Tribal Energy Development Capacity (TEDC) Grant; Solicitation of Proposals, 34221-34226 [2020-11975]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• Bureau of Indian Affairs

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 107 (Wednesday, June 3, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34221-34226]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-11975]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Indian Affairs

[201D0102DR/DS5A300000/DR.5A311.IA000118]


Tribal Energy Development Capacity (TEDC) Grant; Solicitation of 
Proposals

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Secretary of the Interior (Secretary), through the 
Division of Energy and Mineral Development (DEMD), Office of Indian 
Energy and Economic Development (IEED), is soliciting grant proposals 
from federally recognized Indian Tribes to build Tribal capacity for 
energy resource regulation and management under the Tribal Energy 
Development Capacity (TEDC) grant program.

DATES: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. EST on September 
1, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Email applications to [email protected] in accordance with 
the directions at Step 4 of this notice.

[[Page 34222]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Payton Batliner, Economic 
Development Specialist, Division of Energy and Mineral Development, 
13922 Denver West Pkwy., Suite 200, Lakewood, CO 80401; telephone: 
(720) 999-1414; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
II. Number of Projects Funded
III. Background
IV. Eligibility for Funding
V. Who May Perform Feasibility Studies Funded by TEDC Grants
VI. Applicant Procurement Procedures
VII. Limitations
VIII. TEDC Application Guidance
IX. Review and Selection Process
X. Evaluation Criteria
XI. Transfer of Funds
XII. Reporting Requirements for Award Recipients
XIII. Conflicts of Interest
XIV. Questions and Requests for IEED Assistance
XV. Separate Document(s)
XVI. Paperwork Reduction Act
XVII. Authority

I. General Information

    Award Ceiling: 1,000,000.
    Award Floor: 10,000.
    CFDA Number: 15.148.
    Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No.
    Number of Awards: 15.
    Category: Energy and Minerals.

II. Number of Projects Funded

    DEMD anticipates award of approximately fifteen (15) grants under 
this announcement ranging in value from approximately $10,000 to 
$1,000,000. The program can fund projects only one year at a time. DEMD 
will use a competitive evaluation process based on criteria described 
in section X of this notice.

III. Background

    DEMD administers the TEDC grant program. This solicitation seeks 
proposals for increasing the technical capacity of federally recognized 
Tribes to manage and regulate their energy resources. The energy 
project(s) for which the applicant seeks to build Tribal capacity can 
be existing or planned, Tribally owned or privately owned.
    Capacity developing activities include, but are not limited to:
     Establishment of organizational structure(s) and/or 
business entity structure(s) capable of engaging in commercial energy 
development or management activities, including leasing property, 
meeting lending requirements, entering into standard business 
contracts, and forming joint venture partnerships;
     Establishing Tribal business charters under Federal law; 
corporations formed under Federal, State or Tribal incorporation codes; 
and Tribal utility authorities under Federal, State or Tribal codes;
     Development or enhancement of Tribal policies; enactment 
of Tribal regulations for leasing of surface land for energy 
development pursuant to the HEARTH Act; establishment of legal 
infrastructure for business formation; enactment of ordinances to 
regulate or develop energy resources; and adoption of a secured 
transactions code or a memorandum of understanding, compact, or letter 
of intent with the State to register liens attached pursuant to such a 
code.
    The funding periods and amounts referenced in this solicitation are 
subject to the availability of funds at the time of award, as well as 
the Department of the Interior (DOI) and Indian Affairs priorities at 
the time of the award. Neither DOI nor Indian Affairs will be held 
responsible for proposal or application preparation costs. Publication 
of this solicitation does not obligate DOI or Indian Affairs to award 
any specific grant or to obligate all or any part of available funds. 
Future funding is subject to the availability of appropriations and 
cannot be guaranteed. DOI or Indian Affairs may cancel or withdraw this 
solicitation at any time.

