FundOpp_DE-FOA-0003298.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE)

OFFICE OF INDIAN ENERGY POLICY AND PROGRAMS

CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGY DEPLOYMENT ON TRIBAL LANDS - 2024

Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number: DE-FOA-0003298

FOA Type: 0000 CFDA Number: 81.087

FOA Issue Date: February 27, 2024

Informational Webinar: March 14, 2024 at 3:00 pm Eastern Time

Submission Deadline for Applications: May 30, 2024 at 5:00 pm Eastern Time

Expected Date for DOE Selection Notifications:

Fall 2024

Expected Timeframe for Award Negotiations

90 days after receipt of any requested supplemental information

• In order to apply to this FOA, you must register in the systems identified under Registration Requirements (Section VI.B.1.) prior to submitting an application and certify that these registrations are complete as part of the application (see Application Registration Certifications under Section IV.C.13.).

• Questions: Questions regarding the content of this FOA must be submitted to:

TribalGrants@hq.doe.gov no later than three (3) business days prior to the application due date. All questions and answers related to this FOA will be posted on IE-Exchange at: https://ie-exchange.energy.gov. In order to view questions specific to this FOA you must first select this specific FOA Number and then “Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)”. DOE will attempt to respond to a question within three (3) business days, unless a similar question and answer has already been posted on IE-Exchange.

mailto:TribalGrants@hq.doe.gov https://ie-exchange.energy.gov/

Questions about this FOA? Email: TribalGrants@hq.doe.gov.

Problems with IE-Exchange? Email: ExchangeHelp@hq.doe.gov.

Include FOA name and number in subject line.

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

DOE OFFICE OF INDIAN ENERGY REQUIREMENTS

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. DESCRIPTION

B. TOPIC AREAS

1. Topic Area 1: Clean Energy Generating System(s) and/or Energy Efficiency Measure(s) for Tribal Building(s)

a. Clean Energy Generating System(s) (Subtopic Area 1.a.)

b. Energy Efficiency Measure(s) (Subtopic Area 1.b.)

c. Clean Energy Generation System(s) and Energy Efficiency Measure(s) (Subtopic Area 1.c.)

2. Topic Area 2: Community-Scale Clean Energy Generating System(s) or Community Energy Storage Deployment

a. Community-Scale Clean Energy Generating System(s) (Subtopic Area 2.a.)

b. Community-Scale Energy Storage (Subtopic Area 2.b.)

3. Topic Area 3: Integrated Energy System(s) for Autonomous Operation

a. Powering Essential Tribal Building(s) (Subtopic Area 3.a.)

b. Tribal Community Resilience (Subtopic Area 3.b.)

4. Topic Area 4: Powering Unelectrified Tribal Buildings

a. Integrated Energy System(s) for Electrification (Subtopic Area 4.a.)

b. Energy Infrastructure for Electrification (Subtopic Area 4.b.)

C. APPLICATIONS SPECIFICALLY NOT OF INTEREST

D. AUTHORIZING STATUTES

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. AWARD OVERVIEW

1. Estimated Funding

2. Period of Performance

3. New Applications Only

B. DOE FUNDING AGREEMENTS

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

B. COST SHARING

1. Cost Share Legal Responsibility

2. Cost Share Reduction Request

3. Cost Share Allocation

4. Cost Share Types and Allowability

5. Cost Share Contributions by FFRDCs

6. Cost Share Verification

7. Cost Share Payment

C. COMPLIANCE CRITERIA

D. RESPONSIVENESS CRITERIA

E. LIMITATION ON NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS ELIGIBLE FOR REVIEW

F. QUESTIONS REGARDING ELIGIBILITY

mailto:ExchangeHelp@hq.doe.gov

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. APPLICATION FORMAT AND SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

