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["INSTRUCTIONS"]
[1,"All questions pertaining to this funding opportunity announcement should be emailed under the DE-FOA-0003209 - FY24 Regional Resource Hubs for Purpose-Grown Energy Crops submit questions link at FY24RRHCropsFOA@ee.doe.gov."]
[2,"All questions pertaining to EERE Exchange should be emailed to EERE-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov. Include FOA name and number in subject line."]
[3,"All questions and answers pertaining to this FOA will be posted on EERE Exchange within this spreadsheet."]
[4,"DOE will attempt to respond to a question within 3 business days, unless a similar question and answer has already been posted in this spreadsheet. "]
[5,"All questions should be submitted not later than 3 business days prior to the application due date. Questions submitted after this date will not be answered."]
[6,"Questions are assigned a number in accordance with when they are reviewed by DOE.  "]
[7,"Questions are assigned a topic area by DOE when reviewed."]
[]
["TIPS"]
[1,"Applicants may sort questions and answers in the question tabs of this spreadsheet by selecting the drop-down box arrow on the column headers and selecting any of the listed attributes."]
[2,"Applicants may search for questions and/or keywords by holding CTRL+F on the keyboard and typing in a phrase or keyword."]
[3,"Applicants who are unable to open pdf documents are advised that it could be due to an error with the user's web browser or the user's Adobe software.  We recommend closing your web browser and then opening a different web browser to navigate to the Exchange website to open/download the document.\" If that doesn't work, please contact the Exchange Help Desk at the web address provided on the FOA in Exchange. "]

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["ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTION AND ANSWER LOG"]
["DE-FOA-0003209 - FY24 Regional Resource Hubs for Purpose-Grown Energy Crops"]
["Question #","Date Submitted","Topic","Question","Answer"]
[1,"2024-02-08","Other","When will the teaming partner list become available for this announcement? ","The Teaming Partner List is available at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/Default.aspx#FoaIdd8382ebb-cf1e-482c-b625-90aa59a2b885"]
[2,"2024-02-08","Technical Topics","Under Sub-topic 1b, is high biomass sorghum inclusive in this FOA?  ","The definition of herbaceous energy crops has been revised in FOA Modification 000001 to include biennial, annual, and perennial herbaceous energy crops, “For the purposes of Subtopic Area 1b, “herbaceous energy crops” are defined as annual, biennial, or perennial plants grown primarily for bioenergy production. Annual plants are defined as those that complete a life cycle in one year. Biennial plants are defined as plants requiring all or part of two years to complete its life cycle. Perennial plants are defined as those that live for more than two years and are harvested annually after taking two to three years to reach full productivity.”."]
["3a","2024-02-09","Technical Topics","Two questions for the Topic 1a Algae feedstock.\n\n1.\tThe FOA states as non-responsive – “Applications that propose to develop technology for the artificial lighting-based cultivation of algae for energy products”.  Can one infer that artificial lighting is responsive if the algal outcome is 100% bioproduct(s), e.g., biochar?  The FOA objective clearly states algal derived energy products or bioproducts or both.\n","Artificial lighting-based cultivation of algae, regardless of the products, is non-responsive. All algal outcomes from Topic 1A may be considered “energy products” for the purposes of the FOA. Topic Area 1 Applications Specifically Not of Interest - Subtopic Area 1a has been revised in FOA Modification 000001 to state “Applications that propose the development and/or use of artificial lightning-based cultivation of algae for biofuels and/or bioproducts (other than as an enabling tool for high-throughput laboratory-based screening)”.  "]
["3b","2024-02-09","Technical Topics","2.\tIs the dewatering process(es) of microalgal culture considered part of Harvesting?","Dewatering of microalgal cultures is considered part of harvesting under Subtopic Area 1a."]
[4,"2024-02-09","Eligibility","Are individuals that may hold a position at a Prime Applicant and a \"Joint Faculty Appointment\" at Idaho National Laboratory excluded from participating as a PI or CO-PI in a application for this FOA? ","As specifically stated in Section III.G. Questions Regarding Eligibility 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 apply in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant.”\n\nFor purposes of your decision whether to submit an application, however, we provide the following information for your consideration. Section III.A.i. of the FOA, entitled “Domestic Entities,” expressly prohibits the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) from participating as a Prime Recipient or Subrecipient under this FOA, stating “Any application that includes INL as a Prime Recipient or Subrecipient will be deemed ineligible, non-responsive, and will not be further considered.”  You may not, therefore, submit any type of application or participate as a PI or CO-PI where INL would be involved as a Prime Recipient or Subrecipient.  \n\nBased on the limited information provided regarding your “joint faculty appointment” with INL, we are unable to determine whether a prohibited conflict of interest exists.  DOE does have an interim conflict of interest (COI) policy that addresses financial and organizational interests and is incorporated into DOE financial assistance awards. A copy of this policy can be viewed at https://www.energy.gov/management/department-energy-interim-conflict-interest-policy-requirements-financial-assistance.  If a conflict of interest is identified within a selected application or project, the recipient and/or INL may be required to implement an appropriate Conflict of Interest Mitigation Plan.\n\nAt this time, EERE does not have any additional guidance on actual or perceived conflicts of interest that may arise from the scenario proposed."]
