Bureau of Indian Affairs

Notice of Funding Opportunity

NATIVE Act Tribal Tourism Cooperative Agreement

Funding Opportunity Number

BIA-NATIVEACT-2026-OIED

TABLE OF CONTENTS

BASIC INFORMATION

ELIGIBILITY

Cost Sharing Requirement

GET READY TO APPLY

Required System Registrations

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Program Goals Program Description Legislative Authority Type of Award

PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION

Application Content and Format Application Documents

SUBMISSION REQUIRMENTS AND DEADLINES

Address to Request Application Package Submission Dates and Times Submission Instructions

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Eligibility Review Merit Review Review and Selection Process Risk Review

AWARD NOTICES

POST AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION

Administration and National Policy Requirements Reporting

BASIC INFORMATION

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: BIA-NATIVEACT-2026-OIED

Assistance Listing Number(s): 15.032

Estimated Total Program Funding: $1,500,000

Expected Number of Awards: 1

Award Ceiling: $1,500,000

Award Floor: $1,500,000

Cost Sharing Required?

No

Closing Date Explanation Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM, ET, on the listed application due date.

Have Questions?

Programmatic Assistance: Mr. Dennis Wilson, Grant Management Specialist, Office of Indian Economic Development, telephone: (505) 917-3235; email: dennis.wilson@bia.gov and DEDGrants@bia.gov

Application Process Assistance: Ms. Jo Ann Metcalfe, Grant Officer, telephone (410) 703-3390;

email jo.metcalfe@bia.gov.

Executive Summary The NATIVE Act cooperative agreement will support Tribal Tourism Grant Program (TTGP) and Office of Native Hawaiian Relations (ONHR) applicants, which is comprised of Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations, by identifying technical assistance needs and delivering targeted capacity-building support to expand cultural heritage tourism and increase visitation. The selected recipient will provide tools, strategies, and expertise to enhance and grow tourism activities and destinations, while facilitating coordination between the Department of the Interior and the Department of Commerce in planning and implementation.

The NATIVE Act requires identification of a means for delivering and coordinating Federal technical assistance and resources for cultural heritage tourism in collaboration with Federal partners, including the Secretary of the Interior, Secretary of Commerce and other Federal agencies and entities with tourism expertise. The NATIVE Act provides authority so the “Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, shall enter into a memorandum of understanding or cooperative agreement with an entity or organization with a demonstrated record in tribal communities of defining, introducing, developing, and sustaining American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian tourism and related activities in a manner that respects and honors native traditions and values.”

mailto:dennis.wilson@bia.gov mailto:DEDGrants@bia.gov mailto:jo.metcalfe@bia.gov

Native Hawaiian organization means a nonprofit organization: (A) that serves the interests of Native Hawaiians; (B) in which Native Hawaiians serve in substantive and policymaking positions, and; (C) that are recognized for having expertise in Native Hawaiian culture and heritage, including tourism.

Awards are made for an initial one-year budget period and may receive continuation funding for up to four additional one-year budget periods, for a total period of performance not to exceed five years.

Continuation funding is contingent upon satisfactory performance, the availability of funds, and agency priorities.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible Applicants Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS other than institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS other than institutions of higher education

Additional Information on Eligibility Eligibility is limited to: Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations, as defined in Section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) (25 U.S.C. 5304), including Tribal Consortia; Tribal Colleges or Universities qualifying under 25 U.S.C. 1801 et seq, 25 U.S.C.

640a note, and section 532 of 7 U.S.C. 301 note; Institute of higher education in any State admitting students as per 20 U.S.C. 1091(d); Private institutions of higher education; and Nonprofits.

Cost Sharing Requirement Cost Sharing Required?

No

GET READY TO APPLY

Required System Registrations Unique Entity Identifier and SAM.gov Registration

Before applying, all applicants except individuals applying as a natural person must be registered in SAM.gov. During the SAM.gov registration the entity will obtain their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

The SAM.gov registration process can take several months. If your organization is not already registered in SAM.gov, begin the registration process as soon as possible.

To register in SAM.gov, go to the SAM.gov website and use the available resources to complete registration.

• Financial assistance registrants must review and certify compliance with the SAM.gov “Financial Assistance General Representations and Certifications”.

