Tribal Education Department (TED) Grant Announcement.pdf

4337-15-P

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Indian Education

Bureau of Indian Education: Tribal Education Department (TED) Grants

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: The Secretary of the Interior (“Secretary”), through the Bureau of Indian

Education (BIE) hereby solicits grant proposals from Federally recognized Tribes and their

Tribal Education Departments (TED). These funds will assist Tribes in the development and operation of TEDs for the purpose of planning and coordinating all educational programs and support the development of TEDs to improve educational outcomes for their students. Grant awards are subject to the availability of funds as appropriated by Congress.

Funding Opportunity Notice: Bureau of Indian Education: Tribal Education Grants

Funding Opportunity Title: Bureau of Indian Education: Tribal Education Grants

Opportunity Category: Discretionary

Funding Instrument Type: Grant

Category of Funding Activity:

Expected Number of Awards: 32

Closing Date for Applications: 60 days

FUNDING AUTHORITY: 25 USC §2020

DATES: Proposals will be accepted until 5:00 P.M. Central Standard Time (MST) on

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2024 in order to be considered for funding. Proposals received after this time and date stamp will not be considered by the Awarding Official.

ADDRESSES: The preferred method of submitting proposals is to upload proposals to:

www.grants.gov

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For questions about the program:

Spike Bighorn

Program Manager

Bureau of Indian Education

Office of Sovereignty in Indian Education

200 NW 4th Street, Suite 4049

Oklahoma City, OK 73102

Mobile: (202) 499-0482

Email: spike.bighorn@bie.edu

For technical questions concerning the grant application, contact:

JoAnn Metcalfe

Grant Officer

(703) 390-6410

Jo.metcalfe@bia.gov

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

II. Number of Projects Funded

III. Background

IV. Eligible Applicants

V. Applicant Procurement Procedures

VI. Limitations

VII. TED Application Guidance

VIII. Review and Selection Process

IX. Transfer of Funds

X. Reporting Requirements for Award Recipients mailto:spike.bighorn@bie.edu

XI. Conflicts of Interest

XII. Questions and Requests for IEED Assistance

XIII. Authority

I. General Information

a. Award Ceiling: $160,000

b. Award Floor: $50,000

c. CFDA Number: 15.163

d. OMB Control Number: 1076-0185

e. Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No

f. Number of Awards: 32

g. Category: Education

II. Number of Projects Funded.

The BIE anticipates to award approximately thirty-two (32) agreement(s) under this announcement ranging in value from approximately $50,000 to $160,000. Subject to the availability of appropriated funds, quality of evaluated proposals, and other applicable considerations, a grant provided under this section shall be provided for a period of two (2) years.

III. Background.

Under 25 USC §2020 funds will support the program goals for the following areas that promote tribal education capacity building:

1. To provide for the development and enforcement of tribal educational codes, including tribal educational policies and tribal standards applicable to curriculum, personnel, students, facilities, and support programs;

2. To facilitate tribal control in all matters relating to the education of Indian children on reservations (and on former Indian reservations in Oklahoma);

3. To provide for the development of coordinated educational programs (including all preschool, elementary, secondary, and higher or vocational educational programs funded by tribal, Federal, or other sources) on reservations (and on former Indian reservations in

Oklahoma) by encouraging tribal administrative support of all Bureau-funded educational programs as well as encouraging tribal cooperation and coordination with entities carrying out all educational programs receiving financial support from other Federal agencies, State agencies, or private entities.

IV. Eligible Applicants:

• Federally-recognized Tribes and their TEDs

• Federally-recognized Tribes and their TEDs that serve Bureau-funded schools.

• Defined under 25 USC § 2020, priority will be given if their applications meet the following:

• Applicant serves three (3) or more separate Bureau-funded schools.

• Applicant provides coordinating services and technical assistance to all relevant BIE-funded schools.

• Applicant will monitor and audit these grant funds by or through the TED.

