[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 220 (Friday, November 14, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64686-64717]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-28443]



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Part II





Department of Health and Human Services





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Administration for Children and Families



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Notice of Public Comment on the Proposed Adoption of ANA Program 
Policies and Procedures; Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 220 / Friday, November 14, 2003 / 
Notices  

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Notice of Public Comment on the Proposed Adoption of ANA Program 
Policies and Procedures

SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 814 of the Native American Programs Act of 
1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b-1, the Administration for Native 
Americans (ANA) herein describes its proposed interpretive rules, 
general statements of policy and rules of agency procedure or practice 
relating to the Social and Economic Development Strategies (SEDS), 
Language Preservation and Maintenance (hereinafter referred to as 
Native Language), and Environmental Regulatory Enhancement (hereinafter 
referred to as Environmental) programs. Under the statute, ANA is 
required to provide members of the public an opportunity to comment on 
proposed changes in interpretive rules, statements of general policy, 
and rule of agency procedure or practice and to give notice of the 
final adoption of such changes at least 30 days before the changes 
become effective. The notice also provides additional information about 
ANA's plans for administering these programs.

DATES: The deadline for receipt of comments is November 28, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Comments in response to this notice should be addressed to 
Sheila Cooper, Director of Program Operations, Administration for 
Native Americans, 370, L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Mail Stop: Aerospace 8-
West, Washington, DC 20447. Delays may occur in mail delivery to 
Federal offices; therefore, a copy of comments should also be faxed to: 
(202) 690-7441. Comments will be available for inspection by members of 
the public at Administration for Native Americans, Aerospace Center, 
901 D Street SW., Washington, DC 20447.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sheila Cooper, 202-690-7732.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 814 of the Native American Programs 
Act of 1974, (the Act), as amended, requires the Administration for 
Native Americans (ANA) to provide notice of its proposed interpretive 
rules, statements of policy and rule of agency organization, procedure 
or practice. These proposed clarifications and modifications will 
appear in the FY 2004 SEDS Program Announcement and the announcements 
for the Native Language and Environmental programs. This notice and the 
draft ANA SEDS Program Announcement, which is part of this notice, 
serve to fulfill this requirement.

Additional Information

1. Policy on Deadline Date for Applications

    For FY 2004, ANA will have one closing date for the SEDS Program or 
other special initiative undertaken pursuant to section 803(a) of the 
Native American Programs Act of 1974, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and one closing 
date each for the Alaska SEDS Program, Native Language program, and the 
Environmental program. (Legal authority: Sections 803 (a) and (d) and 
803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 
U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)

2. Receipt of Applications

    ANA's program announcements will now require that all applications 
for funding be ``received by'' the Administration for Native Americans 
(ANA) by the closing date. Consistent with past practices, ANA will not 
acknowledge receipt of applications. Previously, ANA accepted 
applications for funding if they were postmarked on or before the 
closing date. The change to receipt of the application by the closing 
date is expected to reduce disputes regarding postmarks and late-
arriving applications. This change will also ensure ANA has the 
appropriate number of skilled peer panel reviewers available to review 
submitted applications. Applications received after the published 
closing date as stipulated in the published announcement will not be 
considered. The new program announcement closing schedules will allow 
ANA to release all funding to communities earlier in the fiscal year; 
provide applicants additional time to receive agency comments and seek 
free technical assistance before the next competition in the program. 
Additionally, ANA grantees will have the opportunity to implement 
projects in a timely manner; recruit personnel to support the grantee's 
objectives; and decrease the number of requests for no cost grant 
extensions. This modification will afford ANA the opportunity to 
perform grant administration and program monitoring and evaluation 
activities that support new and non-competing continuation grants. 
(Legal authority: Sections 803 (a) and (d) and 803C of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-
3)

3. Access to Program Announcement and Application Materials

    The program announcement and the application materials are 
available on the ANA website at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ana. 
The material on the website is provided as information only. ANA makes 
all reasonable efforts to assure that the Website is complete and 
accurate. The applicant bears sole responsibility, to assure that the 
copy downloaded and/or printed from any source is accurate and 
complete. In case of a conflict between the content of material 
downloaded from the web site and the material appearing in the Federal 
Register, the notice published in the Federal Register shall take 
precedence. (Legal authority: Sections 803 (a) and (d) and 803C of the 
Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 
2991b-3)

4. Application Submission Requirements

    The format of the application for funding is now standardized. The 
new application format will help applicants focus on the type of 
information and data required to support an application for funding. 
ANA will implement a page limitation requirement to enable a thorough 
review of the application. (See 4 (a) and (b)). ANA will implement 
these page requirements with a limit on the number of pages for each 
section. These modifications to the announcement will reduce the amount 
of documentation applicants need to submit and it will both strengthen 
and streamline the peer panel review process to allow reviewers to 
focus on the project and application content. Additionally, program 
announcement standardization will prepare ANA and applicants for the 
Federal Government's Electronic Grant Application submission initiative 
and process. (Legal authority: Sections 803 (a) and (d) and 803C of the 
Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 
2991b-3)
    4. (a) Organization and Preparation of Application: Due to the 
intensity and pace of the application review and evaluation process, 
ANA has standardized the application submission format. The new 
application submission format for the SEDS program is included in this 
notice.
    4. (b) ANA Application Format: ANA will now require all 
applications to be labeled with a Section Heading in compliance with 
the format provided in the program announcement. This format applies to 
all applicants submitting applications for funding in the programs

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covered by this notice. All pages submitted (including Government 
Forms, certifications and assurances) should be numbered consecutively. 
The paper size shall be 8\1/2\ x 11 inches, line spacing shall be a 
space and a half (1.5 line spacing), printed only on one side, and have 
a half-inch margin on all sides of the paper. The font size should be 
no smaller than 12-point and the font type shall be Times New Roman. 
These requirements do not apply to the project Abstract Form, Letters 
of Commitment, the Table of Contents, and the Objective Work Plan. A 
complete application for assistance under ANA's Program Announcements 
consists of Three Parts. Part One is the SF 424, Required Government 
Forms, and other required documentation noted in the program 
announcement. Part Two of the application is a description of the 
project's substance. This section of the application may not exceed 45 
pages. Part Three of the application is the Appendix. This section of 
the application may not exceed 20 pages (the exception to this 20-page 
limit applies only to projects that require, if relevant to the 
project, a Business Plan or any Third-Party Agreements). (Legal 
authority: Sections 803 (a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    4. (c) Explanation of Project Period: Under ANA's new program 
announcements, project periods will be 12 months, 17 months, 24 month, 
or 36 months. ANA currently funds projects spanning a 36-month period. 
Exception: Native Language Planning Grants (Category I) will continue 
to be 12 or 17 project periods. This notice clarifies the specific 
project periods that ANA will fund. (Legal authority: Sections 803 (a) 
and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as 
amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    4. (d) Application Review Criteria: ANA has expanded the review 
criteria to allow for a more equitable distribution of points during 
the application review and competition process. In the FY 2004 Program 
Announcement, ANA will improve the competitive review process through 
the use of six criteria that will evenly distribute evaluation points. 
The use of six criteria will standardize the review of each application 
and distribute the number of points more equitably. Based on the ACF 
Uniform Project Description, ANA's criteria categories are Project 
Introduction; Objectives and Need for Assistance; Project Approach; 
Organizational Capacity; Results and Benefits Expected; and Budget and 
Budget Narrative. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of 
the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b 
and 2991b-3)

5. Program Areas of Interest

    The Administration for Children and Families supports and fosters 
strong families and healthy communities. In the FY 2004 Program 
Announcements, ANA has identified program Areas of Interest to 
complement other HHS and ACF programs. For example, in ANA's SEDS 
program the Economic Development areas of interest support activities 
that will provide business and employment opportunities and options 
necessary to build the foundation of healthy communities and strong 
families. Under Social Development, the program areas of interest 
support families, elders, youth development, healthy marriage, and 
individuals with disabilities. Furthermore, under Governance, funding 
may be used for leadership and management training or to assist 
eligible applicants in the development of laws, regulations, codes, 
policies, and practices that support and promote community based 
activities that lead to self sufficiency. The Program Areas of Interest 
are projects that ANA considers supportive to Native American 
communities. Although eligibility for funding is not restricted to 
projects of the type listed under this program announcement, these 
Areas of Interest are ones which ANA sees as particularly beneficial to 
the development of healthy Native American communities. (Legal 
authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act of 
1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b)

6. Policy on Results and Benefits

    ANA's program announcement will now offer an opportunity for 
applicants to choose from six project performance indicators. For 
example, indicators may be: the number of jobs created or retained; the 
strengthening and modification of tribal government activities such as 
the implementation of codes and ordinances; the number of people 
trained; the dollar amount of non-federal resources leveraged per 
grantee; the number and type of community, federal and state 
partnerships involved in the project; the dollar amount of private 
sector investment integrated into the project; and the number of 
community-based small businesses established. This quantitative and 
qualitative data will be used monitor grantee performance and to 
communicate to the public and Congress on the impact and success of 
locally funded ANA projects. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) 
and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 
U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)

7. ANA Funding Restrictions

    ANA does not fund:
    [sbull] Activities in support of litigation against the United 
States Government that are unallowable under OMB Circulars A-87 and A-
122. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d), and 803C of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b, and 2991b-
3; 45 CFR 1336.50(a); 45 CFR 74.27 and 92. 22; OMB Circular A-122, 
Attachment B, Paragraph 10(g) and OMB Circular A-87, Attachment B, 
Paragraph 14(b))
    [sbull] Duplicative projects or does not allow any one community to 
receive a disproportionate share of the funds available for award. When 
making decisions on awards of grants the Agency will consider whether 
the project is essentially identical or similar, in whole or 
significant part, to projects in the same community previously funded 
or being funded under the same competition. The Agency will also 
consider whether the grantee is already receiving funding for a SEDS, 
Language, or Environmental project from ANA. The Agency will also take 
into account in making funding decisions whether a proposed project 
would require funding on indefinite or recurring basis. This 
determination will be made after it is determined whether the 
application meets the requirements for eligibility as set forth in 45 
CFR 1336, Subpart C, but before funding decisions are complete. (Legal 
authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    [sbull] Projects in which a grantee would provide training and/or 
technical assistance (T/TA) to other tribes or Native American 
organizations that are otherwise eligible to apply. However, ANA will 
fund T/TA requested by a grantee for its own use or for its members' 
use (as in the case of a consortium), when the T/TA is necessary to 
carry out project objectives. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) 
and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 
U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3; 45 CFR 1336.33(b)(1))
    [sbull] The purchase of real property or construction because those 
activities are not authorized by the Native American Programs Act of 
1974, as amended. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of 
the Native Americans

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Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3; 45 CFR 
1336.33(b)(7))
    [sbull] Objectives or activities to support core administration 
activities of an organization. However, functions and activities that 
are clearly project related are eligible for grant funding. Under 
Alaska SEDS projects, ANA will consider funding core administrative 
capacity building projects at the village government level if the 
village does not have governing systems in place. (Legal authority: 
Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act 
of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3 and 45 CFR 
1336.33(b)(4))
    [sbull] Costs associated with fund raising, including financial 
campaigns, endowment drives, solicitation of gifts and bequests, and 
similar expenses incurred solely to raise capital or obtain 
contributions are unallowable under an ANA grant award. (Legal 
authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3; 45 CFR 
1336.50; 45 CFR 74.27; OMB Circular A-122, Attachment B, Paragraph 23; 
OMB Circular A-87, Attachment B, Paragraph 21.)
    [sbull] Major renovation or alteration because those activities are 
not authorized under the Native American Programs Act of 1974, as 
amended. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the 
Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 
2991b-3)
    [sbull] Projects originated and designed by consultants who provide 
a major role for themselves and are not members of the applicant 
organization, Tribe, or village. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and 
(d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 
42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    [sbull] Project activities that do not further the three 
interrelated ANA goals of economic development, social development and 
governance or meet the purpose of this program announcement. (Legal 
authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3; 45 CFR 
1336.33(b)(5))

8. Administrative Policies: Applicants Must Comply With the Following 
Administrative Policies

    [sbull] An applicant must provide a 20% non-federal match of the 
approved project costs. 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). (Legal authority: Sections 
803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, 
as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3; 45 CFR 1336.50(b))
    [sbull] An application from a Tribe, Alaska Native Village or 
Native American organization must be from the governing body. (Legal 
authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    [sbull] A non-profit organization submitting an application must 
submit proof of its non-profit status at the time of submission. The 
non-profit organization shall submit one of the following verifiable 
documents: (i) 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 (ii) a copy of the 
currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate, or (iii) a copy of the 
articles of incorporation bearing the seal of the State or federally-
recognized Tribe in which the corporation or association is domiciled. 
Organizations incorporating in American Samoa are cautioned that the 
Samoan government relies exclusively upon IRS determination of non-
profit status; therefore, articles of incorporation approved by the 
Samoan government do not establish non-profit status for the purpose of 
ANA eligibility. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of 
the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b 
and 2991b-3)
    [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 its duly 
elected or appointed board of directors is representative of the 
community to be served. To establish compliance, an applicant should 
provide supporting documentation and assurance that its duly elected or 
appointed board of directors is majority Native American. (Legal 
authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3; 45 CFR 
1336.33(a))
    [sbull] Applicants must describe how the proposed project 
objectives and activities relate to a locally determined strategy. 
(Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-
3)
    [sbull] Proposed projects must consider the maximum use of all 
available community-based resources. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) 
and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as 
amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    [sbull] Proposed projects must present a strategy to overcome the 
challenges that hinder movement toward self-sufficiency in the 
community. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the 
Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 
2991b-3)
    [sbull] Applicants proposing an Economic Development project should 
address the project's viability. A business plan, if applicable, must 
be included to describe the project's feasibility, cash flow, and 
approach for the implementation and marketing of the business. (Legal 
authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    [sbull] ANA will not accept applications from tribal components, 
which are tribally authorized divisions of a larger tribe, which are 
not approved by the governing body of the tribe. (Legal authority: 
Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act 
of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3; 45 CFR 1336.33(a))

9. DUNS Numbers (New Requirement To Receive Grant Awards)

    On June 27, 2003, the Office of Management and Budget published in 
the Federal Register a new Federal policy applicable to all Federal 
grant applicants, after giving notice in the Federal Register on June 
27, 2002 and providing opportunity for public comment. The policy 
requires all Federal grant applicants to provide a Dun and Bradstreet 
Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number when applying for Federal 
grants or cooperative agreements on or after October 1, 2003. The DUNS 
number will be required whether an applicant is submitting a paper 
application or using the government-wide electronic portal (http://www.Grants.Gov). A DUNS number will be required for every application 
for a new award or renewal/continuation of an award, including 
applications or plans under mandatory grant programs, submitted on or 
after October 1, 2003. A DUNS number may be acquired at no cost by 
calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS number request line on 1-866-705-
5711 or you may request a number on-line at http://www.dnb.com.

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10. Community and Faith-based Organizations

    The Administration for Children and Families through the 
Administration for Native Americans supports and fosters strong 
families and healthy communities under four initiatives. ANA encourages 
applications from eligible community and faith-based organizations that 
(1) provide services directly to Native American people; (2) 
organizations that support rural communities; (3) provide prevention 
and intervention programs for youth and families; and (4) promote 
healthy relationships to strengthen families.

11. Community-Based Projects

    ANA's program announcements will emphasize partnerships and 
community-based projects. The intent of this change is to increase the 
number of grants to local community organizations, to encourage new 
partnerships with public and private community-based organizations. 
(Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-
3)

12. Funding Thresholds

    The ANA will increase funding ceilings under the Native Language 
program for Category I Planning and Category II Design and 
Implementation grants. The minimum grant amount for Native Language 
grants will be $25,000. The ceiling amount for Category I grants will 
increase from $60,000 to $100,000. The ceiling amount for Category II 
grants will increase from $150,000 to $175,000. The increase in funding 
amounts for Native Language grants will support the effective 
assessment of native languages. It will also provide applicants the 
opportunity to incorporate new technologies necessary to design, 
implement, and preserve Native language and culture. Grants awarded 
under the Native Language program that produce audio or print media 
will now include a stipulation that a copy of the product be provided 
to ANA for the Language Repository. Federally-recognized Tribes have 
the option to not submit project products. The funding ceiling for 
Social and Economic Development Strategies (SEDS) will be reduced from 
$1 million to $500,000. The minimum grant award amount will be $25,000. 
This adjustment of the minimum and maximum funding levels is due to the 
demand for SEDS project funding. These changes will result in 
additional community-based social and economic development project 
grant awards under the SEDS program. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) 
and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as 
amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)

13. Availability of Multi-Year Funding

    Applicants may apply for projects of up to 36 months in duration. A 
multi-year project, one extending more than 12 months or 17 months, 
affords grantees the opportunity to undertake more complex and in-depth 
projects. Applicants are encouraged to develop multi-year projects. 
However, applicants should note that a multi-year project is a project 
on a single theme that requires more than 12 or 17 months to complete. 
It is not a series of unrelated projects presented in chronological 
order over a three-year period. Funding after the first budget period 
of a multi-year project will be non-competitive. However, multi-year 
funding will be contingent upon: (1) The availability of Federal funds; 
(2) the grantee's progress to achieve the objectives and activities 
outlined in the Objective Work Plan; (3) ANA's continued belief that 
the project is in the public interest; and (4) the grantee is in 
compliance with applicable statutory and grant reporting requirements. 
Multi-year grant awards are subject to the availability of funds and a 
determination by ANA that the grantee has successfully completed its 
prior year objectives. Exception: Native Language Category I: Planning 
Grants will remain 12 or 17 month projects. (Legal authority: Sections 
803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, 
as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)

14. Applications from Multiple Organizations in the Same Geographic 
Area

    ANA will accept applications for funding and award grants to 
multiple organizations located in the same geographic area, provided 
the activities are not duplicative of previously funded ANA projects in 
the same geographic area or to the same grantee. Previously, under each 
competitive program area, ANA accepted one application that served or 
impacted a reservation, Tribe or Native American community. The reason 
for this change is to expand and support large Native American rural 
and urban communities that provide a variety of services in the same 
geographic area. Although Tribes are limited to three simultaneous ANA 
grants (one each under SEDS, Native Language and Environmental 
programs) at any one time, this clarification allows other community 
based organizations to apply for ANA funding to support on-going 
community-based efforts, provided the activities do not duplicate 
currently funded projects serving the same geographic area. (Legal 
authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)

15. Program Specific Program Announcements

    ANA's FY 2004 Program Announcements will now be program specific. 
ANA will release separate program announcements for funding 
opportunities under SEDS, for Language Preservation and Maintenance, 
Environmental Regulatory Enhancement, and for special initiatives. 
(Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-
3)

16. Policy on Training and Technical Assistance

    To reduce geographic disparities, ANA's training and technical 
assistance curriculum and all associated handouts will be standardized. 
ANA's contracted training and technical assistance providers may 
provide training in pre-application and project development. Training 
will be advertised in advance, to ensure prospective applicants have 
the opportunity to attend. All potential ANA applicants are eligible to 
receive free training and technical assistance in the SEDS, Language or 
Environmental program areas. (Legal authority: Sections 804 of the 
Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991c)

17. Application Review Criteria

    ANA has improved the competitive review process and will now use 
six criteria that will evenly distribute evaluation points. The use of 
six criteria will standardize the review of each application and 
distribute the number of points more equitably. ANA's criteria 
categories are: Project Introduction; Objectives and Need for 
Assistance; Project Approach; Organizational Capacity; Results and 
Benefits Expected; and Budget and Budget Justification. (Legal 
authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)

