United States: Tribal Self-Governance Negotiation Cooperative Agreement Program

Purpose

• The purpose of this Negotiation Cooperative Agreement is to provide Tribes with resources to help defray the costs associated with preparing for and engaging in TSGP negotiations. TSGP negotiations are a dynamic, evolving, and tribally driven process that requires careful planning, preparation, and sharing of precise, up-to-date information by both Tribal and Federal parties. Because each Tribal situation is unique, a Tribe’s successful transition into the TSGP, or expansion of their current program, requires focused discussions between the Federal and Tribal negotiation teams about the Tribe’s specific health care concerns and plans.
• One of the hallmarks of the TSGP is the collaborative nature of the negotiations process, which is designed to:
  • enable a Tribe to set its own priorities when assuming responsibility for IHS PSFAs;
  • observe and respect the government-to-government relationship between the U.S. and each Tribe; and
  • involve the active participation of both Tribal and IHS representatives, including the OTSG. Negotiations are a method of determining and agreeing upon the terms and provisions of a Tribe’s Compact and FA, the implementation documents required for the Tribe to enter into the TSGP.
• The negotiation process has four major stages, including:
  • planning;
  • pre-negotiations;
  • negotiations; and
  • post-negotiations.
• Title V of the ISDEAA requires that a Tribe or Tribal Organization (T/TO) complete a planning phase to the satisfaction of the Tribe. The planning phase must include legal and budgetary research and internal Tribal government planning and organizational preparation relating to the administration of health care programs. See 25 U.S.C. 5383(d). The planning phase is critical to the negotiation process and assists Tribes with making informed decisions about which PSFAs to assume and what organizational changes or modifications are necessary to support those PSFAs.

Funding Information

• The total funding identified for fiscal year (FY) 2024 is approximately $336,000.
• Individual award amounts are anticipated to be $84,000. The funding available for competing awards issued under this announcement is subject to the availability of appropriations and budgetary priorities of the Agency. The IHS is under no obligation to make awards that are selected for funding under this announcement.
• Anticipated Number of Awards
  • The IHS anticipates issuing approximately three awards under this program announcement.
• Period of Performance
  • The period of performance is for 1 year.

Eligibility Criteria

• To be eligible for this opportunity, applicant must meet the following criteria:
  • Applicant must be an “Indian Tribe” as defined in 25 U.S.C. 5304(e); a “Tribal Organization” as defined in 25 U.S.C. 5304(l); or an “Inter-Tribal Consortium” as defined at 42 CFR 137.10. Please note that Tribes prohibited from contracting pursuant to the ISDEAA are not eligible.
  • Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 5383 (c)(1)(B), applicant must request participation in self-governance by resolution or other official action by the governing body of each Indian Tribe to be served.
  • Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 5383 (c)(1)(C), applicant must demonstrate financial stability and financial management capability for 3 consecutive fiscal years prior to the application submission.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.