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["INSTRUCTIONS"]
[1,"All questions pertaining to this funding opportunity announcement should be emailed to XX@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-FOA0003206 - IEDO FY24 Cross-Sector Technologies FOA"]
["Question #","Date Submitted","Topic","Question","Answer"]
[1,"2023-11-21","Other","The maximum funding levels by Topic Area on Page 9 and Page 31 are different.  Please clarify.  ","There is no discrepancy. The maximum funding levels in Section I.B are broken down by Topic Area and Tier while the maximum funding levels in Section II.A.iii are only broken down by Topic Area."]
[2,"2023-11-21","Eligibility","Looking for clarification on applying to multiple FOAs. We are currently pending review for our application on DE-FOA-0002997.  What are the rules regarding multiple awards to the same company?","The requirements outlined in Section III.F. of the FOA are FOA-specific."]
[3,"2023-11-21","Eligibility","Looking for clarification on applying to multiple FOAs. We are currently pending review for our application on DE-FOA-0002997. We would like to apply for DE-FOA-0003206 with the same technology.  What are the rules on submitting the same technology for two different FOAs? Is it possible to combine the two FOAs into the same development?","As stated in Section I.B. of the FOA: “Some of the topics and areas of interest anticipated to be covered in this FOA are similar in scope to those included in DE-FOA-0002997 (Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO) FY23 Multi-Topic FOA, henceforth “FY23 MT FOA”). Full applications submitted to the FY23 MT FOA are currently under review. For the topic areas within this FOA with substantially similar areas of interest as the FY23 MT FOA, applicants who responded to the FY23 MT FOA are strongly discouraged from resubmitting similar applications to those currently under review.”"]
[4,"2023-11-21","Other","We were interested in learning if IEDO was planning to set up a teaming list for the recently released FOA. The teaming lists can be very helpful to find potential new partners for innovative opportunities. ","There are no plans to set up a teaming list for this FOA at this time."]
[5,"2023-11-21","Technical Topics","I wanted clarity on page 34 of the FOA in regard to Topic Area 3 recipients. \"Applications will be accepted only from the following eligible prime applicants: For-profit entities that are incorporated (or otherwise formed) under the laws of a particular state or territory of the United States and have a physical location for business operations in the United States..\"   My Question: is this allowing a small business to apply under this topic that is not a waste facility? ","As long as the proposed Topic Area 3 project team meets the relevant criteria outlined in Section III.A. of the FOA, that a waste facility is included as a prime recipient or subrecipient, there is no prohibition of a small business acting as prime recipient provided that a waste facility is included as a subrecipient. "]
[6,"2023-11-22","Concept Paper","Can letters of commitment from partner organizations be included at the Concept Paper stage?","Each Concept Paper must conform to the requirements detailed in Section IV.C. of the FOA, Content and Form of the Concept Paper, including page limits."]
[7,"2023-11-27","Technical Topics","Q: In Topic Area 2, Area of Interest 2, the Not of Interest section has a bullet point stating \"Waste Heat to Power (WHP)\" is not of interest. It also contains a bullet common to other Topics which states \"onsite electricity generation\" is not of interest. Does the absence of the bullet relating to Waste Heat to Power in the Not of Interest section of Topic Area 1 mean that WHP may be of interest in Topic Area 1? ","Onsite electricity generation, including waste heat to power, is not of interest for Topic Area 1."]
[8,"2023-11-22","Concept Paper","Are applicants discouraged from filing two Concept Papers each being in a different Topic Area?  We have a carbon-capture and utilization technology where we would like to develop a membrane solution for chemical recovery from an aqueous waste stream.  We also would like to apply this technology to a Wastewater Treatment Facility located near our current pilot plant.  Would we ultimately have to commit to only one application?","As stated in Section III.F. of the FOA, “an entity may submit more than one Concept Paper and Full Application to this FOA, provided that each application describes a unique, scientifically distinct project and an eligible Concept Paper was submitted for each Full Application.”"]
[9,"2023-11-22","Technical Topics","Under Topic 2 \"water treatment or desalination\" is specifically designated as \"Not of Interest.\"  Does this designation preclude chemical recovery of salts from an aqueous waste stream in a new industrial process wherein both streams would be re-used within the process?  This process is not for the production of municipal water.","From the limited information provided, it is unclear whether the referenced technology fits within the list “Applications Specifically Not of Interest.” At this stage, DOE will not provide guidance on which specific technologies or approaches are necessary to meet the objectives and criteria defined in the FOA. As described in FOA Section IV.C, Applicants will receive feedback on their concept paper to assist in their decision to submit a Full Application.  The decision to submit a concept paper lies solely with the Applicant."]
