Not Applicable.

Uses and Use Restrictions

These funds are used to provide assistance to tribes to obtain legal representation in situations where the United States cannot represent them as authorized in 25 U.S.C.

175.

The funds are distributed in accordance with regulations governing the expenditure of appropriated funds for the fees of private attorneys representing tribes, and the eligibility requirements are found in 25 U.S.C.

89.

Bureau policy determines the attorney fee hourly rates.

For more information contact the headquarters office.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Federally Recognized Indian Tribes and their members.

Credentials/Documentation

Initial application must be accompanied by a resolution of the governing body of the Indian tribe. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Informal preapplication conference is recommended.

Technical assistance in preparing the application is available upon request.

Environmental impact information is not required for this program.

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Initial applications must contain the information specified in 25 CFR 89. Completed applications should be submitted to the local Bureau of Indian Affairs agency office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Award Procedures

Awards are approved at the Headquarters level.

Deadlines

Not Applicable.

Authorization

Public Law 97-394, 96 Stat. 1976, 28 U.S.C. 2415; Indian Claims Limitation Act of 1982; Public Law 98-250; Public Law 96- 487, 94 Stat. 2371, 16 U.S.C. 3101; Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act; Public Law 92-203, 106 Stat. 2112-2125, 43 U.S.C. 1601; Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act; Public Law 103-399; Indian Lands Open Dump Cleanup Act of 1994, 108 Stat. 4164.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Applications will be processed within 90 days.

Appeals

An unsuccessful applicant may request an informal conference with the deciding official.

Renewals

A new application is required each year.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this program. MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Awards are made on an annual basis and the funds remain available until expended for the legal services specified in the contractor/grantee application. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Payments are made as billings are received. The timing of payments will be negotiated with the grantee.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Not Applicable.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, non-Federal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503.

Records

Financial records must be retained by Tribes 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. Records maintained by the attorneys are subject to provisions of the contract with the Tribe.

Financial Information

Account Identification

14-2100-0-1-452.

Obigations

(Direct Payments for Specified Use) FY 16 Not Separately Identifiable; FY 17 Not Separately Identifiable; and FY 18 Not Separately Identifiable

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Information not available.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

25 CFR 89.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices. Applications may be filed with the local Bureau of Indian Affairs agency office as listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Headquarters Office

Vicki Forrest, Office of Trust Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1849 C Street N.W., MS 4620 MIB , Washington, District of Columbia 20240 Phone: (202) 208-5831.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Cases must first have been turned down by the Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior Office of the Solicitor, and then can be submitted for review to the Attorney Review Committee for a recommendation to the Assistant Secretary for approval.