Indian Education Facilities, Operations, and Maintenance
The Department of the Interior protects and provides access to the Nation's natural and cultural heritage, including responsibilities to Indian tribes and island communities. Departmental goals include resource protection and usage, overseeing recreational opportunities, serving communities and excellence in management.
Program Accomplishments
Almost 100 elementary and secondary schools on or near Indian reservations are operated by Indian tribes or Tribal School Boards. These funds help ensure that the facilities used to educate these students are safe, clean, and well maintained.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Funds may be used for salaries and related expenses of maintenance personnel, utilities, maintenance of school grounds, supplies, equipment, materials, and for minor repairs to facilities.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments or tribal organizations currently served by a BIA funded elementary or secondary school or peripheral dormitory.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments and occupants and visitors of BIA funded elementary or secondary schools or peripheral dormitories.
Credentials/Documentation
Initial application must be accompanied by a resolution of the governing body of the Indian tribe. If the school serves students from multiple tribes, resolutions from tribal governing bodies representing at least 90 percent of the students are required.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
An applicant should consult the Agency/Regional Education Program Administrator who will provide technical assistance.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
Initial applications for status as a contract school must contain the information specified in 25 CFR, Part 900, Subpart C, "Contract Proposal Contents." Initial applications for status as a grant school should be developed in accordance with 25 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.
Award Procedures
Applications should be submitted to the Agency/Regional Education Program Administrator (EPA) who will ensure that the application is complete. The application is forwarded by the EPA to the Director, Office of Indian Education Programs, with a recommendation for approval or disapproval. The dollar value of the awards is based upon school age and condition, size, utilities costs, and other pertinent factors.
Deadlines
First-time applications should be submitted by March 1.
Authorization
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, Public Law 93-638, as amended, 25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.; Indian Education Amendments of 1978, Public Law 95-561, 25 U.S.C. 2001; Tribally Controlled Schools Act, 25 U.S.C. 2501.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Applications will be processed within 90 to 180 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 and continued use of the facilities. 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 based on appropriations and need.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
None.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Awards are made on an annual basis and the funds remain available until expended by the contractor/grantee. 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 contractor/grantee.
Audits
For awards made under this program, grantees/contractors are responsible for obtaining audits. All nonfederal entities that expend $500,000 or more of Federal awards in a year ($300,000 for fiscal year ending on or before December 30, 2003) are required to obtain an annual audit in accordance with the Single Audit Act Admendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501 et. seq.) and OMB Circular A-133 Compliance Supplement and Government Auditing Standards. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 (for fiscal years ending after December 1, 2003) a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in OMB Circular 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.
Obigations
(Grants) FY 07 Operations $32,600,000 Maintenance $27,400,000; FY 08 est Operations $33,000,000 Maintenance $26,800,000; and FY 09 est Operations $33,000,000 Maintenance $26,800,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$9,600 to $1,326,000; $360,000.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
25 CFR Part 900; OMB Circular A-87, "Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments."
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Applications may be filed with the local Bureau of Indian Affairs agency/regional education program administrator as listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Headquarters Office
Office of Indian Education Programs, Bureau of Indian Affairs, MS 3609 MIB, 1849 C Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20240. Contact: Joe Herrin. Telephone: (202) 208-7658. FTS is not available.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
All applicants meeting the requirements of 25 CFR Part 900 or the requirements of the Tribally Controlled Schools Act will be selected if they are currently served by a BIA-funded school.
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