EERE eXCHANGE: FAQs

Question 1: Does a foreign-owned company with a location in a U.S. state qualify to submit proposal for this FOA?
Answer 1: In accordance with Section III (A)(v) of the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), “Other than as provided in the “Individuals” or “Domestic Entities” sections above, all Prime Recipients receiving funding under this FOA must be
incorporated (or otherwise formed) under the laws of a State or territory of the United States. If a foreign entity applies for funding as a Prime Recipient, it must designate in the Full Application a subsidiary or affiliate incorporated
(or otherwise formed) under the laws of a State or territory of the United States to be the Prime Recipient. The Full Application must state the nature of the corporate relationship between the foreign entity and domestic
subsidiary or affiliate.”

Question 2: Area of Interest 1 (AO1), under General Requirements, the bullet point states: ● Demonstrate the ability of the proposed technology to decrease charging times relative to currently available technologies while maintaining currents to less than 400A. Can you confirm proposals are limited to maintaining currents less than 400A? Would DOE consider proposals that decrease charging times, using currently available technologies, but utilize currents above 400A?
Answer 2: In accordance with Section III (G) of the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), “EERE will not make eligibility determinations for potential applicants prior to the date on which applications to this FOA must be submitted. The decision whether to submit an application in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant.”

Additionally, in accordance with Section V1 (A)(ii), “EERE will notify applicants of its determination to encourage or discourage the submission of a Full Application” based upon comprehensive review of the applicant’s concept paper submission.

Question 3: Does this FOA support charger development for chargers that are located on-vehicle, off-vehicle, or both?
Answer 3: In accordance with Section I (B) of the FOA, under “AOI 1 General Requirements”, the location of the charger is not specified.

Question 4: Does this FOA apply to marine applications? I did not see marine applications specifically included nor excluded from the description.
Answer 4:

In accordance with Section III (G) of the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), “EERE will not make eligibility determinations for potential applicants prior to the date on which applications to this FOA must be submitted. The decision whether to submit an application in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant.”

Additionally, in accordance with Section I(B) of the FOA, “AOI 1 General Requirements”, “Identify specific vehicle types(s) (including light, medium, or heavy duty vehicles) and electric drive systems that will be developed and demonstrated”

Question 5: Do you provide a teaming partner list for the Funding Opportunity Announcement?
Answer 5: A teaming partner list will not be provided.

Question 6: For AOI-1: While meeting the cost-share requirement of >= 50% of the full application, can the prime application have 0% or <=50% cost-share? Subs are providing >=50% cost share to meet the total application cost share.
Answer 6: Per Section III (B) (ii), "Each Team is free to determine how best to allocate the cost share requirement among team members".

Question 7: Are there specific target Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) for topics 1 & 2?
Answer 7: The Funding Opportunity Announcement does not specify TRLs for Area of Interest 1 or 2.

Question 8: I am wanting a clearer understanding of the required partnership particularly for item 2: batteries for extreme fast charging.
Answer 8: The Funding Opportunity Announcement does not specify a teaming requirement.

Question 9: Will it be possible to receive the slides presented?
Answer 9: The Applicant Webinar briefing will not be posted. Questions received during the Applicant Webinar will be available on EERE Exchange FAQs Section. All information in the presentation is contained in the Funding Opportunity Announcement.

Question 10: For an AOI 1 applicant, is automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) required to be a partner or could be a partner?
Answer 10: In accordance with Section I (B) of the FOA, "AOI 1 General Requirements" does not require nor exclude an OEM as a partner.

Question 11: Is the Department of Energy's Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) interested in partnerships between Universities and National Labs? Would that fall under unincorporated consortia? Is the VTO interested in proposals with some portion of the work involving computational science?
Answer 11: In accordance with Section III (G) of the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), “EERE will not make eligibility determinations for potential applicants prior to the date on which applications to this FOA must be submitted. The decision whether to submit an application in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant.”

Additionally, in accordance with Section V1 (A)(ii), “EERE will notify applicants of its determination to encourage or discourage the submission of a Full Application” based upon comprehensive review of the applicant’s concept paper submission.

Question 12: We are inquiring as to whether there will be a rebroadcast of the webinar or is there a way to access the materials from the webinar?
Answer 12: There will not be a rebroadcast of the webinar. The Applicant Webinar briefing will not be posted. Questions received during the Applicant Webinar will be available on EERE Exchange FAQs Section. All information in the presentation is contained in the Funding Opportunity Announcement.

