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["INSTRUCTIONS"]
[1,"All questions pertaining to this funding opportunity announcement should be emailed to PVRD@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 spreadhseet 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."]

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["ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTION AND ANSWER LOG"]
["DE-FOA0002985 - Materials, Operation, and Recycling of Photovoltaics (MORE PV)"]
["Question #","Date Submitted","Topic","Question","Answer"]
[1,"2023-07-24","Cost Sharing","Does the exemption from cost-share that applies to Universities also cover their partners/subcontractors  as long as the Leading University will have more than 50% of the total funding requested?","The exemption applies to projects that begin in the two years from August 2022 until August 2024.  If a project begins during this timeframe, the exemption applies for the duration of the project.  The waiver only applies to entities covered by the waiver. "]
[2,"2023-07-25","Cost Sharing","Are FRRDCs contributions to projects waived in regard to cost share match?","FFRDCs that are non-profits are covered by the cost share exemption (Please see Section IV.B for more details).  "]
[3,"2023-07-26","Cost Sharing","Is there a recording of the Informational Webinar regarding this FOA held on 7/26 available?","The webinar recording, slides, and transcript have been posted on the EERE Exchange site under DE-FOA-0002985. You can find this by following this link: https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/Default.aspx#FoaIdf053502d-52b4-4ea5-884e-2b158b356a43"]
[4,"2023-07-31","Application Content/Format","I cannot access the technical parameters needed for this FOA. Can you please help me access it to continue writing my proposal?","The FOA is posted on EERE Exchange: https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/Default.aspx#FoaIdf053502d-52b4-4ea5-884e-2b158b356a43"]
[5,"2023-07-26","Cost Sharing","In FOA-0002985 there is an exemption to universities of the cost-share is applicable for the 2-years starting in August 2022. Then how does this work for a 4 to 5-yr project in Topic 2?   ","The waiver only applies to entities covered by the waiver. "]
[6,"2023-07-31","Application Content/Format","Our organization has a deep interest in the PV end-of-life recycling process only. It is possible to participate in the DE-FOA-0002985?","Yes, the recycling process technologies are among the areas of interest of Topic Area 2 (see Section II.B.ii. Topic Area 2, of the FOA). The intent of Topic Area 2 is to support a partnership of multiple stakeholders, which would include data, analysis, working groups, and adoption and outreach in addition to technology development. Please consider partnering with other organizations that have complementary expertise to meet the objectives of the FOA. Also, please consider adding your organization's information to the FOA Teaming Partner List to help with team formation. See FOA section II.A.iii. Teaming Partner List, for additional information regarding the Teaming Partner List."]
[7,"2023-08-01","Eligibility","What is needed in the Letter of Intent? Is there a certain number of pages or words you look for? I have read submission instructions but would just like clarification. ","The Letter of Intent is entered into a form in EERE Exchange; it is not submitted as a separate document. The form has the following fields: Project Title, Abstract (max 4000 characters), Topic Area (select), UEI Number (enter N/A if you don't have one), Organization Type (select), Lead Organization, Lead Organization Percent Effort, Project Lead/PI Contact Information."]
[8,"2023-08-02","Cost Sharing","Regarding the Cost Share waiver, if the lead entity qualifies does that reduce the cost share for the whole project to 0% even if the partners receiving funding are not entities that qualify for a cost share waiver?","The waiver only applies to entities covered by the waiver. "]
[9,"2023-08-07","Other","Can you send me information on the requirement for the letter of intent for Biden grant program for the EV charging station?","No. This mailbox is used to answers questions only specific to the Funding Opportunity Announcement DE-EE0002985."]