• Already registered? You already have a Unique Entity ID. Before applying, check that your “Financial Assistance General Representations and Certifications” on SAM.gov is https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:25%20section:5304%20edition:prelim) https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2020-title25/pdf/USCODE-2020-title25-chap20-sec1801.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2020-title25/pdf/USCODE-2020-title25-chap14-subchapXXI-sec640a.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2020-title25/pdf/USCODE-2020-title25-chap14-subchapXXI-sec640a.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2010-title7/pdf/USCODE-2010-title7-chap13-subchapI-sec301.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2020-title20/pdf/USCODE-2020-title20-chap28-subchapIV-partG-sec1091.pdf https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration complete. Remember to renew your registration every year to keep it active while you have an award or application in progress. You can update your registration whenever you need, including during renewal.

• Need help? For additional information and contact information on the SAM.gov Help page.

A Federal award may not be made to an applicant that has not completed the SAM.gov registration.

If an applicant selected for funding has not completed their SAM.gov registration by the time the program is ready to make an award, the program may determine the applicant is not qualified to receive an award. Federal award recipients must also continue to maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information through the life of their Federal award(s).

GRANTS.GOV

This program accepts applications through Grants.gov so once you receive your UEI return to Grants.gov to register with Grants.gov. Please allow 30 days to register and set up a Workspace in Grants.gov. See Submission Instructions section below for additional details.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Program Goals The NATIVE Act cooperative agreement will support Tribal Tourism Grant Program (TTGP) and Office of Native Hawaiian Relations (ONHR) applicants, which is comprised of Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations, by identifying technical assistance needs and delivering targeted capacity-building support to expand cultural heritage tourism and increase visitation. The selected recipient will provide tools, strategies, and expertise to enhance and grow tourism activities and destinations, while facilitating coordination between the Department of the Interior and the Department of Commerce in planning and implementation.

Program Description It is very important to thoroughly review the Full Announcement to fully understand how to apply for this opportunity.

Recipients are encouraged to prioritize projects in support of the celebration of America’s 250th birthday (American250). This may include, but is not limited to, preservation 2 planning, interpretation, public engagement, and rehabilitation projects that recognize and honor the nation’s founding, history, and cultural heritage.

Background & Summary The DOI, Office of the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs, through the Office of Indian Economic Development (OIED), solicits proposals from eligible entities (see Eligibility) to support the implementation of the NATIVE Act.

The purpose of the NATIVE Act is to support Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations in building capacity to expand cultural heritage tourism opportunities on Tribal lands and in Hawai’i. The recipient will carry out a cooperative agreement as identified in the NATIVE Act with the OIED through their Division of Economic Development (DED). A cooperative agreement means that the recipient will work in collaboration with the DED and other entities and https://sam.gov/content/help https://sam.gov/content/help https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration organizations with subject matter expertise, as deemed appropriate and necessary by the DED to carry out three broad categories of activities:

1. Identify where technical assistance is needed through consultation with TTGP and ONHR awardees and non-awardees to empower them to participate fully in the tourism industry; and

2. Identify a means for the delivery of Federal and other technical assistance and facilitate the delivery of assistance to TTGP/ONHR awardees and non-awardees in collaboration with the DED, Federal agencies, and other entities with subject matter expertise as appropriate.

3. Support Federal coordination by serving as the facilitator between the Secretary of the Interior, Secretary of Commerce, Federal agencies, Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations in the development and implementation of plans to advance Tribal and Native Hawaiian Community tourism pursuant to the NATIVE Act.

The awardee of this cooperative agreement will provide targeted technical assistance to Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations who applied for grants awarded through OIED’s Tribal Tourism Grant Program (TTGP) and the Secretary’s Office of Native Hawaiian Relations (ONHR) NATIVE Act grant programs. The awardee will provide technical assistance to applicants to assist them in meeting the goals, objectives, and milestones of their respective grant programs.

TTGP

The TTGP is a competitive discretionary grant program that supports the NATIVE Act (25 U.S.C.

4354(b)) by expanding tourism visibility and driving increased visitation to Tribal destinations. The DED will provide grant awards to competitively selected eligible entities to facilitate, promote, and enhance tourism offerings. These efforts strengthen destination positioning, drive visitation, and support Tribal participation in the tourism industry, contributing to sustainable economic growth and community benefits.

ONHR’s NATIVE Act Grants ONHR’s NATIVE Act grants are implemented through their Heritage Opportunities in Hawaii Grant Program (HOIHI), which is rooted in the Hawaiian value of hoihi – to treat with reverence and respect. Through this ethic, visitors are welcomed not merely as tourists, but as guests who share in the kuleana (responsibility) to care for Hawaii’s natural resources and sacred sites. In advancing this model of culturally grounded tourism, HOIHI seeks to strengthen Native Hawaiian organizations’ capacity to steward and share traditional knowledge in ways that protect existing wahi pana (beloved and sacred sites), while simultaneously creating jobs, elevating living standards, and expanding economic opportunity.

