FEMA Tribal Listening Sessions and Consultation on the Tribal Consultation Policy
2024-05-28 14:00 - 16:00, 2024-05-23 14:30 - 16:30 (America/Chicago) | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
Framing Paper
FEMA Tribal Consultation Policy
FEMA invites Tribal Nations to participate in a series of tribal listening sessions and consultations to provide feedback on the current Tribal Consultation Policy. FEMA is committed to ensuring all participants have equal access regardless of disability status. If you require reasonable accommodation due to a disability to fully participate in the engagements listed below, please contact fema-tribal@fema.dhs.gov as soon as possible.

Tribal Listening Sessions and Tribal Consultations:
Date: Wednesday, April 11, 2024
Time: 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. ET
Location: FEMA Headquarters Building, 500 C Street, SW, Washington, DC 20472
Virtual: To register for the consultation, please visit this Zoom link

Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. MT
Location: Crowne Plaza Hotel & Resort, 4300 E Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034, hosted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Assistance Coordination Group (TAC-G) Conference
Registration: You can register for the TAC-G Conference for free, here

Date: May 23, 2024
Time: 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm ET
Location: Zoom
Virtual: Zoom Registration link

Date: May 28, 2024
Time: 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm ET
Location: Zoom
Virtual: Zoom Registration link

The purpose of the tribal listening session and consultations is to gather Tribal Nations’ feedback on the Tribal Consultation Policy so that it better meets the needs of Tribal Nations across Indian Country.
Additional consultation dates and information, including a framing paper, will be available on the FEMA Tribal Consultations webpage at a later date.
Tribal Nations can send their comments and any questions to fema-tribal@fema.dhs.gov. Please include the subject line “Tribal Consultation Policy – Written Comments.” Feedback and comments are due by July 30, 2024.

Rural Clean Energy Federal Funding Fair
2024-05-28 13:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
Additional Funding Opportunities for Clean Energy Projects
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development is hosting our next federal funding fair on May 28, 2024!
Rural Development (RD) recognizes that clean energy support for rural communities is in high demand and is hosting a series of virtual federal funding fairs for entities interested in building clean energy that supports rural communities. Each virtual funding fair will feature a presenter who will speak about a current federal funding opportunity for clean energy projects in rural American and provide more information about program benefits and eligibility.
For our next webinar, presenters will come from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, U.S Department of Energy’s Energy Improvements for Rural and Remote Areas (ERA) Program, and U.S. Department of Treasury to talk about Elective Pay/Direct Pay benefits. Representatives from USDA will also talk more about USDA Rural Development’s Rural Energy for America (REAP) program and Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Electric Programs. Each session will focus on different programs, with this Rural Clean Energy Funding Fair webinar covering the following topics. Please register by selecting the linked sessions below:
Tuesday, May 28, 2024, 2:00pm – 4:00pm EDT:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will present on funding opportunities available through their Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund – a $27B investment to mobilize financing and private capital to address the climate crisis, ensure our country’s economic competitiveness, and promote energy independence while delivering lower energy costs and economic revitalization to communities that have historically been left behind.
U.S. Dept. of Energy will present on their Energy Improvements in Rural and Remote Areas (ERA) program and their announcement about the $78M awarded to support 19 projects across 12 states and 13 Tribal nations to develop and deploy sustainable clean energy solutions and expand access to reliable and affordable energy in rural and remote communities across the nation.
U.S. Dept. of Treasury will present on the Direct Pay/Elective Pay credit delivery mechanism designed to help rural electric cooperatives and other entities gain access to clean energy tax credits for clean energy deployment.
USDA will present on Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Electric programs for medium and large utility-scale clean energy projects that serve rural communities and Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS) Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) program for small-scale clean energy projects for rural small businesses and agricultural producers.

USDA has also developed Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) pocket guides to help applicants navigate the suite of programs that were recently developed for clean energy projects in rural America across several agencies. You will notice that the funding fairs will discuss some of the programs featured in our IRA guides. One of the guides sorts programs by common eligible uses and the other organizes programs by common eligible applicant groups: IRA Pocket Guides | Rural Development (usda.gov).

