If funds are available, a grant will be awarded to help cover the costs of preparing for and negotiating a compact and an AFA. These grants are not competitive. To receive a negotiation grant, a Tribe/Consortium must:

(a) Be selected from the applicant pool to negotiate an AFA;

(b) Be qualified as eligible to receive a negotiation grant in the Federal Register notice discussed in § 1000.45;

(c) Not have received a negotiation grant within the 3 years preceding the date of the latest Federal Register announcement;

(d) Submit a letter affirming its readiness to negotiate; and

(e) Formally request a negotiation grant to prepare for and negotiate an AFA.