A Tribe may appeal pre-award decisions, which include:

(a) A decision whether to include a Department program in a funding agreement;

(b) A decision whether an activity is an inherent Federal function;

(c) A decision on a final offer before the Department and the Tribe enter into a compact or funding agreement;

(d) A decision on a final offer before the Department and the Tribe execute an amendment modifying the terms of an existing compact or funding agreement; and

(e) An eligibility determination.

A Tribe appeals a pre-award decision in accordance with the process in § 29.907 to a hearing official who was not involved in the initial decision and is appointed by the General Counsel of the Department.

A Tribe must exhaust its administrative remedies before initiating a civil action against the Department in the U.S. District Courts, except a Tribe may appeal the rejection of a final offer directly to the U.S. District Courts in lieu of an administrative appeal.

(a) Unless a Tribe appeals, a pre-award decision becomes final 30 days after receipt by the Tribe. To appeal the pre-award decision, a Tribe must submit a written request to the Office of the General Counsel and the Self-Governance Official within 30 days of receiving the pre-award decision. The request must include a statement describing the reasons for appeal and any supporting documentation.

(b) The Tribe may request to resolve the dispute using an alternative dispute resolution process before the hearing official issues a decision.

If a Tribe needs additional time, it may request an extension of time to file an appeal of a pre-award decision. Within 30 days of receiving a decision, a Tribe must request the extension from the Office of the General Counsel, which has the discretion to grant the extension, and notify the Self-Governance Official of the request. The request must be in writing and give a reason for not filing its administrative appeal within the 30-day period. The Department may accept an appeal after the 30-day period for good cause.

(a) The hearing official must issue a decision in writing within 60 days of the receipt of the appeal. If the Tribe requests an informal hearing, the hearing official must issue a decision within 60 days of the hearing.

(b) All decisions issued by the hearing official must include a statement describing the rights of a Tribe to appeal the decision to the U.S. District Courts. The Department must provide the decision to the Tribe by any method that provides a receipt.

The Department must demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence the validity of a pre-award decision, and that the decision is consistent with 23 U.S.C. 207.

A pending appeal of a pre-award decision will not prevent the Department from negotiating and executing the non-disputed, severable provisions of a compact or funding agreement or prevent the Department from awarding funds to the Tribe that may be included in a funding agreement.

This subpart sets forth procedures that a Tribe may use to resolve disputes with the Department arising before or after the execution of a compact or funding agreement. It also sets forth the process for filing and processing administrative appeals under this part.

At any time, the Department or a Tribe may request an informal process or an alternate dispute resolution procedure, such as mediation, conciliation, or arbitration, to resolve disputes. The goal of any such process (which may involve a third party) is to provide an inexpensive and expeditious mechanism to resolve disputes by mutual agreement instead of an administrative or judicial proceeding. The Department and the Tribe should resolve disputes at the lowest possible organizational level whenever possible.

The Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), 5 U.S.C. 504 and 28 U.S.C. 2414, and the relevant implementing regulations (48 CFR 6101.30 and 6101.31; 49 CFR part 6) will apply if the Tribe's compact or funding agreement make these provisions applicable.

A Tribe may not appeal the following determinations under this subpart:

(a) Waiver determination. A waiver determination made pursuant to § 29.534 is a final agency action subject to judicial review under the Administrative Procedure Act.

(b) Disputes or appeals arising under other Federal laws. Decisions made under other Federal statutes, such as the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act. Such decisions may be appealable under those statutes and their implementing regulations.

(c) Selection and award decisions for discretionary or competitive grants. The Department's selection and level of funding decisions for discretionary or competitive grants are not subject to appeal.

A post-award dispute is a claim that arises under the Contract Disputes Act of 1978 (CDA), 41 U.S.C. 7101-7109. Such disputes arise once a compact or funding agreement is executed. Post-award disputes include:

(a) Disputed interpretation of a provision of an executed compact or funding agreement;

(b) Disallowance of costs under a funding agreement;

(c) Suspension of payments under a funding agreement;

(d) Allocation, distribution, or reduction of funds when a dispute arises between a consortium and a withdrawing Tribe;

(e) Failure to comply with the terms of a funding agreement; and

(f) Any other claim arising out of a compact or funding agreement.

