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["INSTRUCTIONS"]
[1,"All questions pertaining to this funding opportunity announcement should be emailed to H2FCFOA@ee.doe.gov."]
[2,"All questions pertaining to EERE Exchange should be emailed to EERE-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov. Include NOFO name and number in subject line."]
[3,"All questions and answers pertaining to this NOFO 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-FOA0003439 - Advanced Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies to Drive National Goals"]
["Question #","Date Submitted","Topic","Question","Answer"]
[1,"2024-10-23","Other","If I provide a white paper abstract to review, will HFTO let me know if I should submit a concept paper? ","No, HFTO is unable to review or have direct communication with potential applicants."]
[2,"2024-10-23","Application Content/Format","We believe our project aligns with DE-FOA-0003438, can you provide us with the format and guidelines to edit and submit our application?","You may access the guidelines for submission in EERE eXCHANGE under the Funding Opportunities option and navigating to Announcement Number DE-FOA-0003439."]
[3,"2024-10-24","Registration Requirements","Is there a way to add my information to the teaming partners list?","You may access the Teaming Partner List in eXCHANGE under the Funding Opportunities option using Announcment Number DE-FOA-0003439 or TPL-0000058 or under the Teaming Partners List option."]
[4,"2024-10-24","Technical Topics","Please advise if the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Offices NOFO Number: DE-FOA-0003439 Topic #2 applies to a mobility liquid hydrogen pump reliability, maintenance, and life testing program necessary to identify and implement design and material improvements.  If not, is there another grant program that will include liquid hydrogen pump development and improvement testing plans?","No, this NOFO Topic does not apply to liquid hydrogen pump development and/or improvement testing. However, material development and testing suitable and compatible for that application could be eligible. HFTO recommends reviewing the EERE eXCHANGE website for other appropriate funding opportunities."]
[5,"2024-10-24","Other","Can an application include Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) information provided the applicant obtains written approval from the entity that funded the project which originated the CUI to include this information in the application for DE-FOA-0003439?","As an Executive Branch Agency, DOE can receive CUI in an application provided that the applicant is authorized to disclose it and the information is appropriately marked. Please also review the DISCLAIMER on page 5 of the NOFO Part 1 on proprietary information."]
[6,"2024-10-25","Eligibility","Can national laboratories that are part of the H-Mat consortia be partners on topic 2B?","DOE and non-DOE FFRDCs are eligible subrecipients as long as there is no conflict of interest present. National labs that are consortia members are not categorically ineligible, but EERE may deem specific concept papers as ineligible where a clear conflict of interest is identified. Individuals who are currently supported by H-Mat should not be included as project partners in the proposed budget or be involved in application development outside of the required consortia collaboration. \n\nApplicants are encouraged to visit the H-Mat website (https://h-mat.org) to identify expertise, capabilities, or facilities that would benefit their proposed project, and the proposed activities should be included in the application's Technical Volume and SOPO. Funding for consortia activities will be provided by DOE in a separate action, and National laboratories that are part of the H-Mat consortia should not be included as partners in the project budget.  "]
[7,"2024-10-25","Eligibility"," Can national laboratories that are part of the Million Mile Fuel Cell Truck (M2FCT) consortia be partners on topic 3?","DOE and non-DOE FFRDCs are eligible subrecipients as long as there is no conflict of interest present. National labs that are consortia members are not categorically ineligible, but EERE may deem specific concept papers as ineligible where a clear conflict of interest is identified. Co-directors and Deputy Directors who are currently supported by M2FCT should not be included as project partners in the proposed budget or be involved in application development outside of the required consortia collaboration. \n\nApplicants are encouraged to visit the M2FCT website (https://millionmilefuelcelltruck.org) to identify expertise, capabilities, or facilities that would benefit their proposed project, and the proposed activities should be included in the application's Technical Volume and SOPO. Funding for consortia activities will be provided by DOE in a separate action, and National laboratories that are part of the M2FCT consortia should not be included as partners in the project budget.  "]
