Indian Business Incubators Program, 50251-50260 [2021-18736]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 171 (Wednesday, September 8, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50251-50260]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-18736]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

25 CFR Part 1187

[212A2100DD/AAKC001030/A0A501010.999900]
RIN 1076-AF63


Indian Business Incubators Program

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Indian Economic Development (OIED) is finalizing 
a new regulation to implement the Native American Business Incubators 
Program Act. The Indian Business Incubators Program (IBIP), also known 
as the Native American Business Incubators Program, is a program in 
which OIED provides competitive grants to eligible applicants to 
establish and operate business incubators that serve Tribal reservation 
communities. These regulations establish who is eligible for the 
program, how to apply, how OIED will evaluate applications and make 
awards, and how OIED will administer the program.

DATES: This rule is effective on September 8, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Appel, Office of Regulatory 
Affairs & Collaborative Action, Bureau of Indian Affairs, telephone 
(202) 273-4680, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Statutory Authority
II. Need for This Rulemaking
III. Overview of Rule
IV. Responses to Comments
    A. Comments on Subpart A (General Provisions and Eligibility)
    1. Objective of IBIP
    2. Eligibility
    B. Comments on Subpart B (Applying for a Grant)
    C. Comments on Subpart C (Evaluation of Grant Applications)
    1. Evaluation Criteria
    2. Physical Location of Incubator
    D. Comments on Subpart D (Grant Awards)
    E. Comments on Subpart E (Grant Terms and Conditions)
    1. Renewals
    2. Use of Grant Funds
    3. Waiver of Requirement for Non-Federal Contribution
    4. Minimum Requirements Awardees Must Meet
    5. Reports
    F. Comments on Subpart F (Grant Administration)
    1. Evaluation of Grantee Performance
    2. Coordination With Other Federal Agencies
    3. Funding
    G. Miscellaneous Comments
V. Procedural Requirements
    A. Regulatory Planning and Review (E.O. 12866, 13563, and 13771)
    B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
    C. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement and Fairness Act
    D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
    E. Takings (E.O. 12630)
    F. Federalism (E.O. 13132)
    G. Civil Justice Reform (E.O. 12988)
    H. Paperwork Reduction Act
    I. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
    J. Consultation With Indian Tribes (E.O. 13175)
    K. Energy Effects (E.O. 13211)
    L. Determination To Issue Final Rule With Immediate Effective 
Date

I. Statutory Authority

    OIED is issuing this rule under the authority of the Native 
American Business Incubators Program Act, Public Law 116-174.

II. Need for This Rulemaking

    On October 20, 2020, Congress enacted the Native American Business 
Incubators Program Act, Public Law 116-174, codified at 25 U.S.C. 5801 
et seq. In the Act, Congress established the Native American Business 
Incubators Program and required the Secretary of the Interior to 
promulgate regulations to implement the program. See 25 U.S.C. 5804.
    Congress found that the Native American Business Incubators Program 
is necessary because, in addition to the challenges all entrepreneurs 
face when transforming ideas into profitable business enterprises, 
entrepreneurs face an additional set of challenges that requires 
special knowledge when they want to provide products and services in 
Tribal reservation communities. Congress further found that the 
business incubator model is suited to accelerating entrepreneurship 
(and ultimately, economic development) in Tribal reservation 
communities. Business incubators help start-up and early-stage 
businesses by offering the business owners a range of services, such 
as: Mentorships, networking, technical assistance, and access to 
investors. Through these services, incubators promote collaboration to 
address challenges and provide individually tailored services to 
overcome the obstacles that are unique to each participating business.

III. Overview of Rule

    This rule establishes the IBIP in accordance with the Native 
American Business Incubators Program Act. This regulation names the 
program IBIP, rather than the Native American Business Incubators 
Program, to avoid use of the acronym ``NABIP,'' which would likely 
cause confusion due to its similarity to at least one other grant 
program acronym related to Native American businesses.
    Through the IBIP, OIED will provide competitive grants to eligible 
applicants to establish and operate business incubators that serve 
entrepreneurs (start-up and early-stage businesses) who will provide 
products or services to Tribal reservation communities. A business 
incubator is an organization that assists entrepreneurs in becoming 
viable businesses by providing advice and services to entrepreneurs to 
navigate obstacles in transforming their innovative ideas into 
operational businesses. Examples of services that a business incubator 
may provide are workspace and facilities, advice on how to access 
capital, business education, counseling, and networking and mentorship 
opportunities. Indian Affairs does not currently have any regulations 
in place that provide for a grant program for Indian business 
incubators. The rule being finalized today will provide the framework 
for operation of the grant program so that there is certainty as to who 
is eligible for a grant, how eligible applicants can apply for a grant, 
how OIED will evaluate, award, and administer the grants, and what 
terms and conditions will apply to the grants. This rule will enable 
OIED to provide grants that will stimulate economic development in 
reservation communities.
    The rule consists of six subparts, each of which is described 
below.
     Subpart A--General Provisions and Eligibility: Defines 
terms defined in the statute consistent with the statutory definitions, 
replacing citations with restatements of the provisions cited where 
appropriate, and adds a new term for ``IBIP'' in lieu of ``Native 
American Business Incubator Program (NABIP)'' to avoid confusion 
because the acronym ``NABIP'' is similar to other grant programs. This 
subpart also describes who is eligible to receive an IBIP grant, to 
include the following entities that

[[Page 50252]]