Introduction to the NSF Engines Funding Opportunity Webinar
2024-05-23 13:00 | Virtual Event
The National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines Program (NSF Engines) has a new funding opportunity, 24-565. Each NSF Engine award will provide a team up to $160 million over 10 years to support growing and sustaining a place-based regional innovation ecosystem built on a future-oriented R&D technology topic, translation of innovations to practice, and inclusive workforce development. The project must be led by a full-time CEO and a coalition of partners and stakeholders.
Priority in the NSF Engines program will be given to projects located in regions of the United States that have not yet fully participated in the technology boom of the past several decades. Local/state governments and Tribal Nations are eligible to apply as lead organizations, along with non-profit organizations, higher education institutions, and for-profit organizations. Tribal Nations organizations can lead or participate as a partner.
To learn more, join NSF and the Bureau of Indian Affairs for a virtual presentation and Q&A session with members of the NSF Engines team! There will be two events, Thursday, May 23 at 2-3:30pm ET, and Monday, June 3 at 2-3:30pm ET. At each event, the NSF Engines team will present an overview of the solicitation and answer questions about opportunities for participation of Tribal Nations organizations during a live Q&A. The solicitation webinar and slide deck are also available online for additional information about the program.
To attend, please register at these links:
May 23 (2pm ET): https://nsf.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItceGprj4rHjoBvvs04XjzSPGUQEkRLAM
June 3 (2pm ET): https://nsf.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItcOisqzktHzFHYLQ01Ot8YaRAICtXJEk
Questions about the program or the solicitation can be directed to: engines@nsf.gov.

Department of Homeland Security's Tribal Government Affairs Virtual Consultation on the Immigration and Naturalization Act
2024-05-23 12:00 - 13:30, 2024-05-15 14:30 - 16:00, 2024-05-10 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
The Department of Homeland Security’s Tribal Government Affairs office will be hosting several virtual consultation sessions on proposed legislative changes to the Immigration and Naturalization Act (INA), specifically section 289.

Monday, May 6, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., ET
Register
Friday, May 10, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., ET
Register
Wednesday, May 15, 2024, from 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., ET
Register
Thursday, May 23, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., ET
Register

Please send any written comments and recommendations on the proposed amendments to INA 289 by e-mail to: Tribal.Consultation@hq.dhs.gov – Subject line: INA 289 Change.
DHS will accept written comments prior to and during the consultations and afterwards through July 9, 2024. After the comment period closes, DHS will review all feedback and internally deliberate on the proposed amendments to INA § 289 that should be proposed to Congress.
If you have questions regarding this effort, or need any accommodations for the sessions, please directly contact the Tribal Affairs mailbox at Tribal.Affairs@hq.dhs.gov.

NIH Tribal Consultation on the Initiative for Improving American Indian and Alaska Native Cancer Outcomes
2024-05-22 13:00 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
Framing Paper
May 22 at 1:00 pm Central
Register
The National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), part of the National Institutes of Health under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, invites you to a virtual Tribal Consultation on an initiative for improving American Indian and Alaska Native cancer outcomes, to be held on May 22, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. ET (1:00 p.m. CT, 12:00 p.m. MT, 11:00 p.m. PT). We hope that you will be able to participate in this discussion and provide input on the development of a funding opportunity to support efforts to improve cancer outcomes in American Indians and Alaska Natives through advanced screening, diagnosis, and treatment.
American Indians and Alaska Natives experience overall cancer incidence and mortality rates that are strikingly higher than non-Native populations. They are seeking input from Tribal Nations and organizations in the creation of an initiative for improving American Indian and Alaska Native cancer outcomes. To improve the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of cancers among Native Americans, particularly those living in rural communities, the initiative will incorporate multifaceted efforts including research, education, outreach, and clinical access related to cancer. In accordance with Congressional language NIMHD will work with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to locate this initiative at an NCI-designated cancer center demonstrating partnerships with Tribal Nations, Tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations.
They are seeking your input on this initiative, to which any NCI-designated cancer center working in partnership with Tribal Nations, Tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations can apply. They would like to understand the research priorities and cultural approaches important to your communities to be captured in the initiative. They value the opportunity to learn how the initiative for improving cancer outcomes might help advance the goals and strategic priorities of Tribal Nations.

