[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 7, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32999-33000]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-8864]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Indian Affairs


Announcement of Fund Availability, Competitive Grant Program

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of funding availability and solicitation of 
applications.

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SUMMARY: This notice informs Indian tribes that grant funds are 
available through a Competitive Grant Program and that the Office of 
Indian Energy and Economic Development (IEED) is soliciting 
applications from eligible interested entities. To encourage greater 
tribal participation in this initiative, IEED is offering grants to 
assist federally-recognized Indian tribes in preparing tribal plans 
designed for participation in Public Law 102-477.

DATES: Applications must be received on or before July 7, 2006. 
Applications received after this date will not be considered.

ADDRESSES: Mail or hand deliver applications to: Office of Indian 
Energy and Economic Development, Attention: Lynn Forcia, Chief, 
Division of Workforce Development, Mail Stop 18-SIB, 1951 Constitution 
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20240. Potential applicants should fax a 
request for a copy of the guidance to (202) 208-6991.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynn Forcia, (202) 219-5270 or Jody 
Garrison, (202) 208-2685.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This solicitation consists of six parts.
     Part I provides the funding description and background 
information.
     Part II describes the selection criteria.
     Part III provides the form and content of application 
submission.
     Part IV provides application review information.
     Part V provides information for selection and non-
selection of applicants for award.
     Part VI describes the authority which grants this 
solicitation for applications for this grant.

I. Background

    Congress enacted Public Law 102-477 (477) on October 23, 1992, with 
full tribal participation, and 477 was implemented on January 1, 1994. 
The 477 initiative is a program that enables tribes to consolidate 
Federal funds and devote up to 25 percent of their total resources for 
economic development projects. The 477 Tribal Work Group, composed of 
existing grantees, has provided training for tribes wishing to 
participate in this program.
    Independent studies, congressional testimony, the Office of 
Management and Budget's PART review, and 477 participating tribes have 
all recognized 477 as an innovative and successful program of benefit 
to tribes. However, the program has grown slowly over the past 12 
years. Many tribes not a part of 477 have lacked the opportunity to 
determine whether their participation in this program would be suitable 
for their communities.
    To encourage greater tribal participation in this highly successful 
initiative, the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development (IEED) 
is offering grants to assist tribes to develop 477 plans. A limited 
number of tribal grantees, chosen on a competitive basis, will be 
provided funding of up to $25,000 to develop a 477 plan that will meet 
statutory requirements.

II. Selection Criteria

    IEED will select applicants for the grant funding based upon the 
following criteria:
     40 percent--the tribe's demonstration that it lacks 
resources necessary to prepare a plan;
     30 percent--the extent to which the tribal staff 
responsible for implementation of the program will have been involved 
in the preparation of a plan; and
     30 percent--the extent to which job creation and/or job 
accessibility activities are planned.
    In order to be considered eligible for consideration, tribes must 
document successful audits for the past 2 years.

III. Form and Content of Application Submission

    All applications must contain the following information or 
documentation:
    (1) Standard Form 424, Application for Financial Assistance.
    (2) Budget not to exceed $25,000, which identifies proposed 
expenses (1-2 pages).
    (3) Narrative (not to exceed 5 pages) which--
    (a) Identifies the Federal programs the tribe intends to 
incorporate into the 477 plan, with estimated funding levels;
    (b) Explains the tribe's need for financial assistance to prepare a 
plan;
    (c) States why the tribe intends to participate in Public Law 102-
477 and the expected measurable outcome; and,
    (d) Provides the contact person's name, address, and fax and 
telephone numbers.
    (4) One copy of the single audit for the past 2 years, if tribe is 
required to complete audits.

IV. Application Review Information

    Within 30 days of receiving the application, IEED will acknowledge 
receipt by letter to the applicant. The application will be reviewed 
for completeness to determine if it contains all of the items required. 
If the application is incomplete or ineligible, it will be returned to 
the applicant with an explanation from the Division of Workforce 
Development.
    A review team will evaluate all applications and make overall 
recommendations based on factors such as eligibility, application 
completeness, and conformity to application requirements. They will 
score the applications based on criteria under the heading ``Selection 
Criteria.'' All applications that are complete and eligible will be 
ranked competitively based on the criteria under the heading

[[Page 33000]]

``Form and Content of Application Submission.''

V. Notification of Selection/Non-Selection

    Those tribes selected to participate will be notified by letter. 
Tribes will be notified within 60 days of the application deadline. 
Upon notification, each tribe selected will be awarded a grant.
    The Chief, Division of Workforce Development will notify each tribe 
of non-selection.

VI. Authority

    This notice is published in accordance with Public Law 102-477 and 
is in the exercise of authority delegated to the Principal Deputy 
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs by 209 DM 8.

    Dated: May 22, 2006.
Michael D. Olsen,
Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
 [FR Doc. E6-8864 Filed 6-6-06; 8:45 am]
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