[5,"2024-02-11","Technical Topics","Is Jojoba an acceptable feedstock for this FOA?","As specifically stated in 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 apply in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant.” Please refer to Section I.B. of the FOA for Subtopic Area requirements."]
[6,"2024-02-13","Technical Topics","We are interested in turning waste sargassum seaweed into bioplastics. Given that bioplastics replace fossil-derived plastics, would this be eligible under the grant's Topic Area 1: low-GHG products pathway?","As specifically stated in 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 apply in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant.” Please refer to Section I.B of the FOA for the requirements for Topic Area 1: Purpose-Grown Energy Crops."]
[7,"2024-02-13","Technical Topics","Can DOE identify which topic areas would be appropriate for oilseed bearing tree crops such as Milletia pinnata and Aleurites moluccanus?","As specifically stated in 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 apply in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant.” Please refer to Section I.B. of the FOA for Subtopic Area requirements."]
[8,"2024-02-14","Eligibility","Does “the cultivation of offshore algae such as seaweed is not of interest.” mean that existing commercial operations growing seaweeds “nearshore” are excluded?  ","While the harvest of wild offshore macroalgae, seaweed, is not of interest, purpose-grown, cultivated and harvested offshore macroalgae, seaweed, that also meets the other requirements in the FOA, is of interest. This has been clarified with FOA Modification 000001 under Section I.B, Subtopic Area 1a: Algae."]
[9,"2024-02-14","Technical Topics","The funding opportunity announcement defines herbaceous energy crops as:\n\"perennial plants and grasses that live for more than two years and are harvested annually after taking two to three years to reach full productivity.\"\n\n\nCan you please advise whether spineless opuntia cactus is an accepted herbaceous energy crop given that it is a perennial plant that lives for 15-25 years, takes 2 years to reach full productivity and is harvested annually?","The definition of herbaceous energy crops has been revised in FOA Modification 000001 to include biennial, annual, and perennial herbaceous energy crops, “For the purposes of Subtopic Area 1b, “herbaceous energy crops” are defined as annual, biennial, or perennial plants  grown primarily for bioenergy production. Annual plants are defined as those that complete a life cycle in one year. Biennial plants are defined as plants requiring all or part of two years to complete its life cycle. Perennial plants are defined as those that live for more than two years and are harvested annually after taking two to three years to reach full productivity.”\n\nAs specifically stated in 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 apply in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant.” Please refer to Section I.B. of the FOA for Subtopic Area requirements"]
[10,"2024-02-15","Application Content/Format","My colleague and I are having issues downloading the FOA from the website https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/352261.\n\nThe word document seems to be corrupted.\n\nWould you mind sending us the file or direct us to a better link if there is one?","Grants.gov directs interested parties to view the full funding opportunity announcement at EERE-Exchange.energy.gov."]
[11,"2024-02-15","Technical Topics","Are annual bioenergy sorghum varieties excluded from this solicitation?","The definition of herbaceous energy crops has been revised in FOA Modification 000001 to include biennial, annual, and perennial herbaceous energy crops, “For the purposes of Subtopic Area 1b, “herbaceous energy crops” are defined as annual, biennial, or perennial plants grown primarily for bioenergy production. Annual plants are defined as those that complete a life cycle in one year. Biennial plants are defined as plants requiring all or part of two years to complete its life cycle. Perennial plants are defined as those that live for more than two years and are harvested annually after taking two to three years to reach full productivity.”"]
[12,"2024-02-18","Eligibility","Do I qualify as a domestic entity, meet the requirement of this FOA, even if my Business is only registered with SAM.gov.?","Please see FOA Sections III.A.i. Domestic Entities and III.A.ii. Foreign Entities for guidance about Eligible Applicants.  \"To qualify as a domestic entity, the entity must be organized, chartered, or incorporated (or otherwise formed) under the laws of a particular state or territory of the United States; have majority domestic ownership and control; and have a physical place of business in the United States.\""]
["13a","2024-02-19","Technical Topics","1st: Hemp was presented multiple times at the DOE workshop in June as a logical and realistic option. I don't, however, see any mention of it in the FOA and am hoping you might be able to shed some light as to which topic section you think it ought to fall into, if any. 1b specifically defines herbaceous energy crops as perennials which hemp is not. 1c defines intermediate energy crops as those planted between the harvest of a main crop and sowing of the next crop which isn't, in my opinion, using the full potential of the crop but it is plausible. It's largest impact towards the FOA goal would be as a main crop. Is Hemp a considered crop? If so, which category?\n\n","The definition of herbaceous energy crops has been revised in FOA Modification 000001 to include biennial, annual, and perennial herbaceous energy crops, “For the purposes of Subtopic Area 1b, “herbaceous energy crops” are defined as annual, biennial, or perennial plants grown primarily for bioenergy production. Annual plants are defined as those that complete a life cycle in one year. Biennial plants are defined as plants requiring all or part of two years to complete its life cycle. Perennial plants are defined as those that live for more than two years and are harvested annually after taking two to three years to reach full productivity.”"]
