PF 2026-09 (FAL 2026-03/OTL 2026-01) Guidance on Identification of Potential Impacts of DOE Funded Projects on Indian Tribes and Tribal Consultations

DATE:  December 8, 2025

TO:  HCAs/Procurement Directors/Contracting Officers, Grant Officers, and Agreement Officers

FROM:  Director, Contract and Financial Assistance Policy Division Office of Policy, Office of Acquisition Management

SUMMARY: The attached Financial Assistance Letter, FAL 2026-03, provides guidance to help Grants and Agreements Officers during the planning, announcement, selection, and awarding of Financial Assistance or Other Transaction (OT) agreements.  It explains how to evaluate if projects might affect Indian Tribes and what steps to take if they do.  These requirements apply to all applications, including those from Indian Tribes, whether the project affects the applying Tribe or another Tribe. 

This guidance does not apply to projects involving state-recognized Tribes, either as applicants or as potentially impacted parties.

Questions concerning this policy flash should be directed to the Contract and Financial Assistance Policy Division at DOE_OAPMPolicy@hq.doe.gov .