A letter of interest is the initial indication of interest submitted by the Tribe/Consortium informing the bureau of the Tribe's/Consortium's interest in seeking information for the possible negotiation of one or more bureau programs. For non-BIA bureaus, the program and budget information request should relate to the program and activities identified in the Secretary's section 405(c) list in the Federal Register or a section 403(c) request. A letter of interest should identify the following:
As specifically as possible, the program a Tribe/Consortium is interested in negotiating under an AFA;
A preliminary brief explanation of the cultural, historical, or geographic significance to the Tribe/Consortium of the program, if applicable;
The scope of activity that a Tribe/Consortium is interested in including in an AFA;
Other information that may assist the bureau in identifying the programs that are included or related to the Tribe's/Consortium's request;
A request for information that indicates the type and/or description of information that will assist the Tribe/Consortium in pursuing the negotiation process;
A designated Tribal contact;
A request for information on any funds that may be available within the bureau or other known possible sources of funding for planning and negotiating an AFA;
A request for information on any funds available within the bureau or from other sources of funding that the Tribe/Consortium may include in the AFA for planning or performing programs or activities; and
Any requests for technical assistance to be provided by the bureau in preparing documents of materials that may be required for the Tribe/Consortium in the negotiation process.