to 17 months), although project 
periods may be for three years.
    Awards, on a competitive basis, will be for a one-year budget 
period, although project periods may be for three years. Applications 
for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the one-year 
budget period, but within a two-to-three year project period, will be 
funded in subsequent years on a non-competitive basis. Continuation 
grants are subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory progress 
of the grantee and determination that continued funding would be in the 
best interest of the Government. Therefore, this program announcement 
does not apply to current ANA grantees with multi-year projects that 
apply for continuation funding for their second or third year budget 
periods.

D. Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs

    Executive Order 12372 or 45 CFR part 100 does not cover this 
program.

E. The Application Process

1. Application Submission
(a) By Mail
    One signed original, and two copies, of the grant application, 
including all attachments, must be mailed on or before the closing date 
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: Aerospace Center 8th Floor West, Washington, 
DC 20447-0002, Attention: Lois B. Hodge, ANA No. 93587-2003.
(b) By Courier or Hand Delivery
    Applications hand-carried by applicants, applicant couriers, or by 
overnight express mail couriers shall be considered as meeting an 
announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline date, 
between the ours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at: U.S. Department of Health and 
Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of 
Grants Management, ACF Mail Room, Second Floor Loading Dock, Aerospace 
Center, 901 D Street, SW., Washington, DC 20024, Attention: Lois B. 
Hodge, ANA No. 93587-2003.
2. Application Consideration
    The ANA Commissioner determine the final action to be taken on each 
grant application received under this program announcement. The 
Commissioner's funding decision is based on the review panel's analysis 
of the application,

[[Page 2064]]

recommendation and comments of ANA staff, State and Federal agencies 
having contract and grant performance related information, and other 
interested parties. The Commissioner makes grant awards consistent with 
the purpose of the Act, all relevant statutory and requires this 
program announcement, and the availability of funds.
    Incomplete applications and applications that do not conform to 
this announcement will not be accepted for review. Applicants will be 
notified in writing of any such determination by ACF. An incomplete 
application is one that is:
    [sbull] Missing Standard Form (SF) 424.
    [sbull] Does not have an authorized signature on the SF 424. The 
application's Standard 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.
    [sbull] Does not include proof of non-profit status, if applicable.
    Complete applications that conform to all the requirements of this 
program announcement are subjected to a competitive review and 
evaluation process. Independent review panels consisting of reviewers 
familiar with American Indian Tribes and Native American communities 
and organizations, and Native American languages evaluate each 
application using the published criteria in this announcement. As a 
result of the review, a normalized numerical score will be assigned to 
each application.
    Each Tribe, Native American organization, or other eligible 
applicant may compete for one grant award under this program 
announcement.
    The Administration for Native Americans will accept only one 
application for this program announcement from any one applicant. If an 
eligible applicant sends in two applications for this program 
announcement, the one with the earlier postmark will be accepted for 
review unless the applicant withdraw the earlier application.
    Successful applicants are notified through an official Financial 
Assistance Award (FAA) document. The FAA will state the amount of 
Federal funds awarded, the purpose of the grant, the terms and 
conditions of the grant award, the effective date of the award, the 
project period, the budget period, and the amount of the non-ACF 
matching share requirement.

F. The Review Process

1. Initial Application Review
    Applications submitted by the closing date and verified by the 
postmark will undergo a pre-review of determine that:
    [sbull] The applicant is eligible in accordance with the Eligible 
Applicants Section of this announcement; and,
    [sbull] The application is signed by an authorized representative; 
and
    [sbull] Submitted by the deadline; and
    [sbull] The application narrative, forms and materials submitted 
are adequate to allow the review panel to undertake an in depth 
evaluation and the project described is an allowable type. (All 
required materials and forms are listed in the Grant Application 
Checklist in the Application Kit).
    Application subjected to the pre-review described above which fail 
to satisfy one or more of the listed requirements will be considered 
ineligible and excluded from competitive evaluation.
2. Competitive Review of Accepted Applications
    Applications which pass the pre-review will be evaluated and rated 
by an independent review panel on the basis of the specific evaluation 
criteria listed in Section G: Review Criteria. The criteria are used to 
evaluate the quality of a proposed project, and to determine the 
likelihood of its success. Projects will not be ranked based on general 
financial need.
    ANA staff cannot respond to requests for information regarding 
funding decisions prior to the official notification to the applicants.
    After the Commissioner has made decisions on all applicants funded 
with fiscal year 2003 funds, unsuccessful applicants are notified in 
writing within 30 days. The notification will be accompanied by a panel 
review summary including recommendations for improving the application.
3. Appeal of Ineligibility
    Applicants, who are initially excluded from competitive evaluation 
because of ineligibility, may appeal the ANA decision of their 
ineligibility. Likewise, applicants may also appeal an ANA decision 
that their proposed activities are ineligible for funding 
consideration. The appeals process is stated in the final rule 
published in the Federal Register on August 19, 1996 (61 FR 42817).

