NBC Will Drop Challenge to Council Expenses, for Now

The National Business Center will not challenge the inclusion of expenses related to the tribal council as part of indirect cost negotiations. Previously the NBC had said it would only agree to those council expenses that can be documented and that are allowable in OMB Circular A-87 (see section 19), which meant it would not allow council stipends and salaries. However, according to an August 26 letter from James Cason, of the Department of Interior, Interior will defer implementation of that provision until 2010. In the meantime, Interior will be consulting with tribal governments on the provision and will be consulting with legal experts on the applicability of OMB Circular A-87 to tribal governments.