Frequently Asked Questions

The Tribal Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Deployment Assistance (DE-FOA-0000853) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is closed.  For other opportunities, please see the Tribal Energy Program’s current funding opportunity list on our website at http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/tribalenergy/related_opportunities.cfm. Note that these opportunities are provided through other Federal agencies and organizations.  For other funding opportunities offered through the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy see http://www1.eere.energy.gov/financing/current_opportunities.html. 

We have verified all of the links on EERE Exchange and on the Tribal Energy Program website and are unable to identify the issue.  If you still have this issue, please provide more details and the web page URL on which you are having a problem so we can research further.  Thank you.

The time required to prepare and complete any EERE Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) application depends on the applicant; EERE has conducted no analysis or evaluation to determine how it might take a potential applicant to complete its application for (DE-FOA-0001021.

The time to upload an application will depend on the applicant’s internet connection, internet and data server traffic, and other factors. EERE strongly recommends that applicants upload their full application at least 48 hours in advance of the submission deadline and encourages applicants to submit their full applications as soon as possible. Applicants are advised to allow sufficient time to resolve any technical difficulties or seek assistance from EERE with uploading their application (EERE-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov).

Per Section III.F of the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), EERE will not make eligibility determinations for potential Applicants prior to the date on which Applications to this FOA must be submitted. The decision whether to submit an Application in response to this FOA lies solely with the Applicant.

However, in order to qualify for Topic Area 2: Community-scale Clean Energy Deployment, a clean energy system(s) must be a minimum of 50 kW rated capacity (or the equivalent) and provide electricity, and/or heating or cooling to many buildings or to an entire community.  For purposes of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), three buildings do not constitute “many” buildings.

Be aware, however, that the proposed project might be eligible under Topic Area 1.a which is focused on “facility-scale” meaning a single or multiple “Tribally-owned or controlled building(s)” where multiple could be three buildings.  Please realize that the requirements differ by Topic Area, so please review the specific requirements in the FOA document.

That information is contained in Part II of the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) document under “Award Information” (page 10).  Specifically, EERE expects to make $4 to $7 million of Federal funding available for new awards under this FOA with 10 to 20 awards under Topic Area 1 and 5-15 awards under Topic Area 2.

No.  Under this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), the clean energy or energy efficiency system(s) must provide electricity, heating, cooling or energy retrofits to building(s).  Even though energy efficient street lights may reduce the energy consumption of street lighting, they do not displace or reduce energy consumption in a building. Therefore, energy efficient street lights would not meet the intent of this FOA.

We understand your situation but, for a variety of reasons, EERE will not make eligibility determinations for potential Applicants prior to the date on which Applications to this FOA must be submitted. The decision whether to submit an Application in response to this FOA lies solely with the Applicant.

However, in making your decision, please review the requirements in the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). Specifically that only an Indian Tribe; Tribal Energy Resource Development Organization; or Tribal Consortium are eligible Applicants (see Section III.A., Eligible Applicants, pages 11-13 of the FOA). Applications may, however, be submitted by an authorized “Inter-Tribal Organization”, provided evidence of the authority to submit an Application, relative to the proposed project, is supplied as part of the Application. Evidence may include, but is not limited to, a resolution, ordinance, executive order, charter, P.L. 93-638 contract, self-governance compact, or other legal documentation. EERE will determine the sufficiency of the authorization based on the evidence submitted as part of the Application.

Per the FOA, “Inter-Tribal Organization” means any organization comprised of two or more Indian Tribes, established under Congressional, State, or Tribal law to act on behalf of the participating Indian Tribes. “Inter-Tribal Organizations” may include, but are not limited to, inter-tribal councils, regional tribal organizations or associations, and tribal federations.

Also, to be eligible the project must be on “Indian Lands”. Again, see Section III.A for a definition of Indian Land which includes land that was conveyed to a Native Corporation pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. § 1601 et seq.) and subsequently conveyed to another entity, provided that entity is either a Native village or Tribal governmental entity or the land is held, invested, managed for and on behalf of a Native village or Tribal governmental entity.

