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["INSTRUCTIONS"]
[1,"All questions pertaining to this funding opportunity announcement should be emailed to iacs@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-FOA0002452 - Industrial Assessment Centers"]
["Question #","Date Submitted","Topic","Question","Answer","More Appropriate Answer"]
[1,"2021-03-08","Application Content/Format","The FOA states that an entity may submit 1 proposal for Topic Area 1 and 1 proposal for Topic Area 2. The FOA also states that to be eligible to apply under Topic Area 2, one must also apply under Topic Area 1. Does this mean that an institution can submit up to 2 proposals, 1 for Topic Area 1 and 1 for Topic Areas 1+2? Or, may an institution only submit 1 proposal, for either Topic Area 1 or Topic Area 2?","Clarity on this issue was provided in Modification 0001 to the FOA (Posted to EERE Exchange at https://eere-Exchange.energy.gov on 3/11/21). As now noted in Section III.F., page 28 of Mod 0001 to the FOA: An entity may only submit one Full Application to this FOA. If an applicant is seeking to apply for funding under both topic areas, the applicant must submit only one Full Application that addresses both topic areas.  See Section IV.D.i. Full Application Content Requirements and Section I.B. Topic Areas for more information. Additionally, EERE will only consider one Full Application per institution of higher education. For example, EERE will only consider one Full Application per university (not one submission per each college or school under the university). If an entity submits more than one Full Application, EERE will request a determination from the applicant’s authorizing representative as to which application should be reviewed. "]
[2,"2021-03-09","Labs/FFRDCs","We are an FFRDC National Lab.  If we participate in submitting a proposal to this call are we required to submit a Sub-recipient Budget Justification or just an FWP?","Please see Section III.a for information on eligible prime recipients. If an FFRDC is submitting as other than a prime recipient, a Field Work Proposal (FWP) and Contracting Authorization are required with applications."]
[3,"2021-03-09","Application Content/Format","In the funding announcement for the subject FOA there is a statement for technical colleges that says \"community colleges or technical programs that would support Topic 2 activities\". What does  Topic 2 activities mean?.","Topic 2 activities are defined in Section I.B of the FOA, specifically under Topic Area 2: Commercial Building Efficiency Workforce Development Pilot Project."]
[4,"2021-03-09","Eligibility","Do new/prospective IACs have to be a certain distance from existing IACs?\n\nI know some programs prefer centers to be in different states or a certain distance from other IACs.","Per Section III. H of the FOA, \" EERE will not make eligibility determinations for potential applicants prior to the date on which applications to this FOA must be submitted. The decision whether to submit an application in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant.\"  However, for your purposes in making that decision, we offer the following:  In accordance with the Application Review Information (Section V.A.i) for this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), DOE will consider “industrial demographics/geographic diversity (client base and proximity to other Centers) to ensure appropriate services to all regions of the Unites States” as part of the selection process. However, there is no specific limit or required distance between IACs selected under this FOA.  In addition, the current five-year awards for the existing IACs are scheduled to expire in 2021; therefore, newly applying eligible institutions and existing IACs (if they choose to apply) will all be equally competing for selection under this FOA. "]
[5,"2021-03-09","Eligibility","The FOA is for new applications only (\"EERE will not consider applications for renewals of existing EERE-funded awards through this FOA\"). Does this mean that the existing 31 IACs cannot apply for this funding opportunity?","No. Both existing and new/prospective IACs are required to apply under this FOA in order to be selected as IACs for the next five-year time period. "]
[6,"2021-03-09","Eligibility","Also, there is an existing IAC within 50 miles of my university. Are there any restrictions and limitations regarding having multiple centers in the same geographical area? ","In accordance with the Application Review Information (Section V.A.i)  for this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), DOE will consider “industrial demographics/geographic diversity (client base and proximity to other Centers) to ensure appropriate services to all regions of the Unites States” as part of the selection process. However, there is no specific limit or required distance between IACs selected under this FOA.  Also, the existence of a current IAC in a specific location (as referenced in this question) does not mean there will still be an IAC in that location/with that institution in the future since all existing and new/prospective IACs are required to apply under this FOA in order to be selected as IACs for the next five-year time period.    "]
[7,"2021-03-09","Other","Can you please confirm the maximum allowed budget for the entire duration of the project? ","See Section II.A.i.  "]
[8,"2021-03-10","Eligibility","I currently have a Supplemental IAC grant, with an end date of 8/31/2022.  If I do nothing now, will I be able to apply to renew my supplemental grant in 2022?  For example, could I then apply for a 4-year supplemental grant to put me back on the 5-year cycle?","DOE has not determined whether it issue a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to recompete the “Supplemental IAC grants” otherwise known as “IAC Extension Centers” (awards selected under 2017 FOA “Extending Industrial Assessment Centers to Underserved Areas.”)  Current IAC Extension Centers are allowed and encouraged to apply to this FOA.  If an existing Extension Center applies and is selected under this FOA, then a determination will be made to transition their existing award with DOE to a new 5-year award under this FOA."]