["13b","2024-02-19","Technical Topics","2nd: I'd also like to understand a little better what they are looking for in applicants? The FOA gives some direction but is a little vague. Are they looking for growers to further crop research with the help of INL and its resources/equipment or companies able to source growers and use their own equipment to perform the research and report back to INL? ","Section 1.B. of the FOA states ‘Developing feedstock supplies for biofuels and bioproducts is the primary focus of this Topic Area. To accomplish this, applications are sought that will generate data and research findings needed to support resource mobilization including improvements to quality, yield, cost, mechanization of propagation/planting systems, pest management, carbon intensity reduction, ecosystem services, and more from the cultivation of purpose-grown energy crops’. \n\nAs stated in FOA section I.C. Applications Specifically Not of Interest, applications proposing INL as a Prime Recipient, Subrecipient, or other project participant. Due to INL’s involvement with the FOA as RBRH Coordinator, such applications will be deemed ineligible, non-responsive, and will not be further considered.  \n\nEach application selected from this FOA will become a member of the larger Regional Biomass Resource Hub Initiative (RBRH) that will work together with BETO’s established Regional Resource Hub Initiative Coordinator, Idaho National Laboratory (INL), to coordinate experimental plans, report data, and collectively achieve the FOA and Initiative objectives. Each applicant selected from this FOA will work closely with BETO and INL as described in Section I.B. "]
[14,"2024-02-19","Application Content/Format","I have a question about Performance Metric 2. This performance metric seems to clearly indicate that projects will be evaluated on the extent to which they advance the FSRLs of their target feedstock, across all three areas: Production, Market, and Policy. However, the rest of the FOA seems tightly focused on the production aspect of FRSL and even excludes work on other FSRL aspects. For instance, level 5.1 under Market reads \"Develop and refine post-harvest logistics and storage,\" but research to achieve that goal is explicitly prohibited in the FOA. \n\nAlso, many of the steps necessary to advance the Market and Policy FSRLs would require activities that are not discussed anywhere else in the FOA, such as economic modeling and NEPA permitting. Should these sorts of activities be included? Will all three FSRL areas be weighted equally? ","Section I.B. Topic Area 1. Specific Requirements addresses the use of the FSRL tool to track the progress of feedstocks towards increased mobilization and commercial readiness.  While there are four components to the FSRL, as stated in section I.B., the primary focus of applications must be on the production, harvesting, and collection of biomass, all of which are required to mobilize purpose-grown energy crops. This RD&D is expected to directly advance the production component of FSRLs, while being used to inform the other components.  As stated on p. 14 of the FOA, \"Applicants must identify and fully describe the current FSRLs for the production, market, and policy sections for each crop to justify the RD&D proposed to increase the mobilization state of the crop system(s)\"."]
[15,"2024-02-19","Eligibility","I am just looking to find out if applicants must be US based to be eligible to apply for this grant?","Please see FOA Sections III.A.i. Domestic Entities and III.A.ii. Foreign Entities for guidance about Eligible Applicants."]
[16,"2024-02-19","Eligibility","I am writing to inquire if applicants are required to be based in the US, or can a Canadian company apply, with or without a US partner?","Please see FOA Sections III.A.i. Domestic Entities and III.A.ii. Foreign Entities for guidance about Eligible Applicants."]