[8,"2024-10-28","Other","I am trying to access the NOFO document’s part 1 and 2 for grant DE-FOA-0003439 but cannot open the files on the EERE-Exchange website. Is there some place else where I can view the documents?","The hyperlinks in the Documents section will initiate file downloads to your default downloads folder which is often the \"Downloads\" folder on your computer. If you are attempting to open the pdf in your browser, Adobe may show an error. This can be corrected by opening the pdf directly in Adobe from your downloads folder. Please contact Exchange Support for more help at EERE-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov"]
[9,"2024-10-29","Foreign Entities/Work","I’d like to apply for HFTO DE-FOA-0003439 and I may have a research partner from a university in a foreign country. Could you please let me know if this is allowed, and if yes is there a limit on their share in the project?","Please see Section II.A.3. Foreign Entity Participation on page 7 of the NOFO Part 1. In general, foreign entities are not eligible to apply as either a recipient or subrecipient. In limited circumstances, DOE may approve a waiver to allow a foreign entity to participate as a recipient or subrecipient. "]
[10,"2024-10-29","Technical Topics","If we apply for this call using a photocatalysis process project this could be considered? Or you suggest to wait for different calls more specific on the photosynthetic process (possibly also in future calls)?\n","As stated in the NOFO, for Topic 1, Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Device Scale Up, PEC systems of Type II (Dual Bed Particle Systems), Type III (Planar Array Systems), and Type IV (Solar Concentrator Systems) are of interest. All technologies that fall within these categories will be considered."]
[11,"2024-10-29","Foreign Entities/Work","Could we apply based in a foreign country as an exception for the moment and eventually in the second phase discuss the possibility to move to US the project?","Please reference the answer to Question 9."]
[12,"2024-10-29","Technical Topics","I’m referring to the NOFO 3439, Topic 3, High Temp membrane for heavy duty transportation applications. We have a membrane technology we’d developed for use in aqueous flow batteries. However, the actual functionality of this flow battery is actually basically a fuel cell with halogen instead.  Thus, I would characterize us as ‘mostly’ a fuel cell, but certainly not in the traditional parlance.  We wanted to check whether it was worth putting in a concept paper or if you would prefer to have the traditional fuel cell as a hard line for this sort of project. We believe the membrane would fulfill the rest of the requirements, this is a system we’ve already started speccing out for trains/large ships as possible future markets.","The membrane technology must be applicable to traditional hydrogen proton exchange membrane fuel cells with membrane electrode assemblies.  "]
[13,"2024-10-31","Cost Sharing","Can a large team be built with multiple partners in which the required federal funding request would be more than the anticipated $2M-$3M, as described in the funding table on page 15 of the FOA? Or would such a proposal be considered non-compliant? ","The federal share in a proposed project budget should not exceed the maximum federal funding per award as outlined in NOFO Part One, Section III.F. General Information for All Topics. The applicant's cost share may exceed the required percentage for the topic to accommodate the increase in the proposed project budget. Additionally, application review Criterion 1: Technical Merit, Innovation, and Impact and Criterion 3: Team and Resources will evaluate the reasonableness of the budget and spend plan for the proposed project and objectives."]
[14,"2024-11-05","Technical Topics","Topic 3: I see that you specifically phosphoric acid and PBI-PA membranes as not of interest but would QAPOH-PA (quaternized Diels-Alder poly(phenylene)s - Phosphoric Acid) membrane demonstrations be of interest?","Under this topic, EERE is not interested in applications focused primarily on: electrolyte materials for solid oxide fuel cells, molten carbonate fuel cells, phosphoric acid fuel cells, polybenzimidazole-type phosphoric-acid fuel cells, and alkaline anion exchange membranes."]
