Economic, Social, and Political Development of the Territories and the Freely Associated States (15.875)
Program
15.875 Economic, Social, and Political Development of the Territories and the Freely Associated States
Federal Agency
OFFICE OF INSULAR AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Authorization
Act of February 20, 1929, 45 Stat. 1253, 48 U.S.C. 1661; Public Law 97-357, 96 Stat. 1709; Public Law 98-454; Public Law 94-241, 90 Stat. 272; Joint Resolution of July 18, 1947, 61 Stat. 397; Act of June 30, 1954, 68 Stat. 330, as amended, 90 Stat. 299, 91 Stat. 1159, 92 Stat. 495; Public Law 99-239.
Program Number
15.875
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To promote the economic, social, and political development of the territories and freely associated states, leading toward greater self-government and self-sufficiency for each of them.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants (Discretionary).
Uses and Use Restrictions
The base program provides Federal funding for support of the operations of the American Samoa Government and the freely associated States of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau. In addition, Federal funding is provided for capital improvement programs and technical assistance in American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the freely associated States. Six percent of the funds are set aside for discretionary grants.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Eligible applicants are the U.S. territories of Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands; and the freely associated States of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Beneficiaries are the U.S. territories of Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and the freely associated States of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
Credentials/Documentation
Costs will be determined in accordance with 43 CFR Part 12, Subpart C, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments." Section 12.62 (of the common rule), identifies Federal cost principles for determining allowable costs; or in accordance with negotiated terms in the Compacts of Free Association (Public Law 99-239 and Public Law 99-658, as amended).
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Budget submission instructions, outlining specific requirements, dates, and formats, are issued annually to the U.S. territories and the freely associated States. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102, OMB Circular No. A-110, and E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
For discretionary grants, applications generally must be signed by the Governor or Chief Executive and may be submitted at any time. Direct payments are provided in accordance with appropriation laws and accompanying reports.
Award Procedure
A grant award is made to each territorial government entity in the specific amounts and for the specific purposes set forth in the annual Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriation Act signed by the President. Payments under the Compacts of Free Association are made in accordance with negotiated terms and procedures.
Deadlines
None.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Not applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula and no matching requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Grant funds are available until expended and are provided, as required, and through wire transfer arrangements, depending on the purpose for the funds and funding arrangements with the individual territories or freely associated states.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Reports that are required by 43 CFR Part 12, Subpart C, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments," must be submitted on a timely basis. The Compacts of Free Association contain negotiated reporting requirements.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133, (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
Record retention requirements are the same as those contained in 43 CFR Part 12, Subpart C, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments."
Program Accomplishments
Advancement of economic, social, and political development of the territories, through providing operational and technical support to the governments and construction of basic infrastructure, improving the quality of life for all peoples throughout the territories.
Financial Information
Account Identification
14-0412-0-1-806; 14-0414-0-1-806; 14-0415-0-1-806.
Obligations
(Grants and Direct Payments) FY 02 $208,345,000; FY 03 est $186,205,000; and FY 04 est $186,305,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Not applicable.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
None.
Related Programs
None.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Not applicable.
Headquarters Office
Director, Financial Management Division, Office of Insular Affairs, Department of the Interior, Washington, DC 20240. Telephone: (202) 208-6971 and Fax (202) 208-7585. Use the same number for FTS.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Operational support grants to territories and grants for construction of basic infrastructure including roads, water systems, power, sewer, schools, and hospital facilities.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Directed appropriations, Capital Infrastructure Plans and Technical Assistance Applications.