[10,"2023-08-10","Eligibility","Is this funding opportunity open to research institutions/ academics outside of the USA?"," Please see Section IV. A. ii. Foreign Entities, of this FOA for details. "]
[11,"2023-08-10","Registration Requirements","Can I submit my proposal to the Q&A email address?","No. All proposals must be submitted via EERE Exchange and will not be considered otherwise. https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/Default.aspx#FoaIdf053502d-52b4-4ea5-884e-2b158b356a43"]
[12,"2023-08-11","Eligibility","Our entity is a subsidiary owned by an international company. Can we still apply?","It is incumbent on the Applicant to read the FOA and decide if they are eligible. Please see Section IV. A. ii Foreign Entities, of this FOA for further details. "]
[13,"2023-08-17","Application Content/Format","Are we required to focus on all four points listed under Areas of Interest in Topic Area 1 or can we select specific areas of interest within Topic Area 1","Applicants can select specific areas of interest within Topic Area 1."]
[14,"2023-08-16","Technical Topics","Are activities associated with Topic Area 2 solely designed to develop documents and guidance or would this funding offer the opportunity for an R&D project?","Yes, R&D towards Technological Solutions should constitute most of the effort in the proposed projects. Please refer to the detailed guidance on the content of proposals for Topic Area 2 in Section II.B.ii."]
[15,"2023-08-18","Eligibility","Our company is based outside the USA, can we still apply to this FOA?"," Please see Section IV. A. ii. Foreign Entities, of this FOA for details. "]
[16,"2023-08-15","Cost Sharing","Is the cost share exemption currently applicable, and would it extend to subrecipients?","The exemption applies to projects that begin in the two years from August 2022 until August 2024.  If a project begins during this timeframe, the exemption applies for the duration of the project.  The waiver only applies to entities covered by the waiver. "]
[17,"2023-08-17","Technical Topics","Are we required to focus on all four points listed under Areas of Interest in Topic Area 1 or can we select specific areas of interest within Topic Area 1?”","The applicants can select specific areas of interest within Topic Area 1.”"]
[18,"2023-08-24","Other","How do I add my business to the Teaming List for this FOA?","Once logged in to EERE Exchange (https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/), select \"Teaming Partners\" on the left side list of page options. From here you will select \"Submit Entry to Teaming Partner List\" and fill out the required information."]
[19,"2023-08-28","Cost Sharing","If the prime recipient qualifies for the cost share exemption, would a for-profit subrecipient be required to submit cost share?","The waiver only applies to entities covered by the waiver. This includes subrecipients."]
[20,"2023-08-28","Application Content/Format","For Topic 2, will you please clarify what is included in “outreach activities” that are eligible for 0% cost share?  For example, is it inclusive of all activities included in the “Adoption and Outreach” bullet on p. 25 of the FOA, e.g., technology transfer activities like public seminars and workshops?  Would the Working groups described on the same page also be considered outreach?","Outreach activities refer to the engagement with the broader community beyond the project team, e.g., to communicate the findings of the project (such as public seminars and workshops). If the working groups are composed of the members of the project team and do not engage with broader community, they will not be considered outreach activities."]
[21,"2023-08-28","Application Content/Format","For Topic 2, the FOA says that “approximately 80% of effort” should be technology solutions.  Do the first two activities on p. 25 of the FOA, i.e., establishing a publicly-accessible database and performing data analysis, count toward the 80%?  ","For Topic 2, technical work to develop the database and perform data analysis would be considered a part of the technology solution work if the analysis and database are helping to develop a technical solution to the articulated industry or community need."]
[22,"2023-08-28","Cost Sharing","Does the required 20% Cost Share for this FOA (Topic 2) need to be in cash, or is in-kind cost share allowable?","Please see Section IV. B.iii. Cost Share Types and Allowability, of this FOA."]
[23,"2023-08-28","Cost Sharing","If the cost share waiver applies to a teammate/subrecipient, does the waiver apply to all teams on the project?","No, the waiver only applies to entities covered by the waiver."]
[24,"2023-08-29",null,"On Section V.D of the FOA it state, \"Each Concept Paper must be limited to a single concept or technology” (first sentence of section V.D.) and “Applicants are encouraged to develop a multi-component or system solution rather than solely an improvement to a single component” (section II.B.i.Technological Solutions). What constitutes a concept versus a component for this FOA. For example, if we are considering work on two different and unrelated “components” of a PV module, is this considered two concepts for purposes of this FOA?","The components in section II.B.i. (Topic Area 1)Technological Solutions refer to components of the PV system. If the technological approach addresses several PV system components or ties them together in some way, it is considered a single concept or technology. A concept paper that contains two separate conceptual ideas and effectively presents a proposal for two separate projects is not considered eligible for this FOA (section V.D Content and Form of the Letter of intent)."]
