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["INSTRUCTIONS"]
[1,"All questions pertaining to this funding opportunity announcement should be emailed to OptimaFOA@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-FOA-0001628 - Productivity Enhanced Algae and Tool-Kits (PEAK)"]
["Question #","Date Submitted","Topic","Question","Answer"]
[1,"2016-12-21","Webinar","I was unaware of the above-referenced webinar until today, is there (or will there be) a recording available?","Slides and a transcript of the webinar have been posted on exchange and are currently available."]
[2,"2016-12-20","Technical"," Would a proposal focused on prokaryotic algal species such as cyanobacteria would be considered compliant for this FOA?","Yes, for the purposes of this FOA, algae includes microalgae, macroalgae, and cyanobacteria. "]
[3,"2016-12-15","Technical","I am wondering if Cyanobacteria are considered algae for the terms of this FOA?","Yes, for the purposes of this FOA, algae includes microalgae, macroalgae, and cyanobacteria. "]
[4,"2016-12-22","PEAK Challenge","I was wondering if you could clarify if the PEAK challenge for final validation of improved strains/-conditions has to occur OUTDOORS or under outdoor conditions. \n\nIs deployment of the strain indoors in a raceway pond with environmentally simulated temperature and light accepted as \nvalidation method? \n","The PEAK challenge will take place without simulate temperature and light.  Secondary containment (such as a greenhouse) may be acceptable in limited circumstances if required to comply with federal TSCA regulations. "]
[5,"2016-12-21","Cost Share","Regarding the cost share reduction to 10%, if the team consists of two FFRDCs who want to equally split the work, can they be considered as together performing more than 50% of the work (i.e. each performing 30%?). ","Yes, the two FFRDCs are eligible for the reduced cost share amount.\n"]
[6,"2016-12-22","Technical","The answer to Question # 4 states that the final validation of the strains for the PEAK Challenge has to be done in outdoor ponds or ponds within greenhouses. \nSince the FOA states \"Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in culturing algae and particularly their proposed strain(s) of interest under actual or simulated climate conditions, ... \" is it acceptable to test strains prior to outdoor pond deployment in the lab under climate-simulated conditions since this may speed up the down-select process, enables the quantification of areal biomass productivities for all four seasons to obtain annual biomass productivity estimates (to confirm that the PEAK productivity targets per Table 1 have been achieved), and possibly minimizes the risk of failure (unwanted surprises) in outdoor ponds? \n","Yes, for the purposes of this FOA, strains can be tested indoors until deployment in outdoor systems."]
[7,"2016-12-23","Technical","Would the use of municipal wastewater effluent, though it is freshwater, be responsive because the water is not potable?","Yes."]
[8,"2016-12-29","Technical","Is there a scale requirement for the initial validation to demonstrate cultivation readiness?","500mL is the required scale for the interim validation but no scale requirement is mentioned for the initial validation."]
[9,"2017-01-05","Application Content/Format","Will the budget have to be submitted with the concept paper and if yes, how final does the budget have to be (e.g., can the total $ amount change for the final proposal submission)?","The concept paper requirement can be found in section IV.C.  When submitting a concept paper in EERE Exchange, you will be prompted for a total project cost.  This can be an estimate and it can change if a full proposal is submitted.  "]
[10,"2017-01-05","Other","Please provide me with the full electronic announcement for Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) details for Number: DE-FOA-0001628, “Productivity Enhanced Algae and Tool-Kits (PEAK)” ","https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/#FoaId7e516e41-db54-4c51-a274-48604245e917"]
[11,"2017-01-05","Cost Share","Question: On page 23 under section B2 Cost Sharing, FFRDC’s as a prime are able to do more than 50% of the work. But on pg 28 section E, vi, it states the FFDRC effort in aggregate shall not exceed 25% of the total cost of the project. These two sections contradict each other.  Are there any limits on the FFRDC level of effort?","Section III.E.2 is entitled  \"Requirements for DOE/NNSA and non-DOE/NNSA Federally Funded Research and Development Centers Included as a Subrecipient\".  Clause vi within this section is in reference to FFRDCs included as subrecipients. "]
[12,"2017-01-16","FFRDC","The FOA states that “The FFRDC effort, in aggregate, shall not exceed 25% of the total estimated cost of the project,\nincluding the applicant’s and the FFRDC’s portions of the effort.”  Does this mean each FFRDC on the proposal is limited to 25% or does the 25% apply to the total of all FFRDCs?\n","The 25% limitation (in Section III.E.2.vi) applies only to FFRDC subrecipient involvement.  If the FFRDC is the prime applicant/recipient, its involvement must exceed 50%."]
