Intertribal Organization Opportunity: Support for Tribal Clean Energy Communication and Engagement

The Intertribal Organization Opportunity launched on July 17, 2024. Please click here to see the announcement article for more information.

Is this a meaningful opportunity for your organization? Do you need more information to help you decide? Please attend the Strategic Session [August 15, 2024, 3:00–4:00 PM ET] to ask questions and to gain a better understanding of program requirements. COMPLETE

Office Hours [September 17, 2024, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET] ENERGYWERX and DOE will host open office hours for potential applicants. Participants are encouraged to come prepared to ask questions. COMPLETE

Submissions are due NLT September 24, 2024 at 3:00 PM ET

Complete the Submission Application: Click Here to Submit Submissions are due NLT September 24, 2024 at 3:00 PM ET

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Applications will be evaluated against the following criteria:

Goals and Objectives

• Clearly described goals and mission of the organization.
• Clear and concise description of proposed project.
• Proposed goals and objectives align with member Tribe priorities.

Project Description and Proposed Outcomes

• Clarity and completeness of the project description.
• Significance of anticipated outcomes.
• Clarity and relevance of proposed goals to objectives of partnering opportunity.
• Clarity of proposed methodology of ensuring equitable outreach and coordination with member Tribes.

Project Management Approach

• Clear and concise description of organizational and individual roles and responsibilities.
• Capabilities of the organization and project participants to address all aspects of the proposed project.
• Clearly described plan to overcome barriers and obstacles.

Workplan

• Clear description and breakdown of proposed activities, schedule, and deliverables through logical task structure, milestones, and budget proposal.

We represent 11 federally recognized tribes, however, our assembly members are not necessarily specific tribal representatives. Are we eligible for this opportunity?

For the 2024 pilot project, all applicants must be governed by board members who are current elected Tribal government officials.

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Our board is comprised of Tribal representatives who are appointed by our respective Tribes' Tribal Councils. However, they are not required to be elected Tribal government officials. Is there any flexibility around this eligibility requirement?

For the 2024 pilot project, all applicants must be governed by board members who are current elected Tribal government officials.

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As a newly established organization, having launched in January of this year, we are currently operating without a 501(c)(3) status. Instead, we function as a coalition of two federally recognized Indian Tribes, formally united through a charter resolution with a fiscal sponsor providing a 501c3 status as needed. We would appreciate your guidance on whether our organization is eligible to apply under these circumstances.

DOE will not make official eligibility determinations for potential Applicants prior to the date on which applications to this opportunity must be submitted nor does DOE intend to change eligibility requirements for this pilot opportunity. The decision of whether to apply for this funding opportunity lies solely with the Applicant and must satisfy all “eligible regional nonprofit intertribal organization” criteria as outlined in “Description” section of opportunity announcement. However, for your purposes the organization that applies for the funding must be a 501 (c)(3) per the listed criteria in the announcement.

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Do all Board members of the 501c3 need to be elected officials of the consortium of tribes?

For the 2024 pilot project, all applicants must be governed by board members who are current elected Tribal government officials as outlined in “Description” section of opportunity announcement.

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Our current structure also included appointed economic development directors of each tribe on the Board.  Would the entity be eligible to apply?

For the 2024 pilot project, all applicants must be governed by board members who are current elected Tribal government officials as outlined in “Description” section of opportunity announcement.

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The FOA indicates that organizations whose "primary purpose" is either “health” or “gaming” as ineligible. How is primary purpose defined? How should an intertribal organization determine this and/or explain in its application that neither “health” or “gaming” is its primary focus?

The “primary purpose” element concerns whether the intertribal organization’s primary objective or mission is focused on health or gaming programs or issues.  If your organization is concerned about whether its primary purpose renders it ineligible, we highly recommend you explain fully in your application.

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To clarify, the session on the 15th spoke to fiscal sponsorships. It noted, "for the fiscal sponsorship question, if you partner with A501C3 nonprofit, they have to be the applicant and they can add you as part of their, you know capacity plan for how they'll accomplish the project." Does that mean we can have a partner 501c3 be the main applicant for our Intertribal organization? Or does one single entity need both the 501c3 and Intertribal organization status?   Additionally, do ALL board members need to be current elected officials or just the majority? Do previously elected officials qualify?

The primary applicants are expected to meet specified eligibility criteria which includes organization have status of 501(c)(3) and are expected to meet all other eligibility criteria as outlined in opportunity page. The goal of this opportunity is to work with organizations that are tribally led, if your board is not entirely comprised of elected tribal officials, it is recommended to provide as much detail as possible about your governing board in the application.

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Is there any In-Kind or Match requirements for this opportunity?

There is no in-kind or cost matching requirement to this opportunity.

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Is a Resolution document requirement from the applicant/s?

Yes, governing documents or Resolution is required to be submitted with your application.

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Are Indirect Costs Allowed? And if so, are there any restrictions to the amount of IDC collected?

The application does not require specific budget categories to be provided. Applicants should submit cost per milestone, it is up to applicant discretion on what is included in cost determination. Applicants are encouraged to view the budget template provided as part of this opportunity.

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Is there an Assistance Listing Number for this funding opportunity? Or is there not an ALN because selected proposals would ultimately be funded as a business to business agreements with Energywerx?

This PIA opportunity is not a financial assistance award and therefore does not have an ALN. The B2B Agreement is between the Selectee and DWX (dba ENWX), and while the funding originates from DOE, the payment remitted by DWX is provided in arrears after each agreed upon milestone has been demonstratively achieved and DOE has confirmed acceptance of the deliverable and/or supporting documentation.

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Can you provide any further clarity on how the financial reporting requirements for the invoicing? CITC has working capital, but if one of the deliverables has a multi-year timeline, it would be a strain to have to wait until the final accomplishment of the deliverable to submit an invoice. Can we expect to do quarterly or monthly invoicing if we structure the deliverables appropriately (e.g. carrying out meetings or informational newsletters with our tribes with a regular cadence)?

Applicants are free to propose a milestone and payment schedule that aligns with their work plan and business needs in the template provided. These proposals will help to inform the Statement of Effort for each Selectee in their B2B. Final milestone and payment schedules will be negotiated with Selectees upon selection.

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Is there any match requirement? We assumed no with the B2B contract structure, but that would be great to confirm.

There is no cost share requirement for this project.

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For the eligibility area, “Have a focus other than public health or gaming”, we believe we qualify under our organization but we have a team member that would like to confirm this.‍

DOE will not make eligibility determinations for potential Applicants prior to the date on which applications to this opportunity must be submitted nor does DOE intend to change eligibility requirements for this pilot opportunity. The decision of whether to apply for this funding opportunity lies solely with the Applicant and must satisfy all “eligible regional nonprofit intertribal organization” criteria as outlined in “Description” section of opportunity announcement.

If you have any questions, please contact ENERGYWERX: info@energywerx.org

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