USDA Forest Service Tribal Consultation and Forum | Carbon Stewardship Proposed Rule & National Old Growth Amendment Update
2024-05-22 13:00 | Virtual Event
Tribal Leader Letter
Summary Analysis of Carbon Stewardship
Summary of Consultation Collaboration
May 22 at 2:00 pm Eastern
Register

Social Security Administration Benefit Coordinator (appointed rep vs power of attorney) Training
2024-05-22 12:30 - 14:30, 2024-05-21 09:00 - 11:00 | Virtual Event
May 21 at 10:00 Eastern
Register
May 22 at 1:30 pm Eastern
Register
The Social Security Administration (SSA) invites you to join the monthly FREE virtual training series focused on policy topics important to Tribal communities. This information will assist Tribal Benefit Coordinators, Navigators, Social Workers, and other stakeholders who provide support to tribal members. Each two-hour training session will include a Q&A discussion with SSA experts.
In the May session, they will focus on the various ways to help someone apply for benefits or appeal a decision. They will discuss the difference between being an authorized representative versus having power of attorney. They will explain the role and responsibilities of a Representative Payee and discuss what forms to complete to disclose information on behalf of a claimant. They will share tips and resources for anyone assisting others and learn what a claimant must do to appoint a qualified individual to represent them in doing business with Social Security.

Broadband Technical Assistance: Preparing to Apply
2024-05-22 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
Presented by USDA Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service, this webinar will provide information about the Broadband Technical Assistance (BTA) program and help prepare applicants ahead of the upcoming FY2024 funding window.
This webinar will include:

What applicants can do now to prepare for the next funding round
System Registration and Applicant Identification Requirements
A high-level look at eligibility requirements
Tips on preparing your BTA application
An opportunity to ask questions about how to prepare

We’ll address questions as time permits during each session. Once the funding notice is published, RUS will host additional webinars and update resources on the BTA website. Additionally, slides, a transcript, and a recording of this webinar will be posted to the BTA website.
Register for the webinar.
Please submit any Broadband Technical Assistance questions using the Contact Us Form.

Webinar with Treasury on Elective Pay Final Regulations
2024-05-21 13:30 - 14:30 | Virtual Event
On March 5, 2024, the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued final guidance on direct/elective pay of clean energy credits under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). At the same time, Treasury issued a proposed rule on certain joint ownership arrangements under elective pay, with a Tribal consultation held on April 5. On April 25, 2024, Treasury and the IRS issued final guidance on transfers of certain credits under the IRA. Following their final regulations, the IRS also updated their frequently asked questions regarding direct/elective pay.
To provide an update on what these changes mean for tribal governments interested in taking advantage of direct/elective pay, NAFOA is partnering with the Treasury for a webinar on Tuesday, May 21st at 2:30 p.m. ET. Staff from the Treasury will discuss these final regulations, how entities can take advantage of transferability, and answer questions that any tribal leaders may have.
Register for the webinar.

APHIS Tribal Training on the Chronic Wasting Disease funding opportunity.
2024-05-20 12:00 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
Registration for Webinar
May 6 at 1:00 pm Eastern
Web Join URL
Zoom Join URL
Meeting Password: [REDACTED]
Dial-in information:
+1 669-254-5252 U.S. () +1 646-828-7666 U.S. ()
Meeting ID: 160 845 5864
May 20 at 1:00 pm Eastern
Web Join URL
Zoom Join URL
Meeting Password: [REDACTED]
Dial-in information:
+1 669-254-5252 U.S. () +1 646-828-7666 U.S. ()
Meeting ID: 160 845 5864
Applicants can find the funding opportunity information on ezFedGrants or Grants.gov by searching the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number 10.028 or the Funding Opportunity Number USDA-APHIS-10028-WSNWRC00-24-0005. Applications for the FY24 Tribal Nations Wild Cervid CWD Opportunities are due in ezFedGrants by Monday, June 10th, 2024, at 11:59 pm Eastern Daylight Savings Time. Applicants can find additional information at the new APHIS website Chronic Wasting Disease Management and Response Funding Opportunities | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (usda.gov), including the FY24 Tribal Nations Wild Cervid CWD Opportunities Funding Opportunity Announcement, Work Plan Template, Financial Plan Template, FY24 FAQs, and information on the Tribal proposals funded in previous years.

HRSA Annual Tribal Consultation
2024-05-20 10:45 - 12:45 | The Monument, Rapid City, SD, United States
Register
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will host a Tribal Consultation during the National Indian Health Board’s (NIHB) 2024 National Tribal Health Conference (NTHC) from 10:45 AM – 12:45 PM CT on Monday, May 20, 024, at The Monument in Rapid City, SD.
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), will be conducting a Tribal Consultation on two topics: the agency’s revised Tribal Consultation Policy and the calculation and use of Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) scores. These scores are used by the National Health Service Corps to determine priorities for the assignment of primary care, dental health, and mental health professionals.
HRSA encourages all Tribal Leaders to participate in this timely discussion to help ensure valuable input representing American Indians and Alaska Natives on these important topics.
There is no cost to register for and attend the Annual HRSA Tribal Consultation.
For additional information or if you have questions, please email Garrett at glankford@nihb.org or call at 202-996-4302.