[15,"2024-11-05","Technical Topics","Topic 3: There is a limit of up to 120 °C mentioned, is that a hard limit? As there are advantages to operating at higher temperature, say, up to 180 °C would that be considered as part for this program?","Operation above 120°C for the membrane technology is acceptable but not required. "]
[16,"2024-11-07","Eligibility","Can a national lab, specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), participate as a subrecipient in this proposal?","The National Institute of Standards and Technology is an eligible subrecipient for all topics under this NOFO. Please review the guidelines set forth in Section II.D. FFRDC Eligibility Criteria on page 9 of the NOFO Part 1."]
[17,"2024-11-07","Eligibility","To clarify Question 7, are all national labs participating in the M2FCT consortia ineligible to receive funding for proposals on Topic 3?","National labs participating in the M2FCT consortia are eligible as subrecipients under Topic 3, provided there is no conflict of interest present. A conflict of interest may be present if the proposed work would be duplicative, laboratory personnel responsibility to provide unbiased services were potentially compromised, or they have an unfair advantage over other applicants by nature of their performance. Under this scenario, the national lab activities and funding in the proposal must be outside the expertise, capabilities, and facilities of the M2FCT consortium and cannot include Co-Directors or Deputy Directors supported by the consortium. \nTo further clarify, collaboration with the M2FCT consortium is a requirement for Topic 3 proposals. The proposed expertise, capabilities, and/or facilities of the consortium must be included in the work proposal, however, the funding for these activities (e.g. MEA integration and performance validation listed under General Requirements) will be provided in a separate action from DOE and should not be included in the project budget. As stated in the NOFO, the FFRDC effort, in aggregate, shall not exceed 25% of the total project cost. The national lab(s) may be allocated up 25% of the proposed budget, and this limit does not include the funds that will be provided to the consortium to support selected projects. \n[Further clarfication] If any national lab were to participate, funding for this project should center around the development of the proposed membrane/ionomer technology. Any work asked of M2FCT should not be included in budget justification. Please note a proposed budget is not final and, if selected, the budget may be negotiated as appropriate. "]
[18,"2024-11-12","Other","Our organization is currently listed as inactive within the Sam.gov site. We are in the process of renewing our status to be active, do we need to have an active status by the time of the concept paper submission? Or could we submit an opportunity as long as our activation is in process?","Organizations should submit concept papers regardless of Sam.gov registration status. Please review the guidelines set forth in Section I. Get Registered on page 6 of the NOFO Part 2."]
[19,"2024-11-14","Eligibility","I’m a senior engineer with at a German-based parent company but working in India. My specialization is on Hydrogen Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines power train system. As a part of our competency enhancement our group is actively participating in fundings related to Hydrogen technology. I found DE-FOA-0003439 – Topic 4: Domestic Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Motorcoach Bus Development and Demonstration. It would be helpful if you let me know the eligibility criteria for applying for this funding scheme at the earliest possible. I have a well prepared proposal for this. So I can apply without missing the deadline.","Eligibility criteria are detailed in Section II. Eligibility, starting on page 6 of the NOFO Part 1. Generally, Domestic entities are eligible to apply as recipients or subrecipients. 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 or under the laws of the United States; have majority domestic ownership and control; and have a physical place of business in the United States. For foreign entity and work information, please see specifically Section II.A.3. Foreign Entity Participation on page 7 of the NOFO Part 1. In general, foreign entities are not eligible to apply as either a recipient or subrecipient. In limited circumstances, DOE may approve a waiver to allow a foreign entity to participate as a recipient or subrecipient. All work for the awards under this NOFO must be performed in the United States. To request a waiver of this requirement, the applicant must submit an explicit waiver request in the application. Absent an approved waiver, such costs will not be allowable under the award. The NOFO Part 2, Section IV.B. Application Content Requirements lists the requirements for submission of a foreign work waiver request."]