B. APPLICATION FORMS AND TEMPLATES

C. CONTENT AND FORM OF THE APPLICATION

1. Application for Federal Assistance SF-424

2. Summary Slide

3. Technical Volume

4. Workplan

5. Eligibility Statements and Evidence File

6. Applicant Tribal Council Resolution or Declaration of Commitment and Cost Sharing File

7. Participant Letters of Commitment and Cost Sharing File

8. Resumes File

9. Budget Justification Workbook Form (IE 540.132-01)

10. Subrecipient Budget Justification Workbook Form (IE 540.132-01)

11. Budget Support

12. Cost Share Reduction Request

13. Applicant Registration Certifications

14. SF-LLL: Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

15. Potentially Duplicative Funding Notice (PDFN) File

16. Site and Resource Maps and Graphics File

17. Studies and Analyses File

18. Design and Engineering File

19. Economics File

D. POST-SELECTION INFORMATION REQUESTS

E. UNIQUE ENTITY IDENTIFIER (UEI) AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (SAM)

F. SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES

G. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

H. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

1. Allowable Costs

2. Pre-Award Costs

3. Pre-Award Costs Related to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Requirements

4. Performance of Work in the United States and Waivers (Foreign Work Waiver)

6. Foreign Travel

7. Construction

8. Equipment and Supplies

9. Buy America Requirements for Infrastructure Projects

10. Lobbying

11. Risk Assessment

12. Invoice Review and DOE Reimbursement

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. TECHNICAL REVIEW CRITERIA

B. STANDARDS FOR APPLICATION EVALUATION

C. PROGRAM POLICY FACTORS

D. EVALUATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

1. Overview

2. Pre-Selection Clarification

3. Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters

4. Selection

E. ANTICIPATED NOTICE OF SELECTION AND AWARD DATES

F. GOVERNMENT RIGHT TO REJECT OR NEGOTIATE

G. COMMITMENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS

H. REQUIREMENT FOR FULL AND COMPLETE DISCLOSURE

I. EVALUATION AND ADMINISTRATION BY NON-FEDERAL PERSONNEL

J. NOTICE OF RIGHT TO CONDUCT A REVIEW OF FINANCIAL CAPABILITY

K. TREATMENT OF APPLICATION INFORMATION

L. RETENTION OF SUBMISSIONS

VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. AWARD NOTICES

1. Ineligible applications

2. Application Notifications

3. Successful Applicants

4. Postponed Selection Determinations

5. Alternate Selection Determinations

6. Unsuccessful Applicants

B. ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS

1. Registration Requirements

a. IE-Exchange

b. Obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number

c. System for Award Management (SAM)

d. FedConnect

e. Grants.gov

f. Electronic Authorization of Applications and Award Documents

2. Award Administrative Requirements

3. Foreign National Participation

4. Subaward and Executive Reporting under the Federal Funding and Transparency Act (FFATA)

5. National Policy Requirements

6. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Review

7. Applicant Representations and Certifications

a. Lobbying Restrictions

b. Corporate Felony Conviction and Federal Tax Liability Representations (March 2014)

c. Nondisclosure and Confidentiality Agreements Representations

8. Statement of Federal Stewardship

9. Intellectual Property Provisions

10. Reporting

11. Conference Spending

12. Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Financing Statements

13. Implementation of Executive Order 13798, Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty

14. Fraud, Waste and Abuse

15. Rights in Technical Data

16. Copyright

17. Notice of Potential Disclosure Under Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

18. Protected Personally Identifiable Information

19. Annual Compliance Audits

20. Procurement Standards and Competitive Selection of Subrecipients and Vendors

21. Approval of Non-competitively Selected Subrecipients and Vendors

22. Continued Use of Real Property and Equipment

VII. QUESTIONS/AGENCY CONTACTS

VII. OTHER INFORMATION

A. FOA MODIFICATIONS

B. INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR

APPENDIX A – DEFINITIONS

APPENDIX B – COST SHARE INFORMATION

APPENDIX C – REQUIRED USE OF AMERICAN IRON, STEEL, MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS, AND CONSTRUCTION

MATERIALS

List of Tables

Table 1: Funding Opportunity Overview

Table 2: Summary of Topic Area Requirements

Table 3: Required Application Documents

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The following Funding Opportunity Overview (Table 1) provides a general description of this Funding Opportunity Announcement’s (FOA’s) intent and requirements. It does not reflect all evaluation factors and requirements for the FOA and cannot be relied upon as all inclusive.

Applicants must read the entire FOA to determine the complete set of requirements and application elements required under this FOA.

Table 1: Funding Opportunity Overview

Funding Opportunity Overview

FOA Summary The DOE Office of Indian Energy is soliciting applications from Indian Tribes, which include Alaska Native Regional Corporations and Village Corporations (hereafter referred collectively as “Indian Tribes”), Intertribal Organizations, and Tribal Energy Development Organizations to: (1) install clean energy generating system(s) and energy efficiency measure(s) for Tribal Building(s) (Topic Area 1); or, (2) deploy community-scale clean energy generating system(s) or community energy storage on Tribal Lands (Topic Area 2); or, (3) install integrated energy system(s) for autonomous operation (independent of the traditional centralized electric power grid) to power a single or multiple Essential Tribal Buildings during emergency situations or for tribal community resilience (Topic Area 3); or,

(4) provide electric power to unelectrified Tribal Buildings (Topic Area 4). (See Section III.A.

for eligibility information and Appendix A for the definitions).

Total Amount to be Awarded

Approximately $25 million in federal funds. DOE anticipates making approximately 5 to 10 awards under this FOA. DOE may issue awards in one, multiple, or none of the Topic Areas.

Award Amount (Minimum and Maximum)

DOE funding per individual award will range from:

(1) no less than $100,000 to a maximum of $2,500,000 for each Subtopic Area under Topic Area 1,

(2) no less than $250,000 to a maximum of $5,000,000 for each Subtopic Area under Topic Area 2,

(3) no less than $100,000 to a maximum of $2,500,000 for Subtopic Area 3.a.,

(4) no less than $250,000 to a maximum of $5,000,000 for Subtopic Area 3.b., and

(5) no less than $250,000 to a maximum of $5,000,000 for each Subtopic Area under Topic

Area 4.

Types of Funding Agreements

Grants

Period of Performance

DOE anticipates making awards with a period of performance of approximately two (2) to four (4) years, which must include a mandatory 12-month verification period.

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Funding Opportunity Overview

Eligible Applicants

Pursuant to its authorizing statute, DOE’s Office of Indian Energy will only consider applications from: (1) an Indian Tribe; (2) Intertribal Organization, or (3) Tribal Energy Development Organization; and (4) on whose Tribal Lands the project(s) will be located (see Section III.A., Eligibility Information, and Appendix A for further definition). Applications from a consortium of Indian Tribes (Tribal Consortium) will be accepted but must be submitted by a single Indian Tribe acting as the Applicant representing the Consortium.