V. Applicant Procurement Procedures.

The applicant is subject to the procurement standards under 2 CFR 200.318 through 200.326. In accordance with 2 CFR 200.318, an applicant must use its own documented procurement procedures which reflect Tribal laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable Federal law and standards identified in Part 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Budget amounts for all printed and digital copies to be delivered in accordance with the grant agreement and, the contract should specify that all products generated by the vendor belong to the grantee and cannot be released to the public without the grantee’s written approval. Products include, but are not limited to, all reports and technical data obtained, maps, status reports, and the final report.

Application Guidance.

All applications must be submitted in digital form to grants.gov. For instructions, see https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/Applicants/HowToApplyForGrants.htm.

All TED applicants must submit the standard forms “package” as outlined in this section. These forms can be found under the “package” tab on the TED 2024 grant listing at www.grants.gov.

Incomplete applications will not be accepted. All forms listed in the announcement must be https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/Applicants/HowToApplyForGrants.htm submitted in grants.gov. Contact Jo Metcalfe, Jo.Metcalfe@bia.gov, no later than three weeks prior to the submission deadline regarding any issues associated with the application process.

Links to the mandatory components that must be included in each proposal package can be found under the “package” tab on the TED 2024 grant opportunity page at www.grants.gov, listed below:

A. Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) [V3.0]

B. An active Automated Standard Application for Payment (ASAP) registration with BIA is required. Applicants must have an ASAP number to be eligible; and

C. Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A) [V1.0]

D. Budget Narrative Attachment Form [V1.2]

E. Project Abstract Summary [V2.0]

F. Project Narrative Attachment Form [V1.2]

G. Attachments [V1.2]

a. Resolution or other required document

b. Critical Information Sheet or other required document

c. Etc.

H. Key Contacts [V2.0]

I.

A complete proposal must contain the following mandatory components as described below:

● Cover Sheet

2 Names with full contact information who will act as the Project Official and the

Administrative Official (this is usually the bookkeeper) for this project.

● Project Narrative (15 pages maximum);

● Budget Narrative (10 pages maximum);

● SF424

● SF424A

● Work Plan (10 pages maximum)

● Additional Documents (resumes, supporting tribal resolution for grant application, educational codes, etc.).

Proposals must include the above items or will not be reviewed. Please check all documents are included when uploading to www grants.gov

Cover Sheet

The cover sheet should contain the Tribe’s UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) number, Tribe’s

Name, Project Official, and the Administrative Official Name, with complete Contact

Information to include address, title, email and phone number. Please make sure an active

Automated Standard Application for Payment (ASAP) number is provided. Applicants must have an ASAP number to be eligible. The project director will identify a project coordinator, if necessary, to participate in monthly collaboration and update meetings, submit quarterly budget updates (also upload to GrantSolutions), ensure all financial and performance reports are submitted in GrantSolutions as well as an annual report at the end of each project year, and ultimately, ensure the TED fulfills the obligations of the grant. All project grants require a final financial and performance report which follows within 120 days upon the completion of this project to be uploaded into GrantSolutions.

The proposal must be prepared on standard 8-1/2” by 11” page format, single-spaced, single-sided, with 1” minimum margins. The type used must be 12-point at least and all written communication must be legible. Resumes may be single spaced.

Narrative Proposal (15 pages maximum) – 50 Total Points

The narrative proposal should explain the narrative for the tribe’s TED with a supporting tribal resolution. The resolution should show support for the grant submission but does not need to exhibit a pre-determined outcome. The tribe should ensure that the project narrative expresses the tribe’s vision to strengthen tribal engagement and participation in coordinating assistance to the tribe’s TED and support to BIE-funded schools. The narrative should be clear in terms of its expected outcome for student success and how this project will increase student competency that is more effective than the current tribal and school structures in place.

(A) Identify Project(s)Under the Grant Application (25 Points)

The project narrative should describe how the tribe in two (2) years will develop and implement one (1) or more of the following three (3) projects identified under 25 USC §

2020:

1. Tribal Educational Code Development

Project Request Amount: $50,000 to $160,000, depending on the project design and outcomes.

