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["INSTRUCTIONS"]
[1,"All questions pertaining to this funding opportunity announcement should be emailed to WETOFOA2236@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"]
["Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Wind Energy Technologies Office Funding Opportunity Announcement: DE-FOA-0002236 OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE AND PROJECT DEVELOPMENT"]
["Question #","Subject","Date Submitted","Topic","Question","Answer"]
[1,"Technical","2020-04-01",null,"For topic 1, regarding the emphasis on WRF-ARW numerical weather prediction model: Given that (i) NOAA is already sunsetting WRF in its operations, the last WRF-based HRRR implementation is scheduled for summer 2020, and (ii) NOAA is moving all of the foundational models to a unified forecast system based on the FV3 dynamical core, and (iii) ESRL is already developing and experimentally running the FV3 Stand-alone-regional version as a successor to HRRR, and (iv) the reason EERE WETO interest is solely in WRF-ARW is for easy and rapid transition of improvements arising from award project development into operational implementation in the foundational models, then should the FOA be modified to instead have interest in FV3 for the numerical weather prediction part of the effort? ","NOAA and DOE consulted on the status of FV3 as part of the development of this FOA. It is true that FV3 now serves as the dynamical core for NOAA’s operational global forecast system (GFS). However, NOAA is still working to port all of the physics and data assimilation capabilities from the current High Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) model to the regional version of FV3 (which will be known as the Rapid Refresh Forecast System, or RRFS). Thus, improvements in HRRR (WRF) physics will still end up in RRFS. NOAA plans to make both the global FV3 and the RRFS systems open, community models, but it will be some time before this is fully realized. In the meantime, improvements to WRF will benefit not only NOAA’s foundational forecast models but also the many WRF users in the wind industry."]
[2,"Eligibility ","2020-04-03",null,"My company is wondering if foreign entities are eligible for application to this FOA?","See FOA section III.A.v. \"Foreign Entities\"."]
[3,"Technical","2020-04-07",null,"For Topic Area 2, does the DOE anticipate considering proposed projects that involve the evaluation of wind-wildlife related technologies, either for purposes of monitoring for or minimizing of impacts by offshore wind energy to marine and airborne wildlife? If ‘yes’ to considering such proposals, are wind-wildlife related technologies of particular interest for Topic Area 2 focus?","The Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) posted at EERE eXCHANGE is comprehensive and designed to allow prospective applicants to assess their proposed projects (Concept Papers and Full Applications) versus the requirements and criteria of the FOA.  DOE cannot predetermine the suitability or viability of a proposal (Concept Papers and Full Applications) in advance of the merit review process.  It is up to prospective applicants to review the requirements of the FOA and assess the merits of their proposed project to determine whether to submit an application.  "]
[4,"Technical","2020-04-07",null,"[My company] is developing a robot to inspect, clean and repair MW scale wind turbine generators (WTGs) suitable for current onshore wind farms. Please indicate to what extent this meets the DOE FOA mission to  advance the state-of-the-art of offshore wind energy in the United States since the offshore Rover is a new technology (that has yet to be used commercially in the US for offshore wind) which can help lower cost of energy and technology risk, enabling continued cost-effective deployment of US wind power.","See Answer to Q&A 3 above. "]
[5,"Administrative","2020-04-07",null,"Please email me a copy of the applications since I have not been able to download the documents on my laptop (web links do not open).","The FOA documents are only available through the EERE eXCHANGE website, and will not be provided by DOE personnel via any other means. If you are having trouble accessing the FOA, please contact the EERE eXCHANGE help desk to resolve the issue(s) by e-mail to EERE-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov. "]
[6,"Eligibility ","2020-04-15",null,"Our proposed project will involve field testing for validation of new technologies for offshore wind turbines. Can the field test site be located out of the United States, such as in Europe?","There may be limited circumstances where it is in the interest of the project to perform a portion of the work outside the United States. To seek a waiver of the Performance of Work in the United States requirement, the applicant must submit an explicit waiver request in the Full Application. See FOA Appendix C.2."]