[10,"2023-11-22","Other","Development of a successful membrane process (in Topic Area 2) would enable us to pursue TRL 7 type activities at our existing facility provided we simultaneously upgraded that facility to provide an operational environment.  Are the costs required to convert the facility to an operational environment allowable?  If so, are those costs eligible for Pre-Award reimbursement?","From the limited information provided, it is unclear if such facility upgrade costs would be allowable.  Pre-award costs are covered in Section IV.J.ii of the FOA. "]
[11,"2023-11-27","Technical Topics","Good afternoon, we wanted to clarify eligibility of education institutions as waste facilities for Topic Area 3. If an educational institution operating its own waste treatment facility is the prime, is it required that the demonstration phase of the project be at the waste facility operated by the educational institution? Can the demonstration phase be at a separate facility serving as a partner on the proposal? ","For the purposes of this FOA related to Topic Area 3, a separate facility can be utilized for the demonstration phase of the proposed project only when the separate facility is a subrecipient on the proposal."]
[12,"2023-12-01","Eligibility","For this FOA, can there be a change in the applicant between who submits the concept paper and who ultimately submits the full application?","For the purposes of this FOA, as long as the prime applicant is an eligible entity per Section III of the FOA, the prime applicant may change up until the Full Application submission. If the change occurs between the Concept Paper submission and Full Application Submission, the concept of the proposed application cannot change, only the prime applicant. If necessary, please contact the EERE Exchange helpdesk EERE-eXCHANGESupport@hq.doe.gov for assistance with updating the applicant in Exchange."]
[13,"2023-12-04","Technical Topics","Reducing emissions like N2O and CH4 are critical to decarbonizing wastewater and waste management systems. However, there is a significant opportunity to permanently remove biogenic CO2 released in these systems as well. Would removing biogenic CO2 be in scope for this opportunity?","While biogenic CO2 is still CO2, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) does not count it. Using this basis as guidance, removing biogenic CO2 would not be in scope for this FOA."]
[14,"2023-12-04","Technical Topics","Our reading of the FOA is that opportunities for emissions reductions across all wastewater/wet waste systems are within scope, including industrial, municipal, and agricultural waste. We wanted to confirm this is true and confirm that partnering with municipal sewage treatment facilities would be within scope of this FOA?","For the purposes of this FOA as defined in Section III.A.iii. on page 33, a waste facility is defined as a facility that currently treats wet organic wastes (at least 50% water content) from municipal, agricultural, or industrial sources. Therefore, partnering with municipal sewage treatment facilities is within scope."]
[15,"2023-12-04","Technical Topics","In Topic 3 “Decarbonizing Organic Wastewater and Wet Waste Treatment”, producing higher-value products from wet organic wastes and sludges was mentioned as one of the Technology Focal Areas, but it was not mentioned in the “Area of Interest 1” or “Not of Interest”. Is a project that upcycles wet organic wastes and sludges into value-added products (to reduce waste disposal and GHG emissions) in the scope of Topic 3?","An application that proposes upcycling wet organic wastes and sludges into value-added products would be in scope of this FOA as long as the application clearly demonstrates how the value-added products would meet the FOA GHG requirements, e.g. by displacing fossil-based alternatives."]
[16,"2023-12-04","Technical Topics","For this FOA, onsite electricity generation is excluded from most of the Topics/AOIs, but in Topic 2/AOI 2, Waste Heat to Power (WHP) is specifically called out. Does that mean that you are looking at WHP as something separate from onsite electricity generation? Are there other Topics/AOIs where WHP technology improvements are aligned with the intent of the Topic?","For the purposes of this FOA, onsite electricity generation, including waste heat to power, is not of interest for all Topic Areas."]
[17,"2023-12-04","Technical Topics","We have developed a wire drawing process that is more energy efficient than conventional metal wire drawing process. In addition, there are other benefits that can be achieved using our process related to Topic Area 1. However, our process is only applicable to metal drawing process. The solicitation mentions that \n\"For Topic 1 the following types of applications will be deemed nonresponsive and will not be reviewed or considered (See Section III.D):\n• Technologies or processes relevant to only a single subsector\"\nIt seems that DoE is looking for technologies that can fit in multiple sectors and not for a specific sector, in which case, our proposed technology is not suitable for submission. Am I correct?","As noted in the question, technologies or processes relevant to only a single subsector are not of interest for Topic Area 1. Furthermore, as stated on Page 13 of the FOA, “Topic 1 is focused on cross-sectoral impact and seeks applications pursuing advancements that will contribute to decarbonization of thermal processes across multiple industries. Thus, applications and concept papers must discuss the potential for cross-sectoral impact to justify the cross-sector nature of the proposed technology.” "]
[18,"2023-12-05","Technical Topics","I am reaching out regarding the FOA DE-FOA-0003206, specifically under electrotechnologies. Our entity uses a carbon capture and utilization (CCU) approach for synthetic fuel production. Does this align with the FOA's scope, given the exclusion of CCUS? Your guidance on this matter would be highly appreciated.","Carbon capture and utilization (CCU) is not of interest for Topic Area 1. These applications will be deemed nonresponsive and will not be reviewed or considered."]