The scope of services requires one Hawai’i-based staff to provide in-person technical assistance to awardees/non-awardees in Hawaiʻi throughout the award period. Other staff should be located in the contiguous United States and/or Alaska based on the recipient’s location.

Application Proposal Parameters The awardee will serve as the facilitator between the Secretary of the Interior, Secretary of Commerce, Federal agencies, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations.

The awardee, through a cooperative agreement, will continue to build, enhance and expand Federal tribal tourism inclusive of technical assistance, assets, and other potential resources needed to empower the Tribes and organizations who applied for TTGP and ONHR funding to participate fully in the tourism industry. In addition, the recipient of this award will support the Federal government-to-government relationships with Tribal governments.

The following sections on project proposal structure and parameters are suggested to be used as a guide toward supporting a project that can be competitively ranked. Each Applicant should be well acquainted with the NATIVE Act to submit a proposal with a Project Narrative which addresses the parameters in this section as well as those in Application Documents. Each proposal must address the following program needs, while having the freedom to provide for their own flexibility and methods.

The application should show quality and be very clear in describing the program design:

1. Organizational Capacity, Experience & Project Approach The proposal must demonstrate the applicant’s capacity to successfully implement the cooperative agreement, including experience working with Tribal communities, understanding of Federal funding requirements, and the ability to manage complex, multi-entity projects. The applicant should describe prior experience in Tribal tourism, economic development, or related fields in a manner that respects and reflects Tribal values and cultural considerations. The proposal should also demonstrate experience coordinating across Federal agencies, organizations, or partners, as well as familiarity with Federal grant management requirements, including work planning, budgeting, reporting, and compliance.

The overall project approach must be clearly defined and should demonstrate how needs assessment, technical assistance delivery, Federal coordination, and reporting will function together as a cohesive system. The proposal should present a feasible and well-aligned model that connects staffing, partnerships, and activities to the scope and scale of the project.

2. Needs Assessment, Technical Assistance Delivery & Service Model The proposal must define a structured and actionable approach to identifying needs and delivering technical assistance to TTGP and ONHR awardees and non-awardees. Although awardees will receive priority in the allocation of resources, applicants are expected to use reasonable discretion when planning support for non‑awardee entities. Applicants should describe how consultations and needs assessments will be conducted to identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities across participating entities, and how this information will inform the delivery of services.

The proposal should demonstrate a logical progression from consultation and needs identification to technical assistance delivery and follow-up support. The technical assistance model must be clearly defined, including the type, frequency, and intensity of services, such as one-on-one consulting, in-person support, virtual engagement, or cohort-based learning. The approach should describe how services will be tailored to individual community needs while maintaining the ability to operate at a national scale.

Applicants must demonstrate that the proposed level of effort, staffing structure, and service delivery approach are sufficient to support approximately 60 entities within the period of performance.

Technical assistance must focus on strategy, planning, capacity building, and problem-solving, and must complement, and not duplicate, existing TTGP or ONHR-funded projects or other Federal programs.

Applicants must clearly distinguish technical assistance from direct implementation. Allowable activities include advising, coaching, strategic planning, and the development of tools or resources.

Proposals should not include the direct operation or implementation of tourism programs, services, or activities that are the responsibility of individual awardees or funded projects.

3. Communication, Federal Coordination & Knowledge Sharing The proposal must demonstrate how the applicant will facilitate communication, coordination, and information sharing among Federal agencies, Tribal Nations, and participating entities. Applicants should describe how they will support coordination between the Department of the Interior, the Department of Commerce, and other relevant entities, and how these efforts will improve alignment of resources, reduce fragmentation, and strengthen tourism development outcomes.

The proposal should identify anticipated coordination activities, including meetings, planning processes, communication structures, and reporting mechanisms. The applicant should also describe how consistent communication will be maintained with OIED and participating entities throughout the period of performance.

All partnership opportunities should be considered and any planned implementation of sub-awards and partnerships with subject matter experts or consultants (i.e. Universities and colleges, private consulting firms, non-academic non-profit entities) should be identified.

In addition, the proposal must explain how technical assistance activities, outcomes, and lessons learned will be documented and shared. This includes providing reports on consultations and technical assistance delivery, identifying replicable models and success stories, and offering recommendations for program improvement. The applicant should demonstrate the ability to contribute to required semi-annual reporting and to support annual reporting to Congress.

