FEDERAL AGENCY:

BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

AUTHORIZATION:

Snyder Act of 1921, Public Law 67-85, 42 Stat. 208, 25 U.S.C. 13; Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, Section 10, Public Law 73-383, 48 Stat. 986, 25 U.S.C. 470; Public Law 93-262, 88 Stat. 77 through 83, 25 U.S.C. 1451; Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, Public Law 93-638, as amended, 25 U.S.C. 450.

OBJECTIVES:

To assist Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments to develop resources to improve their economies through administration of credit programs and other economic development assistance activities.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Direct Payments for Specified Use. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Funds are used to administer tribal revolving loan programs and guaranty loan programs in order to develop resources to improve access to capital in tribal economies. Final approval of loan guarantees is restricted to the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments and their members. Complete information on beneficiary eligibility is found in 25 CFR, Parts 26 and 27.

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

Pre-application Coordination:   Not applicable. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   Initial applications to administer the program must contain the information specified in 25 CFR, Part 900, Subpart C, "Contract Proposal Contents." Completed applications should be submitted to the local Bureau of Indian Affairs agency office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog. In some instances, the application will be forwarded to the Regional Director for approval.

Award Procedure:   In most cases, the application to administer the program can be approved at the agency level. In some instances, the application will be forwarded to the Regional Director for approval.

Deadlines:   None.

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

Appeals:   A Federally Recognized Tribal Government or Native American Organization whose request to administer the program is denied 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:   Renewals may be granted 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.

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 payments will be negotiated with the contractor/grantee.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments and Native American Organizations administering the program must submit financial status reports, SF 269A. The timing and nature of program accomplishment data will be negotiated with the contractor/grantee.

Audits:   Grantees and subgrantees are responsible for obtaining audits in accordance with the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501 et. seq.).

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:   14-2100-0-1-452.

Obligations:   (Total Amount of Awards) FY 01 $1,320,000; FY 02 est $1,400,150; and FY 03 est $1,639,590.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  
$5,000 to $300,000; Average: $215,000.

Several Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments administer programs that monitor the status of existing loans made to its members and collect on loans made by re- lending programs and credit associations. The programs that may be administered include: guaranteed loans from the Loan Guaranty and Insurance Fund, Direct Loans, and grants from the Indian Business Development Program and Community and Economic Development Program. Some of the programs listed may not be open for new applications. The programs also provide assistance to American Indian owned businesses and individual American Indians in obtaining financing from private sources.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

25 CFR 26 and 25 CFR 27. For awards to Indian Tribal Governments see also 25 CFR Part 900.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   Applications may be filed with the local Bureau of Indian Affairs agency office as listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Headquarters Office:   Mike Lugar, Policy and Economic Development, Office of the Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs, 1849 C Street, N.W., MS-4071 MIB, Washington, District of Columbia 20240 Phone: (202) 219-0005.

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

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

An Indian Tribe in Arizona operates a credit program for its tribal members and has assisted many individuals and businesses in finding suitable loans and has improved the overall economic condition on the reservation.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Proposals to administer an economic development program are evaluated on the capability of the prospective applicant to successfully conduct the program and on budget and its effective use. All applicants meeting the criteria in 25 CFR Part 900 will be funded.