[Federal Register: March 19, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 52)]
[Notices]
[Page 12812-12813]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19mr07-75]
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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 April 18, 2007.
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 20-SIB, 1951 Constitution
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20245. 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 it 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 up to $25,000 to develop a 477 plan, which will meet
statutory requirements.
II. Selection Criteria
IEED will select applicants for the grant funding based upon the
following criteria:
40 percent need--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 ``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.
[[Page 12813]]
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: March 7, 2007.
Michael D. Olsen,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. E7-4953 Filed 3-16-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-4M-P