18. Definitions

    The following definitions will be used in all ANA program 
announcements. In the FY 2004 Program Announcement, ANA clarifies many 
areas that have previously prompted numerous

[[Page 64690]]

questions and application mistakes from applicants. The ANA program 
announcement will now include definitions for the following terms:
    Authorized Representative: The person or person(s) authorized by 
Tribal or Organizational resolution to execute documents and other 
actions required by outside agencies. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) 
and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as 
amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    Budget Period: The interval of time into which the project period 
is divided for budgetary or funding purposes, and for which a grant is 
made. A budget period usually lasts one year in a multi-year project 
period. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the 
Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 
2991b-3)
    Community: A group of people residing in the same geographic area 
that can apply their own cultural and socio-economic values in 
implementing ANA's program objectives and goals. In discussing the 
applicant's community, the following information should be provided. 
(1) A description of the population segment within the community to be 
served or impacted; (2) the size of the community; (3) geographic 
description or location, including the boundaries of the community; (4) 
demographic data on the target population; and (5) the relationship of 
the community to any larger group or tribe. (Legal authority: Sections 
803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, 
as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    Community Involvement: How the community participated in the 
development of the proposed project, how the community will be involved 
during the project implementation and after the project is completed. 
Evidence of community involvement can include, but is not limited to, 
certified petitions, public meeting minutes, surveys, needs 
assessments, newsletters, special meetings, public Council meetings, 
public committee meetings, public hearings, and annual meetings with 
representatives from the community. The applicant should document the 
community's support of the proposed project. Applications from National 
and Regional Indian and Native organizations should clearly demonstrate 
a need for the project, explain how the project originated, identify 
the beneficiaries, and describe and relate the actual project benefits 
to the community and organization. National Indian and Native 
organizations should also identify their membership and specifically 
discuss how the organization operates and impacts Native American 
people and communities. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 
803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 
U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    Completed Project: A completed project means that the program 
funded by ANA is finished and the results and outcomes are achieved by 
the end of the project period. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and 
(d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 
42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    Consortia--Tribal/Village: A group of Tribes or villages that join 
together either for long-term purposes or for the purpose of an ANA 
project. Applicant must identify Consortia membership. The Consortia 
applicant must be the recipient of the funds. A Consortia applicant 
must be an ``eligible entity'' as defined by this Program Announcement 
and the ANA regulations. Consortia applicants should include 
documentation (a resolution adopted pursuant to the organization's 
established procedures and signed by an authorized representative) from 
all consortia members supporting the ANA application. An application 
from a consortium should have goals and objectives that will create 
positive impacts and outcomes in the communities of its members. ANA 
will not fund activities by a consortium of tribes which duplicates 
activities for which member Tribes also receive funding from ANA. The 
consortium application should identify the role and responsibility of 
each participating Consortia member and a copy of the consortia legal 
agreement or Memoranda of Agreement to support the proposed project. 
(Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-
3)
    Construction: The initial building of a facility. (Legal authority: 
Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act 
of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    Core Administration: Salaries and other expenses for those 
functions that support the applicant's organization as a whole or for 
purposes that are unrelated to the actual management or implementation 
of the ANA project. However, salaries and activities that are clearly 
related to the ANA project are eligible for grant funding. (Legal 
authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3; 45 CFR 
1336.33(b)(4).)
    Economic Development: Involves the promotion of the physical, 
commercial, technological, industrial, and/or agricultural capacities 
necessary for a sustainable local community. Economic development 
includes activities and actions that develop sustainable, stable, and 
diversified private sector local economies. For example, initiatives 
that support employment options, business opportunities, development 
and formation of a community's economic infrastructure, laws and 
policies that result in the creation of businesses and employment 
options and opportunities that provide for the foundation of healthy 
communities and strong families. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and 
(d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 
42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    Equipment: Tangible, non-expendable personal property, including 
exempt property, charged directly to the award having a useful life of 
more than one year and an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit. 
However, consistent with recipient policy, lower limits may be 
established. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the 
Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 
2991b-3; 45 CFR 1336.50(a); 45 CFR 74.2 and 92.3)
    Governance: Involves assistance to tribal and Alaska Native village 
government leaders to increase their ability to execute local control 
and decision- making over their resources. (Legal authority: Sections 
803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, 
as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    Implementation Plan: The guidebook the applicant will use in 
meeting the results and benefits expected for the project. The 
Implementation Plan provides detailed descriptions of how, when, where, 
by whom and why activities are proposed for the project and is 
complemented and condensed by the Objective Work Plan. (Legal 
authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    In-kind Contributions: In-kind contributions are property or 
services which benefit a federally assisted project or program and 
which are contributed by the grantee, non-Federal third parties without 
charge to the grantee, or a cost-type contractor under the grant 
agreement. Any proposed In-

[[Page 64691]]

kind match must meet the applicable requirements found in 45 CFR Parts 
74 and 92. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the 
Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 
2991b-3)
    Letter of Commitment: A third party statement to document the 
intent to provide specific in-kind contributions or cash to support the 
applicant. The Letter of Commitment must state the dollar amount (if 
applicable), the length of time the commitment will be honored, and the 
conditions under which the organization will support the proposed ANA 
project. If a dollar amount is included, the amount must be based on 
market and historical rates charged and paid. The resources to be 
committed may be human, natural, physical, or financial, and may 
include other Federal and non-Federal resources. For example, a notice 
of award from another Federal agency committing $200,000 in 
construction funding to complement a proposed ANA funded pre-
construction activity is evidence of a commitment. Statements about 
resources which have been committed to support a proposed project made 
in the application without supporting documentation will be 
disregarded. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the 
Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 
2991b-3)
    Leveraged Resources: The total dollar value of all non-ANA 
resources that are committed to a proposed ANA project and are 
supported by documentation that exceeds the 20% non-federal match 
required for an ANA grant. Such resources may include any natural, 
financial, and physical resources available within the tribe, 
organization, or community to assist in the successful completion of 
the project. An example would be a written letter of commitment from an 
organization that agrees to provide a supportive action, product, and 
service, human or financial contribution that will add to the potential 
success of the project. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 
803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 
U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    Multi-purpose Organization: A community-based 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 day care, education, and training. (Legal authority: 
Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act 
of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    Multi-year Project: Encompasses a single theme and requires more 
than 12 or 17 months to complete. A multi-year project affords the 
applicant an opportunity to develop and address more complex and in-
depth strategies that cannot be completed in one year. A multi-year 
project is a series of related objectives with activities presented in 
chronological order over a two or three year period. Prior to funding 
the second or third year, of a multi-year grant, ANA will require 
verification and support documentation from the Grantee that objectives 
and outcomes proposed in the preceding year were accomplished. 
Applicants proposing multi-year projects must complete and submit an 
Objective Work Plan (OWP) and budget with narrative for each project 
year, and fully describe objectives to be accomplished, outcomes to be 
achieved, and the results and benefits to determine the successful 
outcomes of each budget period. ANA will review the quarterly and 
annual reports of grantees to determine if the grantee is meeting its 
goals, objectives and activities identified in the OWP. (Legal 
authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    Objective(s): Specific outcomes or results to be achieved within 
the proposed project period that are specified in the Objective Work 
Plan. Completion of objectives must result in specific, measurable, 
outcomes that would benefit the community and directly contribute to 
the achievement of the stated community goals. Applicants should relate 
their proposed project objectives to outcomes that support the 
community's long-range goals. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) 
and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 
U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    Partnerships: Agreements between two or more parties that will 
support the development and implementation of the proposed project. 
Partnerships include other community-based organizations or 
associations, Tribes, federal and state agencies and private or non-
profit organizations. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 
803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 
U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    Performance Indicators: Measurement descriptions used to identify 
the outcomes or results of the project. Outcomes or results must be 
measurable to determine that the project has achieved its desired 
objective and can be independently verified through monitoring and 
evaluation. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the 
Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 
2991b-3)
    Real Property: Land, including land improvements, structures, and 
appurtenances thereto, excluding movable machinery and equipment. 
(Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-
3)
    Renovation or Alteration: The work required to change the interior 
arrangements or other physical characteristics of an existing facility, 
or install equipment so that it may be more effectively used for the 
project. Alteration and renovation may include work referred to as 
improvements, conversion, rehabilitation, remodeling, or modernization, 
but is distinguished from construction. (Legal authority: Sections 
803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, 
as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    Resolution: Applicants are required to include a current signed 
Resolution (a formal decision voted on by the official governing body) 
in support of the project for the entire project period. The Resolution 
should indicate who is authorized to sign documents and negotiate on 
behalf of the Tribe or organization. The Resolution should indicate 
that the community was involved in the project planning process, and 
indicate the specific dollar amount of any non-federal matching funds 
(if applicable). (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of 
the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b 
and 2991b-3)
    Sustainable Project: A sustainable project is an on-going program 
or service that can be maintained without additional ANA funds. (Legal 
authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    Self-Sufficiency: The ability to generate resources to meet a 
community's needs in a sustainable manner. A community's progress

[[Page 64692]]

toward self-sufficiency is based on its efforts to plan, organize, and 
direct resources in a comprehensive manner that is consistent with its 
established long-range goals. For a community to be self sufficient, it 
must have local access to, control of, and coordination of services and 
programs that safeguard the health, well being, and culture of the 
people that reside and work in the community. (Legal authority: 
Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act 
of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    Social Development: Investment in human and social capital for 
advancing the well being members of the Native American community 
served. Social development is the action taken to support the health, 
education, culture, and employment options that expand an individual's 
capabilities and opportunities, and that promote social inclusion and 
combat social ills. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C 
of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 
2991b and 2991b-3)

19. Competitive Panel Review Process

    ANA will consolidate the peer panel review process. ANA is required 
by statute to provide a peer panel review for each eligible 
application. Panel reviewers are selected nationally for their 
education, experience, and working knowledge in ANA program areas. In 
FY 2003, ANA began the process of expanding and rotating the pool of 
panel reviewers. This process will ensure that applications for funding 
are reviewed, analyzed, and scored by qualified professionals in the 
respective program area. This organizational efficiency will ensure 
that each application receives appropriate consideration and the panel 
review teams have the appropriate and necessary credentials to analyze, 
evaluate, and score applications. For example, readers with education 
and work experience in Environmental Regulatory Enhancement will be 
selected to review environmental applications. Readers with education 
and work experience in Language Preservation and Maintenance will be 
selected to review language applications. (Legal authority: Sections 
803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, 
as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)

19. (a) Initial Screening

    Each application submitted under an ANA program announcement will 
undergo a pre-review screening to determine if (a) the application was 
received by the Program Announcement closing date; (b) the application 
was submitted in accordance with Application Submission Requirements; 
(c) the applicant is eligible for funding; (d) the applicant has 
submitted the proper support documentation such as proof of non-profit 
status, resolutions, and required government forms; and (e) an 
authorized representative has signed the application. An application 
that does not meet one of the above elements will be excluded from the 
competitive review process. Ineligible applicants will be notified by 
mail within 30 business days from the closing date of this program 
announcement. ANA staff cannot respond to requests for information 
regarding funding decisions prior to the official applicant 
notification. After the Commissioner has made funding decisions, 
unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing within 90 days. 
Applicants are not ranked based on general financial need. Applicants, 
who are initially excluded from competition because of ineligibility, 
may appeal the Agency's decision. Likewise, applicants may also appeal 
an ANA decision that an applicant's proposed activities are ineligible 
for funding consideration. The appeals process is stated in the final 
rule published in the Federal Register on August 19, 1996 (61 FR 42817 
and 45 CFR part 1336, subpart C). ANA has a policy of not funding 
duplicative projects or allowing any one community to receive a 
disproportionate share of the funds available for award. When making 
decisions on awards of grants the Agency will consider whether the 
project is essentially identical or similar, in whole or significant 
part, to projects in the same community previously funded or being 
funded under the same competition. The Agency will also consider 
whether the grantee is already receiving funding for a SEDS project or 
for another project from ANA. The Agency will also take into account in 
making funding decisions whether a proposed project would require 
funding on indefinite or recurring basis. (Legal authority: Sections 
803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, 
as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)

19. (b) Automation of the Panel Review Process

    In FY 2004, ANA will automate its application receipt and panel 
review process to comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 
to support the ACF Electronic Grant Application Submission Initiative. 
The automation of document management will provide program operation 
efficiency. For example, when an application is submitted to ANA it is 
logged into an automated system and given an identification number. 
After the Program Announcement closing date ANA randomly assigns each 
application to a peer review panel for evaluation and scoring. During 
the review process, panel reviewer comments are downloaded into data 
files. These comments are then matched and stored with the application 
data file. This process consolidates all applications and review 
information, protects the confidentiality of the panel reviewers, and 
allows applicants to obtain comments in a timely manner. (Legal 
authority: Sections 803(a) and (d), 803C and 806 of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b, 2991b-3 
and 2991d-1)

19. (c) Panel Reviews and Funding Decisions

    ANA values the knowledge and expertise of individual reviewers. 
Applications for funding are randomly assigned to panel review teams. 
Each panel reviewer is responsible for reading the program announcement 
Federal Register and scoring each application in accordance with the 
published review criteria. Each application is reviewed and scored 
independently by a panel reviewer. After the panel review process, ANA 
conducts due diligence on each application in the funding range. The 
ANA Commissioner determines the final action on each grant application 
received under ANA program announcements. The Commissioner's funding 
decision is based on an analysis of the application by each peer review 
panel, the review and recommendations of ANA staff, Panel Review 
scores, comments of 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 
Native American Programs Act (NAPA), all relevant statutory and 
regulatory requirements, this program announcement, and the 
availability of appropriated funds. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) 
and (d), 803C and 806 of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as 
amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b, 2991b-3 and 2991d-1)

19. (d) Award Notification Information

    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

[[Page 64693]]

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. Unsuccessful applicants should 
expect notification within 90 days after the closing deadline date. 
(Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-
3)

20. Web Site Information

    In FY 2004, ANA may make public on its web site information 
associated with successfully funded applications. Such information will 
include the name of the grant recipient, type of award such as SEDS, 
Language, Environmental amount, the duration of the project, and a 
synopsis of the project. Posting this information will provide 
prospective applicants with examples of successfully funded projects, 
inform the public how and where ANA is expending its funds, and to 
share information with other HHS, ACF, federal and state agencies. The 
ANA website will also include profiles of successful ANA community 
projects, and it will provide links to other funding sources, 
information on special HHS, ACF and ANA initiatives, and provide an 
opportunity for ANA applicants to track the review and approval process 
of submitted applications for funding. (Legal authority: Sections 
803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, 
as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)

21. New OMB Format Requirements

    The Office of Management and Budget has changed the format for 
program announcements published in the Federal Register. ANA has 
modified its' normal program announcement format to comply with these 
changes.

FY 04 SEDS Program Announcement

Department of Health and Human Services

Administration for Children and Families
    Program Office Name: Administration for Native Americans (ANA).
    Funding Opportunity Title: Social and Economic Development 
Strategies for Native Americans. This program is authorized by U.S. 
Code Citation 42 U.S.C. 2991 et seq. 1974, the Native Americans 
Programs Act.
    Announcement Type: Initial.
    Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-ACF-04-ANA-001.
    CFDA Number: 93.612.
    Dates: March 26, 2003, 4:30 p.m.
    Due Dates for Applications: March 26, 2003.
    Federal Agency Contact: Lois Hodge.
    E-mail: [email protected].
    Telephone number: (202) 690-7776 or 1-877-922-9262.
    Funding Opportunity Description: The Administration for Native 
Americans (ANA), within the Administration for Children and Families, 
announces the availability of fiscal year (FY) 2004 funds for new 
community-based projects under ANA's Social and Economic Development 
Strategies (SEDS) program. ANA's FY 2004 SEDS goals and areas of 
interest are focused on strengthening children, families, and 
communities through community-based organizations, Tribes, and Village 
governments.
    The Program Areas of Interest are projects that ANA considers 
supportive to Native American communities. Although eligibility for 
funding is not restricted to projects of the type listed under this 
program announcement, these Areas of Interest are ones which ANA sees 
as particularly beneficial to the development of healthy Native 
American communities. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b)
    Financial assistance under the SEDS program is provided utilizing a 
competitive process in accordance with the Native American Programs Act 
of 1974, as amended. The purpose of this Act is to promote the goal of 
economic and social self-sufficiency for American Indians, Native 
Hawaiians, Alaskan Natives, and other Native American Pacific 
Islanders, including American Samoa natives.
    Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
    Category of Funding Activity: ISS Income Security and Social 
Services.
    Explanation of Other: N/A.
    Anticipated Total Program Funding: $20,000,000.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: 140.
    Ceiling on amount of individual SEDS awards: $500,000.
    Floor on amount of individual awards: $25,000.
    Project Periods for Awards: 12 months, 17 months, 24 months, or 36 
months.
    Electronic Link to Full Announcement: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ana.
    Eligible Applicants:
    07 Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized).
    11 Native American tribal organizations (other than federally 
recognized tribal governments).
    12 Nonprofits having 501 (c) (3) statuses with the IRS, other than 
institutions of higher education.
    13 Non profits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, 
other than institutions of higher education.
    25 Others.
    The above statement of the categories of eligible organizations is 
a summary only, for a complete statement of the categories of eligible 
organizations under the SEDS program, as established under 45 CFR 
1336.33(a)(1) and (2), see the listing in the section on Additional 
Information on Eligibility, in the following section.
    Additional Information on Eligibility:
    DUNS Numbers: On June 27, 2003, the Office of Management and Budget 
published in the Federal Register a new Federal policy applicable to 
all Federal grant applicants after giving notice in the Federal 
Register on June 27, 2002 and opportunity for public comment. The 
policy requires all Federal grant applicants to provide a Dun and 
Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number when applying 
for Federal grants or cooperative agreements on or after October 1, 
2003. The DUNS number will be required whether an applicant is 
submitting a paper application or using the government-wide electronic 
portal (http://www.Grants.Gov). A DUNS number will be required for 
every application for a new award or renewal/continuation of an award, 
including applications or plans under mandatory grant programs, 
submitted on or after October 1, 2003. A DUNS number may be acquired at 
no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS number request line on 
1-866-705-5711 or you may request a number on-line at http://www.dnb.com.
    In support of the Presidential Executive Orders on Asian American 
and Pacific Islanders, Community-based Alternatives for Individuals 
with Disabilities, and Faith-based and Community Organizations, ANA 
encourages greater participation from Hawaiian and Pacific Islander 
communities, encourages Native communities to address the needs of 
people with disabilities, and invites eligible faith-based and 
community organizations to apply.
    This program announcement emphasizes community-based partnerships 
and projects. This emphasis is expected to increase the number of 
grants to local community organizations and expand the number of 
partnerships among locally based non-profit organizations. ANA will 
accept applications for funding and award grants to multiple 
organizations located