Treasury Department Tribal Consultation on a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) entitled “Long-Term, Part-Time Employee Rules for Cash or Deferred Arrangements Under Section 401(k)"
2024-05-17 12:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
May 17 at 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
Register
Many Tribal governments provide a retirement plan as an incentive to attract and retain employees. The Long-Term, Part-Time Employee Rules for Cash or Deferred Arrangements Under Section 401(k) NPRM contains a proposed regulation that would reflect statutory changes made by section 112 of the SECURE. The proposed regulation includes provisions that Tribal retirement plans and other employers will need to consider.
For more information and proposed questions, please see the Dear Tribal Leader Letter or visit the Tribal Consultation page on Treasury’s website. Treasury is accepting written comments received by June 17, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Alaska Time. Please submit written comments at tribal.consult@treasury.gov.

Minority Business Development Agency Tribal Consultation
2024-05-17 | Virtual Event
May 17, 2024
Additional information regarding the consultation meetings will be posted on MBDA’s website at https://www.mbda.gov/​tribalconsult2024. The Tribal consultation meetings will be recorded and transcribed so that MBDA can retain valuable input and feedback.
Federal Register :: Minority Business Development Agency’s Request for Public Comment and Notice of Tribal Consultation Meetings
Members of the general public are invited to submit responses to the following questions. Please provide comments on any or all of the following issues and identify the specific AIANNH community addressed by these comments:

What is the primary challenge (or top three challenges) businesses encounter in AIANNH communities? What solutions do you think would help to address the challenge(s)?
What are some best practices that you have seen implemented that positively address the business challenges experienced by your AIANNH community through self-funded and/or externally funded programs ( e.g., Federal, State, local government, foundations, etc.)?
If you have direct or indirect experience with a MBDA AIANNH project, please provide your thoughts on which services and activities were most beneficial and which could have been more effective.

For comments to be considered, they must include the following identification of the commenter: name; title (if applicable); Tribe, Alaska Native Corporation, or native community (if applicable); organization or business (if applicable); city and state; and they must be submitted in written form at www.regulations.gov. To access the docket where comments may be submitted, please enter “DOC-2024-0003” in the search bar. Comments must be received no later than 11:59 p.m., EDT, Sunday, June 16, 2024.

Monthly CDFI Certification Conference Calls
2024-05-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
The CDFI Fund conducts monthly CDFI Certification Conference Calls which are intended to serve as a forum for potential CDFI Certification Applicants, Certified CDFIs, and other CDFI Certification stakeholders to ask questions and discuss CDFI Certification and the CDFI Certification process.
Access InstructionsTo access conference calls participants need to call the toll-free number (800) 369-1639 and dial in the numeric Participant Passcode [REDACTED]. No prior registration is necessary. Please note the dial in process is automated. The conference call will have a moderator to direct the Q&As. Please note all call are Eastern Time (ET).
CDFI Certification Conference Call Schedule

Thursday, February 15, 2024 – 3:00pm – 4:00pm ET
Thursday, March 21, 2024 – 3:00pm – 4:00pm ET
Thursday, April 18, 2024 – 3:00pm – 4:00pm ET
Thursday, May 16, 2024 – 3:00pm – 4:00pm ET
Thursday, June 20, 2024 – 3:00pm – 4:00pm ET
Thursday, July 18, 2024 – 3:00pm – 4:00pm ET
Thursday, August 15, 2024 – 3:00pm – 4:00pm ET
Thursday, September 19, 2024 – 3:00pm – 4:00pm ET
Thursday, October 17, 2024 – 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET
Thursday, November 21, 2024 – 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET
Thursday, December 19, 2024 – 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET

CDFI CONTACT INFORMATION

Have questions/concerns about CDFI Certification?
OCPE Helpdesk
Email: OCPECert@cdfi.treas.gov
Phone: (202) 653-0423
IT Helpdesk
Email: ithelpdesk@cdfi.treas.gov
Phone: (202) 653-0300

IRS Office Hours | Assist with IRA/CHIPS Pre-filing Registration Tool
2024-05-15 12:00 - 13:30, 2024-05-08 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual Event
The IRS is offering office hours (through Microsoft Teams) to help entities with the pre-filing registration process on the new IRA/CHIPS Pre-filing Registration Tool. Pre-filing registration is a required step for applicable entities and eligible taxpayers to take advantage of elective payment or transfer of credits available in the Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPS Act. Representatives from the IRS will be available to answer your pre-filing registration questions.
Registration for office hours is open. Registration is required and can be completed by clicking on the links below.

