NASEO Request for Proposals: Senior Advisor on Tribal-State Coordination

The National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) seeks a Senior Advisor to support coordination between State Energy Offices and Tribal Nations on energy policy, program, and project design and implementation. The Senior Advisor will work with NASEO to share expertise, provide input on deliverables, and guide NASEO's overall approach to support State Energy Offices interested in improved coordination with Tribal Nations. This engagement addresses the growing need for strategies and best practices for relationship-building between state governments and Tribal Nations, particularly regarding electricity generation, transmission, and distribution initiatives.

The Senior Advisor will be responsible for three primary deliverables: (1) reviewing and providing feedback on NASEO deliverables related to Tribal-state coordination; (2) supporting NASEO's new Tribal Coordination Working Group through participation in planning meetings and monthly virtual discussions, offering direction on key topics, resources, and potential speakers; and (3) advising NASEO on the current approach and future direction of its work supporting State Energy Offices in coordinating with Tribal Nations on energy policies, programs, and planning.

The period of performance is estimated to run from October 15, 2025, through November 30, 2025, with the possibility of extension. Funding for this work is provided through a cooperative agreement between NASEO and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP). The project is structured as a time and materials consulting agreement with monthly invoicing for actual work completed and hours spent, not to exceed the total approved task budget. Monthly invoices and progress reports must be submitted by the fifth of each month.

All applicants must meet DOE Mandatory Requirements and Standard Provisions, including current registration in SAM.gov and assurance of non-debarred status. The Senior Advisor should possess knowledge of Tribal sovereignty, experience facilitating partnerships and navigating intergovernmental relationships between Tribal Nations and state governments, and ideally have energy sector experience. The contract will be issued following DOE approval and will incorporate all underlying terms and conditions of the NASEO-DOE cooperative agreement.