[17,"2024-02-21","Technical Topics","Q1: Should each project focus on a particular region, or may projects conduct field trials that span multiple regions (e.g., southeast, northeast, pacific northwest)?\n\nQ2: Is pine an acceptable feedstock for Subtopic 1d?","Response Q1:  As stated in the FOA under section I.B. Topic Area, “Applicants must justify the selected sites and discuss how they are representative of the regions in which the proposed crop(s) should be grown. Applicants must specify which regions their proposed sites represent”.\n\nResponse Q2:  As stated in 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 apply in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant.” Please refer to Section I.B. of the FOA for Subtopic Area requirements. Subtopic Area 1d defines “short-rotation woody crops” as fast-growing trees that are harvested within five to eight years of planting.  "]
[18,"2024-02-21","Application Content/Format","Who would be considered “underrepresented in STEM” in the DEI section? ","The definition of underrepresented in STEM is included in footnote 11 of the FOA Section I.D.   "]
[19,"2024-02-26","Technical Topics","1) Will DOE provide guidance on compositional analysis? I see that, in future, participants in the RBRH feedstock groups will help determine \"minimum biomass compositional analysis procedures.\" In the meantime, should we propose the set of analyses that we think is needed?\n\n2) Does the compositional analysis apply to the primary energy product (e.g., oil in the case of intermediate oilseeds) or all co-products (e.g., oilseed meal)? Co-products have bearing on commercial viability even though they do not generate energy. ","It is up to the applicants to propose the set of analyses they feel is needed to evaluate their primary product and any co-products. "]
[20,"2024-02-28","Technical Topics","Would the DOE be interested in including loblolly pine managed as an energy crop harvested after 5-8 years to the grant?","As stated in 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 apply in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant.” Please refer to Section I.B. of the FOA for Subtopic Area requirements."]
[21,"2024-02-28","Technical Topics","Can you please clarify that whether annual biomass sorghum can be included in a study for this FOA?","The definition of herbaceous energy crops has been revised in FOA Modification 000001 to include biennial, annual, and perennial herbaceous energy crops, “For the purposes of Subtopic Area 1b, “herbaceous energy crops” are defined as annual, biennial, or perennial plants grown primarily for bioenergy production. Annual plants are defined as those that complete a life cycle in one year. Biennial plants are defined as plants requiring all or part of two years to complete its life cycle. Perennial plants are defined as those that live for more than two years and are harvested annually after taking two to three years to reach full productivity.”"]
[22,"2024-03-06","Technical Topics","Would the general idea of harnessing geothermal resources to feed engineered bacteria to produce carbon and proteins for fodder or other bioproduct conversions be appropriate for this FOA?","As stated in 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 apply in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant.” Please refer to Section I.B. of the FOA for Subtopic Area requirements."]
[23,"2024-03-07","Technical Topics","Is there an irrigation component to DOE’s definition of marginal land?","See FOA Appendix H - Glossary for a definition of marginal lands. Marginal lands are defined in Appendix H – Glossary as ‘Fields or portions thereof, that are not economical to farm or pose other limitations for growing traditional commodity crops. Examples of these other limitations may be geographical (e.g., temperature, slope), ecosystem-based (e.g., recreation areas), or have soil limitations (e.g., physical and chemical soil properties)’.  "]
[24,"2024-03-08","Application Content/Format","Will submission of the paper require any system approval from our sponsored programs office, or can the PI submit directly in EERE eXCHANGE?","At the stage of Upload and Submit, there is a button to be clicked which states that the submitter is authorized to submit on behalf of the applicant entity. "]
[25,"2024-03-11","Application Content/Format","The Application says \n\n\"(REQUIRED) Concept Paper. See Section IV.C. for specific content requirements. PLEASE NOTE PAGE LIMITS and upload the Concept Paper as a single PDF document.\" But I can't find Section IV.C  (Not even sure what it is referring to)  What are the specific content requirements for the concept paper. Can you please send section IV.C to me or send me a direct link?","The full FOA PDF can be found at the following URL:  EERE eXCHANGE: Funding Opportunity (energy.gov)   under the ‘Documents’ heading for DE-FOA-0003209.  Section IV.C. Content and Form of the Concept Paper starts on page 35 of DE-FOA-0003209, Modification 000001.   "]
[26,"2024-03-13","Application Content/Format","I am having difficulty opening the document when downloading and receive an adobe acrobat error. ","When opening the FOA document, download and open the file from another location than your web browser's download folder. For instance, drag the file to your desktop and open the file from that location. "]
[27,"2024-03-14","Technical Topics","Would a Crush Operation (non hexane) targeting camelina (a purpose-grown energy crop) that falls under intermediate energy crops be a fit?\n\nSo would funding be available for 1 or 2 or both? \n1.\tFunding provided for construction of a crush facility in Montana specifically targeting camelina as feedstock\n2.\tFunding provided for R&D involved (testing, seed, oil, meal from the crush operation), impact to animal nutrition, etc. So essentially determining/validating and demonstrating camelina’s use case within the value chain  ","As stated in 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 apply in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant.” Please refer to Section I.B. of the FOA for Topic Area details."]
[28,"2024-03-14","Application Content/Format","Our concept paper attachment failed to upload during our submission for the DE-FOA-0003209.\n\nI have attached it to this email.  Could someone please attach it to our file?","Please reach out to the EERE-Exchange.energy.gov helpdesk link provided in the FOA so this technical difficulty with the system can be documented. "]
[29,"2024-03-14","Application Content/Format","Given that FFRDC “subrecipients” will need to provide a “DOE Work Proposal” and “Authorization from Cognizant Contracting Officer for the FFRDC”, please indicate whether they will need to additionally provide a 1) Budget Justification Workbook, 2) Letter of Commitment, and/or 3) SF-LLL Form, similar to other subrecipient entities?","Requirements of FFRDCs is addressed in the FOA under Section II.E. Other Eligibility Requirements. In addition, full application content requirements can be found in Section IV.D."]