[9,"2021-03-10","Eligibility","If I apply for a (regular) IAC grant on this FOA, can I apply for a delayed start date of 9/1/2022, with a 4-year grant, so that it dovetails with my existing grant?","The anticipated award duration for all IACs selected via this FOA is five years.  It is anticipated awards will start after finalization of award negotiations which are planned for June-August 2021 as per the FOA schedule.  See also response from previous question.  "]
[10,"2021-03-13","Other","The FOA specifies that \"Both Directors and/or Assistant Directors must be professors of professional practice within the Engineering Departments of their proposing institutions.\" All references that I can find to \"professor of professional practice\" indicate that this is a non-tenure track position, generally given to people who have spent part of their career in professional positions outside of academia. Is this your definition of \"professor of professional practice\"? If so, does this mean that tenured or tenure-track faculty are excluded from Director and Assistant Director positions?","Both Directors and/or Assistant Directors must be AT LEAST professors of professional practice within the Engineering Departments of their proposing institutions.  Tenured or tenure-tracked faculty qualify as meeting this criterion to be Directors and/or Assistant Directors.  DOE will consider the experience of Directors and Assistant Directors in conducting assessments of manufacturing facilities and ability to train students to conduct assessments when evaluating proposed faculty.  "]
[11,"2021-03-14","Application Reviews","On page 38, the FOA states that “Both Directors and/or Assistant Directors must be professors of professional practice within the Engineering Departments of their proposing institutions.”  Are professors who hold joint appointments between engineering and non-engineering departments eligible, or must the sole appointment be within an engineering department?"," As long as one appointment is within the Engineering Department of their proposing institution, professors holding joint appointments are acceptable."]
[12,"2021-03-15","Application Reviews","Our question is about subrecipients on IAC projects. We will be a satellite center (= subrecipient) to an IAC project application where the prime is a U.S. school of engineering that holds programmatic ABET accreditation. Our satellite center is located in a college of architecture (not in a college or school of engineering) at a partner university. Does this IAC configuration for the prime and subrecipient meet the FOA’s eligibility requirements?","The prime applicant must meet all requirements as outlined in the FOA.  Information regarding subrecipients can be found in Section I. B. Topic Areas, page 17.  Additionally, Section IV. D. ii. Technical Volume and Section V.A. Technical Review Criteria also contain subrecipient requirements."]
[13,"2021-03-15","Application Reviews"," I am interested in submitting for this FOA to establish an assessment center, though I am a faculty member of an NAAB accredited school of architecture, rather than an engineering school. \nOur expertise includes extensive work in small/medium commercial office retrofits and energy efficiency project assessment. Most recently we had a federally funded project where our scope was energy retrofits in the small/mid-size commercial space.","Schools/Departments of Architecture cannot apply to be an IAC as the prime applicant as per the FOA Section III.A. “Eligible Applicants.”  The prime applicant must be a School of Engineering.  Schools of Architecture are eligible to collaborate on proposals as a sub-recipient as per the language in the FOA on page 17 & 18.  See the FOA for the full language starting on page 17 with: “The IAC program will accept, within this FOA, various IAC configurations to facilitate the delivery of the key program elements. In the modified configurations, the prime applicant must meet all qualifications as outlined in this FOA and will be considered the prime recipient if selected for award negotiations. Other institutions involved as described below (satellite center, technical program/community college, support center) will operate as subrecipients to the prime recipient, and are not required to meet all of the prime applicant qualifications (such as accreditation by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) or the Technology Accreditation Commission (TAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)).”"]
[14,"2021-03-15","Application Reviews","I am writing to ask two questions regarding DE-FOA-0002452:  1. \"Both Directors and/or Assistant Directors must be professors of professional practice within the Engineering Departments of their proposing institutions.\" Are full-time lecturers allowed to serve as assistant director; and 2. Are there requirements regarding organizational structure? For example: would \"director + 1 or 2 assistant directors\" or \"2 co-directors\" be both acceptable?"," Applicants need to describe an organizational structure in their application that they believe will work best for their proposed Industrial Assessment Center.  Please see Section V.A.  Technical Review Criteria for more information on how DOE will evaluate applications."]