4. Deliverables, Performance Measurement & Financial Management The proposal must include clearly defined deliverables, timelines, performance measures, and budget justification aligned with the objectives of the cooperative agreement. Applicants should identify specific deliverables and demonstrate how they are achievable within the period of performance, as well as how they directly relate to the proposed activities.

The proposal should describe how progress, outcomes, and metrics will be tracked using quantitative and qualitative methods. Performance indicators should address metrics defined in the Reporting section. While performance measures will continue to be refined in coordination with OIED and ONHR, applicants must demonstrate a clear and thoughtful approach to measuring success.

Applicants should also describe how technical assistance services will be distributed across TTGP and ONHR awardees and non-awardees, including any prioritization or tiered service approach. The proposal should explain how geographic considerations will be addressed, including the balance of in-person and virtual service delivery and required support in Hawaiʻi.

The budget must clearly demonstrate how requested funds support technical assistance delivery, coordination activities, and project outcomes. Costs must be reasonable, necessary, and aligned with the proposed level of effort. Applicants must demonstrate strong financial management systems, internal controls, and the ability to manage Federal funds in accordance with 2 CFR 200. The proposal must also ensure that there is no duplication of costs, activities, or personnel effort across funding sources.

Applicant Procurement Procedures The applicant is subject to the procurement standards under 2 CFR 200.318 through 200.326. In accordance with §200.318, an applicant must use its own documented procurement procedures which reflect their organizational laws and regulations, provided the procurements conform to applicable Federal law and standards identified in Part 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations. All awardees are subject to audit reviews once selected.

Legislative Authority Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-221) (NATIVE Act) (25 U.S.C. 4354(b)), and the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act P.L. 117-74, 2026.

Type of Award Projects will be funded through CA (Cooperative Agreement)

PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION

Application Content and Format Application Documents Applicants must submit the following forms with their application as specified below. Instructions for accessing and submitting application forms are provided in the Submission Instructions section of this document below. For instructions on completing form fields, see the form instructions on the Grants.gov Forms Repository. Any information in the possession of the BIA or submitted to the BIA throughout the process, including final work product, constitutes government records and may be subject to disclosure to third parties under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552, and the Department of the Interior’s FOIA regulations at 43 CFR part 2, unless a FOIA exemption or exception applies, or other provisions of law protect the information.

Prior to applying, applicants should review presidential actions found at:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/ and DOI Secretary’s Orders found at:

https://www.doi.gov/document-library/secretary-order. By applying in response to this NOFO, the applicant certifies awareness and compliance with all currently effective and applicable executive orders and secretary’s orders, including but not limited to the Executive Order titled Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing as well as the Executive Order and Secretary’s order titled Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History. Applicants are responsible for ensuring their proposed activities are consistent with the intent and requirements of these directives.

Forms/Assurances/Certifications Submission Requirement https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR45ddd4419ad436d?toc=1 https://www.congress.gov/114/plaws/publ221/PLAW-114publ221.pdf https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6938/text https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository.html https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/ https://www.doi.gov/document-library/secretary-order

SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance Note: For applicants requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Representative’s signature (or electronic equivalent) on the Application for Federal Assistance form also represents their certification of the statements in Appendix A to 43 CFR 18-Certification Regarding Lobbying

Required from all applicants

SF-424A, Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs Required for non-construction projects

SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

Required if requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funds and the applicant has used or plans to use funds other than Federal appropriated funds for lobbying related to the proposed project.

Project Abstract Summary (OMB 4040-0019). Must include, in plain language:

• Award purpose,

• Activities to be performed,

• Expected deliverables or outcomes,

• Intended beneficiaries, Subrecipient activities (if known or specified at time of award)

Required from all applicants

1. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance [V4.0] Applicants must submit the appropriate Standard Form (SF)-424, Application for Federal Assistance. The form should cover the entire funding of the initial 12-month period of performance.