[30,"2024-03-19","Application Content/Format","Is it required for an FFRDC to complete an LOC as a subrecipient? \nIt is not clear from the FOA as it is not one of the requirements in the eligibility section for FFRDCs, but it is a requirement for all subrecipients. It is difficult to determine when an FFRDC should function as a subrecipient for require documents and when it is just subject to the FFRDC eligibility criteria.","Letters of Commitment are required from cost share providers. Generally, FFRDCs are not allowed to provide cost share per Section III.B.iv. of the FOA."]
[31,"2024-03-19","Application Content/Format","Is it required for an FFRDC to complete an SF-LLL as a subrecipient? \nIt is not clear from the FOA as it is not one of the requirements in the eligibility section for FFRDCs, but it is a requirement for all subrecipients. Previous solicitations have not required an SF-LLL of FFRDC due to the nature of FFRDCs and by definition them not being allowed to engage in lobbying activities.","If the FFRDC is a subrecipient, SF-LLLs are required."]
[32,"2024-03-20","Other","I am clicking the link for your application for the following grant and only receiving an error message stating that I do not have the most recent version of Acrobat - which I do","Please try using a different web browser to open/download the .pdf document.  Usually one of these browsers – Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge or Firefox will open the document."]
[33,"2024-03-22","Technical Topics","The solicitation for Regional Resource Hubs for Purpose-Grown Energy Crops DE-FOA-0003209 on page 52 says that a Location for Work Template is available in Exchange and provides a link. The link only takes you to the top of the Funding Opportunity page. The template is not available in the forms and templates section of the Opportunity announcement for this FOA (screen capture below.)  Can you please be more specific as to how we can acquire this template or add it to the forms page in Exchange for this FOA?","A Location of Work template has been uploaded to the Full Application Documents."]
[34,"2024-03-25","Due Dates","Is there a mechanism by which we can petition to submit the full application if we missed the initial concept paper deadline?","The submission deadline for Concept Papers was 03/14/2024 at 5pm ET.  There is no mechanism to petition for the submission of a concept paper after this deadline. "]
[35,"2024-04-01","Concept Paper","Can you please provide a timeframe for when applicants will hear back regarding encouragement or discouragement to full proposal?","See FOA Section VI.ii. Concept Paper Notifications. "]
[36,"2024-04-03","Application Content/Format","For planning purposes, we would like to know what the anticipated performance start date may be if selected to submit full proposal and funded? Further, we would like to know if that start date is before or after budget negotiations are finalized. Also, we would like to inquire whether or not work and spending can begin on the project, during the negotiation period?","The anticipated date for Selection Notification is 10/31/2024. See FOA Section IV.J.ii. Pre-Award Costs for information pertaining to pre-award expenditures. "]
[37,"2024-04-03","Eligibility","Can the composition of the project team change between the submission of a Concept Paper and the submission of a Full Application? ","Yes, the composition of the project team can change between the submission of a concept paper and the submission of a full application. The applicant is responsible for determining how the project team should be structured relative to the application submitted. As stated in 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 apply in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant.”"]
[38,"2024-04-04","Application Content/Format","Our proposal is going to be for a 10-year project but the available Budget Justification workbooks only have 3 or 5 budget periods. The instructions in the workbooks say to consult your EERE contact before adding additional budget period rows or columns. I’d like to know if we should add additional budget period columns to make each budget period one year of the project or should be have 2-year budget periods and use the template as is? ","Please see FOA section IV.D.iii. Technical Volume for the duration of budget periods and Go/No-Go Decision points. \"At a minimum, each project must have at least one project-wide Go/No-Go decision point for each budget period (12 to 24-month period) of the project.\" EERE does not have a 10 Budget Period Budget Justification template. "]
[39,"2024-04-12","Application Content/Format","Can Applicants add or expand on proposed techniques from the Concept Paper submission to the Full Application Submission? ","Applicants may use the Full Application Submission to elaborate and expand on the proposed techniques submitted in the Concept Paper Submission."]