[7,"Eligibility ","2020-04-10",null,"Can University of Colorado / CIRES staff either lead or be part of a team that responds to this proposal?   ","For Topic Area 1, Offshore Wind Resource Measurement and Modeling Science, Universities and other non-federal research entities are eligible to apply as a Prime Recipient. DOE/NNSA FFRDCs are not eligible to apply for funding as a prime recipient or subrecipient. NOAA is not eligible to apply for funding as a prime recipient or subrecipient. Please refer to Section III of the FOA for specific eligibility criteria.  "]
[8,"Technical","2020-04-20",null,"For Topic Area 2, do we need to have identified the site and secured permission to conduct validation testing from the lease holder for submitting the concept paper on April 30th? Or is that only required at the time of the full application?","The degree to which a site has been secured, permitting and site assessments are underway or complete, and construction engineering and hardware selection are underway, including documentation clearly identifying permission to conduct validation testing from the site or lease holder will be evaluated on Full Applications submitted to this FOA. This criterion is not a requirement for Concept Papers. See FOA section V.A. for Concept Paper and Full Application Technical Review Criteria. "]
[9,"Administrative","2020-04-21",null,"Do individual applicants need a duns #?","See FOA Section IV.F. and note exemptions. Also see Q&A #10, below."]
[10,"Administrative","2020-04-23",null,"Following the instructions in XVI. F of the FOA. Can you clarify if for the concept paper the organization needs to be registered in SAM or is this only required when the full application is submitted?","See FOA Section IV.F: \"Each Applicant [...] is required to: (1) Be registered in the SAM at https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ before submitting its [FULL] application; (2) provide a valid DUNS number in its [FULL] application; and (3) continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a federal awarding agency. DOE may not make a federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM requirements.\"  An entity applying under this FOA must have an active SAM registration at the time their Full Application is submitted. Due to delays with SAM Registration, exceptions may be made at the time Full Applications are due, if the Applicant can show the SAM Registration process has been initiated. "]
[11,"Administrative","2020-04-24",null,"I have one more question on the team formation. Is it possible to add more project partners after the concept paper submission? If necessary, is it possible to change the principal recipient before the final submission too?","Yes, team members can be updated until the Full Application Submission Due Date. Futher changes to the team MAY be approved if an aplication is selected for negotiations towards an award, with approval from DOE."]
[12,"Technical","2020-04-24",null,"In reference to the paragraph: “The proposed work should enable the applicant to perform the necessary project development to implement the new technology/methodology at an offshore wind plant that will be operational no later than 2025. & To be eligible for award, offshore wind projects where the proposed technology/methodology validation testing would take place must already be underway at the time of the application to this FOA…” Does this mean that the demonstration for the FOA need to be performed at a planned wind plant location? Or can the demonstration for the FOA be done at any demonstration site as long as the technology would be implemented in an offshore wind plant by 2025?","The expectation is that the technology validation testing will be performed at an offshore wind plant which is operational or is under development with substantiated plans to be in operation no later than 2025."]
[13,"Technical","2020-04-24",null,"In reference to the paragraph: “Funds for project development may be used to advance a technology from TRL 4 to TRL7…” If the technology is going to be implemented no later than 2025 with a 60 month program, would you expect the technology to be implemented in an offshore wind plant at a TRL 7? ","Funding under this FOA is intended to support project development in the range of TRL from 4 to 7.  The implementation of the technology must be at least at engineering/pilot scale, or TRL 6, as defined in Appendix F of the FOA. Also see DOE G 413.3-4A “U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Technology Readiness Assessment Guide: https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0413.3-EGuide-04-admchg1 "]
[14,"Technical","2020-04-24",null,"In reference to the proposed project, is there a minimum engineering/pilot scale that is of interest?\n•     Implement an innovative technology at least at engineering/pilot scale, up to full-scale, or employ a novel methodology that has yet to be utilized commercially in the United States for offshore wind; and...\n","See above Q&A #13."]
[15,"Administrative","2020-04-27",null,"Are letters of support needed for the Concept Paper?","No; see FOA Section IV.B for the requirements of the Concept Paper."]
[16,"Administrative","2020-04-27",null,"Could you please clarify whether any references are required to be part of the total 10 pages (5 pages for technical description and 5 pages for addendum) allowed for the concept paper or if they can be separate, additional pages (i.e. over and above the 10-page limit)?","See above Q&A #15."]
[17,"Administrative","2020-04-28",null,"Regarding the Concept Paper, in the FOA it states in part that \"Applicants may provide graphs, charts, or other data to supplement their Technology Description.”\nCan tables be included in the Addendum (as part of that 5 page limit)?\n","Yes; see FOA Section IV.B for the requirements of the Concept Paper and note total page limit."]
