273.1—Purpose and scope.
(a)
The purpose of the regulations in this part is to set forth the application and approval process for education contracts under the Johnson-O'Malley Act. Such contracts shall be for the purpose of financially assisting those efforts designed to meet the specialized and unique educational needs of eligible Indian students, including programs supplemental to the regular school program and school operational support, where such support is necessary to maintain established State educational standards.
(b)
The application and approval process in this part applies specifically to contracts with a State, school district, or Indian corporation.
(c)
Contracts with tribal organizations for supplemental and operational support will be entered into only upon the request of an Indian tribe(s), and shall be subject to the provisions of part 900 of this chapter and 41 CFR part 14H-70, except as provided in § 273.11.
(1)
Affecting, modifying, diminishing, or otherwise impairing the sovereign immunity from suit enjoyed by an Indian tribe;
(2)
Authorizing or requiring the terminiation of any existing trust responsibility of the United States with respect to the Indian people; or,
(e)
Nothing in these regulations shall be construed to mandate an Indian tribe to request a contract or contracts. Such requests are strictly voluntary.