[13,"2017-01-19","FFRDC","Question 5 implies that two FFRDC’s (one lead and one sub) can receive 30% each.  Is this accurate?  The FOA indicates that the prime FFRDC must receive 50% or more of the budget, and sub FFRDC is capped at 25%.","Yes, the answer to Question 5 is accurate.  If the prime team consists of two FFRDCs who, in the aggregate, perform more than 50% of the work, they may each exceed the 25% limit imposed on FFRDC subrecipients and will meet the eligibility requirements for the 10% cost share reduction."]
[14,"2017-01-20","FFRDC","We filed a Concept Paper with an FFRDC as a subcontractor---IF invited to submit a FULL Application Can we apply with that same FFRDC as a subcontractor since they will be doing more than 50% of the work? AND can we file the forms necessary to reduce the Cost Share to 10%?","Yes you may include the same FFRDC subcontractor on the Full Application as you did on the Concept Paper. There are not any additional forms required for the 10% Cost Share Reduction. See the FOA document for a complete list of required document submissions. Also, see Question and Answer #11 above."]
[15,"2017-01-24","Application Content/Format","Is there a template for the required Technical and Financial Data Sheet?","The “Technical Financial Data Sheet for Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number: DE-FOA-0001628, “Productivity Enhanced Algae and Tool-Kits (PEAK)” template is available on the Exchange Website, under the “Documents” section.  While this specific template is not required, the information held in the template is required.  Please see the FOA for more information. "]
[16,"2017-01-31","Application Content/Format","Hello. We want to confirm the expectations for the length of budget periods. The FOA indicates that there should be 3 budget periods. BP1 is the validation period, not to exceed 3 months. BP2 is the technical work, which could presumably run 18 to 24 months. The outdoor work period would then be BP3 and would run for 9 to 15 months, depending on the length of BP2. Can you confirm that the expectation is not for 12-month budget periods? Also is it reasonable to propose October 1 as a start date?  ","The expectation is NOT for 12 month budget periods. October 1 is a reasonable project start date."]
[17,"2017-02-07","Cost Share","We are a University that qualifies for the 10% cost share rate. Based on section B.3. of the Funding Announcement that states “Although the cost share requirement applies to the project as a whole, including work performed by members of the project team other than the Prime Recipient, the Prime Recipient is legally responsible for paying the entire cost share.”, we assume that the subaward on our project is subject to the 10% cost share rate because it applies to the whole project. Could you please confirm? \n","The cost share waiver allows for certain applicants to qualify for a reduced cost share amount of 10% of total project costs.  There is information on how to  calculate the required cost share amount given the total requested federal funding and the required cost share percentage included as Appendix A in the FOA. The required cost share amount depends on the total project cost.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to prepare and submit a budget that meets the requirements.  The distribution of cost share contributions between the  applicant and their proposed sub-awardees does not affect the total minimum cost share requirement.  Regardless of the distribution of cost share contributions among project performers, the Prime Recipient of an award is the solely  responsible for ensuring the cost share commitment is met in accordance with the negotiated award terms and conditions. This means that in the event of a cost share shortfall, DOE may recover the shortfall  from the Prime Recipient regardless of the cost share distribution in the project budget proposal.  The Prime Recipient must be familiar with the provisions of 2CFR 200.330-332 which deal with subrecipient monitoring.  "]
[18,"2017-02-07","Cost Share","Is the recommendation for awards that vary between $1.5 and \n$3 million per year or inclusive over 3 years?\n\n","The FOA requests proposals with a total federal share of $1.5M to $3M.  $3M is the ceiling for federal funds for the total project performance period.  "]
[19,"2017-02-08","Application Content/Format","What is the page limit for the SOPO for this FOA?","The stand alone SOPO document required for this FOA application does not have a page limit.  A SOPO template for this FOA is available at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/FileContent.aspx?FileID=f54c8398-ace7-4990-aa15-c971a3690575 See FOA Section IV.D.3 for more information regarding the format of the SOPO. "]
[20,"2017-02-10","Other","1) This link does not seem to be working http://www.nrel.gov/biomass/microalgal_procedures.html - can this be corrected?\n2) Is there a format for the current and pending\n","1) The link has been updated to the following: https://www.nrel.gov/bioenergy/microalgae-analysis.html                                                                                                                                                                          2) In the requirements for the technical volume in section IV.D.2, an appendix of current and pending support for the proposal key personnel is request.  A template is not provided.  "]
[21,"2017-02-15","Application Content/Format","In downloading the SF-424 on the announcement, I noticed that the link provides an older form of the SF-424 (exp. 2009). Is this still the file to be included in the submission?","You may use either the SF-424 form provided in the FOA posting, or the one located here: http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424_2_1-V2.1.pdf  "]
[22,"2017-02-16","Other","Can you tell me which companies have submitted concept papers in response to the subject FOA?","Because this is an on-going, competitive process, EERE cannot disclose the identities of companies who have submitted a Concept Paper."]