IV. Eligibility for Funding

    Only Indian Tribes, as defined at 25 U.S.C. 5304(e), are eligible 
to receive TEDC grants. Under that statutory definition, eligible 
entities include any Indian Tribe, band, nation, or other organized 
group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or 
village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska 
Native Claims Settlement Act, 43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq., which is 
recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided 
by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians. 
Indian Tribes are referred to using the term ``Tribe'' throughout this 
notice.

V. Who May Perform Studies Funded by TEDC Grants

    The applicant determines who will conduct its study. An applicant 
has several choices, including but not limited to:
     Universities and colleges;
     Private consulting firms; or
     Non-academic, non-profit entities.

VI. Applicant Procurement Procedures

    The applicant is subject to the procurement standards in 2 CFR 
200.318 through 200.326. In accordance with 2 CFR 200.318, an applicant 
must use its own documented procurement procedures which reflect Tribal 
laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to 
applicable Federal law and standards identified in Part 2 of the Code 
of Federal Regulations.

VII. Limitations

    TEDC grant funding must be expended in accordance with applicable 
statutory and regulatory requirements, including 2 CFR part 200. As 
part of the grant application review process, DEMD may conduct a review 
of an applicant's prior DEMD grant award(s).
    Applicants that are currently under BIA sanction Level 2 or higher 
resulting from non-compliance with the Single Audit Act are ineligible 
for a TEDC award. Applicants at Sanction Level 1 will be considered for 
funding.
    DEMD will not usually consider funding new TEDC proposals where the 
applicant has open TEDC projects, granted under any previous funding 
cycle. The DEMD does, however, understand that delays beyond the 
control of the applicant sometimes occur. The DEMD will consider any 
explanation provided in conjunction with the new TEDC grant proposal. 
The explanation should describe the reasons why the previous project is 
delayed and successfully justify or demonstrate that the delay is at no 
fault of the applicant.
    DEMD will accept multi-project proposals. Multi-project proposals 
must be submitted as one application. Multi-project proposals may 
contain proposals to develop and enhance both business and regulatory 
infrastructure. Applicants may also submit multi-project proposals in 
just one area, such as two separate purposes, with each proposing to 
develop or enhance the regulatory structure for two separate purposes. 
For instance, an applicant may submit a proposal for funding to form a 
Tribal utility authority and a separate and distinct proposal to 
develop a Tribal secured transactions code.
    Each project in the application requires its own stand-alone 
proposal, budget, and designated Tribal project lead. Multi-project 
proposals require that the applicant submit a Tribal resolution that 
identifies and describes each project being proposed authorizing the 
Tribe to submit the proposal for a TEDC grant. Each proposal in the 
application will be evaluated based on

[[Page 34223]]

its own merits as a stand-alone project. The DEMD will evaluate each 
individual project proposal using the same standards as those evaluated 
as a single-project proposal.
    The purpose of TEDC grants is to increase Tribal technical capacity 
to manage and regulate energy resources only. TEDC awards may not be 
used for:
     Establishing or operating a Tribal office;
     Indirect costs or administrative costs as defined by the 
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR);
     Training;
     Purchase of equipment that is used to develop the 
feasibility studies, such as computers, vehicles, field gear, etc. 
(however, leasing of this type of equipment for the purpose of 
developing feasibility studies is allowed);
     Purchase of software;
     Purchase of resource assessment data;
     Legal fees;
     Application fees associated with permitting;
     Training;
     Contract negotiation fees;
     Academic research projects;
     Strategic energy plan formulation;
     Weatherization activities;
     Research and development of speculative or unproven 
technologies;
     Payment of fees or procurement of any services associated 
with energy assessment or exploration or development activity;
     Payment of Tribal salaries for employees not directly 
involved in conducting project specific activities and payment of 
salaries beyond the one-year project;
     Purchase or lease of project equipment such as computers, 
vehicles, field gear, etc.;
     Attending conventions or travel to foreign countries;
     Conducting studies related to meeting environmental 
requirements for a project development;
     Feasibility studies to identify, develop, or market energy 
or mineral resources; establish or expand broadband projects; evaluate 
economic development projects, businesses, or technologies that are 
addressed by IEED's Energy and Mineral Development Program (EMDP), 
National Tribal Broadband Grant (NTBG), and Native American Business 
Development Institute (NABDI) annual grant programs; and
     Any other activities not authorized by the grant award 
letter.