G. General Guidance to Applicants

    Application Kit: (OMB approved, control number 0980-0204, expires 
April 30, 2003). The application kit contains the necessary forms and 
instructions to apply for a grant under this program announcement. 
Application kits may be obtained from ANA Training and Technical 
Assistance (t/TA) providers.
    Training and Technical Assistance: ANA employs contractors to 
provide short-term training and technical assistance to eligible 
applicants. T/TA is available under these contracts for a wide range of 
needs however, the contractors are not authorized to write 
applications. The T/TA is provided at no cost to the eligible entity. 
To obtain an application kit and/or, training and technical assistance, 
applicants are encouraged to contact the T/TA provider within the 
appropriate service area. To locate the T/TA provider currently serving 
the region you are located in you may call the ANA Help Desk at 1-877-
922-9262; or visit the ANA web site at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ana/.
    The following information is provided to assist applicants in 
developing a competitive application.
1. Program Guidance
    [sbull] The Administration for Native Americans funds projects that 
demonstrate the strongest prospects for addressing the stated purposes 
of this program announcement.
    [sbull] In discussing the goals, strategy, and problems being 
addressed in the application, include sufficient background and/or 
history of the community concerning these issues and/or progress to 
date, as well as the size of the population to be served. This material 
will assist the reviewers in determining the appropriateness and 
potential benefits of the proposed project.
    [sbull] In the discussion of community-based, long-range goals, 
non-Federally recognized and off-reservation groups are encouraged to 
include a description of what constitute their specific ``community''.
    [sbull] Applications from National Indian and Native American 
organizations must demonstrate a need for the project, explain how the 
project was originated, state who the intended beneficiaries will be, 
and describe how the recipients will actually benefit from the project.
    [sbull] 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

[[Page 2065]]

project will suffice as evidence of community support/involvement. For 
all other eligible applicants, the type of community you serve will 
determine the type of documentation necessary. For example, a tribal 
organization may submit resolutions supporting the project proposal 
from each of its members Tribes, as well as a resolution from the 
applicant organization. Other examples of documentation include: 
community surveys; minutes of community meetings; questionnaires; 
tribal presentations; and/or discussion/position papers.
    [sbull] Supporting documentation, including letters of support, if 
available, or other settlements from concerned interests other than the 
applicant should be included to demonstrate support for the feasibility 
of the project.
    [sbull] In the ANA project narrative, ``Resources Available to the 
Proposed Project'', the applicant should describe any specific 
financial circumstances that may impact on the project. Include such 
circumstances as any monetary or land settlements made to the applicant 
and any restrictions on the use of those settlements. When the 
applicant appears to have other resources to support the proposed 
project and chooses not to use them, the applicant should explain why 
it is seeking ANA funds and not using these resources for the project.
2. Technical Guidance
    [sbull] Applications that were not funded under a previous closing 
date may be resubmitted. However, for resubmission applicants should 
make a reference to the changes or reasons for not making changes in 
their current ANA application which are based on the ANA panel review 
comments.
    [sbull] 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.
    [sbull] For purposes of developing an application, applicants 
should plan for a project start date approximately 120 days after the 
closing date under which the application is submitted.
    [sbull] The Administration for Native Americans will not fund 
essentially identical projects serving the same constituency. If a 
project could be supported by other Federal funding sources, the 
applicant should fully explain its reasons for not pursuing other 
Federal funds for the project.
    [sbull] For purposes of this announcement, ANA is using the Bureau 
of Indian Affairs' list of federally recognized Indian Tribes which 
includes nonprofit Alaska Native community entities or tribal governing 
bodies (IRA or traditional Councils). Other federally recognized Indian 
Tribes, which are not included on this list (e.g., those Tribes that 
have been recently recognized or restored by the United States 
Congress), are also eligible to apply for ANA funds.
    [sbull] 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 month per unit. During 
negotiation, ANA may delete such expenditures from the budget of an 
otherwise approved application, if not fully justified by the applicant 
and deemed not appropriate to the needs of the project.
    [sbull] Applicants are encouraged to request a legibly dated 
receipt from a commercial carrier or U.S. Postal Service as proof of 
timely mailing.
3. Grant Administrative Guidance
    [sbull] The application's Standard Form(SF) 424 must be signed by 
the applicant's representative authorized to act with full authority on 
behalf of the applicant.
    [sbull] The Administration for Native Americans recommended that 
the pages of the application be numbered sequentially and that a table 
of contents and tabbing of the sections is provided.
    [sbull] The Cover Page (included in the Kit) should be the first 
page of an application, followed by the one-page abstract.
    [sbull] The applicant should specify the entire project period 
length on the first page of the SF 424, Block 13, not the length of the 
first budget period. Should the application propose one length of 
project period and the SF 424 specify a conflicting length of project 
period, ANA will consider the project period specified on the SF 424 as 
the official request.
    [sbull] Line 15a on the SF 424 must specify the Federal funds 
requested for the first Budget Period, not the entire project period.
    [sbull] Applicants may propose up to a 17-month project and budget 
period under Category I and up to a 36-month project period under 
Category II.
4. Projects or Activities That Generally Will Not Meet the Purposes of 
This Announcement
    [sbull] Core administration functions, or other activities, which 
essentially support only the applicant's ongoing administrative 
functions.
    [sbull] Project goals which are not responsive to this program 
announcement.
    [sbull] Proposals from consortia of Tribes that are not specific 
with regard to support from, and roles of, member Tribes. ANA expects 
an application from a consortium to have goals and objectives that will 
create positive impacts and outcomes in the communities of its members.
    [sbull] Proposals from consortia of Tribes should have individual 
objectives that are related to the larger goal of the proposed project. 
Project objectives may be tailored to each consortia member, but within 
the context of a common goal for the consortia. In situations where 
both tribal consortia and a Tribe who belongs to the consortia receives 
ANA funding, ANA expects that consortia groups will not seek funding 
that duplicates activities being conducted by their member Tribes.
    [sbull] Projects that will not be completed, or self-sustaining, or 
supported by other than ANA funds, at the end of the project period. 
All projects funded by ANA must be completed, or self-sustaining or 
supported with other than ANA funds at the end of the project period. 
``Completed'' means that the project ANA funded is finished, and the 
desired result(s) have been attained. ``Self-sustaining'' means that a 
project will continue without outside resources or project generated 
revenue. ``Supported by other than ANA funds'' means that the project 
will continue beyond the ANA project period, but will be supported by 
funds other than ANA's.
    [sbull] Renovation or alteration unless it is essential for the 
project. Renovation or alteration costs may not exceed the lesser of 
$150,000 or 25 percent of the total direct costs approved for the 
entire budget period.
    [sbull] 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 (Pub. L. 10413)