Question 13: How do we obtain a controls numbers?
Answer 13: Control numbers are obtain when applying in Exchange.

Question 14: For the commercialization plan do we need to identify potential partners or include have an established partner when submitting the proposal?
Answer 14: Per Section IV (D.) (ii) the content requirements for the Technical Volume are provided. It is up to the Applicant to determine the teaming arrangements.

Question 15: Is AOI 1 allowing demonstration for both AC and or DC charging technologies?
Answer 15: Area of Interest 1 does not specify DC or AC technology and is open to either technology.

Question 16: The technology gap assessment report states “research toward development of charging protocols that may extend battery life should also be considered.” Will the DOE seriously consider charging protocols for area of interest 2?
Answer 16: The technology gap assessment report is not part of the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). Requirements for AOI 2 are in the Section I (B) of the FOA.

Question 17: For Area of Interest 2, do you have any specific chemistries in mind? Are you restricted to lithium-based technologies?
Answer 17: Area of Interest 2 does not limit the type of battery chemistry to be used.

Question 18: Do we need to subit a Letter of Intent before we submit the Concept paper?
Answer 18: Letters of Intent are not required for this Funding Opportunity Annoucement.

Question 19: How many pages for the concept paper?
Answer 19: Per Section IV (C.) (i) the Concept Paper Technology Description is limited to two pages and the Addendum is limited to two pages.

Question 20: If foreign entity is not prime recipient, does it still need to have a U.S. subsidiary?
Answer 20:

In accordance with Section III (A) (v) of the FOA, "A foreign entity may receive funding as a Subrecipient."

Question 21: Is DC Fast Charging Infrastructure (off vehicle charging) also a part of this webinar?
Answer 21: Area of Interest 1 "chargers" would include off-board DC Fast Charging.

Question 22: For AOI 1 general requirements, does "plug-in electric vehicle" require a contact-based conductive charger or would a battery electric vehicle with wireless charging meet the requirement?
Answer 22: Area of Interest 1 does not require a conductive charger.

Question 23: Are there more than two entities required to partner? Or can it just be a single private for profit entity?
Answer 23: Area of Interest 1 teaming arrangements are specified under AOI 1 General Requirements. Area of Interest 2 does not have a specific teaming requirement.

Question 24: How long will it take to get feedback/decision on the concept paper?
Answer 24: The anticipated notification for Concept Paper recommendations is December 11, 2017.

Question 25: Area of Interest 1 requirement mentioned 400A current limitation. Could you clarify 400A for DC/AC and voltage level associated with it?
Answer 25: The 400 Amp limit is for the DC charging current.

Question 26: Can one submission include both Areas of Interest?
Answer 26: A Concept Paper cannot be for more than one Area of Interest. Each Concept Paper must be a unique project and not dependent upon the other project.

Question 27: What can private organizations do to increase their chances of being awarded?
Answer 27:

The DOE must execute all Funding Opportunity Announcements in a manner that complies with 2 CFR 200.319 which requires full and open competition. The DOE cannot provide assistant to any applicant that would provide an unfair competitive advantage.

Question 28: It is 9 individual cells each holding 2Ah of charge for the deliverable for the second Area of Interest, correct?
Answer 28: Per Section I (B), “AOI 2 Special Deliverables,” “The first deliverable will be 9 cells 2 Ah in size or greater..." and "The second deliverable will be 18 cells 2Ah in size or greater with final extreme fast charge technology.”

Question 29: For the AOI 2 Special Deliverables, we were wondering if the 9 cells should be incorporated into a single pack, or is it more of individual cell submission?
Answer 29: Area of Interest 2 Special Deliverables are individual cells.

Question 30: Is this project irrevocably funded, or subject to 2018 contressional budget revisions
Answer 30: Per Section I (B) the FOA is authorized from the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2017, Public Law 115-31.

Question 31: Does the vehicle (AOI 1 General Requirements) have to be in possession of the team before awards are released?
Answer 31: The applicant does not have to be in possession of a project vehicle prior to the award.

Question 32: Our backoffice for this projects is settled in Mexico R&D Center, projects though are developed in USA. Can a person in the Mexico backoffice be a Point of Contact?
Answer 32: Please refer to Section III, “Eligibility Information” subsection A (ii), “Performance of Work in the United States” regarding work planned to be performed outside the United States.