meet certain additional requirements set out in Sec.  1187.3:
    [cir] Tribes;
    [cir] Tribal colleges and universities;
    [cir] Institutions of higher education; and
    [cir] Tribal or private nonprofit organizations that provide 
business and financial technical assistance.
     Subpart B--Applying for a Grant: Describes how an eligible 
applicant applies for a grant, adding the specificity that applications 
must be submitted through www.grants.gov. This subpart also includes 
the statutory requirements for what must be included in an application 
and written site proposal, and how to submit a joint application. The 
regulations add that joint applications must identify which of the 
entities submitting the joint application will be the lead contact for 
the purposes of grant management.
     Subpart C--Evaluation of Grant Applications: Describes the 
criteria OIED will use to evaluate each IBIP grant application, adding 
the specific time period of three months to the statutory requirement 
that the grantee must commence services within a minimum period of time 
to be determined by the Secretary. This subpart also adds a new 
criterion to the statutory criteria for evaluation: The extent to which 
a grant award will enable an entity that is already providing business 
incubation services to appreciably enhance those services. OIED added 
this criterion in order to ensure that the grant is funding new 
incubation services, such that there is a return for the investment 
made in the incubator, rather than merely paying existing incubators 
for services they would have otherwise provided.
     Subpart D--Grant Awards: Describes how OIED will disburse 
grant funds to awardees according to the statute. This subpart also 
includes the statutory prohibition on awarding an IBIP grant that 
duplicates other Federal funding, but adds a clarification that 
duplicative funding means any funding from other Federal grants that 
would overlap with the IBIP grant for the same activities described in 
the applicant's IBIP proposal.
     Subpart E--Grant Term and Conditions: Establishes an 
initial grant term of three years, with the opportunity to renew for 
one additional three-year term if certain conditions are met, in 
accordance with the statute. This subpart also lists the purposes for 
which awardees may use the grant funds, requires awardees to provide 
non-Federal contributions in an amount at least 25 percent of the grant 
unless the conditions for waiver of that requirement are met, lists the 
minimum requirements awardees must meet in providing incubation 
services, and requires the awardee to submit a report at the end of the 
grant year that provides, among other things, a detailed breakdown of 
the Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs the incubator helped 
establish or serve. These items are all statutory but are included in 
the regulation to assist readers in finding all relevant IBIP grant 
information in one location.
     Subpart F--OIED Grant Administration: Provides that OIED 
will conduct an annual evaluation of each IBIP awardee's success, 
facilitate relationships between awardees and educational institutions 
serving Native American communities, and collaborate with other Federal 
agencies that administer business and entrepreneurial programs. These 
items are also all statutory but are included in the regulation to 
assist readers in finding all relevant IBIP grant information in one 
location.
    Note: The final rule replaces references to the Office of Indian 
Energy and Economic Development (IEED) with the Office of Indian 
Economic Development (OIED) to reflect the organizational change that 
moved the Division of Energy and Minerals Development from OIED to the 
Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Trust Services.

IV. Responses to Comments on the Proposed Rule

    On April 13, 2021, OIED published a proposed rule to implement the 
IBIP. See 86 FR 19162. During the public comment period, OIED hosted 
two Tribal consultation sessions by webinar on May 12, 2021, and May 
13, 2021, to discuss the proposed rule. On May 12, 2021, 
representatives of 33 Tribes participated and on May 13, 2021, 
representatives of 14 Tribes participated. Comments on the proposed 
rule were accepted until June 14, 2021. OIED received a total of 11 
written comment submissions on the proposed rule, including three from 
Tribes, two from Tribal and Indian organizations, five from 
organizations including four financial organizations, and one from an 
individual. Several commenters expressed support for both the 
legislation and regulation. No changes to the proposed regulatory text 
were made as a result of the consultation or public comments, but OIED 
responds to the comments as follows.

A. Comments on Subpart A (General Provisions and Eligibility)

1. Objective of IBIP
    One Tribe and one economic development organization stated that the 
provision at Sec.  1187.1(b), providing that the incubator will assist 
businesses to offer products and services to reservation communities, 
is too narrow because the objective of the IBIP should be to mentor and 
grow Native-owned businesses regardless of their potential market.
    Response: The Act establishes the IBIP for the establishment and 
operation of business incubators that ``serve reservation communities'' 
by providing business incubation and other business services to Native 
businesses and Native entrepreneurs. See 25 U.S.C. 5803(a). The Act 
also requires an applicant incubator to describe one or more 
reservation communities it will serve. See 25 U.S.C. 5803(c)(1)(B). For 
these reasons, the regulation reflects that the incubator will offer 
products and services to reservation communities. Incubators must serve 
businesses in reservation communities, but those businesses may have 
markets that extend beyond reservation communities and the benefits of 
the IBIP will be broader than reservation communities.
2. Eligibility
    One organization commented on the requirement at Sec.  
1187.3(b)(4)(i) for a nonprofit to have been operational for not less 
than one year before receiving a grant. This commenter stated one year 
is insufficient and recommended at least three years.
    Response: The one-year requirement is statutory and cannot be 
changed by regulation. See 25 U.S.C. 5803(b)(1)(C).
    A privately held corporation commented that it should be eligible 
for the IBIP, but that the regulation limits eligibility of 
organizations to Tribal or private nonprofit organizations.
    Response: Eligibility for the IBIP is established by statute and 
cannot be changed by regulation. See 25 U.S.C. 5803(b) (limiting 
eligible entities to the following four categories: (i) An Indian 
Tribe; (ii) a Tribal college or university; (iii) an institution of 
higher education; or (iv) a private nonprofit organization or Tribal 
nonprofit organization.)
    Two commenters requested the regulation specifically list as 
eligible entities Native Community Development Financial Institutions 
(CDFIs) and Tribally chartered nonprofit organizations authorized by 
Internal Revenue Code 7871. One commenter stated that Native CDFIs fit 
the category of Tribal or private nonprofit

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organizations providing business and financial technical assistance.
    Response: The applicant will need to demonstrate in its application 
that it meets the eligibility criteria in one of the four categories 
defined in the statute and regulation. At that time, the applicant can 
articulate why a particular entity, such as Native CDFIs or Tribally 
chartered non-profits, meets those qualifications.
    One Tribe recommended that a preference or priority be granted to 
Tribes, Tribal colleges and universities, and Tribal non-profit 
organizations. Similarly, several other commenters stated that Native-
led entities should be awarded IBIP grants over non-Native entities.
    Response: The statute defines the categories of eligible entities 
to include institutions of higher education and private nonprofit 
organizations, which may or may not be Native led. See 25 U.S.C. 
5803(b).
    One commenter recommended that, if the final rule includes non-
Native entities as eligible, then additional criteria should be added 
to application evaluations to ensure the funding benefits Native 
communities.
    Response: Congress established the eligibility requirements and 
evaluation criteria, and adding the requested requirements goes beyond 
our statutory authority; however, the evaluation criteria directs the 
Department to review whether the awardee will benefit Native American 
businesses and entrepreneurs.

B. Comments on Subpart B (Applying for a Grant)

    A Tribe asked for clarification on whether in-kind support such as 
existing personnel or free use of existing office space to run the 
incubator counts toward the non-Federal contribution requirement. 
Another commenter requested examples of whether certain types of in-
kind contributions and in-kind services would count toward the non-
Federal contribution requirement, requesting at a minimum that the 
value of in-kind donation of incubator space and donated services to 
support the incubator or incubated businesses be included.
    Response: The regulation requires applicants to describe in their 
applications their non-Federal contributions in an amount equal to not 
less than 25 percent of the grant amount requested. See Sec.  
1187.11(e). Non-Federal contributions may include donated space as 
measured by the value of rent, so that the applicant can use IBIP 
funding they receive for other purposes. Payroll for personnel working 
on the incubator who are not funded by IBIP funding may be allowable 
non-Federal contributions. The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) 
will provide more examples of allowable non-Federal contributions.
    One commenter asked whether the non-Federal contribution has to be 
in hand as of the date of the application.
    Response: The applicant must provide a commitment for the non-
Federal contribution in the application, but does not have to have the 
contribution in hand on the date of the application. The applicant 
could rely on projected earnings, for example.

