FEDERAL AGENCY:

OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS, CORRECTIONS PROGRAMS OFFICE, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

AUTHORIZATION:

Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act.

OBJECTIVES:

To assist tribal governments in the development, enhancement, and continuing operation of tribal judicial systems, including inter-tribal court systems.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Planning grants are designed to help tribal governments without tribal judicial systems develop a strategy and implementation plan. Tribes must establish a development team that will guide the development of partnerships and identify local community priorities for the new court. Implementation/enhancement grants are designed to establish a core structure for a tribal court based upon a formal plan, or enhance continuing tribal court personnel, acquiring additional equipment, enhancing prosecution and indigent defense, and other related activities.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Federally recognized Indian Tribal governments are eligible to apply for and receive funds under this program.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Indian Tribal governments.

Credentials/Documentation:   Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments.

Pre-application Coordination:   The standard application forms (SF- 424) as furnished by the Federal agency in accordance with 28 CFR, Part 66 (Common Rule), must be used for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by the Common Rule, must be used for this program. Awards through this program will be competitive, based upon the extent and urgency of the need of each applicant.

Award Procedure:   BJA reviews applications for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with all program requirements. Upon approval by the Assistant Attorney General, OJP, award letters and award documents are sent to the grantee. One copy of the grant award must be signed by a duly authorized representative and returned to BJA.

Deadlines:   The program solicitation contains application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Normally, 90 days after receipt of applications.

Appeals:   See 28 CFR Part 18.

Renewals:   Any further grant awards are dependant on further tribal court funding and a competitive process.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   Grant may be made for amounts up to 100 per cent of the costs of the program or projects contained in the approved applications.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Generally, up to 18 months.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Unless otherwise specified in the award's special conditions, financial reports are due quarterly and progress reports are due semi-annually; in some cases, evaluation reports may be required.

Audits:   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 as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records:   Recipients of Federal funds are expected to retain documentation supporting all program transactions for at least 3 years after the closure of audit reports related to such funding. If any litigation, claim, negotiation, audit, or other action involving records has been started before the expiration of the 3-year period, the records must be retained until completion of the action and resolution of all related issues, or until the end of the regular 3-year period, whichever is later.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   15-0404-0-1-754.

Obligations:   (Grants) FY 01 $2,484,837; FY 02 est $17,748,088; and FY 03 est $7,982,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  
See solicitation guidelines posted on the Office of Justice Programs web site at http://www.ojp.gov/funding/solicitations.htm and/or www.bja.gov.

In fiscal year 2001, Congress appropriated approximately $7.982 million to continue the tribal court initiative. In April 2001, BJA issued a competitive solicitation announcement calling for potential grantees to submit concept papers. Applications submitted during fiscal year 2001 will request funding under one of two categories: 1) planning for development of tribal courts; and 2) the implementation, enhancement, and continuing operation of tribal courts.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

Office of Justice Programs Financial Guide and Handbook 4500.2c, Policies and Procedure for the Administration of OJP Grants, are applicable.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   None.

Headquarters Office:   Trish Thackston U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance, 810 Seventh Street, N.W., Washington, District of Columbia 20531 Email: AskBJA@usdoj.gov Phone: 202-307-0581

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

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Not applicable.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

None.