VIII. TEDC Application Guidance

    All TEDC applicants must use the standard forms Application for 
Federal Assistance SF-424 and the Project Narrative Attachment Form. 
These forms can be found at www.grants.gov. A complete proposal must 
contain the five mandatory components as described below.

Step 1. Complete the Application for Federal Assistance SF-424

Instructions to Download the Application for Federal Assistance SF-424
    1. Go to www.grants.gov.
    2. Select the ``forms'' tab. This will open a page with a table 
titled ``SF-424 FAMILY FORMS.''
    3. Under the column ``Agency Owner,'' third row down, is listed, 
Grants.gov--Application for Federal Assistance SF-424.
    4. Click on the blue PDF letters to download the three-page 
document.
Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 (Mandatory Component 1)
    Within the Application for Federal Assistance SF-424, please 
complete the following sections:
     Item 8a. Applicant Information--Legal Name.
     Item 8b.
     Item 8c.
     Item 8d. Address.
     Item 8f. Name and contact information of person to be 
contacted on matters involving this application.
     Item 9. Select I: Indian/Native American Tribal Government 
(Federally Recognized).
     Item 11. CFDA Title box-Type in the numbers: 15.148.
     Item 12. Title box-Type in: Tribal Energy Development 
Capacity.
     Item 15. Descriptive Title of Applicant's Project. Type in 
short description of proposal.
     Item 21. Read certification statement. Check ``agree'' 
box.
     Authorized Representative section: Complete all boxes 
except ``signature of authorized representative.'' Be sure to type in 
the Tribal leader's information. Be sure to include the Tribal leader's 
preferred title (e.g., Governor, President, Chairman).
    Save the Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 and name the 
file using the following format: Tribal Name TEDC Grant Application SF-
424.
    Example for naming the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance 
file: Pueblo of Laguna TEDC Grant Application SF-424.

Step 2. Prepare the Project Narrative, Budget, Critical Information 
Documents, and Obtain a Tribal Resolution

Project Narrative (Mandatory Component 2)
    The Project Narrative must not exceed 20 pages. At a minimum, it 
should include:
    a. An Executive Summary that is an overview and technical summary 
of the project, no longer than one page, that has a description of the 
elements of the proposed project, reasons for the project, description 
of the objectives and anticipated outcomes that will result if the 
project were to be funded, total funding amount requested, and a 
designated Tribal project lead authorized to make decisions on the day-
to-day grant activities.
    b. The Project Objective, Technical Description, and Scope of Work. 
Describe the Tribe's current business and/or regulatory capacity for 
energy development, including regulations and other measures already in 
place and the extent to which they are being implemented. If the 
proposal is related to establishing organizational business entity 
structures, describe the extent to which the Tribe is capable of 
engaging in development or management activities, and to what extent 
the proposed project will increase the Tribe's capacity to manage and/
or regulate its energy resources. Describe which business and/or 
regulatory capacities need enhancement, such as: Tribal code 
development, regulation or ordinance development, commercial code 
development, financial and revenue management, land lease management 
(including evaluation, negotiation, and enforcement of terms), and 
regulatory monitoring (Federal, State, and Tribal environmental and 
safety regulations). Describe how the project would assist the Tribe in 
developing the capacity needed to maximize the economic impact of 
energy or mineral resource development on Indian land, and to what 
extent that would affect the overall economy of the Tribe. List all 
previous or ongoing energy or mineral resource development capacity-
building projects involving the Tribe. Describe the Tribe's motivation 
to implement the business or regulatory framework that would be 
developed or enhanced through TEDC funding. Describe project goals and 
objectives. Include a detailed scope of work describing the project 
phases and timeline, method of measurement of meeting objectives of the 
proposed project, and expected outcomes. Describe how and why the 
particular

