The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is dedicated to building strong, collaborative relationships with Alaska Native Tribes to support rural transportation projects. Through formal and informal agreements, we can work together in a way that ensures communities are truly involved from the beginning, shaping infrastructure that reflects their needs and priorities.
These partnerships represent a meaningful investment in Alaska's rural communities. By welcoming DOT&PF into their communities, tribes play an active role as part of the project team, sharing their knowledge and vision. At the same time, these agreements create valuable opportunities for training, and workforce development, helping residents gain skills that contribute to long-term infrastructure maintenance and local economic growth.
By working together, we can bring important resources to small communities, create lasting benefits, and ensure that Alaska's transportation network serves all Alaskans. DOT&PF encourages staff to review existing agreements and explore new ways to engage with Alaska Native Tribes as partners in building a stronger, more connected future.
Funds Transfer Procedures pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 202(a)(9)
MAP-21 set forth a new chapter for cooperation between Tribes and other government agencies regarding highway program delivery. Section 202(a)(9) of title 23, United States Code encourages cooperation between States and Tribes by allowing any funds received from a State, county, or local government to be credited to appropriations available for the Tribal Transportation Program (TTP). One potential source of such funding are funds apportioned or allocated to a State under title 23. Section 104(f)(3) allows the Secretary of Transportation to, at the request of a State, transfer among States, or to the Department's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), funds that have been so apportioned or allocated. This provision, used in conjunction with the authority under 23 U.S.C. 209(a)(9), allows State funds to be transferred to FHWA, which in turn would provide the funds to the specified Tribe.
DOT&PF will continue to partner with Tribes using this funding mechanism when feasible.
Memorandum of Understanding/Memorandum of Agreement
The department can use agreements to enter into formal and informal agreements with Alaska's rural communities. DOT&PF staff are encourage to review our existing agreements and find examples that might serve as a starting template for a project or program.
Centralized SharePoint Site
The department has a dedicated SharePoint site has been created to store all MOAs and MOUs.
This site includes:
A tracking log to assign unique contract or agreement numbers.
Templates for MOAs and MOUs to ensure consistency and compliance.
Resources and instructions for drafting and saving agreements.
Assignment of Tracking Numbers
All MOAs and MOUs must have a unique tracking number before being finalized or executed.
Use the tracking log on the SharePoint site to generate and assign the appropriate number.
Storage of Agreements
Every MOA/MOU must be uploaded to the SharePoint site.
Ensure the agreement is saved in the correct community folder with the assigned tracking number in the file name.
Use of Templates
You will find templates and previous examples of agreements within the MOA / MOU library.
These templates are designed to meet department standards and requirements.
Compliance
It is mandatory for all staff to use this process for handling MOAs and MOUs.
Agreements not stored in the SharePoint site or lacking a tracking number will be considered non-compliant.
Need Assistance?
If you have questions about the process or need help navigating the SharePoint site, please contact Jocelyn Swindel or refer to the instructions available on the site.
This new process is designed to improve consistency, enhance transparency, and ensure better tracking of our agreements. Thank you for your cooperation as we implement this system.
Post Award Conferences
Contracting with private construction companies through competitive bidding on DOT&PF projects is an effective means of ensuring high-quality construction, completed in a timely fashion at a fair cost, but frequently results in low utilization of the local workers in rural areas of Alaska. The construction industry in Alaska needs new entrants to meet ongoing and future needs for workers. Access to training opportunities directly related to construction projects in rural Alaska is essential to increase productivity and earning power of rural Alaskans and enable them to establish careers in the construction industry. The department and the contractor for an airport or highway project sponsor Post Award Conferences in rural communities to discuss opportunities to employ local residents and other economic opportunities for individuals and businesses related to a transportation project. gov.alaska.gov/admin-orders/administrative-order-no-199/
Please visit the DOT&PF Procurement and Contracting webpage for the Tentative Advertising Schedule and the Current Bid Calendar under “Construction & Maintenance Contracting”: dot.alaska.gov/procurement/
You can also contact the Civil Rights office for information additional information regarding On-the-Job Training, the Alaska DBE Program, Contract Compliance, and other employment support services: dot.alaska.gov/cvlrts/
DOT&PF explains how the post-award conference can benefit tribes, cities, the public, and contractors in a short video created in 2009 titled “Building Rural Alaska- A Partnership for Progress”