[[Page 64694]]

in the same geographic area, provided the activities are not 
duplicative of previously funded ANA projects in the same geographic 
area or to the same grantee. Previously, under each competitive program 
area, ANA accepted one application that served or impacted a 
reservation, Tribe or Native American community. The reason for this 
change is to expand and support large Native American rural and urban 
communities that provide a variety of services in the same geographic 
area. Although Tribes are limited to three simultaneous ANA grants 
(SEDS, Language and Environmental) at any one time, this clarification 
allows other community based organizations to apply for ANA funding to 
support on-going community-based efforts, provided the activities do 
not duplicate currently funded projects serving the same geographic 
area.
    Eligible applicants for funding under this program announcement 
include:
    1. Federally recognized Indian Tribes.
    2. Consortia of Indian Tribes.
    3. Incorporated non-Federally recognized Tribes.
    4. Incorporated non-profit multi-purpose community-based Indian 
organizations.
    5. Urban Indian Centers.
    6. National or regional incorporated non-profit Native American 
organizations with Native American community-specific objectives.
    7. Alaska Native villages, as defined in the Alaska Native Claims 
Settlement Act (ANSCA) and/or non-profit village consortia.
    8. Incorporated nonprofit Alaska Native multi-purpose community-
based organizations.
    9. Non-profit Alaska Native Regional Corporations/Associations in 
Alaska with village specific projects.
    10. Incorporated non-profit Alaska Native multi-purpose community 
based organizations.
    11. Public and nonprofit private agencies serving Native Hawaiians
    12. Public and non-profit 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 continental United States).
    13. Tribally-controlled Community Colleges, Tribally-controlled 
Post-Secondary Vocational Institutions, and colleges and universities 
located in Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the 
Northern Mariana Islands which serve Native peoples.
    14. Non-profit Alaska Native community entities or Tribal governing 
bodies (Indian Reorganization Act or Traditional Councils) as 
recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. (Legal authority: Sections 
803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 
U.S.C. 2991b; 45 CFR 1336.33(a)(1) and (2)).
    Organizations in Palau are not longer eligible for assistance from 
ANA. (Legal authority: 48 U.S.C 1931)
    Cost Sharing or Matching: Yes.
    Explanation of Application Due Date:
    Deadline: The closing time and date for receipt of applications is 
4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time Zone) on March 26, 2004. Mailed or hand carried 
applications received after 4:30 p.m. on the closing date will not be 
considered. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b)
    Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an announced 
deadline if they are received on or before the deadline time and date 
at the: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration 
for Children and Families, Office of Grants Management, Division of 
Discretionary Grants, Attention: Lois B. Hodge, ANA No. 93612-2004, 370 
L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Mail Stop: Aerospace Center 8th Floor-West, 
Washington, DC 20447-0002.
    Applicants are responsible for mailing applications well in 
advance, when using all mail services, to ensure that the applications 
are received on or before the deadline time and date. ACF/ANA will not 
acknowledge receipt of applications.
    Hand delivered applications by applicants, applicant couriers, 
other representatives of the applicant or by overnight/express mail 
couriers shall be considered as meeting an announced deadline if they 
are received on or before the deadline date, between the hours of 8 
a.m. and 4:30 p.m., EST, between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal 
holidays). Application may be delivered to: U.S. Department of Health 
and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of 
Grants Management, Division of Discretionary Grants, ACF Mail Room, 
Second Floor Loading Dock, Aerospace Center 901 D Street, SW., 
Washington DC 20024, Attention: Lois B. Hodge, ANA No. 93612-2004.
    Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services do 
not always deliver as agreed. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the 
Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b)
    Late Applications: Applications that do not meet the deadline 
criteria above are considered late applications. ACF shall notify each 
late applicant that its application will not be considered in the 
current competition. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b)
    Extension of Deadline: ACF may extend application deadlines when 
circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, or 
when there are widespread disruptions of mails service. Determinations 
to extend or waive deadline requirements rest with the Chief Grants 
Management Officer (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b)
    Funding Opportunity Description: The Administration for Native 
Americans (ANA), within the Administration for Children and Families, 
announces the availability of fiscal year (FY) 2004 funds for new 
community-based activities under ANA's Social and Economic Development 
Strategies (SEDS) program. ANA's FY 2004 SEDS goals and areas of 
interest are focused on strengthening children, families, and 
communities through community-based organizations, Tribes, and Village 
governments.
    This program announcement emphasizes community-based partnerships 
and projects. This emphasis will increase the number of grants to local 
community organizations and expand the number of partnerships among 
locally based non-profit organizations. ANA will accept applications 
for funding and award grants to multiple organizations located in the 
same geographic area, provided the activities are not duplicative of 
previously funded ANA projects in the same geographic area or to the 
same grantee. Previously, under each competitive program area, ANA 
accepted one application that served or impacted a reservation, Tribe 
or Native American community. The reason for this change is to expand 
and support large Native American rural and urban communities that 
provide a variety of services in the same geographic area. Although 
Tribes are limited to three simultaneous ANA grants (one each under 
SEDS, Language and Environmental programs) at any one time, this 
clarification allows other community based organizations to apply for 
ANA funding to support on-going community-based efforts, provided the 
activities do not duplicate currently funded projects serving the same 
geographic area. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of 
the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b 
and 2991b-3)

[[Page 64695]]

    In support of the Presidential Executive Orders on Asian American 
and Pacific Islanders, Community-based Alternatives for Individuals 
with Disabilities, and Faith-based and Community Organizations, ANA 
encourages greater participation from Hawaiian and Pacific Islander 
communities, encourages Native communities to address the needs of 
people with disabilities, and invites eligible faith-based and 
community organizations to apply.
    Financial assistance under the SEDS and Alaska SEDS program is 
provided utilizing a competitive process in accordance with the Native 
American Programs Act of 1974, as amended. The purpose of this Act is 
to promote the goal of economic and social self-sufficiency for 
American Indians, Native Hawaiians, Alaskan Natives, and other Native 
American Pacific Islanders, including American Samoan Natives.
    The ANA SEDS Program supports the fundamental principle that 
economic development, social development and governance are 
interrelated, and that with effective economic, social and governance 
policies and development strategies, Native American people and 
communities can achieve self-sufficiency. In order to move toward self-
sufficiency, development in one area should be balanced with the 
development in the others. Accordingly, community-based economic, 
social and governance development programs and activities proposed in 
response to this announcement should take into consideration the 
elements necessary to build healthy self-sufficient communities.
    ANA's FY 2004 Program Announcements will now be goal-category 
specific. ANA will release separate program announcements for funding 
opportunities under SEDS, for Language Preservation and Maintenance, 
Environmental Regulatory Enhancement, and for special initiatives. 
(Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-
3)
    ANA's policy is based on three interrelated goals: (1) Economic 
Development: To foster the development of stable diversified local 
economies and economic activities that provide jobs, options and 
opportunities that promote economic well-being in Native American 
communities. (2) Social Development: To support local access to, 
control of, and coordination with, programs and services that safeguard 
the health, well-being, and culture of native peoples, and; (3) 
Governance: To assist Tribes and Alaska Native village governments to 
build capacity that results in local control and decision-making over 
their resources. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b; 45 CFR 
1336.33(b) (5))
    The Administration for Children and Families through the 
Administration for Native Americans supports and fosters strong 
families and healthy communities under four initiatives. ANA encourages 
applications from eligible community and faith based organizations 
that: (1) Provide services directly to Native American people; (2) 
organizations that support rural communities; (3) organizations that 
provide prevention and intervention programs for youth and families; 
and (4) organizations that promote healthy relationships to strengthen 
families.
    ANA's FY 2004 program goals and areas of interest are focused on 
expanding community-based, culturally appropriate economic development, 
social development and governance activities. ANA is interested in 
projects designed to grow Native American economies, strengthen Native 
families, and decrease the high rate of social challenges caused by the 
lack of community-based business, social, and economic infrastructure. 
In response to this announcement, ANA encourages Native American tribes 
and organizational leaders to propose, coordinate and implement 
community-based projects to meet the needs of its community members and 
develop options and opportunities for future generations.
    The Program Areas of Interest are projects that ANA considers 
supportive to Native American communities. Although eligibility for 
funding is not restricted to projects of the type listed under this 
program announcement, these Areas of Interest are ones which ANA sees 
as particularly beneficial to the development of healthy Native 
American communities. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b)
    ANA Administrative Policies:
    Applicants must comply with the following Administrative Policies:
    [sbull] An applicant must provide a 20% non-federal match of the 
approved project costs. 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). (Legal authority: Sections 
803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, 
as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3; 45 CFR 1336.50(b))
    [sbull] An application from a Tribe, Alaska Native Village or 
Native American organization must be from the governing body. (Legal 
authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    [sbull] A non-profit organization submitting an application must 
submit proof of its non-profit status at the time of submission. The 
non-profit organization shall submit one of the following verifiable 
documents: (i) 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 (ii) a copy of the 
currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate, or (iii) a copy of the 
articles of incorporation bearing the seal of the State or federally-
recognized Tribe in which the corporation or association is domiciled. 
Organizations incorporating in American Samoa are cautioned that the 
Samoan government relies exclusively upon IRS determination of non-
profit status; therefore, articles of incorporation approved by the 
Samoan government do not establish non-profit status for the purpose of 
ANA eligibility. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of 
the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b 
and 2991b-3)
    [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 it's duly 
elected or appointed board of directors is representative of the 
community to be served. To establish compliance, an applicant should 
provide supporting documentation and assurance that it's duly elected 
or appointed board of directors is majority Native American. (Legal 
authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3; 45 CFR 
1336.33(a))
    [sbull] Applicants must describe how the proposed project 
objectives and activities relate to a locally determined strategy. 
(Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-
3)
    [sbull] Proposed projects must consider the maximum use of all 
available

[[Page 64696]]

community-based resources. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) 
and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 
U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    [sbull] Proposed projects must present a strategy to overcome the 
challenges that hinder movement toward self-sufficiency in the 
community. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the 
Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 
2991b-3)
    [sbull] Applicants proposing an Economic Development project should 
address the project's viability. A business plan, if applicable, must 
be included to describe the project's feasibility, cash flow, and 
approach for the implementation and marketing of the business. (Legal 
authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    [sbull] ANA will not accept applications from tribal components, 
which are tribally authorized divisions of a larger tribe, which are 
not approved by the governing body of the tribe. (Legal authority: 
Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act 
of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3; 45 CFR 1336.33(a))
    Definitions: The following definitions will be used in ANA program 
announcements.
    In the FY 2004 Program Announcement, ANA clarifies many areas that 
have previously prompted numerous questions and application mistakes 
from applicants. The ANA program announcement will now include 
definitions for the following terms:
    Authorized Representative: The person or person(s) authorized by 
Tribal or Organizational resolution to execute documents and other 
actions required by outside agencies. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) 
and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as 
amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    Budget Period: The interval of time into which the project period 
is divided for budgetary or funding purposes, and for which a grant is 
made. A budget period usually lasts one year in a multi-year project 
period. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the 
Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 
2991b-3)
    Community: A group of people residing in the same geographic area 
that can apply their own cultural and socio-economic values in 
implementing ANA's program objectives and goals. In discussing the 
applicant's community, the following information should be provided: 
(1) A description of the population segment within the community to be 
served or impacted; (2) the size of the community; (3) geographic 
description or location, including the boundaries of the community; (4) 
demographic data on the target population; and (5) the relationship of 
the community to any larger group or tribe. (Legal authority: Sections 
803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, 
as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    Community Involvement: How the community participated in the 
development of the proposed project, how the community will be involved 
during the project implementation and after the project is completed. 
Evidence of community involvement can include, but is not limited to, 
certified petitions, public meeting minutes, surveys, needs 
assessments, newsletters, special meetings, public Council meetings, 
public committee meetings, public hearings, and annual meetings with 
representatives from the community. The applicant should document the 
community's support of the proposed project. Applications from National 
and Regional Indian and Native organizations should clearly demonstrate 
a need for the project, explain how the project originated, identify 
the beneficiaries, and describe and relate the actual project benefits 
to the community and organization. National Indian and Native 
organizations should also identify their membership and specifically 
discuss how the organization operates and impacts Native American 
people and communities. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 
803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 
U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    Completed Project: A completed project means that the program 
funded by ANA is finished and the results and outcomes are achieved by 
the end of the project period. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and 
(d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 
42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    Consortia--Tribal/Village: A group of Tribes or villages that join 
together either for long-term purposes or for the purpose of an ANA 
project. Applicant must identify Consortia membership. The Consortia 
applicant must be the recipient of the funds. A Consortia applicant 
must be an ``eligible entity'' as defined by this Program Announcement 
and the ANA regulations. Consortia applicants should include 
documentation (a resolution adopted pursuant to the organization's 
established procedures and signed by an authorized representative) from 
all consortia members supporting the ANA application. An application 
from a consortium should have goals and objectives that will create 
positive impacts and outcomes in the communities of its members. ANA 
will not fund activities by a consortium of tribes which duplicates 
activities for which member Tribes also receives funding from ANA. The 
consortium application should identify the role and responsibility of 
each participating Consortia member and a copy of the consortia legal 
agreement or Memoranda of Agreement to support the proposed project. 
(Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-
3)
    Construction: The initial building of a facility. (Legal authority: 
Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act 
of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    Core Administration: Salaries and other expenses for those 
functions that support the applicant's organization as a whole or for 
purposes that are unrelated to the actual management or implementation 
of the ANA project. However, salaries and activities that are clearly 
related to the ANA project are eligible for grant funding. (Legal 
authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3; 45 CFR 
1336.33(b)(4).)
    Economic Development: Involves the promotion of the physical, 
commercial, technological, industrial, and/or agricultural capacities 
necessary for a sustainable local community. Economic development 
includes activities and actions that develop sustainable, stable, and 
diversified private sector local economies. For example, initiatives 
that support employment options, business opportunities, development 
and formation of a community's economic infrastructure, laws and 
policies that result in the creation of businesses and employment 
options and opportunities that provide for the foundation of healthy 
communities and strong families. (Legal authority: Sections 803 (a) and 
(d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 
42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    Equipment: Tangible, non-expendable personal property, including 
exempt property, charged directly to the award

[[Page 64697]]

having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost of 
$5,000 or more per unit. However, consistent with recipient policy, 
lower limits may be established. (Legal authority: Sections 803 (a) and 
(d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 
42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3; 45 CFR 1336.50(a); 45 CFR 74.2 and 92.3)
    Governance: Involves assistance to tribal and Alaska Native village 
government leaders to increase their ability to execute local control 
and decision-making over their resources. (Legal authority: Sections 
803 (a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, 
as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    Implementation Plan: The guidebook the applicant will use in 
meeting the results and benefits expected for the project. The 
Implementation Plan provides detailed descriptions of how, when, where, 
by whom and why activities are proposed for the project and is 
complemented and condensed by the Objective Work Plan. (Legal 
authority: Sections 803 (a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    In-kind Contributions: In-kind contributions are property or 
services which benefit a federally assisted project or program and 
which are contributed by the grantee, non-Federal third parties without 
charge to the grantee, or a cost-type contractor under the grant 
agreement. Any proposed In-kind match must meet the applicable 
requirements found in 45 CFR parts 74 and 92. (Legal authority: 
Sections 803 (a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act 
of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    Letter of Commitment: A third party statement to document the 
intent to provide specific in-kind contributions or cash to support the 
applicant. The Letter of Commitment must state the dollar amount (if 
applicable), the length of time the commitment will be honored, and the 
conditions under which the organization will support the proposed ANA 
project. If a dollar amount is included, the amount must be based on 
market and historical rates charged and paid. The resources to be 
committed may be human, natural, physical, or financial, and may 
include other Federal and non-Federal resources. For example, a notice 
of award from another Federal agency committing $200,000 in 
construction funding to complement a proposed ANA funded pre-
construction activity is evidence of a commitment. Statements about 
resources which have been committed to support a proposed project made 
in the application without supporting documentation will be 
disregarded. (Legal authority: Sections 803 (a) and (d) and 803C of the 
Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 
2991b-3)
    Leveraged Resources: The total dollar value of all non-ANA 
resources that are committed to a proposed ANA project and are 
supported by documentation that exceed the 20% non-federal match 
required for an ANA grant. Such resources may include any natural, 
financial, and physical resources available within the tribe, 
organization, or community to assist in the successful completion of 
the project. An example would be a written letter of commitment from an 
organization that agrees to provide a supportive action, product, and 
service, human or financial contribution that will add to the potential 
success of the project. (Legal authority: Sections 803 (a) and (d) and 
803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 
U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    Multi-purpose Organization: A community-based 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 day care, education, and training. (Legal authority: 
Sections 803 (a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act 
of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    Multi-year Project: Encompasses a single theme and requires more 
than 12 or 17 months to complete. A multi-year project affords the 
applicant an opportunity to develop and address more complex and in-
depth strategies that cannot be completed in one year. A multi-year 
project is a series of related objectives with activities presented in 
chronological order over a two or three year period. Prior to funding 
the second or third year, of a multi-year grant, ANA will require 
verification and support documentation from the Grantee that objectives 
and outcomes proposed in the preceding year were accomplished. 
Applicants proposing multi-year projects must complete and submit an 
Objective Work Plan (OWP) and budget with narrative for each project 
year, and fully describe objectives to be accomplished, outcomes to be 
achieved, and the results and benefits to determine the successful 
outcomes of each budget period. ANA will review the quarterly and 
annual reports of grantees to determine if the grantee is meeting its 
goals, objectives and activities identified in the OWP. (Legal 
authority: Sections 803 (a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    Objective(s): Specific outcomes or results to be achieved within 
the proposed project period that are specified in the Objective Work 
Plan. Completion of objectives must result in specific, measurable, 
outcomes that would benefit the community and directly contribute to 
the achievement of the stated community goals. Applicants should relate 
their proposed project objectives to outcomes that support the 
community's long-range goals. (Legal authority: Sections 803 (a) and 
(d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 
42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    Partnerships: Agreements between two or more parties that will 
support the development and implementation of the proposed project. 
Partnerships include other community-based organizations or 
associations, Tribes, federal and state agencies and private or non-
profit organizations. (Legal authority: Sections 803 (a) and (d) and 
803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 
U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    Performance Indicators: Measurement descriptions used to identify 
the outcomes or results of the project. Outcomes or results must be 
measurable to determine that the project has achieved its desired 
objective and can be independently verified through monitoring and 
evaluation. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the 
Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 
2991b-3)
    Real Property: Land, including land improvements, structures, and 
appurtenances thereto, excluding movable machinery and equipment. 
(Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-
3)
    Renovation or Alteration: The work required to change the interior 
arrangements or other physical characteristics of an existing facility, 
or install equipment so that it may be more

[[Page 64698]]

effectively used for the project. Alteration and renovation may include 
work referred to as improvements, conversion, rehabilitation, 
remodeling, or modernization, but is distinguished from construction. 
(Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-
3)
    Resolution: Applicants are required to include a current signed 
Resolution (a formal decision voted on by the official governing body) 
in support of the project for the entire project period. The Resolution 
should indicate who is authorized to sign documents and negotiate on 
behalf of the Tribe or organization. The Resolution should indicate 
that the community was involved in the project planning process, and 
indicate the specific dollar amount of any non-federal matching funds 
(if applicable). (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of 
the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b 
and 2991b-3)
    Sustainable Project: A sustainable project is an on-going program 
or service that can be maintained without additional ANA funds. (Legal 
authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    Self-Sufficiency: The ability to generate resources to meet a 
community's needs in a sustainable manner. A community's progress 
toward self-sufficiency is based on its efforts to plan, organize, and 
direct resources in a comprehensive manner that is consistent with its 
established long-range goals. For a community to be self sufficient, it 
must have local access to, control of, and coordination of services and 
programs that safeguard the health, well being, and culture of the 
people that reside and work in the community. (Legal authority: 
Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act 
of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    Social Development: Investment in human and social capital for 
advancing the well being members of the Native American community 
served. Social development is the action taken to support the health, 
education, culture, and employment options that expand an individual's 
capabilities and opportunities, and that promote social inclusion and 
combat social ills. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d) and 803C 
of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 
2991b and 2991b-3)