[[Page 34224]]

methods being applied will achieve the stated goals.
    c. If the project is focused on studying the feasibility of a 
Tribal Utility Authority (TUA), or some other electric utility 
structure including micro grids, please provide a brief discussion (one 
page or less) that includes the following: Reason/need for chartering a 
TUA or micro grid formation, the relationship between the Tribe and 
incumbent utility, annual expenditure by the Tribe on electricity, 
electricity pricing ($/kWh) and/or power quality issues, utility policy 
issues that are hindering the Tribe from proper management of its 
energy assets or hindering the development of energy projects (i.e. net 
metering policies) and how these can potentially be overcome by a 
tribally owned TUA, and any other relevant information that would 
highlight the need for the establishment of a TUA or micro grid.
    d. Describe all deliverable products that the proposed TEDC project 
is to generate, including all regulations, codes, ordinances or 
processes and procedures. Discuss the content of any planned status 
reports as well as the final TEDC project report.
    e. Provide the resumes (with areas of expertise) of key consultants 
and personnel to be retained, if available, and the nature of their 
involvement, including their relationship to the applicant as Tribal 
staff, consultant, subcontractor, etc. This information may be included 
as an attachment to the application and will not be counted towards the 
20-page limitation.
Budget SF424a and Budget Narrative (Mandatory Component 3)
    Please complete the SF424a and provide a budget narrative that 
clearly describes all major line item grant expenditures. High ranking 
budgets will provide a budget narrative that correlates to the project 
scope of work and clearly breaks the project down into defined tasks 
with an associated budget line item for each task. Tasks and costs 
should include justification in the budget narrative.
Critical Information Page (Mandatory Component 4)
    Applicants must include a critical information page that includes:
     A designated Tribal representative, who is not a 
consultant, (and their contact information) to oversee the project 
work, make authorized decisions during the course of the project, and 
be responsible for submitting quarterly reports and the final report, 
plus quarterly financial status reports;
     Verification, by statement, that the Tribe is registered 
in SAM.gov (https://sam.gov/SAM);
     Federal DUNS number;
     An active Automated Standard Application for Payment 
(ASAP) number (must be registered in ASAP with the same DUNS number--
provide your recipient ID);
     Counties where the project is located; and
     Congressional District number where the project is 
located.
Tribal Resolution Attachment (Mandatory Component 5)
    Applicants must include as an attachment to their application a 
Tribal resolution authorizing the submission of a FY 2020 TEDC grant 
application. It must be signed by authorized Tribal representative(s). 
The Tribal resolution must also include:
     A description of the proposed project; and
     An explicit reference to the Project Narrative being 
submitted.
    Tribal Energy Development Organization applicants are required to 
have a Tribal resolution authorizing the Tribe participating in the 
organization to apply for this grant.

Step 3. Prepare the Project Narrative Attachment Form for Submission

    Note: Mandatory components 2-5 must be submitted using the Project 
Narrative Attachment Form.
Instructions To download the Project Narrative Attachment Form:
     Go to www.grants.gov
     Select the ``forms'' tab. This will open a page within the 
table titled ``SF-424 FAMILY FORMS.''
     Under the column ``Agency Owner'' three quarters down the 
table (52nd row), is listed, Grants.gov--Project Narrative Attachment 
Form.
     Click on the blue PDF letters to download the one page 
document.
    When the applicant has successfully downloaded the Project 
Narrative Attachment Form, follow the next steps to upload documents:
     On the Project Narrative Attachment Form, click on the 
button titled ``Add Project Narrative File.''
     Select the Project Narrative that you want to upload and 
click ``open'' to upload the file.
     On the same Project Narrative Attachment Form, you will 
find a grey button titled ``Add Optional Project Narrative File.'' Use 
this button to upload the Budget Narrative, Critical Information Page, 
and the Tribal Resolution as attachments.
    When the applicant has completed uploading the Project Narrative 
and the attachments (Budget, Tribal Resolution, and Critical 
Information Page) to the Project Narrative Attachment Form, the 
applicant will save and name the file using the following format: 
Tribal Name TEDC Grant Attachments.
    Example for naming the Project Narrative Attachment Form file: 
Pueblo of Laguna TEDC Grant Attachments.

