Question 1:
Will I receive notification via e-mail when the concept paper review has been completed or should I check the eXCHANGE website regularly? Also, what is the timeline for feedback on this opportunity?
Answer 1:
The feedback on your concept paper will be available in Exchange by 6/3/2013 if possible. Emails are sent out, but are not always received, so please check in Exchange.
Question 2:
We only became aware of this opportunity last week. May we still submit a concept paper, though it is a few days past the deadline?
Answer 2:
Unfortunately the due date for Concept Papers was May 20, 2013 and we are not accepting any late concept papers past that date.
Question 8:
May we add partners in the full application phase that we had not identified in the concept paper phase?
Answer 8:
Yes, you may add partners in the full application phase that had not been identified in the Concept Paper phase.
Question 11:
1. The tables on page 22 and page 37 are summaries of the required forms and files for the full application and the information provided in those summary tables are different from each other please let us know which table we need to follow. 2. I would also like to seek clarity on what the size of the font. Some places suggest that its Times New Roman 11 point and other places suggest Times New Roman point 12 -- please let us know what the typeface, font size and line spacing is.
Answer 11:
Please use Section IV – Application and Submission Information, Part D. Content and Form of Application, 2. Full Application Content Requirements. Times New Roman is stated with no smaller than 11 point font and single spaced unless designated differently in the Section IV tables.
Question 14:
FOA Cover Page and page 24: Selection Notifications begin on 8/30/13, but Reviewer Comments will not be posted until 8/30/13, and Replies to Reviewer Comments are not due until 9/4/13.
Does this mean selection decisions will be made before applicants have an opportunity to respond to Reviewer Comments?
Answer 14:
At this time, the Merit Review Process for Applications to DOE Funding Opportunity Announcements does not include an Applicant Rebuttal Process. Once an application has been reviewed and ranked by the Merit Review Panel those results are provided to the DOE Selection Official. The Selection Official at that time will make their selection for the application(s) that will receive award(s).
There is not any time included in this process for an Applicant to respond to the reviewer comments or this response to impact the final Merit Review Panel recommendation given to the Selection Official.
Question 16:
Is the intended result of this FOA a document for the US EERE Industry providing market penetration guidance to those who consider South Africa or Saudi Arabia a potential market for their new or emerging technology or is it activities that facilitate initial penetration of US EERE market ready technologies that would competitively meet the current needs within and would advance the state-of-the-art in these markets?
Answer 16:
The intended result of this FOA is increased deployment of U.S. energy efficiency and/or renewable energy technologies/services in the target markets. The activities that are envisioned to be funded under this FOA would seek to address specific barriers to deployment of these technologies/services in the target market. Given that the period of performance for these awards is 2-3 years and results (e.g., sales, exports, deployment) would be anticipated during this period and shortly thereafter, activities funded would likely focus on market-ready technologies that have the ability to address energy needs in the target market and that have demonstrated some level of success in the U.S. and/or other markets similar to that of the target market.
Question 17:
The FOA 837 instructions on p. 19 call for a “Project Narrative” section that is to be no more than 20 pages and contain “Project Objectives”, “Merit Review Criterion Discussion”, “Project Timetable” and “Roles of Participants”. The FOA 837 instructions on page 37 don’t mention a “Project Narrative” section or it’s sub-parts at all. It appears the instructions for this FOA are composed of two different (and conflicting) sets of instructions. Please ask the DOE management of this FOA to review the text and issue either a clearly written new set of FOA instructions or to clarify within this FAQ which set of instructions to follow.
Answer 17:
An amendment has been done for FOA0000837 to revise the Full Application Document Required Files/Forms. Please view the Full Text in Exchange for revised requirements to the Full Application.
Question 26:
What is the correct font size?
Answer 26:
Font size 11 will be the minimum size allowed for your application documents for FOA 0000837.
Question 39:
Could EERE confirm that you are still reviewing proposals for FOA 837, and if so, could you also confirm if the Mandatory Post-Selection Meeting is still set for September 16?
Answer 39:
EERE is still reviewing proposals for FOA837. The Manadatory Post-Selection Meeting has been delayed because selections have not been made yet. More information should be known in late October or November on Selections for FOA837. Post-Selection meetings will be held after announcements are made.