Before making your decision, please also refer to Section IV.C.12 (page 32), which requires that if an Application is being submitted on behalf of an Indian Tribe(s) by an authorized Tribal or Inter-tribal Organization, a declaration (or resolution) from the Tribal or Inter-tribal Organization and other evidence documenting that the Tribal or Inter-tribal Organization is authorized to act on behalf of an Indian Tribe(s) must be provided. That section also identifies the content of those commitment documents, including specifics on the land status which might require additional commitments from the land owner or lease holder.

Unfortunately, DOE cannot show preference to any individual or organization and therefore, cannot refer you as an interested grant writer.

Per Section III.F of the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), EERE will not make eligibility determinations for potential applicants including those on project scope, prior to the date on which applications to this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) must be submitted.  The decision whether to submit an application in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant. Further, under this FOA, EERE is not accepting concept papers.

In order to guarantee fair and open competition, EERE is prohibited from speaking to a potential applicant directly about a specific FOA.

Please review the FOA thoroughly to ensure you and the potential project are eligible.  If, however, after reviewing the FOA, you have a question related to the FOA rather than related to applicant or project eligibility, feel free to re-submit a question.

Per Section III.A of the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), a “Tribal Energy Resource Development Organization” for purposes of this announcement means an “organization” of two or more entities, at least one of which is an Indian Tribe (see the FOA for definition of “Indian Tribe”) that has the written consent of the governing bodies of all Indian Tribes participating in the organization to apply for a grant or loan, or other assistance under 25 U.S.C. § 3503, where “organization” means a partnership, joint venture, Limited Liability Company (LLC) or other unincorporated association or entity that is established to develop Indian Energy.”  The term “Tribal Energy Resource Development Organization” is as defined under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and does not specify or restrict the nature of the entity (non-profit or for-profit).

Also be aware that if a Tribal Energy Resource Development Organization submits an application, it must include evidence of its status as a Tribal Energy Resource Development Organization, as well as the other statements of commitments and cost share as described in Section IV.C.12 of the FOA.

As submitted, your question is unclear.  We are unable to determine, for example, what kind of entity “you” are and, thus, how you may or may not qualify as an entity eligible to participate on FOA projects; or whether the “recognized tribal company” constitutes an entity authorized to submit an application on behalf of an eligible entity.  We provide the following guidance in an effort to be responsive; however, if your issue remains unresolved, please submit a more detailed question.

You are correct that only eligible entities may submit an application under this FOA.  Such eligible applicants include only federally recognized Tribes, Tribal Consortia, and Tribal Energy Resource Development Organizations, as those terms are defined in the FOA.  (See Section III.A., Eligible Applicants, pages 11-13 of the FOA).  Each of those applicants have specific eligibility and authorization requirements, again specified in the FOA. 

In addition, Tribal Organizations and Inter-Tribal Organizations, as defined in the FOA, may submit applications on behalf of an eligible applicant; and, again, each of those entities has specific authorization requirements set forth in the FOA.  They must, for example, provide evidence of the authority to submit an Application, relative to the proposed project; such evidence may include but is not limited to, a resolution, ordinance, executive order, charter, P.L. 93-638 contract, self-governance compact, or other legal documentation. EERE will determine the sufficiency of the authorization based on the evidence submitted as part of the Application.  In this regard, please also refer to Section IV.C.12 (page 32), which requires that if an Application is being submitted on behalf of an Indian Tribe(s) by an authorized Tribal or Inter-tribal Organization, a declaration (or resolution) from the Tribal or Inter-tribal Organization and other evidence documenting that the Tribal or Inter-tribal Organization is authorized to act on behalf of an Indian Tribe(s) must be provided.  That section also identifies the content of those commitment documents, including specifics on the land status which might require additional commitments from the land owner or lease holder.

Eligible applicants and/or entities properly authorized to submit an application on their behalf may also form partnerships or other business relationships in accordance with their internal procurement procedures, for the purpose of submitting an application and/or pursuing an eligible project.  Please be aware that certain information is required for project partners, participants, or subawardees, which will include, but is not necessarily limited to, a budget and budget justification, letter of commitment, any existing agreements between you and the applicant, resumes of key individuals.

