Tribal Transportation Program Technical Assistance

Red Plains partners with Tribes to strengthen and manage their Tribal Transportation Program (TTP), providing on-call technical support at whatever level best serves their needs. Whether supplementing an existing Department of Transportation, Planning Department, or Public Works team, or acting as a Tribe’s leadership-approved contracted transportation representative or department, our flexible approach ensures that Tribes can effectively plan, manage, and implement their TTP funding. Instead of struggling to recruit and retain specialized staff—such as planners, engineers, construction managers, GIS professionals, and grant writers—Tribes can rely on our multi-disciplinary team to provide expert guidance and project execution as needed. RPP caters our service to match the tribal need in a cost-effective manner.

Red Plains’ services in this role are designed to meet the needs of Tribes relative to their selected TTP contracting mechanism, ensuring compliance and effective program execution. Our support extends to the development of TTP policies and procedures, as well as the management and execution of key projects, including transportation planning, strategic planning, safety planning and roadway safety audits (RSAs), engineering, GIS, tribal transportation and infrastructure asset management systems, grant writing, and construction management. Whether working under a technical assistance contract or in a more hands-on program management role, we work in a collaborative, advisory role that respects Tribal leadership and decision-making. We leave ego at the door—our priority is ensuring that Tribal leaders shine with a well-run, efficient program that integrates seamlessly within Tribal governance and operations, while presenting effectively to the BIA, FHWA, and other regional transportation stakeholders.

With over 570 Tribes across the U.S. competing for TTP funding allocated through federal highway legislation, maximizing a Tribe’s "tribal share" and ensuring those funds are put to effective use is critical. Red Plains helps Tribes navigate the complexities of TTP funding by optimizing planning strategies and funding applications—whether they contract through the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) via Direct Service, PL 93-638, or Government-to-Government (G2G) agreements, or work directly with FHWA under Programmatic Agreements (PA) or Self-Governance contracts. With experience supporting Tribes across 10 of the 12 BIA regions and all 3 FHWA regions, we understand the nuances of each contracting method and help Tribes identify the most effective approach to funding and managing their transportation systems, tailored to the specific agency and regional requirements.

Each Tribe’s transportation needs are unique, shaped by factors such as climate, terrain, jurisdictional partnerships, and infrastructure complexity. Red Plains provides tailored support at the level dictated by the Tribe, ensuring that planning, project implementation, and intergovernmental coordination align with their specific goals. When serving in this role, we go beyond immediate project execution—we focus on building internal capacity so that Tribes can eventually manage their own Tribal DOT. If feasible and desired, we assist in strategically allocating TTP and other funding resources to develop a self-sustaining transportation department, reducing long-term reliance on outside consultants. Our ultimate goal is to empower Tribes to take full control of their transportation programs, with Red Plains serving as an ongoing resource when supplemental expertise or specialized services are needed.