May 1 at 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Eastern
Register
May 8 at 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Eastern
Register
May 15 at 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Eastern
Register

Coordinated Interagency Transmission Authorization and Permits Webinar
2024-05-15 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
Wednesday, May 15 at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Central
Register
The U.S. Department of Energy released a final rule that will significantly streamline Federal environmental reviews and permitting processes for qualifying onshore electric transmission facilities, while ensuring meaningful engagement with Tribes, local communities, and other stakeholders.
The Grid Deployment Office will host a public webinar on May 15, 2024, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. ET, to share more about the DOE’s Coordinated Interagency Transmission Authorization and Permits Program and final rule.

Treasury Tribal Advisory Committee Meeting
2024-05-15 12:00 | Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, United States
NEW DATE: May 15, 2024, 1:00 p.m. ET – The TTAC will convene a public meeting held in-person at the Treasury building in Washington, D.C.
Register here by 5:00 p.m. ET on Friday, May 10, 2024.
Please submit written comments by emailing TTAC@treasury.gov. Comments are requested by May10, 2023 to be considered by the TTAC.

2024 National Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Business Summit
2024-05-15 11:00 - 17:15
The U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month by hosting the 2024 National AANHPI Business Summit on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, Washington D.C.
Agenda:

12:00 PM-1:00 PM Registration and Networking
1:00 PM- 4:00PM Business Summit Sessions
4:15 PM- 6:15 PM Networking Reception

Register today for the 2024 National Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Business Summit focused on gaining access to capital, exploring opportunities in artificial intelligence (AI), and navigating the contracting process.

HHS/DOI Small Business Industry Day and Buy Indian Virtual Matchmaking
2024-05-15 - 2024-05-16 | Hybrid Event, TN
Small Business Industry Day | Wednesday, May 15
Register
Virtual Matchmaking | Thursday, May 16
Register
In collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), the Department of the Interior (DOI) OSDBU and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the Indian Health Service will co-host and participate in the inaugural Buy Indian Native American Small Business Industry Day Event, scheduled for May 15, 2024. The event will bring HHS and DOI leadership, contracting and program officials together to promote the Buy Indian Act and successfully connect Native American owned small businesses with HHS and DOI federal contract and program staff.
The HHS/DOI Buy Indian Small Business Industry Day is scheduled for May 15, 2024 at Gateway Community College located in Phoenix, AZ. The main event will begin at 9:00 AM and end at 12:00 PM (PT).
Following the main event on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, there will be an in-person Federal Agency Marketplace/Trade Show from 12:00 PM – 2:00PM (PT). The purpose of this marketplace is to provide an opportunity for Native American and Tribally owned small businesses to network and engage directly with contracting and program officials from HHS and DOI departments.
On Thursday, May 16, 2024 from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (ET), there will be an HHS/DOI Buy Indian Native American Small Business Industry Day Virtual Matchmaking Session. The purpose of these virtual matchmaking sessions is to provide an opportunity for Native American and Tribally owned businesses to meet directly with contracting and program officials from HHS and DOI departments.
Registration Links for each event:
Industry Day (Wednesday, May 15 9 – 12PM PT)
Marketplace (Wednesday, May 15 12 – 2PM PT)
https://bit.ly/48YdtzE
************************************************
Virtual Matchmaking Session (Thursday, May 16 8AM – 8PM ET)
https://mbmapp.com/event/buyindianindustryday2024
ces (except Coin-Operated)

DOI, HHS, DOJ Tribal Consultation on the ICWA
2024-05-14 14:00 - 16:00 | 123 Easy Street, Nashville, TN, 37211, United States
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
May 14 at 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Central
Virtual and In-person
The Oneida Hotel
2040 Airport Drive
Green Bay, WI 54313
Mohawk/Onondaga Room
Register at https://acf‐hhs‐gov.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItce6srDwpEgoOhE7v0WojQat6 M5wtsCU
They are seeking input on the following:

What additional supports would Tribal leaders find helpful to build their Tribe’s capacity to exercise their rights and responsibilities under ICWA?
Are there specific supports you believe the Federal government could provide to help state courts and child welfare agencies meet their obligations under ICWA? In your experience, are there specific aspects or requirements of ICWA where state courts and agencies need to build greater understanding or capacity?
Are there existing State-Tribe collaborative partnerships or processes that you believe have helped support effective implementation of ICWA?