    The Program Narrative information collection with this Program 
Announcement is approved under 0980-0204, Expiration Date 04/30/2003. 
Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated 
to average 29.5 hours per response, including the time for reviewing 
instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and reviewing 
the collection of information. An agency

[[Page 2066]]

may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, 
a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB 
control number.

I. Receipt of Applications

    Applications must either be hand delivered or mailed to the address 
in Section E, The Application Process. The Administration for Native 
Americans cannot accommodate transmission of applications by fax or 
through other electronic media. Therefore, applications transmitted to 
ANA electronically will not be accepted regardless of date or time of 
submission and time of receipt. Videotapes and cassette tapes may not 
be included as part of a grant application for panel review. 
Applications and related materials postmarked after the closing date 
will be classified as late.
1. Deadlines
    Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an announced 
deadline if they are either received on or before the deadline date or 
sent on or before the deadline date and received by ACF in time for the 
independent review. Applicants are cautioned to request a legibly dated 
U.S. Postal Service postmark or to obtain a legibly dated receipt from 
a commercial carrier or the U.S. Postal Service. Private metered 
postmarks shall not be acceptable as proof of timely mailing.
    Applications hand carried by applicants, applicant couriers, or by 
overnight/express mail couriers shall be considered as meeting an 
announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline date 
or postmarked on or before the deadline date, between the hours of 8 
a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding Federal holidays). 
Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not 
always deliver as agreed.
    No additional material will be accepted, or added to an 
application, unless it is postmarked by the deadline date.
2. Late Applications
    Applications that do not meet the criteria above are considered 
late applications. ACF shall notify each late applicant that its 
application will not be considered in the current competition.
3. Extension of Deadlines
    The Administration for Children and Families may extend an 
application deadline for applicants affected by acts of God such as 
floods and hurricanes, or when there is a widespread disruption of the 
mails. A determination to extend or waive deadline requirements rests 
with the Chief Grants Management Officer.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number: 93.587 
Promoting the Survival and Continuing Vitality of Native American 
languages)

    Dated: January 2, 2003.
Quanah Crossland Stamps,
Commissioner, Administration for Native Americans.
[FR Doc. 03-817 Filed 1-14-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-M