Description: The tribe and TED will provide for the development and enforcement of tribal educational codes, including tribal educational policies and tribal standards applicable to curriculum, personnel, students, facilities, support programs, and governance outcomes. If the tribe or TED will proceed with this program, the applicant should provide the current education code in place, if any, with a short description of the following:

a. Describe a brief history of the education code and its original purpose and goals. Provide a copy in your supplementary materials;

b. Describe the economic or institutional challenges in implementing the code;

c. Describe how this grant will address the challenges identified and how the grant will enhance the revision or enhancement of the tribal educational code impacting curriculum, personnel, students, facilities, and support programs;

d. Describe how the updated or implementation of the educational code will support the tribe’s vision, goals, and educational outcomes for the tribe’s students; and

e. Describe the general plan, goals, and expected outcomes with timelines and legislative analysis, tribal education staff, and other staff to support the development and implementation of tribal educational codes.

2. Tribal Educational Control

Description: The tribe and TED will facilitate tribal control in all matters relating to the education of Indian children on Indian lands.

a. Describe the current challenges confronting the tribe to prompt the educational need for the tribe to take tribal control in all matters relating to the education of Indian children on

Indian lands;

b. Describe how this grant will address the educational needs of the tribe to facilitate tribal educational control;

c. Describe the specific educational areas in which the tribe and TED will retain control and why these areas are critical;

d. Describe how the tribe or TED will address these critical educational and organizational areas with a well-defined plan, clear goals and expected outcomes, and realistic timelines and staffing to support the tribal education control relating to the education of Indian children on Indian lands.

e. Describe how the tribe and TED will work collaboratively with all Bureau-funded schools, TEDs, tribal administration programs, and other entities to build the capacity to take control and manage the education of Indian children on Indian lands.

3. Tribal Administrative Support

Description: The Tribe and TED will provide for the development of coordinated educational programs (including all preschool, elementary, secondary, and higher or vocational educational programs funded by tribal, Federal, or other sources) on Indian lands by encouraging tribal administrative support of all Bureau-funded educational programs as well as encouraging tribal cooperation and coordination with entities carrying out all educational programs receiving financial support from other Federal agencies, State agencies, or private entities.

a. Describe how this grant will allow the tribe or TED provide for the development of coordinated educational programs on Indian lands by encouraging tribal administrative support of all Bureau-funded educational programs as well as encouraging tribal cooperation and coordination with entities carrying out all educational programs receiving financial support from other Federal agencies, State agencies, or private entities;

b. Describe how the tribe or TED will address these programmatic areas by articulating the overall goal, plans, objectives, and expected outcomes with overall timeliness and staffing to support the tribal education control relating to the education of Indian children on Indian lands.

(B) Tribal Education Background and Vision (5 Points)

The project narrative must include a description of the following:

1. The tribe’s vision, educational goals and desired outcomes;

2. The tribe’s current challenges in fulfilling its vision, goals, and outcomes;

3. The tribe’s educational programs currently in place and existing partnerships with

Bureau-funded schools;

4. The tribe’s goals for changes in the organizations that are expected;

(C) Establishment of Grant Priority (20 Points)

In order to establish the priority for funding, the program narrative must also address the following in its application:

Describe the Bureau-funded schools the tribe serves;

1. Describe how the tribe or TED will monitor and audit grant funds by or through the TED;

2. Describe how the tribe or TED provides coordinating services and technical assistance to all relevant Bureau-funded schools. If the tribe has no pre-existing coordination of services, the tribe should describe the challenges to establishing those partnerships and how this grant will assist in establishing those supports;

3. Describe how the tribe or TED provides a plan and schedule that provides for:

a. the assumption, by the TED, all assets and functions of the Bureau agency office associated with the tribe, to the extent the assets and functions relate to education;

and

b. the termination by the Bureau of such functions and office at the time of such assumption; and

c. the assumption will occur over the term of the grant, unless mutually agreeable to the tribal governing body and the Assistant Secretary, the period in which such assumption is to occur may be modified, reduced, or extended after the initial year of the grant.

d. If the tribe will not assume these plans (a-b), the tribe should describe the challenges to these plans and how this grant will assist in establishing those functions.

