[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 34 (Wednesday, February 20, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7677-7678]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-4047]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[Number DE-PS36-02GO92006]


Renewable Energy Development On Tribal Lands

AGENCY: Golden Field Office, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of issuance of solicitation for financial assistance 
applications.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), pursuant to the DOE 
Financial Assistance Rules, 10 CFR 600.8, is announcing its intention 
to solicit applications for the development of renewable energy on 
Tribal lands. Through cooperative agreements, DOE intends to provide 
financial support to conduct feasibility studies and share in the cost 
of implementing sustainable renewable energy installations on Tribal 
lands. Under the solicitation, DOE is soliciting Applications from 
Federally-recognized Tribes or Alaskan Native Corporations (hereafter 
referred to as ``Tribes'') to either: (1) conduct feasibility studies 
for the development of economically sustainable renewable energy 
installations on Tribal Lands; or (2) implement sustainable renewable 
energy development projects.

DATES: Issuance of the solicitation is planned for the end of February 
2002.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the solicitation, once it is issued, will be 
accessible through the Golden Field Office Home Page at http://www.golden.doe.gov/businessopportunities.html under ``Solicitations.'' 
The Golden Home Page will provide direct access to the solicitation and 
provide instructions on using the DOE Industry Interactive Procurement 
System (IIPS) Web site. The solicitation can also be obtained directly 
through IIPS at http://e-center.doe.gov/ by browsing opportunities by 
Program Office for those solicitations issued by the Golden Field 
Office. DOE will not issue hard copies of the solicitation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ruth E. Adams, Contracting Officer, 
via facsimile at 303-275-4788 or electronically at [email protected]. 
Responses to questions will be made by amendment to the solicitation 
and posted on the DOE Industry Interactive Procurement System (IIPS) 
Web site.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOE's Tribal Energy Program promotes tribal 
energy self-sufficiency and fosters employment and economic development 
on Tribal Lands through financial assistance to Native American Tribes 
and Alaskan Native Corporations for feasibility studies and renewable 
energy development projects. Under this solicitation, DOE will be 
soliciting Applications from Federally-recognized Tribes or Alaskan 
Native Corporations (hereafter referred to as ``Tribes'') to either: 
(1) conduct feasibility studies for the development of economically 
sustainable renewable energy installations on Tribal Lands; or (2) 
implement sustainable renewable energy development projects.
    Eligible technologies under this solicitation include, but are not 
limited to the following: photovoltaic, concentrating solar power, 
solar thermal systems (i.e., active or passive solar technologies for 
space or water heating, or power generation technologies), wind, 
biomass power, hydro, geothermal electric generation, geothermal 
resources for direct heating applications, and other renewable hybrid 
systems. Applications may include, but are not limited to, the use of 
renewable energy for: direct electrical generation, building uses, 
water pumping, or other grid connected or off-grid power uses.
    DOE will only consider Applications from Federally-recognized 
Tribes on whose Tribal Lands the project will be located. Applications 
from a consortium of Tribes will be accepted but must be submitted by a 
single Tribe representing the consortium. A letter of commitment from 
an authorized representative of the Tribe (Chief, Governor, President, 
Chairperson or other representative able to commit the Tribe), as well 
as from each participating Tribe or project Participant, is required as 
a part of the Application. For Development Project Applications, a 
Tribal Council Resolution is preferable to a letter of commitment, but 
a letter of commitment accompanied by a plan and schedule to obtain a 
Resolution, will be accepted.
    Awards under this solicitation will be cooperative agreements with 
terms of one to three years depending on the type and scope of the 
proposed project. Subject to funding availability, the total DOE 
funding available under this solicitation will be approximately 
$2,500,000. DOE anticipates selecting 10 to 15 Renewable Energy 
Feasibility Study Applications and 3 to 5 Renewable Energy Development 
Project Applications for negotiation toward Award. If funding is 
appropriated in the Government's Fiscal Year 2003 (October

[[Page 7678]]

1, 2002 through September 30, 2003), opportunities to apply for 
development projects as well as funding for additional feasibility 
studies will be provided.
    No cost share is required in order to be considered for feasibility 
study awards under this solicitation. For development projects, a 
minimum cost share of 20% of total project costs is required to be 
considered for award. However, applicants that propose more than the 
required cost share will be given additional consideration in the 
selection process. All applicant cost sharing must come from non-
Federal sources (i.e., private, state or local Government, or any other 
sources that were not originally derived from Federal funds).
    A pre-application conference will be held on March 20, 2002 from 
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Red Lion Hotel Denver Central, 4040 
Quebec Street, Denver, Colorado 80216. For responses at the Pre-
Application conference, potential Applicants should submit questions in 
writing by March 12, 2002. The solicitation will provide information on 
how to transmit questions. All interested parties are encouraged to 
attend the pre-application conference. To confirm your participation or 
obtain additional information, please contact the Solicitation 
Coordinator at (303) 275-4716 or via facsimile at (303) 275-4788. The 
pre-application conference is being held in conjunction with the 
Council of Energy Resource Tribes (CERT) Sustainability Conference. For 
additional information on the CERT Sustainability Conference to be held 
March 21-22, 2002 visit http://www.certredearth.com/.
    Solicitation number DE-PS36-02GO92006 will include complete 
information including technical aspects, funding, application 
preparation instructions, evaluation criteria, and other factors that 
will be considered when selecting applications for funding. Issuance of 
the solicitation is planned for the end of February 2002, with 
applications due approximately 70 days after the solicitation has been 
issued.

    Issued in Golden, Colorado, on February 11, 2002.
Jerry L. Zimmer,
Director, Office of Acquisition and Financial Assistance.
[FR Doc. 02-4047 Filed 2-19-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P