[15,"2021-03-17","Due Dates","We are not able to immobilize our resources quick enough for this deadline due to the Covid 19 Pandemic stretching our faculty’s time and resources this semester.  Would you happen to know if this is an annual funding opportunity?","While EERE does not comment on future year plans for funding opportunities, as per FOA Section I.A.i., page 10, “Through this FOA, AMO (EERE) anticipates selecting the colleges who will operate IACs for the next five-year period.”  And as per Section II.A.ii “EERE anticipates making awards that will run approximately 60 months in length.”  Also note, as per Section IV.C. “Letters of Intent are optional.” "]
[16,"2021-03-17","Other","Our first question is regarding the manufacturing facilities that are eligible for assessments (Topic 1):  If the location has received an assessment previously, are they eligible for an assessment after a certain period of time? We note some locations have assessment that were done many years ago that might benefit from an additional, updated assessment.   Our second question relates to Topic 2:  It indicates in the FOA that no budget justification worksheet is required for Topic 2 and this would be done during the post award, if selected. We have two questions regarding this. First, when entering the total budget and cost share information into EERE exchange would the Topic 2 budget be included, thus providing the total budget for both Topic 1 and 2 together as a single value, or just for topic 1 where we have a budget/justification? Second, given the partnerships requested for Topic 2 with community colleges/technical schools, even though a budget justification is not required, should/can letters of commitment and resumes be provided for the planned collaborators for Topic 2?","Standard operating procedures for the IACs is to limit the assessments that any individual facility may receive to once every five years.\nIf applying for both Topic Area 1 and Topic Area 2, the applicant should enter the total budget and total cost share information into EERE Exchange.  Applicants can submit 1-page letters of commitment and/or resumes for collaborators for Topic Area 2 as per the FOA Section IV.D.i. Full Application Content Requirements, Topic Area 2."]
[17,"2021-03-17","Application Content/Format","I am writing to request clarification about the term \"professors of professional practice\" that is used twice in the FOA (page 37 and page 51), specifically with regard to the statement that \"Both Directors and/or Assistant Directors must be professors of professional practice within the Engineering Departments of their proposing institutions.\"\n\nThe term professor of practice can mean different things depending on the institution.  Does this require that their job title literally be \" Professor of Practice\" or is there some other way that this is defined?","“Professor of Professional Practice” is consider to be a professor who primarily is engaged in teaching, and includes tenured or tenure-tracked faculty.  Proposed Directors and/or Assistant Directors need to be professors of professional practice within the Engineering Departments of their proposing institutions.”"]
[18,"2021-03-23","Application Content/Format","Per Section IB of the FOA, IACs a required to “…to provide resources to SMEs, critical suppliers and employers of Americans…” There is no mention of the industrial classification of the SMEs, although from the context, they must be manufacturers. Is it a requirement that each IAC should be capable of serving all types of manufacturing SMEs, or it allowable for IACs to specialize in certain sectors – e.g., chemicals, electronics, etc.?","Under Topic Area 1, IACs generally conduct assessments at small to medium-sized manufacturing facilities – typically those within Standard Industrial Codes (SIC) 20-39.  In addition, IACs are required to conduct at least 10 percent of IAC assessments per year at wastewater treatment/water resource recovery facilities (see page 14 of the FOA).  As noted in Section IV.D.i for Topic Area 1, Applicants are to describe in the Technical Volume “the industrial demographics of the proposed area of service in which assessments will be conducted. Include the available number and types SMEs that will be assisted by the Center.” "]
[19,"2021-03-25","Application Content/Format"," This solicitation is for five years and the budget form available for download is for three years period only. Do we prepare budget for only the first three years of the project, edit the existing budget to add two years, or will you add 5 year budget for download.\nThank you.","The form has been updated."]