Applications may also be submitted on behalf of Indian Tribe(s) by an authorized Tribal Organization, provided evidence of that authority is supplied as part of the application. See Section III.A. for eligibility requirements and definitions. DOE will not make eligibility determinations for potential Applicants prior to the date on which applications to this FOA must be submitted. The decision of whether to submit an application in response to this FOA lies solely with the Applicant. All Applicants are required to submit eligibility statements that document and provide evidence of Applicant and land status eligibility to support DOE’s eligibility determination.

Cost Share Requirement

A 20% cost share of the total allowable costs of the project (i.e., the sum of the federal share, and the non-federal Recipient cost share of allowable costs equals the total allowable cost of the project) is required, unless the 20% cost share requirement is reduced to 10% as described in the FOA. All cost share must come from non-federal sources unless otherwise allowed by law (see Section III.B. for instances where additional federal funds can be used against the total project costs or as non-federal cost share, as allowed to by law). If requested by the Applicant as part of its application, a cost share reduction to 10% may be considered, based on poverty rate and median household income of the tribal community relative to the statewide median household income (see Section III.B.2. and ‘Application Forms and Templates’ for this FOA on IE-Exchange).

Additional Considerations in the Selection for Funding

In addition to the ability to consider geographic distribution, technology diversity and the optimum use of available DOE funding to achieve programmatic objectives, the Selection Official may, through the application of program policy factors (see Section V.C.), give additional consideration in the selection of applications for funding to: (1) whether the proposed project serves tribal communities with high energy costs; (2) whether the proposed project serves tribal communities not connected to the traditional centralized electrical power grid; (3) the degree to which the proposed project will employ procurement of U.S. iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials; and/or

(4) Applicants who have not previously received a grant from the Office of Indian Energy.

Technical Assistance

Within scope and budget, the DOE Office of Indian Energy may, upon request, provide technical assistance to all eligible Applicants who apply under this FOA and whose applications are comprehensively reviewed, but not selected for negotiation. Such technical assistance will be provided on a priority basis over those who request technical assistance but do not apply to this FOA.

Submission of Multiple Applications

Applicants may submit more than one application to this FOA (including more than one application under a particular Topic Area or Subtopic Area), provided each application is for a distinctively different project and each application addresses only one Subtopic Area. Each application must have a distinct title, unique Control Number as assigned by IE-Exchange

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Funding Opportunity Overview during the registration process, and be readily distinguishable. Each application must be limited to a single unique and distinct project; unrelated projects cannot be consolidated in a single application.

Means of Submission

Applications must be submitted through IE-Exchange at https://ie-exchange.energy.gov, DOE’s online application portal. DOE will not review or consider applications submitted through other means. The IE-Exchange User Guide for Applicants is found at https://ie-exchange.energy.gov/Manuals.aspx.

Application Forms

Required forms and templates are available under ’Application Forms and Templates’ for this FOA on IE-Exchange at https://ie-exchange.energy.gov.

Applicant Notification

DOE will notify all Applicants of its eligibility and selection determinations. The selection notification letter will inform the Applicant if its application was selected for award negotiations, or not. Alternatively, DOE may notify one or more Applicants that a final selection determination on a particular application(s) may be made at a later date, subject to congressional appropriations or other programmatic factors. Written feedback on all eligible applications will also be provided at the time of notification. Ineligible applications will not be reviewed or considered for award negotiations. If determined ineligible, the Contracting Officer will send a notification letter by email to the technical and administrative points of contact designated by the Applicant in IE-Exchange. The notification letter will state the basis upon which the application is ineligible and not considered for further review.

https://ie-exchange.energy.gov/ https://ie-exchange.energy.gov/Manuals.aspx https://ie-exchange.energy.gov/Manuals.aspx

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DOE OFFICE OF INDIAN ENERGY REQUIREMENTS

The requirements below are not all inclusive and cannot exclusively be relied upon as they do not reflect all evaluation factors and requirements for this FOA. Applicants must read the entire FOA to determine the complete set of requirements under this FOA.

• Please read each Topic Area and Subtopic Area carefully for requirements specific to that Topic Area (see Section I.B.).

• Pre-award Costs: Only cost share contributions made during the period of performance of the grant, if awarded, can be considered. Any costs incurred prior to award selection cannot be considered as cost share or for reimbursement by DOE (see Section IV.H.).

• Eligibility Statements and Evidence: To support the DOE Office of Indian Energy’s eligibility determination, all Applicants are required to submit eligibility statements that document and provide evidence of Applicant and Tribal Land eligibility as part of their application (see Section

IV.C.5.).

• Statements of Commitment and Cost Sharing: As prescribed below, all Applicants are required to submit an Applicant Tribal Council Resolution or Declaration of Commitment and Cost Sharing File, which must include a statement of commitment and cost sharing by the Applicant (see Section IV.C.6.).

Tribal Council Resolution: For Indian Tribes, the statement of commitment and cost sharing must be in the form of an executed Tribal Council Resolution, unless an Indian Tribe provides a commitment in a format other than a Tribal Council Resolution and evidence of the statutory or other legal authority authorizing that form of commitment in lieu of a Tribal Council Resolution accompanies that commitment. Such evidence must establish that the commitment submitted carries the same level of Tribal leadership commitment as a Tribal Council Resolution (see Section IV.C.6.).

Declaration or Resolution: For Alaska Native Regional Corporations or Village Corporations, Intertribal Organizations, and Tribal Energy Development Organizations, the statement of commitment and cost sharing may be in the form of a declaration or resolution signed by an authorized representative able to commit the entity (see Section IV.C.6.).