[40,"2024-04-15","Application Content/Format","1.)\tSection IV.D.iii states budget periods should be “…(12 to 24-months)…” but appendix E states that the first budget period should include only task 1, the initial verification which must be “…at a minimum, a three-month duration.” Please clarify if the minimum length for BP1 is 3 months (as in appendix E) or 12 months (as in Section IV.D.iii). \n2.)\tAppendix E states that verification effort must be Task 1 and it will be “within a separate budget period, Budget Period 1 (BP1), from the remainder of the project.” If we are proposing a 10-year project, as allowed in II.A.ii, and the maximum budget period is 24-months, as stated in IV.D.iii, we need to either make BP 1 (which appendix E says must only include initial verification) 24-months long OR add additional budget periods to the Budget Justification workbook. We prefer the second option as the initial verification should not take 24 months and we have other project tasks that need to occur in the first 24-months besides initial verification. THUS, we are following the instructions from EERE T 540.132 02 Budget Justification (5BPs). ‘Instructions and Summary’ tab and consulting our EERE contact (fy24rrhcropsfoa@ee.doe.gov) before adding additional budget period rows or columns. Please advise if we should add more budget period rows and columns or if there is another preferred solution (e.g. we are happy to have budget periods longer than 24-months but do not wish to break from the guidelines in Section IV.D.iii without further instruction that it is okay to do so).  ","EERE does not have an OMB Approved 10 Budget Period Budget Justification template.  EERE appreciates that this has created some confusion. EERE has uploaded a non-OMB approved 10 BP Budget Justification that may be used by Applicants as a Full Application Submission document. "]
[41,"2024-04-16","Application Content/Format"," I could not identify the indirect cost rate in the FOA. Would you please clarify if the indirect cost could be one of the following?","Please see FOA Section IV.F. Post Selection Information Requests. If selected for award negotiations, the Recipient may be required to submit Indirect Cost Information. "]
[42,"2024-04-16","Technical Topics","Regarding the FOA, it is stated that projects may ‘allocate project funds to the preprocessing (size reduction, drying, etc.) and/or storage of the produced biomass in order to prepare or hold the material for an identified end user.  Preprocessing and storage may also be performed in order to evaluate crops for meeting a particular specification; however, research studies to evaluate……..are not allowable.’\n\nWhat if our end user has particular specifications for handling the material which we can’t obtain *unless* we do some evaluation of preprocessing and storage?  Does that constitute a ‘research study’?","As specifically stated in Section III.G. Questions Regarding Eligibility 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 apply in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant.”\n\nFor purposes of your decision whether to submit an application, however, we provide the following information for your consideration. Developing feedstock supplies for biofuels and bioproducts is the primary focus of this FOA. Preprocessing and storage may also be performed in order to evaluate crops for meeting a particular specification as stated in Section I.B. Topic Area of the FOA.\n\nPerforming work to meet identified end-user handling specifications would be allowable as long as it does not detract from the primary focus of the FOA topic area.   For example, preparing material by grinding is acceptable, but an application with a focus on evaluating the energy consumption of grinding equipment or evaluating dry matter loss through storage trials would not be allowable."]
[43,"2024-04-16","Application Content/Format","Q1: Regarding DOE's answer to Question 36, since DOE plans to fund partnering FFRDC awardees independently of the project team, FFRDCs aren't required to complete the SF-LLL if they don't plan to provide any cost-share contributions since they technically will/should not be considered a sub-recipient, correct?\nQ2:  To whom should DOE FFRDCs address the required \"Authorization for DOE/NNSA FFRDCs\"?  Please provide the contact information (name, title, and mailing address).  Past funding announcements have provided the DOE Grantor Contact/Contract Specialist information through the FAQ.\nQ3: In most cases, DOE will fund partnering FFRDCs independently of the project team.  Should those partnering FFRDCs still provide their project lead a completed sub-recipient budget justification for the Full Application submission if the FFRDCs' proposed federal share exceeds $250K or 25% of the total project costs?  Or will the required \"DOE Work Proposal for FFRDC\" be sufficient in lieu of the sub-recipient budget justification requirement?","Q1 - FFRDCS are not required to submit a SF-LLL since FFRDCs are not subrecipients. Q2 - Applicants are not required to address the FFRDCAuth or FFRDC Field Work Propose to a specific DOE Grantor Contact/Contract Specialist. Q3 - Please see FOA Section IV.D.xii. Budget for DOE/NNSA FFRDC.  FFRDC budget information should be provided in the FFRDC Work Proposal. A Budget Justification is not required for FFRDCs. "]
[44,"2024-04-18","Application Content/Format","We would like to know if that start date is before or after budget negotiations are finalized. Also, we would like to inquire whether or not work and spending can begin on the project, during the negotiation period?","See FOA Section IV.J.ii. Pre-Award Costs for information pertaining to pre-award expenditures. "]
[45,"2024-04-19","Application Content/Format","Regarding the Location of Work spreadsheet and the description of activities in column F “Briefly describe the primary activity at this location or with this population. For example, management headquarters; construction, operations, production; raw materials extraction, etc.” How should institutions with a campus location consisting of multiple buildings address this question? Should they describe the primary activities within a single build or the entire campus? ","See FOA Secion IV.D.xvii. Locations of Work. Applicants should consider a University campus as a single location. "]
[46,"2024-04-30","Concept Paper","If we could not submit a concept paper, are we still allowed to apply for the grant?","The submission deadline for Concept Papers was 03/14/2024 at 5pm ET.  There is no mechanism to petition for the submission of a concept paper after this deadline. "]
[47,"2024-04-30","Technical Topics","Would a hoop house greenhouse be non-responsive for this RFP for the cultivation of microalgae?","As specifically stated in 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 apply in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant.” Please refer to Section I.B. of the FOA for Subtopic Area requirements. As stated in Section I.B Topic Area of the FOA, “all cultivation must be outdoors in real environments (not simulated or controlled) for the respective crop(s).” "]
[48,"2024-05-01","Application Content/Format","Is this grant still open ?\nIf yes, when is the dead line for per approved submission?","The submission deadline for Concept Papers was 03/14/2024 at 5pm ET.  There is no mechanism to petition for the submission of a concept paper after this deadline. "]
[49,"2024-05-06","Other","I want to know if we can change the leading institution to one of our team members.","Applicants may change the composition and structure of the project team between the submission of an eligible concept paper and the full application submission."]
