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Federal Assistance Programs Retrieval System (FAPRS)

The Federal Assistance Programs Retrieval System (FAPRS) is a computerized question-answer system designed to provide rapid access to Federal domestic assistance program information. The system provides information on Federal programs which meet the developmental needs of the applicant and for which the applicant meets basic eligibility criteria. Program information provided by FAPRS is determined from input supplied by the requestor. Input includes the types of applicant (e.g., State or local governments, federallydesignated Indian tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, small businesses, individuals), the type of assistance under which programs are administered (e.g., grants, loans); and the specific functional categories and subcategories of interest. Based upon the input supplied, the output consists of: (1) a list of program numbers and titles; (2) the full text of selected programs; or (3) specific sections of the program text.

The keyword search facility of FAPRS was added as the direct result of users' requests. The new features allow the applicant to (1) perform a program search of all Catalog programs by using up to five "keywords" or phrases with several operators; (2) position the keyword options in the same order, paragraph or program or within a selected range of words; and (3) determine the number of programs and occurrences selected. (This allows programs to be listed by program number and titles, with the option to view each occurrence in context.) Keyword search is designed for experienced users and provides greater search specificity. The original menu-driven FAPRS category search facility is still available to all users.

As originally developed, FAPRS was designed to aid small, rural, isolated communities unfamiliar with Federal assistance programs or unable to locate Federal aid programs that had the greatest funding potential. The present FAPRS is an enhanced version which was developed by incorporating data provided from an analysis of FAPRS users and an OMB study of the overall requirements for Federal information systems. FAPRS may now be accessed by both rural and urban communities.

FAPRS consists of the following features:

1. Functional search criteria—20 functional categories and 175 subcategories to specify areas

of interest, as listed in the Functional Index of the Catalog.

2. Applicant eligibility search criteria-10 government related and 11 non-government relat

ed applicant types.

3. Type(s) of assistance search criteria–15 type of assistance categories.

4. A display of definitions for functional subcategories, applicant types, and types of assist

ance to assist the user in selecting the desired search criteria.

5. Program text printout selection to print entire text(s) or only specified sections of text(s) if

desired.

6. Formatted display of Federal circular coordination requirements for a selected list of pro

grams.

States have designated access points where FAPRS searches may be requested. In addition, bulletins on FAPRS are available from the system to inform users of the addition or deletion of programs, changes to program numbers from one update cycle to the next, and enhancements or changes to the system. For volume users, direct access to FAPRS is available through GSA on a cost-reimbursable basis.

For further information pertaining to the Catalog, FAPRS (including obtaining the location of the nearest State access point, or procedures for directly accessing the system), or the purchase of Catalog data on floppy diskettes or magnetic tapes, please write or call the Catalog Staff at the address and telephone number listed below. Inquiries may also be made by using the Toll-Free Answering Service on 1-800-669-8331. Simply leave a message stating the nature of your inquiry, along with your name and telephone number, and the Catalog Staff will make every effort to respond to your inquiry promptly.

Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog Staff (WKU)
General Services Administration
Ground Floor, Reporters Building
300 7th Street, SW.
Washington, DC 20407
Telephone: (202) 708-5126
Toll-Free Answering Service: 1-800-669-8331

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HOW TO USE THE CATALOG

The following resource aids located in the front of the Catalog will help you to locate the assistance programs in which you are interested.

WHAT'S IN THE HOW TO USE THE CATALOG SECTION

Information that will familiarize potential applicants with the
contents of the Catalog, and pertinent criteria to consider
before applying for Federal assistance

Definitions for the 15 types of assistance, including both
financial and non-financial types of assistance

Explanation of the organizational layout of the Catalog, the
program descriptions, indexes, and appendixes

A sample program description illustrating the kind of
information found in each section of program descriptions

FOUR WAYS TO IDENTIFY A PROGRAM FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE

AGENCY INDEX - PAGE AI-1

Identity assistance programs categorized by agency
(subagency, or designated commission), listed by program
number and title, or listed alphabetically at the end of the
Agency Index. Review program(s).

FUNCTIONAL INDEX - PAGE FI-1

Identity assistance programs by cross-referencing
programs within 20 broad functional categories and 176
subcategories. Refer to the preceding Functional Index
Summary on Page FIS-1 for a complete listing. Review
program(s).

SUBJECT INDEX - PAGE SI-1

Identify assistance programs by subject categories, popular
names, or common keywords associated with the subject
matter of the program objectives for the type of assistance
you are seeking. Review program(s).

APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY INDEX - PAGE AE-1

Identify assistance programs according to the type of
applicant who is eligible to apply for each program listed in
the Catalog. Review program(s).

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