Question 33: Is cybersecurity still an Area of Interest?
Answer 33: Cybersecurity is not an Area of Interest for DE-FOA-0001808.

Question 34: Is the first deliverable of 9 cells 2Ah a criterion for go/no-go?
Answer 34: Per the Area of Interest 2 Special Deliverables, "Delivery of the cells must be included in the Statement of Project Objectivs as a milestone." Failure to provide a deliverable would impact the decision to continue the project.

Question 35: If cost share is above minimum value, does that influence the chance an award is granted?
Answer 35: The Applicant's cost share is not an evaluation criteria.

Question 36: Does base-line plug-in vehicles mentioned in AOI 1 mean commercially available plug-in EVs in the US market?
Answer 36: The Funding Opportunity Announcement does not specify the baseline vehicle requirement.

Question 37: I am not overly familar with the merit review meetings. Can you talk a little about expectations on the presentations and possible confidential information.
Answer 37: The Vehicle Technologies Office Annual Merit Review (AMR) is not part of the Evaluation and Selection process for applications received through this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). Attendance at the AMR is required for awards made as a result of this FOA.

Question 38: Should the technology for AOI 1 focus on the vehicle battery system or the charging station, or both can be included in the new development?
Answer 38: Area of interest 1 does not preclude development of vehicle battery systems as well as charging infrastructure.

Question 39: Do you expect applicaNts for Area 2 to build full sized batteries to test for charge rate?
Answer 39: Refer to the deliverables section of Area of Interest 2.

Question 40: Do the registration ID's (DUNS number, etc.} need to be available for all teaming organizations in an application?
Answer 40: Per the funding opportunity announcement, each applicant must provide a valid Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS). This requirement does not apply to team members.

Question 41: Does $1.5 million ceiling on grants for second part of program include cost share amount, or just the government portion?
Answer 41: Please refer to Section II, "Award Information" regarding the amount of Federal funding available for new awards under the funding opportunity announcement.

Question 42: Does the AOI 1 include Off Vehicle XFC Chargers?
Answer 42: Area of interest 1 does not preclude development of charging infrastructure.

Question 43: Will a list of participants of this webinar be made publicly available?
Answer 43: No, the list of participants will not be posted.

Question 44: How many concept papers or full applications are you expecting or planning to be submitted?
Answer 44: The DOE does not have estimates for Concept Paper and Full Applications anticipated to be received under the funding opportunity announcement.

Question 45: Do we have to wait for review results of the concept paper before preparing the full proposal?
Answer 45: The DOE does not provide guidance regarding timelines for development of applications to competitive funding opportunity announcements.

Question 46: Besides those that you have mentioned such as breaking the laws of thermodynamics what are some other things you would advise us to avoid doing?
Answer 46: Please refer to the Concept Paper and Full Application compliance and technical review criteria contained in the funding opportunity announcement.

Question 47: Is the Vehicle Technologies Office interested in paternships between Universities and National Labs? Would that fall under eligible consortia?
Answer 47: Please refer to the applicable are of interest for requirements. In accordance with Section III (G) of the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), “EERE will not make eligibility determinations for potential applicants prior to the date on which applications to this FOA must be submitted". The decision whether to submit an application in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant. Additionally, in accordance with Section V1 (A)(ii), “EERE will notify applicants of its determination to encourage or discourage the submission of a Full Application” based upon comprehensive review of the applicant’s concept paper submission."

Question 48: For the concept paper: is the format regulated to two pages of textual information followed by two pages of graphs plots etc. or can they be mixed throughout?
Answer 48: Please refer to Section IV, "Application and Submission Information".

Question 49: What are the DC voltage requirements for AOI 1? There was a load requirement given (<400A), but no voltage.
Answer 49: Please refer to the specific requirements set forth for area if interest 1. The area of interest does not include DC voltage requirements.

Question 50: Is there an available list of "interested" potential partners, for this FOA?
Answer 50: The DOE must execute all funding opportunity announcements in a manner that complies with 2 CFR 200.319 which requires full and open competition. The DOE cannot provide assistance to any applicant that would provide an unfair competitive advantage.

Question 51: If we are missing a partner in a specific area of expertise, could DOE help identify a potential partner?
Answer 51: The DOE must execute all funding opportunity announcements in a manner that complies with 2 CFR 200.319 which requires full and open competition. The DOE cannot provide assistance to any applicant that would provide an unfair competitive advantage.

