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These can be viewed here: Island Pezi Careers Page

The Prairie Island Indian Community is a federally-recognized Indian tribe (the “Tribe”), located in southeastern Minnesota along the banks of the Mississippi River, approximately 30 miles from the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Tribe is seeking proposals from qualified professionals to serve as an Associate Judge for the Prairie Island Mdewakanton Dakota Tribal Court (“Tribal Court”).

SCOPE OF WORK:

The Associate Judge shall carry out the duties and obligations of the office in accordance with the Tribe’s Constitution and Courts Ordinance (both available at http://prairieisland.org/government/ ). The Courts Ordinance outlines the role of the Court and the duties of the Judges.

The Tribal Court system includes a trial and appellate level and hears a wide variety of civil cases that include, but are not limited to, child welfare, guardianships and conservatorships, custody and divorce proceedings, land disputes, election challenges, and contractual or other civil disputes. The Associate Judge is expected to be available year-round and be able to preside over virtual hearings, as well as at the Tribal Court located on the Prairie Island Indian Reservation. The Associate Judge will preside over cases where the Chief Judge has a conflict, or as otherwise assigned by the Chief Judge. The Associate Judge must prepare and issue written orders and judgments. The Associate Judge must keep accurate records of cases and court hearings. The Associate Judge will be expected to conduct research and recommend updates to the Judicial Code, and to assist in the development of Tribal Court policies and procedures.

The terms and compensation for this position will be set forth in the negotiated agreement between the Associate Judge and the Tribe.

EVALUATION CRITERIA:

Candidates must submit: (1) a cover letter, (2) resume or biographical information, (3) two writing samples, and (4) three references. Candidates’ submissions must demonstrate that they have the ability to execute the duties and obligations outlined in the Tribe’s Judicial Code and the Constitution.

Specific consideration will be given to a candidates’:

1. Experience as a judge/justice in tribal, state or federal systems;
2. Experience as a legal practitioner in tribal, state or federal systems;
3. Experience with child welfare, guardianships and conservatorship cases;
4. Knowledge of Indian and Federal law; and
5. Written and oral communication skills.

Educational requirements are not proscribed by the Constitution or Judicial Code, but a four-year degree, and relevant schooling including a juris doctorate degree, are preferred. Prairie Island tribal member and Native American preference applies.

PIIC HANDLING OF PROPOSALS:

Proposals will be reviewed by a proposal evaluation team. The proposal evaluation team shall evaluate the proposals in accordance with the “Evaluation Criteria” section of this Request for Proposals. Based on this evaluation, candidates will be contacted for in-person interviews. Final issuance of this contract will be subject to the negotiation of mutually-agreeable terms.

IMPORTANT CONTRACT INFORMATION:

Submissions and inquiries regarding the Associate Judge position may be directed to:

Bailey Fox, Human Resources Generalist

Prairie Island Indian Community

5636 Sturgeon Lake Road

Welch, MN 55089

Office: 651-385-4121
E-mail: Bailey.Fox@piic.org

Download the full RFP here! 

RFP Issue Date: June 24th, 2026

Proposal Due Date: July 26th, 2026

Prairie Island Indian Community (PIIC) is soliciting proposals from qualified multidisciplinary professional service firms to provide engineering, environmental, planning, surveying, GIS, asset management, and strategic infrastructure consulting services.

The Community seeks a long-term professional partner capable of supporting Community infrastructure, housing, environmental stewardship, utility systems, transportation assets, facility improvements, and future development initiatives.

The firm selected will work under the direction of the Director of Public Works, Infrastructure and Housing and Designated Community leadership.

COMMUNITY OVERVIEW

Prairie Island Indian Community is a Federally Recognized Indian Tribe located in southeastern Minnesota.

The Community owns, operates, and maintains public infrastructure and facilities serving Community members, residents, governmental operations, enterprises, and future development initiatives.

The Community continues to make significant investments in infrastructure, housing, utilities, environmental protection, and economic development to support current needs and to benefit future generations.

PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES

The Community anticipates a wide variety of projects and initiatives during the term of this agreement, including but not limited to:

Water System Planning and Improvements
• Water treatment evaluation and upgrades
• Water distribution system improvements
• Water storage evaluations
• Source water protection
• Hydraulic modeling
• Water quality compliance
• Well development and rehabilitation
• System expansion planning

Environmental Programs

• Groundwater assessment
• Treatment evaluations
• Regulatory coordination
• Long-term management planning
• Environmental compliance
• Environmental review and permitting
• Sustainability initiatives

Wastewater Infrastructure

• Wastewater treatment facility improvements
• Process optimization
• Collection system improvements
• Lift station upgrades
• Biosolids management
• Nutrient reduction planning
• Capacity evaluations
• NPDES compliance
• Utility resiliency planning

Housing and Community Development

• Housing expansion
• Residential / Commercial subdivision development
• Utility extensions
• Community growth planning
• Land development feasibility studies
• Site development support

• Land Use Planning

Transportation and Infrastructure

• Roadway improvements
• Trail development
• Access management
• Traffic studies
• Stormwater management
• Transportation / Transit planning

Land Services and Surveying

• Boundary surveys
• Topographic surveys
• Plats
• Easement preparation
• Utility easements
• Fee-to-trust planning support
• Drone services
• Mapping support

DESIRED FIRM QUALIFICATIONS

The Community seeks a firm capable of providing multiple disciplines through a coordinated team approach.

Preferred capabilities include:

• Civil Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Water and Wastewater Engineering
• Transportation Engineering
• Structural Engineering
• Surveying
• GIS Services
• Environmental Sciences
• Planning
Joint ventures and subconsultant teams are acceptable. However, preference may be given to firms capable of managing multidisciplinary services through a single point of contact.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE SUPPORT

The selected firm may be requested to assist during emergency situations involving:

• Water system failures
• Wastewater system failures
• Utility outages
• Environmental incidents
• Flooding
• Storm damage
• Facility failures

Proposals shall identify emergency response capabilities, available personnel, and expected response times.

COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS

The Community expects professional partners to:

• Identify issues before they become emergencies
• Develop practical solutions
• Recommend preferred alternatives
• Support implementation
• Pursue funding opportunities
• Maintain communication
• Meet schedules
• Provide accurate cost opinions
• Support informed decision making

The Community values responsiveness, accountability, technical competence, collaboration, and execution.

The Community seeks partners capable of moving projects from concept through implementation.

DELIVERABLES OWNERSHIP

All work products, models, reports, specifications, GIS data, CAD files, Civil 3D files, surveys, cost estimates, and technical documents produced under this contract shall become property of Prairie Island Indian Community.

TRIBAL PREFERENCE

All contractors are required to comply with the Community’s Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance (TERO). The Community encourages participation by Native-owned firms and Tribal enterprises. Preference may be given to such Tribal Enterprises, and the Community reserves the right to award contracts to Tribal Enterprises even if they are not the lowest price.

a. All Covered Employers awarding Contracts or subcontracts for supplies, services, labor, and/or materials in an amount of $5,000.00 or more must give first preference in contracting and subcontracting to Native American Contractors, then in the preference order set forth in the Community TERO Section 7(a) (Native American Preference in Employment Actions).

b. The Native American Preference requirements contained in the TERO are binding on all Contractors and Subcontractors of Covered Employers and will be deemed to be part of and incorporated into any Contract or subcontract covered by the Ordinance. The Covered Employer has the initial and primary responsibility for ensuring that all Contractors and Subcontractors comply with these requirements.

c. The above Native American Preference requirements apply in all cases except where specific percent of ownership or preference requirements are established by Community law or policy pursuant to the TERO Section 5 (Satisfaction of Requirements by Prairie Island Indian Community) for particular types of employment or contracting.