[20,"2021-03-25","Eligibility"," We would plan to give our subrecipient the majority of the work for Topic 2 and we would do the majority of the work on Topic 1. We wanted to be sure that this would be allowable under this research project.","The applicant should propose whatever distribution of effort between the recipient and sub-recipient it determines to be the most effective to address the defined statement of work and performance objectives under Topic 1 and Topic 2. "]
[21,"2021-03-29","Application Content/Format","In Modification 1 Page 28 — Revised Section III.F., it reads:\n“An entity may only submit one Full Application to this FOA. … EERE will only consider one Full Application per institution of higher education. For example, EERE will only consider one Full Application per university (not one submission per each college or school under the university). If an entity submits more than one Full Application, EERE will request a determination from the applicant’s authorizing representative as to which application should be reviewed.”\n\nThe FOA in section 2.iii states:\n“New Applications Only\nEERE will accept only new applications under this FOA. EERE will not consider applications for renewals of existing EERE-funded awards through this FOA.”\n\nSection 2.iii was also in the 2016 FOA.  The modification this year is one application per institution.  Your expectation is that institutions will select among internally competing teams.  Afterwards, the selected institutional team will submit and compete with other universities, regardless of whether the institution has or does not currently have an IAC.  Is my interpretation correct?","As per Section III.F. of the FOA: An entity may only submit one Full Application to this FOA.  Entities (eligible institutions) are at their own discretion as how they determine the one application they wish to submit.  All entities (eligible institutions) submitting applications will be competing for selection as an IAC, regardless of whether the institution has or does not currently have an IAC.    "]
[22,"2021-03-30","Application Content/Format","We have designated a tenured professor as the PI/Director for our new IAC. The candidate for Assistant Director is very experienced PhD with a Professional Engineer license and an extensive industrial career, and we propose to appoint him Professor of Professional Practice upon award of the grant. Is this acceptable, or must he already be a Professor of Professional Practice before we submit our full application?","“As proposed in the question, if the proposed Professor of Professional Practice will be in place (employed) by the institution by the time the award/project begins, that is acceptable.”  "]
[23,"2021-03-30","Application Content/Format","On page 30 for the LOI for Topic 1 we must include: Whether the application has been previously submitted to EERE. Can you clarify exactly what this is asking?","This is in reference as to whether an application was submitted during a previous Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). For this solicitation, only new applications are considered responsive. Please see Section II.A.iii for more information. "]
[24,"2021-03-30","Application Content/Format","Page 17 of the Mod 1 solicitation states: “Applicants must estimate the amount of funding dedicated to Topic Area 2 on an annual basis as well as propose an abbreviated Statement of Project Objectives for\nthis activity in the Technical Volume. Topic Area 2 funding is in addition to the Topic Area 1 funding levels and must be clearly distinguished in the proposed budget for the project.”\n\nThe instructions for the budget justification workbook state that a workbook is only required for TA1. Are we supposed to incorporate the estimated costs for TA2 into the TA1 budget justification, or are we only supposed to include the TA2 costs in the abbreviated SOPO and SF 424? ","As per the FOA, Section IV.D. i. Full Application Content Requirements, a SF-424 document is required Topic Area 1, and if also applying for optional Topic Area 2, a separate SF-424 document for Topic Area 2 is required.  Regarding the budget justification workbook, as per the FOA Section IV.D.vii “Applicants are required to complete the Budget Justification Workbook for Topic Area 1.  A Budget Justification Workbook is not required with Topic Area 2 applications. Applicants who are selected under Topic Area 2 will be required to provide a Budget Justification Workbook after selection.”  Applicants who apply for both Topic Area 1 and Topic Area 2 are not required to, but may submit a budget justification workbook that addresses both Topic Areas as long as Topic Area 1 and Topic Area 2 activities are clearly defined from each other throughout the entire budget justification. "]
[25,"2021-03-30","Application Content/Format","If we are applying for both TA 1 and TA 2, are there separate places to upload the TA1 and TA2 proposals in the EERE Exchange Portal, or will we need to combine the proposals for each into single pdfs? ","If applying for both Topic Area 1 and optional Topic Area 2, both should be submitted as one complete package in Exchange."]
[26,"2021-03-30","Technical Topics","I have a few questions regarding Topic Area 2. In the FOA it is mentioned that IACs selected under Topic Area 2 will: \n\n1) Deliver themselves or mentor trainers in community college/technical program partners to an additional 5-10 students annually; and \n\n2) Conduct approximately 10-20 building assessments per year of small to medium-sized commercial and/or other buildings. \n\nSince the proposal is 5 years, whether IACs need to start the community college student training and building assessments from the first year. Usually, it takes time to establish the program, develop course materials and mentor trainers in community college. \n\nAlso, whether all the assessments should be done by community college students or IAC students can also receive the training and participate in the building assessments?","The FOA does not specify when the training and assessments must begin, only that the target number of assessments is 5-10 per year. \n\nAlso, whether all the assessments should be done by community college students or IAC students can also receive the training and participate in the building assessments?                  \nThe applicant is free to propose any distribution of assessments between the IAC students and community college students that it the applicant believes will best meet the objectives stated in the FOA. "]
[27,"2021-03-31","Application Content/Format","We are planning to submit to both Topic 1 and Topic 2. Are we to submit two separate LOI's under each topic or should we combine them into one LOI.","As per the FOA Section IV.C. “Letters of Intent are optional. A separate Letter of Intent should be submitted for each Topic Area to which the applicant intends to apply.”"]