[20,"2024-11-15","Technical Topics","For Topic 1, on page 13, it states, \"Solar concentrators may also be included,but the area of the solar concentrator should not be included in the device area requirement.\"  However, in a solar-to-hydrogen (STH) efficiency calculation for a solar concentrator PEC system (Type IV), the area used to calculate the STH efficiency is the area of the concentrator.  As written, this seems to discourage Type IV systems which contradicts the earlier statement that \"Proposals involving both planar (Types III and IV) and particle (Type II) PEC systems will be considered\".  Could you please provide clarification that the area of the solar concentrator can be used meet the device area requirement because the concentrator area is the area that is used in an STH efficiency calculation?","As stated in the NOFO, for Topic 1, Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Device Scale Up, \"Solar concentrators may also be included, but the area of the solar concentrator should not be included in the device area requirement.\" This may not include the collector area. The purpose of this topic is to encourage the manufacture of large area photoelectrodes. If concentrators are needed to reach performance metrics, “a rate of at least 1 g/h hydrogen production,” then they are welcome, but the “proposed PEC reactor demonstrations must include device areas of at least 2,500 cm2, not including solar concentration area.” The concentrator area may be used in any STH efficiency calculations but there is no STH efficiency requirement. "]
[21,"2024-11-16","Technical Topics","Is development of new ceramic coating materials for preventing hydrogen diffusion in steels a topic of interest in this FOA? Only information given is about the polymers and metals and thus the question.","As stated in the NOFO, for Topic 2B, High-Performance Materials Compatible for Use in Hydrogen Service in Collaboration with H-Mat, “Alternative materials classes may be proposed, provided that sufficient justification is given to assess the viability of the concept.” Ceramic coating materials are therefore acceptable for this NOFO topic. "]
[22,"2024-11-15","Other","With respect to the Advanced Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies to Drive National Goals Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Number: DE-FOA-0003439, is there a defined size standard for the work identifying as a Small Business or a Women Owned Small Business?  We may be overlooking it but were not able to locate this information in the NOFO documents.","Typically, independently owned enterprises with fewer than 500 employees may be considered a small business. More specifically, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) defines small business by firm revenue and by employment for different industries. SBA’s Table of Size Standards (https://www.sba.gov/document/support-table-size-standards) provides definitions for North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. A Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) is a small business that is at least 51% percent unconditionally and directly owned and controlled by one or more women who are United States citizens. Additionally, a WOSB has a woman manage the day-to-day operations, make long-term deci­sions for the business, hold the highest officer position in the business and work at the business full-time during normal working hours."]
[23,"2024-11-20","Due Dates","I came across the NOFO for DE-FOA-0003439 today and do not have the ability to turn around a concept paper for this in one hours time.  May we have an extension on this?","Concept papers are required to be submitted by the specified due date and time as stated in NOFO Part 1, I.A. Key Facts. We are unable to provide any extensions for submission. "]
[24,"2024-11-21","Due Dates","Yesterday, there was a miscommunication within the team regarding who would submit the concept paper. At the last moment, I was not able to submit it. I was wondering if we may have an extension for this submission. Please see the email message below that I sent around 5 p.m. yesterday.","Please reference the answer to Question 23."]
[25,"2024-12-10","Application Content/Format","Part Two of the NOFO states a PMP template is available in eXCHANGE. However, it is not located with the other posted documents. Is there a template available for the PMP? If yes, will it be posted with the other documents?","NOFO Part 2 is a fixed DOE document including requirements that generally do not change from NOFO to NOFO. In this case, a standalone Project Management Plan (PMP) as indicated in NOFO Part 2, Section IV.B.5 is not a requirement for this NOFO. Applicants should reference NOFO Part 1, Section IV.C.3 for Technical Volume requirements related to project management content."]
[26,"2024-12-13","Concept Paper","When are concept paper decisions expected?","All concept paper decisions are now available in Exchange."]