JURISDICTION

The contract for services shall be deemed fully executed and performed on the Prairie Island Indian Community reservation and shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws thereof. Any dispute between the parties shall first be attempted to be resolved amicably or through mediation if both parties consent. The Prairie Island Indian Community Tribal Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction. Any legal proceeding shall only be brought before the Prairie Island Mdewakanton Dakota Community Tribal Court (Tribal Court). Both parties agree that no action shall be brought in any other state or federal jurisdiction. If an action is brought in another jurisdiction, then the defending party can use this provision to dismiss any such action and obtain any costs, disbursements and attorneys’ fees from the party bringing the action. Both parties agree to execute any documents necessary to dismiss such action. Notwithstanding the above-stated provisions, a party may enforce an order, judgment or verdict of the Tribal Court in a state, federal, or other tribal court.

SOVERIEGNTY

Nothing in the Agreement shall be construed or interpreted to affect a waiver of the Prairie Island Indian Community’s sovereign immunity. No wavier of the Prairie Island Indian Community’s sovereign immunity from suit may be implied from any action or document.

FINAL STATEMENT

Prairie Island Indian Community is seeking a professional partner capable of helping the Community plan, protect, improve, and sustain its infrastructure for future generations.

The Community seeks firms that bring solutions, provide leadership, communicate effectively, and help deliver successful projects.

SUBMIT PROPOSALS TO:

Travis Dunn

Director of Public Works, Infrastructure, and Housing

Prairie Island Indian Community

5636 Sturgeon Lake Road

Welch, MN 55089

travis.dunn@piic.org

651-764-2945

View the full RFP here! 

PROPOSALS DUE: No later than 4:00 PM on July 20, 2026

Executive Summary

The Prairie Island Indian Community (PIIC) is seeking proposals from qualified consultants to submit proposals to facilitate a comprehensive refresh of the strategic plan. The current strategic plan is approximately five years old and contains many goals, tasks, and activities that have become difficult to track, manage, and communicate.

The purpose of this project is not to create an overly complex new plan. Instead, the Prairie Island Indian Community (PIIC) is looking for a clear, realistic, and usable strategic plan. A refreshed plan that reflects current priorities, recognizes progress made, identifies unfinished or outdated work, and creates a simpler framework for decision-making and accountability. It should serve as a working tool that supports implementation, reporting, and accountability.

The selected consultant will work with leadership, departments, and other identified stakeholders to review the existing plan, gather input, identify key accomplishments and gaps, and develop a refreshed strategic plan that is easier to understand, implement, and track.

•The total project budget shall not exceed $40,000, including consultant fees, meeting time, materials, travel, and final deliverables.

•Proposals must be received no later than 4:00pm CST on July 20, 2026. Late submissions may not be considered.

•Proposals should be submitted electronically in PDF format to:

Yvonne Oberly, Tribal Administrator

Yvonne.Oberly@piic.org

Scope of Work

The consultant will be responsible for guiding the Prairie Island Indian Community (PIIC) through a strategic plan refresh process. The scope of work should include document review, stakeholder input, department meetings, community meeting, analysis, plan development, and presentation of the final plan.

The Prairie Island Indian Community (PIIC) is not seeking a lengthy or expensive planning process. The preferred approach should focus on meaningful input, clear priorities, and practical implementation.

•Review the existing strategic plan and related documents.

•Hold an initial meeting with leadership to confirm goals, expectations, and project schedule.

•Conduct department meetings to gather input on accomplishments, current needs, barriers, and future priorities.

•Conduct community meeting to gather input on current needs and future priorities

•Prepare a summary of key themes from department and leadership input.

•Identify completed, ongoing, outdated, and recommended priority areas.

•Develop a refreshed strategic plan and simple implementation tool.

•Present draft findings and final recommendations.

Department Engagement

Department involvement is an important part of this project. The consultant will be expected to meet with departments to better understand what has been accomplished, what challenges exist, and what priorities should be considered in the refreshed plan.

Department meetings should be focused and efficient. The consultant should provide a consistent set of questions or discussion topics so information can be gathered in a fair and organized way.

•Major accomplishments related to the current strategic plan.