[50,"2024-05-06","Cost Sharing","1. Are unrecovered indirect costs considered cash contributions and allowable to count toward cost share? (per page 29 of the FOA)\n2. Is prior approval needed to count unrecovered indirect costs as cost share? (per the budget justification workbook)\n3. If prior approval is needed to count unrecovered indirect costs as cost share, how do we request and receive that prior approval?","Per 2 CFR 200.306 Cost Sharing or Matching, \"Unrecovered indirect costs, including indirect costs on cost sharing or matching may be included as part of cost sharing or matching only with the prior approval of the Federal awarding agency. Unrecovered indirect cost means the difference between the amount charged to the Federal award and the amount which could have been charged to the Federal award under the non-Federal entity's approved negotiated indirect cost rate.\" If selected for award, the Selectee can request prior approval during award negotiations. "]
[51,"2024-05-06","Application Content/Format","Please advise how the additional budget periods should be added to the Budget Justification Workbook. ","EERE does not have an OMB Approved 10 Budget Period Budget Justification template.  EERE appreciates that this has created some confusion. EERE has uploaded a non-OMB approved 10 BP Budget Justification that may be used by Applicants as a Full Application Submission document. "]
[52,"2024-05-07","Labs/FFRDCs","Our project may include DOE FFRDC participation. Can you please let me know, does the cost requirement for a project include or exclude the funds budgeted for a FFRDC?","See FOA Section III.E.i. Requirements for DOE/NNSA and Non-DOE/NNSA FFRDCs Included as a Subrecipient. \"Although the FFRDC portion of the work is excluded from the award, the applicant’s cost share requirement will be based on the total cost of the project, including the applicant’s, the subrecipient’s, and the FFRDC’s portions of the project. \" See FOA Section III.B. Cost Sharing. \"Cost Sharing Generally The cost share must be at least 20% of the total project costs14F  for research and development projects.\" Total project costs is the sum of the government share, including FFRDC costs if applicable, and the recipient share of project costs."]
[53,"2024-05-08","Application Content/Format","The budget templates on the EERE resource site have 3-year and 5-year project periods. Should we use two of the 3-year templates or is there a better option? ","EERE does not have an OMB Approved 10 Budget Period Budget Justification template.  EERE appreciates that this has created some confusion. EERE has uploaded a non-OMB approved 10 BP Budget Justification that may be used by Applicants as a Full Application Submission document. "]
[54,"2024-05-09","Technical Topics","1. We are a research group from a public university, and we are interested in participating in the Regional Resource Hubs for Purpose-Grown Energy Crops call. Is it possible to participate knowing that we are located in Colombia and that the experimental development would take place in this country?\n2. Would a project studying the conversion of crop residues into slow-release organo-mineral fertilizers have funding opportunities in the Regional Resource Hubs for Purpose-Grown Energy Crops call?","As stated in Section IV.A of the FOA, “Only applicants who have submitted an eligible Concept Paper will be eligible to submit a Full Application”. The concept paper submission deadline was March 14, 2024. "]
[55,"2024-05-09","Other","I will appreciate if you could direct me to a person who i could reach out to explore which FOA could be appropriate for us.","See FOA Section VII. Questions/Agency Contacts. \"Upon the issuance of a FOA, EERE personnel are prohibited from communicating (in writing or otherwise) with applicants regarding the FOA except through the established question and answer process…\""]
[56,"2024-05-09","Technical Topics","In reference to the requirement of “at least five harvesting cycles at each site,” do the five harvests need to occur at the exact same site (i.e., same plot of land), or can they occur at different but closely located sites (within the same region) that have matching environmental and soil characteristics?","As stated in Section I.B of the FOA, each Subtopic Area has a requirement for number of sites and number harvesting cycles at each site (or the maximum number of harvest cycles feasible for the proposed crop system). The harvesting cycle requirement must occur at the same site over the project period to address FOA criteria."]