C. Comments on Subpart C (Evaluation of Grant Applications)

1. Evaluation Criteria
    One Tribe commented that a Tribe's experience should be considered 
but additional points should not be given to Tribes that currently 
operate a business incubator because Tribes, both large and small, 
should not be at a disadvantage when competing for funding against 
currently operational applicants.
    Response: The Department shares the goal of ensuring that both 
large and small Tribes benefit from the incubator program. Experience 
may help an applicant because applicants are required to commence 
providing services within three months under Sec.  1187.20, but the 
NOFO will further clarify how applications will be ranked.
    Two commenters stated that, when evaluating applications, OIED 
should consider metrics beyond financial impacts, such as services that 
enhance community well-being, to measure success. Another commenter 
stated that criteria should be based on success with clients, customer 
references, and completion of a viable product.
    Response: Applicants will be requested to provide the milestones 
and outcomes of their project demonstrating to the Secretary the 
successful outcomes of the grant.
    A Tribal organization commenter stated that IBIP funds should be 
awarded in a manner that equitably distributes funds to be regionally 
representative of Indian Country, and ensure that regionally focused 
programs are not precluded.
    Response: OIED will be considering regional representation across 
Indian Country as part of the selection process. Details will be 
provided in the NOFO.
    A Tribal organization commenter stated that OIED should consider 
socioeconomic factors, such as the size and location of eligible 
applicants, in awarding IBIP funds to ensure that Tribal nations with a 
small population or small land base have an opportunity to participate 
and benefit from the program.
    Response: Each applicant will have to demonstrate that they are 
serving a diverse population and include justifications around 
socioeconomic factors and considerations related to size and location. 
For example, the evaluation criteria include a criterion for the 
ability of the eligible applicant to provide services at geographically 
remote locations where quality business guidance and counseling is 
difficult to obtain). See Sec.  1187.20(a)(3).
    One commenter asked what ``significant'' means in the context of 
the criterion at Sec.  1187.20(a)(3) for the ability of the eligible 
applicant to provide quality incubation services to a significant 
number of Native businesses or Native entrepreneurs (or provide such 
services at geographically remote locations where quality business 
guidance and counseling is difficult to obtain).
    Response: The significance of the number of Native businesses or 
Native entrepreneurs will be driven by the applicant's proposal and 
justification of how many Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs 
they intend to serve with the amount of funding requested.
2. Physical Location of Incubator
    A Tribal organization commenter stated that Tribal nations should 
be able to decide whether to incubate only those businesses within 
their jurisdictional boundaries or incubate Native entrepreneurs 
located away from their Tribal homelands.
    Response: Applicants have flexibility in demonstrating who they 
will serve as long as they serve one or more reservation communities 
(regardless of whether those communities are near their own Tribe's 
homelands) and demonstrate that they have a competitive process for 
selecting Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs to participate in 
the business incubator. See Sec. Sec.  1187.3(b)(4) and 1187.44(a)(2).
    A Tribe urged OIED to recognize that transportation issues in 
Indian Country are significant and that, unless incubation services are 
within reservation boundaries or walking distance of a reservation, 
many Native businesses will have difficulty accessing the services. 
This Tribe recommended adding the word ``significant'' to the 
requirement to give priority to eligible applicants that will provide 
business incubation services on or near reservation communities.
    Response: OIED is aware of the substantial transportation 
challenges in Indian Country and expects that proposals will provide 
options to

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address those barriers. The final rule does not add the word 
``significant'' because priority will necessarily be significant, given 
that this is the only criterion granted priority.
    A Tribal organization commenter stated that OIED should waive the 
requirement for program funds be used to provide physical workplace due 
to the COVID-19 pandemic and to support applicant use of IBIP funds to 
provide incubator services to Native businesses that cannot access the 
incubator's physical location due to remoteness, pandemic restrictions, 
and other barriers identified by Tribes and Tribal applicants.
    Response: The requirement for the incubator to provide physical 
space is statutory, so it cannot be waived. See 25 U.S.C. 
5803(b)(1)(B), (c)(1)(E).
    A Tribe stated that, in conducting the site evaluation, OIED should 
refrain from imposing requirements for dedicated office space for each 
business and instead allow flexibility for co-working space or 
``hotel'' style offices to allow the incubator to serve the largest 
number of participants.
    Response: The incubator must be able to offer physical space to its 
participating businesses, but there is flexibility in how the incubator 
delivers services to the businesses.
    One commenter stated that only applicants with existing workspace 
can apply but that OIED should allow funding to be used to construct 
and remodel space for small businesses.
    Response: The regulation provides that the applicant does not have 
to be in possession of the proposed site at the time of the 
application. See Sec. Sec.  1187.11(f) and 1187.12.

D. Comments on Subpart D (Grant Awards)

    One commenter noted that Sec.  1187.30 provides that grant funds 
will be in annual installments but may be more frequently (as long as 
not more than quarterly), and noted that in their experience an annual 
disbursement is preferable.
    Response: OIED intends to make annual disbursements unless 
otherwise requested by the applicant, as stated in the rule.