[19,"2023-12-05","Eligibility","We are a US-based research-driven company developing methods for energy efficiency studies and industrial heat optimization and are interested in applying for DE-FOA-0003206, Topic Area 1. Looking at eligibility requirements, our company is a domestic Delaware C-corp operating exclusively in the US and with physical presence in the US, and is owned by a US resident who is a foreign national. Would this mean our company would be considered a foreign entity? Please clarify if we need to submit a foreign entity waiver request with our application, and what information should be included in the waiver request in our case, as we have no other connections with any foreign countries.","Per section III.A.i., “To qualify as a domestic entity, the entity must be organized, chartered or incorporated (or otherwise formed) under the laws of a particular state or territory of the United States; have majority domestic ownership and control; and have a physical place of business in the United States.”\n\nIf your organization meets these requirements then it is a considered a domestic entity and will not require a foreign entity waiver. If all work will be performed in the United States a foreign work waiver is not required. "]
[20,"2023-12-06","Technical Topics","Will applications involving energy storage projects with a thermal output be considered for Topic Area 1: Electrification of Industrial Heat, and within that topic, Area of Interest 1: Electrotechnologies?","Energy storage projects are not within the anticipated technology focus for Topic Area 1, found on pgs. 12 and 13 of the FOA.  Based on the provided information, DOE is not able to provide guidance on whether or not this will meet the objectives and criteria defined in the FOA. Applicants will receive feedback on their concept paper to assist in their decision to submit a Full Application. The decision to submit a concept paper lies solely with the Applicant."]
[21,"2023-12-07","Technical Topics","In topic 3 for DE-FOA-0003206, a 'Waste facility is defined as a facility that currently treats wet organic wastes (at least 50% water content) from municipal, agricultural, or industrial sources.' To clarify, if an industrial/commercial company currently has an outdated wastewater treatment facility onsite processing organic wet wastes that the company produces, would this qualify as a waste facility?","For the purposes of Topic 3 within this FOA, if the facility in question is currently operating and does not have announced plans to shut down during the project duration, then the facility would qualify as a waste facility."]
[22,"2023-12-12","Eligibility","It is acceptable to have a business partner based out of Ukraine?","Per Section III.A.ii., “…EERE may approve a waiver to allow a foreign entity to participate as a prime recipient or subrecipient… if the applicant seeks to include a foreign entity as a subrecipient, the applicant must submit a separate explicit written waiver request in the Full Application for each proposed foreign subrecipient.” Information regarding the requirements for a foreign entity waiver request can be found in Appendix C of the FOA."]
[23,"2023-12-08","Technical Topics","We are very interested in FOA-0003206 (Topic Area 2: Efficient Energy Use in Industrial Systems, Area of Interest 1: Advanced Membrane Separations). We would like to propose acid gas (H2S) removal for digester biogas upgrading, with cross-sector impact on natural gas H2S removal, fuel gas conditioning (hydrocarbon removal, dehydration, etc.), tail gas acid gas removal, etc. We will leverage our foundation technology in PEEK membranes and develop higher performance to tackle these sectors. \nCould you please clarify if this is of interest to DOE? We were not sure if biogas / natural gas upgrading application is excluded or not, by the section \"Not of Interest\": CCUS, on site electricity generation, or the production of fuels/chemicals from byproducts or wastes\". ","At this stage, DOE will not provide guidance on which specific technologies or approaches are necessary to meet the objectives and criteria defined in the FOA. As described in FOA Section IV.C, Applicants will receive feedback on their concept paper to assist in their decision to submit a Full Application.  The decision to submit a concept paper lies solely with the Applicant. As detailed in the FOA, “Applications must thoroughly describe and justify the pathway to impacts in multiple subsectors (e.g., the chemicals industry and the food and beverage industry).”"]
[24,"2023-12-15","Eligibility","Looking at the top of p. 33, it states that FFRDCs can only apply as a subrecipient. However, on the topic area eligibility, it states that for topic areas 1 and 2 (top of p. 34) FFRDCs can apply as prime or sub recipient. Does this conflicting info mean a FFRDC can be the prime?","Per Section III.A.i., all “Non-DOE/NNSA FFRDCs are eligible to participate as a subrecipient but are not eligible to apply as a prime recipient.” For Topic Areas 1 and 2, DOE/NNSA FFRDCs are eligible to apply as prime recipients or subrecipients.  For all Tier 1 applications in Topic Area 3, DOE/NNSA FFRDCs are allowed to apply as prime recipients.  For all Tier 2 applications in Topic Area 3, DOE/NNSA FFRDCs are allowed to apply only as subrecipients.  For more information regarding FFRDC requirements, please refer to Section III.E Other Eligibility Requirements starting on pg. 38."]
[25,"2023-12-15","Application Content/Format","We have a question related to the Tier 1 and Tier 2 qualifications.  Our goal for 2025 (start of funding under this FOA) and 24-36 months onwards until 2027 or 2028 is to 1) complete a 100kWh prototype system and 2) start/complete a 10MWh pilot system. 1) The 100kWh pilot system will demonstrate all the major characteristics of a full scale system and be operated in a lab environment. 2) The 10MWh pilot system will be integrated at the customer site providing industrial heat for the processes. Which TRL levels would DOE consider 1) and 2) to be? Would you advise us to apply for Tier 1 or Tier 2 in this FOA?","DOE will not provide guidance on which approaches are necessary to meet the objectives and criteria defined in the FOA.  Please refer to Section I.B. on pg. 9 for definitions of the Tiers.  Please refer to Appendix E for EERE’s definitions of TRLs."]