[27,"2024-12-17","Foreign Entities/Work","Can a foreign entity provide eligible cash cost share?","Foreign entities are not restricted from contributing cost share, provided applicants adhere to the guidelines set forth in Section II.A.4. Unallowable cost Share Sources, on Page 9 of the NOFO Part 2. See also Section II.B.2. Entity of Concern Prohibition, on page 11 of the NOFO Part 2. For information on foreign entity participation beyond providing cost share, please also refer to Sections IV.B.11. Waiver for Foreign Entity Participation, on page 21, and IV.B.12. Performance of Work in the United States (Foreign Work Waiver), on page 22 of the NOFO Part 2. For additional application requirements related to foreign entities affiliated with a proposed award, please see Sections VI.B.21. Transparency of Foreign Connections on page 35, VIII.A.12. Prohibition Related to Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs, on page 61, VIII.A.13. Foreign Collaboration Considerations, on page 63, and VI.A.5. Due Diligence Review for Research, Technology and Economic Security (RTES), on page 49 of the NOFO Part 2. Applicants are encouraged to consult the Deputy Energy Secretary's Memorandum on Department of Energy Research, Technology, and Economic Security Framework for Financial Assistance and Loan Activities, publicly posted in December 2024, to better understand DOE's RTES goals, processes, high-level risk factors, and commitment to mitigation (https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2024-11/DOE%20RTES%20Framework%20Memorandum%2011.26.2024.pdf)."]
[28,"2024-12-17","Other","Can you please tell me if this opportunity will be relaunched in the coming year(s)? ","The DOE applied R&D offices, including the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO), periodically release Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) to solicit proposal applications for projects in line with the Office’s mission. HFTO then selects projects to fund based on a merit review process that includes industry and technology experts. There is typically an annual NOFO release for HFTO, but occasionally special NOFOs may also be released, all dependent on Congressional appropriations and including specific language directing the office to carry out certain activities. Current NOFO announcements can be found here: https://www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/hydrogen-and-fuel-cell-technologies-office-funding-opportunities, and complete list of past HFTO FOA topics is available here: https://www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/hydrogen-and-fuel-cell-technologies-office-closed-funding-opportunities. "]
[29,"2024-12-17","Cost Sharing","Can expenses associated with building a Hydrogen Refueling Station to support the coach be used as cost share?","Yes, expenses associated with building a Hydrogen refueling station to support a hydrogen fuel cell coach demonstration can be a part of the project and could be proposed as project expenses to meet the required cost share."]
[30,"2024-12-18","Application Content/Format","Can we reassign the individuals and role assignments from the concept paper in the full application, or do these individual-role assignments need to match the concept paper exactly? For example, we would like to reassign somebody listed as co-principal investigator in the concept paper as the principal investigator in the full application. The individual listed principal investiagor from the concept paper will be reassigned to co-principal investigator in the full application.","Yes. Elements proposed in concept papers may evolve during the development of an application provided the submission describes the same concept, technology, and/or project. If an application is selected for award negotiations, the proposed PI/co-PI changes may be addressed at that point. You may also contact EERE eXCHANGE support at EERE-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov to attempt to change the PI and co-PI in eXCHANGE prior to submitting your application."]
[31,"2024-12-18","Cost Sharing","Are there any specific conditions that would apply to using capital and labor expenses for a fueling station as cost share, such as pro-rating the value of the station over the period of coach operations and the term of the DOE contract? ","DOE requires prime recipients to contribute the cost share amount incrementally over the life of the award. The frequency will be determined by the Grants and Agreements Office during award negotiations. At a minimum, the prime recipient must meet the cost share requirement on a Budget Period basis."]