Letters of Commitment: All other project participants (except Vendors) must submit letters of commitment and cost sharing under the Participant Letters of Commitment and Cost Sharing File (see Section IV.C.7.).

Tribal Organization Authority: If an application is being submitted on behalf of Indian Tribe(s) by an authorized Tribal Organization, evidence of that authority is required as part of the

[5] application, along with a declaration (or resolution) from the Tribal Organization, and a letter of commitment from all other project participants. Evidence may include, but is not limited to, a constitution, resolution, ordinance, executive order, charter, or other legal documentation (see Section IV.C.5., Eligibility Statements and Evidence).

• Letters of Support: Letters of support by anyone not participating in the proposed project are not required or desired, and should not be provided as part of the application (see Sections IV.C.6. and Section IV.C.7.).

• Post Award Payment: Payment will be made electronically on a reimbursement basis through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system for electronic funds transfer. Provided the requisite support is submitted, reimbursement of costs will normally be made within seven to ten days; however, reimbursement may take up to 30 days (see Section IV.H.12.).

Reimbursement of actual costs will only include those costs that are reasonable, allowable and allocable to the project as determined in accordance with the applicable cost principles prescribed in FAR Part 31.2 for for-profit entities; and 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart E - Cost Principles for all other non-federal entities. For more on invoice review and approval see Section IV.H.12.

As all sources of cost share are considered part of total project cost, the cost share dollars will be scrutinized under the same federal regulations as federal funding for the project. For more on cost sharing see Section III.B.

Documentation for all costs (evidence of expenditures) associated with the project will be required with each and every request for reimbursement from DOE for DOE’s portion of those costs (see Section IV.H.12.).

• Post Award Reporting Requirements: Selected Applicants will be required to document progress in quarterly reports and project outcomes in a comprehensive final report, as well as present at an annual Program Review to be held each fall in Colorado.

For planning purposes, Applicants should plan to attend and present grant activities each year during the period of performance of the grant. Travel costs for this annual review (one-week in duration plus travel days) must be included, for each year of the grant, in the proposed budget, including the year the initial award is anticipated.

• Equipment Title and Vested Interest: Subject to the conditions provided in 2 CFR § 200.313 - Equipment, title to equipment acquired under a Federal award will conditionally vest upon acquisition with the non-Federal entity. The non-Federal entity cannot encumber this equipment and must follow the requirements of 2 CFR § 200.313 before disposing of the equipment.

mailto:TribalGrants@hq.doe.gov mailto:ExchangeHelp@hq.doe.gov https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-31#FAR_Subpart_31_2 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR8feb98c2e3e5ad2/section-200.313 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR8feb98c2e3e5ad2/section-200.313 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR8feb98c2e3e5ad2/section-200.313

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For-Profit Entities: Pursuant to the requirements of 2 CFR § 910.360(b)(4), if the Federal share of the financial assistance agreement is more than $1,000,000, for-profit Recipients must properly record Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) financing statement(s) for all equipment with a per-unit acquisition cost of $5,000 or more purchased in whole or in part with Federal funds.

Also see Section IV.H.8., Equipment and Supplies.

• Cost Share: Every cost share contribution must be allowable under the applicable federal cost principles, as described in Section III.B. of the FOA.

In addition, cost share must be available or accessible at the time of submission of the application, as described below. A written assurance (e.g., commitment) must be provided at the time of application submission (see Section IV.C.6., Applicant Tribal Council Resolution or Declaration of Commitment and Cost Sharing File). The written assurance (e.g., commitment) is a binding guarantee that funds are available or, with respect to the use of equipment, contributed labor hours, or unrecovered indirect costs, accessible.

Cost share commitments cannot be dependent on some future event, such as receiving a grant, obtaining a loan, monetizing tax incentives, or securing an investor. Furthermore, although the cost share requirement applies to the project as a whole (including work performed by members of the Project Team other than the Recipient) the Applicant is ultimately and legally responsible for providing the entire amount of cost share required, if an award is made, even if the cost share is being provided by a Subrecipient(s). In addition, if an award is made, cost share will be verified, once invoiced.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-IX/part-910/subpart-D/section-910.360

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CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGY DEPLOYMENT ON TRIBAL LANDS

- 2024

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. DESCRIPTION

The Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs (hereafter referred to as the DOE Office of Indian Energy) assists Indian tribes1 in addressing barriers to developing their vast energy resources and accelerating the deployment of energy technology on Tribal Lands. Specifically, the DOE Office of Indian Energy is charged by Congress under the Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self Determination Act of 2005 (Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005), Title V, § 502, codified at 42 U.S.C. § 7144e and 25 U.S.C. § 3501, et seq.), to “provide, direct, foster, coordinate, and implement energy planning, education, management, conservation, and delivery programs that –

(1) Promote Indian tribal energy development, efficiency, and use;

(2) Reduce or stabilize energy costs;

(3) Enhance and strengthen Indian tribal energy and economic infrastructure relating to natural resource development and electrification; and

(4) Bring electric power and service to Indian land and homes for tribal members located on

Indian lands or acquired, constructed, or improved (in whole or in part) with Federal funds.” 42 U.S.C. § 7144e(b)

For more information on the DOE Office of Indian Energy, see its website.

This FOA builds on efforts by the DOE Office of Indian Energy and the authorities granted to the DOE Office of Indian Energy under EPAct 2005, to accelerate the deployment of clean energy technology on Tribal Lands. In addition to the $75 million committed to tribal energy projects selected in 2023, between 2010 and 2022, the DOE Office of Indian Energy invested over $120 million in more than 210 tribal energy projects implemented across the contiguous 48 states and Alaska. These projects, valued at more than $215 million, are leveraged by over $93 million in Recipient cost share. See the DOE’s Office of Indian Energy website for a map and summaries of these competitively funded projects.