The required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov. Please indicate the Legal Name of the organization that will be consistent in other federal programs for all correspondences. For federally recognized Tribes, please utilize the name as listed in the Federal Register Notice 91 FR 1402 01/30/2026 for Indian Entities Recognized by and Eligible To Receive Services From the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The programmatic point of contact should be provided as the individual to contact pertaining to all matters of the application. The Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number indicated must match what is registered as a vendor in SAM and must be current. Identify the County and the Congressional Districts in the fields provided. The Authorized Representative should be the Tribal Leader or their official designee. The SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance must be complete, signed, and dated. Do not include any proprietary or personally identifiable information. Please note: Enter only the entire amount for the initial 12-month period of performance requested from this Federal program in the “Federal” funding box on the SF-424 Application form. All matching funds will be indicated in the “Applicant” field. Include any other Federal sources of funding in the “Other” box and provide details on those Federal source(s) and funding amount(s) in the required Budget Narrative (see SF-424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs section below).

The SF-424 [V4.0] form requires the County as well as the Congressional District number of the https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18#Appendix-A-to-Part-18 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18#Appendix-A-to-Part-18 applicant, which can be found at https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative.

2. SF-424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs Reference Section 1. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance [V4.0] and Section 4. Budget Narrative and Line-Item Budget, to correlate the Object Class Categories and Totals that will be expanded and justified in this section. The form should cover the entire funding of the initial 12-month period of performance. Applicants must submit the SF-424A “Budget Information for Non- Construction Programs” form. Federal award recipients and subrecipients are subject to Federal award cost principles at 2 CFR 200.

Complete the SF-424A for the initial 12-month term. Complete Section A – Budget Summary (page

1) columns (e) and (f) for the Federal amount requested and the non-Federal matching contribution, totaled in column (g). Complete Section B – Budget Categories (page 3) in column (1) for the first year for the appropriate rows, as applicable, totaled in the Total (5) column and Totals (k.) row.

The budget must identify the amount of grant funding requested and a comprehensive and itemized breakdown of all projected and anticipated expenditures, including contracted personnel fees, consulting fees (hourly or fixed), travel costs, data collection and analysis costs, computer rentals, report generation, drafting, advertising costs for a proposed project and other relevant project expenses, and their subcomponents.

• Travel costs should be itemized by airfare, vehicle rental, lodging, and per diem, etc., based on the current Federal government per diem schedule. See below Required Grantee Travel and Attendance at an Annual Grantee Meeting.

• Data collection and analysis costs should be itemized in sufficient detail for the OIED review committee to evaluate the charges.

• While the funding is designed to help provide technical assistance, it is not intended to establish or operate an Office (see Section D6. Funding Restrictions).

• Personnel may be charged directly or covered indirectly. Do not include the personnel costs or travel of consultants or contractors under this category. For any position, provide: the name of the individual (if known), their title; time commitment to the project in months; time commitment to the project as a percentage or FTE equivalent; annual salary; grant salary;

wage rates; etc. Identify the project director or principal investigator, if known at the time of application. Costs of employee fringe benefits are the allowances and services provided by employers to their employees in addition to regular salaries and wages. Typically, fringe benefit amounts are determined by applying a calculated rate for a particular class of employee (full-time or part-time) to the salary and wages requested. Fringe benefits, like salary, will also be as direct cost (Health insurance, Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes, retirement, taxes, etc.)

• Other expenses may include computer rental, report generation, drafting, and advertising costs for a proposed project.

3. Project Abstract Summary and Project Narrative Provide a one-page summary of the project description. Do not cross-reference to other parts of your application. The summary must include:

• At the top, the project title, applicant name, address, phone numbers, email addresses, and any website URL.

https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

• A brief description of the project, including the tourism capacity needs you will address and your proposed activities to support NATIVE Act grant applicants in developing tourism to increase tourism visitation and assist applicants in meeting the goals, objectives, and milestones of their respective grant programs.

Project Narratives are not judged based on their length. Please do not submit any attachments or documents beyond what is necessary. All information should follow the requirements as outlined in the Program Description. The Project Narrative and subsequent Statement of Work may be revised, as needed, to align with OIED direction, administrative priorities, and identified programmatic needs. In the event additional funding periods are approved, the Statement of Work may also be updated to address evolving challenges, priorities, and technical assistance needs associated with the Cooperative Agreement.

The Project Narrative should not be duplicated elsewhere in the application. Supplemental information such as letters of support, graphs, charts, maps, photographs and other graphic and/or other relevant information may be included as attachments. At a minimum, it should include:

• A detailed technical description of the project as structured in the Program Description.

• A description of the project objectives, milestones, timelines, and a work plan that will correlate to the technical description of the project.

o The awardee must not duplicate, overlap or replace activities funded through a TTGP grant awardee, or any other federally funded award.

o Technical assistance for a TTGP grant awardee must be complementary, and distinct from, the TTGP grant awardee’s approved activities.

o The application narrative proposal will show priority of assistance to the TTGP and

ONHR awardees. However, there should be reasonable discretion in the planned support to the TTGP and ONHR non‑awardee entities.