E. Comments on Subpart E (Grant Term and Conditions)

1. Renewals
    A commenter suggested that the regulation should measure an 
incubator's performance as compared with other small businesses across 
the country and outside the IBIP to ensure the incubators are providing 
enough resources before renewing the grant.
    Response: The regulation (at Sec.  1187.41(a)(2)) provides that 
OIED will measure the performance of the awardee's business incubator, 
as compared to the performance of other business incubators receiving 
grants under the IBIP, because this is a statutory requirement. See 25 
U.S.C. 5803(d)(4).
    A Tribe recommended OIED also assess, in determining whether to 
renew, whether the incubator model continues to be beneficial to the 
Tribe and to the businesses.
    Response: OIED will conduct annual evaluations to measure 
successful outcomes of the grant based on the milestones and outcomes 
for the project the incubator included in their application. See Sec.  
1187.50. OIED will consider the results of the annual evaluation in 
determining whether to renew a grant award. See Sec.  1187.41(a)(1).
    A commenter stated that the regulation should include benchmarks to 
measure incubators' success and suggested imposing additional 
requirements such as requiring incubators to invest in community 
cohesion, leverage their development to secure funding from State and 
local governments, reallocate a portion of the grant money toward 
investments with return equity, and make increased visibility in public 
and private sectors and goal to attract potential investors.
    Response: Applicants will be requested to provide the milestones 
and outcomes of their project demonstrating to the Secretary the 
successful outcomes of the grant.
2. Use of Grant Funds
    A Tribe recommended that an allowable use of grant funds be for 
staffing purposes.
    Response: Use of grant funds may include staffing. See 25 U.S.C. 
5803(e)(2)(D). Applicants will describe their costs within their 
proposed budget.
    A commenter welcomed the flexibility of allowing grant funds to be 
used for appropriate uses typically associated with business incubators 
and suggested acceptable uses of grant funds should include revolving 
loan funds, job creation, and technology commercialization, among other 
uses.
    Response: The applicant will define in the proposal how the grant 
funds will be used and what services and approaches it will take.
3. Waiver of Requirement for Non-Federal Contribution
    One Tribe suggested eliminating the requirement for non-Federal 
contributions and one stated that the waiver authority must be 
construed broadly because of the impact on Tribes of the COVID-19 
pandemic causing significant economic losses. A Tribal organization 
also requested OIED consider a broader waiver of the non-Federal 
contribution requirement and another commenter supported providing a 
blanket waiver for the first round of awarded IBIP grants.
    Response: OIED will continue to require the non-Federal 
contribution as required in the statute; however, OIED recognizes the 
difficulties Tribes have encountered during the pandemic and waiver 
decisions will be considered in accordance with its waiver authority 
based on the criteria in Sec.  1187.43.
    A commenter encouraged OIED to allow applicants to request waivers 
in advance of the grant application deadline for IBIP.
    Response: The statutory criteria for waiving the non-Federal 
contribution include that the incubator will provide quality business 
incubation services and that one or more reservation communities to be 
served are unlikely to receive similar services--these are both 
determinations that OIED cannot make until it reviews the full 
application. See 25 U.S.C. 5803(d)(3)(B).
    Two commenters recommended clarifying that applicants' requests for 
waivers will not negatively impact evaluation of their grant 
applications.
    Response: OIED understands the difficulty in obtaining non-Federal 
contributions and will clarify in the NOFO whether non-Federal 
contributions will be included in the ranking criteria.
4. Minimum Requirements Awardees Must Meet
    A Tribe stated that Tribes should have broad discretion in 
structuring the competitive process by which participants are selected 
to participate in the incubator.
    Response: The applicant defines what their competitive process will 
be under Sec.  1187.44(a)(2).
    A Tribe stated that, in the requirement for applicants to provide 
entrepreneurship and business skills training and education to Native 
businesses and Native entrepreneurs, the list of training and education 
topics in the curriculum should be introduced by ``including but not 
limited to'' and list an overview of legal issues including choice of 
entity and legal structures, and an overview of Federal small business 
lending and contracting programs.
    Response: The applicant defines in their application what their 
curriculum

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will include, so no change to the regulation is necessary.
    A Tribe stated that the requirement for the incubator to provide 
access to investors should include a ``best efforts'' qualifier because 
the barriers in accessing capital in Indian Country are well 
documented.
    Response: The applicant defines in their application what their 
best efforts will include, so no change to the regulation is necessary.
    A Tribe stated that it is not unusual for for-profit business 
incubators to make a nominal investment in a business in exchange for 
equity in that business, accomplishing the dual goals of providing the 
new business with startup capital and help the program become self-
sustaining. The Tribe requested clarification on whether such 
investments by business incubators participating in IBIP would be 
permissible.
    Response: The IBIP is not structured in a way that would allow the 
business incubator to obtain return equity from its participating 
businesses. Incubators may, however, request that successful business 
participants give back to the program by mentoring and sharing best 
practices with other businesses.
5. Reports
    A Tribe recommended that the regulation also require awardees to 
submit reports detailing capital investments and revenue growth.
    Response: The grantee is free to share information detailing 
capital investments and revenue growth in its report, but the rule does 
not require this information in the reports. Instead, the required 
annual report focuses on the number of Native businesses and 
entrepreneurs the incubator assists and their performance while 
participating and after graduation or departure from the incubator.
    A commenter stated that the requirement for reporting business 
performance could be a deterrent for small business startups who are 
wary of making financial disclosures, so other metrics such as number 
of new employees or customers should be used instead.
    Response: Financial oversight will consist of Federal reporting 
toward the grant funding only. The applicant will be able to specify 
how they are going to oversee the incubator activities and justify use 
of the grant funding and can craft those metrics to avoid revealing any 
financial disclosures that it believes will deter Native businesses and 
entrepreneurs from participating in the incubator.

F. Comments on Subpart F (Grant Administration)

1. Evaluation of Awardee Performance
    A Tribe stated the requirement for awardees to become operational 
should become operational should be lengthened from 3 months to allow 
awardees at least 6 months.
    Response: When determining the allowable ``start-up'' timeframe for 
grantees, OIED also considers the total time available to implement the 
activities under the grant. Since these are only one-year grants, 
allowing a 6-month ``start-up'' timeframe would leave only 6 months for 
implementation. For that reason, the final rule retains the 3-month 
timeframe for the grantee to commence providing services.
    Two commenters stated their appreciation that the regulation does 
not include a requirement that businesses graduate from incubator 
programs within a certain period of time.
    Response: The applicant decides when participant businesses 
graduate from their program. (The incubator awardee itself receives 
funding for 3 years with one potential renewal.)
2. Coordination With Other Federal Agencies
    A Tribe noted that one of the greatest problems facing economic 
development in Indian Country is the lack of practical broadband access 
and urged adding to the regulation that the named federal Departments 
and agencies be required to provide broadband support to the maximum 
extent practicable.
    Response: The requested additional language was not included in the 
final regulation because that language is not clearly authorized by the 
statute; however, OIED will actively engage with our Federal partners 
to continue to improve broadband in Indian Country. See 25 U.S.C. 5806.
3. Funding
    Several commenters requested that additional funding be 
appropriated to this program.
    Response: OIED relies upon Congress for annual appropriations for 
the IBIP.