Through this FOA, the DOE Office of Indian Energy will continue its efforts to maximize the deployment of clean energy solutions for the benefit of American Indian and Alaska Native communities and to help build the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to implement those

1 Terms defined specifically for this FOA are italicized on first use.

mailto:ExchangeHelp@hq.doe.gov https://energy.gov/ https://energy.gov/indianenergy/office-indian-energy-policy-and-programs https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-109publ58/html/PLAW-109publ58.htm https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section7144e&num=0&edition=prelim https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:25%20section:3501%20edition:prelim) https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:42%20section:7144e%20edition:prelim) http://energy.gov/indianenergy/office-indian-energy-policy-and-programs http://energy.gov/indianenergy/maps/tribal-energy-projects-map

[8] clean energy solutions. In support of these objectives, the DOE Office of Indian Energy is soliciting applications to deploy clean energy technology on Tribal Lands.

Through grants, the DOE Office of Indian Energy intends to provide financial support under the provisions of the Title V of EPAct 2005. Specifically, DOE’s Office of Indian Energy is soliciting applications from Indian Tribes, which include Alaska Native Regional Corporations and Village Corporations (hereafter referred collectively as “Indian Tribes”), Intertribal Organizations, and Tribal Energy Development Organizations to:

1) Install clean energy generating system(s) and/or energy efficiency measure(s) for Tribal Building(s) (Topic Area 1); or,

2) Deploy community-scale clean energy generating system(s) or community energy storage on Tribal Lands (Topic Area 2); or,

3) Install integrated energy system(s) for autonomous operation (independent of the traditional centralized electric power grid) to power a single or multiple Essential Tribal Building(s) during emergency situations or for tribal community resilience (Topic Area 3);

or,

4) Provide electric power to Tribal Building(s), which otherwise would be unelectrified (Topic Area 4).

See definitions below and in Appendix A.

Projects selected under this FOA are intended to reduce or stabilize energy costs, increase energy security and resiliency, and provide electric power to unelectrified tribal buildings. The potential energy savings or energy generation, level of commitment, and capabilities of the Applicant and project participants to accomplish the project objectives will be major factors in selecting projects for funding. Applications must also demonstrate the potential for economic and environmental benefits to the Applicant and tribal community. The Indian Tribe, Intertribal Organization, or Tribal Energy Development Organization must also demonstrate the organizational and technical readiness and commitment to deploy clean energy generating system(s), energy efficiency measure(s), energy storage system(s), integrated energy system(s), or energy infrastructure.

This FOA is intended to promote energy independence and economic development, with the ancillary benefit of providing employment on Tribal Lands through the use of commercially proven warrantied clean energy technology or infrastructure that eligible Applicants believe are best suited to meet their needs, their location, and their available clean energy resources.

In addition to specific technical evaluation criteria to be identified in the planned FOA, the Selection Official may also have the ability to consider the following program policy factors in making selections under the FOA: geographic distribution; technology diversity; the optimum use of available DOE funding to achieve programmatic objectives; whether the proposed project serves tribal communities with high energy costs; whether the proposed project serves tribal

[9] communities not connected to the traditional centralized electrical power grid; the degree to which the proposed project will employ procurement of U.S. iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials; and/or Applicants who have not previously received a grant from the Office of Indian Energy.

Within scope and budget, the DOE Office of Indian Energy may, upon request, provide technical assistance to all eligible Applicants who apply under this FOA and whose applications are comprehensively reviewed, but not selected for negotiation. Such technical assistance will be provided on a priority basis over those who request technical assistance but do not apply to this

FOA.

B. TOPIC AREAS

The FOA is soliciting applications under the following Topic Areas:

1) Clean Energy Generating System(s) and/or Energy Efficiency Measure(s) for Tribal Building(s) (Topic Area 1)

a. Clean Energy Generating System(s) (Subtopic Area 1.a.)

b. Energy Efficiency Measure(s) (Subtopic Area 1.b.)

c. Clean Energy Generating System(s) and Energy Efficiency Measure(s) (Subtopic

Area 1.c.)

Or,

2) Community-Scale Clean Energy Generating System(s) or Community Energy Storage Deployment (Topic Area 2)

a. Community-Scale Clean Energy Generating System(s) (Subtopic Area 2.a.)

b. Community-Scale Energy Storage (Subtopic Area 2.b.)

Or,

3) Integrated Energy System(s) for Autonomous Operation (Topic Area 3)

a. Powering Essential Tribal Building(s) (Subtopic Area 3.a.)

b. Tribal Community Resilience (Subtopic Area 3.b.)

Or,

4) Powering Unelectrified Tribal Buildings (Topic Area 4)

a. Integrated Energy System(s) for Electrification (Subtopic Area 4.a.)

b. Energy Infrastructure for Electrification (Subtopic Area 4.b.)

See Table 2: Summary of Topic Area Requirements, for an overview of each Subtopic Area. See Appendix A for definitions.

Except for projects proposing energy efficiency measures (Subtopic Area 1.b.), projects proposed under Topic Area 1, Topic Area 2, and Topic Area 3 are intended for Tribal Building(s) that are either (1) grid-connected (which, for the purposes of this FOA, means the Tribal Building(s) are connected to the traditional centralized electric power grid), or (2) connected to a stand-alone

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(isolated) microgrid that operates autonomously from the traditional centralized electric power grid.