[25,"2023-08-30","Foreign Entities/Work","Our subrecipient may not qualify as a domestic entity, can they still collaborate on the project?","Please see Section IV. A. ii. Foreign Entities, of this FOA."]
[26,"2023-08-30","Eligibility","Can an individual person apply to this FOA?","Individuals are eligible as For-profit or Non-profit entities."]
[27,"2023-08-30","Other","Where can I find the Q&A spreadsheet?","Once logged in to EERE Exchange (https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/), Please follow the link to this FOA. The Q&A can be found under \"Documents\" below the FOA Summary."]
[28,"2023-08-30","Technical Topics","Will work pertaining to technoeconomic and lifecycle inventory analysis be counted as a technology solution?","For Topic 2, technical work to develop the database and perform data, inventory, and/or technoeconomic analysis would be considered a part of the technology solution work if the analysis and database are helping to develop a technical solution to the articulated industry or community need."]
[29,"2023-08-30","Eligibility","The lead applicant submitted an LOI, do subrecipients need to also submit an LOI in support of this project?","No, only the Prime applicant  should submit an LOI. The mention of subrecipients in the application will suffice."]
[30,"2023-09-05","Other","How can I add my name to the Teaming list?","Once logged in to EERE Exchange (https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/), select \"Teaming Partners\" on the left side list of page options. From here, select \"Submit Entry to Teaming Partner List\" and fill out the required information."]
[31,"2023-09-06","Other","What is the purpose of the Teaming List? Is it available for applicants to find teaming partners and vice versa?","The teaming list is meant to help collaborate with others and find partners for their projects."]
[32,"2023-09-06","Due Dates","We missed the LOI deadline, can we still apply?","No, an LOI was required in order to apply to this FOA. Once the deadline has passed, new applicants are ineligible."]
[33,"2023-09-06","Registration Requirements","Can I submit my LOI to the Q&A mailbox?","No, all application material, including the LOI must be submitted at EERE-Exchange.energy.gov as directed on the FOA document."]
[34,"2023-09-07","Cost Sharing","If the Prime applicant qualifies for the Cost Share Waiver, will a subrecipient who does not qualify for the waiver need to contribute 20% cost share for the whole project, or just 20% of the industry partner's funds","The subrecipient will need to contribute 20% Cost Share only for their budgeted work, not the whole project."]
[35,"2023-09-07","Application Content/Format","In the eere-eXCHANGE tab to upload the concept paper, it appears that applicants have to list a cost share in order to apply, is that true?","Applicants must fill out all information required by the Exchange system."]
[36,"2023-09-08","Application Content/Format","For this proposal, it stipulates Calibri font which is a Microsoft font. Will you accept the open source font equivalent Carlito (which is visually the same) for those who do not have the Calibri font available to them?","In this instance, yes. "]
[37,"2023-09-11","Due Dates"," Is it too late to submit an application? I see that the Letter of Intent was due on 9/6/2023, but I can have the concept paper supplied by the 9/13/2023 deadline.  ","No, an LOI was required by the LOI deadline in order to apply to this FOA. Once the deadline has passed, new applicants are ineligible."]
[38,"2023-09-12",null,"Are there any research activities/tasks that funding cannot be used for? Example can funding be used field modules in desert conditions or for submitting prototype panels for testing services? Where in the FOA can I find this information. ","The FOA does not restrict specific tasks, as long as they are necessary to meet the goals of the FOA. It is up to the Applicant to determine applicability based on FOA's technical description. "]
[39,"2023-09-13","Registration Requirements","Can I submit my Concept Paper to the Q&A mailbox?","No, all application material, including the LOI and Concept Paper must be submitted at EERE-Exchange.energy.gov by the deadline as directed on the FOA document. No other method will be accepted."]