[18,"Administrative","2020-04-28",null,"For the Concept Paper, as long as the total page limit of 11 (Cover Page + 5 + 5) is respected, can we embed tables and graphics within the text, so as to be more directly connected to the narrative, or must all tables and figures be strictly confined to the Addendum?","REVISED: The Cover Page (1 page) may not contain any Technical Description and Impacts information or Addendum information.  The Technical Description and Impacts sections of the Concept Paper or Addendum must conform to Section IV.B. of the FOA.  As long as the Concept Paper adequately addresses the requirements of the Concept Paper as outlined in FOA Section IV.B, embedded tables, charts, graphics, etc. can be utilized throughout the Concept Paper. Also, see above Q&A #17."]
[19,"Administrative","2020-04-28",null,"Can the Prime Recipient (Lead Organization) be changed between the Concept Paper and the Full Application?","As long as the same Control Number is used throughout the application process, the Prime Recipient may be changed up until the Full Application Submission Deadline. Note eligibilty requirements of a Prime Recipient as outlined in the FOA and see FOA Section IV.C, and above Q&A #11."]
[20,"Administrative","2020-05-02",null,"Our Concept Paper was submitted before the April 30 deadline. We kept a copy of the Concept Paper itself but cannot find any record on the website of the entire submission, etc. as it was seen just before it was submitted on the website. How do we go to the DOE eXCHANGE website or to WETOFOA2236 with our Control Number as provided in the return receipt and find our submission.","For technical questions related to the Exchange Website, please contact: EERE-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov"]
[21,"Administrative","2020-05-22",null,"The SOPO template provided by DOE [on the Exchange Website] uses 12 point Calibri font. Could you please confirm that it is acceptable to use Calibri 12 point font in the SOPO? The formatting requirements found on page 27 of the FOA say \"All pages must ...use Times New Roman typeface...\"\n","The SOPO template has been updated on EERE Exchange with Times New Roman font. You may pull the new one or use the old one with Calibri font. Either of these two fonts will be accepted. "]
[22,"Administrative","2020-06-01",null,"According to [FOA Section IV.] C. ii – “The Technical Volume to the Full Application may not be more than 30 pages”. Can you explain if this means it cannot exceed 30 pages?","The Technical Volume must conform to the following content and form requirements, including maximum page lengths. If applicants exceed the maximum page lengths... EERE will review only the authorized number of pages and disregard any additional pages. The Technical Volume to the Full Application may not be more than 30 pages, including the cover page, table of contents, and all citations, charts, graphs, maps, photos, or other graphics, and must include all of the required information. The Technical Volume should be 30 pages or less. Any addtional pages over 30 will not be reviewed. "]
[23,"Administrative","2020-06-01",null,"Regarding the guideline on conference spending (pg 66 of FOA), does this refer to conferences the PIs may want to attend or does it refer to the PIs holding  their own conference? And is this only in the instance that attending/holding such a conference would exceed $20K?  ","Regardless of total cost for hosting and/or attending a conference, the recipient shall not expend any funds on a conference not directly and programmatically related to the purpose for which the cooperative agreement was awarded. If hosting and/or attending a conference falls under the scope of the project, and the costs are found to be reasonable, allowable and allocable, funds may be budgeted for this purpose. "]
[24,"Administrative","2020-06-02",null,"Do you have a recommended start date for potential awards made as part of this FOA? \n\nI understand that the budget documents should be written in project months, but given that FOA lists the expected award negotiations date as 9/30/2020, would an 10/1/2020 start date be appropriate for our internal purposes?\n","Based on previous experience with award negotiations, WETO recommends a project start date of 01/01/2021. The project start date used in the Full Application can be adjusted after selection and/or during award negotiations. "]
[25,"Administrative","2020-06-02",null,"Our team includes companies that do not have negotiated overhead rate agreements with the federal government, but are critical co-investigators of the scientific effort we’d propose.  While they do have evidence of prior successful negotiations with the federal government [DOE in particular] for overhead, our reading of the federal regulations suggests that the lack of a negotiated rate agreement would require them, as sub-recipients, to accept an overhead rate of 10%.\n\nDo you have any guidance for which documents could be submitted in lieu of a negotiated rate agreement to support a higher overhead rate as a sub-recipient?  Alternatively, would the DOE be willing to contract separately (from a main award) with these team members to support their inclusion as scientific partners?