• All planning and development must be justified and commensurate with the needs of the program. They must be necessary and reasonable to accomplish the program objectives.

• Identify and report on the status of work plan deliverables and measurable milestones in interim reports, including whether they are on track with the timeline.

• Submit annual and final deliverables in the appropriate reporting periods.

• All strategic planning and workforce development, as it collaborates and elevates the program, must be mindful of Federal duplication of efforts, co-mingling of funding resources, double-dipping, or over allocating of FTE resources that can satisfy personnel involvement in other programs without violating the regulation and policy of each entity.

• Applicants must also demonstrate qualifications for key partnerships and of any consultants, as well as those responsible for project management oversight, towards the implementation of project activities. Applicants must describe the role of the partner organization and staff, including relevant expertise and experience, as well as clear roles and responsibilities for project implementation. If formal agreements have not been established at the time of application, the applicant must describe plans to finalize any partnership agreements, including firm commitments and contingency plans for these partners. The resumes of key consultants and personnel to be retained, if available, and the names of subcontractors, if applicable, may be included as an attachment to the application.

• Resume and Qualifications of all identified personnel who would provide project oversight and management must be submitted. These individual(s) may be full-time FTEs brought on specifically for the duration of the project, or be a portion of an FTE allocation. The utilization of various personnel must be demonstrated as necessary and reasonable with compensation that is commensurate to similar industry standards. The responsibilities of those project personnel, with sufficient qualifications to fulfill those responsibilities, must be demonstrated by the Applicant. If new staff members are to be hired, applicants should describe the recruitment and hiring process. Common challenges include, but not limited to, identification and retention of qualified staff, policies and procedures that delay hiring, etc.

Applicants must describe accessibility of potential candidates and include contingency plans to describe how the project will progress until vacant positions are filled.

The Awardee must be aware of the metrics the TTGP awardees must provide. Every effort should be made to focus technical assistance to assist, enhance and promote those goals, without overlapping or duplicating:

o Increase in the number of visitors to Tribal tourism operations This indicator measures the extent to which the project contributes to increased visitation at Tribal tourism destinations. Applicants should describe how they will track changes in visitor numbers over the project period and connect those changes to project activities.

o Demonstrate expansion and promotion of Tribal tourism activities and visibility This indicator assesses how the project enhances tourism offerings and increases awareness of Tribal destinations. Applicants should describe how activities such as marketing, programming, or coordination efforts contribute to expanded tourism experiences and improved visibility.

o Demonstrate economic and community impact, including participation, partnerships, and benefits This indicator evaluates the broader impact of the project on the Tribal community and economy. Applicants should describe how the project supports economic activity, strengthens partnerships, and increases participation from community members, businesses, or cultural practitioners.

4. Budget Narrative Applicants must describe and justify items and costs listed in their budget. The budget narrative must identify the following cost items: total estimated costs, non-Federal cost share, third-party contributions, and any pre-award costs. Total project cost is the sum of all allowable costs, including required and voluntary cost share and third-party contributions.

Budget items must be:

• Reasonable, allowable, allocable, and necessary

• Compliant with 2 CFR §200 Subpart E cost principles

Reference Section 1. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance [V4.0] and Section 2. SF-424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs, to correlate Object Class Categories and Totals that will be expanded and justified in this section.

The project budget shall include detailed information on all cost categories and must clearly identify https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/subpart-E all estimated project costs. Unit costs shall be provided for all budget items including the cost of work provided by contractors or sub-recipients. Applicants shall include a narrative description of the items included in the project budget. Cost categories can include, but are not limited to, those costs items included on the SF424A.

The Budget Narrative will include additional spreadsheets and narrative formats to help itemize and fully break down the individual budget items. Do not provide any blanket budget estimates that are not supported with documentation, itemized breakdown, and narrative justification. Rounding can be done to the nearest $100s.

Appropriate summations of various budget sections should be correctly tabulated within each Object Class Category of the SF-424A. The budget should include the mandatory Grantee Meeting attendance budget that is fully itemized to Washington DC per the current GSA standards (See Required Grantee Travel and Attendance at an Annual Grantee Meeting below). Do not provide unsupported travel costs for the Grantee Meeting. Travel by consultants, contractors, etc., should be justified and included in the Travel category if it is paid by the Grantee directly, or added into the Contractor category if they will be reimbursed.