I. Program Area 1

    Social and Economic Development Strategies for Native Americans 
(Non-Alaska): To promote the goal of social and economic self-
sufficiency for Native Americans.
    Economic Development: Involves the promotion of the physical, 
commercial, technological, industrial, and / or agricultural components 
necessary for a sustainable local community. Applicants are encouraged 
to develop sustainable projects to support sustainable, stable, and 
diversified private sector local economies.
    Program areas of interest include:
    [sbull] Projects to strengthen an organization's capacity to 
deliver business technical assistance, workshops, financial literacy 
programs, and that create, expand, and retain public and private sector 
community-based businesses.
    [sbull] Projects to increase cooperative enterprise development 
activities, and technical capacity of youth to establish and operate 
cooperative businesses with the goal of teaching financial, management 
and long-term employment skills.
    [sbull] Projects to develop and coordinate emergency response 
services within the community and with State and local governments to 
protect against Acts of Nature and other catastrophic events such as 
fire, floods, and environmental catastrophes.
    [sbull] Projects to implement initiatives for Tribes to evaluate 
the economic potential of energy resources in their community, 
including renewable energy sources such as: Bio-energy, Geothermal, 
Hydrogen, Hydropower, Ocean, Solar, Wind, or other methods appropriate 
to the tribe and geographical location.
    [sbull] Projects to develop community transportation activities 
that support the needs of the elderly, the disabled, and the local 
workforce.
    [sbull] Projects to develop organizational and management capacity 
building activities that enhance community based program delivery 
systems and services.
    [sbull] Projects to develop and implement community-based 
activities that increase International Tourism and trade activities for 
Native American products, services, and communities. Business sectors 
of interest include: the export of Native American packaged foods; arts 
and crafts; literature and music; manufactured products; agricultural 
and organic products; value-added product assembly or processing that 
includes agriculture and aquaculture.
    [sbull] Projects to develop and enhance subsistence activities that 
retain, or re-establish Native traditional foods and or by-products of 
natural resources for local and commercial markets. Develop and/or 
strengthen the local economy through enhanced commercial trade in areas 
such as agriculture, aquaculture, lumber, and traditional arts and 
crafts. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b)
    Social Development: The investment in human and social capital for 
advancing people's well being. Applicants are encouraged to develop and 
implement culturally appropriate programs to enhance tribal, community, 
and village activities. Social development programs under this area 
support families, elders, parents, positive youth development, healthy 
marriage, individuals with disabilities, and personal commitment.
    Program areas of interest:
    [sbull] Healthy Relationships and Strengthening Families 
Initiative: The goal is to promote healthy family environments and 
strengthen co-parenting teamwork, problem-solving, and conflict 
resolution. To respond to this initiative, applicants should consider 
comprehensive projects that are culturally and socially appropriate to 
teach couples relationship-building skills, such as negotiation-based 
interpersonal communications, collaborative problem solving, and 
preservation of love, commitment, and friendship. Applicants are 
encouraged to be creative in their efforts to integrate elders into 
these projects to support traditional values and methods. Initiatives 
could address problematic periods in the family life cycle such as: 
pregnancy, postpartum care, first-time parenthood, parenting 
adolescents, and goal setting for independent young adults.
    [sbull] Project to strengthen the long-term commitment of married 
couples. Projects should consider the enhancement of relationship 
skills through premarital counseling, mentoring activities, or role 
model activities.
    [sbull] Projects to support young families in order to reduce the 
challenges and stress of child rearing, and the risks associated with 
child/infant abuse and neglect, strengthening the bonds between parents 
and children, and particularly between fathers and children and the 
fathers' role in healthy families.
    [sbull] In partnership with community and or faith-based 
organizations, develop and implement comprehensive culturally and 
socially appropriate

[[Page 64699]]

projects to help youth practice personal responsibility; reach a 
balance in their lives by learning how to set and meet short and long-
term goals; and to practice healthy lifestyles with the goal of 
decreasing gang activity, school drop out rates and juvenile 
delinquency.
    [sbull] Projects to recruit, train, and certify new Native American 
foster parents or promote appropriate extended family placements or to 
assist abused, neglected, and abandoned Native American children, 
youth, and their families.
    [sbull] Projects to develop, coordinate, and implement training for 
Native Americans with disabilities in order to join the workforce, 
obtain information and technical assistance to apply for disability 
benefits, gain access to workplace facilities, and receive reasonable 
accommodations necessary to perform job functions. (Legal authority: 
Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as 
amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b)
    Governance: Involves assistance to Tribal and Alaska native Village 
government leaders to increase their ability to execute local control 
and decision-making over their resources. ANA encourages applications 
for the development of laws and policies that support community-based 
social, economic and governance activities. Governance projects under 
this area may be used for leadership and management training or to 
assist eligible applicants in the development of laws, regulations, 
codes, policies, and practices that support and promote community based 
activities.
    Program areas of interest include:
    [sbull] Projects to enact laws that support and enforce business 
and investment transactions, contracts, and property rights. For 
example, develop and implement Uniform Commercial Codes (business 
codes) and Tax Codes.
    [sbull] Projects to enact laws, ordinances, and policies, to 
develop, expand, and/or enhance utility and communications 
infrastructures.
    [sbull] Projects to enrich and strengthen the management and 
leadership skills of senior Tribal government personnel, and senior 
management personnel of tribally owned companies.
    [sbull] Projects to establish and implement technology management 
information systems to assist with the effective and efficient 
administration of tribal government programs.
    [sbull] Projects to develop or amend tribal constitutions, 
government procedures and functions, by-laws or codes, and council or 
executive branch duties in order to improve the regulatory, judicial 
and/or administrative infrastructure of tribal and village governments. 
(Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act 
of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b)*

II. Award Information

    Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
    Anticipated Total Program Area 1 Funding: $18,000,000.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: 110--120.
    Average Projected Award Amount: $25,000 to $500,000.
    Length of Project Period: 12, 17, 24, or 36 months.
    Ceiling on Amount of Individual Awards: $500,000.
    An application that exceeds the upper value of the dollar range 
specified will be considered ``non-responsive'' and be returned to the 
applicant without further review.
    Floor on Amount of Individual Awards: $25,000.

III. Eligibility Information

Eligible Applicants

    [sbull] Federally recognized Indian Tribes.
    [sbull] Consortia of Indian Tribes.
    [sbull] Incorporated non-Federally recognized Tribes.
    [sbull] Incorporated non-profit multi-purpose community-based 
Indian organizations.
    [sbull] Urban Indian Centers.
    [sbull] National or regional incorporated non-profit Native 
American organizations with Native American community-specific 
objectives.
    [sbull] Alaska Native villages, as defined in the Alaska Native 
Claims Settlement Act (ANSCA) and/or non-profit village consortia.
    [sbull] Non-profit Alaska Native Regional Corporations/Associations 
in Alaska with village specific projects.
    [sbull] Incorporated non-profit Alaska Native multi-purpose 
community based organizations.
    [sbull] Non-profit Native organizations with village specific 
projects
    [sbull] Public and non-profit private agencies serving Native 
Hawaiians.
    [sbull] Public and non-profit 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 continental United States).
    [sbull] Tribally-controlled Community Colleges, Tribally-controlled 
Post-Secondary Vocational Institutions, and colleges and universities 
located in Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the 
Northern Mariana Islands which serve Native Pacific Islanders.
    [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. Organizations in Palau are 
no longer eligible for assistance from ANA. (Legal authority: 48 U.S.C. 
1931)

Additional Information on Eligibility

    Cost Sharing or Matching 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 ANA share and the non-federal share. The 
required match can be computed by dividing total Federal funds by 80 
percent for total project costs then subtracting the Federal portion. 
The remainder is the required match. For example, a project requesting 
$100,000 in Federal funds (per budget period) must provide a match of 
at least $ 25,000 ($100,000/80% = $125, 000--$100,000 = $25,000). 
Grantees must be able to verify commitments of the non-Federal 
resources. Failure to provide the non-federal share match will result 
in the disallowance of Federal funding commitment.
    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. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the 
Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b)
    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). For ANA grants under this announcement there is 
no match required for these insular areas.
    Acceptable proof of non-profit status includes:
    [sbull] A copy of the applicant organization's listing in the 
Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt 
organizations described in the IRS Code, or
    [sbull] A copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate, 
or
    [sbull] Provide a copy of the articles of incorporation bearing the 
seal of the State or federally-recognized Tribe in which the 
corporation or association is domiciled. Organizations incorporating in 
American Samoa are cautioned that the Samoan government relies 
exclusively upon IRS determinations of non-profit status; therefore, 
articles of incorporation approved by the Samoan government do not 
establish non-profit

[[Page 64700]]

status for the purpose of ANA program eligibility.
    Resolution: Applicants are required to include a current signed 
Resolution (a formal decision voted on by the official governing body) 
in support of the project for the entire project period. The Resolution 
must indicate who is authorized to sign documents and negotiate on 
behalf of the Tribe or organization. The Resolution should indicate 
that the community was involved in the project planning process, and 
indicate the specific dollar amount of any non-federal matching funds 
(if applicable).

IV. Application and Submission Information

    To request an application package, please contact: The ANA regional 
Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA) providers at:

Native American Management Services, Inc., 6858 Old Dominion Drive, 
Suite 302, McLean, Virginia 22101, Toll Free: 888-221-9686, (703) 821-
2226 x-234, Fax: (703) 821-3680, Kendra King-Bowes, Project Manager, E-
mail: [email protected], http://www.anaeastern.org.
Region I: AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, 
ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, 
TX, VA, VT, WI, W.VA.
ACKCO, Inc., 2214 N. Central, suite #250, Phoenix, Arizona 85004, Toll 
Free: 800-525-2859, (602) 253-9211, Fax (602) 253-9135, Theron Wauneka, 
Project Manager, E-mail: [email protected], www.anawestern.com.
Region II: AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY.
Native American Management Services, Inc., 11723 Old Glenn Highway, 
suite 201, Eagle River, Alaska 99577, Toll Free 877-770-6230, (907) 
694-5711, Fax (907) 694-5775, P.J. Bell, Project Manager, E-mail: 
[email protected], http://www.anaalaska.org.
Region III: Alaska.
Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, 33 South King Street, Suite 
513, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813, Toll-Free 800-709-2642, (808) 521-5011, 
Fax: (808) 521-4111, Jade Danner, Project Manager, E-mail: 
[email protected], http://www.anapacific.org.
Region IV: American Samoa (AS), Guam, HI, Commonwealth of Northern 
Mariana Islands (CNMI).

Content and Form of Submission

    Organization and Preparation of Application: Due to the intensity 
and pace of the application review and evaluation process, ANA strongly 
recommends applicants organize, label, and insert required information 
in accordance with Part One, Part Two and Part Three as presented in 
the charts below. The application should begin with the information 
requested in Part One of the chart in the prescribed order. Utilizing 
this format will insure all information submitted to support an 
applicant's request for funding is thoroughly reviewed. Submitting 
information in this format will assist the panel reviewer in locating 
and evaluating the information. Deviation from this suggested format 
may reduce the applicant's ability to receive maximum points, which are 
directly related to ANA's funding review decisions.
    ANA Application Format: ANA will now require all applications to be 
labeled with a Section Heading in compliance with the format provided 
in the program announcement. This format applies to all applicants 
submitting applications for funding. All pages submitted (including 
Government Forms, certifications and assurances) should be numbered 
consecutively. The paper size shall be 8\1/2\ x 11 inches, line spacing 
shall be a space and a half (1.5 line spacing), printed only on one 
side, and have a half-inch margin on all sides of the paper. The font 
size should be no smaller than 12-point and the font type shall be 
Times New Roman. These requirements do not apply to the project 
Abstract Form, Letters of Commitment, the Table of Contents, and the 
Objective Work Plan.

Submission Date and Time

    Deadline: The closing time and date for receipt of applications is 
4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time Zone) on March 26, 2004. Mailed or hand-
delivered applications received after 4:30 p.m. on the closing date 
will be classified as late.
    Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an announced 
deadline if they are received on or before the deadline time and date 
at the: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration 
for Children and Families, Office of Grants Management, Division of 
Discretionary Grants, Attention: Lois B. Hodge, ANA No. 93612-2004, 370 
L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Mail Stop: Aerospace Center 8th Floor-West, 
Washington, DC 20447-0002.
    Hand-delivered applications must be received at the address below 
by 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on or before the closing date. 
Applications that are hand delivered will be accepted between the hours 
of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Applications may be 
delivered to: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 
Administration for Children and Families, Office of Grants Management, 
Division of Discretionary Grants, ACF Mail Room, Second Floor Loading 
Dock, Aerospace Center, 901 D Street, SW., Washington, DC 20024, 
Attention: Lois B. Hodge, ANA No. 93612-2004.
    Applicants are responsible for mailing applications well in 
advance, when using all mail services, to ensure that the applications 
are received on or before the deadline time and date. ACF/ANA will not 
acknowledge receipt of applications.
    Late Applications: Applications that do not meet the above criteria 
will be considered unresponsive to the Program Announcement and late. 
ACF will notify each late applicant that its application will not be 
considered for review in the current competition. (Legal authority: 
Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as 
amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b)
    Extension of Deadline: ANA may extend application deadlines when 
circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, 
when there are widespread disruptions of mail service, or if the Chief 
Grants Management Officer makes a determination to extend or waive 
deadline requirements. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b)
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications are not subject to Executive 
Order 12372 (Legal authority: 45 CFR 100.3)

Funding Restrictions

    ANA does not fund:
    [sbull] Activities in support of litigation against the United 
States Government that are unallowable under OMB Circulars A-87 and A-
122. (Legal authority: Sections 803 (a) and (d), and 803C of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b, and 2991b-
3; 45 CFR 1336.50(a); 45 CFR 74.27 and 92. 22; OMB Circular A-122, 
Attachment B, Paragraph 10(g) and OMB Circular A-87, Attachment B, 
Paragraph 14(b))
    [sbull] ANA has a policy of not funding duplicative projects or 
allowing any one community to receive a disproportionate share of the 
funds available for award. When making decisions on awards of grants 
the Agency will consider whether the project is essentially identical 
or similar, in whole or significant part, to projects in the same 
community previously funded or being funded under the same competition. 
The

[[Page 64701]]

Agency will also consider whether the grantee is already receiving 
funding for a SEDS, Language, or Environmental project from ANA. The 
Agency will also take into account in making funding decisions whether 
a proposed project would require funding on indefinite or recurring 
basis. This determination will be made after it is determined whether 
the application meets the requirements for eligibility as set forth in 
45 CFR 1336, Subpart C, but before funding decisions are complete. 
(Legal authority: Sections 803 (a) and (d) and 803C of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-
3)
    [sbull] Projects in which a grantee would provide training and/or 
technical assistance (T/TA) to other tribes or Native American 
organizations that are otherwise eligible to apply. However, ANA will 
fund T/TA requested by a grantee for its own use or for its members' 
use (as in the case of a consortium), when the T/TA is necessary to 
carry out project objectives. (Legal authority: Sections 803 (a) and 
(d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 
42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3; 45 CFR 1336.33(b)(1))
    [sbull] The purchase of real property or construction because those 
activities are not authorized by the Native American Programs Act of 
1974, as amended. (Legal authority: Sections 803 (a) and (d) and 803C 
of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 
2991b and 2991b-3; 45 CFR 1336.33(b)(7))
    [sbull] Objectives or activities to support core administration 
activities of an organization. However, functions and activities that 
are clearly project related are eligible for grant funding. Under 
Alaska SEDS projects, ANA will consider funding core administrative 
capacity building projects at the village government level if the 
village does not have governing systems in place. (Legal authority: 
Sections 803 (a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act 
of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3 and 45 CFR 
1336.33(b)(4))
    [sbull] Costs associated with fund raising, including financial 
campaigns, endowment drives, solicitation of gifts and bequests, and 
similar expenses incurred solely to raise capital or obtain 
contributions are unallowable under an ANA grant award. (Legal 
authority: Sections 803 (a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3; 45 CFR 
1336.50; 45 CFR 74.27; OMB Circular A-122, Attachment B, Paragraph 23; 
OMB Circular A-87, Attachment B, Paragraph 21.)
    [sbull] Major renovation or alteration because those activities are 
not authorized under the Native American Programs Act of 1974, as 
amended. (Legal authority: Sections 803 (a) and (d) and 803C of the 
Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 
2991b-3)
    [sbull] Projects originated and designed by consultants who provide 
a major role for themselves and are not members of the applicant 
organization, Tribe, or village. (Legal authority: Sections 803 (a) and 
(d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 
42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    [sbull] Project activities that do not further the three 
interrelated ANA goals of economic development, social development and 
governance or meet the purpose of this program announcement. (Legal 
authority: Sections 803 (a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3; 45 CFR 
1336.33(b)(5))
    Other Submission Requirements: Application Submission: An original 
and two copies of the complete application are required. The original 
copy must include all required forms, certifications, assurances, and 
appendices, be signed by an authorized representative, have original 
signatures, and be submitted unbound. The two additional copies of the 
complete application must include all required forms, certifications, 
assurances, and appendices and must also be submitted unbound. 
Applicants have the option of omitting from the application copies (not 
the original) specific salary rates or amounts for individuals 
specified in the application budget. (Legal authority: Sections 803 (a) 
of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 
2991b)
    A completed application for assistance under this Program 
Announcement consists of Three Parts. Part One is the SF 424, Required 
Government Forms, and other required documentation. Part Two of the 
application is the project substance of the application. This section 
of the application may not exceed 45 pages. Part Three of the 
application is the Appendix. This section of the application may not 
exceed 20 pages (the exception to this 20 page limit applies only to 
projects that require, if relevant to the project, a Business Plan or 
any Third-Party Agreements). (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the 
Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b)

                              Part One--Federal Forms and Other Required Documents
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Content and location of
Part I of the application for funding   part I required forms,
     must include the following:          certifications and                      When to submit
                                               documents
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SF 424, SF 424A, and SF 424B.........  http://www.acf.hhs.gov/   By application due date.
                                        programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Table of Contents....................  Applicant must include a  By application due date.
                                        table of contents that
                                        accurately identifies
                                        the page number and
                                        where the information
                                        can be located. Table
                                        of Contents does not
                                        count against
                                        application page limit.
Project Abstract.....................  ANA Form: OMB Clearance   By application due date.
                                        Number 09800204--On ANA
                                        Web site http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ana programs/ana.
Proof of Non-Profit Status...........  As described in this      By application due date.
                                        announcement under
                                        Section ``Other
                                        Eligibility
                                        Information''.
Resolution...........................  Information for           By application due date.
                                        submission can be found
                                        in the Program
                                        Announcement Section
                                        ``Other Eligibility
                                        Information''.
Documentation that the Board of        As described in this      By application due date.
 Directors is majority Native           announcement under
 American, if applicant is other than   ``ANA Administrative
 a tribe or Alaska Native Village       Policies''.
 government.