[26,"2023-12-15","Concept Paper","As we are a very new company, we do not have existing close customer collaborations yet. Thus, it is unlikely that our concept paper for Tier 2 application would include yet any specific partner organizations locked-in. We believe that we could name partner organizations for the full-application, though. Would not having specified partner organizations be a challenge when submitting the concept paper?","For the purposes of this FOA, there is no requirement that all project participants for the Full Application must be identified during the Concept Paper phase.  An application may have different project participants at the submission of the Full Application versus those identified in the Concept Paper."]
[27,"2023-12-26","Concept Paper","We current owns the IP to use it for waste water management. Particularly, we can use the technologies for recover micronutrition and other ingredient from the waste cell culture medium and fermentation broth. \nI just heard about the DOE grant (DE-FOA-0003206 IEDO FY24 Cross Sector Technologies FOA_MOD_0003), but wonder if we still have the chance to apply?","Thank you for your inquiry.  Per section IV.A. of the FOA, \"Only applicants who have submitted an eligible Concept Paper will be eligible to submit a Full Application.\" Please follow EERE News Blasts, Press Releases, and EERE eXCHANGE to find out about future funding opportunities. You can also sign up for alerts on grants.gov."]
[28,"2023-12-28","Concept Paper","I’ve only just come across the DE-FOA-0003206 grant for which my company (direct air capture integrated with air-cooled data centers) seems like an excellent fit. Unfortunately, it looks like we’ve missed the deadline to submit a concept paper. Is there any chance for an exception on this first deadline as we’ve only just discovered the grant?","Please see answer to question 27."]
[29,"2023-12-29","Concept Paper","I was wondering if DE-FOA-0003206 would be accepting any late submissions. We’re developing a hyperthermophilic fermentation process which would fit in Topic Area 3. \nPlease let us know if there may be any chance to submit a Concept Paper in the next couple days.","Please see answer to question 27."]
[30,"2024-01-01","Concept Paper","I am writing to inquire about the deadline for the Funding Opportunity Announcement DE-FOA-0003206 application. Regrettably, due to that fact that I found this program recently, I was unable to submit Concept Paper by the specified deadline (12/18/2023). I understand the importance of adhering to the outlined timeline and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused. Could you kindly clarify if there is an opportunity for a late submission or if there is an extended Concept Paper deadline for this Funding Opportunity?","Please see answer to question 27."]
[31,"2023-12-17","Technical Topics","I’m hoping to look for an explanation on a recent last-minute modification to the FOA 0003206 for Decarbonizing Wastewater Facilities. There is a new modification stating that “Applications that employ algae in any part of the treatment process” are not of interest. \nCurrent WRRF use biological pathways for nutrient removal, and it’s not clear why bacteria can be used but not algae, if the end result is lower GHG emissions. Our technology does not use algae for carbon capture/biofuels nor claim negative GHG emissions from algae growth. A mixotrophic bacteria culture is used that includes algae which provides biological oxidation, reducing indirect GHG emissions from mechanical aeration.\nWe would appreciate some clarification for removing this biological approach from potential funding, and reconsideration of this disqualifier. We feel a more reasonable disqualifier would be “technologies that include algae to claim credit for negative GHG emissions or plans for biofuel production.”","The most recent modification to include “Applications that employ algae in any part of the treatment process” as Applications Not of Interest for Topic Area 3 will not be modified.   Projects that employ the use of algae do not align with the programmatic goals of the Industrial Efficiency & Decarbonization Office (IEDO).  Projects that employ the use of algae are better aligned with the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO). Please follow EERE News Blasts, Press Releases, and EERE eXCHANGE to find out about future BETO funding opportunities. You can also sign up for alerts on grants.gov."]
