Frequently Asked Questions

Select a FOA to view questions and answers for the specific funding opportunity. Alternatively select "Non-FOA related items" to view system FAQ items.

Question 1: Is there a requirement for proposals for this funding opportunity or is it just the final submission on June 11, 2012?
Answer 1:

There is just one deadline, and that is for the full application on June 11, 2012.
Question 2: Under the section, B. Scope, the FOA states: “The target market for this FOA is commercial airports and air freight distribution centers used by passenger airlines and air freight industries.” Does this imply that only passenger airlines and air freight industries qualify? Will a for-profit entity that uses a commercial airport but is not a passenger airline or is not involved in the air freight industry qualify?
Answer 2: Any applicant that satisfies the eligibility criteria stated in Section III, A. is eligible to apply as the prime applicant. The language outlined in the question above simply states that commercial airports and air freight distribution centers are the target project  performance sites.
Question 3: The FOA states that technologies funded through this award must be at TRL 7-9. Please clarify whether the technology must be at a minimum TRL-7 at the start of the Demonstration phase (if one is proposed), or whether a project that achieves TRL-7 in the course of the Demonstration phase and prior to the Deployment phase is acceptable.
Answer 3: For the purposes of being eligible for the full merit review, the technology does not have to be at TRL 7 at the beginning of the project.  It will be important for the applicant to make a convincing case that the technology will be advanced enough by the end of the Demonstration phase that it could be deployed during the Deployment phase.  Please note that Section V A. 2. of the FOA indicates that one of the evaluation sub criteria against which an application will be evaluated is “…The degree of detail and data presented that support that the proposed technology is at a Technology Readiness Level in the range of 7-9.”
Question 4: The FOA states that the “DOE is accepting new applications for projects to demonstrate and deploy fuel cell hybrid GSE vehicles at airport and/or air freight distribution center sites. The specific GSE vehicles of interest are baggage tow tractors (BTT). Packaged solutions for PEM fuel cell systems (5 to 20 kW) fueled by hydrogen with the ability to power a baggage tow tractor with 3,000 to 6,000 pounds (1,362 to 2,722 kg) towing capability for a minimum of 10 hours of continuous operation and 5000 total hours are sought to fill demand at busy commercial airports.” Furthermore, “Criterion 1: Technical/Project Concept and Impact” judges technical merit by a number of criteria including “The technical viability of the proposed fuel cell-powered baggage tow tractor (BTT) vehicle system, including suitability of the technology to the end user requirements.” Is it considered responsive to propose to this FOA using an airport ground servicing equipment (GSE) that is not a baggage tow tractor, but still suits the purpose of a heavily used, continuous duty cycle vehicle that is critical to airport operations and is supported by an airport operations authority?
Answer 4: Proposing to use airport ground service equipment (GSE) that is not a baggage tow tractor is not responsive to this FOA.
Question 5: In regard to the Fuel Cell Powered Airport Ground Support Equipment Deployment Grant, is there an approved or preferred vendor list for the technology?
Answer 5:

There is no  approved or preferred vendor list for the technology.
Question 6: My company is a manufacturer of Hydrogen Generation Systems, and we have a number of partners that can produce fuel cell, truck, and airport infrastructures. Together as a team, we can produce and validate this system. Can we be the lead for this application, or not?
Answer 6:

Please refer to Section III A. of the FOA for a discussion of what entities are eligible to apply. Teaming arrangements are allowed, however one entity must identify themselves as the prime applicant.

Question 7: The FOA is somewhat ambiguous. It states: “The target market for this FOA is commercial airports and air freight distribution centers used by passenger airlines and air freight industries.” It also notes that BTTs are the vehicles of interest. The FOA then frequently uses the BTT without regard for commercial freight. I am looking for clarification on if the air freight industry can meet the BTT requirements. Essentially, what is the air freight equivalent of a BTT that would qualify for the FOA? Question 4 in the FAQs is somewhat similar but does not exactly clarify how air freight GSE qualify for the FOA.
Answer 7:

Responsive applications to this FOA are not limited to only towing passenger baggage freight.  Non-baggage freight which is similar in weight and volume to what is typically towed by a BTT is allowed.
Question 8: The FOA states that “Packaged solutions for PEM fuel cell systems (5 to 20 kW) fueled by hydrogen with the ability to power a baggage tow tractor with 3,000 to 6,000 pounds (1,362 to 2,722 kg) towing capability for a minimum of 10 hours of continuous operation and 5000 total hours are sought to fill demand at busy commercial airports.” The load profile is intermittent as planes change at airports – for example, the BTT’s will be used for 2 hours then idle for 1 hour then in use for 2 hours and so on. Therefore, does the 10 hour / day requirement mean a minimum of 10 hours between the start and end of the airport operations during the day?
Answer 8: Yes.
Question 9: I saw how the money is going to be managed in the document sheet. But will I be compensated for this project? Also what amount should it not exceed?
Answer 9: As indicated in Section II C. of the FOA, the maximum amount for an individual award is $2,500,000.  Also, please note that Section III B. of the FOA specifies a minimum of 50% cost sharing.  All costs must be allowable in accordance with 10 CFR 600 and applicable OMB cost principles. 
Question 10: Are liquid fuels such as methanol with much less complicated fuel infrastructure (used in Direct Methanol Fuel Cell) eligible for this program?
Answer 10:

No, these are not eligible.