[[Page 64702]]

 
Audit Letter.........................  A Certified Public        By application due date.
                                        Accountant's
                                        ``Independent
                                        Auditors'' Report on
                                        Financial Statement.''
                                        This is usually only a
                                        two to three page
                                        document. (This
                                        requirement applies
                                        only to applicants with
                                        annual expenditures of
                                        $300,000 or more of
                                        federal funds).
                                        Applicant must also
                                        include that portion of
                                        the audit document that
                                        identifies all other
                                        federal sources of
                                        funding.
Indirect Cost Agreement..............  Organizations and Tribes  By application due date.
                                        must submit a current
                                        indirect cost agreement
                                        (if claiming indirect
                                        costs) that aligns with
                                        the approved ANA
                                        project period. The
                                        Indirect Cost Agreement
                                        must identify the
                                        individual components
                                        and percentages that
                                        make up the indirect
                                        cost rate.
Non-Federal Share of Waiver Request,   A request for a waiver    By application due date.
 per CFR 1336.50(b).                    of the non-Federal
                                        share requirement may
                                        be submitted in
                                        accordance with 45 CFR
                                        1336.50(b) (3) of the
                                        Native American Program
                                        regulations. (if
                                        applicable).
Certification regarding Lobbying       May be found at           By application due date.
 Disclosure of Lobbying Activities--    www.acf.hhs.gov/
 SF LLL.                                programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Certification regarding Maintenance    May be found at           By application due date.
 of Effort.                             www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Certification Regarding Debarment,     May be found at http://   By application due date.
 Suspension and other Responsibility    www.acf.hhs.gov/
 Matters (Primary covered               programs/ofs/forms.htm.
 transactions and Lower Tier
 Transactions as appropriate).
Drug-Free Workplace Certification....  May be found at http://   By application due date.
                                        www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Environmental Tobacco Smoke            May be found at http://   By application due date.
 Certification.                         www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                  Part Two--Application Review Criteria
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Application review criteria--
       PART II--proposed project          this section may not exceed 45
                                                      pages
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Criteria One...........................  Project Introduction and
                                          Summary.
Criteria Two...........................  Objective and Need for
                                          Assistance.
Criteria Three.........................  Project Approach--Include the
                                          Objective Work Plan (OWP) form
                                          for each year of project.
Criteria Four..........................  Organizational Capacity.
Criteria Five..........................  Results and Benefits Expected.
Criteria Six...........................  Budget and Budget Justification
                                          Summary/ Cost Effectiveness.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                          Part Three--Appendix
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      PART III--support        Appendix-- this section may not exceed 20
        documentation                            pages
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Part III of the submitted application
                                should include only supplemental
                                information or required support
                                documentation that addresses the
                                applicant's capacity to carry out and
                                fulfill the proposed project. These
                                items include: letters of agreement with
                                cooperating entities, in-kind commitment
                                and support letters, business plans, and
                                a summary of the Third Party Agreements.
                                (Do not include books, videotapes,
                                studies or published reports and
                                articles, as they will not be made
                                available to the reviewers, or be
                                returned to the applicant.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act 
of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)

V. Application Review Information

Criteria: ACF Uniform Project Description (UPD)

    The UPD text should be used as general guidance in the development 
of projects. However, the specific ANA application submission format to 
be used in response to this announcement is located in section IV 
Application and Submission Information.
    Purpose: The Project Description is a major area by which an 
application is evaluated and ranked in competition with other 
applications for financial assistance. The Project Description should 
be concise and complete and should address the activity for which 
Federal funds are being requested. Supporting documents should be 
included if they present information clearly and succinctly. In 
preparing your Project Description, all information requested through 
each specific evaluation criteria should be provided. ANA uses this and 
other information to make funding decisions. It is important, 
therefore, that this information be included in the application.
    General Instructions: ANA is particularly interested in specific 
factual information and statements of measurable goals and performance 
indicators in quantitative terms. Project descriptions are evaluated on 
a basis of

[[Page 64703]]

substance, not length. Extensive exhibits are not required. Cross-
referencing should be used rather than repetition. Supporting 
information that does not directly pertain to an integral part of the 
grant-funded activity should be placed in the appendix. The application 
narrative should be in a 12-pitch font. A table of contents and an 
executive summary should be included. Each page should be numbered 
sequentially, including attachments or appendices. Please do not 
include books, videotapes or published reports because they are not 
easily reproduced, are inaccessible to the reviewers, and will not be 
returned to the applicant.
    Introduction: Applicants are required to submit a full Project 
Description and shall prepare this portion of the grant application in 
accordance with the following instructions and the specified evaluation 
criteria. The introduction provides a broad overview of the Project, 
and the information provided under each evaluation criteria expands and 
clarifies the project program-specific activities and information that 
reviewers will need to assess the proposed project.
    Project Summary: Provide a summary of the Project Description (a 
page or less) with reference to the funding request. (Legal authority: 
Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as 
amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b)
    Objectives and Need for Assistance: Clearly identify the physical, 
economic, social, financial, institutional, and/or other problem(s) 
requiring a solution. The need for assistance must be demonstrated and 
the principal and subordinate objectives of the project must be clearly 
stated; supporting documentation, such as letters of support and 
testimonials from concerned interests other than the applicant, may be 
included. Any relevant data based on planning studies should be 
included or referred to in the endnotes/footnotes. Incorporate 
demographic data and participant/beneficiary information, as needed. In 
developing the Project Description, the applicant should provide 
information on the total range of projects currently being conducted 
and supported (or to be initiated) to ensure they are within the scope 
of the program announcement. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the 
Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b)
    Results or Benefits Expected: Identify the results and benefits to 
be derived by the community and its members. For example, applicants 
are encouraged to describe the qualitative and quantitative data 
collected, how this data will measure progress towards the stated 
results or benefits, and how performance indicators under economic and 
social development and governance projects can be monitored, evaluated 
and verified. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b)
    Approach: Outline a plan of action that describes the scope and 
detail of how the proposed work will be accomplished. Account for all 
functions or activities identified in the application. Cite factors, 
which might accelerate or decelerate the work and state your reason for 
taking the proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual 
features of the project such as design or technological innovations, 
reductions in cost or time, extraordinary social and community 
involvement or ease of project replication by other tribes and Native 
organizations. List organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, 
or other key individuals who will work on the project along with a 
short description of the nature of their effort or contribution. 
Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the 
accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such 
terms as the number of people served and the number of activities 
accomplished. Examples of these activities would be the number of 
businesses started or expanded, the number of jobs created or retained, 
the number of people trained, the number of youth, couples or families 
assisted or the number elders participating in the activity during that 
reporting period. When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity 
or function, list them in chronological order to show the dates and 
schedule of accomplishments. List organizations, cooperating entities, 
consultants, or other key individuals who will work on the project, as 
well as a short description of the nature of their effort or 
contribution. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b)
    Staff and Position Data: Provide a biographical sketch for each key 
person appointed and a job description for each vacant key position. A 
biographical sketch will also be required for new key staff as 
appointed. Information should include the qualifications of each staff 
person as they pertain to the project. (Legal authority: Sections 
803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 
U.S.C. 2991b)
    Organizational Profiles: Provide information on the applicant 
organization(s) and cooperating partners with organizational charts, 
financial statements, audit reports or statements from CPA/Licensed 
Public Accountants, Employer Identification Numbers, names of bond 
carriers, contact persons and telephone numbers, child care licenses 
and other documentation of professional accreditation, information on 
compliance with Federal/State/local government standards, documentation 
of experience in the program area, and other pertinent information. Any 
non-profit organization submitting an application must submit proof of 
its non-profit status in its application at the time of submission. 
(Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act 
of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b)
    Third-Party Agreements: Include written agreements between grantees 
and sub grantees or subcontractors or other cooperating entities. These 
agreements must detail scope of work to be performed, work schedules, 
remuneration, and other terms and conditions that structure or define 
the relationship. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b)
    Budget and Budget Justification: Provide line item detail and 
detailed calculations for each budget object class identified on the 
Budget Information form. Detailed calculations must include estimation 
methods, quantities, unit costs, and other similar quantitative detail 
sufficient for the calculation to be duplicated. The detailed budget 
must also include a breakout by the funding sources identified in Block 
15 of the SF-424. Provide a narrative budget justification that 
describes how the categorical costs are derived. Discuss the necessity, 
reasonableness, and allowability of the proposed costs. (Legal 
authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act of 
1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b)
    Geographic Location: Describe the precise location of the project 
and boundaries of the area to be served by the proposed project. Maps 
or other graphic aids may be attached. (Legal authority: Sections 
803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 
U.S.C. 2991b)
    Additional Information: The following are requests for additional 
information that need to be included in the application: 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 organization shall submit one of the following verifiable 
documents: (a) A copy of the applicant's listing in the Internal

[[Page 64704]]

Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent list of tax exempt organizations 
described in Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code, or (b) providing a copy 
of the currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate, or (c) providing 
a copy of the articles of incorporation bearing the seal of the State 
or federally-recognized Tribe in which the corporation or association 
is domiciled. Organizations incorporating in American Samoa are 
cautioned that the Samoan government relies exclusively upon IRS 
determinations of non-profit status; therefore, articles of 
incorporation approved by the Samoan government do not establish non-
profit status for the purpose of ANA program eligibility.
    General: The following guidelines are for preparing the budget and 
budget justification. Both Federal and non-Federal resources shall be 
detailed and justified in the budget and narrative justification. For 
purposes of preparing the budget and budget justification, ``Federal 
resources'' refers only to the ACF grant for which you are applying. 
Non-Federal resources are all other Federal and non-Federal resources. 
It is suggested that budget amounts and computations be presented in a 
columnar format: first column, object class categories; second column, 
Federal budget; next column(s), non-Federal budget(s); and last column, 
total budget. The budget justification should be a narrative.
    [sbull] Personnel: The description of the costs of employee 
salaries and wages. Identify the project director or principal 
investigator, if known. For each staff person, provide the title, time 
commitment to the project (in months), or time commitment to the 
project (as a percentage or full-time equivalent), annual salary, grant 
salary, wage rates, etc. Do not include the costs of consultants or 
personnel costs of delegate agencies or of specific project(s) or 
businesses to be financed by the applicant.
    [sbull] Fringe Benefits: Costs of employee fringe benefits unless 
treated as part of an approved indirect cost rate. Provide a breakdown 
of the amounts and percentages that comprise fringe benefit costs such 
as health insurance, FICA, retirement insurance, taxes, etc.
    [sbull] Travel: Costs of project-related travel by employees of the 
applicant organization (does not include costs of consultant travel). 
Justification: For each trip, show the total number of traveler(s), 
travel destination, duration of trip, per diem, mileage allowances, if 
privately owned vehicles will be used, and other transportation costs 
and subsistence allowances. Travel costs for key staff to attend ACF-
sponsored workshops should be detailed in the budget.
    [sbull] Equipment: Equipment means an article of nonexpendable, 
tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year 
and an acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of (a) the 
capitalization level established by the organization for the financial 
statement purposes, or (b) $5,000. (Note: Acquisition cost means the 
net invoice unit price of an item of equipment, including the cost of 
any modifications, attachments, accessories, or auxiliary apparatus 
necessary to make it usable for the purpose for which it is acquired. 
Ancillary charges, such as taxes, duty, protective in-transit 
insurance, freight, and installation shall be included in or excluded 
from acquisition cost in accordance with the organization's regular 
written accounting practices.). Justification: For each type of 
equipment requested, provide a description of the equipment, the cost 
per unit, the number of units, the total cost, and a plan for use on 
the project, as well as use or disposal of the equipment after the 
project ends. An applicant organization that uses its own definition 
for equipment should provide a copy of its policy or section of its 
policy, which includes the equipment definition.
    [sbull] Supplies: Costs of all tangible personal property other 
than that included under the Equipment category. Justification: Specify 
general categories of supplies and their costs. Show computations and 
provide other information that supports the amount requested.
    [sbull] Contractual: Costs of all contracts for services and goods 
except for those, which belong under other categories such as 
equipment, supplies, construction, etc. Third-party evaluation 
contracts (if applicable) and contracts with secondary recipient 
organizations, including delegate agencies and specific project(s) or 
businesses to be financed by the applicant, should be included under 
this category. Justification: All procurement transactions shall be 
conducted in a manner to provide, to the maximum extent practical, open 
and free competition. Recipients and sub-recipients, other than States 
that are required to use Part 92 procedures, must justify any 
anticipated procurement action that is expected to be awarded without 
competition (sole source) and exceed the simplified acquisition 
threshold fixed at 41 U.S.C. 403(11) (currently set at $100,000.). 
Recipients may be required to make available to ANA pre-award review 
and procurement documents, such as request for proposals or invitations 
for bids, independent cost estimates, etc. Note: Whenever the applicant 
intends to delegate part of the project to another agency, the 
applicant must provide a detailed budget and budget narrative for each 
delegate agency, by agency title, along with the required supporting 
information referred to in these instructions.
    [sbull] Other: Enter the total of all other costs. Such costs, 
where applicable and appropriate, may include but are not limited to 
insurance, food, medical and dental costs (noncontractual), 
professional services costs, space and equipment rentals, printing and 
publication, computer use, training costs, such as tuition and 
stipends, staff development costs, and administrative costs. 
Justification: Provide computations, a narrative description, and a 
justification for each cost under this category.
    [sbull] Indirect Charges: Total amount of indirect costs. This 
category should be used only when the applicant currently has an 
indirect cost rate approved by the Department of the Interior, 
Department of Labor, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), 
or other Federal agency. Justification: An applicant that will charge 
indirect costs to the grant must enclose a copy of the current rate 
agreement. If the applicant organization is in the process of initially 
developing or renegotiating a rate, it should immediately upon 
notification that an award will be made, develop a tentative indirect 
cost rate proposal based on its most recently completed fiscal year in 
accordance with the principles set forth in the cognizant agency's 
guidelines for establishing indirect cost rates, and submit it to the 
cognizant agency. Applicants awaiting approval of their indirect cost 
proposals may also request indirect costs. It should be noted that when 
an indirect cost rate is requested, those costs included in the 
indirect cost pool should not also be charged as direct costs to the 
grant. Also, if the applicant is requesting a rate which is less than 
what is allowed under the program, the authorized representative of the 
applicant organization must submit a signed acknowledgement that the 
applicant is accepting a lower rate than allowed.
    [sbull] Program Income: The estimated amount of income, if any, 
expected to be generated from this project. Justification: Describe the 
nature, source, and anticipated use of program income in the budget or 
refer to the pages in the application, which contain this information.
    [sbull] Non-Federal Resources: Amounts of non-Federal resources 
that will be used to support the project as identified in

[[Page 64705]]

Block 15 of the SF-424. Justification: The firm commitment of these 
resources must be documented and submitted with the application in 
order to be given credit in the review process. A detailed budget must 
be prepared for each budget period.
    [sbull] Total Direct Charges, Total Indirect Charges, and Total 
Project Costs (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b)

Evaluation Criteria

Criteria One: Approach (25 Points)
    The applicant should provide a Project Description with objectives 
and discuss the project approach and the implementation plan. The 
Applicant's narrative should be clear and concise. It should include a 
logical breakdown of the project, and discuss in detail the strategy 
and approach the applicant intends to employ in order to accomplish the 
project objectives and activities over the project period. In this 
section, the applicant should describe the project strategy using the 
Objective Work Plan (OWP). In the OWP, the applicant should identify 
the project objectives, time frames, proposed activities, outcomes, and 
evaluation activity, as well as the individuals responsible for 
completing the objectives and performing the activities. The project 
description, objective(s), approach, strategy and implementation plan 
are inter-related. The applicant should also include the names and 
activities of any organizations, consultants, or other key individuals 
who will contribute to the project. The Applicant should discuss 
``Leveraged Resources'' (see definition section) used to strengthen and 
broaden the impact of the proposed project. The Applicant should 
discuss commitments and how they impact the project. Applicant should 
provide ``Letters of Commitment'' that identify the time, dollar 
amount, and activity to be accomplished through partnerships. 
Applicants should discuss the relationship of non-ANA funded activities 
to those objectives and activities that will be funded with ANA grant 
funds. (Letters of Commitment should be included in the Appendix ). 
(Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act 
of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b)
Criteria Two: Objectives and Need for Assistance (20 Points)
    Discuss the Need for Assistance. The need for assistance should 
clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial, and 
institutional challenges and problem(s) requiring a solution that 
supports the funding request. Describe the Community (see Definition 
section) to be impacted by the project and the Community Involvement in 
the project. The Applicant should describe the community's long-range 
goals, and how the project supports these community goals. The 
applicant describes the planning and/or consultation efforts 
undertaken, and the proposed objectives and activities that reflect 
either the economic and social development or governance needs of the 
local community. Discuss the Geographic Location of the project and 
where the project and grant will be administered. Applications from 
National and Regional Indian and Native organizations should clearly 
demonstrate a need for the project, explain how the project originated, 
identify the beneficiaries, and describe and relate the actual project 
benefits to the community and organization. National Indian and Native 
organizations should also identify their membership and specifically 
discuss how the organization operates and impacts Native American 
people and communities. Applicant should show a clear relationship 
between the proposed project, the social and economic development 
strategy, and the community's long-range goals. (Legal authority: 
Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as 
amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b)
Criteria Three: Organizational Profiles (20 Points)
    Provide information on the applicant's organization and cooperating 
partners. Include organizational charts, and information associated 
with experience in the program area. Describe the organizations 
capabilities such as the management structure, the administrative 
structure, and the program delivery process. If relevant to the 
project, applicants must provide a Business Plan or any Third-Party 
Agreements (include in the appendix). Applicants are required to make a 
positive statement that they will give credit to the Administration for 
Native Americans, and reference the ANA funded project on any audio, 
video, and/or printed materials developed in whole or in part with ANA 
funds. Applicants should list all current sources of federal funding, 
the agency, purpose, amount, and provide the most recent certified 
signed audit letter for the organization to be included in Part One of 
the application. If the applicant has audit exceptions, these issues 
should be addressed. Applicants should provide evidence of its ability 
to successfully manage a project of similar scope. Applicant should 
provide ``staffing and position data''. This is a proposed staffing 
pattern for the project where the Applicant highlights the new project 
and staff. All positions proposed for the project are the same 
positions discussed in the Objective Work Plan and in the proposed 
budget. Note: Applicants are strongly encouraged to give preference to 
qualified Native Americans in hiring project staff and in contracting 
services under an approved ANA grant. Applicant should provide a 
paragraph of the duties and skills required for the proposed staff and 
a paragraph on qualifications and experience of current staff (Full 
position descriptions are required to be submitted in the Appendix). 
Applicant should explain and discuss how the current and future staff 
will manage the proposed project. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and 
Section 803B(c) (6) of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as 
amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-2)
Criteria Four: Results or Benefits Expected (20 Points)
    In this section the applicant should discuss the ``Performance 
Indicators'' (see Definition section) and the Benefits Expected as a 
result of this Project. Performance indicators specifically identify 
qualitative and quantitative data directly associated with the project. 
Each applicant may select five indicators to support the applicant's 
project. Three of the performance indicators may be selected from the 
list below. Each grantee is required to develop two additional 
indicators that are project specific and directly support the success 
of the project objectives and goals. Each performance indicator should 
be discussed in the application, as well as the method for collecting 
the data and evaluating the project. Performance indicators will be 
reported to ANA in the grantee's quarterly report. Three of the five 
Performance indicators required, should be selected from the following 
list: (1) The number of jobs created; (2) the number of workshops/
classes provided; (3) the number of people to successfully complete a 
workshop/class; (4) the number of community-based small businesses 
established or expanded; (5) identify the tribal or village government 
business, industry, energy or financial codes or ordinances that were 
adopted; and (6) the number of children, youth, families or elders 
assisted. In this section discuss how the applicant will determine the 
success of the individual project components and the project as a 
whole. The applicant should describe how the