\"\n","REVISED (see strikethrough and red text) and also see Q&A 36. The Prime applicant and their subrecipents are responsible for determining if indirect costs are appropriate charges to the include in their budgets. There are several methods for allocating indirect cost/expenses to projects, activities and programs: DCAA “ICE” model, Single Rate Method, and Two Rate Method. More information is found on this page: https://www.energy.gov/eere/funding/downloads/sample-indirect-rate-proposal-pre-award-and-profit-compliance-audit.  Please refer to the document titled “Sample Indirect Rate Proposal (Pre-Award).”\n\nA copy of an approved Indirect Rate Agreement or a Rate Proposal, following the guidelines in the Sample Indirect Rate Proposal (Pre-Award), is only required FROM THE PRIME RECIPIENT when the applicant is selected for award negotiations. This would apply to subrecipents as well. A separate budget justification for is only required for each subrecipient that is expected to perform work estimated to be more than $250,000 or 25 percent of the total work effort (whichever is less). Please carefully review Section IV.C. Content and Form of the Full Application of the FOA.\n\nDOE will not contract separately with subrecipents. "]
[26,"Administrative","2020-06-08",null,"We are considering a multi-tiered team structure (i.e. Prime / subcontractor / sub-subcontractor).  Can the lowest tier, the sub-subcontractor, provide cost-share to the project as a sub-recipient? Or do all sub-recipients have to contract directly with the prime recipient?  ","Per Section III.B. of the FOA: \nProject teams may provide cost share in the form of cash or in-kind contributions. Cost share may be provided by the prime recipient, subrecipients, or third parties (entities that do not have a role in performing the scope of work). Vendors/contractors may not provide cost share. 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.\n\nAdditionally, Subrecipients may contract directly with other subrecipents. If selected for award, the prime recipient must apply the Award terms as required by 2 CFR 200.326 to all subrecipients (and subcontractors, as appropriate), and require their strict compliance therewith.\n"]
[27,"Technical","2020-06-10",null,"In reference to the sentence below, with the words in RED (pg 16), is the interpretation of “new technology”, technology between TRL 1 and TRL 3?\n\n“Funds for project development may be used to advance a technology from TRL 4 to TRL7 (see Appendix F), research the applicability and cost effectiveness of a new technology or methodology, and for site-specific engineering to utilize the technology, including procurement of the hardware for the proposed technology.”","“New technology”, as used in this context, refers to a technology which is innovative or novel and that has yet to be utilized commercially for offshore wind energy in the United States."]
[28,"Technical","2020-06-10",null,"Is the TRL at the time of submitting the full application or as measured when the DOE EERE project commences?","The referenced section refers to the TRL at the time of Full Application submission."]
[29,"Administrative","2020-06-10",null,"Is the Principal Investigator also the technical point of contact?","Yes."]
[30,"Administrative","2020-06-10",null,"Are the Principal Investigator/Technical Point of Contact and Business Point of Contact required to be from the Prime Recipient organization or can these key team members be from Subrecipient organizations?","They can be from either the Prime Recipient Organization or from the Subrecipient Organiziation(s). "]
[31,"Administrative","2020-06-11",null,"I’m trying to fill in the SF-424 Appication for Federal Assistance Form, could you please advise what these mean? \"4. Applicant Identifier\" and \"5b. Federal Entity Identifier\"?\n","Both of these fields should be left blank, as EERE only provides this Identifier information if a submission is selected for negotations towards an award. "]
[32,"Administrative","2020-06-12",null,"Section III.B.iii states the \"vendors/contractors may not provide cost share. Any partial donation of goods or services is considered a discount and not allowable.\"  However, are contractors allowed to provide a cash contribution (versus a discount on serivces)? ","No, Vendors/contractors may not provide cost share. Cost share may be provided by the prime recipient, subrecipients, or third parties (entities that do not have a role in performing the scope of work). "]
[33,"Administrative","2020-06-12",null,"Regarding conference spending,  DOE and NOAA will sometimes convene special sessions at large meetings like Annual Meteorological Society specifically to share research results relevant to our proposal. Is this type of meeting travel allowable?","Travel to conferences is allowable as long as it is reasonable and supports the scope of work of the project. "]
