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Title 25

Displaying title 25, up to date as of 10/07/2026. Title 25 was last amended 12/01/2025.
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Eligibility

§ 1000.115 Who may participate in Tribal self-governance?

There are two types of entities who may participate in Tribal self-governance:

(a) Indian Tribes; and

(b) Consortia of Indian Tribes.

§ 1000.120 How many additional Tribes/Consortia may participate in self-governance per year?

(a) The Secretary, acting through the Director of the OSG, may select not more than 50 new Indian Tribes per year from those Tribes eligible under 25 U.S.C. 5362(c) to participate in self-governance. A Consortium of Indian Tribes counts as one Tribe for purposes of calculating the 50 additional Tribes per year.

(b) The limitation of not more than 50 new Tribes per year does not preclude a signatory Tribe from negotiating a new or amended compact or funding agreement. Such new or amended compacts or funding agreements do not count against the limitation of not more than 50 new Tribes per year.

§ 1000.125 What must a Tribe/Consortium submit to be selected to participate in Self-Governance?

The Tribe/Consortium must submit to OSG documentation that demonstrates the following:

(a) Successful completion of a planning phase as described in § 1000.140. A Consortium's planning activities satisfy this requirement for all its member Tribes for the purpose of the Consortium meeting this requirement.

(b) A request for participation in self-governance by a Tribal resolution and/or a final official action by the Tribal governing body. For a Consortium, the governing body of each Tribe must authorize its participation by a Tribal resolution and/or a final official action by the Tribal governing body that specifies the scope of the Consortium's authority to act on behalf of the Tribe.

(c) For a Tribe/Consortium required to perform an annual audit under the Single Audit Act and subpart F of 2 CFR part 200, financial stability and financial management capability as evidenced by the Tribe (or participating Tribes in a Consortium) having no uncorrected significant and material audit exceptions in the required annual audit of its self-determination or self-governance agreements with any Federal agency for the three fiscal years preceding the date on which the Tribe/Consortium requests participation, provided that documentation demonstrating the correction of any significant and material audit exceptions may include, but is not limited to, Agency Management Decision Letters issued in accordance with 2 CFR 200.521, Summary Schedule of Prior Audit Findings included in subsequent audit reports in accordance with 2 CFR 200.511, or any documentation provided by the Tribe/Consortium.

§ 1000.130 What additional information may be submitted to the Secretary to facilitate negotiations?

At the option of the Tribe/Consortium, a Tribe/Consortium may identify BIA and non-BIA programs that the Tribe/Consortium may wish to subsequently negotiate for inclusion in a funding agreement. The inclusion of PSFAs in a funding agreement is not limited by the provision of this additional information.

§ 1000.135 May a Consortium member Tribe withdraw from the Consortium and be selected to participate in Self-Governance?

In accordance with the expressed terms of the compact or written agreement of the Consortium, a Consortium member Tribe (either a signatory or nonsignatory Tribe) may fully or partially withdraw from a participating Consortium its share of any program included in a compact or funding agreement to directly negotiate a compact and funding agreement. The withdrawing Tribe must do the following:

(a) Independently meet all of the eligibility criteria in §§ 1000.115 through 1000.140. If a Consortium's planning activities specifically consider self-governance activities for a member Tribe, that planning activity may be used to satisfy the planning requirements for the member Tribe if it applies for self-governance status on its own.

(b) Submit a notice of withdrawal to OSG and the Consortium as evidenced by a resolution of the Tribal governing body.

§ 1000.140 What is required during the “planning phase”?

The planning phase must be conducted to the satisfaction of the Tribe/Consortium and must include:

(a) Legal and budgetary research; and

(b) Internal Tribal government, planning, training, and organizational preparation related to the operation of PSFAs contemplated by the Tribe/Consortium.

§ 1000.145 When does a Tribe/Consortium have an uncorrected “significant and material audit exception”?

A Tribe/Consortium has an uncorrected significant and material audit exceptions if any of the audits that it submitted under § 1000.125(c) identifies:

(a) Significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in internal control over major programs and significant instances of abuse relating to major programs which the Tribe/Consortium has not corrected;

(b) Material noncompliance with the provisions of Federal statutes, regulations, or the terms and conditions of Federal awards related to a major program which the Tribe/Consortium has not corrected; or

(c) A single finding of known questioned costs subsequently disallowed by a contracting officer or awarding official that exceeds $25,000 (or such higher amount as may be established in 2 CFR 200.516).

§ 1000.150 What are the consequences of having an uncorrected significant and material audit exception?

If a Tribe/Consortium has an uncorrected significant and material audit exception, the Tribe/Consortium is ineligible to be selected to participate in self-governance until the Tribe/Consortium meets the documentation requirements in § 1000.125.

§ 1000.155 Is the Secretary required to provide technical assistance to improve a Tribe's/Consortium's internal controls?

Yes. In considering proposals by a Tribe/Consortium for participation in Self-Governance, if the Secretary determines that the Tribe/Consortium lacks adequate internal controls necessary to manage PSFAs proposed for inclusion in a compact or funding agreement under this part, the Secretary shall, as soon as practicable, provide the necessary technical assistance to assist the Tribe/Consortium in developing adequate internal controls in accordance with 25 U.S.C. 5324(q)(1).