[[Page 64706]]

success of the project would be evaluated and verified by an 
independent program monitoring and evaluation team. Applicant should 
provide a narrative on the specific performance indicators that can be 
analyzed, measured, monitored, and evaluated. For example, if 
requesting funds for a conference, workshop, or an educational 
activity, the applicant should discuss the value and long-term impact 
to the recipient and the community and discuss how the information has 
an impact on the project goals. What will the participants gain by 
attending the activity and how the knowledge, training, and skills 
gained, will improve the lives of children and families. Relate these 
performance indicators to the project goals, objectives, and outcomes. 
The applicant should discuss how the project will be sustainable or how 
the resulting product will be used to further the community's needs, 
goals, and objectives. Applicants should discuss and present objectives 
and goals to be achieved and evaluated at the end of each budget 
period. Project objectives support the identified need and should be 
measurable. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b)
Criteria Five: Budget and Budget Justification/ Cost Effectiveness (5/5 
Points)
    An applicant must submit an itemized budget detailing the 
applicant's Federal and non-Federal share with source(s) of funding 
cited. The applicant should provide a detailed line item Federal and 
Non-federal share budget by year for each year of project funds 
requested. A budget narrative describing the line item budget should be 
attached for each year of project funds requested. The budget should 
include a line item justification for each Object Class Category listed 
under Section B--``Budget Categories'' of the ``Budget Information-Non 
Construction Programs on the SF 424A form. The budget should include 
the necessary details to facilitate the determination of allowable 
costs and the relevance of these costs to the proposed project. Up to 
five points will be awarded for the budget and budget justification. Up 
to an additional five points will be added to the applicant's score 
based on the demonstration of an effective cost-benefit relationship 
for the proposed project. This criterion reflects ANA's concern with 
ensuring that the expenditure of its limited resources yields the 
greatest benefit possible in achieving the economic and social self-
sufficiency for Native American communities. (Legal authority: Sections 
803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 
U.S.C. 2991b.)
    Applicant should explain how the project components, not funded by 
ANA will be financed through other resources. The applicant is required 
to describe any specific financial circumstances, which may impact the 
project, such as any monetary or land settlements made to the 
applicant, and any restrictions on the use of those settlements. When 
the applicant appears to have other resources to support the proposed 
project and chooses not to use them, the applicant should explain why 
it is seeking ANA funds and not utilizing its available resources to 
support the project. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
    The non-federal budget share should identify the source and be 
supported by letters of commitment (see Definitions). Letters of 
commitment are binding when they specifically state the nature, the 
amount, and conditions under which another agency or organization will 
support a project funded with ANA funds. These resources may be human, 
natural, or financial, and may include other Federal and non-Federal 
resources. For example, a letter from another Federal agency or 
foundation pledging a commitment of $200,000 in construction funding to 
complement proposed ANA funded pre-construction activity is evidence of 
a firm funding commitment. Statements that additional funding will be 
sought from other specific sources are not considered a binding 
commitment of outside resources. Letters of Support merely express 
another organization's endorsement of a proposed project. Support 
letters are not binding commitment letters. They do not factually 
establish the authenticity of other resources and do not offer or bind 
specific resources to the project. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of 
the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 
2991b.)
    If an applicant plans to charge or otherwise seek credit for 
indirect costs in its ANA application, a current copy of its Indirect 
Cost Rate Agreement should be included in the application, with all 
cost broken down by category so ANA reviewers can determine what is 
included in the indirect cost pool. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) 
of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 
2991b.)
    The budget includes sufficient funds for principal representatives, 
such as the chief financial officer or project director from the 
applicant organization to travel to one ANA post-award grant training 
and technical assistance workshop. This expenditure is mandatory for 
new grant recipients and optional for grantees that have had previous 
ANA grant awards. Applicants may also include costs to travel to an ANA 
grantee conference. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
    For business development projects, the proposal should demonstrate 
that the expected return on the ANA funds used to develop the project 
will provide a reasonable operating income and investment return within 
a specified time period. If a profit-making venture is being proposed, 
profits should be reinvested in the business in order to decrease or 
eliminate ANA's future participation. Such revenue should be reported 
as general program income. A decision will be made at the time of the 
grant award regarding appropriate use of program income. (See 45 CFR 
part 74 and part 92). (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
Criteria Six: Project Introduction and Summary/Abstract (5 Points)
    The applicant should provide a Project Introduction. The 
Introduction will provide the reader an overview and some details of 
the proposed project. This is where the project is introduced to the 
peer review panel. Identify the name of the applicant, location of the 
community to be served by the proposed project, the project activities, 
funding amount requested, amount of matching funds to be provided, the 
length of time required to accomplish the project, and the outcomes or 
outputs to be achieved. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b)

Review and Selection Process

    Initial Screening: Each application submitted under an ANA program 
announcement will undergo a pre-review screening to determine if (a) 
the application was received by the Program Announcement closing date; 
(b) the application was submitted in accordance with section IV 
``Application and Submission Information''; (c) the applicant is 
eligible for funding; (d) the applicant has submitted the proper 
support documentation such as proof of non-profit status, resolutions, 
and required government forms; and (e) an authorized representative has 
signed the application. An application that does

[[Page 64707]]

not meet one of the above elements will be determined to be ineligible 
and excluded from the competitive review process. Ineligible applicants 
will be notified by mail within 30 business days from the closing date 
of this program announcement. ANA staff cannot respond to requests for 
information regarding funding decisions prior to the official applicant 
notification. After the Commissioner has made funding decisions, 
unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing within 90 days. 
Applicants are not ranked based on general financial need. Applicants, 
who are initially excluded from competition because of ineligibility, 
may appeal the Agency's decision. Likewise, applicants may also appeal 
an ANA decision that an applicant's proposed activities are ineligible 
for funding consideration. The appeals process is stated in the final 
rule published in the Federal Register on August 19, 1996 (61 FR 42817 
and 45 CFR part 1336, subpart C). ANA has a policy of not funding 
duplicative projects or allowing any one community to receive a 
disproportionate share of the funds available for award. When making 
decisions on awards of grants the Agency will consider whether the 
project is essentially identical or similar, in whole or significant 
part, to projects in the same community previously funded or being 
funded under the same competition. The Agency will also consider 
whether the grantee is already receiving funding for a SEDS project or 
for another project from ANA. The Agency will also take into account in 
making funding decisions whether a proposed project would require 
funding on indefinite or recurring basis.
    Competitive Review Process: Applications that pass the initial ANA 
screening process will be analyzed, evaluated and rated by an 
independent review panel on the basis of the Evaluation Criteria 
specified. The evaluation criteria were designed to analyze and assess 
the quality of a proposed community-based project, the likelihood of 
its success, and the ability to monitor and evaluate community impact 
and long-term results. The evaluation criteria and analysis are closely 
related and are wholly considered in judging the overall quality of an 
application. In addition, the evaluation criteria will standardize the 
review of each application and distribute the number of points more 
equitably.
    Application Review Criteria: ANA has expanded the review criteria 
to allow for a more equitable distribution of points during the 
application review and competition process. ANA will improve the 
competitive review process through the use of six criteria that will 
evenly distribute evaluation points. The use of six criteria will 
standardize the review of each application and distribute the number of 
points more equitably. Based on the ACF Uniform Project Description, 
ANA's criteria categories are Project Introduction; Objectives and Need 
for Assistance; Project Approach; Organizational Capacity; Results and 
Benefits Expected; and Budget and Budget Narrative.
    Application Consideration: The Commissioner's funding decision is 
based on an analysis of the application by the review panel, the panel 
review scores, recommendations of the ANA staff, comments of 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 Native American Programs Act 
(NAPA), all relevant statutory and regulatory requirements, this 
program announcement, and the availability of appropriated funds.
    The Commissioner reserves the right to award more, or less, than 
the funds described or under such circumstances as may be deemed to be 
in the best interest of the federal government. Applicants may be 
required to reduce the scope of projects based on the amount of 
approved award.

VI. Award Administration Information

    Anticipated Announcement and Award Date: 120 days after the due 
date of applications.
    Award Notices: 120 days after the due date of applications.
    Administrative and National Policy Requirements: 45 CFR part 74 and 
45 CFR part 92 and 45 CFR part 1336, subpart C) and 42 U.S.C. 2991 et 
seq.--Native American Programs Act of 1974;
    Reporting Requirements:
    Programmatic Reports: Quarterly.
    Financial Reports: Quarterly.
    Special Reporting Requirements: An original and one copy of each 
performance report and financial status report must be submitted to the 
Grants Officer. Failure to submit these reports when required will mean 
the grantee is non-compliant with the terms and conditions of the grant 
award and subject to administrative action or termination. Performance 
reports are submitted 30 days after each quarter (3-month intervals) of 
the project period. The final performance report, due 90 days after the 
project period end date, shall cover grantee performance during the 
entire project period. All grantees shall use the SF 269 (Long Form) to 
report the status of funds. Grantees shall submit semi-annual Financial 
Status Reports that shall be due 30 days after the end of the second 
and fourth quarter of each budget period. The final report shall be due 
90 days after the end of the project period. (Legal authority: Sections 
803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 
U.S.C. 2991b; 45 CFR 1336.50(a); 45 CFR 74.51 and 74.52; 45 CFR 92.40 
and 92.41)

VII. Agency Contacts

    Program Office Contact: ANA Applicant Help Desk at 202-690-7776 or 
toll free at 1-877-922-9262 for assistance.
    Grants Management Office Contact: Lois B. Hodge, 370 L'Enfant 
Promenade, SW., Aerospace Building 8th Floor-West, Washington, DC 
20447-0002, Telephone: (202) 401-2344, E-mail: [email protected].

VIII. Other Information

    Training and Technical Assistance: All potential ANA applicants are 
eligible to receive free T&TA in the SEDS, Language, or Environmental 
program areas. Prospective applicants should check ANA's Web site for 
training and technical assistance dates and locations, or contact the 
ANA Help Desk at 1-877-922-9262. Due to the new application and program 
additions and modifications, ANA strongly encourages all prospective 
applicants to participate in free pre-application training. (Legal 
authority: Sections 804 of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, 
as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991c)
    Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13): Under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, the Department is 
required to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for 
review and approval of any reporting and record keeping requirements in 
regulations including program announcements. This program announcement 
does not contain information collection requirements beyond those 
approved for ANA grant applications under the Program Narrative 
Statement by OMB (Approval Number 0980-0204).

I. Program Area: 2

Alaska Social and Economic Development Strategies for Native Americans

    In fiscal year 1984, ANA implemented a special Alaska Social and 
Economic Development initiative to support activities at the village 
level. This special effort was designed to provide small amounts of 
project seed money for

[[Page 64708]]

village-specific projects to improve and strengthen the capacity of 
village governments, an integral part of social and economic self-
sufficiency. ANA continues to implement this special initiative with a 
renewed awareness that economic, social and governance development is 
interrelated. ANA believes both the non-profit and for-profit 
corporations in Alaska can play an important supportive role in 
assisting individual villages in the development and implementation of 
their own locally determined strategies, which capitalize on 
opportunities afforded to Alaska Natives under the Alaska Native Claims 
Settlement Act (ANCSA), (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
    The Program Areas of Interest are projects that ANA considers 
supportive to Native American communities. Although eligibility for 
funding is not restricted to the projects of the type listed under this 
program announcement, these Areas of Interest are ones which ANA sees 
as particularly beneficial to the development of healthy Native 
American communities.
    Economic Development: Involves the promotion of the physical, 
commercial, technological, industrial, and / or agricultural components 
necessary for a sustainable local community. Applicants are encouraged 
to develop sustainable projects to support sustainable, stable, and 
diversified private sector local economies.
    Program Areas of Interest include:
    [sbull] Projects to strengthen an organization's capacity to 
deliver business technical assistance, workshops, financial literacy 
programs, and that create, expand, and retain public and private sector 
community-based businesses.
    [sbull] Projects to increase cooperative enterprise development 
activities, and technical capacity of youth to establish and operate 
cooperative businesses with the goal of teaching financial, management 
and long-term employment skills.
    [sbull] Projects to develop and coordinate emergency response 
services within the community and with State and local governments to 
protect against Acts of Nature and other catastrophic events such as 
fire, floods, and environmental catastrophes.
    [sbull] Projects to implement initiatives for Tribes to evaluate 
the economic potential of energy resources in their community, 
including renewable energy sources such as: Bio-energy, Geothermal, 
Hydrogen, Hydropower, Ocean, Solar, Wind, or other methods appropriate 
to the tribe and geographical location.
    [sbull] Projects to develop community transportation activities 
that support the needs of the elderly, the disabled, and the local 
workforce.
    [sbull] Projects to develop organizational and management capacity 
building activities that enhance community based program delivery 
systems and services.
    [sbull] Projects to develop and implement community-based 
activities that increase International Tourism and trade activities for 
Native American products, services, and communities. Business sectors 
of interest include: the export of Native American packaged foods; arts 
and crafts; literature and music; manufactured products; agricultural 
and organic products; value-added product assembly or processing that 
includes agriculture and aquaculture.
    [sbull] Projects to develop and enhance subsistence activities that 
retain, or re-establish Native traditional foods and or by-products of 
natural resources for local and commercial markets. Develop and/or 
strengthen the local economy through enhanced commercial trade in areas 
such as agriculture, aquaculture, lumber, and traditional arts and 
crafts. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b)
    Social Development: The investment in human and social capital for 
advancing people's well being. Applicants are encouraged to develop and 
implement culturally appropriate programs to enhance tribal, community, 
and village activities. Social development programs under this area 
support families, elders, parents, positive youth development, healthy 
marriage, individuals with disabilities, and personal commitment.
    Program Areas of Interest include:
    [sbull] Healthy Relationships and Strengthening Families 
Initiative: The goal is to promote healthy family environments and 
strengthen co-parenting teamwork, problem-solving, and conflict 
resolution. To respond to this initiative, applicants should consider 
comprehensive projects that are culturally and socially appropriate to 
teach couples relationship-building skills, such as negotiation-based 
interpersonal communications, collaborative problem solving, and 
preservation of love, commitment, and friendship. Applicants are 
encouraged to be creative in their efforts to integrate elders into 
these projects to support traditional values and methods. Initiatives 
could address problematic periods in the family life cycle such as: 
pregnancy, postpartum care, first-time parenthood, parenting 
adolescents, and goal setting for independent young adults.
    [sbull] Project to strengthen the long-term commitment of married 
couples. Projects should consider the enhancement of relationship 
skills through premarital counseling, mentoring activities, or role 
model activities.
    [sbull] Projects to support young families in order to reduce the 
challenges and stress of child rearing, and the risks associated with 
child/infant abuse and neglect, strengthening the bonds between parents 
and children, and particularly between fathers and children and the 
fathers' role in healthy families.
    [sbull] In partnership with community and or faith-based 
organizations, develop and implement comprehensive culturally and 
socially appropriate projects to help youth practice personal 
responsibility; reach a balance in their lives by learning how to set 
and meet short and long-term goals; and to practice healthy lifestyles 
with the goal of decreasing gang activity, school drop out rates and 
juvenile delinquency.
    [sbull] Projects to recruit, train, and certify new Native American 
foster parents or promote appropriate extended family placements or to 
assist abused, neglected, and abandoned Native American children, 
youth, and their families.
    [sbull] Projects to develop, coordinate, and implement training for 
Native Americans with disabilities in order to join the workforce, 
obtain information and technical assistance to apply for disability 
benefits, gain access to workplace facilities, and receive reasonable 
accommodations necessary to perform job functions. (Legal authority: 
Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as 
amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
    Governance: Involves assistance to Tribal and Alaska native Village 
government leaders to increase their ability to execute local control 
and decision-making over their resources. ANA encourages applications 
for the development of laws and policies that support community-based 
social, economic and governance activities. Governance projects under 
this area may be used for leadership and management training or to 
assist eligible applicants in the development of laws, regulations, 
codes, policies, and practices that support and promote community based 
activities. Program Areas of Interest include:
    [sbull] Projects to enact laws that support and enforce business 
and investment

[[Page 64709]]

transactions, contracts, and property rights. For example, develop and 
implement Uniform Commercial Codes (business codes) and Tax Codes.
    [sbull] Projects to enact laws, ordinances, and policies, to 
develop, expand, and/or enhance utility and communications 
infrastructures.
    [sbull] Projects to enrich and strengthen the management and 
leadership skills of senior Tribal government personnel, and senior 
management personnel of tribally owned companies.
    [sbull] Projects to establish and implement technology management 
information systems to assist with the effective and efficient 
administration of tribal government programs.
    [sbull] Projects to develop or amend tribal constitutions, 
government procedures and functions, by-laws or codes, and council or 
executive branch duties in order to improve the regulatory, judicial 
and/or administrative infrastructure of tribal and village governments. 
(Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act 
of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)

II. Award Information

    Applications from Alaska Native entities may submit under either 
SEDS or Alaska SEDS but not both program areas. The SF 424 must clearly 
indicate the correct program area.
    Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
    Anticipated Total Program Area Funding: $2,000,000.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: 10-20.
    Average Projected Award Amount:
    $25,000-$125,000 for Individual Village Projects.
    $25,000-$175,000 for Regional Non-profit and Village consortia.
    Length of Project Period: 12, 17, 24, or 36 months.
    Ceiling on amount of individual Awards: $175,000 for Regional non-
profit and Village consortia.
    $125,000 for Individual Village projects. (Legal authority: 
Sections 803(a) f of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as 
amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
    An application that exceeds the upper value of the dollar range 
specified will be considered ``non-responsive'' and be returned to the 
applicant without further review. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of 
the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 
2991b.)
    Floor Amount: $25,000 (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the 
Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
III. Eligibility Information
    Eligible Applicants:
    [sbull] Federally Recognized Indian tribes in Alaska;
    [sbull] Alaska Native villages, as defined in the Alaska Native 
Claims Settlement Act (ANSCA)and/or non-profit village consortia;
    [sbull] Non-profit Alaska Native Regional Corporations/Associations 
in Alaska with village specific projects;
    [sbull] Incorporated non-profit Alaska Native multi-purpose 
community-based organizations
    [sbull] Non-profit Native organizations in Alaska with village 
specific projects. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b; 45 CFR 
1336.33(a) (2).)
    Additional Information on Eligibility:
    Cost Sharing or Matching: 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 
required match can be computed by dividing total Federal funds by 80 
percent for total project costs then subtracting the Federal portion. 
The remainder is the required match. For example, a project requesting 
$100,000 in Federal funds (per budget period) must provide a match of 
at least $ 25,000 ($100,000 / 80% = $125, 000-$100,000 = $25,000). 
Grantees must be able to verify commitments of the non-Federal 
resources. Failure to provide the non-federal share match will result 
in the disallowance of Federal funding commitment. (Legal authority: 
Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as 
amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
    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.
    Acceptable Proof of Non-profit Status includes:
    [sbull] A copy of the applicant organization's listing in the 
Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt 
organizations described in the IRS Code; or
    [sbull] A copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate; 
or
    [sbull] Provide a copy of the articles of incorporation bearing the 
seal of the State or federally-recognized Tribe in which the 
corporation or association is domiciled. (Legal authority: Sections 
803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 
U.S.C. 2991b.)
    Resolution: Applicants are required to include a current signed 
Resolution (a formal decision voted on by the official governing body) 
in support of the project for the entire project period. The Resolution 
must indicate who is authorized to sign documents and negotiate on 
behalf of the Tribe or organization. The Resolution should indicate 
that the community was involved in the project planning process, and 
indicate the specific dollar amount of any non-federal matching funds 
(if applicable). (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)

IV. Application and Submission Information

    To request an application package, please contact: The ANA regional 
Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA) provider at: Native American 
Management Services, Inc., 11723 Old Glenn Highway, suite 201, Eagle 
River, Alaska 99577, Toll Free 877-770-6230, (907) 694-5711, Fax (907) 
694-5775, P.J. Bell, Project Manager, E-mail: [email protected], http://www.anaalaska.org. Region III: Alaska.