[34,"Administrative","2020-06-12",null,"The budget worksheet states that \"a recipient cannot claim unrecovered indirect costs as cost share without prior approval.\"  Are there special circumstances under which unrecovered indirect costs can be claimed or are they generally disallowed?  And from whom would the prior approval be obtained?","Per 2 CFR 200.306(c) Unrecovered indirect costs, including indirect costs on cost sharing or matching may be included as part of cost sharing or matching only with the prior approval of the Federal awarding agency. Unrecovered indirect cost means the difference between the amount charged to the Federal award and the amount which could have been charged to the Federal award under the non-Federal entity's approved negotiated indirect cost rate.  The prior approval would be given by the Contracting Officer upon approval of the final award with those costs in the budget. "]
[35,"Administrative","6/17/2020\n\nREVISED: 7/1/2020",null,"Will there be an extension of time for the full application given the impacts of COVID-19? ","At this point in time, EERE is not anticipating any changes to the FOA schedule or Full Application submission deadline.   \n\nUnrealated to COVID-19, EERE has extended the FOA schedule and Full Application Submission Deadline by 1 week. The new deadline for Full Application Submissions has been extended from 07/09/2020, by 5:00pm ET to 07/16/2020, by 5:00pm ET, as shown on the cover page of the modified (0001) FOA document.The Submission Deadline for the Reply to Reviewer Comments deadline has also been extended. "]
[36,"Administrative","2020-06-19",null,"Our effort will include sub-awards to partners that will be submitting an indirect rate proposal instead of a federally negotiated rate agreement. It is our understanding that DOE would, if selected, examine the sub-awardee's rate proposal during contracting.  Can you confirm this? Additionally, could you provide guidance on when and to whom these partners should be prepared to submit their supporting documentation?  To the DOE at the time of contracting? Or as commercial contractors should the indirect rate proposal be submitted to the Defense Contract Audit Agency?","See above REVISED Q&A #25. DOE does not typically collect indirect rate proposals or negotiated rate agreements for subawards when selected for award negotiations. If the DOE  Contracting Officer decides that more information is required to justify a budgeted fringe and/or indirect rate, the subawardee will be asked to provide it during award negotiations."]
[37,"Technical","2020-06-25",null,"Should an applicant who is planning on utilizing the two Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) LiDAR buoys (or any other GFE) budget for logistical and operational costs (mobilization, deployment, management, recovery, decommissioning, permitting, etc.)?","Yes, if an applicant plans to utilize Government Furnished Equipment (GFE), their work plan and budget should account for all costs associated with deploying, operating and retrieving the equipment. Applicants should propose a study that can flexibly and effectively incorporate federally provided resources (NOAA and FFRDC staff and equipment) but can also stand on its own merits within the funding available through this topic area."]
[38,"Administrative","2020-06-25",null,"In part 2 of the FOA it is our understanding that DOE National Labs can participate in project activities, but not provide cost share for their work scope. Where the proposed participation includes support from an existing National Lab program for the loan of equipment for survey purposes, can this count towards the lead applicants cost share?","Per Section III.B.iv. of the FOA, “Because FFRDCs are funded by the federal government, costs incurred by FFRDCs generally may not be used to meet the cost share requirement. FFRDCs may contribute cost share only if the contributions are paid directly from the contractor’s Management Fee or another non-federal source.” Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) cannot be included as cost share. "]
[39,"Technical","2020-06-29",null,"The FOA, page 35, states in part \"Unless otherwise specified in the FOA, the minimum requirement is that each project must have at least one milestone per quarter for the duration of the project with at least one SMART technical milestone per year (depending on the project, more milestones may be necessary to comprehensively demonstrate progress).\" Since there does not appear to be any language in the FOA reducing this minimum requirement, one milestone per quarter would suggest at least 20 separate and distinct milestones and 5 SMART milestones (given the 60-month length) be enumerated and discussed.  Can you please confirm this?","The minimum requirement for this FOA is that each project must have at least one milestone per quarter with at least one SMART technical milestone per year. A project 60 months in length would therefore require at least 20 total separate and distinct milestones (one per quarter), 5 of which would specifically need to be SMART technical milestones (one per year)."]
[40,"Administrative","2020-06-29",null,"  We just found this grant, are we able to submit a project without a concept paper?","Per FOA Section IV. \"Only applicants who have submitted an eligible Concept Paper will be eligible to submit a Full Application.\" Concept Paper Submissions were due 04/30/2020, by 5:00pm ET."]