A Contract Disputes Act claim is a written demand filed by a Tribe that seeks one or more of the following:

(a) Payment of a specific sum of money under the funding agreement;

(b) Adjustment or interpretation of terms in a funding agreement;

(c) Payment that is disputed as to liability or amount;

(d) Payment that the Department has not acted upon in a reasonable time following a demand for payment; or

(e) Any other claim relating to the terms of the compact or funding agreement.

A Tribe must submit its claim in writing to the Self-Governance Official, who serves as the Department's awarding official for the purposes of Contract Disputes Act claims. The Self-Governance Official will document the receipt of the claim.

A Tribe must certify a claim for more than $100,000 in accordance with the Contract Disputes Act. The Tribe must certify that:

(a) The claim is made in good faith;

(b) Documents or data supporting the claim are accurate and complete to the best of the Tribe's knowledge and belief;

(c) The amount claimed accurately reflects the amount the Tribe believes is owed; and

(d) The individual making the certification is authorized to make the claim on behalf of the Tribe and bind the Tribe with respect to the claim.

The Tribe bears the burden of proof to demonstrate, by a preponderance of the evidence, the validity of a Contract Disputes Act claim.

(a) The Department must document the date that the Self-Governance Official received the claim.

(b) The Self-Governance Official must provide the Tribe with an opportunity to resolve the claim informally with assistance from Department officials who have not substantially participated in the disputed matter. Such informal mechanisms may include participating in dispute resolution pursuant to § 29.901.

(c) If the Department and the Tribe do not agree on a settlement, the Self-Governance Official must issue a written decision on the claim by any method that provides a receipt.

(a) The Self-Governance Official's decision must:

(1) Describe the claim or dispute;

(2) Reference the relevant terms of the compact or funding agreement;

(3) Set forth the factual areas of agreement and disagreement; and

(4) Set forth the Self-Governance Official's decision, and provide the facts and reasons that support the decision.

(b) The Self-Governance Official must provide the decision to the Tribe and describe the Tribe's appeal rights in language similar to the following:

This is a final decision. You may appeal this decision to the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals (CBCA), 1800 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20245. If you decide to appeal, you must provide written notice within 90 days of receipt of this decision to the CBCA and provide a copy to the Self-Governance Official. The notice must indicate that an appeal is intended, and refer to the decision and contract number. Instead of appealing to the CBCA, you may bring an action in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims or U.S. District Courts within 12 months of the date you receive this notice. If you do not appeal a decision within one of these time periods, it is not subject to further review.

(a) If the claim is for less than $100,000, the Tribe may request that the Self-Governance Official issue a decision within 60 days of the date of receipt of the claim. If the Tribe does not request that the Self-Governance Official issue a decision within 60 days of the date of receipt of the claim, the Self-Governance Official must issue a decision within a reasonable time, which will depend on the size and complexity of the claim and the adequacy of the information provided in support of the claim. The Tribe must request a decision by the Self-Governance Official before seeking an appeal in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section.

(b) If the claim is for more than $100,000, the Self-Governance Official must issue a decision within 60 days of the date of receipt of the claim or notify the Tribe of the time within which the Self-Governance Official will issue a decision. Such time frame must be reasonable, which will depend on the size and complexity of the claim and the adequacy of the information provided in support of the claim.

(c) If the Self-Governance Official does not issue a decision within these time frames, a Tribe may treat the delay as a denial of its claim and appeal the decision in accordance with § 29.921.

(a) A decision of the Self-Governance Official is final and conclusive, and not subject to review, unless the Tribe timely commences an appeal or suit pursuant to the Contract Disputes Act.

(b) Once the Self-Governance Official issues a decision, the decision may not be changed except by agreement of the Department and the Tribe or under the following limited circumstances:

(1) Evidence is discovered that could not have been discovered through due diligence before the Self-Governance Official issued the decision;

(2) The Self-Governance Official learns that there has been fraud, misrepresentation, or other misconduct by a party;

(3) The decision is beyond the scope of the Self-Governance Official's authority;

(4) The claim has been satisfied, released, or discharged; or

(5) Any other reason justifying relief from the decision.

(c) If the Self-Governance Official withdraws a decision and issues a new decision, the Tribe may appeal the new decision in accordance with § 29.921. If the Self-Governance Official does not issue a new decision, the Tribe may proceed under § 29.919(c).

