All available public information regarding the TTP can be found on the BIA transportation Web site at http://www.bia.gov/WhoWeAre/BIA/OIS/Transportation/index.htm or the Federal Lands Highway—Tribal Transportation Program Web site at http://flh.fhwa.dot.gov/programs/ttp/. If a Tribe would like additional information that is not available on the Web sites, the Tribe should contact FHWA or BIA directly. FHWA and BIA will then provide direction or assistance based upon the Tribe's specific request.

(a) Federal law gives hiring and training preferences, to the greatest extent feasible, to Indians for all work performed under the TTP.

(b) Under 25 U.S.C. 450e(b), 23 U.S.C. 140(d), 25 U.S.C. 47, and 23 U.S.C. 202(a)(3), Indian organizations and Indian-owned economic enterprises are entitled to a preference, to the greatest extent feasible, in the award of contracts, subcontracts and sub-grants for all work performed under the TTP.

(a) Tribal, State, and local governments may provide an Indian employment preference for Indians living on or near a reservation on projects and contracts that meet the definition of a Tribal transportation facility. (See 23 U.S.C. 101(a)(12) and 140(d), and 23 CFR 635.117(d).)

(b) Tribes may target recruiting efforts toward Indians living on or near Indian reservations, Tribal lands, Alaska Native villages, pueblos, and Indian communities.

(c) Tribes and Tribal employment rights offices should work cooperatively with State and local governments to develop contract provisions promoting employment opportunities for Indians on eligible federally funded transportation projects. Tribal, State, and local representatives should confer to establish Indian employment goals for these projects.

Yes. When a Tribe or consortium administers a TTP or project intended to benefit that Tribe or a Tribe within the consortium, the benefitting Tribe's employment rights and contracting preference laws apply. (See § 170.619 and 25 U.S.C. 450e(c))

Indian preference is a hiring preference for Indians in general. Tribal preference is a preference adopted by a Tribal government that may or may not include a preference for Indians in general, Indians of a particular Tribe, Indians in a particular region, or any combination thereof.

Yes. The cost of Tribal employment taxes or fees may be included in the budget for a TTP project.

Yes. Tribes, as sovereign nations, may impose taxes and fees for TTP activities. When a Tribe administers TTPs or projects under ISDEAA, its Tribal employment and contracting preference laws, including taxes and fees, apply.

This section applies to non-tribally administered TTP projects. Tribes can request that BIA pay Tribal employment taxes or fees directly to them under a voucher or other written payment instrument, based on a negotiated payment schedule. Tribes may consider requesting direct payment of Tribal employment taxes or fees from other transportation departments in lieu of receiving their payment from the contractor.

(a) Under 23 U.S.C. 201(c)(6)(A), the Secretaries will collect and report data necessary to implement the TTP in accordance with ISDEAA, including, but not limited to:

(1) Inventory and condition information on Tribal transportation facilities; and

(2) Bridge inspection and inventory information on any Federal bridge open to the public.

(b) In addition, under 23 U.S.C. 201(c)(6)(C), any entity that carries out a project under the TTP is required to provide the data identified in § 170.240.

A Tribal transportation department is a department, commission, board, or official of any Tribal government charged by its laws with the responsibility for transportation-related responsibilities, including but not limited to, administration, planning, maintenance, and construction activities. Tribal governments, as sovereign nations, have inherent authority to establish their own transportation departments under their own Tribal laws. Tribes may staff and organize transportation departments in any manner that best suits their needs. Tribes can receive technical assistance from TTACs, BIA regional road engineers, FHWA, or AASHTO to establish a Tribal transportation department.

Yes. Tribes can use TTP funds to pay the cost of planning, administration, and performance of approved TTP activities (see § 170.116). Tribes can also use BIA road maintenance funds to pay the cost of planning, administration, and performance of maintenance activities under this part.

There are many sources of funds that may help support a Tribal transportation department. The following are some examples of additional funding sources:

(a) Tribal general funds;

(b) Tribal Priority Allocation;

(c) Tribal permits and license fees;

(d) Tribal fuel tax;

(e) Federal, State, private, and local transportation grants assistance;

(f) Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance fees (TERO); and

(g) Capacity building grants from Administration for Native Americans and other organizations.

Yes. Tribal governments can regulate travel on roads under their jurisdiction and establish a permitting process to regulate the travel of oversize or overweight vehicles, under applicable Federal law. BIA may, with the consent of the affected Tribe, establish a permitting process to regulate the travel of oversize or overweight vehicles on the BIA road system.

(a) Federal agencies should use mediation, conciliation, arbitration, and other techniques to resolve disputes brought by TTP beneficiaries. The goal of these alternative dispute resolution (ADR) procedures is to provide an inexpensive and expeditious forum to resolve disputes. Federal agencies should resolve disputes at the lowest possible staff level and in a consensual manner whenever possible.

(b) Except as required in 25 CFR part 900 and part 1000, Tribes operating under a self-determination contract or self-governance agreement are entitled to use dispute resolution techniques prescribed in:

(1) The ADR Act, 5 U.S.C. 571-583;

(2) The Contract Disputes Act, 41 U.S.C. 601-613; and

(3) The ISDEAA and the implementing regulations (including for non-construction the mediation and alternative dispute resolution options listed in 25 U.S.C. 4501 (model contract section (b)(12)).

(4) Tribes operating under a Program Agreement with FHWA are entitled to use dispute resolution techniques prescribed in 25 CFR 170.934 and Article II, Section 4 of the Agreement.

(a) To begin the ADR process, a direct service Tribe must write to the BIA Regional Director, or the Chief of BIA Division of Transportation. The letter must:

(1) Ask to begin one of the ADR procedures in the Administrative Dispute Resolution Act of 1996, 5 U.S.C. 571-583 (ADR Act); and

(2) Explain the factual and legal basis for the dispute.

(b) ADR proceedings will be governed by procedures in the ADR Act and the implementing regulations.

Yes. Tribes may:

(a) Participate in Transportation Research Board meetings, committees, and workshops sponsored by the National Science Foundation;

(b) Participate in and coordinate the development of Tribal and TTP transportation research needs;

(c) Submit transportation research proposals to States, FHWA, AASHTO, and FTA;

(d) Prepare and include transportation research proposals in their TTPTIPS;

(e) Access Transportation Research Information System Network (TRISNET) database; and

(f) Participate in transportation research activities under Intergovernmental Personnel Act agreements.

(a) A Tribe can use TTP funds:

(1) To coordinate transportation-related activities to help provide access to jobs and make education, training, childcare, healthcare, and other services more accessible to Tribal members; and

(2) As the matching share for other Federal, State, and local mobility programs.

(b) To the extent authorized by law, additional grants and program funds are available for the purposes in paragraph (a)(1) of this section from other programs administered by the Departments of Transportation, Health and Human Services, and Labor.

(c) Tribes should also apply for Federal and State public transportation and personal mobility program grants and funds.