Division of Self-Determination Services

To promote and advocate maximum Indian participation in the programs and services conducted by the Federal Government for Indians; and to encourage and support the development of tribal capacity to better manage the opportunities and responsibilities of self-determination.

Created by the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 (ISDEAA), the Division of Indian Self-Determination (ISD) is charged with the responsibility to further American Indian tribes’ exercise of Self-Determination as a matter of policy. The Division also carries out the Delegation of Authority Initiative which allows for the delegation of authority for the administration and oversight of self-determination contracts and grants to the agency level.

The ISD carries out its responsibilities by providing training and technical assistance to BIA regional and agency employees, tribal officials and their staffs.

The ISD oversees the procedures for the delegation of authority for Self-Determination contracts and grants to the regional and agency levels of the BIA. This involves review of regional and agency Implementation Plans to ensure they have the capability to administer and oversee self-determination contract and grants. It also involves review and approval of qualifications of BIA employees applying for certification as awarding officials based on the Awarding Official Certification System Handbook (AOCS) and 13 IAM Chapters 2, 3 and 4.

For more information regarding training requirements, please see the related policy, 13 IAM 6: Mandatory Training, which is located on the Indian Affairs Manual webpage here: https://www.bia.gov/policy-forms/manual (scroll down to Part 13)

Training Documents & Videos

Additional Self-Determination Information

Excerpts From Indian Affairs Manual that pertain to ISD

• 13 IAM Part 1 - Authorities and Waivers
• 13 IAM Part 2 - Implementation Plans
• 13 IAM Part 3 - Awarding Official Certification
• 13 IAM Part 4 - Awarding Official Standard of Conduct
• 13 IAM Part 6 - Mandatory Training for Designated Roles
• 13 IAM Part 7 - Contract Support Costs

• Interagency Handbook (.pdf)
  • Appendices 1 (.pdf)
  • Appendices 2 (.pdf)

  Contract Support Cost

  • Contract Support Cost Handbook
  • Contract Support Cost Policy
  • Contract Support Cost Policy Dear Tribal Leader Letter

  Contract Support Cost Reports

  • FY 2014 Contract Support Cost Narrative
  • FY 2014 Contract Support Cost Spreadsheet
  • FY 2013 Contract Support Cost Shortfall Report
  • FY 2012 Contract Support Cost Shortfall Report
  • FY 2012 Contract Support Cost Shortfall Narrative
  • FY 2012 Contract Support Cost Shortfall Spreadsheet
  • FY 2011 Contract Support Cost Report
  • FY 2010 Contract Support Cost Policy
  • FY 2010 Contract Support Cost Narrative
  • FY 2010 Contract Support Shortfall Report
  • FY 2009 Contract Support Cost Report

  Self-Determination Regional Implementation Plans

  • Alaska Region Implementation Plan FY 2015
  • Eastern Region Implementation Plan FY 2015
  • Eastern Oklahoma Region Implementation Plan FY 2015
  • Great Plains Region Implementation Plan FY 2015
  • Midwest Region Implementation Plan FY 2015
  • Navajo Region Implementation Plan FY 2015
  • Northwest Region Implementation Plan FY 2015
  • Pacific Region Implementation Plan FY 2015
  • Rocky Mountain Region Implementation Plan FY 2015
  • Southwest Region Implementation Plan FY 2015
  • Southern Plains Region Implementation Plan FY 2015
  • Western Region Implementation Plan FY 2015

  Implementation Plan Review Schedules:

  FY 2015 - Year 1:

  • Eastern Oklahoma Region
  • Eastern Region
  • Rocky Mountain Region
  • Alaska Region

  FY 2016 - Year 2:

  • Northwest Region
  • Midwest Region
  • Navajo Region
  • Great Plains Region

  FY 2017 - Year 3:

  • Pacific Region
  • Western Region
  • Southwest Region
  • Southern Plains Region

  Memorandum of Understanding

  • Bureau of Indian Education - Office of Indian Service (.pdf) - 120 KB
  • Office of Indian Services - Office of Facilities Management and Construction (.pdf - 3.43 MB)
  • Office of Indian Services - Office of Special Trustee (.pdf - 3.25 MB)

  Pub. L. 93-638 CAP: Suspensions/Debarment:

  DOI:

  GSA/SAM:

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