They welcome your written comments, which should be submitted by email to consultation@bia.gov by 11:59pm ET on Friday, June 14, 2024.
If you have any questions regarding this effort, please contact Meghan Bishop, Policy Specialist to the Assistant Secretary — Indian Affairs, via email at meghan.bishop@bia.gov or 202-208-7163.

National Tribal Road Maintenance Symposium
2024-05-14 - 2024-05-16
May 14-16
The Box Events Center
Rapid City, South Dakota
Register
This inaugural event will bring together Tribal road maintenance practitioners and staff from the Bureau of Indian Affairs Division of Transportation and BIA Regional Tribal Transportation Program. The event will provide essential support for Tribal transportation directors, supervisors, planners, office staff, equipment operators, project managers. and others.
Participants will

Learn about the BIA Road Maintenance Program
Hear updates on administrative and field operation components of federal road maintenance programs
Gain an understanding of federal standards and requirements
Discover resources available for Tribal governments
Share experiences in improving road maintenance practices
Build capacity for advancing tribal transportation infrastructure and safety
Have the opportunity to participate in a heavy-equipment roadeo

Registration for the conference is $150. Scholarship assistance is available in case of financial need.

FCC Tribal Consultation and Workshop
2024-05-14 - 2024-05-15 | Indigo Sky Casino and Resort, 70220 East HWY 60, Wyandotte, OK, 74370, United States
Host Tribe: Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma
Location: Indigo Sky Casino and Resort, 70220 East HWY 60, Wyandotte, OK 74370
Date: Tuesday, May 14, 2:00-4:00PM CDT (Tribal Consultation); Wednesday, May 15, 8:00AM to 5:00PM CDT (Workshop)
Consultation and Workshop website
ay 14 – (1) Optional Library Tour (10:00 am); and (2) Tribal Consultation

10:00AM Optional tour of the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma’s Library
2:00PM to 4:00PM Tribal consultation on the FCC’s recently released Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), FCC 24-30, seeking comment on a proposal to adopt a new Emergency Alert System (EAS) event code for Missing and Endangered Persons

Registration for May 14th consultation
All attendees must register to attend the consultation. To register and to ask any questions, please send an email message with the subject line “May MEP Consultation” to Tribal.Events@fcc.gov by Monday, May 13, 2024. This is an email in-box monitored by ONAP staff.
In your message, provide the names, titles and Tribal affiliation of anyone attending. In providing Tribal affiliation, please provide the Tribe, and specifically indicate whether the participant is an elected and/or appointed leaders or duly appointed representative of the Tribe.
If you cannot personally attend and wish to designate a proxy(ies), please specify who is authorized to speak on your behalf in the registration email. You are encouraged to bring public safety and information technology (IT) staff and other interested representatives from your Nation to the Tribal consultation. If time permits, we may offer a listening session opportunity for those who are not Tribal leaders to ask questions and/or provide remarks after the consultation is concluded.
ONAP Tribal Workshop
This event is designed to provide information that will help Tribal Nations identify and evaluate opportunities to develop more robust broadband infrastructure and services in Tribal communities. It is also designed to provide information about FCC policies and programs to address the lack of adequate communications services on Tribal lands nationwide. Tribal government leaders, Tribal service provider and IT managers, government and community planners and managers, Tribal enterprise specialists, and representatives of Tribal social service agencies, schools, and libraries are all persons who should consider attending this event.
Sessions at the FCC workshop are expected to include:

A training session on the Broadband Data Collection and broadband map, tailored to Tribal leaders, Tribal providers and other Tribal filers.
Presentations on the Universal Service Fund and FCC programs, including the E-Rate Tribal Library Program.
A discussion on how to file comments with the FCC and how to follow FCC rulemakings.
Presentations from the federal representatives from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Registration for both events are free. You may indicate in your registration for the consultation that you intend to stay for the workshop.
To register for the workshop only, please send your name, title, Tribal affiliation, and contact information, with the subject line “May Workshop” to Tribal.Events@fcc.gov.