[23,"2016-02-15","Cost Share","The PI and Co-PI were recently awarded funding that will overlap the project period for our PEAK proposal. The funding is not from a Federal source. Our Office of Contracts and Grants has advised that we need DOE approval in writing in order to use this award as a portion of our required cost share. ","DOE will not pre-approve the form or content of PEAK FOA applications.  Per section III.G of the FOA, “EERE will not make eligibility determinations for potential applicants prior to the date on which applications to this FOA must be submitted. The decision whether to submit an application in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant.” \n\nFor further information on cost share to help make decisions regarding the application, please refer to Section III.B.5, which states: \n\n“Every cost share contribution must be allowable under the applicable Federal cost principles, as described in Section IV.J.1 of the FOA. In addition, cost share must be verifiable upon submission of the Full Application. Project Teams may provide cost share in the form of cash or in-kind contributions. Cash contributions may be provided by the Prime Recipient or Subrecipients. Allowable in-kind contributions include, but are not limited to: rental value of buildings or equipment, the value of a donated service or resource, or third party in-kind contribution. Project teams may use funding or property received from state or local governments to meet the cost share requirement, so long as the funding was not provided to the state or local government by the Federal Government.”\n\nFor ease of reference, Section IV.J.1 states: “1) Allowable Costs: All expenditures must be allowable, allocable, and reasonable in accordance with the applicable Federal cost principles” and refers to 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart E - Cost Principles for all other non-federal entities.  \n"]
[24,"2017-03-15","Cost Share","“If an applicant has been notified that a member of their team is no longer able to participate and this change will affect cost share, then will the applicant, if selected for award, have the opportunity to adjust the team during negotiations in order to meet the cost share requirement and complete the proposed work scope? In the meantime, what obligation does the applicant have to the DOE with respect to notification of such changes in team structure?”","Yes, the applicant would be allowed to negotiate the team/cost share structure. The applicant should notify DOE if/once selected."]
[25,"2017-03-20","Application Reviews","The FOA lists the deadline for replies to reviewer comments as 5pm ET on the submission deadline.  However, the EERE exchange stopped accepting reviewer comments at 12pm ET.  Because of the discrepancy between the time listed in the FOA and the time listed on the exchange, is it possible to accept our replies to reviewer comments or to open the exchange to accept comments until the listed 5pm ET deadline?","Per the FOA, “The Reply to Reviewer Comments is an optional submission; applicants are not required to submit a Reply to Reviewer Comments. EERE will notify applicants via email when the Reviewer Comments are available for reply. The expected submission deadline is on the cover page of the FOA; however, it is the applicant’s responsibility to monitor emails in the event that the expected date changes. The deadline will not be extended for applicants who are unable to timely submit their reply due to failure to check email or relying on the expected date alone. Applicants should anticipate having approximately three (3) business days to submit Replies to Reviewer Comments.\n \nEERE will not review or consider ineligible Replies to Reviewer Comments (see Section III of the FOA). EERE will review and consider each eligible Full Application, even if no Reply is submitted or if the Reply is found to be ineligible.”\n \nThe EXPECTED Date for Submission Deadline for Replies to Reviewer Comments was for 3/17/2017. An email was sent on 3/15/2017 that stated “THE SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR REPLIES TO REVIEWER COMMENTS IS MONDAY, MARCH 20, 12:00 PM ET” and listed the following: “Reviewer Comments Open for Review/Response: Wednesday, March 15. Reviewer Comments Closed for Review/Response: Monday, March 20, 12:00 PM ET.” \n"]

{"sheet":"Admin Pick List","index":2,"n_rows":15,"n_cols":1,"rows_kept":15,"cut":false,"hidden":false,"merged":[]}
["Pick List"]
["Other"]
["Registration Requirements"]
["Webinar"]
["Eligibility"]
["Labs/FFRDCs"]
["Foreign Entities/Work"]
["Cost Sharing"]
["Due Dates"]
["Application Content/Format"]
["Intellectual Property"]
["Data Management"]
["U.S. Manufacturing Plan"]
["Application Reviews"]
["Technical Topics"]