Step 4. Submit the Completed TEDC Grant Proposal

    Applicants must submit the Application for Federal Assistance SF-
424 form and the Project Narrative Attachment Form in a single email to 
the email listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice and:
     State ``TEDC APPLICATION NARRATIVE AND SF-424'' in the 
email subject line; and
     Include ``Attention: Payton Batliner, Economic Development 
Specialist'' in the first line of the email.
    Applications and mandatory attachments received and date stamped 
after the time listed in the DATES section of this notice will not be 
considered by the Awarding Official. DEMD will accept applications at 
any time before the deadline and will send a notification of receipt to 
the return email address on the application package, along with a 
determination of whether the application is complete.
    Incomplete Applications. Applications submitted without one or more 
of the five mandatory components described above will be returned to 
the applicant with an explanation. The applicant will then be allowed 
to correct any deficiencies and resubmit the proposal for consideration 
on or before the deadline. This option will not be available to an 
applicant once the deadline has passed.

IX. Review and Selection Process

    Upon receiving a TEDC application, DEMD will determine whether the 
application is complete and that the proposed project does not 
duplicate or overlap previous or currently funded DEMD technical 
assistance projects. Any proposal that is received after the date and 
time in the DATES section of this notice will not be reviewed. If an 
application is not complete and the submission deadline has not passed, 
the applicant will be notified and given an opportunity to resubmit its 
application.
    The DEMD Review Committee (Committee), comprised of DEMD staff, 
staff from other Federal agencies, and subject matter experts, will 
evaluate the proposals against the ranking criteria. Proposals will be 
evaluated using the four criteria listed below, with a

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maximum achievable total of 100 points.
    Final award selections will be approved by the Assistant 
Secretary--Indian Affairs and the Associate Deputy Secretary, U.S. 
Department of the Interior. Applicants not selected for award will be 
notified in writing.

X. Evaluation Criteria

    Executive Summary: 10 points. Proposals will be evaluated based on 
the clarity of the proposal's Executive Summary as discussed in Step 2, 
part A.
    Project Objective, Technical Description, and Scope of Work: 35 
points. This criterion will be evaluated based on the project 
objective, technical description and scope of work as described in Step 
2, part B. The clarity of the described work and the appropriateness of 
the project in terms of meeting the intent and goals of the TEDC 
program will be evaluated.
    Deliverable Products: 30 points. DEMD will rate the extent to which 
the expected outcome of the project meets the applicant's stated goals, 
based on the deliverables described. This section will be evaluated 
based on Step 2, part C.
    Key Personnel: 25 points. The Committee understands that applicants 
may intend that the consultant(s) they retain to prepare the grant 
proposal will also conduct the feasibility study if the grant is 
awarded. This does not prejudice an applicant's chances of being 
selected as a grantee. However, the Committee will view unfavorably 
proposals that show little evidence of communication between the 
consultant(s) and the applicant or scant regard for the applicant 
community's unique circumstances. Facsimile applications prepared by 
the same consultant(s) and submitted by multiple applicants will 
receive particular scrutiny in this regard. DEMD will also evaluate the 
extent to which key personnel have the expertise to perform the 
functions under the scope of work, and produce quality deliverables. 
See Step 2, part D for more information.

XI. Transfer of Funds

    DEMD's obligation under this solicitation is contingent on receipt 
of congressionally appropriated funds. No liability on the part of the 
U.S. Government for any payment may arise until funds are made 
available to the awarding officer for this grant and until the 
recipient receives notice of such availability, to be confirmed in 
writing by the grant officer.
    All payments under this agreement will be made by electronic funds 
transfer through the ASAP. All award recipients are required to have a 
current and accurate DUNS number to receive funds. All payments will be 
deposited to the banking information designated by the applicant in the 
System for Award Management (SAM).