G. Miscellaneous Comments

    A Tribe requested OIED consider the unique sovereign status of 
Tribes and unique issues Tribes and Tribal members face when attempting 
to obtain conventional financing in Indian Country. Another commenter 
also noted that Native American businesses and entrepreneurship will 
differ in practice and view across Tribal communities. Another 
commenter provided statistics on the percentage of minority small 
business owners and stated that Native American businesses account for 
the smallest number of minority-owned firms.
    Response: OIED recognizes the challenges of conventional financing 
in Indian Country. Congress also found in creating the IBIP that all 
entrepreneurs face challenges when transforming ideas into businesses, 
and entrepreneurs that want to provide services to reservation 
communities face additional barriers. The IBIP is intended to help 
address these challenges and includes, as a minimum requirement, that 
IBIP awardees offer culturally tailored incubation services to Native 
businesses and Native entrepreneurs. See 25 U.S.C. 5803(e)(2)(A) and 
Sec.  1187.44(a)(1).
    A commenter stated that OIED should commit to making information 
about IBIP applications, grant awards, and the impact of IBIP funding 
available publicly. This commenter stated that the information would be 
valuable for documenting demand for the program, understanding the 
program's reach and impact across Native communities and contexts, and 
raising the visibility of grant recipients.
    Response: Disclosure of grant applications and reports are limited 
by Privacy Act and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) exemptions, but 
OIED plans to share grant awards and success stories while complying 
with Privacy Act restrictions and FOIA exemptions.
    A non-Tribal commenter urged OIED to prioritize feedback from 
Tribes and Native-led organizations in the rulemaking process.
    Response: OIED hosted government-to-government consultation with 
Tribes during preparation of this final rule and considered Tribes' 
input accordingly.

V. Procedural Requirements

A. Regulatory Planning and Review (E.O. 12866, 13563)

    Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 provides that the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) at the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) will review all significant rules. OIRA has determined 
that this rule is not significant.
    E.O. 13563 reaffirms the principles of E.O. 12866 while calling for 
improvements in the Nation's regulatory system to promote 
predictability, to reduce uncertainty, and to use the best, most 
innovative, and least burdensome tools for achieving regulatory ends. 
The E.O. directs agencies to consider regulatory approaches that reduce 
burdens and maintain flexibility and freedom of choice for the public 
where

[[Page 50256]]

these approaches are relevant, feasible, and consistent with regulatory 
objectives. E.O. 13563 emphasizes further that regulations must be 
based on the best available science and that the rulemaking process 
must allow for public participation and an open exchange of ideas. We 
have developed this rule in a manner consistent with these 
requirements.

B. The Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Department of the Interior certifies that this rule will not 
have a significant economic effect on a substantial number of small 
entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). 
This rule establishes a program to provide grants for business 
incubators, some of which may be small entities, but the $5 million in 
total annual appropriations is not expected to reach the threshold of 
having a significant economic effect on a substantial number of small 
entities.

C. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996

    This rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small 
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. Because this rule 
establishes a program supported by $5 million in annual appropriations 
this rule:
    (a) Does not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million 
or more.
    (b) Will not cause a major increase in costs or prices for 
consumers, individual industries, Federal, State, or local government 
agencies, or geographic regions.
    (c) Does not have significant adverse effects on competition, 
employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of 
U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises.

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    This rule does not impose an unfunded mandate on State, local, or 
Tribal governments or the private sector of more than $100 million per 
year. The rule does not have a monetarily significant or unique effect 
on State, local, or Tribal governments or the private sector. This rule 
would establish a program to provide grants to certain business 
incubators that will serve Tribal communities. A statement containing 
the information required by the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.) is not required.

E. Takings (E.O. 12630)

    This rule does not affect a taking of private property or otherwise 
have taking implications under Executive Order 12630 because this rule 
does not affect individual property rights protected by the Fifth 
Amendment or involve a compensable ``taking.'' A takings implication 
assessment is not required.

F. Federalism (E.O. 13132)

    Under the criteria in section 1 of Executive Order 13132, this rule 
does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a federalism summary impact statement. A federalism 
summary impact statement is not required.

G. Civil Justice Reform (E.O. 12988)

    This rule complies with the requirements of Executive Order 12988. 
Specifically, this rule: (a) Meets the criteria of section 3(a) 
requiring that all regulations be reviewed to eliminate errors and 
ambiguity and be written to minimize litigation; and (b) Meets the 
criteria of section 3(b)(2) requiring that all regulations be written 
in clear language and contain clear legal standards.

H. Consultation With Indian Tribes (E.O. 13175)

    The Department of the Interior strives to strengthen its 
government-to-government relationship with Indian Tribes through a 
commitment to consultation with Indian Tribes and recognition of their 
right to self-governance and Tribal sovereignty. We have evaluated this 
rule under the Department's consultation policy and under the criteria 
in Executive Order 13175 and have determined that it has substantial 
direct effects on federally recognized Indian Tribes because the rule 
requires early Tribal involvement in the design of a process that will 
have significant impact on one or more recognized Tribes. OIED 
conducted Tribal consultation sessions by webinar on May 12 and 13 for 
input on the proposed rule. Responses to comments received from Tribes 
are included in the Responses to Comments section, above.

I. Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rule contains new information collections. All information 
collections require approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). We may not conduct or sponsor and you are not 
required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. 
The Department is seeking approval of a new information collection, as 
follows.
    Brief Description of Collection: This information collection 
includes items that an applicant must include in an application for an 
Indian Business Incubator Program (IBIP) grant and that IBIP awardees 
must include in the annual report. Applicant contents include such 
items as a description of the reservation communities the incubator 
will serve, a three-year plan regarding the services to be offered to 
participating entrepreneurs, among other items, information regarding 
applicant's experience in conducting assistance programs, and a site 
description of the location at which the applicant will provide work 
space to participants, among other items. The annual report includes a 
detailed breakdown of the entrepreneurs the incubator has served for 
the year covered by the report.
    Title: Indian Business Incubator Program (IBIP).
    OMB Control Number: 1076-0199.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: New collection.
    Respondents/Affected Public: Individuals, Private Sector, 
Government.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 50.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 100.
    Estimated Completion Time per Response: Ranges from 5 to 35 hours.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 2,000 hours.
    Respondents' Obligation: Required to obtain a benefit.
    Frequency of Response: Occasionally.
    Total Estimated Annual Non-Hour Burden Cost: $0.
    A proposed rule, soliciting comments on this collection of 
information for 30 days, was published on April 13, 2021 (86 FR 19162). 
No comments were received on the information collections.
    As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent 
burdens, we invite the public and other Federal agencies to comment on 
any aspect of this information collection, including:
    (1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether or not the information will have practical utility;
    (2) The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection 
of information, including the validity of the methodology and 
assumptions used;
    (3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    (4) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or

[[Page 50257]]

other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic 
submission of response.
    Written comments and recommendations for the information collection 
should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notification to 
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information 
collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--Open for 
Public Comments'' or by using the search function. Please provide a 
copy of your comments to [email protected]. Please reference OMB 
Control Number 1076-0199 in the subject line of your comments.

