Dear Tribal Leader:
On behalf of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), I invite you to a Government-to-Government consultation to discuss your interests and concerns surrounding GSA’s support of Tribes. In particular, GSA would like to discuss: (1) a resource that GSA is in the process of updating—“Tribes and Tribal Organizations: Guide to Using GSA Solutions”; (2) a special GSA initiative around carbon pollution-free electricity procurement; and (3) a special GSA initiative relating to electric vehicles.
The consultation will take place April 3, 2023, from 1:00 to 2:50 p.m. PST at the Reservation Economic Summit (RES) event hosted by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED).
Pursuant to the Presidential Memorandum on Tribal Consultation and Strengthening Nation-to-Nation Relationships, dated January 26, 2021, we recognize that formal consultation with Tribal Nations is essential as GSA takes actions to implement and develop policies that might affect them. Through this consultation, we would like to hear directly from you and other Tribal leaders regarding your interests and concerns surrounding GSA’s support of Tribes. As the Administrator of General Services, I am committed to transparency and collaboration with Tribal Governments, and I understand that through a Government-to-Government relationship rooted in respect and earned trust, we can achieve great outcomes for all stakeholders. Your guidance will help to ensure that we are implementing appropriate procedures for both GSA and Tribal personnel while supporting your interests effectively and respectfully.
Tribes and Tribal Organizations - Guide to Using GSA Solutions
“Tribes and Tribal Organizations: Guide to Using GSA Solutions” outlines how Tribes and Tribal organizations are eligible to use GSA solutions in the procurement of goods and services. The guide explains the various authorities that support Tribes’ and Tribal organizations’ use of GSA sources and programs, and identifies resources currently available for use. Our intent in consulting on this document, which we are continuously in the process of updating, is to invite your feedback to assist us with improving the existing guidance to help ensure that it speaks to your unique needs and better supports your future acquisitions.
Implementation of the Indian Energy Purchase Preference at Federal Facilities
As part of its second Tribal National Summit on November 30, 2022, the Biden-Harris administration announced its commitment to ensure that investments in the clean energy economy reach Tribal lands. GSA will lead a pilot focused on Tribal energy production to develop procurement strategies. Our intent in consulting on this topic is to gain important insight directly from Tribes, tribally owned businesses, Tribal utilities, and Tribal entrepreneurs regarding the availability, development, or challenges associated with generating and or selling carbon pollution-free electricity to the Federal Government in order to inform GSA’s development of the pilot.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Initiative for Tribal Nations
The EV Initiative for Tribal Nations helps to ensure that Tribal Nations and Native communities are part of the EV future of the country. To support this initiative, GSA is seeking input to understand Tribal Nations’ role and needs as GSA assists Tribes with purchasing or leasing EVs, mapping the Federal facilities in Indian country to support EV infrastructure deployment, and expanding training for Tribal members on the available GSA solutions.
Our intent in consulting on this topic is to:
- Understand the needs of Tribal Nations with respect to EVs and EV-charging infrastructure;
- Learn about the challenges that Tribal Nations face when implementing EV-charging infrastructure;
- Learn about success stories of implementing EVs in Tribal Nations; and
- Understand how Tribal Nations partner with the private sector and State and local governments when deploying EV and EV-charging infrastructure.
You can register for the consultation and find supporting documentation at gsa.gov/resources/native-american-tribes. These documents are intended to help Tribal leaders anticipate discussion items for consultation and consider Tribal interests related to the topics. The official comment period for this consultation will remain open for 30 days after the in-person consultation session takes place. However, our partnership with Tribal leadership will remain ongoing.
Comments can be submitted by email at tribalaffairs@gsa.gov. Please use the subject line “GSA 2023 TRIBAL CONSULTATION COMMENTS SUBMISSION” in your email. While registration for the RES 2023 event is not required to participate, we do ask that you register for the consultation through our website or onsite so that we can accurately identify the Tribal representatives present at the meeting.
We look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship with Tribal Nations through this important Tribal consultation.
Sincerely,
/S/_____________________
Robin Carnahan
Administrator of General Services
March 2, 2023
U.S. General Services Administration