•Current department priorities.

•Emerging issues and opportunities.

•Recommended changes to the existing plan.

•Suggestions for tracking future progress.

Community Engagement

Community involvement is an important part of this project. The consultant will be expected to meet with the community to better understand what priorities should be considered in the refreshed plan.

Community meetings should be focused and efficient. The consultant should provide a consistent set of questions or discussion topics so information can be gathered in a fair and organized way.

•Current community strengths, challenges, and priorities

•Emerging issues and opportunities.

•Actions that best support the community’s long term goals and vision.

Proposed Project Timeline

The Prairie Island Indian Community (PIIC) anticipates that the project will be completed within approximately 12 weeks from the date of contract approval. Consultants may propose a slightly different schedule if it better supports the project goals and remains within the required budget.

Weeks 1-2: Project Start-Up

The consultant will begin by confirming the project structure, schedule, expectations, and materials needed for review.

•Hold kickoff meeting with leadership.

•Confirm communication process, timeline, and project work plan.

•Collect and review existing strategic plan and related materials.

Weeks 3-6: Department and Community Meetings

The consultant will meet with departments and the community to gather practical information about progress, challenges, and current priorities.

•Meet with departments individually or in small groups.

•Meet with the community

•Gather information on accomplishments, barriers, and future priorities.

•Identify common themes and issues needing follow-up.

Weeks 7: Analysis and Priority Setting

The consultant will organize the information received and work with leadership to confirm the most important strategic priorities.

•Review department input and document themes.

•Identify completed, ongoing, outdated, and new priority areas.

•Meet with leadership to confirm recommended strategic priorities.

Weeks 8-9: Draft Plan Development

The consultant will prepare a draft refreshed strategic plan and a simple implementation tool.

•Prepare draft strategic plan.

•Develop implementation matrix and tracking tool.

•Share draft with leadership for review.

Weeks 10-11: Review and Revisions

The consultant will collect feedback and make revisions to ensure the plan is accurate, realistic, and useful.

•Collect comments on the draft plan.

•Revise the plan and implementation tool.

•Prepare final draft for presentation.

Weeks 12: Final Presentation and Closeout

The consultant will present the final plan and provide all final documents in editable and PDF formats.

•Present final strategic plan refresh.

•Provide final plan, implementation matrix, and tracking recommendations.

•Recommend a simple process for quarterly or annual progress updates.

6. Budget

The total project budget shall not exceed $40,000, including all consultant fees, travel, materials, meetings, presentations, and final deliverables. Proposals must include a clear cost breakdown. The Prairie Island Indian Community (PIIC) reserves the right to negotiate the final scope of work to ensure the project remains within budget.

7. Proposal Requirements

Proposals should be clear, concise, and organized. Consultants should focus on their understanding of the project, proposed approach, timeline, qualifications, and cost.

•Cover letter.

•Consultant background.

•Understanding of the project.

•Proposed approach and work plan.

•Proposed timeline.

•Description of department and community engagement process.

•Project team and qualifications.

•Budget and cost breakdown.

•References and examples of similar projects.

8. Final Product Expectations

The final strategic plan refresh should be professional, practical, and easy to use. It should not include an excessive number of tasks or overly complicated language. The plan should also include a recommended process for regular review, such as quarterly or annual updates. At the completion of the project, the Prairie Island Indian Community (PIIC) should have a refreshed strategic plan that leadership and departments can realistically use to guide decisions, track progress, and communicate accomplishments.

9. General Conditions

Proposals will be considered based on cost, compliance with public policy, record of past performance, financial and technical resources, and the best overall value to PIIC. PIIC reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals. This request for proposal (RFP) should not be construed as an offer, contract, or commitment of any kind; nor is it a commitment to pay any costs in preparation of a proposal. Additionally, this RFP and the contract for services will be governed, as applicable, by the laws of PIIC, including the Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance (TERO).

Please direct all questions to Yvonne Oberly at Yvonne.Oberly@piic.org or 651-385-4116.

Download full RFP here!