Required Indirect Cost Statement to be submitted with Application Applicants must indicate in their budget narrative how they will charge indirect costs, including the rate to be applied:

• De Minimis Rate: If eligible, state if your organization is opting to use the de minimis rate of up to 15% of total modified direct costs. Entities that do not have a current Federal negotiated indirect cost rate (including provisional rate) may propose to use the de minimis rate. For more information, refer to 2 CFR 200.414(f).

• Negotiated Rate: State if you will negotiate with your cognizant agency. If your organization has previously negotiated a rate, attach a copy of the most recently negotiated rate agreement (active or expired).

The Applicant utilizing IDC must submit a current copy of their signed Indirect Cost Agreement, with all mandatory documents (Budget Narrative, SF-424, SF-424A, etc.) supporting the appropriate application of those negotiated rates. All organizations must include the applicable statement from the following list in their application, and attach to their application any documentation identified in the applicable statement:

We are:

• A U.S. state or local government entity receiving more than $35 million in direct Federal funding each year with an indirect cost rate of [insert rate]. We submit our indirect cost rate proposals to our cognizant agency. Attached is a copy of our most recently approved rate agreement/certification.

• A U.S. state or local government entity receiving less than $35 million in direct Federal funding with an indirect cost rate of [insert rate]. We have prepared and will retain for audit an indirect cost rate proposal and related documentation.

• A [insert your organization type; U.S. states and local governments, do not use this statement] that has previously negotiated or currently has an approved indirect cost rate with https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRd93f2a98b1f6455/section-200.414 our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. [Insert either: “Attached is a copy of our most recently approved but expired rate agreement. In the event an award is made, we will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award is made.” or “Attached is a copy of our current negotiated indirect cost rate agreement.”]

• A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. If we receive an award, we will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award date.

• A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency and has an indirect cost rate that is lower than 15%. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate; must be lower than 15%]. However, if we receive an award we will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after award. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat indirect cost rate of [insert rate; must be lower than 15%] against [insert a clear description of the direct cost base against which your rate is charged (e.g., salaries; salaries and fringe benefits; or modified total direct costs). However, please note that your organization cannot charge indirect costs in excess of the indirect costs that would be recovered if applied against modified total direct costs as defined in §2 CFR 200.68]. We understand that we must notify BIA in writing if we establish an approved rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period.

• A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency and has an indirect cost rate that is 15% or higher. Our indirect cost rate is [insert your organization’s indirect rate; must be 15% or higher]. However, if we receive an award we will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after award. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat de minimis indirect cost rate of 15% to be charged against modified total direct project costs as defined in 2 CFR §200.68. We understand that we must notify BIA in writing if we establish a negotiated rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period. We understand that additional Federal funds may not be available to support an unexpected increase in indirect costs during the project period and that such changes are subject to review, negotiation, and prior approval by BIA.

• A [insert your organization type] that is submitting this proposal for consideration under the “Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Network”, which has a Department of the Interior-approved indirect cost rate cap of 15%. If we have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that we must apply this reduced rate against the same direct cost base as identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement per 2 CFR §1402.414. If we do not have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that we must charge indirect costs against the modified total direct cost base defined in 2 CFR §200.68 “Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC)”. We understand that we must request prior approval from BIA to use the 2 CFR 200 MTDC base instead of the base identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement. We understand that BIA approval of such a request will be based on: 1) a determination that our approved base is only a subset of the MTDC (such as salaries and wages); and 2) that use of the MTDC base will still result in a reduction of the total indirect costs to be charged to the award. In accordance with 2 CFR §200.405, we understand that indirect costs not recovered due to a voluntary reduction to our federally https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/CFR-2021-title2-vol1/CFR-2021-title2-vol1-sec200-68 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/CFR-2021-title2-vol1/CFR-2021-title2-vol1-sec200-68 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1402/subpart-D/section-1402.414 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/CFR-2021-title2-vol1/CFR-2021-title2-vol1-sec200-68 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/CFR-2021-title2-vol1/CFR-2021-title2-vol1-sec200-68 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRea20080eff2ea53/section-200.405 negotiated rate are not allowable for recovery via any other means.

• A [insert your organization type] that will charge all costs directly.

Limitations The NATIVE Act funding is to provide technical assistance that has not been previously funded under other federal assistance. The OIED will verify that all sources of federal funding have not overlapped in any way to be considered “double-dipping” (Subpart E of 2 CFR 200.400, and 2 CFR 200.403). All program goals and targets must adhere to the submitted budget, and no portion may be utilized for anything outside of the cooperative agreement objectives.