Content and Form of Submission

    Organization and Preparation of Application: Due to the intensity 
and pace of the application review and evaluation process, ANA strongly 
recommends applicants organize, label, and insert required information 
in accordance with Part One, Part Two and Part Three as presented in 
the charts below. The application should begin with the information 
requested in Part One of the chart in the prescribed order. Utilizing 
this format will insure all information submitted to support an 
applicant's request for funding is thoroughly reviewed. Submitting 
information in this format will assist the panel reviewer in locating 
and evaluating the information. Deviation from this suggested format 
may reduce the applicant's ability to receive maximum points, which are 
directly related to ANA's funding review decisions. (Legal authority: 
Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as 
amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
    ANA Application Format: This format applies to all applicants 
submitting applications for funding. ANA will now require all 
applications to be labeled in compliance with the format provided in 
the program announcement. All pages submitted (including Government 
Forms, certifications and assurances) should be numbered consecutively. 
The paper size shall be 8\1/2\ x 11 inches, line spacing shall be a 
space and a half (1.5 line spacing), printed only on one side, and have 
a half-inch margin on all sides of the paper. The font size should be 
no smaller than 12-point and the font type

[[Page 64710]]

shall be Times New Roman. These requirements do not apply to the 
project Abstract Form, Letters of Commitment, the Table of Contents, 
and the Objective Work Plan. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the 
Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
    Submission Date and Time:
    Deadline: The closing time and date for receipt of applications is 
4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time Zone) on March 26, 2004. Mailed or hand-
delivered applications received after 4:30 p.m. on the closing date 
will be classified as late. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the 
Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
    Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an announced 
deadline if they are received on or before the deadline time and date 
at the: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration 
for Children and Families, Office of Grants Management, Division of 
Discretionary Grants, Attention: Lois B. Hodge, ANA No. 93612-2004, 370 
L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Mail Stop: Aerospace Center 8th Floor-West, 
Washington, DC 20447-0002.
    Hand Delivery: Applicant must provide an original application with 
all attachments, signed by an authorized representative and two copies. 
The Application must be received at the address below by 4:30 p.m. 
Eastern Standard Time on or before the closing date. Applications that 
are hand delivered will be accepted between the hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 
p.m., Monday through Friday. Applications may be delivered to: U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children 
and Families, Office of Grants Management, Division of Discretionary 
Grants, ACF Mail Room, Second Floor Loading Dock, Aerospace Center, 901 
D Street, SW., Washington, DC 20024, Attention: Lois B. Hodge, ANA No. 
93612-2004.
    It is strongly recommended that applicants obtain documentation 
from the ACF Mail Room that the application was hand delivered on or 
before the closing date. Applicants are cautioned that express/
overnight mail services do not always deliver as agreed.
    Late Applications: Applications that do not meet the deadline 
criteria will be considered unresponsive to the program announcement 
and late. To avoid errors, ANA will notify each late applicant that its 
application will not be considered for review in the current 
competition. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
    Extension of Deadline: ANA may extend application deadlines when 
circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, 
when there are widespread disruptions of mail service, or if the Chief 
Grants Management Officer makes a determination to extend or waive 
deadline requirements. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications are not subject to Executive 
Order 12372.
    Funding Restrictions:
    ANA does not fund:
    [sbull] Activities in support of litigation against the United 
States Government that are unallowable under OMB Circulars A-87 and A-
122. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) and (d), and 803C of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b, and 2991b-
3; 45 CFR 1336.50(a); 45 CFR 74.27 and 92. 22; OMB Circular A-122, 
Attachment B, Paragraph 10(g) and OMB Circular A-87, Attachment B, 
Paragraph 14(b))
    [sbull] Duplicative projects or does not allow any one community to 
receive a disproportionate share of the funds available for award. When 
making decisions on awards of grants the Agency will consider whether 
the project is essentially identical or similar, in whole or 
significant part, to projects in the same community previously funded 
or being funded under the same competition. The Agency will also 
consider whether the grantee is already receiving funding for a SEDS, 
Language, or Environmental project from ANA. The Agency will also take 
into account in making funding decisions whether a proposed project 
would require funding on indefinite or recurring basis. This 
determination will be made after it is determined whether the 
application meets the requirements for eligibility as set forth in 45 
CFR 1336, Subpart C, but before funding decisions are complete. (Legal 
authority: Sections 803 (a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    [sbull] Projects in which a grantee would provide training and/or 
technical assistance (T/TA) to other tribes or Native American 
organizations that are otherwise eligible to apply. However, ANA will 
fund T/TA requested by a grantee for its own use or for its members' 
use (as in the case of a consortium), when the T/TA is necessary to 
carry out project objectives. (Legal authority: Sections 803 (a) and 
(d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 
42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3; 45 CFR 1336.33(b)(1))
    [sbull] The purchase of real property or construction because those 
activities are not authorized by the Native American Programs Act of 
1974, as amended. (Legal authority: Sections 803 (a) and (d) and 803C 
of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 
2991b and 2991b-3; 45 CFR 1336.33(b)(7))
    [sbull] Objectives or activities to support core administration 
activities of an organization. However, functions and activities that 
are clearly project related are eligible for grant funding. Under 
Alaska SEDS projects, ANA will consider funding core administrative 
capacity building projects at the village government level if the 
village does not have governing systems in place. (Legal authority: 
Sections 803 (a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act 
of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3 and 45 CFR 
1336.33(b)(4))
    [sbull] Costs associated with fund raising, including financial 
campaigns, endowment drives, solicitation of gifts and bequests, and 
similar expenses incurred solely to raise capital or obtain 
contributions are unallowable under an ANA grant award. (Legal 
authority: Sections 803 (a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3; 45 CFR 
1336.50; 45 CFR 74.27; OMB Circular A-122, Attachment B, Paragraph 23; 
OMB Circular A-87, Attachment B, Paragraph 21.)
    [sbull] Major renovation or alteration because those activities are 
not authorized under the Native American Programs Act of 1974, as 
amended. (Legal authority: Sections 803 (a) and (d) and 803C of the 
Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 
2991b-3)
    [sbull] Projects originated and designed by consultants who provide 
a major role for themselves and are not members of the applicant 
organization, Tribe, or village. (Legal authority: Sections 803 (a) and 
(d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 
42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3)
    [sbull] Project activities that do not further the three 
interrelated ANA goals of economic development, social development and 
governance or meet the purpose of this program announcement. (Legal 
authority: Sections 803 (a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3; 45 CFR 
1336.33(b)(5))

[[Page 64711]]

Other Submission Requirements

    An original and two copies of the complete application are 
required. The original copy must include all required forms, 
certifications, assurances, and appendices, be signed by an authorized 
representative, have original signatures, and be submitted unbound. The 
two additional copies of the complete application must include all 
required forms, certifications, assurances, and appendices and must 
also be submitted unbound. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the 
Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
    A completed application for assistance under this Program 
Announcement consists of Three Parts. Part One is the SF 424, Required 
Government Forms, and other required documentation. Part Two of the 
application is the project substance of the application. This section 
of the application may not exceed 45 pages. Part Three of the 
application is the Appendix. This section of the application may not 
exceed 20 pages (the exception to this 20 page limit applies only to 
projects that require, if relevant to the project, a Business Plan or 
any Third-Party Agreements). (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the 
Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)

                              Part One--Federal Forms and Other Required Documents
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Content and location of
Part I of the application for funding   part I required forms,
     must include the  following          certifications and                      When to submit
                                               documents
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SF 424, SF 424 A, and SF 424B........  http://www.acf.hhs.gov/   By application due date.
                                        programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Table of Contents....................  Applicant must include a  By application due date.
                                        table of contents that
                                        accurately identifies
                                        the page number and
                                        where the information
                                        can be located. Table
                                        of Contents does not
                                        count against
                                        application page limit.
Project Abstract.....................  ANA Form: OMB Clearance   By application due date.
                                        Number 09800204--On ANA
                                        Web Site http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ana programs/ana.
Proof of Non-Profit Status...........  As described in this      By application due date.
                                        announcement under
                                        ``Other Eligibility
                                        Information''.
Resolution...........................  Information for           By application due date.
                                        submission can be found
                                        in the Program
                                        Announcement Section
                                        ``Other Eligibility
                                        Information.''.
Documentation that the Board of        As described in this      By application due date.
 Directors is majority Native           announcement under
 American, if applicant is other than   ``ANA Administrative
 a tribe or Alaska Native Village       Policies'' section.
 government.
Audit Letter.........................  A Certified Public        By application due date.
                                        Accountant's
                                        ``Independent Auditors'
                                        Report on Financial
                                        Statement.'' This is
                                        usually only a two to
                                        three page document.
                                        (This requirement
                                        applies only to
                                        applicants with annual
                                        expenditures of
                                        $300,000 or more of
                                        federal funds).
                                        Applicant must also
                                        include that portion of
                                        the audit document that
                                        identifies all other
                                        federal sources of
                                        funding.
Indirect Cost Agreement..............  Organizations and Tribes  By application due date.
                                        must submit a current
                                        indirect cost agreement
                                        (if claiming in-direct
                                        costs) that aligns with
                                        the approved ANA
                                        project period. The In-
                                        direct Cost Agreement
                                        must identify the
                                        individual components
                                        and percentages that
                                        make up the indirect
                                        cost rate.
Non-Federal Share of Waiver Request,   A request for a waiver    By application due date.
 per CFR 1336.50(b).                    of the non-Federal
                                        share requirement may
                                        be submitted in
                                        accordance with 45 CFR
                                        1336.50(b)(3) of the
                                        Native American Program
                                        regulations (if
                                        applicable).
Certification regarding Lobbying       May be found at           By application due date.
 Disclosure of Lobbying Activities--    www.acf.hhs.gov/
 SF LLL.                                programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Certification regarding Maintenance    May be found at           By application due date.
 of Effort.                             www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Certification Regarding Debarment,     May be found at http://   By application due date.
 Suspension and Other Responsibility    www.acf.hhs.gov/
 Matters (Primary covered               programs/ofs/forms.htm.
 transactions and Lower Tier
 Transactions as appropriate).
Drug-Free Workplace Certification....  May be found at http://   By application due date.
                                        www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Environmental Tobacco Smoke            May be found at http://   By application due date.
 Certification.                         www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                  Part Two--Application Review Criteria
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Application review criteria--
       Part II--Proposed Project          this section may not exceed 45
                                                      pages
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Criteria One...........................  Project Introduction and
                                          Summary.
Criteria Two...........................  Objective and Need for
                                          Assistance.
Criteria Three.........................  Project Approach--Include an
                                          Objective Work Plan form for
                                          each year of project period.
Criteria Four..........................  Organizational Capacity.

[[Page 64712]]

 
Criteria Five..........................  Results and Benefits Expected.
Criteria Six...........................  Budget and Budget Justification
                                          Summary/ Cost Effectiveness.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                          Part Three--Appendix
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Part III--support         Appendix--this section may not exceed 20
        documentation                            pages
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Part III of the submitted application
                                should include only supplemental
                                information or required support
                                documentation that addresses the
                                applicant's capacity to carry out and
                                fulfill the proposed project. These
                                items include: letters of agreement with
                                cooperating entities, in-kind commitment
                                and support letters, business plans, and
                                a summary of the Third Party Agreements.
                                (Do not include books, videotapes,
                                studies or published reports and
                                articles, as they will not be made
                                available to the reviewers, or be
                                returned to the applicant.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act 
of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)

V. Application Review Information

Criteria: ACF Uniform Project Description

    The UPD text should be used as general guidance in the development 
of projects. However, the specific ANA application submission format to 
be used in response to this announcement is located in section IV 
``Application and Submission Information''.
    Purpose: The Project Description is a major area by which an 
application is evaluated and ranked in competition with other 
applications for financial assistance. The Project Description should 
be concise and complete and should address the activity for which 
Federal funds are being requested. Supporting documents should be 
included if they present information clearly and succinctly. In 
preparing your Project Description, all information requested through 
each specific evaluation criteria should be provided. ANA uses this and 
other information to make funding decisions. It is important, 
therefore, that this information be included in the application. (Legal 
authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act of 
1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
    General Instructions: ANA is particularly interested in specific 
factual information and statements of measurable goals and performance 
indicators in quantitative terms. Project descriptions are evaluated on 
a basis of substance, not length. Extensive exhibits are not required. 
Cross-referencing should be used rather than repetition. Supporting 
information that does not directly pertain to an integral part of the 
grant-funded activity should be placed in the appendix. The application 
narrative should be in a 12-pitch font. A table of contents and an 
executive summary should be included. Each page should be numbered 
sequentially, including attachments or appendices. Please do not 
include books, videotapes or published reports because they are not 
easily reproduced, are inaccessible to the reviewers, and will not be 
returned to the applicant. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the 
Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
    Introduction: Applicants are required to submit a full Project 
Description and shall prepare this portion of the grant application in 
accordance with the following instructions and the specified evaluation 
criteria. The introduction provides a broad overview of the Project, 
and the information provided under each evaluation criteria expands and 
clarifies the project program-specific activities and information that 
reviewers will need to assess the proposed project. (Legal authority: 
Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as 
amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
    Project Summary: Provide a summary of the Project Description (a 
page or less) with reference to the funding request. (Legal authority: 
Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as 
amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
    Objectives and Need for Assistance: Clearly identify the physical, 
economic, social, financial, institutional, and/or other problem(s) 
requiring a solution. The need for assistance must be demonstrated and 
the principal and subordinate objectives of the project must be clearly 
stated; supporting documentation, such as letters of support and 
testimonials from concerned interests other than the applicant, may be 
included. Any relevant data based on planning studies should be 
included or referred to in the endnotes/footnotes. Incorporate 
demographic data and participant/beneficiary information, as needed. In 
developing the Project Description, the applicant should provide 
information on the total range of projects currently being conducted 
and supported (or to be initiated) to ensure they are within the scope 
of the program announcement. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the 
Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
    Results or Benefits Expected: Identify the results and benefits to 
be derived by the community and its members. For example, applicants 
are encouraged to describe the qualitative and quantitative data 
collected, how this data will measure progress towards the stated 
results or benefits, and how performance indicators under economic and 
social development and governance projects can be monitored, evaluated 
and verified. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
    Approach: Outline a plan of action that describes the scope and 
detail of how the proposed work will be accomplished. Account for all 
functions or activities identified in the application. Cite factors, 
which might accelerate or decelerate the work and state your reason for 
taking the proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual 
features of the project such as design or technological innovations, 
reductions in cost or time, extraordinary social and community 
involvement or ease of project replication by other tribes and Native 
organizations. List organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, 
or other key individuals who will work on the project along with a 
short description of the nature of their effort or contribution. 
Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the 
accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such 
terms

[[Page 64713]]

as the number of people served and the number of activities 
accomplished. Examples of these activities would be the number of 
businesses started or expanded, the number of jobs created or retained, 
the number of people trained, the number of youth, couples or families 
assisted or the number elders participating in the activity during that 
reporting period. When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity 
or function, list them in chronological order to show the dates and 
schedule of accomplishments. List organizations, cooperating entities, 
consultants, or other key individuals who will work on the project, as 
well as a short description of the nature of their effort or 
contribution. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
    Organizational Profiles: Provide information on the applicant 
organization(s) and cooperating partners with organizational charts, 
financial statements, audit reports or statements from CPA/Licensed 
Public Accountants, Employer Identification Numbers, names of bond 
carriers, contact persons and telephone numbers, child care licenses 
and other documentation of professional accreditation, information on 
compliance with Federal/State/local government standards, documentation 
of experience in the program area, and other pertinent information. Any 
non-profit organization submitting an application must submit proof of 
its non-profit status in its application at the time of submission. 
(Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act 
of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
    Third-Party Agreements: Include written agreements between grantees 
and sub grantees or subcontractors or other cooperating entities. These 
agreements must detail scope of work to be performed, work schedules, 
remuneration, and other terms and conditions that structure or define 
the relationship. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
    Budget and Budget Justification: Provide line item detail and 
detailed calculations for each budget object class identified on the 
Budget Information form. Detailed calculations must include estimation 
methods, quantities, unit costs, and other similar quantitative detail 
sufficient for the calculation to be duplicated. The detailed budget 
must also include a breakout by the funding sources identified in Block 
15 of the SF-424. Provide a narrative budget justification that 
describes how the categorical costs are derived. Discuss the necessity, 
reasonableness, and allow ability of the proposed costs. (Legal 
authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act of 
1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b)
    Additional Information: The following are requests for additional 
information that needs to be included in the application: 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 organization shall submit one of the following verifiable 
documents: (a) 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 (b) providing a copy 
of the currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate, or (c) providing 
a copy of the articles of incorporation bearing the seal of the State 
or federally-recognized Tribe in which the corporation or association 
is domiciled. Organizations incorporating in American Samoa are 
cautioned that the Samoan government relies exclusively upon IRS 
determinations of non-profit status; therefore, articles of 
incorporation approved by the Samoan government do not establish non-
profit status for the purpose of ANA program eligibility. (Legal 
authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act of 
1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
    General: The following guidelines are for preparing the budget and 
budget justification. Both Federal and non-Federal resources shall be 
detailed and justified in the budget and narrative justification. For 
purposes of preparing the budget and budget justification, ``Federal 
resources'' refers only to the ACF grant for which you are applying. 
Non-Federal resources are all other Federal and non-Federal resources. 
It is suggested that budget amounts and computations be presented in a 
columnar format: first column, object class categories; second column, 
Federal budget; next column(s), non-Federal budget(s); and last column, 
total budget. The budget justification should be a narrative.
    [sbull] Personnel: The description of the costs of employee 
salaries and wages. Identify the project director or principal 
investigator, if known. For each staff person, provide the title, time 
commitment to the project (in months), or time commitment to the 
project (as a percentage or full-time equivalent), annual salary, grant 
salary, wage rates, etc. Do not include the costs of consultants or 
personnel costs of delegate agencies or of specific project(s) or 
businesses to be financed by the applicant.
    [sbull] Fringe Benefits: Costs of employee fringe benefits unless 
treated as part of an approved indirect cost rate. Provide a breakdown 
of the amounts and percentages that comprise fringe benefit costs such 
as health insurance, FICA, retirement insurance, taxes, etc.
    [sbull] Travel: Costs of project-related travel by employees of the 
applicant organization (does not include costs of consultant travel). 
Justification: For each trip, show the total number of traveler(s), 
travel destination, duration of trip, per diem, mileage allowances, if 
privately owned vehicles will be used, and other transportation costs 
and subsistence allowances. Travel costs for key staff to attend ACF-
sponsored workshops should be detailed in the budget.
    [sbull] Equipment: Equipment means an article of nonexpendable, 
tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year 
and an acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of (a) the 
capitalization level established by the organization for the financial 
statement purposes, or (b) $5,000. (Note: Acquisition cost means the 
net invoice unit price of an item of equipment, including the cost of 
any modifications, attachments, accessories, or auxiliary apparatus 
necessary to make it usable for the purpose for which it is acquired. 
Ancillary charges, such as taxes, duty, protective in-transit 
insurance, freight, and installation shall be included in or excluded 
from acquisition cost in accordance with the organization's regular 
written accounting practices.). Justification: For each type of 
equipment requested, provide a description of the equipment, the cost 
per unit, the number of units, the total cost, and a plan for use on 
the project, as well as use or disposal of the equipment after the 
project ends. An applicant organization that uses its own definition 
for equipment should provide a copy of its policy or section of its 
policy, which includes the equipment definition.
    [sbull] Supplies: Costs of all tangible personal property other 
than that included under the Equipment category. Justification: Specify 
general categories of supplies and their costs. Show computations and 
provide other information that supports the amount requested.
    [sbull] Contractual: Costs of all contracts for services and goods 
except for those, which belong under other categories such as 
equipment, supplies, construction, etc. Third-party evaluation 
contracts (if applicable) and contracts with secondary recipient 
organizations,