J. National Environmental Policy Act

    This rule does not constitute a major Federal action significantly 
affecting the quality of the human environment. A detailed statement 
under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not 
required because this is an administrative and procedural regulation. 
(For further information see 43 CFR 46.210(i)). We have also determined 
that this rule does not involve any of the extraordinary circumstances 
listed in 43 CFR 46.215 that would require further analysis under NEPA.

K. Effects on the Energy Supply (E.O. 13211)

    This rule is not a significant energy action under the definition 
in Executive Order 13211. A Statement of Energy Effects is not 
required.

L. Determination To Issue Final Rule With Immediate Effective Date

    This final rule is not subject to the effective date limitation of 
5 U.S.C. 553(d) because there is good cause to dispense with the 30-day 
delayed effective date requirement in this case. The regulation sets 
out how a grant program will be conducted, under provisions largely 
prescribed by statute. A delayed effective date would be unnecessary 
and contrary to the public interest because it would only serve to 
delay the Department's ability to solicit applications for the grant 
funding.

List of Subject in 25 CFR Part 1187

    Indians-business and finance, Loan programs--business, Loan 
programs--Indians, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

0
For the reasons given in the preamble, the Department of the Interior 
amends chapter VI of title 25 of the Code of Federal Regulations by 
adding part 1187 to read as follows:

PART 1187--INDIAN BUSINESS INCUBATORS PROGRAM

Subpart A--General Provisions and Eligibility
Sec.
1187.1 What is the Indian Business Incubators Program (IBIP)?
1187.2 What terms do I need to know?
1187.3 Who is eligible to receive a grant under the IBIP?
Subpart B--Applying for a Grant
1187.10 How does an eligible applicant apply for a grant under the 
IBIP?
1187.11 What must an application include?
1187.12 What must an applicant include in a written site proposal?
1187.13 May applicants submit a joint application?
1187.14 What additional items must a joint application include?
Subpart C--Evaluation of Grant Applications
1187.20 How will OIED evaluate each application?
1187.21 How will OIED evaluate the proposed location of the business 
incubator?
1187.22 How will OIED conduct the site evaluation?
Subpart D--Grant Awards
1187.30 How will OIED disburse the grant funds to awardees?
1187.31 May OIED award a grant that is duplicative of Federal 
funding from another source?
Subpart E--Grant Term and Conditions
1187.40 How long is the grant term?
1187.41 May OIED renew a grant award?
1187.42 What may awardees use grant funds for?
1187.43 May OIED waive the requirement for the non-Federal 
contribution?
1187.44 What minimum requirements must awardees meet?
1187.45 What reports must the awardee submit?
Subpart F--OIED Grant Administration
1187.50 How will OIED evaluate awardees' performance?
1187.51 Will OIED facilitate relationships between awardees and 
educational institutions serving Native American communities?
1187.52 How will OIED coordinate with other Federal agencies?

    Authority:  25 U.S.C. 2, 9; 25 U.S.C. 5801 et seq.

Subpart A--General Provisions and Eligibility


Sec.  1187.1   What is the Indian Business Incubators Program (IBIP)?

    The Indian Business Incubators Program (IBIP) is a program under 
the Native American Business Incubators Program Act in which the Office 
of Indian Economic Development (OIED) provides competitive grants to 
eligible applicants to establish and operate business incubators that 
serve Tribal reservation communities. With these grants, business 
incubators will:
    (a) Provide individually tailored business incubation and other 
business services to Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs to 
overcome the unique obstacles they confront; and
    (b) Provide Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs with the 
tools necessary to start and grow businesses that offer products and 
services to reservation communities.


Sec.  1187.2   What terms do I need to know?

    As used in the part:
    Awardee means an eligible applicant receiving a grant under the 
IBIP.
    Business incubator means an organization that:
    (1) Provides physical workspace and facilities resources to 
startups and established businesses; and
    (2) Is designed to accelerate the growth and success of businesses 
through a variety of business support resources and services, 
including--
    (i) Business education, counseling, and advice regarding access to 
capital;
    (ii) Networking opportunities;
    (iii) Mentorship opportunities; and
    (iv) Other services intended to aid in developing a business.
    Eligible applicant means an applicant eligible to apply for a grant 
under Sec.  1187.3.
    IBIP means the Indian Business Incubator Program (IBIP) under the 
Native American Business Incubator Program Act.
    Indian Tribe has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the 
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
5304).
    Institution of higher education means an educational institution in 
any State that--
    (1) Admits as regular students only persons having a certificate of 
graduation from a school providing secondary education, or the 
recognized equivalent of such a certificate, or persons who meet the 
requirements of 20 U.S.C. 1091(d);
    (2) Is legally authorized within such State to provide a program of 
education beyond secondary education;
    (3) Provides an educational program for which the institution 
awards a bachelor's degree or provides not less than a two-year program 
that is acceptable for full credit toward such a degree, or awards a 
degree that is acceptable for admission to a graduate or professional 
degree program, subject to review and approval by the Secretary;
    (4) Is a public or other nonprofit institution; and

[[Page 50258]]

    (5) Is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or 
association, or if not so accredited, is an institution that has been 
granted pre-accreditation status by such an agency or association that 
has been recognized by the Secretary for the granting of pre-
accreditation status, and the Secretary has determined that there is 
satisfactory assurance that the institution will meet the accreditation 
standards of such an agency or association within a reasonable time.
    Native American or Native means a person who is a member of an 
Indian Tribe, as defined in section 4(d) of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304(d)).
    Native business means a business concern that is at least 51-
percent owned and controlled by 1 or more Native Americans.
    Native entrepreneur means an entrepreneur who is a Native American.
    OIED means the Office of Indian Economic Development in the Office 
of the Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
    Reservation means Indian reservations, public domain Indian 
allotments, former Indian reservations in Oklahoma, and land held by 
incorporated Native groups, regional corporations, and village 
corporations under the provisions of the Alaska Native Claims 
Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.).
    Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.
    Tribal college or university means an institution that--
    (1) Qualifies for funding under the Tribally Controlled Colleges 
and Universities Assistance Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) or the 
Navajo Community College Act (25 U.S.C. 640a note); or
    (2) Is cited in section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant 
Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note).


Sec.  1187.3  Who is eligible to receive a grant under the IBIP?