 Per the Application Submission Information section of the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) (Section IV.A), “[a] control number will be issued when an Applicant begins the Exchange Application process.”  For more information including step-by-step instructions and screen views, please see the EERE eXCHANGE Applicant User Guide on the EERE Exchange website under “Manuals” or access directly at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/Manuals.aspx.

Yes.  Per Section II.A, “a Tribal Council Resolution from each participating Indian Tribe, declaration (or resolution) from each Tribal Energy Resource Development Organization or Tribal Consortium, and a letter of commitment from all other project participants are required as a part of the Application.”  Also, in that same section, “all resolutions, declarations and letters of commitment must be specific to this Funding Opportunity Announcement and must include cost sharing commitments.”  Also, see Section IV.C.12 under the Statements of Commitment and Cost Sharing File which identifies the required content of the Tribal Council Resolution. In fact, “failure to submit the appropriate Tribal Council Resolution(s), declarations (or resolutions) and letters of commitment with your Application may result in your Application not being reviewed or considered.”

Please review Section IV.C. including the table for the content and form of the Application.  And, if you are considering submitting an application, you may be interested in attending the FOA webinar scheduled for August 14^th. For more information on the webinar, see www.eere.energy.gov/tribalenergy/financial_opportunities.cfm.

1) If there have not been any major changes to the building, the energy audit may still be relevant, except with respect to any cost estimates for energy efficiency improvements.  Therefore, even though the audit may be used to justify the proposed energy efficiency measures, the cost would be dated (5 years) and likely not sufficient to estimate the costs of those retrofits.

2) Per Section I.C. of the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), “applications for commercial or utility-scale projects intended solely for profit through the export of electricity off Indian lands for commercial sale” are not eligible under this FOA.  That said, the temporary production and sale of excess electricity is acceptable, provided the system is not sized for the continuous production of excess electricity.

3) Per Section IV.C.20 of the FOA, “the financial statements should include a balance sheet, statement of income and retained earnings or statement of activities (listing income and expenses), and cash flows.”  An annual financial report (rather than monthly balance sheets) for the applicant and the latest financial audit should be sufficient to permit an evaluation of the applicant’s financial need.      

Per Section III.B.7, “if EERE does not grant the request for reduced cost share, the Applicant will be required to meet the requisite 50% cost share.”  Therefore, EERE will either: (1) accept the request for the percentage requested; or (2) deny it; and if denied, the applicant will be required to meet the full cost share requirement of 50%.  EERE will not issue a different reduction based upon its evaluation.

4) Indirect costs are an eligible budgetary item. If proposed either for EERE funding or cost share, the Indirect Rate Agreement, Federally-approved forward pricing rate agreement, Defense Contract Audit Agency or Government Audits and Reports should be provided to support the budget (see Section IV.C.18).

Please refer to question #26 which states that EERE will not make eligibility determinations.  Please be aware, however, that only Indian Tribes (including any Alaska Native village, regional corporation, or village corporation), Tribal Energy Resource Development Organization, or Tribal Consortium are eligible applicants and can apply on their own behalf.  Any other entities can only submit an application on behalf of and with the express authorization of one of those eligible applicants.  We recommend that you thoroughly review the eligibility requirements and all required supporting documentation before reaching a conclusion that an Alaska Health Corporation is an eligible entity and deciding whether to submit an application.

Please also see the Executive Summary which states that “Applicants may submit more than one Application to this FOA or under a Topic Area, provided that each Application is for a unique and distinct project.” Whether you choose to submit one application or many applications is a proposal strategy upon which EERE cannot and will not advise you.

Per Section B, page 13, “Costs associated with the construction of a building will not be considered by EERE for reimbursement or as cost share; only the incremental costs associated with the installation of clean energy systems or energy efficiency measures will be considered allocable to the proposed EERE funded project.”  Regardless of whether funded by DOE or contributed as cost share, all of the projects costs must be allowable, allocable, and reasonable.

