632.11—Designation of Native American grantees.
(a)
When designations are required and the potential grantee is not under a Master Plan agreement, an applicant for designation as a Native American grantee shall submit a notice of intent to apply for funds. Such notices of intent shall be postmarked by January 1 and be submitted to the Division of Indian and Native American Programs (DINAP), Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 601 D Street NW., Washington, DC. 20213. Notices of intent may also be delivered to that office in person not later than the close of business on January 2 or the first business day of the designation year. Such notices of intent to apply shall be submitted on Standard Form 424 as a preapplication for Federal assistance. For applicants not under an active Master Plan agreement or the Master Plan agreement is due to expire during the year of designation, the following information shall be included in the notice of intent:
(1)
Evidence that the applicant meets the requirements for a Native American grantee contained in § 632.10.
(2)
A description of the geographic area or areas which the applicant proposes to serve, together with the Indian and Native American population in such areas, to the extent known. The description must include a list of States (if more than one), in alphabetical order, and under each State, a list of counties in alphabetical order, followed by a list of tribes, bands or groups (if any) in alphabetical order. If the applicant was a Native American grantee for the period prior to the one which is being applied for, the applicant must also list any counties and tribes, bands or groups which are being added to, or deleted from, the previous fiscal year's service area;
(3)
A description of the applicant's organization, including the legal status of the applicant, the process of selection of the governing body, the duties and responsibilities of the governing body, and in the case of private nonprofit organizations, a copy of the articles of incorporation;
(4)
Evidence of the applicant's capability to operate an Indian or Native American employment and training program, including a statement of the applicant's past successes in operating programs for Indians or other Native Americans and a statement of the applicant's experience in managing the types of programs and activities allowable under the Act;
(5)
A description of the planning process including employer involvement which the applicant proposes to undertake in developing a plan for the use of funds;
(6)
Information related to a grantee's administrative responsibility. The DOL will conduct an independent review to determine whether each applicant is currently delinquent in repaying any DOL claims or has any outstanding administrative problems. Applicants are, therefore, encouraged to submit any documents related to these factors including documents and correspondence previously submitted to DOL. Submittal of such materials will enable DOL to move rapidly to complete the Notice of Intent and grantee designation review process.
(7)
If the applicant is applying as a consortium, evidence that the consortium meets the requirements for a consortium in this part and a consortium agreement as specified in § 632.10(d)(5)(iii).
(b)
If more than one organization submits a Notice of Intent for a geographic area, the Department will notify the organizations involved and conduct a special review for the area in question. The notice to the organizations will indicate any additional information needed and the review process to be followed.
(c)
If the applicant for designation is a current grantee, under a master plan agreement, and there is no change in the service area requested, only the Standard Form 424 and a statement(s) indicating that to the best of the applicant's knowledge, it meets the requirements of § 632.10(c)(4) will be necessary and shall be submitted within the timeframe established in § 632.11(a).
(d) Responsibility Review.
Prior to finally designating, conditionally designating or nondesignating the Department will conduct a review of the available records to determine whether or not the organization has failed any responsibility test. This review is intended to establish overall responsibility to administer Federal funds. With the exception of § 632.11 (c)(1) and (c)(3), the failure to meet any one of the following responsibility test factors would not establish that the organization is irresponsible unless the failure is substantial or persistent. The responsibility tests are as follows:
(1)
The agency's efforts to recover debts (for which three demand letters have been sent) established by final agency action have been unsuccessful, or failure to comply with an approved repayment plan.
(2)
Serious administrative deficiencies have been identified in final findings and determination—such as failure to maintain a financial management system as required by Federal regulations.
(5)
Substantial failure to provide services to applicants as agreed to in a current or recent grant or to meet performance standards requirements as provided for and developed pursuant to § 632.89.
(6)
Failure to correct deficiencies brought to the grantee's attention in writing as a result of monitoring activities, reviews, assessments, etc.
(7)
Failure to return a grant closeout package on outstanding advances within 90 days of expiration date or receipt of closeout package, whichever is later, unless an extension has been requested and granted; final billings reflecting serious cost category or total budget cost overrun.
(14)
Failure to establish a mechanism to resolve subrecipient's audit within established time frames.
(e)
On March 1 of each designation year, the Department shall designate or conditionally designate Native American grantees for the coming two program years. Each applicant shall be notified in writing of the determination. Those applicants that are not designated in whole or in part as Native American grantees may appeal under the complaint procedures available for this part. Conditional designations will include the nature of the conditions and the actions required to be finally designated.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget and assigned OMB control number 1205-0213)