EERE eXCHANGE: FAQs

Question 1: What size projects will be considered?
Answer 1: It is anticipated that projects of any size will be considered; however, agencies are expected to highly leverage FEMP funds with cost-shared funds (either Federal or non-Federal). In most cases, the assumption is that the FEMP funds alone will not pay for the project outright, but will rather act as a catalyst to develop and implement the project.

Question 2: What is the anticipated award amount per award?
Answer 2: The anticipated funding level per award is up to $1M; however, agencies are expected to highly leverage FEMP funds with cost-shared funds (either Federal or non-Federal). In most cases, the assumption is that the FEMP funds alone will not pay for the project outright, but will rather act as a catalyst to develop and implement the project.

Question 3: What is the anticipated funding level for AFFECT?
Answer 3: The anticipated funding level for AFFECT is between $2M-$5M.

Question 4: Do government funded facilities qualify?
Answer 4: AFFECT is for any US Federal government-owned facility. If an entity is Federal government funded, but not Federal-government owned, it would not be eligible.

Question 5: Would new Federal government facilities be eligible to apply?
Answer 5: Yes, new and existing Federal government owned facilities are eligible.

Question 6: Who provides FEMP technical assistance?
Answer 6: FEMP technical assistance is executed through national laboratories or pre-established government contractors.

Question 7: Are US government facilities overseas eligible to apply?
Answer 7: Yes, as long as the facility is US Federal government owned.

Question 8: Are water projects eligible to apply?
Answer 8: No, only CHP and renewable projects are eligible to apply.

Question 9: How will the applications be evaluated?
Answer 9:

All applications will undergo a review process that will evaluate the relative viability of the projects. The FOA itself will more clearly define the merit review criteria for applications to follow.

Question 10: Can the CHP or renewable project be part of a larger project/effort?
Answer 10: Yes, CHP or renewable projects may be “bundled” together with other energy conservation measures (for example, through an ESPC or agency initiative). However, funds from this FOA may only be used for the CHP or renewable portions of these larger efforts.

Question 11: How long will the FOA application process last?
Answer 11: It is anticipated that agencies will have 30 days from the FOA release date to submit a letter of intent and 90 days from the FOA release date to submit a full application.

Question 12: Is there a deadline to request technical assistance?
Answer 12: Requests for technical assistance should be made as soon as possible. No new requests for FOA-related technical assistance will be considered once the FOA is released.

Question 13: How can CHP/renewable project developers work with Federal agencies through AFFECT?
Answer 13: Only Federal agencies and sub agencies are eligible to apply as the prime applicant to AFFECT. Project developers should work directly with Federal agencies to establish partnerships for potential AFFECT projects.

Question 14: What is the definition of “federal facility”?
Answer 14: For the purposes of this FOA, a federal facility means any building, structure, or fixture or part thereof which is owned by a United States Federal agency.

Question 15: Does equipment owned, operated, and/or serviced by a 3rd party qualify?
Answer 15: Yes, as long as a CHP or renewable energy system assists a Federal agency with meeting their energy management requirements as outlined by Federal statutory laws and regulations, it would be eligible to apply to AFFECT. For more information, please reference https://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/regulations/regulations.html

Question 16: What level of project analysis is necessary to apply to AFFECT?
Answer 16: To apply to this FOA, an application must at minimum provide an identification and preliminary analysis of a technically and economically viable capital project or set of projects at a specific Federally-owned site or set of sites that implements a CHP (Topic Area 1) or renewable energy (Topic Area 2) technology. For more information on what a preliminary analysis may entail, please reference http://www.midwestcleanenergy.org/support/feasibility.aspx and https://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/technologies/distributed-scalere.html#res

Question 17: Are state government agencies eligible to apply to AFFECT?
Answer 17: No, only Federal agencies are eligible to apply to AFFECT.

Frequently Asked Questions