Based on the limited information provided, EERE is unable to make a definitive determination.  However, the only manner in which the cost of the carport shade structures could conceivably be considered part of an eligible project under this FOA is if the carport shade structures are an integral element of the solar energy system.   In order for the carport shade structure costs to be considered, you will need to justify as part of your application, the incremental cost of the carport shade structure mounted solar system relative to other options (i.e., ground-mounted or roof-mounted).  

Per Section III.F of the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), EERE will not make eligibility determinations for potential Applicants prior to the date on which Applications to this FOA must be submitted. The decision whether to submit an Application in response to this FOA lies solely with the Applicant.

However, in making your decision you may wish to review the definition of “clean energy” (on page 5 of the FOA or in Appendix A) and realize that natural gas is only eligible as a clean energy source if used in a combined heat and power system.  Please review the FOA thoroughly before deciding whether to expend the time and resources to prepare and submit an application.

Per the footer on every page of the Funding opportunity Announcement (FOA), “Problems with EERE Exchange? Email EERE-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov.”  Additionally, you may wish to review the user guide for registering in EERE eXCHANGE at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/Manuals.aspx.

Additionally, per page 20 of the FOA, “Applicants that experience issues with submission PRIOR to the FOA deadline: In the event that an Applicant experiences technical difficulties with a submission, the Application should contact the Exchange helpdesk for assistance (EERE-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov). The Exchange helpdesk and/or the EERE Exchange system administrators will assist Applicants in resolving issues.

Applicants that experience issue with submissions that result in late submissions: In the event that an Applicant experiences technical difficulties so severe that they are unable to submit their application by the deadline, the Applicant should contact the Exchange helpdesk for assistance (EERE-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov). The Exchange helpdesk and/or the EERE Exchange system administrators (EERE-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov) will assist the Applicant in resolving all issues (including finalizing submission on behalf of and with the Applicant’s concurrence). PLEASE NOTE, however, that Applicants who are unable to timely submit their application due to their waiting until the last minute when network traffic is at its heaviest to submit their materials will not be able to use this process.

Per Section III.F of the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), EERE will not advise you on whether to submit one application or two; the decision whether to submit an Application in response to this FOA lies solely with the Applicant.

However, in accordance with Section III.E (Page 18) of the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), “Applicants may submit more than one Application to this FOA or under a single Topic Area, provided that each Application is for a unique and distinct project. Each Application must have a distinct title and be readily distinguishable.”

Therefore, you may choose to submit one application for the clean energy systems (solar arrays) under Topic Area 1.a and one separate and distinct application for the energy efficiency measures under topic Area 1.b.  Or you could decide to submit one single application for both the clean energy systems (solar arrays) and the energy efficiency measures under Topic Area 1.b. Note, that the requirements vary by Topic Area and if multiple applications were submitted, each would need to meet the specific requirements of the particular Topic Area.

Please also be aware that per Section I.B. of the FOA (page 5), “[p]rojects proposing energy efficiency measures will be deemed non-responsive to Topic Area 1.a. and, if submitted under Topic Area 1.a., will not be reviewed or considered. If any energy efficiency measures are being proposed in addition to the clean energy system(s), the project must be proposed under Topic Area 1.b. and must meet those requirements.”  

Per the response to question #96, “approaches being proposed under Topic Area 1.b. need to be: (1) whole-building approaches; (2) involve a comprehensive renovation or remodeling strategy; and (3) combine energy efficiency measures (EEM). To meet the above requirement, multiple energy efficiency measures must be proposed and combined to meet the energy savings requirement.”  As a result, a single energy efficiency measure such as lighting retrofits, would not constitute “multiple” energy efficiency measures, regardless of the number of lights replaced or even if those lighting retrofits could, without other measures meet the 20% reduction in all energy and fuel used and therefore, would not be eligible unless combined with another or other energy efficiency measures. 