[28,"2021-03-31","Application Content/Format","We are planning to apply to TA 1 and TA 2. Per the FOA, we have submitted a LOI for each area, yielding two control numbers. The Q&A and FOA indicate we should submit ONE technical package. Should we submit with the control number assigned to the TA1? In addition, is it possible to have different PIs for TA 1 and 2, or is there one overall project PI?","Applicants with two control numbers due to submitting an LOI for both Topic Area 1 and Topic Area 2 should ideally use the control number for Topic Area 1 when submitting their single full application.  Regarding different Principal Investigators (PIs) for each Topic Area, as FOA per Section II.A.i. “If applicants are selected for both Topic Area 1 and Topic Area 2, EERE intends to negotiate and issue only one award with the applicant that will cover and fund both Topic Areas.”  EERE intends to issue awards with only one person designated as the PI for the entire project whether selected for just Topic Area 1 or both Topic Areas 1 & 2."]
[29,"2021-03-31","Eligibility","Is it eligible to have the College of Engineering host IAC? The college includes both engineering department (with ABET accreditation) that grants engineering degrees and also departments such as computer science that grants science degrees. Is it still eligible if we have the director from engineering department but one or two assistant directors not from engineering department?","A College of Engineering with multiple departments may apply if it meets the restricted eligibility requirements in the FOA Section I.A.I. page 10:  “Eligibility is restricted to the following types of entities: a U.S. college or school of engineering that is an integral part of its institutional structure and that has at least one of its four year undergraduate programs accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission or the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) or equivalent (The IAC must be in the engineering department that holds the programmatic ABET or equivalent accreditation).”  Also, as per the FOA Section IV.D.ii. Technical Volume, page 39:  “Both Directors and/or Assistant Directors must be professors of professional practice within the Engineering Departments of their proposing institutions.” "]
[30,"2021-03-31","Application Content/Format","We are planning to submit for both TA 1 and TA 2. When we submitted the letter of intent, the EERE Exchange generated two separate full proposals with sequential control numbers; one for TA 1 and one for TA 2. I just want to confirm that we are expected to submit these two separate proposals in the EERE Exchange, and that together they will count as our single application. Is this correct?","No. Please see the answer to questions 28."]
[31,"2021-03-31","Other","Typically, in federal proposals, there is a form where applicants can list individuals who have potential conflict of interest with this proposal. Is there a similar mechanism, formal or informal, for this solicitation?","Applicants may identify potential Conflicts of Interest (COI) for proposed personnel in their applications, and can address this in the Technical Volume under Technical Qualifications and Resources (Section IV.D.ii. of the FOA). There is no form to complete or specific reporting required for identifying potential COIs as part of the application to this FOA.  Selected applicants will be required to address COIs and other issues during the award negotiation process."]
[32,"2021-04-05","Application Content/Format","Is the cover page for Topic 2 applications considered part of the 5-page technical volume? (FOA pages 38 and 39) Or is there a separate cover page followed by a 5-page Topic 2 overview and approach?","Yes, cover pages count towards the total page limit. "]
[33,"2021-04-05","Application Content/Format"," Does the cover page need to be its own separate first page in the Technical Volume?  ","Yes"]
[34,"2021-04-06","Application Content/Format","I have a question regarding the submission of the proposals for Topic Area 1 and Topic Area 2 together. According to the modification (MOD_0001) that was released on 03/11, an entity who plans on submitting a proposal under both the topic areas will have to submit only ONE full application addressing both the topic areas. In that case what topic area do we choose for the single application and what should be the title? While submitting the letter of intent, it only let us choose one topic area for one application. \nAs for the contents for the full application, do we submit one technical volume by combining the technical volumes for topic area 1 (20 pg limit) and  topic area 2 (5pg limit)? Also, if the subrecipients for topic area 1 and topic area 2 are different, what are we supposed to list under the team members? Do we combine the list for both the topic areas together? ","Please see the answer to questions 28 of the Question and Answer spreadsheet. EERE cannot provide guidance on the title of an application. If applying for both Topic Area 1 and optional Topic Area 2, applicants should submit ONE Technical Volume that specifically addresses Topic Area 1  (20 page limit) and a separate section specifically addressing Topic Area 2 (5 page limit).  Please see section IV.D.i for full information on submitting the technical volume requirements for Topic Area 1 and 2. Team members should be included in the technical volume of the applicable Topic Area. Please see section IV.D.ii for more information."]
