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MENDOCINO CALIFORNIA
AGENCY TRIBAL NATIONS
MENDOCINO INDIAN RESERVATION • GSA FEDERAL TRIBAL CONTRACTOR
PUBLIC NOTICE PN-540

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Agency Tribal Nations Issues PN-540: Indian Self-Determination & Education Assistance Act
ATN Resolution A13180 — P.L. 93-638 | 25 CFR Part 900 | Contractor Policies & Cost Principles Formalized

April 9, 2026

Mendocino Indian Reservation • Sovereign Tribal Territory

Public Notice #: PN-540

Law: P.L. 93-638 (1975)

Resolution: A13180 | OMB n2700-0042

AGENCY TRIBAL NATIONS today issued Public Notice PN-540, formally publishing ATN Resolution A13180 — the Agency's engagement with the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 (P.L. 93-638) under 25 CFR Part 900. This resolution establishes ATN's contractor policies, cost principles, and self-determination contracting authority with the Department of the Interior (Commissioner of Indian Affairs) and the Department of Health and Human Services (Indian Health Service), including the Indian Tribe Energy Self-Determination Act.

Congressional Policy — The Foundation of Self-Determination

P.L. 93-638 is the cornerstone of modern federal Indian policy. Congress declared nine foundational "WHEREAS" clauses establishing that:

  • Maximum Indian participation in the direction, planning, conduct and administration of federal programs
  • Maintenance of the Federal Government's unique and continuing government-to-government relationship with Indian tribes
  • All provisions shall be liberally construed for the benefit of the tribes
  • All self-determination contract proposals must be supported by tribal resolution
  • Tribal decisions to contract or not to contract are equal expressions of self-determination

ATN Resolution A13180 — Cost Principles

The resolution establishes the applicable OMB cost circulars for ATN's self-determination contracting:

  • Tribal Government, University, Revocation Projects → OMB A-87 (Cost Principles for State, Local and Indian Tribal Governments)
  • Tribal Federal Non-Profit → OMB A-122 (Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations)
  • Tribal Educational Institution (Law Enforcement, Cultural, Industrial, Research, Child Welfare, Energy) → OMB A-21 (Cost Principles for Educational Institutions)

Existing Tribal Rights Preserved (Sec. 900.4)

Nothing in the regulations shall be construed as:

  • Affecting, modifying, or diminishing the sovereign immunity of Indian tribes
  • Terminating or reducing the trust responsibility of the United States
  • Mandating an Indian tribe to apply for contracts or grants
  • Impeding awards by other federal agencies to administer Indian programs

Read the Full Resolution

ATN Resolution A13180 — Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act Regulations & Indian Tribe Energy Self-Determination Act

Read Full Page Download Official PDF

Related Documents

Issued under the authority of the

OFFICE OF THE HEAD CHIEF

Agency Tribal Nations • Mendocino Indian Reservation

P.L. 93-638 • 25 CFR Part 900 • Resolution A13180 • 1856 Mendocino Indian Reservation Treaty

Public Comment Period

Submit a Public Comment on PN-540

This Public Notice is open for public comment for thirty (30) days from the date of publication.

Comment Period: April 9, 2026 — May 9, 2026

Comment via Email

Comments are sent to chief@altearth.org — Office of the Head Chief, Agency Tribal Nations

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