Question 1:
Please elaborate on what the output of a proposed project should be. In the FOA, I read that: “Product Development is the systematic use of knowledge gained from basic and applied research to develop or improve commercially viable materials, devices, or systems. Technical activities are focused on a targeted market application with fully defined price, efficacy, and other performance parameters necessary for success of the proposed product. Product development encompasses the technical activities of product concept modeling through to the development of test models and field ready prototypes.”
I’m trying to understand in further detail what a “field ready prototype” is. Does this mean that production is ready to launch? Does it mean that the design has been frozen (which might be necessary, e.g., in order to determine “fully defined price”)? Does it mean that things like approbation have been completed? Or does it mean only that successful implementation of the concept has been demonstrated and reasonable estimates of cost, etc have been made – a further development/engineering cycle may be necessary after the project concludes to bring the prototype to a product launched in the marketplace?
Answer 1:
Field ready prototype means the concept has been demonstrated. We realize that the prototype’s design may be modified to make it easier to manufacture and to reduce the cost of the product.
Question 1:
The FOA contains the the following text regarding the Project Narrative cover page: "The cover page should also include a table providing:
* Participants' names, city, state and zip code (both prime and subrecipients),
* Total budget for each participant (both DOE share and cost share),
* Cost Share percentage for each participant, and
* Entity type for each participant (Non-profit, Institution of Higher Education, FFRDC, or Other - see Section III.A)."
QUESTION: Are these the only options you want us to use to describe "entity type". Should all for-profit companies be described as "Other"?
Answer 1:
Although not clear, I believe you should provide a more specific description of the entity type rather than "Other". It would be very helpful to include additional descriptors such as "for-profit", "small business" and other types of entities as applicable.
Question 1:
I am currently doing resarch on an LED related topic. Can you review the attached research paper and inform me if I should apply to this Funding Opportunity Announcement.
Answer 1:
It is the policy of DOE to neither encourage nor discourage potential applicants from submitting an application. You are encouraged to review the funding opportunity announcement and the various area(s) of interest and then employ your discretion as to whether a particular project meets the stated program objectives. Nonetheless, if you need clarification on the technical requirements, you may submit an additional question through this email address.
Question 2:
Will Fedconnect not be used for questions in this round?
Answer 2:
That is correct. FedConnect is NOT being used for submimission of questions under this round of the Solid-State Lighting Product Development Funding Opportunity Announcement.. As stated in the FOA: "Questions related to the use of the EERE eXCHANGE website should be submitted to: EERE-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov. Questions related to this Funding Opportunity Announcement should be submitted to SSLProductFOA@NETL.DOE.GOV and should be submitted not later than 3 calendar days prior to the application due date. Questions submitted after that date may not allow the Government sufficient time to respond. Answers to questions will be posted on the eXCHANGE website under this FOA. Applicants are encouraged to review the posted questions and answers daily."
Additionally, FedConnect is NOT being used for submission of applications. Per the FOA: "Applications must be submitted though the EERE eXCHANGE System to be considered under this announcement. Applications submitted by any other means will not be accepted."
Question 3:
Does "All domestic entities" include private sector enterprises partnering with academic institutions. (This is in reference to Section III A of the FOA under Eligibility.)
Answer 3:
Typically, if an entity is incorporated or located in the United States, they are likely considered a domestic entity. Please see Section III A of the FOA for additional information regarding Eligibility requirements. Also, please contact your organization's legal or business office for clarification on your entity's classification.
Question 4:
In area of Interest 3, what is meant by “optimized dimming” and “color tunability”?
Answer 4:
“Optimized dimming” in this context means having the following attributes.
- Smooth dimming transition without flicker or step changes in light output.
- Energy efficient
- Minimal color temperature change.
- Capable of dimming 0% to 100% light output.
“Color tunability” in this context means having the ability to tune the white light from warm white through cool white.
The focus of the project should be on developing a novel luminaire, not developing a lighting control system. Dimming and color tuning were mentioned in the area of interest to stress the importance of the proposed luminaire system being compatible with next generation lighting controls.
Question 5:
Is there a start date you wish the proposals to use for budgeting purposes?
Answer 5:
October 1, 2012 will likely be the start date for projects selected under this announcement and would therefore be an appropriate start date to use for proposal budgeting purposes.