The funding must be expended in accordance with applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements, including 2 CFR part 200. As part of the application review process, OIED may conduct a review of an applicant's prior OIED award(s). Applicants currently under BIA sanction Level 2 or higher resulting from noncompliance with the Single Audit Act are ineligible for this cooperative agreement. Applicants at Sanction Level 1 will be considered for funding.

Under no circumstances can OIED fund construction or construction related activities.

The OIED funding, once awarded, must stay in alignment with the approved Statement of Work.

Due to the nature of this announcement and the facilitation of OIED discretionary grant programs, substantial changes to the SOW will not be allowable. Adjustments, as appropriate and necessary to provide effective technical assistance, will be routinely evaluated.

Only one application will be accepted from an eligible entity. Applications should address one cohesive project and any submissions that contain multiple project proposals will not be considered.

OIED will apply the same objective ranking criteria to each proposal. NATIVE Act awards may not be used for:

• Sub-awarding to another Federal agency;

• Establishing or operating a Tribal office or department, nor to openly staff an Office;

• Supplemental employment, including fringe benefits, for current positions not significantly and directly involved in the proposed project (e.g., positions like Executive Directors with little to no described involvement in the proposed work);

• International travel;

• Outside Fees, Legal or Contract Negotiation fees, and application fees associated with permitting that are outside the scope of the grant award;

• Legal fees;

• Application fees associated with permitting;

• Contract negotiation fees;

• Entertainment costs o For remote training/conferences locations (where eating establishments are not within a reasonable distance), food costs may be allowable, but should not exceed the GSA meals and incidental costs per attendee for that location, not to exceed $5,000 for one event, and not more than twice in a calendar year;

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRea20080eff2ea53/section-200.405 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRea20080eff2ea53/section-200.403 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRea20080eff2ea53/section-200.403 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200?toc=1 o Refreshments for non-remote training/conference locations are allowable for $5/attendee/day, not to exceed $1,000 per event;

o All other food costs are disallowed;

• However, travel stipends for training participants are allowed, including costs for meals which must follow the GSA Per Diem rates.

• Projects with core administration functions that essentially support only the applicant's ongoing administrative functions and are not related to the proposed project;

• Travel by staff, contractors, consultants, etc., that is not reasonable or necessary for the project. Additional scrutiny will be placed on repeated travel, blanket travel rounded and not itemized, travel in excess of common GSA rates, and travel that is considered unnecessary to the project.

• Implementation projects of energy, mineral, energy legal infrastructure, broadband related projects, businesses, or technologies that are addressed by the Energy and Mineral Development Program (EMDP) or Tribal Energy Development Capacity (TEDC);

• Projects that require funding for feasibility studies, business plans, marketing plans, or written materials such as manuals that are not an essential part of the applicant's long-range tourism implementation plan;

• Projects that support ongoing social service delivery programs or the expansion, or continuation, of existing social service delivery programs;

• And any other activities not authorized by the grant Notice of Award letter.

5. Attachments [V1.2] See Other Required Information for more information. Utilize the “attachments form” to include items that will focus information in the Project Narrative, Budget, and other sections, as applicable.

6. Key Contacts [V2.0] Applicants must include the Key Contacts information page(s) that includes the individuals who will be responsible for the programmatic, financial, leadership and associated communication roles:

• Please identify the lead Project Point of Contact information of who will oversee the project, including address, email, desk, and cell phone number.

• Please identify the lead Fiscal Point of Contact information including address, email, desk, and cell phone number.

• Please identify individuals for the following roles in the GrantSolutions system that will manage the grant, communicate with the OIED staff, as well as be responsible for reporting:

• Grantee Administrative Official / Grantee Authorized Representative

• Grantee Principal Investigator / Program Director

• If there is more than one contact, please provide an additional key contacts form.

Other Required Information Note: The U.S. Department of the Interior Office of Native Hawaiian Relations is managing NATIVE Act tourism grants to Native Hawaiian Organizations. For additional information on grants for Native Hawaiian Organizations, please visit their webpage at https://www.doi.gov/hawaiian/grants, or contact directly at hawaiian@ios.doi.gov.

https://www.doi.gov/hawaiian/grants mailto:hawaiian@ios.doi.gov

Conflict of Interest and Unresolved Matters Disclosures:

If any actual or potential conflict of interest exists related to this project at the time of application, the applicant must provide sufficient information to support a program…