Environmental Review and Permitting Support for OTS

Need: Emergency permitting is now a priority, per Executive Order 14154 and Secretarial Order (SO) 3417, Unleashing American Energy and the Department’s Emergency Energy Permitting Procedures, in particular, permits for crude oil, natural gas, lease condensates, natural gas liquids, refined petroleum products, uranium, coal, biofuels, geothermal heat, the kinetic movement of flowing water, and critical minerals, as defined by 30 U.S.C. 1606 (a)(3). The contract focuses on environmental and cultural reviews and document development according to SO 3417, Addressing the National Energy Emergency, “to facilitate the identification, permitting, leasing, development, production, transportation, refining, distribution, exporting, and generation of domestic energy resources and critical minerals including, but not limited to, on Federal lands and the Outer Continental Shelf.” Additionally, Fee-to-Trust pre-acquisition Phase I environmental site assessments (Phase I ESAs), and other lease support actions as outlined in Part 59 of the Indian Affairs Manual, Chapter 5. OTS (DESCRM) is responsible for providing oversight of BIA land acquisitions, receiving notification of decisions made by Regional Directors not to seek landowner liability protection, and ensuring that statutory and regulatory timetables are met.

Major Tasks & Deliverables: Critical Minerals (Fluid and Solid), NEPA support, and Emergency Permitting support, Archaeologist, NEPA support, including Section 106 of the NHPA, Biologist, NEPA Support, including Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act, NEPA support activities such as environmental document review, and Environmental Professional, Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessment support.

Mission Supported: The mission of the Division of Environmental Services and Cultural Resources Management (DESCRM) is to work with Tribes to protect, develop, manage and enhance American Indian and Alaska Native environmental, cultural and historical resources by providing technical assistance, service and support to Tribes and through administration of federal laws and regulations. Specifically, supports National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance throughout the BIA. Most activities or project proposals that use, develop, or repurpose resources require NEPA compliance (permitting, infrastructure, etc.).

Key Performance Expectations: Quarterly performance evaluations must be completed with a satisfactory or above scoring. Progress toward satisfactory performance includes indicators such as: positive feedback from Regions, one or more Env. Site Assessments conducted on the ground, one or more actions (projects) reviewed for the NEPA process, etc.

Acquisition Type: Follow-On (option year 1 will be renewed late July/early August of 2027).