(d) If a Tribe files an appeal or suit, the Self-Governance Official may modify or withdraw the final decision before a decision is issued in the pending appeal.

The Tribe may appeal the Self-Governance Official's decision on a Contract Disputes Act claim in one of the following forums:

(a) The Civilian Board of Contract Appeals. The appeal must be in accordance with the Board's implementing regulations in 48 CFR part 6101;

(b) The U.S. Court of Federal Claims; or

(c) The U.S. District Courts.

A party may appeal a decision of the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals within 120 days to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

(a) The Tribe must continue performance in accordance with the compact and funding agreement during the appeal of any claims to the same extent the Tribe would have performed had there been no dispute.

(b) A pending dispute will not affect or prevent the negotiation or award of any subsequent compact or funding agreement between the Department and the Tribe.

A Tribe may appeal the Department's decision to terminate a compact or funding agreement to the Department's Office of Hearings.

(a) The Department must provide a Tribe with a hearing on the record for a non-immediate termination prior to or in lieu of the corrective action period set forth in the termination notice as described in § 29.802.

(b) The Department must provide a Tribe with a hearing on the record for an immediate termination. The Department and the Tribe will work together to determine a mutually acceptable time and place for the hearing. The hearing on the record must commence no later than 10 days after the date of such termination or a later date upon mutual agreement. If feasible, the hearing may occur virtually or telephonically. If requested by the Tribe, the Department may arrange for an in-person hearing.

(c) A Tribe may decline a hearing in writing.

(a) During the appeal of a termination decision, the Department and a Tribe have the right to:

(1) A designated representative;

(2) Present the testimony of witnesses, orally or in writing, who have knowledge of the relevant issues;

(3) Cross-examine witnesses;

(4) Introduce oral or documentary evidence, or both;

(5) Receive, upon request and payment of reasonable costs, a copy of the transcript of the hearing, and copies of all documentary evidence that is introduced at the hearing;

(6) Take depositions, request the production of documents, serve interrogatories on other parties, and request admissions; and

(7) Any other procedural rights established under the Administrative Procedure Act.

(b) An administrative law judge assigned by the chief administrative law judge of the Department's Office of Hearings must conduct hearings on the record for a termination decision unless the Tribe waives the hearing.

(a) The Department and the Tribe must file each document with U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

(b) The Department and the Tribe must serve copies of each document with:

(1) The Self-Governance Official; and

(2) The authorized Tribal representative.

The Department must demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence the validity of the grounds for the termination.

After the hearing or any post-hearing briefing schedule established by the Department's Office of Hearings, the administrative law judge must send the Department and the Tribe the decision by any method that provides a receipt. The decision must contain the administrative law judge's findings of fact and conclusions of law on all the issues.

(a) The decision of an administrative law judge is a recommended decision that the Department or the Tribe may appeal to the Secretary.

(b) The decision of an administrative law judge becomes the final decision of the Secretary 60 days after it is served on the Department and the Tribe unless a petition for review is filed in accordance with § 29.931. The decision of the Secretary is a final agency action that the Tribe may appeal to the U.S. District Courts.

(a) Time for filing. Within 30 days after service of any recommended decision of an administrative law judge, the Department or the Tribe may file a petition for review of the recommended decision with the Secretary. A copy must be served on the opposing party.

(b) Service. Each document filed with or by the Secretary must be accompanied by a certificate of service specifying the manner in which and the date on which service was made with the Secretary and the opposing party.

(c) Form and content of objections. The petition for review must set out separately and in detail each objection to the recommended decision, and the basis and reasons supporting such objection. The petition for review must state whether such objections are related to alleged errors of law or fact. The petition for review must also identify the relief requested.

(d) Introduction of new information on review. If the Department or the Tribe fail to object to any errors in the recommended decision, the party waives the right to allege such error in subsequent proceedings. The petition for review may not set forth for the first time on brief to the Secretary any matters of law or fact that were not argued before the administrative law judge.

(e) Reply briefs. An opposing party has 30 days from the date of service of the petition for review to file its reply brief.

(f) Failure to file timely and adequate objections. Late filed petitions for review are not permitted, and incomplete objections will not be reviewed.

The decision of the Secretary on the merits of a petition for review constitutes final agency action. A Tribe may appeal the decision to the U.S. District Courts.

A pending appeal of a termination decision will not affect or prevent the award of another funding agreement or TTP Agreement.