Projects proposing energy efficiency measures (Subtopic Area 1.b.), may be for Tribal Building(s) that are (1) grid-connected (which for the purposes of this FOA, means the Tribal Building(s) are connected to the traditional centralized electric power grid), or (2) connected to a stand-alone (isolated) microgrid that operates autonomously from the traditional centralized electric power grid, or (3) unelectrified, where “unelectrified” means Tribal Building(s) that are (1) not connected to the traditional centralized electric power grid and (2) not connected to a stand-alone (isolated) microgrid that operates autonomously from the traditional centralized electric power grid.

Projects proposed under Topic Area 4 are intended for unelectrified Tribal Building(s), where “unelectrified” means Tribal Building(s) that are (1) not connected to the traditional centralized electric power grid and (2) not connected to a stand-alone (isolated) microgrid that operates autonomously from the traditional centralized electric power grid.

Applications exclusively proposing clean energy generating system(s) will only be accepted under Subtopic Area 1.a. and Subtopic Area 2.a. Applications exclusively proposing energy efficiency measure(s) will only be accepted under Subtopic Area 1.b. Applications proposing a combination of clean energy generating system(s) and energy efficiency measure(s) will only be accepted under Subtopic Area 1.c. Applications exclusively proposing energy storage will only be considered under Subtopic Area 2.b. and applications proposing integrated energy system(s) will only be considered under Topic Area 3 and Subtopic Area 4.a. For Topic Area 3 and Subtopic Area 4.a., applications proposing energy storage will only be considered if integrated into an integrated energy system(s) as that term is defined herein. Projects proposing energy infrastructure will only be accepted under Subtopic Area 4.b. See definitions below and under Appendix A.

To be eligible, all proposed projects must have:

(1) Completed energy studies and analyses (comprehensive feasibility study and/or energy audit(s) or industrial energy assessment(s)), and

(2) Completed development (pre-construction) activities, and design and engineering (except final design and engineering).

Only final design and engineering activities directly resulting in the installation of clean energy technology or infrastructure, or verification of the actual energy generated, displaced, or saved (amount, cost, and percentage), are allowable activities under this FOA (see Section I.C., Applications Specifically Not of Interest).

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“Clean Energy Generating System(s)” for the purposes of this FOA include: (1) renewable energy system(s), or (2) combined heat and power system(s) using renewable fuels such as biomass, biogas, renewable natural gas, or renewable hydrogen. See definitions under Appendix A.

“Energy Efficiency Measure(s),” for the purposes of this FOA, means the implementation of a (1) building efficiency measure(s), or an (2) industrial process efficiency measure(s). For the purposes of this FOA, “energy efficiency” is not the same as “energy conservation”, which is not eligible under this FOA (see Section I.C., Applications Specifically Not of Interest). See definitions under Appendix A.

“Integrated Energy System(s)” under Topic Area 3 and Subtopic Area 4.a. must, as a minimum, provide power to Essential Tribal Building(s) or unelectrified Tribal Buildings, respectively, and include: (1) clean energy generating system(s); (2) controls and management system(s); and (3) energy storage system(s). Such systems may also include (4) conventional energy generation device(s); however, conventional energy generation device(s) are eligible only if used solely as a dispatchable stand-by power source. Note that some components of the proposed integrated energy system(s) may already exist and, therefore, not all of the components must be proposed for DOE funding; however, the integrated energy system(s) as a whole must meet the requirements under Topic Area 3. See definitions under Appendix A.

“Energy Infrastructure,” for the purposes of this FOA, means electric power distribution technologies to transport electricity from the transmission system to individual consumers and may include, but is not limited to, distribution substations, circuits, circuit breakers, switchgear, busbars, distribution lines, distribution transformers, capacitors, voltage regulators, meters, and utility poles.

“Tribal Building(s),” for the purposes of this FOA, is a single or multiple buildings located on Tribal Lands, where the eligible tribal entity has or has been granted certain rights and duties, specifically the ability to exercise authority, direction, and control over the project. Note that ownership may be private, collective, or common and some of those rights and duties may be held by different parties. Tribal Building(s) are those where the eligible tribal entity has the authority to augment or modify the building and where the building is owned by the eligible tribal entity or tribal members or tribal organization, or the eligible tribal entity has a long-term lease (as a minimum, for the useful life of the proposed project). Tribal Buildings may include, but are not limited to, tribal member homes, schools, community buildings, clinics/hospitals, tribal government buildings, fire stations, police stations, radio stations, washaterias, utility facilities (such as water/wastewater systems), or tribal businesses.

Proposed installations may be for either:

(1) Existing “Tribal Building(s)”; or

(2) New “Tribal Building(s)” that are currently being constructed or planned to be constructed during the proposed grant period.

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See Appendix A and above for definitions.

Verification of the actual energy generated, displaced, or saved (amount, cost, and percentage) will be required for a minimum of 12-months after installation of the proposed system(s) and a description of those verification methods must be included as part of the Technical Volume and the activity included as part of the Workplan (see Section IV.C., Content and Form of the Application).

For existing Tribal Building(s), the estimated amount of energy generated, displaced, or saved (amount, cost, and percentage) in the building(s) must be based on the actual annual energy consumed during a prior consecutive 12-month period.

