FEDERAL AGENCY:

BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

AUTHORIZATION:

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

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.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Direct Payments for Specified Use. Place Cursor Here for Definition

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.

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.

Pre-application 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:   The application and selection process is governed by regulations contained in 25 CFR Part 1000. Applicants first apply for inclusion in an applicant pool. Once an Indian tribe/consortium has established eligibility for admission to the applicant pool, it can be selected to become a Self-Governance Tribe. 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:   Application for inclusion in the applicant pool may be filed at any time. However, an Indian tribe/consortium must be a member of the applicant pool on March 1 of the year in which the negotiations are to take place to become a Self-Governance Tribe and negotiate a compact and annual funding agreement.

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:   Applicable appeal procedures are contained in 25 CFR Part 1000.

Renewals:   Funding agreements may be for a single or multi-year period and renewed indefinitely upon satisfactory performance by the Indian tribe/consortium. The amount of the annual funding agreement may be negotiated each year.

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.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   The timing and nature of program accomplishment data will be negotiated with the Indian 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 3 years from the date of submission of the single audit report. Procurement records must be retained for 3 years from the date of final payment. Property records must be retained for 3 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.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   14-2100-0-1-452.

Obligations:   (Self-Governance Annual Funding Agreements) FY 01 $178,501,000; FY 02 est $178,732,000; and FY 03 est $183,500,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  
$9,705 to $27,537,488; Avearge $434,655.

In fiscal year 2002, 80 Indian tribes/consortia participated in the Tribal Self-Governance Program. The 80 annual funding agreements with Indian tribes and tribal consortia provided approximately 225 Federally recognized Indian Tribes with the opportunity to exercise discretion in establishing funding priorities, and allow them wide latitude in the design of tribal programs, services, functions, and activities in response to local circumstances.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

25 CFR Part 1000; OMB Circular A-87, "Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments."

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   See Regional Agency Offices. Office of Self Governance, Department of the Interior, Northwest Field Office, 500 West 12th Street, Suite 102, Vancouver, WA 98660. Telephone: (360) 699-1011. 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 Deputy Assistant Secretary - Policy and Economic Development, Department of the Interior, 1951 Constitution Avenue, N.W., MS 355-G, Washington, District of Columbia 20240 Phone: (202) 219-0240.

Web Site Address:  
http://www.doi.gov/bureau-indian-affairs.html

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.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

All applicants meeting the eligibility criteria of 25 CFR Part 1000 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."