XII. Reporting Requirements for Award Recipients

    The applicant must deliver all products and data required by the 
signed Grant Agreement for the proposed TEDC feasibility study project 
to DEMD within 30 days of the end of each quarter and 90 days after 
completion of the project.
    DEMD requires that deliverable products be provided in both digital 
format and printed hard copies. Reports can be provided in either 
Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat PDF format. Spreadsheet data can be 
provided in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, or Adobe PDF formats. 
All vector figures should be converted to PDF format. Raster images can 
be provided in PDF, JPEG, TIFF, or any of the Windows metafile formats. 
The contract between the grantee and the consultant conducting the 
TEDC-funded feasibility study must include deliverable products and 
require that the products be prepared in the format described above.
    The contract should include budget amounts for all printed and 
digital copies to be delivered in accordance with the grant agreement. 
In addition, the contract must specify that all products generated by a 
consultant belong to the grantee and cannot be released to the public 
without the grantee's written approval. Products include, but are not 
limited to, all reports and technical data obtained, maps, status 
reports, and the final report.
    In addition, this funding opportunity and financial assistance 
award must adhere to the following provisions:

XIII. Conflicts of Interest

Applicability

     This section intends to ensure that non-Federal entities 
and their employees take appropriate steps to avoid conflicts of 
interest in their responsibilities under or with respect to Federal 
financial assistance agreements.
     In the procurement of supplies, equipment, construction, 
and services by recipients and by sub-recipients, the conflict of 
interest provisions in 2 CFR 200.318 apply.

Requirements

     Non-Federal entities must avoid prohibited conflicts of 
interest, including any significant financial interests that could 
cause a reasonable person to question the recipient's ability to 
provide impartial, technically sound, and objective performance under 
or with respect to a Federal financial assistance agreement.
     In addition to any other prohibitions that may apply with 
respect to conflicts of interest, no key official of an actual or 
proposed recipient or sub-recipient, who is substantially involved in 
the proposal or project, may have been a former Federal employee who, 
within the last one (1) year, participated personally and substantially 
in the evaluation, award, or administration of an award with respect to 
that recipient or sub-recipient or in development of the requirement 
leading to the funding announcement.
     No actual or prospective recipient or sub-recipient may 
solicit, obtain, or use non-public information regarding the 
evaluation, award, administration of an award to that recipient or sub-
recipient or the development of a Federal financial assistance 
opportunity that may be of competitive interest to that recipient or 
sub-recipient.

Notification

     Non-Federal entities, including applicants for financial 
assistance awards, must disclose in writing any conflict of interest to 
the DOI awarding agency or pass-through entity in accordance with 2 CFR 
200.112, Conflicts of Interest.
     Recipients must establish internal controls that include, 
at a minimum, procedures to identify, disclose, and mitigate or 
eliminate identified conflicts of interest. The recipient is 
responsible for notifying the Financial Assistance Officer in writing 
of any conflicts of interest that may arise during the life of the 
award, including those that have been reported by sub-recipients.
     Restrictions on Lobbying. Non-Federal entities are 
strictly prohibited from using funds under this grant or cooperative 
agreement for lobbying activities and must provide the required 
certifications and disclosures pursuant to 43 CFR part 18 and 31 U.S.C. 
1352.
     Review Procedures. The Financial Assistance Officer will 
examine each conflict of interest disclosure on the basis of its 
particular facts and the nature of the proposed grant or cooperative 
agreement, and will determine whether a significant potential conflict 
exists and, if it does, develop an appropriate means for resolving it.
     Enforcement. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a 
manner that satisfies the Government may be cause for termination of 
the award. Failure to

[[Page 34226]]

make the required disclosures may result in any of the remedies 
described in 2 CFR 200.338, Remedies for Noncompliance, including 
suspension or debarment (see also 2 CFR part 180).