[57,"2024-05-14","Technical Topics","Can you please clarify why autotrophic respiration is included in the list of required data? ","Appendix D includes a minimum set of required data types by crop system which includes autotrophic respiration to all terrestrial crop data subtopic areas. Ecosystem respiration includes both autotrophic (plant respiration) and heterotrophic (soil system respiration). To accurately model the ecosystem (or crop system) carbon fluxes/cycling, the response of both respiration systems needs to be understood. Each respiration system affects the other and the overall ecosystem respiration plus associated carbon sink/cycling, which drives CI score estimates.  Only measuring heterotrophic and assuming autotrophic could cause inaccurate conclusions about ecosystem carbon response."]
[58,"2024-05-15","Application Content/Format","With regard to the FOA referenced in the subject line, please advise how we should handle the 5 budget period budget template for a proposed 6 budget period project. Should we combine BP 5 and 6, or do you have a different template we can use. ","EERE does not have an OMB Approved 10 Budget Period Budget Justification template.  EERE appreciates that this has created some confusion. EERE has uploaded a non-OMB approved 10 BP Budget Justification that may be used by Applicants as a Full Application Submission document. "]
[59,"2024-05-15","Application Content/Format","There is an error in the 10 Budget Period template, will DOE update the template? ","EERE has updated the template and uploaded a revised version to EERE-Exchange. "]
[60,"2024-05-22","Application Content/Format","Are SF-LLLs required for FFRDCs?"]
[61,"2024-05-23","Application Content/Format","Our group is proposing a 6 year project. Should the PI and subawards complete two 3 budget period budget justifications or is there a way we can add a year to the 5 budget period budget justification?","EERE does not have an OMB Approved 10 Budget Period Budget Justification template.  EERE appreciates that this has created some confusion. EERE has uploaded a non-OMB approved 10 BP Budget Justification that may be used by Applicants as a Full Application Submission document. "]
[62,"2024-05-23","Application Content/Format","Can you clarify that the FFRDS WP must be uploaded in the Prime application as the RFA states:  Save the WP in a single PDF file using the following convention for the title “ControlNumber_LeadOrganization_WP”.","The Prime Applicant is responsible for the submission of the application package.  If a Prime Recipient is proposing the inclusion of a FFRDC on the project, the Prime Recipient is resposible for uploading the FFRDC Work Plan. "]
[63,"2024-05-31","Application Content/Format","The summary tab is not calculating correctly and the SF-424 tab Section A is not calculating correctly.  ","Response pending. "]
[64,"2024-06-04","Other","Is there someone who we can speak to that may help us organize our priorities?","See FOA Section VII. Questions/Agency Contacts. \"Upon the issuance of a FOA, EERE personnel are prohibited from communicating (in writing or otherwise) with applicants regarding the FOA except through the established question and answer process…\""]
[65,"2024-06-04","Due Dates","The concept paper deadline is 03/14/2024 5 pm.  My question is would I be able to complete the application if I missed the concept paper deadline of 03/14/2024?  ","See FOA Section IV.A. Application Process. \"The application process includes two phases: a Concept Paper and Full Application. Only applicants who have submitted an eligible Concept Paper will be eligible to submit a Full Application.\""]
[66,"2024-06-11","Application Content/Format","I am writing to inquire if an equipment quote is needed for submitting a proposal to the FY 24 Regional Resource Hub FOA. If so, where should we attach the quotes?","For the purposes of this FOA, Applicants may provide the quotes as an inbedded document but are not required to submit quotes with the Full Application Submission. As detailed in the Equipment tab of the Budget Justification template; if selected for award, quotes will be required for equipment items that exceed $50,000. "]
[67,"2024-06-12","Application Content/Format","We have 7 subawardees and there are only 5 spots on the EERE submission site. Would you please share some advice about how we could upload all 7 subaward budget workbooks?\n\nWe also have one FFRDC partner whose budget workbook needs to be uploaded. However, the submission site required a PDF file, not an EXCEL file. What should we do?","EERE has updated EERE-Exchange to allow for the upload of up ten (10) Subrecipient Budget Justifications and to allow for the upload of up to five (5) Budgets and Authorizations for FFRDCS. Per FOA Section IV.D.xii. and xiii., \"Save the WP in a single PDF file using the following convention for the title “ControlNumber_LeadOrganization_WP” and Save the Authorization in a single PDF file using the following convention for the title “ControlNumber_LeadOrganization_FFRDCAuth”.\" "]
[68,"2024-11-12","Application Reviews","Is there an updated ETA for award decisions, for FOA-DE-0003209 ?","Full applications are still under review and we anticipate FOA selections in late Fall of 2024. Applicants will be notified when decisions are made."]
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