FEDERAL AGENCY:

BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

AUTHORIZATION:

Snyder Act of 1921, Public Law 67-85, 25 U.S.C. 13; Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, Public Law 93- 638, as amended.

OBJECTIVES:

To improve the educational opportunities for Indian adults who lack the level of literacy skills necessary for effective citizenship and productive employment and to encourage the establishment of adult education programs.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Direct Payments for Specified Use. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

All funds must be for direct services. Funds may not be used for administration.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments and members of American Indian Tribes.

Credentials/Documentation:   Initial application must be accompanied by a resolution of the governing body of the Indian tribe.

Pre-application Coordination:   The applicant should consult the Agency/Area Program Administrator for Education. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   Initial applications must contain the information specified in 25 CFR, Part 900, Subpart C, "Contract Proposal Contents." Completed applications should be submitted to the local BIA agency or area office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Award Procedure:   The dollar value of the awards depends upon the amount that has been prioritized by the individual Tribe through tribal participation in the BIA's budget formulation process.

Deadlines:   None.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Applications will be processed within 90 days.

Appeals:   An unsuccessful applicant may request an informal conference with the deciding official, or may appeal the denial of the application to the Interior Board of Indian Appeals, or may bring suit in U.S. District Court. Full appeal procedures are found in 25 CFR, Part 900.

Renewals:   Awards may be renewed indefinitely upon satisfactory performance by the contractor/grantee. A notice of intent to renew should be submitted at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the current award. The amount of the award may be adjusted as a result of individual tribal priorities established in the budget formulation process.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   Not applicable.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Awards are made on an annual basis. Payments may be made in advance or by way of reimbursement. The timing of the payments will be negotiated with the Indian tribe.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Financial status reports, SF 269A, are required. Program accomplishment reporting requirements will be negotiated with the Self- Determination contractor/grantee.

Audits:   For awards made under this program, grantees are responsible for obtaining audits in accordance with the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501 et seq) and OMB Circular A-133. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records:   Financial records must be retained for 3 years from the date of submission of the single audit report. Procurement records must be retained for 3 years from the date of final payment. Property records must be retained for 3 years from the date of disposition, replacement, or transfer. Records pertaining to any litigation, audit exceptions or claims must be retained until the dispute has been resolved.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   14-2100-0-1-501.

Obligations:   (Total Available for Awards) FY 01 $2,062,000; FY 02 est $2,157,300; and FY 03 est $2,291,600.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  
Range is $100 to $297,000; Average $35,900.

Approximately 140 tribes receive funding to provide educational opportunities for adults.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

25 CFR, Part 46; 25 CFR, Part 900.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   See Education Line Officers' addresses in Catalog Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Headquarters Office:   James Martin 1849 C Street, Washington, District of Columbia 20240 Email: james.martin@bia.edu Phone: (202) 208-5810

Web Site Address:  
http://www.bia.gov

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Courses include Adult Basic Education (ABE), preparation for the General Educational Development Test (GED); life-coping skills such as budgeting, driver training and filing of Federal and State taxes; and continuing education courses such as typing and computer literacy.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

All applicants meeting the requirements of 25 CFR Part 900 will be selected.