Question 6:
Why would a new luminaire utilizing a novel form factor be judged on its electronic controls such as optimized dimming, color tunability?
Would a submission be graded lower because of the lack of “smart controls/sensors”?
Answer 6:
The controls mentioned in the area of interest are suggested features. It is up to the applicant to determine if these controls are necessary in their proposed luminaire design. It may not make sense to use some of these controls with their design. The applicant should discuss their reasoning for including or not including these controls in their designs as well as their compatibility with external off the shelf controls.
No, a submission would not be graded lower due to a lack of “smart controls/sensors” if it did not make sense to put them in the proposed design.
Question 7:
How do I go about creating an application record?
Answer 7:
All applicants are required to submit applications through EERE's eXCHANGE system. On the eXCHANGE website, click "Apply" next to the funding opportunity to which you wish to apply. Click "login," and follow the instructions for the submission of full applications. A User Guide is available on the eXCHANGE website and provides detailed instructions on how to access the various Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA). The actual FOA document includes a description of the funding opportunity, along with information regarding eligibility, application and submission instructions, application review and other important information.
Question 8:
I am writing to ask if proposal writing expenses are allowable for reimbursement.
Answer 8:
The allowability of costs incurred by non-profit organizations is determined in accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular A–122, “Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations.” The allowability of costs incurred by institutions of higher education is determined in accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular A–21, “Cost Principles for Educational Institutions.” The allowability of costs incurred by hospitals is determined in accordance with the provisions of Appendix E of 45 CFR part 74, “Principles for Determining Costs Applicable to Research and Development Under Grants and Contracts with Hospitals.” The allowability of costs incurred by commercial organizations and those non-profit organizations listed in Attachment C to Circular A–122 is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) at 48 CFR part 31.
Typically, proposal costs are allowable as indirect expenses to the extent that those costs are allocable and reasonable.
Question 9:
Our question is regarding the definition of cost sharing. Is the 20% computed over the entire project costs (e.g 600,000 per one year) or only the direct costs (including labor, materials, testing, etc)? Can the cost sharing be in-kind contributions?
Answer 9:
Per the Funding Opportunity Announcement " cost share of at least 20% of the total allowable cost is required. Total allowable project cost equals the sum of the Government share and the Recipient or Sub-Recipient(s) share of allowable costs." Cost share is computed on total allowable project costs, not just the direct costs. Indirect costs such as fringe benefits and overhead costs may be allowable project costs and would typically be included in total allowable project costs. In general, if a cost is allowable under the cost principles applicable to the type of organization incurring the cost, then it is allowable as cost share. Please see 10 CFR 600 for the applicable cost sharing requirements for your type of entity.
The source and amount of each item of cash cost share must be identified in your application. Letters of commitment must be submitted for all third party cost share. Not all cost share, however, is limited to cash. Other items that may be assigned value in the budget as part of the project may be considered as cost share, such as: contribution of services or property; donated, purchased or existing equipment or supplies; and/or unrecovered personnel, fringe benefits and indirect costs, etc. For each cost share contribution identified as other than cash, you must identify the item and describe how the value of the cost share contribution was calculated.
Question 11:
Can a company apply for funding grant if the proposal does not quite fall under one of the various “areas of interest” listed in either Core Technologies or Product Development categories?
Answer 11:
It is the policy of DOE to neither encourage nor discourage potential applicants from submitting an application to a particular Funding Opportunity Announcement. You are encouraged to review the FOA(s) and the various area(s) of interest and then employ your discretion as to whether a particular project meets the stated program objectives.
It is noted that the DOE does encourage organizations and individuals to submit self-generated, unsolicited proposals that are relevant to NETL's research and development mission but don't meet the objectives of a particular Funding Opportunity Announcement. The following website contains additional information reagarding the DOE's Unsolicited Proposal process: http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/usp/unsol.html.
Question 12:
I have a question regarding Section IV, sub-section C.4 (“Appendix”, pg. 22). Does the paragraph labeled “Letters of Support” only apply to third parties contributing to cost share? Its wording would suggest this, but the previous paragraph already states the requirement for a commitment letter from the third party. Therefore, I’m curious why a second letter would be needed.
