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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

15.022:  Tribal Self-Governance

Objectives:  To further the goals of Indian Self-Determination by providing funds to Indian tribes to administer a wide range of programs with maximum administrative and programmatic flexibility.

PROGRAM AND AWARD	FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION CONTACTS
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS	FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS	INFORMATION CONTACTS
RELATED PROGRAMS	ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS	POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS

15.022 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:  Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments and tribal consortia authorized by the Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments to be served.

Beneficiary Eligibility:  Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments and their members.

Credentials/Documentation:  Initial application must be accompanied by an authorizing resolution of the governing body of the Indian tribe or in the case of a consortia, Indian tribes to be served. First-time applicants must have successfully completed a planning phase and must have demonstrated for the previous three years, financial stability and financial management capability.

15.022 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:  An informal preapplication conference is recommended. Technical assistance in preparing the application is available upon request. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:  An interim rule was published in the Federal Register on Wednesday, February 15, 1995, at 60 FR 8553, that governs the application and selection process prior to promulgation of final regulations. Application information is available from the office(s) listed below under "Information Contacts."

Award Procedure:  The dollar value of the annual funding agreement is subject to negotiation between the applicant, the local Bureau agency office, the servicing Regional office, and the Office of Self-Governance. Final funding agreements are signed by the authorized tribal representative and the Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs.

Deadlines:  The notice of application deadline for fiscal year 2001 was published in the Federal Register on November 10, 1999 at 64 FR 61366. Applications to begin participation in fiscal year 2001 or calendar year 2001 were due March 1, 2000. Deadlines for fiscal year 2002 will be published in the Federal Register.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:  Due to the requirements that annual funding agreements be negotiated and that all agreements be submitted to Congress and neighboring Indian tribes at least 90 days before the proposed effective date of the agreement, negotiation and approval of a new funding agreement may take up to six months.

Appeals:  An unsuccessful applicant may request a review by the Self-Governance Policy Council for Bureau issues or may bring suit in the U.S. District Court.

Renewals:  Funding agreements may be renewed indefinitely upon satisfactory performance by the Indian tribe/consortium. The amount of the annual funding agreement will be negotiated each year.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals:  An interim rule was published in the Federal Register on Wednesday, February 15, 1995, at 60 FR 8553, and was codified at 25 CFR Part 1001, that governs the application and selection process prior to promulgation of final regulations. All applicants meeting the eligibility criteria will be selected, up to a maximum of 50 new participants annually. An applicant must be a Federally Recognized Tribe or tribal consortium, have an authorizing tribal resolution(s) from the tribal governing body(ies), have successfully completed a planning phase and have demonstrated for the previous three years, financial stability and financial management capability. Applicants are selected in the order in which complete applications are received. For more information contact the offices listed under "Information Contacts."

Examples of Funded Projects:  Among the activities supported by one consortium was the organization of a tourism alliance, provision of 300 college scholarships, repair of 16 homes, and the initiation of job readiness training for welfare recipients. A tribe in the northwest managed over 3800 acres of forest land, helped 27 tribal members move from welfare to paid employment, and supported 20 members in adult education/training programs. Another tribal consortium provided life skills assistance (tax preparation, driver's education, resume writing, etc.) to over 500 members, provided assistance to village groups in preparing economic development proposals which resulted in increased funding being provided by other Federal agencies, and worked with the Reindeer Herders Association to improve the health and economic value of the reindeer herds.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  $330,000 to $9,000,000; $6,000,000.

15.022 RELATED PROGRAMS:

• 15.023 Tribal Self-Governance Grants.

15.022 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

15.022 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency:  BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Type of Assistance:  Direct Payments for Specified Use.

Obligations:  (Self-Governance Annual Funding Agreements) FY 99 $193,196,396; FY 00 est $164,353,000; and FY 01 est $170,525,000.

Budget Account Number:  14-2100-0-1-452.

Authorization:  Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, Title IV, Public Law 93-638, as amended, 25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature:  Final regulations negotiated between Federal and tribal representatives are expected to be published in fiscal year 2000.

15.022 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:  Office of Self Governance, Department of the Interior, Northwest Field Office, 500 West 12th Street, Room 170, Vancouver, WA 98660. Phone: (206) 699-1010. Use the same number for FTS or the nearest Bureau of Indian Affairs Regional Office as listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Headquarters Office:  Director, Office of Self-Governance, Office of the Secretary, Department of the Interior, 1849 "C" Street, NW., MS-2542-MIB, Washington, DC 20240. Phone: (202) 219-0240. Use the same number for FTS.

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

15.022 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:  Not applicable.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:  Funds are provided on an annual basis and remain available until expended by the tribe/consortium. When possible, payments are made in a lump sum following enactment of the Department's appropriations.

Uses and Use Restrictions:  Funds may be used by Federally Recognized Tribal Governments to support programs such as law enforcement, social services, welfare payments, housing improvement, and road maintenance. Funds may be used only for programs previously administered by the Department of the Interior or for programs specifically authorized by Federal statute and may not be used for the operation of elementary and secondary schools or for community colleges. The Indian tribe must ensure adequate protection of trust resources.

15.022 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:  The timing and nature of program accomplishment data will be negotiated with the tribe/consortium. Annual, external reviews of the management of trust assets will be conducted.

Audits:  Indian tribes/consortia are responsible for obtaining audits in accordance with the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501 et seq.).

Records:  Financial records must be retained for three years from the date of submission of the single audit report. Procurement records must be retained for three years from the date of final payment. Property records must be retained for three years from the date of disposition, replacement, or transfer. Records pertaining to any litigation, audit exceptions or claims must be retained until the dispute has been resolved.