In addition, the application must provide a formal resolution from the appropriate tribal governing body supporting the tribe’s grant application. If there is not a sufficient amount of time to obtain a tribal resolution, the TED must provide an explanation of the process and completed steps in the project narrative.

(2) Budget Narrative (10 pages maximum)—25 Points

The budget narrative should provide a short justification for each line item for the following cost breakdown. It should provide in detail the amount of grant funds that will be allocated to each budget category. Ensure a commitment of funds for travel to a post-award training for a grant manager or coordinator and a presentation of results for Tribes at the end of year one (1).

Locations have yet to be determined.

Salary: Funds used to cover staffing expenses, if any.

Benefits: Benefit calculated on hired staffing.

Travel: Provide approximate travel costs and justification for travel.

Non-capital Equipment: Provide description of equipment for staffing to fulfill the objectives of the proposal. Equipment will be reviewed prior to approval.

Consultant Fees: Provide number of consultants, proposed duties and expected work outcomes, costs, and sub-contractor costs.

Tribal Indirect Cost: Provide a current indirect cost (IDC) rate for your tribe with supplemental information supporting the IDC rate.

Grant awards will range from $50,000 to $160,000 per fiscal year depending on the project, number of educational programs impacted, project design and expected outcomes. Subject to the availability of appropriated funds, a grant provided under this section shall be provided for a period of two (2) years. If the performance of the grant recipient is satisfactory to the Secretary, the grant may be renewed for an additional period.

Year one (1) of the budget narrative should explain how the funds in each category will be used to begin the project, hire consultants, purchase supplies and equipment, for travel, and training. It should also describe any procurements, its purpose, and processes that will be used.

Year two (2) of the budget narrative should project how the funds in each category will be designated for the project to continue the project goals defined in year one (1). If awarded for years two (2).the grantee must update their budget narrative with a detailed budget narrative.

BIE will evaluate each tribe’s projected cost. An unrealistically high (or low) budget in the proposal will impact points in this section. The budget narrative should include sufficient descriptions to enable BIE to evaluate the tribe’s projected cost and determine the reasonableness of the price submitted. Travel cost must be in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulations. If the expected implementation plan extends beyond year two (2) funds, the tribal education agency should explain the sustainability of the tribally managed school system with current funds.

(3) Work Plan (10 pages maximum)—25 Points

The work plan must describe the goals, objectives, tasks, responsible parties, timelines, and expected outcomes. The statement of work must align to the budget submitted. We highly recommend the inclusion of timelines that factor in tribal grant award processes, if awarded, that may include, tribal grant award acceptance, tribal human resource hiring, and/or consultant hiring in both the work plan and the budget narrative.

VIII. Review and Selection Process. A Committee comprised of BIE members will evaluate the proposals against the ranking criteria. Only those proposals which meet all of the factors will be evaluated using the evaluation criteria listed above. Each proposal will be given a numerical score and will be rank-ordered according to the numerical score. Preliminary funding recommendations will be provided to the Approving Official based on this ranking. Any solicitation that is received after 5:00 P.M. Central Standard Time (CST) on October 15, 2024 will not be reviewed.

Other Factors. Final funding decisions will be made by the Approving Official based on the rankings and preliminary recommendations for the BIE evaluation team. In making the final funding decisions, the Approving Official may also consider programmatic priorities and geographic diversity of funds. Once final decisions have been made, a funding recommendation will be developed and forwarded for developing a cooperative agreement.

VIII. Evaluation Criteria

1. BIE reserves the right to make an award based on the outcome of the scoring of the proposal.

All the requirements must be addressed in your proposal, if any are omitted your response may be non-responsive and not evaluated.

2. The tribe must be registered in the Central Tribe Registration (CTR) in order to receive a contract or grant from the Federal Government pursuant to FAR 52.204-7 Central Tribe

Registration (Apr 2008).