Question 52: what are the deliverables of an extremely fast charger project?
Answer 52: Please refer to the area of interest 1 deliverables section.

Question 53: Is the 400A referring to AC input current to the XFC or DC output current of the XFC?
Answer 53: The 400 Amp limit is for the DC charging current.

Question 54: Is 50kW or 120kW considered the current charging rate? Is the XFC on-board or off-board?
Answer 54: The baseline charging rate is not defined in the FOA. In accordance with Section I (B) of the FOA, under “AOI 1 General Requirements”, the location of the charger is not specified.

Question 55: Can a three phase AC grid connection be used for input?
Answer 55: In accordance with Section III (G) of the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), “EERE will not make eligibility determinations for potential applicants prior to the date on which applications to this FOA must be submitted". The decision whether to submit an application in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant. Additionally, in accordance with Section V1 (A)(ii), “EERE will notify applicants of its determination to encourage or discourage the submission of a Full Application” based upon comprehensive review of the applicant’s concept paper submission."

Question 56: Is the funding for each year or total project?
Answer 56: Please refer to Section II, "Award Information" regarding the amount of Federal funding available for new awards under the funding opportunity announcement (FOA). All projects awarded under this FOA are anticipated to be fully funded at the time of award.

Question 57: Is there a lower limit to voltage level and power level for charging in AOI 1?
Answer 57: Area of Interest 1 does not specify a minimum power or voltage level.

Question 58: Do you need to identify the partners to the project in the concept paper?
Answer 58: The Concept Paper Content Requirements are defined in Section (IV) (C.) (i) of the FOA.

Question 59: If prime recipient changes between concept paper and full application, will that disqualify the full application?
Answer 59: No. Only organizations that submit a Concept Paper may submit a Full Application.

Question 60: Is there a specific link where we could find projects that have been successfully funded in the past?
Answer 60: More information about the Vehicle Technologies Office can be found at https://energy.gov/eere/vehicles/vehicle-technologies-office

Question 61: What are the power limits for AOI 1?
Answer 61: Area of Interest 1 does not specify a charging power limit.

Question 62: Can the partnerships for AOI 1 be composed of two suppliers (power electronics and so) and a university?
Answer 62: There is not a limit on the number of entities as part of the teaming arrangements. It is up to the Applicant to identify the teaming arrangements.

Question 63: What information is expected under the "commercialization plan"?
Answer 63: Per Section IV (D.) (ii) the content requirements for the Technical Volume are provided. It is up to the Applicant to determine the commercialization plan.

Question 64: For Area of Interest 1, does the same battery pack have to be used as the original vehicle?
Answer 64: For Area of Interest 1 there is not a requirement to use an existing vehicle battery pack.

Question 65: For Area of Interest 1, Does the battery pack have to be conventional lithium technology?
Answer 65: Area of Interest 1 does not preclude the use of any specific battery technology for the vehicle.

Question 66: For Area of Interest 1, what is the demonstration period and number of vehicles to be used in the demonstration?
Answer 66: Area of Interest 1 does not have a specified minimum duration and minimum number of vehicles.

Question 67: For Area of Interest 2, What are the charge and discharge rates to achieve 500 cycles?
Answer 67: The charge protocol will be clarified in a forthcoming amendment to the FOA.

Question 68: Is it acceptable for my company to focus on this technology during the project?
Answer 68: In accordance with Section III (G) of the FOA, “EERE will not make eligibility determinations for potential applicants prior to the date on which applications to this FOA must be submitted. The decision whether to submit an application in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant.”

Question 69: Can the prime applicant change after submission of a Concept Paper?
Answer 69: No. Only organizations that submit a Concept Paper may submit a Full Application.

Question 70: Can the Subcontractors or team members change after submission of a Concept Paper?
Answer 70: Yes, the subcontractors or team members may change after submission of a Concept Paper.

Question 71: Is this EERE Funding Opportunity Announcement for small businesses or do we need a large partner?
Answer 71: Area of Interest 1 teaming arrangements are specified under AOI 1 General Requirements. Area of Interest 2 does not have a specific teaming requirement.

Please refer to Section III, “Eligibility Information”

Question 72: For AOI2, will cells be returned after testing by national lab?
Answer 72: The cells will be returned to the Recipient after testing.

Question 73: Is a summary slide required for a concept paper submission?
Answer 73: No, a summary slide is not required for a concept paper submission.

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