Although EERE will not make an eligibility determination and the decision on whether to submit resides solely with the Applicant, a community-scale 1.5 MW run-of-the-river hydroelectric system, would be considered a renewable energy system for purposes of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA).  Be aware, however, that maximum amount of DOE funds per award under Topic Area 1 is $500k and under Topic Area 2 is $1,000,000.

Incremental hydropower as included in the definition of renewable energy under this FOA pertains to incremental production gains from efficiency improvements or capacity additions to existing hydroelectric facilities.  For the three main types of hydropower facilities (impoundment, diversion, and pumped storage) and the three main sizes (large, small, and micro), see the Tribal Energy Program’s on-line Guide to Tribal Clean Energy Development http://www1.eere.energy.gov/water/hydro_plant_types.html. 

Regardless of the amount of the total proposed project costs, all projects must include cost share. Unless a cost share reduction is requested and approved (see Section III.B.7.), cost share must be 50% of the total project costs.  Therefore, assuming a reduction is not requested and the total project costs are $525,000, then the cost share would be $262,500 (50% of $525,000) and the requested DOE funds $262,500 (50% of $525,000).  If, however, a cost share reduction to 10% is requested (no less than 10% will be considered) and approved by EERE, then the costs share would be $52,500 (10% of $525,000) and the requested DOE share $472,500 (90% of $525,000).  Please see Section III.B.7 (Cost Share Reduction Request) for the instructions on submitting a request and the factors EERE will use in deciding whether to grant a request for reduced cost share, or not.

Per Section II (page 10) of the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), the maximum amount of DOE funding for an individual award under Topic Area 1 is $500,000 and under Topic Area 2 is $1 million, and any costs in excess of those maximum amounts would then need to be cost shared.  So, if you are requesting $500,000 in DOE funds, the required cost share would be $500,000, unless a cost share reduction is requested and approved. If, for example, the project being proposed under Topic Area 1 was valued at $2 million, then DOE would only consider funding the project to a maximum of $500,000 (25% of $2 million) and therefore, the cost share would be $1,500,000 (75% of the $2 million).   

Yes, the Tribal Council Resolutions need to be specific to the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) and to the project, as well as commit to cost share and address the 4 items on the bottom of page 32. 

Specifically, per Section IV.C.12 (Statement of Commitment and Cost Sharing) on page 32 of the FOA it states,  “All Tribal Council Resolution(s), declarations (or resolutions) and letters of commitment must be specific to this Funding Opportunity Announcement and include a statement of the level and type of cost share commitments (see Section III.B, Cost Sharing). Failure to submit the appropriate Tribal Council Resolution(s), declarations (or resolutions) and letters of commitment with your Application may result in your Application not being reviewed or considered.

The Tribal Council Resolution(s) and declaration(s) must not only authorize the submittal of the Application, but must also include a commitment for the proposed project, and include:

1)    A description of building(s) and/or land proposed for use as part of the proposed project;

2)    Identify whether the building(s) and/or land is held in Trust, held in fee simple (owned) and by whom, or under a long-term lease and by whom;

3)    If the owner or lease holder is not the eligible entity, a commitment in writing from the building and/or land owner or lease holder authorizing the Applicant’s use of those building(s) and/or land for the proposed project must be provided; and 

4)    If the Applicant will not own or control the project (Topic Area 2), but rather has been given the authority by another entity, evidence of that authority must be provided as part of the Application.”

Thanking for bringing this to our attention.  As you indicated there is an error in the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) document.  Even though there is not time to modify the document, the EERE Exchange system has now been corrected such that when uploading the “Energy Audits for Deep Energy Retrofits” file the system will correctly re-name the file “ControlNumber_ApplicantName_EnergyAudit. 

Yes, per Section IV.C. of the Funding Opportunities Announcement (FOA) a SF-LLL, disclosure of Lobbying Activities is a required form.  See Section IV.C.21 for instructions, which specifically state “[i]if no non-Federal funds have been paid or will be paid to any person, indicate “none” on the form and submit. Save the SF-LLL in a single PDF file using the following convention for the title “ControlNumber_LeadOrganization_SF-LLL.”