[40,"2023-09-23","Other","Can you send me the FOA PDF for another funding announcement?","No, this mailbox is only used for questions regarding DE-FOA-2985."]
[41,"2023-09-29","Other","I have aq good idea for a project, can you direct me to which Funding Opportunity will best match my idea?","No, this mailbox is only used for questions regarding DE-FOA-2985."]
[42,"2023-10-23",null,"Could you please provide me with a time frame when we can expect a feedback on our concept paper that our project team has submitted for the FOA MORE PV?","Concept Paper determinations and feedback were posted to Exchange on 10/20/23. Once logged in to Exchange, navigate to \"My Submissions\" for more information."]
[43,"2023-10-24",null,"Ho do I read the Q&A spreadsheet?","Please navigate to https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/Default.aspx#FoaIdf053502d-52b4-4ea5-884e-2b158b356a43\nBelow the FOA summary, you will find the Q&A spreadsheet under \"Documents\" ."]
[44,"2023-10-24","Other","I have an idea for a Solar project, can you send me info on which grants I should apply to?","No, this mailbox is only used for questions regarding DE-FOA-2985."]
[45,"2023-10-25","Labs/FFRDCs","Are DOE/NNSA FFRDCs required to submit the SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form? Other recent SETO Funding Opportunities have not required the SF-LLL to be submitted by FFRDCs.","Yes. Recipients and Subrecipients are required to submit the SF-LLL, regardless of the organization. Please see Section V.E.xiv"]
[46,"2023-10-25","Labs/FFRDCs","When participating in the role of a Subrecipient, are FFRDCs who are funded independently of the remainder of the project team required to submit Subrecipient Budget Justification, even if the funding exceeds 25% or $250k, or does the DOE Work Proposal meet the requirements for FFRDC budget documentation?","Subrecipient Budget Justification is required if the funding exceeds 25% or $250K for any type of subrecipient (FOA Section V.E.xi.Subrecipeint Budget Justification)."]
[47,"2023-10-25","Labs/FFRDCs","Are FFRDCs required to submit Letters of Commitment to Prime partners when participating as a subrecipient, or does the FFRDC Authorization from Cognizant Contracting Officer suffice?","Letters of Commitments are required for subrecipients providing cost share (FOA Section V.E.iv Letters of Commitment). If FFRDC is not providing cost share, the Letter of Commitment is not required."]
[48,"2023-11-02","Application Content/Format","For Topic 2, the FOA says that “approximately 80% of effort” should be technology solutions.  Do the first two activities on p. 25 of the FOA, i.e., establishing a publicly-accessible database and performing data analysis, count toward the 80%?  ","Yes. "]
[49,"2023-11-08","Other","In the FOA document, it says “DOE generally uses cooperative agreements to provide financial and other support to prime recipients.” Does it mean that the prime recipient receives the full budget money and then has to transfer the money to subrecipients?”","Yes."]
[50,"2023-11-08","Labs/FFRDCs","I am a FFRDC that will be a subrecipient to a non-FFRDC sponsor who will respond to the FOA. Does the Letter of Eligibility need to be addressed to someone at SETO? If so, who and what is the address to be used? Or should it be addressed to the subrecipient?","The FFRDC Authorization letter should be addressed to the prime recipient."]
[51,"2023-11-08",null,"We are a nonprofit organization and are exempt from the cost share portion but will have for profit subs.  Does the exemption flow down to all of our subs or do for profit organizations need to contribute a portion of the cost share.  I am currently working with submitting another proposal with DOE with this same cost share waiver and guidance from DOE states if the Prime is exempt then the cost share waiver flows down to all subs and they are exempt from providing cost share.  However, questions and answers to this FOA state differently to the guidance provided on that FOA yet they are the same cost share waiver guidance and numbers.","The waiver only applies to entities covered by the waiver and does not flow down to subrecipients. "]
[52,"2023-11-08",null,"If the project was awarded and started after August 2024 depending on when negotiations are complete etc, does the waiver still apply?  Example, Fully executed award was made on 9/1/2024 and work commenced on same date.  Is the waiver still valid?  ","The exemption applies to projects that begin in the two years from August 2022 until August 2024.  If a project begins during this timeframe, the exemption applies for the duration of the project.  "]
[53,"2023-11-10",null,"can one of our industry partners provide as cost-share the purchase of major equipment necessary for the overall project success?  And if the answer is Yes, would then these equipment stay with the purchaser after the 4-5 yr duration of the project as they will be needed for post-project activities serving the FOA scope? ","Please see section VII.B.xvii Real Property and Equipment, of the FOA."]