Data Availability

     Applicability. The Department of the Interior is committed 
to basing its decisions on the best available science and providing the 
American people with enough information to thoughtfully and 
substantively evaluate the data, methodology, and analysis used by the 
Department to inform its decisions.
     Use of Data. The regulations at 2 CFR 200.315 apply to 
data produced under a Federal award, including the provision that the 
Federal Government has the right to obtain, reproduce, publish, or 
otherwise use the data produced under a Federal award as well as 
authorize others to receive, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use such 
data for Federal purposes.
     Availability of Data. The recipient shall make the data 
produced under this award and any subaward(s) available to the 
Government for public release, consistent with applicable law, to allow 
meaningful third party evaluation and reproduction of the following:
    o The scientific data relied upon;
    o The analysis relied upon; and
    o The methodology, including models, used to gather and analyze 
data.

XIV. Questions and Requests for DEMD Assistance

    DEMD staff may provide technical consultation, upon written request 
by an applicant. The request must clearly identify the type of 
assistance sought. Technical consultation does not include funding to 
prepare a grant proposal, grant writing assistance, or pre-
determinations as to the likelihood that a proposal will be awarded. 
The applicant is solely responsible for preparing its grant proposal. 
Technical consultation may include clarifying application requirements, 
confirming whether an applicant previously submitted the same or 
similar proposal, and registration information for SAM or ASAP.

XV. Separate Document(s)

 Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 Form
 Project Narrative Attachment Form (This form includes the 
Project Narrative, Budget, Tribal Resolution, and Critical Information 
page)

XVI. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The information collection requirements contained in this notice 
have been reviewed and approved by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3504(h). The OMB 
control number is 1076-0177. The authorization expires on October 31, 
2020. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and you are not required to 
respond to, any information collection that does not display a 
currently valid OMB Control Number.

XVII. Authority

    TEDC grants are funded through non-recurring appropriations made by 
the United States Congress in the Federal budget. These funds are 
provided on a year-to-year basis, and may or may not be provided in 
future years. DEMD implements the Indian Energy Resource Development 
Program, under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, (503(a), Aug. 8, 2005, 
119 Stat. 764) to assist Indian Tribes in the development of energy 
resources and to further the goal of Indian self-determination. The 
Energy Policy Act of 2005 (25 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) requires the 
Secretary to:
``establish and implement an Indian energy resource development program 
to assist consenting Indian Tribes and Tribal energy resource 
development organizations.''
    It also requires the Secretary to provide development grants to 
Indian Tribes and Tribal energy resource development organizations for 
use in developing or obtaining the managerial and technical capacity 
needed to develop energy resources on Indian land, and to properly 
account for resulting energy production and revenues; and to:
``provide grants to Indian Tribes and Tribal energy resource 
development organizations for the use in carrying out projects to 
promote the integration of energy resources, and to process, use, or 
develop those energy resources on Indian land . . .''
    Additional authorizing Statutes for the program include:
 The Snyder Act of November 2, 1921, as amended (25 U.S.C . 13, 
42 Stat. 208, Pub. L. 67-85; 90 Stat. 2233, Pub. L. 94-482)
 The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, as amended (25 U.S.C. 
461 et seq., 48 Stat. 984, Pub. L. 73-383; Pub. L. 103-263)
 The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, as 
amended (25 U.S.C. 450, 88 Stat. 2203, Pub. L. 93-638, Pub. L. 100-472; 
102 Stat. 2285, Pub. L. 103-413)
 Indian Mineral Development Act of 1982, as amended (25 U.S.C. 
2106, 86 Stat. 1940, Pub. L. 97-382)
 Umatilla Basin Project Act (16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq., Pub. L. 
100-557)
 Energy Policy Act of 2005, as amended (25 U.S.C. 3501, Pub. L. 
102-486; Title XXVI--The Energy Policy Act of 1992, 25 U.S.C. 2601, 106 
Stat. 2776, Pub. L. 109-58; title V Sec.  503(a), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 
Stat. 764).

Tara Sweeney,
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2020-11975 Filed 6-2-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4337-15-P