For Tribal Building(s) that are currently being constructed or planned to be constructed during the grant period, the estimated amount of energy generated, displaced, or saved (amount, cost, and percentage) in the building(s) must be based on the projected annual energy use over a 12-month period and those projections supplied as part of the application. Only the incremental costs associated with the installation of the proposed clean energy generating system(s), energy efficiency measure(s), or integrated energy system(s), will be considered, not the cost of constructing the building.

For affected unelectrified Tribal Building(s), the estimated electricity needs of the affected building(s) must be based on the projected annual energy use over a 12-month period and those projections supplied as part of the application.

Costs associated with the construction of a building(s) or structure(s) such as carports (unless integral to the energy system(s) being proposed) will not be considered by DOE for reimbursement or as cost share; only the incremental costs associated with the installation of clean energy generating system(s), energy storage system(s), integrated energy system(s), or energy efficiency measure(s) will be considered allocable to the proposed DOE funded project.

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Table 2: Summary of Topic Area Requirements

The requirements reflected in Topic Area Requirements may not be all inclusive and cannot be relied upon exclusively as they do not reflect all of the requirements for each Topic Area. Applicants must read the entire FOA to determine the complete requirements for each Topic Area. See a more detailed description of each Topic Area below and definitions in Appendix A.

Sub-topic Area Title

B u ild in g-Scale

C o m m u n ity-Scale

G rid

-C o n n e cte d n n e cte d to

Stan d

-A lo e

(iso late d

) M icro grid

U e le ctrifie m p re h e n sive Feasib ility Stu d y

En e rgy A u d its/A sse ssm e n ts

En e rgy G e n e ratin g Syste m (s)

En e rgy Efficie n cy M e asu re(s)

En e rgy Sto rage

Syste m

(s)*

In te grate d

En e rgy Syste m

(s)

En e rgy In frastru ctu re

Trib al B u ild in g(s)

Esse n tial Trib al B u ild in gs(s)

Estim ated

En e rgy D isp lace d

G e n e rate d

, o r Save

V rificatio n

P e rio d

(1

-m o n th s)

C o m m e rcially P ro ve

W arran tie d

1.a. Energy Generating System(s) X X X

X X X X X X

1.b. Energy Efficiency Measure(s) X X X X X X X X X X

1.c.

Energy Generating System(s) and Energy Efficiency Measure(s)

X X X

X X X X X X X X

2.a.

Community-Scale Energy Generating System(s)

X X X X X

2.b. Community-Scale Energy Storage X X X

X X X X X

3.a.

Powering Essential Tribal Building(s)

X X X X X X X

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Sub-topic Area Title

B u ild in g-Scale m m u ity-Scale

G rid

-C o n n e cte n n e cte d to

Stan d

-A lo

(iso late d

) M icro grid

U e le ctrifie m p re h e n sive Feasib ility Stu d y

En e rgy A u d its/A sse ssm e n ts

En e rgy G e n e ratin g Syste m (s)

En e rgy Efficie n cy M e asu re(s)

En e rgy Sto rage

Syste m

(s)*

In te grate d

En e rgy Syste m

(s)

En e rgy In frastru ctu re

Trib al B u ild in g(s)

Esse n tial Trib al B u ild in gs(s)

Estim ated

En e rgy D isp lace d

G e n e rate d

, o r Save

V rificatio n

P e rio d

(1

-m o n th s)

C o m m e rcially P ro ve

W arran tie d

3.b. Tribal Community Resilience X X X

X X X X X X X

4.a.

Integrated Energy System(s) for Electrification

X X X X X X X X X X

4.b.

Energy Infrastructure for Electrification

X X X X X X X X X

* Because storage is a component of integrated energy system(s), “Energy Storage System(s)” is marked for those Subtopic Areas under which integrated energy system(s) are eligible.

** The “Commercially Proven Warrantied” requirement applies to all Topic Areas and proposed technologies.

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1. Topic Area 1: Clean Energy Generating System(s) and/or Energy Efficiency Measure(s) for Tribal Building(s)

Under Topic Area 1, the DOE Office of Indian Energy is soliciting applications for the deployment of clean energy generating system(s) and energy efficiency measure(s) for Tribal Building(s), and may include:

(1) Clean Energy Generating System(s) (Subtopic Area 1.a.),

(2) Energy Efficiency Measure(s) (Subtopic Area 1.b.), or a combination of

(3) Clean Energy Generating System(s) and Energy Efficiency Measure(s) (Subtopic Area

1.c.).

Except for projects proposing only energy efficiency measures (Subtopic Area 1.b.), projects proposed under Topic Area 1 are intended for Tribal Building(s) that are either (1) grid-connected (which for the purposes of this FOA, means the Tribal Building(s) are connected to the traditional centralized electric power grid), or (2) connected to a stand-alone (isolated) microgrid that operates autonomously from the traditional centralized electric power grid.

Projects proposing only energy efficiency measures (Subtopic Area 1.b.), may be for Tribal Building(s) that are (1) grid-connected (which for the purposes of this FOA, means the Tribal Building(s) are connected to the traditional centralized electric power grid), or (2) connected to a stand-alone (isolated) microgrid that operates autonomously from the traditional centralized electric power grid, or (3) unelectrified, where “unelectrified” means Tribal Building(s) that are

(1) not connected to the traditional centralized electric power grid and (2) not connected to a stand-alone (isolated) microgrid that operates autonomously from the traditional centralized electric power grid.

a. Clean Energy Generating System(s) (Subtopic Area 1.a.)