[32,"2024-12-20","Labs/FFRDCs","The FOA states, “For topics that require collaboration with a national laboratory consortium (e.g., HydroGEN, H-Mat, M2FCT), proposed consortium activities should not be included in the project budget.”\n\nIs it correct to assume that the maximum proposed budget for work with these national laboratory consortia should NOT exceed “$500,000 or 25% of the total work effort”? If this assumption is incorrect, is there a specific limit on the budget for such consortium collaborations?","No budget should be proposed for consortium activities. This funding is provided to consortia separately, at levels subject to appropriations and other program activities. Applicants should propose activities in collaboration with consortia as described in the specific topic area requirements, but not budget for these activities."]
[33,"2024-12-25","Labs/FFRDCs","We would like to receive clarification on the funding to a national lab partner which is part of the DOE H-MAT consortium. \n \nPage 16 of the NOFO states that \"For topics that require collaboration with a national laboratory consortium (e.g., HydroGEN, H-Mat, M2FCT), proposed consortium activities should not be included in the project budget. Non-consortium national laboratory activities should be included in the proposed budget where the national laboratory is a subrecipient.” \n \nWe understand the H-MAT consortium has specific R&D activities that have been already planned out in its program and AOP. In our case, we would utilize the R&D capability/resource of a H-MAT consortium national lab (its unique hydrogen testing facility and expertise) to support our proposed R&D. But our proposed R&D at the national lab, although contributing to the mission of H-MAT, appears to be outside the existing consortium activities (i.e., not under the existing H-Mat scope funded by DOE). Thus, would our proposed work at the national lab be considered to be H-Mat collaboration, but under the definition of “non-consortium national lab activities”? If yes, would this national lab be considered as a subrecipient in our proposal, and receive additional fund directly from DOE (in addition to the DOE fund to support its existing H-MAT work) to support the proposed work at national lab?","If proposed work at a national lab is outside of the existing H-Mat consortium activities, then they would be considered a subrecipient and should be include in the FFRDC portion of the Contractual tab of the budget justification. If the national lab will also engage in work related to existing H-Mat consortium activities, these activities would be funded in a separate action and should not be included in the budget justification. "]
[34,"2024-12-25","Cost Sharing","In response to Question 29, you’ve indicated that DOE will allow cost share associated with infrastructure improvements (HRS and facility upgrades). For further clarification, will DOE also allow the use of grant funds to reimburse expenses associated with upgrading maintenance facilities (mechanical and electrical upgrades and installation of detection and alarm systems) to safely work indoors on the fuel cell coach(es)?","Yes, maintenance facility upgrades may qualify as project expenses provided they support the scope of work proposed. Please refer to NOFO Part 1, Section VIII.A.1 Real Property and Equipment and NOFO Part 2, Section VIII.A.6 Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Financing Statements for additional requirements related to equipment, if applicable."]
[35,"2024-12-25","Cost Sharing","If the submitted budget includes a cost-share task in which the actual expense turns out to be less than what was budgeted, thereby reducing the overall percentage cost share for the project proposed in the application, but not less than the required 50%, would DOE pro-rate and reduce the amount of the awarded grant to maintain the same percentage cost share as proposed?","Projects selected for award negotiation may adjust budgets during the negotiation period and, if actual invoiced expenses during the project performance period are less than the budget amount, the difference may be used for other budget categories as stipulated in the award's special terms and conditions. A formal budget modification may be required during the project performance period depending on the level of funding category change."]
[36,"2024-12-29","Labs/FFRDCs","Topic 2b mandates collaboration with the H-Mat team. Page 26 of the NOFO reads “DOE will provide additional funding directly to the H-Mat national laboratory partners for their collaborative support of the awarded projects; proposed budgets should not include funds associated with the use of these H-Mat resources.”\n\nIs there is a limit of the budget DOE intends to give the H-Mat partners? Knowing this would help us plan research accordingly.","The funding amount provided to the H-Mat consortium is subject to final FY25 appropriations. In general, projects should propose H-Mat activities that are commensurate to the overall scope of the project, and the majority of the proposed research activities should be conducted outside of H-Mat, with H-Mat collaboration as a supplementary element."]
