Important — Coal-impacted communities on Navajo Nation tribal trust lands only.
The Navajo AMLER Program is accepting proposals ONLY for eligible economic development and community development projects located on Navajo Nation tribal trust lands in or directly benefiting communities impacted by historic coal mining. The proposed project must demonstrate a connection to the impacts of historic coal mining and meet applicable Federal AMLER eligibility requirements.
Projects located on fee lands, state or federal lands, or other lands outside Navajo Nation tribal trust lands are NOT eligible under this RFP. Projects associated with uranium, hardrock, or other non-coal minerals are also NOT eligible.
Projects that do not meet the coal-impacted community, tribal trust land, and applicable AMLER eligibility requirements will not advance to evaluation.
1. PURPOSE
The Navajo AMLER Program supports economic development and community development in communities impacted by historic coal mining. Priority will be given to construction-ready or substantially construction-ready projects with a realistic path from funding to procurement, construction, and completion.
Priority will be given to projects that are ready to move forward, rather than projects that are primarily conceptual or require significant additional planning and development.
2. CONSTRUCTION-READY PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must demonstrate that the proposed project is construction-ready or substantially construction-ready and has a realistic path from award to procurement, construction, and completion. Applicants must provide current, project-specific documentation demonstrating the status of the following:
A. Environmental, Land and Clearances
- An Environmental Assessment (EA), or environmental review documentation completed within the previous three (3) years, where applicable.
- Current environmental, cultural, archaeological, biological, historic preservation, or other applicable clearances.
- Current documentation demonstrating land ownership, site control, right-of-way, easement, access, or other authorization necessary to proceed.
- Identification of any outstanding environmental, land, permitting, or clearance requirements.
Navajo AMLER Requirement: For purposes of this RFP, environmental documentation must generally be no more than three (3) years old and must remain applicable to the proposed project scope and existing site conditions. Navajo AMLER may require updated documentation when existing documentation is outdated or when the project scope, design, location, or site conditions have changed.
Applicants must identify the date and status of each major environmental, land, and clearance document submitted.
B. Design, Engineering and Construction Documents
Applicants must provide current documentation supporting the proposed construction, including, as applicable:
- Current site plans;
- Architectural and/or engineering plans;
- Construction drawings;
- Technical specifications;
- Design and construction documents; and
- Current, detailed construction cost estimate.
Documents must reflect the current project scope, design, quantities, and site conditions. Applicants must identify the date of major plans, specifications, designs, and cost estimates.
Plans, specifications, designs, or cost estimates that are substantially outdated or no longer reflect current conditions will not be considered sufficient evidence of construction readiness unless the applicant demonstrates that they remain current, valid, and achievable.
3. PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY
Each proposal must identify who will lead and manage the project. Applicants must provide:
- Name of the lead organization;
- Project lead/project manager and contact information;
- Relevant organizational and project experience;
- Organizational chart showing key project responsibilities;
- Identification of who will manage AMLER funds;
- Identification of who will oversee design and engineering;
- Identification of who will manage procurement and contracting;
- Identification of who will oversee construction and inspection; and
- A brief explanation of how the applicant plans to implement and manage the project from award through completion.
The organizational structure should clearly identify who is responsible for each major component of the project.
Chapter Leadership and Community Oversight
Chapter-led proposals are strongly encouraged to ensure coal-impacted communities have a meaningful role in project development, oversight, and decision-making. Proposals involving other entities must explain the affected Chapter’s continued involvement and how the project’s economic and community benefits will reach the impacted community.
4. PROJECT FUNDING, BUDGET AND SCHEDULE
A. Funding and Budget: Applicants must provide a realistic financial plan identifying:
- Total project cost;
- Amount requested from AMLER;
- Amount of funds currently available;
- Other committed funding;
- Pending or anticipated funding;
- Source of each funding contribution;
- Current construction cost estimate; and
- Any remaining funding gap.
Applicants must clearly distinguish between funds currently available, committed funds,and funds that are pending or anticipated.
B. Project Schedule: Applicants must provide a realistic implementation schedule identifying anticipated dates for:
- Completion of remaining design/development;
- Environmental/permitting requirements;
- Procurement/bidding;
- Construction start; and
- Construction completion.
The schedule must demonstrate a realistic path from award through procurement,
construction, and completion in 3-years of award, subject to applicable grant terms.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Proposals must first pass the eligibility screening for coal-impacted community status and applicable AMLER eligibility requirements. Projects that fail this screening will not advance to scoring. Eligible proposals will then be evaluated using the following criteria:
| Evaluation criterion | Points |
|---|
| Design & Construction Readiness | 30 |
| Environmental, Land & Permit Readiness | 20 |
| Project Management & Organizational Capacity | 15 |
| Funding & Cost Readiness | 15 |
| Construction Schedule & Ability to Complete | 15 |
| Economic & Community Development Benefit | 5 |
| Total | 100 |
|---|
Construction readiness is a primary consideration in evaluating proposals. Applicants must demonstrate not only the potential benefit of the project, but also that the project is sufficiently developed, funded, organized, and documented to move toward construction and completion.
REQUIRED SUBMISSION:
Include a current Chapter Resolution demonstrating support for the proposed project, along with supporting documentation such as community support letters, meeting minutes, newsletters, or other records showing community support. Each proposal must include, as applicable:
AMLER PROJECT READINESS
Applicants should be prepared to clearly answer the following five questions:
- IS THE PROJECT ELIGIBLE? Is it located in or directly benefiting a community impacted by historic coal mining on Navajo Tribal Trust Lands?
- IS THE PROJECT READY? Are environmental, land, design, engineering, construction, and permitting requirements substantially complete and current?
- WHO WILL DO THE WORK? Who is responsible for managing the project, funds, procurement, construction, and inspection?
- IS THE PROJECT FINANCIALLY READY? What funding is currently available, what additional funding is needed, and is there a realistic, current construction cost estimate?
- CAN THE PROJECT BE BUILT AND COMPLETED WITHIN THREE (3) YEARS OF AWARD? Does the applicant have a realistic plan and schedule to move from award through procurement, construction, and completion?
COAL-IMPACTED. CONSTRUCTION-READY. READY TO PROCEED.