[35,"2021-04-06","Other","Where or how should we indicate potential conflicts of interest (e.g., people who should not review the proposal)? ","Please see question 31."]
[36,"2021-04-07","Application Content/Format","Can we partially switch the Milestone Summary Table in Landscape rather than in Portrait in SOPO, as long as it meets the requirement of \"using standard 8.5 x 11 paper with 1” margins (top, bottom, left, and right) with font not smaller than 12 point?\"","Yes"]
[37,"2021-04-07","Application Content/Format","The left column of p.40 in FOA it says, \"Topic 2 Project Overview & Approach (This section is limited to 5 pages). This statement seems to limit only this section and not the cover page.  ","Each submission must not exceed the specified maximum page limit, including cover page, charts, graphs, maps, and photographs when printed using the formatting requirements set forth above and single spaced. If applicants exceed the maximum page lengths indicated below, EERE will review only the authorized number of pages and disregard any additional pages."]
[38,"2021-04-07","Eligibility","Please specify if the existing IACs already operational and funded will compete for this FOA? Can two universities with one having a current IAC can collaborate to form a new IAC?","Please see Question 21."]
[39,"2021-04-07","Eligibility","Our lead PI is a tenured professor in an ABET-accredited Engineering Physics department. Would DOE consider this an engineering department?","Per Section III. H 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.”    "]
[40,"2021-04-08","Application Content/Format","We were wondering if there was any guidance available for the Resume content. Are there specific content items required/requested? ","Applicants are required to submit 1-page resumes for key participating team members. Multi-page resumes are not allowed. Save the resumes in a single PDF file using the following convention for the title “ControlNumber_LeadOrganization_Resumes.\" There is no other guidance available to applicants at this time."]
[41,"2021-04-08","Application Content/Format","For Topic Area 2 on page 33 of the solicitation it states that SF-424 is required with page limit 1. But the SF-424 form is 3 pages long. Should only a particular page of the SF-424 be included for Topic Area 2?","Applicants should upload all 3 pages of the SF424 form with their application. The page limit listed in the FOA is a misprint and should be ignored. "]
[42,"2021-04-09","Application Content/Format","On EERE exchange, under the “upload and submit” tab of the full application, there does not appear to be a place to upload the diversity and inclusion plan. Please advise of where this should be uploaded. ","Exchange has been updated and there is now a designated place to upload the Diversity & Inclusion Plan."]
[43,"2021-04-09","Application Content/Format","On EERE exchange, under the “upload and submit” tab of the full application, there is a document that is listed as being required that is not listed in the FOA as follows – “Required for Topic Area 1: Open Source Software Distribution Plan” – please advise on where the guidance in the FOA is on this required document","An “Open Source Software Distribution Plan” is not required for this FOA.  The option to submit this plan has been removed in Exchange since an Open Source Software Distribution Plan is not addressed in this FOA.     "]
[44,"2021-04-09","Application Content/Format","On EERE exchange there is no template provided for the 1-slide summary. As long as we meet the requirements of what is specified in the FOA for this document, is any template format sufficient?","Any format is acceptable for the 1-slide summary as long as it meets the requirements/limitations listed the FOA Section IV.D.viii. Summary/Abstract for Public Release."]
[45,"2021-04-09","Application Content/Format","For the Summary/Abstract for Public Release – should this only include topic 1 or both 1 and 2 if a team is applying to both, or should there be two documents submitted, one for each topic combined into a single PDF. On the FOA it indicates 1 page maximum. Does this apply to Topic 1 and 2 combined? On EERE exchange it indicates it is “Required for Topic Area 1: Summary for Public Release”. Please clarify.\nFor the Summary Slide – should this include the scope for both Topics 1 and 2 if a team is applying to both? (similar to the question above)","The “Summary/Abstract for Public Release” and “Summary Slide” should each only address Topic Area 1 as per the FOA Section IV.D.i. Topic Area 1, page 33."]
[46,"2021-04-09","Other","Where should the Diversity and Inclusion Plan be uploaded?  In EERE we do not see a file upload for the Diversity and Inclusion Plan.","See FOA Section IV.D.xiv. “Diversity and Inclusion Plan” for instructions on how to submit the Diversity and Inclusion Plan."]