[32,"2024-01-08","Eligibility","I am reaching out on behalf of an electric school bus company committed to promoting sustainable and eco-friendly transportation solutions. We are eager to express our interest in applying to the Fiscal Year 2024 Cross-Sector Technologies grant program offered by the Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO). As a company deeply invested in the transition to cleaner and more efficient transportation alternatives, we are particularly interested in the potential of your grant program to support our mission. Our goal is to provide school districts with state-of-the-art electric school buses, contributing to a reduction in emissions and a more sustainable future for our communities. To ensure that we meet the eligibility criteria and understand the application process thoroughly, we kindly request more information regarding the Fiscal Year 2024 Cross-Sector Technologies grant. Specifically, we would appreciate it if you could provide details on whether private companies, such as ours, are eligible for consideration. ","At this time, DOE will not provide guidance on an entity’s eligibility for this FOA.  The Concept Paper phase for this FOA has closed.  Per section IV.A. of the FOA, \"Only applicants who have submitted an eligible Concept Paper will be eligible to submit a Full Application.\" “And per Section VII. “Please note, feedback on individual concepts will not be provided through Q&A.” Please follow EERE News Blasts, Press Releases, and EERE eXCHANGE to find out about future funding opportunities. You can also sign up for alerts on grants.gov"]
[33,"2024-01-09","Concept Paper","It has come to our attention that for our concept paper submission pertaining to DE-FOA-0003206 an earlier version of the submission file was uploaded due to an error. Is there any way we can upload the latest version of our concept paper that we had prepared for the submission into our application on the eXCHANGE portal to be used in the review?","The Concept Paper phase of this FOA has closed and concept papers are under review. If the concept paper is eligible, DOE will review and provide either an encourage or discourage notification per Section IV.C. Please also see Sections VI.A.i and VI.A.ii. "]
[34,"2024-01-12","Technical Topics","Are applicants allowed to switch topic areas and/or areas of interest between the concept paper and full application phase?","Per section IV.D.ii on page 45, “The Technical Volume should clearly describe and expand upon information provided in the Concept Paper.” Therefore the full application should clearly elaborate on the same concept. It is acceptable to change the Topic selection in eXCHANGE between application phases in two scenarios provided that the same concept is described: (1) The concept paper was mistakenly submitted to the wrong Topic Area in Exchange. The appropriate Topic Area should be selected for the full application submission. (2) The applicant wishes to change Tiers within the same Topic Area and Area of Interest. The full application should be submitted to the appropriate Tier, consistent with the scope of work, maximum funding, and cost share requirements described in the FOA."]
[35,"2024-01-22","Concept Paper","Now that it has been more than one month since submittal and less than two months to submit a Full Application will Concept Paper feedback be let out soon?","Per Section IV. D. in the FOA, “Applicants will have approximately 30 days from receipt of the Concept Paper Encourage/Discourage notification on EERE eXCHANGE to prepare and submit a Full Application. Regardless of the date the applicant receives the Encourage/Discourage notification, the submission deadline for the Full Application remains the date and time stated on the FOA cover page."]
[36,"2024-01-25","Concept Paper","I am writing to follow up on our recent concept paper submission for DE-FOA-0003206. Could you please let me know when we should expect to get the encourage/discourage notification?","Please see answer to question 36"]
[37,"2024-01-26","Application Content/Format","For proposals where an FFRDC is a subrecipient, will the FFRDC Authorization Letter signed by the cognizant Contracting Officer equal the Letter of Commitment for FFRDCs?","For the purposes of this FOA, FFRDCs are not required to submit a Letter of Commitment.  For information on what is required for FFRDCs, please refer to Section III.E.ii. Other Eligibility Requirements and Section IV.D. Content and Form of the Full Application. If an FFRDC is part of the project team as a subrecipient, the signed FFRDC Authorization Letter and Field Work Proposal will be sufficient."]
[38,"2024-01-30","Concept Paper","Our organization submitted a concept paper for the IEDO FOA referenced in the subject line.  On the EERE portal, our status shows as 'Review Complete' but 'Decision Not Yet Available'.  Are you able to provide any guidance as to when to expect decisions?  ","Please see answer to question 36"]
[39,"2024-01-30","Eligibility","We have the following question on how the DOE determines the requirements for a domestic entity:\nThe FOA states that in Section III A. i. that \"To qualify as a domestic entity, the entity must be organized, chartered or incorporated (or otherwise formed) under the laws of a particular state or territory of the United States; have majority domestic ownership and control; and have a physical place of business in the United States.\" How does the DOE determine whether an entity has majority domestic ownership and control? How does the DOE see investors investing via capped and uncapped SAFE notes with regards to the company ownership and control?","DOE is requesting that the applicant, in assessing their eligibility, know whether their organization is, “organized, chartered or incorporated (or otherwise formed) under the laws of a particular state or territory of the United States; have majority domestic ownership and control; and have a physical place of business in the United States\" before deciding to apply for this FOA. If your organization does not qualify as a U.S. domestic entity and is applying as the prime recipient, then a Foreign Entity Participation waiver must be submitted with your application. Please see Section III.A.ii and Appendix B.\n\nRegarding domestic ownership and control, the FOA is asking if your company is majority owned and controlled by individual(s), entity(ies) that are U.S. citizens and/or organized, chartered or incorporated (or otherwise formed) under the laws of a particular state or territory of the United States. If your investors receive ownership shares and/or have control over your company, and those investors are not U.S. citizens nor organized, chartered or incorporated (or otherwise formed) under the laws of a particular state or territory of the United States that amounts to your company not being a domestic entity for the purposes of eligibility. "]