[54,"2023-11-10","Application Content/Format","can federal funds be used for purchase of equipment necessary for the implementation of the proposed project","Yes."]
[55,"2023-11-10","Application Content/Format","I'd like to request a description of the scope of the project and other terms.","Please review DE-FOA-0002985 for full details of the FOA."]
[56,"2023-11-13","Cost Sharing","For a Topic 1 proposal with total project cost of $1M, where the Prime Recipient is a non-profit organization with a $600k budget and there is one for-profit subrecipient with a $400k budget, is the minimum cost share amount for this project $0 or is it $80k","The waiver only applies to entities covered by the waiver. In this case, it would be $80,000."]
[57,"2023-11-14","Due Dates","Can you issue an extension for letter concept submission?","No. The deadline has already passed."]
[58,"2023-11-15","Application Content/Format","Please let us know how we can add a fourth budget period to our spreadsheet.","A Budget Justification template extending up to 5 budget periods is now available in Exchange under \"application forms and templates\"."]
[59,"2023-11-15","Cost Sharing","Two of our subrecipients are not covered by the waiver. Does the 20% cost share still have to be matched for the funds that they receive? ","Yes."]
[60,"2023-11-15","Application Content/Format","We are currently working on our Budget Justification for DOE-FOE-0002985 and I noticed the Instructions and Summary Tab only goes to Budget Period 3. Our project is expected to go for 4 years. May I alter the spreadsheet to have a Budget Period 4?","A Budget Justification template extending up to 5 budget periods is now available in Exchange under \"application forms and templates\"."]
[61,"2023-11-20","Due Dates","When are the Full Applications due?","The due date has been extended to 11/30/23 at 5:00PM ET, as stated on the FOA Modification 000001."]
[62,"2023-11-02","Cost Sharing","For Topic 2, will you please clarify what is included in “outreach activities” that are eligible for 0% cost share?  For example, is it inclusive of all activities included in the “Adoption and Outreach” bullet on p. 25 of the FOA, e.g., technology transfer activities like public seminars and workshops?  Would the Working groups described on the same page also be considered outreach?","Yes, all of those activities should be considered outreach and have a 0% cost share.  "]
[62,"2024-05-13","Due Dates","When can we expect to hear back on our application?","Updated Expected Date for DOE Selection Notifications: June 2024 \nUpdated Expected Timeframe for Award Negotiations: June – August 2024 "]
[63,"2024-07-11","Due Dates","When can we expect to hear back on our application?","Updated Expected Date for DOE Selection Notifications:  July 2024 \nUpdated Expected Timeframe for Award Negotiations: July – September 2024 "]
[64,"2024-07-26","Due Dates","When can we expect to hear back on our application?","Updated Expected Date for DOE Selection Notifications: August 2024 \nUpdated Expected Timeframe for Award Negotiations: August – October 2024 "]
[65,"2024-08-21","Due Dates","When can we expect to hear back on our application?","Updated Expected Date for DOE Selection Notifications: September 2024 \nUpdated Expected Timeframe for Award Negotiations: September – November 2024 "]

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["Pick List"]
[]
["Registration Requirements"]
["Webinar"]
["Concept Paper"]
["Eligibility"]
["Labs/FFRDCs"]
["Foreign Entities/Work"]
["Cost Sharing"]
["Due Dates"]
["Application Content/Format"]
["Intellectual Property"]
["Data Management"]
["Other"]
["U.S. Manufacturing Plan"]
["Application Reviews"]
["Technical Topics"]