[47,"2021-04-12","Application Content/Format","I'm working on the budget justification form for the Industrial Assessment Centers FOA (DE-FOA-0002452) and have a question.  I need to add additional rows for a few of the budget categories so the information is complete, but the form is locked and will not allow me to do that.  How do you advise I resolve this issue.","Applicants can unprotect sheets individually using the \"Unprotect Sheet\" function in the Review tab of Excel. Best practce is to use the Format Painter function to copy the format of the lines originally in the spreadsheet. Also, you will want to ensure that the totals include the new lines in their calculations."]
[48,"2021-04-12","Application Content/Format","When submitting for both TA1 and TA2, should we combine the two SF424 forms into a single .pdf? There does not seem to be a place to upload a separate 424 for TA2 in the submission portal.","Yes"]
[49,"2021-04-12","Application Content/Format","The requirements on pp. 29-30 of the FOA (Mod 0001) include:\n“Use Calibri typeface, a black font color, and a font size of 12 point or larger (except in figures or tables, which may be 10 point font).” \n\nHowever, the instructions for the SOPO (p. 41) say: “The SOPO provided in the application for Topic Area 1, including the Milestone Table, must not exceed 5 pages when printed using standard 8.5 x 11 paper with 1” margins (top, bottom, left, and right) with font not smaller than 12 point.” As written, this appears to say that the font in the Milestone Table must not be less than 12, overriding the general requirements on pp. 29-30. Is this the intention, or is a 10 font permitted in the Milestone Table?","Applicants are permitted to use 10 point font within the Milestone Table of the Statement of Project Objectives (SOPO)."]
[50,"2021-04-13","Application Content/Format","I have a question regarding the title of Topic Area 2. Is it okey if the title of Topic Area 2 is different from the title of Topic Area 1?  ","Yes"]
[51,"2021-04-13","Application Content/Format","I am working with a PI on a proposal for DE-FOA-0002452 and we are having a hard time understanding how we upload a proposal for both Topic Areas 1 and 2.  The guidelines are clear with respect to what files we need to submit for both topic areas, but it is unclear how we select both topics on the “General” tab of the proposal in EERE exchange.  ","Due to how Exchange operates, applicants cannot select both Topic Area 1 and Topic Area 2 under the General tab, under “Topic.”  Applicants should initially select “Manufacturing Technical Assistance and Energy Engineering Workforce” (Topic Area 1) and complete that Tab in Exchange.  If applicants are also applying for optional Topic Area 2, applicants will need to create another application choosing the “Commercial Building Efficiency Workforce Development Pilot Project” (Topic Area 2) option under the General tab, under “Topic.”  DOE does not consider this submitting more that one application to this Funding Opportunity Announcement, which is prohibited."]
[52,"2021-04-13","Application Content/Format","Additionally, in the “Upload and Submit” tab, if we are to submit two separate SF-424 forms for each of the topic areas, how would we name the files since the FOA says to name the file as “ControlNumber_LeadOrganization_App424” for both topic area 1 and 2?","See question 48"]
[53,"2021-04-13","Application Content/Format","In section D: Content and Form of the Full Application, sub-section (i) Full Application Content Requirements, in the Table for Topic 1, states that “Statement of Project Objectives” in MS Word format has a page limit of 5 pages. Please confirm if this is correct, this section has always been 10 pages in previous solicitations.","This is accurate."]
[54,"2021-04-14","Application Content/Format","Do we disregard the control number created for the topic area 2 proposal and only use the control number for the topic area 1 proposal?  ","No, please see the newly revised FOA document for updated information on submitting. A separate application is required for Topic Area 1 and Topic Area 2.  "]
[55,"2021-04-14","Application Content/Format","Are we uploading the exact same files under each of the topic area proposals since topic area 1 files are listed as required under both topic options","Please see section IV.D for more information. Separate files are required for each Topic Area.  "]
[56,"2021-04-14","Application Content/Format","It is indicated that topic area 1 and topic area 2 files should be combined into one pdf (example: SF-424) ","For the example of the SF424, the Recipient should upload a separate version for Topic Area 1 and Topic Area 2 with information specific to that Topic Area."]
[57,"2021-04-14","Application Content/Format","We will be submitting a Justification Workbook for our Topic 1 expenses.  Should our Topic 2 expenses be included in the same workbook as a line item?  Should we include detailed expenses?  Should topic 2 expenses be disregarded entirely at this stage?","Please see question 24"]
[58,"2021-04-14","Application Content/Format","For the summary slide it is requested that we provide a “A technology summary” and “A description of the technology’s impact”. Please clarify what “technology” means in this FOA as the scope of this FOA does not include the development of technology.","The terms “technology summary” and “description of the technology’s impact” refer to the demonstration of effects of technological and operational improvements identified during the assessments on existing and future operations at small and medium-sized manufacturers."]