[40,"2024-02-01","Other","Before we proceed through a lengthy application process, I’d like to know if our new technology based on pyrolysis (NOT incineration) will even be considered for funding.\nWe can process any calorific waste into a clean syngas that can then be used in engines or turbines as a fuel for them to generate clean electricity.  As an alternative, the syngas can be processed into liqud fuel, ULSD & naphtha, or into hydrogen.  We could use some support for our initial projects.\nIs this a candidate site for such funding?","At this stage, DOE will not provide guidance on which specific technologies or approaches are necessary to meet the objectives and criteria defined in the FOA.  The Concept Paper phase for this FOA has closed.  Per section IV.A. of the FOA, \"Only applicants who have submitted an eligible Concept Paper will be eligible to submit a Full Application.\" And per Section VII. “Please note, feedback on individual concepts will not be provided through Q&A.” "]
[41,"2024-02-05","Application Content/Format","The concept paper from our team was discouraged to submit a full proposal. However, our team feels we can really add critical elements which we couldn’t add to the concept paper due to time constraints and submit a full proposal. Our question is: should we be able to submit a full proposal with the same title but greatly altered team composition and content? Do we need to acknowledge the concept paper was discouraged during the full proposal submission? Additionally, could we alter the prime from the concept paper submission stage to a new prime for the full proposal stage. This new prime was a sub-recipient on the concept paper.","Per Section VI. A. ii. ‘Applicants may submit a Full Application even if they receive a notification discouraging them from doing so.’  There is no requirement to acknowledge that your concept paper was discouraged, but best practice is to address any weakness comments called out by the Concept Paper reviewers.  Additionally, as long as the prime applicant is an eligible entity per Section III of the FOA, the prime applicant may change up until the Full Application submission. If the change occurs between the Concept Paper submission and Full Application Submission, the concept of the proposed application cannot change, only the prime applicant. If necessary, please contact the EERE Exchange helpdesk EERE-eXCHANGESupport@hq.doe.gov for assistance with updating the applicant in Exchange."]
[42,"2024-02-12","Application Content/Format","We received your decision on our concept paper a few days ago. We were “discouraged” from submitting a full proposal. We would like to present the uniqueness of our proposal and appreciate your input with our next steps. ","Per Section VI. A. ii. ‘Applicants may submit a Full Application even if they receive a notification discouraging them from doing so.’  There is no requirement to acknowledge that your concept paper was discouraged, but best practice is to address any weakness comments called out by the Concept Paper reviewers."]
[43,"2024-02-06","Eligibility","If a company is working as an Onsite Energy TAP, are they eligible to be the prime applicant for FOA 3206? We also wanted to ask if an organization is working as a TAP, if that organization is allowed to be a subrecipient for FOA 3206? Look forward to your response. ","For the purposes of this FOA, there is no eligibility restriction for entities that are the prime recipient of an Onsite Energy TAP award from DE-FOA-0002945.  However, please refer to Section IV. D. xix. xix. Potentially Duplicative Funding Notice as each applicant must determine whether the activities of those awards potentially overlap with the activities set forth in its application to this FOA."]
[44,"2024-02-14","Application Content/Format","While we are preparing a full proposal, we are thinking of changing a PI for strengthening this proposal.\n\nCould you let me know if we can change a PI and lead institution for this proposal?","For the purposes of this FOA, as long as the prime applicant is an eligible entity per Section III of the FOA, the prime applicant may change up until the Full Application submission. If the change occurs between the Concept Paper submission and Full Application Submission, the concept of the proposed application cannot change, only the prime applicant. If necessary, please contact the EERE Exchange helpdesk EERE-eXCHANGESupport@hq.doe.gov for assistance with updating the applicant in Exchange.  Additionally, the PI may change up until the Full Application submission as long as the new PI is qualified to carry out the tasks as outlined in the proposal."]
[45,"2024-02-12","Other","Our company missed the deadline for the 2024 IEDO Grants Concept Paper submission. We are hoping to apply for the grant in the following year and would like to know if it will reoccur in the following year?","All future funding opportunities are dependent on congressional appropriations.  Please follow EERE News Blasts, Press Releases, and EERE eXCHANGE to find out about future funding opportunities. You can also sign up for alerts on grants.gov."]
[46,"2024-02-12","Other","We have the following follow-up questions to our previous question:\n•\tAn investor has invested in a company via a SAFE note. No shares have been issued to them, as the company has yet to raise a priced round. Is a US investor who has invested in the company via a SAFE note considered US ownership and/or control? \n•\tDoes the ownership of an individual shareholder (foreign national, green card holder) count towards US ownership and/or control? ","Per Section III.G “EERE will not make eligibility determinations for potential applicants prior to the date on which applications to this FOA must be submitted. The decision whether to apply in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant.” \n\nIt is the applicant’s responsibility to read the entire FOA document and decide if they are an eligible entity per section III.A. Please also refer to sections IV.D.xviii. Transparency of Foreign Connections, IV.J.viii. Foreign Collaboration Considerations, VI.B.iii Foreign National Participation, and Appendix C."]
[47,"2024-02-20","Labs/FFRDCs","Can you please provide the name and address of the programmatic contact/program manager.  This is needed for the DOE Contracting Officer letter granting DOE’s authorization of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s participation.","Please address the letter to \"EERE Contracting Officer\"."]