Under Subtopic Area 1.a., the DOE Office of Indian Energy is soliciting applications for clean energy generating system(s) for Tribal Building(s).

Under Subtopic Area 1.a., either a single clean energy generating system or multiple clean energy generating systems may be proposed and either a single Tribal Building or multiple Tribal Buildings may be proposed.

To be eligible under Subtopic Area 1.a., applications must:

(1) Be based on a comprehensive feasibility study that clearly identifies the need, demonstrates the rationale for selecting the proposed clean energy generating system(s) as opposed to other options, demonstrates the availability of the resource, demonstrates the technical and economic viability, including interconnection analyses

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(if applicable) and financial sustainability, of the proposed clean energy generating system(s). This feasibility study must be provided as part of the application in the Studies and Analyses File;

(2) Be based on completed design and engineering (except final design and engineering) that may include, but is not limited to, detailed engineering drawings, interconnection studies and/or agreements (if applicable), detailed materials and equipment lists, hardware specifications, warranties, and any other design or engineering data to supplement the Technical Volume. These design and engineering documents must be provided as part of the application in the Design and Engineering File;

(3) Include an estimate of the energy generated annually (amount, cost, and percentage) by the proposed clean energy generating system(s) based on the actual energy used for existing building(s) and projected savings for building(s) currently being constructed or planned to be constructed during the proposed grant period; and

(4) Use commercially proven warrantied technology (see the definition of “commercially proven” and “warrantied” under Appendix A).

See Appendix A for definitions.

b. Energy Efficiency Measure(s) (Subtopic Area 1.b.)

Under Subtopic Area 1.b., the DOE Office of Indian Energy is soliciting applications proposing either a single or multiple energy efficiency measures to Tribal Building(s).

Under Subtopic Area 1.b., either a single energy efficiency measure or multiple energy efficiency measures may be proposed and either a single Tribal Building or multiple Tribal Buildings may be proposed.

To be eligible under Subtopic Area 1.b., applications must:

(1) Be based on energy audit(s) or industrial energy assessment(s) that clearly identifies the need, demonstrates the rationale for selecting the proposed energy efficiency measure(s) as opposed to other options, demonstrate the technical and economic viability, including interconnection analyses (if applicable) and financial sustainability, of the proposed energy efficiency measure(s). This energy audit(s) or industrial energy assessment(s) must be provided as part of the application in the Studies and Analyses File;

(2) Be based on a completed design and engineering (except final design and engineering) that may include, but is not limited to, detailed engineering drawings, interconnection studies and/or agreements (if applicable), detailed materials and equipment list(s), hardware specifications, warranties, and any other design or engineering data to supplement the Technical Volume. These design and engineering documents must be provided as part of the application in the Design and Engineering File;

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(3) Include an estimate of the energy saved annually (amount, cost, and percentage) by the proposed energy efficiency measure(s) based on the actual energy used for existing buildings and projected savings for buildings currently being constructed or planned to be constructed during the proposed grant period; and

c. Clean Energy Generation System(s) and Energy Efficiency Measure(s) (Subtopic Area 1.c.)

Under Subtopic Area 1.c., a clean energy generating system(s) can be proposed in addition to a single or multiple energy efficiency measures, but must meet the requirements for both Subtopic Area 1.a. and Subtopic Area 1.b.

Specifically, to be eligible, under Subtopic Area 1.c. applications must:

system(s) as opposed to other options, demonstrates the availability of the resource, demonstrates the technical and economic viability, including interconnection analyses (if applicable) financial sustainability, of the proposed clean energy generating system(s). This feasibility study must be provided as part of the application in the Studies and Analyses File;

(2) Be based on completed design and engineering (except final design and engineering) that may include, but is not limited to, detailed engineering drawings, interconnection studies and/or agreements (if applicable), detailed materials and equipment list(s), hardware specifications, warranties, and any other design or engineering data to supplement the Technical Volume. These design and engineering documents must be provided as part of the application in the Design and Engineering File;

(3) Include an estimate of the energy generated and saved annually (amount, cost, and percentage) by the proposed clean energy generating system(s) and energy efficiency measure(s) based on the actual energy used for existing buildings and projected savings for buildings currently being constructed or planned to be constructed during the proposed grant period; and

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2. Topic Area 2: Community-Scale Clean Energy Generating System(s) or Community Energy Storage Deployment

Under Topic Area 2, the DOE Office of Indian Energy is seeking applications for the deployment of (1) community-scale clean energy generating system(s) (Subtopic Area 2.a.) or (2) community-scale energy storage on Tribal Lands (Subtopic Area 2.b.).

Projects proposed under Topic Area 2 are intended for Tribal Building(s) that are either (1) grid-connected (which, for the purposes of this FOA, means the Tribal Building(s) are connected to the traditional centralized electric power grid), or (2) connected to a stand-alone (isolated) microgrid that operates autonomously from the traditional centralized electric power grid.

For the purposes of Topic Area 2, “community-scale” means serving a “substantial” number of the total buildings within a community, or a “substantial” portion of the community’s energy load, or an entire tribal community. For the purposes of this FOA, “substantial” means of “ample or considerable amount”. See Appendix A for definition of “community.”

An explanation as to how the proposed project meets the “community-scale” requirement is required as part of the Technical Volume and specifically must address the “substantial” aspect of the proposed project (see Section IV.C.3. and the Technical Volume template under ‘Application Forms and Templates’ on IE-Exchange).

All proposed projects (or buildings on which systems are proposed) must be on Tribal…