Answer 12:
No, "Letters of Support" are to be submitted only for those entities who will be involved in the project but who will NOT be contributing cost share to the project; whereas, "Commitment Letters from Third Parties Contributing to Cost Sharing" are to be submitted for those entities who will be involved in the project and WILL be contributing cost share to the project. It is not necessary to submit a separate "Letter of Support" if you are submitting a "Commitment Letter from a Third Party Contributing to Cost Sharing".
Question 14:
Question 1. We wanted to know if it possible to submit 3 distinct, but related, projects, in one category. Or, are projects more likely to be considered if they are completely distinct?
Question 2. If distinct projects are to be preferred, can our application contain multiple projects, if each one is under a separate Area of Interest, as listed in the Funding Opportunity Announcement?
Answer 14:
Answer 1: The research should be focused on a specific area, therefore writing 3 separate projects would be preferred.
Answer 2: No, each project should be submitted as a separate application.
Question 15:
Is there a preference as to speed of completion? Do you prefer that the work on the project be spaced out over 2 years? Or can just as much funding be received if the project is completed more quickly? That is, should we budget resources and manpower to work on the project as quickly as possible, or budget less company resources to use the potential award over a longer period of time?
Answer 15:
The FOA states "The DOE anticipates that awards will not exceed $2,000,000 DOE Share per award (plus required minimum cost share) for up to two (2) years of effort." The project may be completed in less time than two years. While there is no ceiling on the proposed budget, the DOE anticipates that awards will not exceed $2,000,000.
Question 16:
Are Inverted Domestic Corporations eligible to apply under this Funding Opportunity Announcement?
Answer 16:
There is currently no prohibition on award of a Financial Assistance agreement to an Inverted Domestic Corporation. Therefore, Inverted Domestic Corporations could be eligible to apply under the FOA as long as other eligibility requirements are met - see Section III - Eligibility Information - specifically providing that the work will be conducted in the U.S.
Question 18:
Under Area of Interest 3, I would like to know if LED lighting drivers would be included as part of the "novel luminaire systems" and if a project of this type might be eligible for funding through this FOA. Also, is there another funding opportunity that might be suitable for this LED systems component?
Answer 18:
In area of interest 3 we are looking for applications that will develop complete luminaire systems, not just the driver. I am not aware of another funding opportunity for LED system components. Please note that it is the policy of DOE to neither encourage nor discourage potential applicants from submitting an application. You are encouraged to review the funding opportunity announcement and the various area(s) or interest and then employ your discretion as to whether a particular project meets the stated program objectives.
Question 20:
What is a Non-DOE FFRDC contractor or a DOE/NNSA National Laboratory?
Answer 20:
Please see http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/nsf99334/master.htm#doe for a listing of DOE and non-DOE Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs). There are currently 16 DOE FFRDCs and multiple non-DOE FFRDCs. At the bottom of this website, you can toggle to find additional information regarding FFRDCs to include "General Notes" which provides a definition of these types of R&D entities.
As described on this site, FFRDCs can be contractor owned/contractor operated facilities or government owned/contractor operated facilities, whereas, the DOE/NNSA National Laboratories are government owned and government operated. The National Energy Technology Laboratory is a DOE National Laboratory.
Question 21:
Is the Disclosure of Lobby Activities required? If so, Do we fill out
items 1,2,3, and 7?
Answer 21:
This form is only required if applicable to your organization or sub-recipient being proposed under you application. Please see the Instructions on page 2 of the Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form.
"The filing of a form is required for each payment or agreement to make payment to any lobbying entity for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with a covered Federal action. Complete all items that apply for both the initial filing and material change report. Refer to the implementing guidance published by the Office of Management and Budget for additional information.
Question 22:
On the reporting check list, is the Identification Number the
applicants Employer/Taxpayer Identification Number?
Answer 22:
No, this would be the Award Number provided by the DOE if the application is selected for funding and subsequent award. You do not need to complete the Federal Assistance Checklist. This document has been provided as a reference only and is generated by the DOE at time of award.
Question 23:
I wanted to confirm the CFDA Title - CFDA Number 81.086 Conservation
Research & Development.
Answer 23:
Yes, this is the correct CFDA number and CFDA Title.
Question 24:
Is there a Competition Identication Number (Block 13 of the SF424 Application for Federal Assistance)?
Answer 24:
Please leave Block 13 blank as it is "not applicable" for this announcement. Block 12 must include the FOA number (DE-FOA-0000563) and title of the FOA announcement (Solid State Lighting Product Development - Round 8).