3. The source selection will be conducted in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation

(FAR) Sub-Parts 15.3 and 12.6, with the intention to award a single fixed-price contract.

4. The evaluation of factors other than cost or price, when combined, is significantly more important than cost or price.

5. Evaluation Scoring: BIE will evaluate all elements of the proposal according to the evaluation criteria. Each proposal will be scored on a scale of 0 to 100.

Scoring – Total Points 100

90 to 100 Points:

Outstanding

The response is very comprehensive, in-depth, and clear. Proposal consistently addresses requirements identified in the Project Narrative, Budget Narrative, Work Plan, Staffing, and Projected Costs. The grant exceeds the four (4) areas of priorities for application. The Proposal consistently meets the requirements with no omissions. The consistently high-quality outcome can be expected.

80 to 89 Points:

Excellent

Extensive, detailed response to all requirements identified in the Project

Narrative, Budget Narrative, Work Plan, Staffing, and Projected Costs. The grant meets at least three (3) of the four (4) areas of priorities for application.

The quality is similar to outstanding in quality but with minor areas of unevenness or spottiness. High-quality outcome is likely but not assured due to minor omissions or areas where less than excellent outcome might be expected.

70 to 79 Points: The response generally meets requirements identified in the Project

Satisfactory Narrative, Budget Narrative, Work Plan, Staffing, and Projected Costs, but there is no expectation of better than acceptable Grant. The grant meets at least two (2) of the four (4) areas of priorities for application. Deficiencies are confined to areas with minor impact on Grant and can be corrected during negotiation without minor revision to the proposal.

60 to 69 Points:

Poor

The response fails to meet one (1) or more requirements identified in the

Project Narrative, Budget Narrative, Work Plan, Staffing, and Projected

Costs. The grant meets at least one (1) of the four (4) areas of priorities for application. Deficiencies exist in significant areas but can be corrected during negotiations without major revision to the proposal or serious deficiencies exist in areas with minor impact.

0 to 59 Points:

Unsatisfactory

Serious deficiencies exist in significant areas identified in the Project

Narrative, Budget Narrative, Work Plan, Staffing, and Projected Costs. The grant meets none of the four (4) areas of priorities for application. The proposal cannot be expected to meet the stated requirements without major revisions. The proposal only indicates a willingness to perform in accordance with the requirements document without specifying how or demonstrating the capability to do so. Only vague indications of the required capability are present.

Further description of these mandatory components is as follows:

1. Mandatory Component 1: Cover Sheet (1 page maximum)

2. Mandatory Component 2: Project Narrative (15 pages maximum)

3. Mandatory Component 3: Budget Narrative (10 pages maximum)

4. Mandatory Component 4: Work Plan (10 pages maximum)

5. Mandatory Component 5: Additional Documentation (resumes, supporting tribal resolution for grant application, educational codes, etc.)

The cover sheet should contain the Tribe’s DUNS number, Tribe’s Name, Project Director

Name, and Contact Information. The proposal must be prepared on standard 8-1/2” by 11” page format, single-spaced, single-sided, with 1” minimum margins. The type used must be 12-point or larger and all written communication must be legible. Resumes may be single spaced.

Submission Dates and Times

The closing date and time for submission of proposals is October 15, 2024, 5:00 P.M., Central

Standard Time (CST). Proposals received after this time and date stamp will not be considered by the Awarding Official.

IX. Transfer of funds. All payments under this agreement will be made by electronic funds transfer through the application named Automated Standard Application for Payment (ASAP).

All award recipients are required to have a currently active and accurate Unique Entity Identifier

(UEI) number to receive funds. All payments will be deposited to the banking information designated by the applicant in the System for Award Management (SAM).

X. Reporting Requirements for Award Recipients – Recipients must submit narrative quarterly performance reports and, in addition, a quarterly financial report utilizing SF425 federal financial report 30 days following each quarter. Both a final narrative and a final financial report are due 120 days after the period of performance end date.