IHS Tribal Consultation on Health Information Technology (IT) Modernization Program – Deployment and Cohort Planning
2024-05-09 12:30 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
IHS is hosting quarterly Tribal consultations on Health IT (or HIT) Modernization effort. The next session will be held on May 9 from 1:30 – 3:00pm ET on the topic of “Deployment and Cohort Planning.” Registration information and details on the calendar year consultation dates is included in this Dear Tribal Leader Letter.

FEMP and Office of Indian Energy Office Hours
2024-05-09 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
Monday, April 22 at 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
Thursday, May 9 at 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Eastern
Register for the May 9 session
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) and the Office of Indian Energy (IE) are co-hosting office hours to answer questions about Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and the Indian Energy Purchase Preference (IEPP). This is partially a follow-up from last month’s training Selling Renewable Energy to the Federal Government: 1 – Renewable Energy Certificates (link to original course registration—on demand coming soon). The primary audience is Tribes and Tribal Majority Owned Business organizations who are interested in selling RECs to the Federal Government, which is also the primary focus of a recently released solicitation from GSA.

Department of Treasury Webinar: SLFRF New Obligation IFR FAQ's
2024-05-07 13:00 | Virtual Event
The U.S. Department of the Treasury published new frequently asked questions (FAQs) for the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program on the Interim Final Rule (the Obligation IFR). On November 29, 2023 Treasury held a Tribal consultation on the SLFRF program to further clarify the “obligation” requirement. After carefully considering Tribal leader feedback and written comments and pursuant to Executive Order 14112 (Reforming Federal Funding and Support for Tribal Nations to Better Embrace Our Trust Responsibilities and Promote the Next Era of Tribal Self-Determination), Treasury updated the FAQs on obligations in the newly-added Section 17.
A webinar for Tribal governments will be held on May 7, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. ET– register here.
Among other items of importance to Tribes, these FAQs, highlighted in the Tribal Factsheet contain important clarifications:

Treasury considers an interagency agreement between a particular Tribal government’s units (including the Tribal Council), departments, agencies, or other instrumentalities of a Tribe to constitute an obligation for purposes of the SLFRF rule if the agreement satisfies certain conditions. A unit of a Tribal government includes an enterprise organized under Tribal law if the Tribe treats that enterprise as a unit, department, agency, or other instrumentality of the Tribe. In addition, a corporation formed under section 17 of the Indian Reorganization Act or section 3 of the Oklahoma Indian Welfare Act would be considered a unit, department, agency, or other instrumentality of the Tribe for purposes of the SLFRF regulations.
For purposes of the SLFRF program, the procurement standards of 2 CFR Part 200 (the Uniform Guidance) do not apply to an agreement between units, departments, agencies, or other instrumentalities of a Tribe discussed above. The procurement requirements of the Uniform Guidance would need to be followed by the Tribal unit, department, agency, or other instrumentality of a Tribe with respect to the procurement of material, equipment, and supplies from outside vendors.
The Obligation IFR clarified, and the FAQs confirm, that subrecipients are not subject to the December 31, 2024, obligation deadline. The obligation deadline applies to the recipient of SLFRF funds. Neither subrecipients nor contractors need to take additional steps to obligate SLFRF funds after entering into a subaward or contract with the recipient.
Treasury considers a recipient to have incurred an obligation with respect to personnel costs for an employee through December 31, 2026, to the extent the employee is serving in a position that was established and filled prior to December 31, 2024.
The Obligation IFR clarifies that Tribes that receive an approved indirect cost rate agreement from the National Business Center or the de minimis rate of 10 percent of modified total direct costs pursuant to 2 CFR 200.414(f) may continue to charge their negotiated indirect cost rate agreement, after December 31, 2024, through December 31, 2026.
Treasury is clarifying how recipients may cover cost increases associated with contracts or subawards entered into by December 31, 2024.

Additional details about these and other clarifications can be found in the newly-added Section 17 of the FAQs and the attached Tribal Factsheet.
Resources:

SLFRF FAQs
Tribal Factsheet on the Obligation FAQs
2022 Final Rule
Overview of the 2022 Final Rule
2023 Interim Final Rule
Overview of the 2023 Interim Final Rule
Obligation Interim Final Rule
Obligation Interim Final Rule Quick Reference Guide
Compliance and Reporting Guidance