[[Page 64714]]

including delegate agencies and specific project(s) or businesses to be 
financed by the applicant, should be included under this category. 
Justification: All procurement transactions shall be conducted in a 
manner to provide, to the maximum extent practical, open and free 
competition. Recipients and sub-recipients, other than States that are 
required to use Part 92 procedures, must justify any anticipated 
procurement action that is expected to be awarded without competition 
(sole source) and exceed the simplified acquisition threshold fixed at 
41 U.S.C. 403(11) (currently set at $100,000.). Recipients may be 
required to make available to ANA pre-award review and procurement 
documents, such as request for proposals or invitations for bids, 
independent cost estimates, etc. Note: Whenever the applicant intends 
to delegate part of the project to another agency, the applicant must 
provide a detailed budget and budget narrative for each delegate 
agency, by agency title, along with the required supporting information 
referred to in these instructions.
    [sbull] Other: Enter the total of all other costs. Such costs, 
where applicable and appropriate, may include but are not limited to 
insurance, food, medical and dental costs (noncontractual), 
professional services costs, space and equipment rentals, printing and 
publication, computer use, training costs, such as tuition and 
stipends, staff development costs, and administrative costs. 
Justification: Provide computations, a narrative description, and a 
justification for each cost under this category.
    [sbull] Indirect Charges: Total amount of indirect costs. This 
category should be used only when the applicant currently has an 
indirect cost rate approved by the Department of the Interior, 
Department of Labor, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), 
or other Federal agency. Justification: An applicant that will charge 
indirect costs to the grant must enclose a copy of the current rate 
agreement. If the applicant organization is in the process of initially 
developing or renegotiating a rate, it should immediately upon 
notification that an award will be made, develop a tentative indirect 
cost rate proposal based on its most recently completed fiscal year in 
accordance with the principles set forth in the cognizant agency's 
guidelines for establishing indirect cost rates, and submit it to the 
cognizant agency. Applicants awaiting approval of their indirect cost 
proposals may also request indirect costs. It should be noted that when 
an indirect cost rate is requested, those costs included in the 
indirect cost pool should not also be charged as direct costs to the 
grant. Also, if the applicant is requesting a rate which is less than 
what is allowed under the program, the authorized representative of the 
applicant organization must submit a signed acknowledgement that the 
applicant is accepting a lower rate than allowed.
    [sbull] Program Income: The estimated amount of income, if any, 
expected to be generated from this project. Justification: Describe the 
nature, source, and anticipated use of program income in the budget or 
refer to the pages in the application, which contain this information.
    [sbull] Non-Federal Resources: Amounts of non-Federal resources 
that will be used to support the project as identified in Block 15 of 
the SF-424. Justification: The firm commitment of these resources must 
be documented and submitted with the application in order to be given 
credit in the review process. A detailed budget must be prepared for 
each budget period.
    [sbull] Total Direct Charges, Total Indirect Charges, and Total 
Project Costs (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)

Evaluation Criteria

Criteria One: Approach (25 Points)
    The applicant should provide a Project Description with objectives 
and discuss the project approach and the implementation plan. The 
Applicant's narrative should be clear and concise. It should include a 
logical breakdown of the project, and discuss in detail the strategy 
and approach the applicant intends to employ in order to accomplish the 
project objectives and activities over the project period.
    In this section, the applicant should describe the project strategy 
using the Objective Work Plan (OWP). In the OWP, the applicant should 
identify the project objectives, time frames, proposed activities, 
outcomes, and evaluation activity, as well as the individuals 
responsible for completing the objectives and performing the 
activities. The project description, objective(s), approach, strategy 
and implementation plan are inter-related. (Legal authority: Sections 
803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 
U.S.C. 2991b.)
    The applicant should also include the names and activities of any 
organizations, consultants, or other key individuals who will 
contribute to the project. The Applicant should discuss ``Leveraged 
Resources'' (see Definitions) used to strengthen and broaden the impact 
of the proposed project. The Applicant should discuss commitments and 
how they impact the project. Applicant should provide ``Letters of 
Commitment'' that identify the time, dollar amount, and activity to be 
accomplished through partnerships. The applicant should discuss the 
relationship of non-ANA funded activities to those objectives and 
activities that will be funded with ANA grant funds. (Letters of 
Commitment should be included in the appendix). (Legal authority: 
Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as 
amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
Criteria Two: Objectives and Need for Assistance (20 Points)
    Discuss the Need for Assistance. The need for assistance should 
clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial, and 
institutional challenges and problem(s) requiring a solution that 
supports the funding request. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the 
Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
    Describe the Community (see Definitions) to be impacted by the 
project and the Community Involvement in the project. The Applicant 
should describe the community's long-range goals, and how the project 
supports these community goals. The applicant describes the planning 
and/or consultation efforts undertaken, and the proposed objectives and 
activities that reflect either the economic and social development or 
governance needs of the local community. Discuss the Geographic 
Location of the project and where the project and grant will be 
administered. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
    Applications from National American Indian and Native American 
organizations should demonstrate a need for the project, explain how 
the project originated, and discuss the community-based program 
delivery strategy of the project, identify and describe the intended 
beneficiaries, and specifically address how this project will benefit 
the recipients. Applicant should show a clear relationship between the 
proposed project, the social and economic development strategy, and the 
community's long-range goals. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the 
Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
Criteria Three: Organizational Profiles (20 Points)
    Provide information on the applicant's organization and

[[Page 64715]]

cooperating partners. Include organizational charts, and information 
associated with experience in the program area. Describe the 
organizations capabilities such as the management structure, the 
administrative structure, and the program delivery process. If relevant 
to the project, applicants must provide a Business Plan or any Third-
Party Agreements (include in the appendix section of the application). 
(Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act 
of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
    Applicants are required to make a positive statement that they will 
give credit to the Administration for Native Americans, and reference 
the ANA funded project on any audio, video, and/or printed materials 
developed in whole or in part with ANA funds. (Legal authority: 
Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as 
amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
    If the applicant has audit exceptions, these issues should be 
addressed. (Applicants should list all current sources of federal 
funding, the agency, purpose, amount, and provide the most recent 
certified signed audit letter for the organization to be included in 
Part I of the application). (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the 
Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
    Applicants should provide evidence of its ability to successfully 
manage a project of similar scope. Applicant should provide ``staffing 
and position data''. This is a proposed staffing pattern for the 
project where the applicant highlights the new project and staff. All 
positions proposed for the project are the same positions discussed in 
the Objective Work Plan and in the proposed budget. Applicant should 
provide a paragraph of the duties and skills required for the proposed 
staff and a paragraph on qualifications and experience of current staff 
(Full position descriptions are required to be submitted and must be 
included in the appendix). Applicant should explain and discuss how the 
current and future staff will manage the proposed project. (Legal 
authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act of 
1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)

    Note: Applicants are strongly encouraged to give preference to 
qualified Native Americans in hiring project staff and in 
contracting services under an approved ANA grant. (Legal authority: 
Sections 803B(c)(6) of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as 
amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b-2.)

Criteria Four: Results or Benefits Expected (20 Points)
    In this section the applicant should discuss the ``Performance 
Indicators'' (see Definitions) and the Benefits Expected as a result of 
this Project. Performance indicators specifically identify qualitative 
and quantitative data directly associated with the project. Each 
applicant must have five indicators to support the applicant's project. 
Three of the performance indicators should be selected from the list 
below. Each grantee is required to develop two additional indicators 
that are project specific and directly support the success of the 
project objectives and goals. Each performance indicator should be 
discussed in the application, as well as the method for collecting the 
data and evaluating the project. Performance indicators will be 
reported to ANA in the grantee's quarterly report. Three of the five 
Performance indicators required, should selected from the following 
list: (1) The number of jobs created; (2) the number of workshops/
classes provided; (3) the number of people to successfully complete a 
workshop/class; (4) the number of community-based small businesses 
established or expanded; (5) identify the tribal or village government 
business, industry, energy or financial codes or ordinances that were 
adopted; and (6) the number of children, youth, families or elders 
assisted. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans 
Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
    In this section discuss how the applicant will determine the 
success of the individual project components and the project as a 
whole. The applicant should describe how the success of the project 
would be evaluated and verified by an independent program monitoring 
and evaluation team. Applicant should provide a narrative on the 
specific performance indicators that can be analyzed, measured, 
monitored, and evaluated. For example, if requesting funds for a 
conference, workshop, or an educational activity, the applicant should 
discuss the value and long-term impact to the recipient and the 
community and discuss how the information has an impact on the project 
goals. What will the participants gain by attending the activity and 
how the knowledge, training, and skills gained, will improve the lives 
of children and families. Relate these performance indicators to the 
project goals, objectives, and outcomes. (Legal authority: Sections 
803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 
U.S.C. 2991b.)
    The applicant should discuss how the project will be sustainable or 
how the resulting product will be used to further the community's 
needs, goals, and objectives. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the 
Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
    Applicants should discuss and present objectives and goals to be 
achieved and evaluated at the end of each budget period. Project 
objectives support the identified need and should be measurable. (Legal 
authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act of 
1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
Criteria Five: Budget and Budget Justification/ Cost Effectiveness ( 5/
5 Points)
    An applicant must submit an itemized budget detailing the 
applicant's Federal and non-Federal share with source(s) of funding 
cited. The applicant should provide a detailed line item Federal and 
Non-Federal share budget by year for each year of project funds 
requested. A budget narrative describing the line item budget should be 
attached for each year of project funds requested. The budget should 
include a line item justification for each Object Class Category listed 
under Section B--``Budget Categories'' of the ``Budget Information-Non 
Construction Programs on the SF 424A form. The budget should include 
the necessary details to facilitate the determination of allowable 
costs and the relevance of these costs to the proposed project. Up to 
five points will be awarded for the budget and budget justification. Up 
to an additional five points will be added to the applicant's score 
based on the demonstration of an effective cost-benefit relationship 
for the proposed project. This criterion reflects ANA's concern with 
ensuring that the expenditure of its limited resources yields the 
greatest benefit possible in achieving the economic and social self-
sufficiency for Native American communities. (Legal authority: Sections 
803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 
U.S.C. 2991b.)
    Applicant should explain how the project components, not funded by 
ANA will be financed through other resources. The applicant is required 
to describe any specific financial circumstances, which may impact the 
project, such as any monetary or land settlements made to the 
applicant, and any restrictions on the use of those settlements. When 
the applicant appears to have other resources to support the proposed 
project and chooses not to use them, the applicant should explain why

[[Page 64716]]

it is seeking ANA funds and not utilizing its available resources to 
support the project. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
    The non-federal budget share should identify the source and be 
supported by letters of commitment (see Definitions). Letters of 
commitment are binding when they specifically state the nature, the 
amount, and conditions under which another agency or organization will 
support a project funded with ANA funds. These resources may be human, 
natural, or financial, and may include other Federal and non-Federal 
resources. For example, a letter from another Federal agency or 
foundation pledging a commitment of $200,000 in construction funding to 
complement proposed ANA funded pre-construction activity is evidence of 
a firm funding commitment. Statements that additional funding will be 
sought from other specific sources are not considered a binding 
commitment of outside resources. Letters of Support merely express 
another organization's endorsement of a proposed project. Support 
letters are not binding commitment letters. They do not factually 
establish the authenticity of other resources and do not offer or bind 
specific resources to the project. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of 
the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 
2991b.)
    If an applicant plans to charge or otherwise seek credit for 
indirect costs in its ANA application, a current copy of its Indirect 
Cost Rate Agreement should be included in the application, with all 
cost broken down by category so ANA reviewers can determine what is 
included in the indirect cost pool. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) 
of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 
2991b.)
    The budget includes sufficient funds for principal representatives, 
such as the chief financial officer or project director from the 
applicant organization to travel to one ANA post-award grant training 
and technical assistance workshop. This expenditure is mandatory for 
new grant recipients and optional for grantees that have had previous 
ANA grant awards. Applicants may also include costs to travel to an ANA 
grantee conference. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
    For business development projects, the proposal should demonstrate 
that the expected return on the ANA funds used to develop the project 
will provide a reasonable operating income and investment return within 
a specified time period. If a profit-making venture is being proposed, 
profits should be reinvested in the business in order to decrease or 
eliminate ANA's future participation. Such revenue should be reported 
as general program income. A decision will be made at the time of the 
grant award regarding appropriate use of program income. (See 45 CFR 
part 74 and part 92). (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)
Criteria Six: Project Introduction and Summary/Abstract (5 Points)
    The applicant should provide a Project Introduction. The 
Introduction will provide the reader an overview and some details of 
the proposed project. This is where the project is introduced to the 
peer review panel. Identify the name of the applicant, location of the 
community to be served by the proposed project, the project activities, 
amount requested, amount of matching funds to be provided, the length 
of time required to accomplish the project, and the outcomes or outputs 
to be achieved. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the Native 
Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b.)

Review and Selection Process

    Initial Screening: Each application submitted under this program 
announcement will undergo a pre-review screening to determine if (a) 
the application was received by the Program Announcement closing date; 
(b) the application was submitted in accordance with Section VI, 
``Application Submission Requirements''; (c) the applicant is eligible 
for funding in accordance with Section I of this program announcement; 
(d) the applicant has submitted the proper support documentation such 
as proof of non-profit status, resolutions, and required government 
forms; and (e) an authorized representative has signed the application. 
An application that does not meet one of the above elements will be 
excluded from the competitive review process. Ineligible applicant will 
be notified by mail within 30 business days from the closing date of 
this program announcement. ANA staff cannot respond to requests for 
information regarding funding decisions prior to the official applicant 
notification. After the Commissioner has made decisions on all 
applications, unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing 
within 90 days. Applicants are not ranked based on general financial 
need. Applicants, who are initially excluded from competition because 
of ineligibility, may appeal the decision. Likewise, applicants may 
also appeal an ANA decision that an applicant's proposed activities are 
ineligible for funding consideration. The appeals process is stated in 
the final rule published in the Federal Register on August 19, 1996 (61 
FR 42817 and 45 CFR part 1336, subpart C). (Legal authority: Sections 
803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 
U.S.C. 2991b.)
    Competitive Review Process: Applications that pass the initial 
screening process will be analyzed, evaluated and rated by an 
independent review panel on the basis of the evaluation criteria 
specified below. The evaluation criteria were designed to analyze and 
assess the quality of a proposed community-based project, the 
likelihood of its success, and the ability to monitor and evaluate 
community impact and long-term results. The evaluation criteria and 
analysis are closely related and are wholly considered in judging the 
overall quality of an application. Applications will be evaluated in 
accordance with the program announcement criteria and ANA's program 
areas of interest. An evaluation is made if the project presented is an 
effective use of federal funds. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of 
the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 
2991b.)
    Application Review Criteria: ANA has expanded the review criteria 
to allow for a more equitable distribution of points during the 
application review and competition process. ANA will improve the 
competitive review process through the use of six criteria that will 
evenly distribute evaluation points. The use of six criteria will 
standardize the review of each application and distribute the number of 
points more equitably. Based on the ACF Uniform Project Description, 
ANA's criteria categories are Project Introduction; Objectives and Need 
for Assistance; Project Approach; Organizational Capacity; Results and 
Benefits Expected; and Budget and Budget Narrative. (Legal authority: 
Sections 803(a) of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as 
amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b)
    ANA has a policy of not funding duplicative projects or allowing 
any one community to receive a disproportionate share of the funds 
available for award. When making decisions on awards of grants the 
Agency will consider whether the project is essentially identical or 
similar, in whole or significant part, to projects in the same 
community previously funded or being funded under the same competition. 
The

[[Page 64717]]

Agency will also consider whether the grantee is already receiving 
funding for a SEDS project or for another project from ANA. The Agency 
will also take into account in making funding decisions whether a 
proposed project would require funding on a indefinite or recurring 
basis.
    Application Consideration: The Commissioner's funding decision is 
based on an analysis of the application by the review panel, the panel 
review scores, recommendations of the ANA staff, comments of 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 Native American Programs Act 
(NAPA), all relevant statutory and regulatory requirements, this 
program announcement, and the availability of appropriated funds.
    The Commissioner reserves the right to award more, or less, than 
the funds described or under such circumstances as may be deemed to be 
in the best interest of the federal government. Applicants may be 
required to reduce the scope of projects based on the amount of 
approved award.

VI. Award Administration Information

    Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates: 120 days after the due 
date of applications.
    Award Notices: 120 days after the due date of applications.
    Administrative and National Policy Requirements: 45 CFR part 74 and 
45 CFR part 92 and 45 CFR part 1336, subpart C and 42 U.S.C. 2991 et 
seq.--Native American Programs Act of 1974;
    Reporting Requirements:
    Programmatic Reports: Quarterly.
    Financial Reports: Quarterly.
    Special Reporting Requirements: An original and two copies of each 
performance report and financial status report must be submitted to the 
Grants Officer. Failure to submit these reports when required will mean 
the grantee is non-compliant with the terms and conditions of the grant 
award and subject to administrative action or termination. Performance 
reports are submitted 30 days after each quarter (3-month intervals) of 
the project period. The final performance report, due 90 days after the 
project period end date, shall cover grantee performance during the 
entire project period. All grantees shall use the SF 269 (Long Form) to 
report the status of funds. Grantees shall submit quarterly Financial 
Status Reports that shall be due 30 days after the end of each quarter 
of each budget period. The final report shall be due 90 days after the 
end of the project period. (Legal authority: Sections 803(a) of the 
Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b; 45 
CFR 74.51 and 74.52; 45 CFR 92.40 and 92.41)

VII. Agency Contacts

    Program Office Contact: ANA Applicant Help Desk at 202-690-7776 or 
toll free at 1-877-922-9262.
    Grants Management Office Contact: Lois B. Hodge, 370 L'Enfant 
Promenade, SW., Aerospace Building 8th Floor-West, Washington, DC 
20447-0002, Telephone: (202) 401-2344, E-mail: [email protected].

VIII. Other Information

    Training and Technical Assistance: All potential ANA applicants are 
eligible to receive free T&TA in the SEDS, Language, or Environmental 
program areas. Prospective applicants should check ANA's web site for 
training and technical assistance dates and locations, or contact the 
ANA Applicant Help Desk at 1-877-922-9262. Due to the new application 
and program additions and modifications, ANA strongly encourages all 
prospective applicants to participate in free pre-application training. 
(Legal authority: Sections 804 of the Native Americans Programs Act of 
1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991c)
    Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-13): Under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, the Department is 
required to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for 
review and approval of any reporting and record keeping requirements in 
regulations including program announcements. This program announcement 
does not contain information collection requirements beyond those 
approved for ANA grant applications under the Program Narrative 
Statement by OMB (Approval Number 0980-0204).

Assurances and Certifications and Standard Application Forms

    Blank Federal Forms may be photocopied. Forms are also available 
electronically from the following Web site: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/form.htm.
    [sbull] SF-424A, Budget Information--Non construction Programs
    [sbull] SF-424B, Assurances--Non construction Programs
    [sbull] Non-Federal Share Waiver Request, per CFR 1336.50(b)
    [sbull] Disclosure of Lobbying Activities--as revised by OMB in 
January 1996 to reflect the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995
    [sbull] Certification Regarding Lobbying
    [sbull] Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace Requirements
    [sbull] Certification Regarding Environmental Tobacco Smoke
    [sbull] Certification Regarding Maintenance of Effort
    [sbull] Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other 
Responsibility Matters--Primary Covered Transactions
    [sbull] Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, 
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered Transactions

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This notice does not create any reporting or record keeping 
requirements requiring OMB clearance.

    Dated: October 31, 2003.
Sheila K. Cooper,
Director of Program Operations, Administration for Native Americans.
[FR Doc. 03-28443 Filed 11-13-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P