[59,"2021-04-14","Application Content/Format","In EERE Exchange one of the tables is TRL, however this FOA does not cover a new technology with a corresponding TRL. Please clarify what is the basis on which we should determine the TRL of the IAC proposal. ","This FOA is not seeking to advance the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of proposed technology which is why TRL is not address in the FOA other than listing their definitions in Appendices C&D.   Since Exchange requires applicants to enter a  number for the “current TRL of the proposed technology” and an “estimate TRL the technology will reach at project end,” an 8 or 9 would be the most appropriate TRL to enter on this tab.  However, since TRL isn’t addressed in the FOA, DOE will disregard the TRLs listed in applications to this FOA."]
[60,"2021-04-14","Application Content/Format","On page 36 there is an indication that the SOPO is to be submitted separately. On the next page it lists the Milestone Summary. Is this to be submitted with technical volume, the SOPO or is it a separate document?","Per Section IV.D.ii The milestone summary should be included in the SOPO."]
[61,"2021-04-15","Application Content/Format","I’m completing the SOPO for our IAC proposal and have a question. The template has at the top: Award Number and Mod Number. I’m guessing we would not have these until (if!) we are awarded the funding. What should we put in there – the Control Number?","Applicants may use the control number in place of the award number, the modification number may be removed."]
[62,"2021-04-15","Application Content/Format","The FOA states that the page limit for the SOPO is 5 pages, which seems nearly impossible to achieve, if each task must be described independently for each budget period. If a task continues over or repeats in each budget period, do we have to rewrite the information for that task within the task summary or can we omit the task summary?","For tasks that repeat in each budget period, there is no need to repeat the task summary in each budget period.  Indicate in the SOPO that the task will be conducted in budget periods 1-5 (for example).  Similarly, milestones that repeat each budget period do not need to be repeated.  "]
[63,"2021-04-16","Application Content/Format","If Topic 2 budget expenses are required, do we need to include 20% cost share for those items as well?","Per page 34 of the FOA, a budget is not required for Topic 2"]
[64,"2021-04-16","Application Content/Format","On page 40 of FOA it states: .. “Save the letters of commitment in a single PDF file”, but after uploading a single file there is an option to upload more documents. Should we upload every letter as a single file or combine them in a single file? \n\nThe same question goes for resumes. Should they be uploaded individually as a single page document for each team member or all combined in a single file?","All letters of commitment should be combined into a single PDF. The same applies for resumes."]
[65,"2021-04-19","Application Content/Format","Is it required to add the F&A negotiated agreement to the application?  And if so,  where/how would that be added as there is no file  upload button for it.","It is not required as part of the application."]
[66,"2021-04-19","Application Content/Format","For Topic Area 2 the budget justification worksheet is not required, but there’s an asterisk in the application for budget justification. Is there anything that needs to be uploaded in the space for budget justification?","This has een corrected in Exchange."]
[67,"2021-04-20","Application Content/Format","Can you confirm this is the case or if we have missed something in required documents for Topic 2? ","Please see Section IV.D of the FOA for more information. "]
[68,"2021-04-21","Application Content/Format","In the Modification 000002, it is stated that Topic Area 2 should be submitted as a separate proposal. But, in the EREE website, when we want to submit Topic Area 2, the following documents from Topic Area 1 are also required.\n\nRequired for Topic Area 1: Statement of Project Objectives (SOPO)\nRequired for Topic Area 1: Budget Justification\nRequired for Topic Area 1: Summary for Public Release \nRequired for Topic Area 1: Summary Slide \nRequired for Topic Area 1: SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities\nRequired for Topic Area 1: Diversity and Inclusion Plan. 5 Page Limit","This has been corrected in Exchange."]
[69,"2021-04-21","Application Content/Format","Can you tell me if the SOPO for topic area 1 and 2 combined is a 5 page limit or 10 page limit?","Please see section IV.D.v for full requirements of the Statement of Project Objectives."]
[70,"2021-04-21","Due Dates","Is it possible to kindly extend the full proposal submission deadline? The second proposal modification (Modification 000002) was just posted on Monday 4/19. I sent the below email recently to clarify the submission process for Topic Area 2. But it usually takes 3 business days to receive the response. ","An extension has not been authorized at this time."]

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["Application Content/Format"]
["Intellectual Property"]
["Data Management"]
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["U.S. Manufacturing Plan"]
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