[48,"2024-02-08","Labs/FFRDCs","1) In most cases, partnering FFRDCs will be funded independently of the project team. Should those partnering FFRDCs still provide their project lead a completed subrecipient budget justification for the Full Application submission if the proposed federal share will exceed $250K or 25% of the total project costs?\n\n2) Since DOE prohibits FFRDCs from lobbying to influence federal officials in connection with the awarding of grants or contracts, are federally owned and operated laboratories still required to provide a signed SF-LLL when there is nothing to report?","1. Since DOE will not be providing funding through the field work authorization process, the Field Work Proposal is not a required document. If the FFRDC budget exceeds the threshold of $250K or 25% of the total project costs, then the FFRDC must submit the subrecipient budget justification to the prime for the application. A FOA mod will be forthcoming to make the change in the announcement document. \n\n2. When FFRDCs are participating as a subrecipient the SF-LLL submission is not required."]
[49,"2024-02-13","Labs/FFRDCs","Section III (E)ii states that DOE FFRDCs, if included as a teaming partner, will be funded by subaward (not a field work proposal (FWP)) and should prepare rates based on that contracting mechanism (not an FWP).  Then, Section IV(D)xi states that a WP is required if a portion of the work is performed by a DOE.  Will submitting the DOE approved budget obtained in the DOE approval process fulfill the requirement of the WP?  ","Please see answer to question 48."]
[50,"2024-02-20","Labs/FFRDCs","Hello, I am a Proposal Coordinator at NETL. We are partnering on a full proposal to DE-FOA-0003206. We are trying to determine if a DOE Field Work proposal is needed for this submission. \n\nOn page 38 of the FOA, it states:\n\nDOE will not fund DOE/NNSA FFRDCs participating as a subrecipient through the DOE field work authorization process. DOE will not fund non-DOE/NNSA FFRDCs through an interagency agreement with the sponsoring agency. Therefore, the prime recipient and FFRDC are responsible for entering into an appropriate subaward that will govern, among other things, the funding of the FFRDC portion of the work from the prime recipient under its DOE award. Such an agreement must be entered into before any project work begins.\n\nOn page 52 of the FOA, it reads: \n\nIf a DOE/NNSA FFRDC is to perform a portion of the work, the applicant must provide a DOE work proposal (WP) in accordance with the requirements in DOE Order 412.1A, Work Authorization System, Attachment 2, available at: https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0412.1-BOrder-a-chg1-AdmChg. \n\nPlease advise on whether or not a Field Work Proposal is needed.","Please see answer to question 48."]
[51,"2024-02-23","Application Content/Format","In looking at this year’s Full Application guidelines, we see the new Transparency of Foreign Connections section doesn’t have a template prepared. Will you be able to post a template to provide uniformity in submissions? If not, is there another funding agency that uses a similar format for us to follow?","There is no template for the Transparency of Foreign Connections.  EERE does not have an example of how to assemble this information.  Please provide as much information as possible to the questions listed in Section IV. D. xvii."]
[52,"2024-02-20","Other","Previous equipment was purchased, in part, using federal funding. Can that same equipment, that is no longer being used for the original scope, be used as cost-share when repurposed for a new project? Since the old project ended, the equipment (a reactor) has had some    substantial revisions, maintenance and adaptations. How is the value of this equipment assessed for potential use as cost share?","If your organization has retained title of the equipment then it can be repurposed for other objectives as your organization deems appropriate. In this case, you may utilize the equipment as cost share following 2 CFR 200.306(i)(2). A fair market value (FMV) must be determined in order to contribute to the project as cost share. FMV can be determined in a few ways: 1) by a third party appraisal, 2) list the item on the public market to allow the market to determine the FMV, 3) if the equipment is highly specialized or a prototype and no FMV can be determined, the applicant must then provide a justification and rationale for the FMV, which may or may not be accepted by DOE, 4) depreciation schedules currently in use by the applicant’s accounting department may be used to determine FMV so long as the value is deemed reasonable by DOE. \n\nCosts to obtain FMV are unallowable and not reimbursable if selected for award negotiations or not.\n\nIf your organization has not retained title of the equipment, please contact the awarding agency for disposition instructions. "]
[53,"2024-02-19","Application Content/Format","The Technical Volume requirement to include a Market Transformation Plan seems geared towards applicants that propose to manufacture and bring a product to market. How should an applicant that is not a manufacturer (i.e. under Topic Area 1, Tier 2, the applicant will integrate an IHP at the applicant’s existing industrial facility) approach the Market Transformation Plan requirement? ","Section IV.D.ii of the FOA describes the expected elements of the Market Transformation Plan, specifically: 1) Identification of target market, competitors, and distribution channels for proposed technology along with known or perceived barriers to market penetration, including a mitigation plan; and 2) Identification of a product development and/or service plan, commercialization timeline, financing, product marketing, legal/regulatory considerations including intellectual property, infrastructure requirements, data dissemination, and product distribution.\n\nWhile the maturity and specificity of the plan may vary, these elements are relevant to all projects under this FOA, regardless of TRL level of the technology and manufacturing capability of the project team."]