[37,"2024-12-31","Cost Sharing","If we are proposing to build a $3 million hydrogen refueling station to support the prototype coach, and the expenses incurred for the HRS are incurred during the same time period that the prototype coach is being built, is it possible to use the full amount of the $3 million as in-kind cost share for the coach project?","Yes, the proposed hydrogen refueling station to support the motorcoach bus would qualify as cost share expenses during the project performance period. The expenses related to the hydrogen refueling station should be included in the budget justification tabs, not simply listed as cost share (i.e., expenses for equipment/supplies/contractors/etc should be captured in the budget). It is also worth mentioning that a hydrogen refueling station is not the focus of this topic, and should reflect support for the proposed motorcoach bus development and demonstration in the application, not the other way around."]
[38,"2025-01-03","Labs/FFRDCs","I have a couple of questions regarding documents that need to be submitted by FFRDCs under NOFO DE-FOA-0003439.  First, are they required to submit a Letter of Commitment?  Second, are they required to submit the SF-LLL?  In the instructions, it sounds like everyone on the team has to submit these documents. Is it generally the case under EERE NOFOs that FFRDCs do not need to submit the SF-LLL, budget justification, or Letter of Commitment?","FFRDCs are not required to submit a Letter of Commitment, SF-LLL, or separate subrecipient budget justification. In place of these application documents, FFRDCs should submit a formal DOE Work Proposal (DOE O 412.1A) and Authorization for FFRDCs. The applicant's budget justification should include the FFRDC lab funding details in the Contractual tab*. For planning purposes, tt may be helpful for the applicant to use a separate subrecipient budget justification for FFRDCs but it is not required to be submitted in the application.\n\n*This excludes labs where their role is limited to consortia activities under H-Mat or M2FCT that are separately funded by DOE."]
[39,"2025-01-03","Application Content/Format","In reviewing the list of required documents for this NOFO, as shown in EERE eXCHANGE, I see the Current and Pending (Other) Support Common Form.  Are we required to use this form or can we use the NSF form in SciENcv?  Also, on the second to last page (unnumbered) of the form, there is a Privacy Act and Burden Statement.  In the event that the SciENcv form can be used, do we need to attach the Privacy Act and Burden Statement separately along with the Certification Statement listed on p. 32 of Part 2 of the NOFO?","Applicants are not required to use the Current and Pending (Other) Support Common Form in EERE eXCHANGE, this is a template provided for convenience. You may use the NSF form in SciENcv, provided it captures all relevant data as outlined in NOFO Part 2. Section IV.B.18 Current and Pending Support. The Certification Statement as provided in NOFO Part 2 is required to be included with the Current and Pending Support documentation, the Privacy Act and Burden Statement is optional."]
[40,"2025-01-03","Labs/FFRDCs","1.\tNOFO Part I Section II.D specifies that the value and funding for DOE FFRDCs' contributions to a project are not typically included in the award, as DOE FFRDCs are funded directly through the DOE Work Authorization process (per DOE O 412.1A). Given this, is a Subrecipient Budget Justification required for DOE FFRDCs performing part of the work, in addition to the DOE Work Plan and Authorization Letter? Our understanding, based on previous DOE responses and the guidance in the budget justification template (Contractual Tab #4), is that Subrecipient Budget Justifications are not necessary for FFRDCs, irrespective of budget size.\n2.\tDOE prohibits FFRDCs from engaging in lobbying activities to influence federal officials regarding grants or contracts. As such, are FFRDCs required to submit a signed SF-LLL if there are no lobbying activities to report?\n3.\tAccording to NOFO Part II Section IV.B.10, DOE FFRDCs must submit an Authorization Letter as part of the proposal package. For DOE FFRDCs not contributing cost share, is a Letter of Commitment also required? Previous DOE FAQs suggest that Letters of Commitment are only mandatory for subrecipients providing cost share.","Please reference the answer to question 38."]
