Tribal Court Assistance Program

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Program Accomplishments

Congress appropriated approximately $7.982 million to continue the tribal court initiative. BJA issued a competitive solicitation announcement calling for potential grantees to submit concept papers. Applications submitted 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.

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.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

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

Tribes that received FY 2006 or FY 2007 funding are not eligible to apply for a FY 2008 grant.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Indian Tribal governments.

Credentials/Documentation

Costs will be determined in accordance with 2 C.F.R., Part 225 for State, local and tribal governments.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication 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 Procedures

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 Procedures

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.

Authorization

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008, P.L. 110-161.

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 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards as noted in Circular No. A-133. Performance Measures: To assist in fulfilling the Department's responsibilities under the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), P.L. 103-62, applicants who receive funding under this solicitation must provide data that measures the results of their work.

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.

Obigations

FY 07 $7,897,824; FY 08 $8,630,000; and FY 09 est not available.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

CATEGORY I: PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING AN INTERTRIBAL COURT SYSTEM FOR SMALLER POPULATIONS. Grant maximum: $200,000. CATEGORY II: PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING A SINGLE-TRIBE COURT SYSTEM. Grant maximum: $200,000. CATEGORY III: ENHANCING OR CONTINUING THE OPERATION OF TRIBAL COURTS: Grant maximum: $150,000 to $175,000.

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

Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Department of Justice, 810 Seventh Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20531. Contact: Robert Brown, Sr. Policy Advisor. Telephone: (202) 616-6500 or (1-866) 859-2687 or E-mail: AskBJA@usdoj.gov.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

None.