    To be eligible to receive a grant under the IBIP, an applicant 
must:
    (a) Be able to provide the physical workspace, equipment, and 
connectivity necessary for Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs 
to collaborate and conduct business on a local, regional, national, and 
international level; and
    (b) Be one of the following entities:
    (1) An Indian Tribe;
    (2) A Tribal college or university that will have been operational 
for not less than one year before receiving a grant under the IBIP;
    (3) An institution of higher education that will have been 
operational for not less than one year before receiving a grant under 
the IBIP; or
    (4) A Tribal or private nonprofit organization that provides 
business and financial technical assistance and:
    (i) Will have been operational for not less than one year before 
receiving a grant under the IBIP; and
    (ii) Commits to serving one or more reservation communities.

Subpart B--Applying for a Grant


Sec.  1187.10   How does an eligible applicant apply for a grant under 
the IBIP?

    Each eligible applicant desiring a grant under the IBIP must submit 
to the Secretary an application as described in the solicitation posted 
on www.grants.gov.


Sec.  1187.11   What must an application include?

    An application for a grant under the IBIP must include:
    (a) A certification that the applicant:
    (1) Is an eligible applicant;
    (2) Has or will designate an executive director or program manager 
to manage the business incubator; and
    (3) Agrees to:
    (i) A site evaluation by the Secretary as part of the final 
selection process;
    (ii) An annual programmatic and financial examination for the 
duration of the grant; and
    (iii) To the maximum extent practicable, to remedy any problems 
identified pursuant to the site evaluation and examination;
    (b) A description of the one or more reservation communities to be 
served by the business incubator;
    (c) A three-year plan that describes:
    (1) The number of Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs to be 
participating in the business incubator;
    (2) Whether the business incubator will focus on a particular type 
of business or industry;
    (3) A detailed breakdown of the services to be offered to Native 
businesses and Native entrepreneurs participating in the business 
incubator; and
    (4) A detailed breakdown of the services, if any, to be offered to 
Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs not participating in the 
business incubator;
    (d) Information demonstrating the effectiveness and experience of 
the eligible applicant in:
    (1) Conducting financial, management, and marketing assistance 
programs designed to educate or improve the business skills of current 
or prospective businesses;
    (2) Working in and providing services to Native American 
communities;
    (3) Providing assistance to entities conducting business in 
reservation communities;
    (4) Providing technical assistance under Federal business and 
entrepreneurial development programs for which Native businesses and 
Native entrepreneurs are eligible; and
    (5) Managing finances and staff effectively;
    (e) A description of the applicant's non-Federal contributions, in 
an amount equal to not less than 25 percent of the grant amount 
requested; and
    (f) A site description of the location at which the eligible 
applicant will provide physical workspace, including a description of 
the technologies, equipment, and other resources that will be available 
to Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs participating in the 
business incubator, if the applicant is in possession of the site, or a 
written site proposal containing the information in Sec.  1187.12, if 
the applicant is not yet in possession of the site.


Sec.  1187.12   What must an applicant include in a written site 
proposal?

    If the applicant is not yet in possession of the site, the 
applicant must submit a written site proposal with their application 
that contains:
    (a) Sufficient detail for the Secretary to ensure, in the absence 
of a site visit or video submission, that the proposed site will permit 
the eligible applicant to meet the requirements of the IBIP; and
    (b) A timeline describing when the eligible applicant will be:
    (1) In possession of the proposed site; and
    (2) Operating the business incubator at the proposed site.


Sec.  1187.13   May applicants submit a joint application?

    Two or more eligible entities may submit a joint application for a 
project that combines the resources and expertise of those entities at 
a physical location dedicated to assisting Native businesses and Native 
entrepreneurs under the IBIP.


Sec.  1187.14  What additional items must a joint application include?

    A joint application must:
    (a) Contain a certification that each participant of the joint 
project is an eligible entity under Sec.  1187.3;
    (b) Demonstrate that together the participants meet the 
requirements of Sec.  1187.13; and
    (c) Identify which of the entities submitting the joint application 
will be the lead contact for the purposes of grant management.

[[Page 50259]]

Subpart C--Evaluation and Award of Grant Applications


Sec.  1187.20   How will OIED evaluate each application?

    In evaluating each application, OIED will consider:
    (a) The ability of the eligible applicant to:
    (1) Operate a business incubator that effectively imparts 
entrepreneurship and business skills to Native businesses and Native 
entrepreneurs, as demonstrated by the experience and qualifications of 
the eligible applicant;
    (2) Commence providing services within three months; and
    (3) Provide quality incubation services to a significant number of 
Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs or provide such services at 
geographically remote locations where quality business guidance and 
counseling is difficult to obtain;
    (b) The experience of the eligible applicant in providing services 
in Native American communities, including in the one or more 
reservation communities described in the application;
    (c) The proposed location of the business incubator; and
    (d) The extent to which a grant award will enable an entity that is 
already providing business incubation services to appreciably enhance 
those services.


Sec.  1187.21   How will OIED evaluate the proposed location of the 
business incubator?

    In evaluating the proposed location of the business incubator, OIED 
will:
    (a) Consider the program goal of achieving broad geographic 
distribution of business incubators; and
    (b) Give priority to eligible applicants that will provide business 
incubation services on or near the reservation of the one or more 
communities that were described in the application, except that OIED 
may give priority to an eligible applicant that is not located on or 
near the reservation of the one or more communities that were described 
in the application if OIED determines that:
    (1) The location of the business incubator will not prevent the 
eligible applicant from providing quality business incubation services 
to Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs from the one or more 
reservation communities to be served; and
    (2) Siting the business incubator in the identified location will 
serve the interests of the one or more reservation communities to be 
served.


Sec.  1187.22  How will OIED conduct the site evaluation?

    (a) Before awarding a grant to an eligible applicant, OIED will 
conduct an evaluation of the proposed site to verify that the applicant 
has (or will have) the physical workspace, equipment, and connectivity 
necessary for Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs to collaborate 
and conduct business on a local, regional, national, and/or 
international level.
    (b) To determine whether the site meets the requirements of 
paragraph (a) of this section:
    (1) If the applicant is in possession of the proposed site, OIED 
will conduct an on-site visit or review a video submission before 
awarding the grant.
    (2) If the applicant is not yet in possession of the proposed site 
and has submitted a written site proposal, OIED will review the written 
site proposal before awarding the grant and will conduct an on-site 
visit or review a video submission to ensure the site is consistent 
with the written site proposal no later than one year after awarding 
the grant. If OIED determines the site is not consistent with the 
written site proposal, OIED will use that information in determining 
the ongoing eligibility of the applicant under Sec.  1187.50.

Subpart D--Grant Awards


Sec.  1187.30   How will OIED disburse the grant funds to awardees?