[41,"2025-01-03","Application Content/Format","Does the page limit for the technical volume (15 pages for Topics 1, 2 and 3) include the cover page? Or is it 15 pages + cover page?","As stated in Section IV.C.3. Technical Volume (page 40) of the NOFO Part 1: \"For Topics 1, 2, and 3, the Technical Volume to the application may not be more than 15 pages, including the cover page, table of contents, and all citations, charts, graphs, maps, photos, or other graphics, and must include all information below. For Topic 4, the Technical Volume to the application may not be more than 20 pages, including the cover page, table of contents, and all citations, charts, graphs, maps, photos, or other graphics, and must include all information below.\""]
[42,"2025-01-03","Eligibility","We contacted a company requesting their participation in our proposal before the concept paper submission. However, they responded with their willingness to participate in this NOFO after the due date for the concept paper submission was passed. Therefore, we could not include them in the concept papers.\n\nI am just wondering if we can include them as our collaborator in full application? ","Yes, elements proposed in concept papers may evolve during the development of an application provided the submission describes the same concept, technology, and/or project. This includes the addition and/or removal of project partners."]
[43,"2025-01-06","Foreign Entities/Work","The NOFO reads “All work for the awards under this NOFO must be performed in the United States. To request a waiver of this requirement, the applicant must submit an explicit waiver request in the application.”\n\nWould we still need a waiver if we request using a user-facility located in a European country at no cost?","Yes, any work occuring outside of the U.S. should include a Foreign Work Waiver. Please refer to NOFO Part 2. Section IV.B.12 Performance of Work in the United States for specific requirements."]
[44,"2025-01-06","Labs/FFRDCs","For topic 2b, we are asked to work with the H-Mat team. Do we need to include a letter of commitment from them? If yes, are there other documents we need from the H-Mat team? ","Letters of Commitment, FFRDC Authorizations, and DOE Work Proposals for FFRDC are not required for the H-Mat team's activities. Applications should outline the proposed R&D activities for the H-Mat laboratory in the Technical Volume and Statement of Project Objectives."]
[45,"2025-01-07","Application Content/Format","On page 3 in funding details, the approximate dollar amount of individual awards is listed as “up to $1,000,000 to $3,000,000” for all of Topic 2. On page 16 in Anticipated Funding and Project Details, the federal funding per award for Topic 2B is listed as “$1,000,000 to $2,000,000”. Can you please clarify what the funding ceiling is for Topic 2B projects?","Proposals submitted to Topic 2b should not exceed $2,000,000 in federal funding. Proposals submitted to Topic 2a should not exceed $3,000,000 in federal funding."]
[46,"2025-01-07","Labs/FFRDCs","For topic B2, we are asked to work with an H-Mat team. We have identified one H-Mat partner but they have questions. NOFO says “DOE will provide additional funding directly to the H-Mat national laboratory partners for their collaborative support of the awarded projects”.\n\nQuestions: the H-Mat team has their own workscope and has received budget from DOE. What is the process for DOE to provide them additional funding? For example, is there any paperwork they need to do? What if at the end DOE cannot give them the additional funding and the planned work will be in trouble.","The funding amount provided to the H-Mat consortium is subject to final FY25 appropriations. In general, projects should propose H-Mat activities that are commensurate to the overall scope of the project, and the majority of the proposed research activities should be conducted outside of H-Mat, with H-Mat collaboration as a supplementary element. DOE will work directly with the H-Mat consortia laboratories to provide additional project funding. "]
[47,"2025-01-15","Due Dates","Will HFTO extend the due date for Application submissions?","We are unable to grant an extension for this NOFO. The due date for applications remains Friday, January 31st at 5pm ET."]

{"sheet":"Admin Pick List","index":2,"n_rows":17,"n_cols":1,"rows_kept":17,"cut":false,"hidden":true,"merged":[]}
["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"]