XI. Conflicts of Interest

In addition, this funding opportunity (NOFO) and financial assistance award must adhere to the following provisions:

I. Conflicts of Interest

Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) and financial assistance awards must include the full text of the following Conflict of Interest Provisions (a)-(f).

(a) Applicability.

(1) This section intends to ensure that non-Federal entities and their employees take appropriate steps to avoid conflicts of interest in their responsibilities under or with respect to

Federal financial assistance agreements.

(2) In the procurement of supplies, equipment, construction, and services by recipients and by subrecipients, the conflict-of-interest provisions in 2 CFR 200.318 apply.

(b) Requirements.

(1) Non-Federal entities must avoid prohibited conflicts of interest, including any significant financial interests that could cause a reasonable person to question the recipient's ability to provide impartial, technically sound, and objective performance under or with respect to a

Federal financial assistance agreement.

(2) In addition to any other prohibitions that may apply with respect to conflicts of interest, no key official of an actual or proposed recipient or subrecipient, who is substantially involved in the proposal or project, may have been a former Federal employee who, within the last one (1) year, participated personally and substantially in the evaluation, award, or administration of an award with respect to that recipient or subrecipient or in development of the requirement leading to the funding announcement.

(3) No actual or prospective recipient or subrecipient may solicit, obtain, or use non-public information regarding the evaluation, award, or administration of an award to that recipient or subrecipient or the development of a Federal financial assistance opportunity that may be of competitive interest to that recipient or subrecipient.

(c) Notification.

(1) Non-Federal entities, including applicants for financial assistance awards, must disclose in writing any conflict of interest to the DOI awarding agency or pass-through entity in accordance with 2 CFR 200.112, Conflicts of Interest.

(2) Recipients must establish internal controls that include, at a minimum, procedures to identify, disclose, and mitigate or eliminate identified conflicts of interest. The recipient is responsible for notifying the Financial Assistance Officer in writing of any conflicts of interest that may arise during the life of the award, including those that have been reported by subrecipients.

(d) Restrictions on Lobbying. Non-Federal entities are strictly prohibited from using funds under this grant or cooperative agreement for lobbying activities and must provide the required certifications and disclosures pursuant to 43 CFR Part 18 and 31 USC 1352.

(e) Review Procedures. The Financial Assistance Officer will examine each conflict of interest disclosure on the basis of its particular facts and the nature of the proposed grant or cooperative agreement, and will determine whether a significant potential conflict exists and, if it does, develop an appropriate means for resolving it.

Enforcement. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the Government may be cause for termination of the award. Failure to make required disclosures may result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.338, Remedies for Noncompliance, including suspension or debarment (see also 2 CFR Part 180).

XII. Questions and Requests for BIE Assistance. BIE staff can provide technical assistance in the application process. Applicants may contact:

Spike Bighorn

Program Manager

Bureau of Indian Education

Office of Sovereignty in Indian Education

200 NW 4th Street, Suite 4049

Oklahoma City, OK 73102

Mobile: (202) 499-0482

Email: spike.bighorn@bie.edu

Notification

(a) Data Availability Applicability. The Department of the Interior is committed to basing its decisions on the best available science and providing the American people with enough information to thoughtfully and substantively evaluate the data, methodology, and analysis used by the Department to inform its decisions.

(b) Use of Data. The regulations at 2 CFR 200.315 apply to data produced under a Federal award, including the provision that the Federal Government has the right to obtain, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use the data produced under a Federal award as well as authorize others to receive, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use such data for Federal purposes.

(c) Availability of Data. The recipient shall make the data produced under this award and any subaward(s) available to the Government for public release, consistent with applicable law, to allow meaningful third party evaluation and reproduction of the following:

(i) The scientific data relied upon;

(ii) The analysis relied upon; and

(iii) The methodology, including models, used to gather and analyze data.

XVII. Paperwork Reduction Act

XVIII. Authority

This opportunity is offered under the authority of the FY 2023 Interior Appropriations Bill, Congressionally Directed Capacity Building Grant for Tribal Education Grants.