    OIED will disburse grant funds awarded to eligible applicants in 
annual installments except that, OIED may make disbursements more 
frequently, on request by the applicant, as long as disbursements are 
not made more frequently than quarterly.


Sec.  1187.31   May OIED award a grant that is duplicative of Federal 
funding from another source?

    OIED may not award a grant under the IBIP that is duplicative of 
existing Federal funding from another source. Duplicative funding means 
any funding from other Federal grants that would overlap with the IBIP 
grant for the same activities described in the applicant's IBIP 
proposal.

Subpart E--Grant Term and Conditions


Sec.  1187.40   How long is the grant term?

    Each grant awarded under the IBIP is for a term of three years.


Sec.  1187.41  May OIED renew a grant award?

    (a) OIED may renew a grant award under the IBIP for one additional 
three-year term. In determining whether to renew a grant award, OIED 
will consider for the awardee:
    (1) The results of the annual evaluation of the awardee conducted 
under Sec.  1187.50;
    (2) The performance of the awardee's business incubator, as 
compared to the performance of other business incubators receiving 
grants under the IBIP;
    (3) Whether the awardee continues to be eligible for the IBIP; and
    (4) The evaluation consideration for initial awards under Sec.  
1187.20.
    (b) Awardees that receive a grant renewal must provide non-Federal 
contributions in an amount not less than 33 percent of the total amount 
of the grant. Failure to provide the non-Federal contribution will 
result in noncompliance and OIED withholding of funds, unless OIED 
waives the requirement under Sec.  1187.43.


Sec.  1187.42   What may awardees use grant funds for?

    An awardee may use grant amounts for any or all of the following 
purposes:
    (a) To provide physical workspace and facilities for Native 
businesses and Native entrepreneurs participating in the business 
incubator;
    (b) To establish partnerships with other institutions and entities 
to provide comprehensive business incubation services to Native 
businesses and Native entrepreneurs participating in the business 
incubator; and
    (c) For any other uses typically associated with business 
incubators that OIED determines to be appropriate and consistent with 
the purposes of the IBIP.


Sec.  1187.43   May OIED waive the requirement for the non-Federal 
contribution?

    OIED may waive the requirement for the non-Federal contribution, in 
whole or in part, for one or more years of the initial IBIP grant award 
if OIED determines that the waiver is appropriate based on:
    (a) The awardee's ability to provide non-Federal contributions;
    (b) The quality of business incubation services; and
    (c) The likelihood that one or more reservation communities served 
by the awardee will not receive similar services elsewhere because of 
the remoteness or other reasons that inhibit the provision of business 
and entrepreneurial development services.


Sec.  1187.44  What minimum requirements must awardees meet?

    (a) Each awardee must:
    (1) Offer culturally tailored incubation services to Native 
businesses and Native entrepreneurs;

[[Page 50260]]

    (2) Use a competitive process for selecting Native businesses and 
Native entrepreneurs to participate in the business incubator; however, 
awardees may still offer technical assistance and advice to Native 
businesses and Native entrepreneurs on a walk-in basis;
    (3) Provide physical workspace that permits Native businesses and 
Native entrepreneurs to conduct business and collaborate with other 
Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs;
    (4) Provide entrepreneurship and business skills training and 
education to Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs including:
    (i) Financial education, including training and counseling in:
    (A) Applying for and securing business credit and investment 
capital;
    (B) Preparing and presenting financial statements; and
    (C) Managing cash flow and other financial operations of a 
business;
    (ii) Management education, including training and counseling in 
planning, organization, staffing, directing, and controlling each major 
activity or function of a business or startup; and
    (iii) Marketing education, including training and counseling in:
    (A) Identifying and segmenting domestic and international market 
opportunities;
    (B) Preparing and executing marketing plans;
    (C) Locating contract opportunities;
    (D) Negotiating contracts; and
    (E) Using varying public relations and advertising techniques;
    (5) Provide direct mentorship or assistance finding mentors in the 
industry in which the Native business or Native entrepreneur operates 
or intends to operate; and
    (6) Provide access to networks of potential investors, 
professionals in the same or similar fields, and other business owners 
with similar businesses.
    (b) Each awardee must leverage technology to the maximum extent 
practicable to provide Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs with 
access to the connectivity tools needed to compete and thrive in 21st-
century markets.


Sec.  1187.45   What reports must the awardee submit?

    (a) Not later than one year after the date OIED awards the grant, 
and then annually for the duration of the grant, the awardee must 
submit to OIED a report describing the services the awardee provided 
under the IBIP during the preceding year, including:
    (1) A detailed breakdown of the Native businesses and Native 
entrepreneurs receiving services from the business incubator, 
including, for the year covered by the report:
    (i) The number of Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs 
participating in or receiving services from the business incubator and 
the types of services provided to those Native businesses and Native 
entrepreneurs;
    (ii) The number of Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs 
established and jobs created or maintained; and
    (iii) The performance of Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs 
while participating in the business incubator and after graduation or 
departure from the business incubator; and
    (2) Any other information the Secretary may require to evaluate the 
performance of a business incubator to ensure appropriate 
implementation of the IBIP.
    (b) To the maximum extent practicable, OIED will not require an 
awardee to report the information listed in paragraph (a) of this 
section that the awardee provides to OIED under another program.
    (c) OIED will coordinate with the heads of other Federal agencies 
to ensure that, to the maximum extent practicable, the report content 
and form under paragraph (a) of this section are consistent with other 
reporting requirements for Federal programs that provide business and 
entrepreneurial assistance.

Subpart F--OIED Grant Administration


Sec.  1187.50   How will OIED evaluate awardees' performance?

    Not later than one year after the date on which OIED awards a grant 
to an eligible applicant under the IBIP, and annually thereafter for 
the duration of the grant, OIED will conduct an evaluation of, and 
prepare a report on, the awardee, which will:
    (a) Describe the performance of the eligible applicant; and
    (b) Be used in determining the ongoing eligibility of the eligible 
applicant.


Sec.  1187.51  Will OIED facilitate relationships between awardees and 
educational institutions serving Native American communities?

    OIED will facilitate the relationships between awardees and 
educational institutions serving Native American communities, including 
Tribal colleges and universities.


Sec.  1187.52  How will OIED coordinate with other Federal agencies?

    OIED will coordinate with the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, 
and Treasury, and the Administrator of the Small Business 
Administration to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that 
awardees have the information and materials they need to provide Native 
businesses and Native entrepreneurs with the information and assistance 
necessary to apply for business and entrepreneurial development 
programs administered by those agencies.

Bryan Newland,
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2021-18736 Filed 9-7-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4337-15-P