[54,"2024-02-23","Application Content/Format","The EERE budget justification file does not allow additional Personnel in excess of the fixed amount of rows, because the Row E calculation formula cannot be extended (due to file locking) nor can a formula be inserted (due to file locking).\n\nPlease advise if there is a better/allowable budget justification file to use.","For the purposes of this FOA, the Budget Justification file found in eXCHANGE is the only budget file that can be used to fill out a Full Application.  If the application is selected for award, then potentially changes can be made to the budget justification file to incorporate all personnel estimates."]
[55,"2024-03-05","Application Content/Format","Is there guidance on the % of federal funding that should be estimated/allocated to the Prime Applicant vs. Subrecipient partners?","Please read FOA sections III.B.i and III.B.ii."]
[56,"2024-03-08","Application Content/Format","Is a subrecipient (a National Lab) who is not supplying cost sharing, to a Lead Organization (University), required to submit a Letter-of-Commitment (LoC P. 49). I know that the national lab, as a subrecipient, has to submit a Letter-of-Authorization as outlined on p.38. However, we aren’t sure if a LoC is required as well. ","For the purposes of this FOA, a DOE/NNSA FFRDC or non-DOE/NNSA FFRDC that is participating as a subrecipient on a Full Application is not required to submit a Letter of Commitment (LOC). "]
[57,"2024-03-09","Application Content/Format","I had a question regarding the Potentially Duplicative Funding Notice for DE-FOA-0003206. Should a single notice be provided for the entire project (by the PI), or should each Co-PI provide their own Potentially Duplicative Funding Notice (which are then combined into a single PDF)?","Please refer to section IV.D.xix. Potentially Duplicative Funding Notice for more information. The section states, “If the applicant or project team member has other active awards of federal funds, the applicant must determine whether the activities of those awards potentially overlap with the activities set forth in its application to this FOA.” Co-PIs are considered part of the project team and should be included in the submission for this application requirement. "]
[58,"2024-03-11","Due Dates","My team has an FFRDC partner who has indicated that obtaining necessary internal approval and required documentations is prohibitively difficult by the 3/26 timeline. \n \nWill EERE please consider an extension on the full application due date?","DE-FOA-0003206 is on an aggressive timeline and therefore no further extensions to the Full Application phase can be granted.  The Full Application phase will close at 03/26/2024 5:00 PM ET as scheduled."]
[59,"2024-03-13","Application Content/Format","I'm about to submit a full proposal for DE-FOA-0003206. I have collaborators that are only contributing with in kind cost share and I believe that they do not need to submit an SF-LLL, only prime recipients and subrecipients do. Am I right?","Per Section IV. D. xiii. of the FOA, “prime recipients and subrecipients are required to complete and submit SF-LLL”.  Collaborators that are contributing in-kind cost share still may qualify as a subrecipient, however for application purposes, they are not required to submit an SF-LLL. If selected for award negotiations, DOE will determine what type of cost share is being provided (as proposed in the budget) and if that qualifies the partner as a subrecipient."]
[60,"2024-03-13","Application Content/Format","As part of our application, we have partnered with a sub-recipient for a workstream that will be allocated $275,000 of the project budget, which is about 7% of the total project value.  This amount is above the $250,000 limit and as such they will be identified as a formal sub-recipient with an associated budget justification.  This sub-recipient is a 100% owned domestic entity, and I am not concerned about that.  \n\nBut to execute a portion of this workstream (estimated 50%), this sub-recipient will be utilizing a partner of theirs with particular expertise in the relevant field.  This other entity is a wholly owned US-entity of a public company that is headquartered and listed in the UK.  Although this entity is incorporated domestically and all of this work is performed in the US, this entity is 100% owned by the UK parent company and therefore does not meet the stated definition of a domestic entity.  While their budget would be under the stated $250,000 threshold (and is less than 5% of the total budget value), I would like to name them as a formal member of the team given their unique expertise.  \n\nAs such, I believe I will have to pursue the Foreign Waiver Request for their involvement in the project.  Can you confirm this is the appropriate approach?  ","Per Section III.A.ii., “…EERE may approve a waiver to allow a foreign entity to participate as a prime recipient or subrecipient… if the applicant seeks to include a foreign entity as a subrecipient, the applicant must submit a separate explicit written waiver request in the Full Application for each proposed foreign subrecipient.” Since the sub-recipient in question is 100% owned by a UK parent company, a foreign entity waiver request is required for the Full Application.\n\nInformation regarding the requirements for a foreign entity waiver request can be found in Appendix C of the FOA."]
[61,"2024-03-13","Application Content/Format","I have downloaded the template for the summary slide (as enclosed), but am not able to fill in the numbers in the Table on the left side of the pptx Template. Please advise. ","The table found in the Summary Slide template is an embedded Xcel spreadsheet.  In order to fill out the table, simply double-click with the left mouse button on the table and it will allow you to input the Total Project Costs."]

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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"]