[41,"Technical","2020-07-01",null,"To facilitate floating lidar system deployment and to help minimize project permitting costs and schedules, can all of the permit applications – and associated regulator feedback – for each of the DOE / PNNL WindSentinel deployments offshore of Virginia and New Jersey please be provided to applicants?","Permit applications and associated regulator feedback from the previous buoy deployments are unavailable, and unlikely to be pertinent to future deployments, as the timing to obtain permits/authorizations is dependent largely upon deployment location but also internal processes of the agency requesting the permits (e.g., federal vs. state vs. commercial; agency-specific internal reviews and approvals prior to submittal), types of permits needed, and potential for impacts (e.g., species or cultural resources are in the area).”\n\nSome required permits/authorizations/consultations may include but are not necessarily limited to:\n• Cultural Resources Review, National Historic Preservation Act Consultation [2-3 months]\n• Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 & Marine Mammal Protection Act Consultation (National Marine Fisheries Service) [3-6 months]*\n• ESA Section 7 (Fish and Wildlife Service) [3-6 months, depending on location]*\n• Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act - Essential Fish Habitat [3-6 months]*\n• Rivers and Harbors Act/Clean Water Act Nationwide Permit (NWP) or Individual Permit [2-3 months]\n• Private Aids to Navigation (PATON) or Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) (US Coast Guard) [3 months]**\n• National Environmental Policy Act [dependent upon potential level of impact, may be covered by a categorical exclusion]\n• Coastal Zone Management Act authorization***\n\n*Assumes informal consultation; may be able to combine into one Biological Assessment/Essential Fish Habitat Assessment but would require separate consultations between federal agencies\n**Requires NWP prior to finalization\n*** If a federal agency, involves federal licenses/permits, or federal funding and the NWP doesn’t include the consistency determination\n\n"]
[42,"Administrative","2020-07-02",null,"It is indicated on page 21: “Topic Area 2: EERE anticipates making awards that will run up to 60 months in length, comprised of up to 3 Budget Periods”. However the budget justification form has 5 budget periods and the description reads: “EERE 335 Budget Justification Form with 5 Budget Periods. Only complete the number of Budget Periods required for your project. For example, a project with 4 Budget Periods would leave information for Budget Period 5 empty. “. Is the applicant able to select the number of budget periods as it best suits the project or does it need to be maximum 3 budget periods?","The number of required budget periods depends on which Topic Area an applicant is applying to. See FOA Section II.A. for more information. "]
[43,"Administrative","2020-07-03",null,"May I get clarification on the requirement for submission of subrecipient budget justifications? \n\nA separate budget justification for is only required for each subrecipient that is expected to perform work estimated to be more than $250,000 or 25 percent of the total work effort (whichever is less).\n\nDoes this mean that if a subrecipient has a budget of $300K but is only contributing 15% of work effort to the project, we do not need to submit  their budget justification?  Or does \"total work effort\" refer to the total budget, meaning if the subrecipient has a budget of $300K, but it is less than 25% of the total budget, we do not need to submit their budget justification?\n","If a subrecipient's budget is $250,000 or more, a separate budget justification is required. If a subrecipient's budget is under $250,000 but is more than 25% of the total project costs, then a separate budget justification is required. "]
[44,"Administrative","2020-07-06",null,"When it comes to providing the construction budget, please clarify if we have to put it in tab g.- Construction or in tab f.- Contractual, taking into account that we would have the role of an EPCI contractor, directing and managing the overall construction/installation process, and carrying out the physical construction and other works by subcontracting them to local civil works contractors and other local contractors.","These costs would be appropriate under \"Tab F. Contractual\". For projects under this FOA, do not utilize the Construction Tab (G). "]
[45,"Administrative","2020-07-07",null,"I am trying to better understand the required documents content relative to NATIONAL LAB and the prime recipient. If the NATIONAL LAB  considered an FFRDC, is it also considered a subrecipient? What documents are required if a NATIONAL LAB is considered an FFRDC? ","See FOA Section IV.C. for details on FFRDC's. A National Lab partnering on with a non-National Lab Prime is considered a FFRDC and should be listed as such on the Contractual Tab of the Budget Justification of the Prime. FFRDCs/National Labs are NOT considered to be a Subrecipients. Per Section IV.C. xi. And xii. Of the FOA, a DOE Field Work Proposal (WP) and FFRDC Authorization are required for each FFRDC listed on the project. "]
[46,"Administrative","2020-07-09",null,"We are trying to understand how the cost share requirements will be applied during the project.  Please advise us on the following scenario:\nWe propose a total project cost of $15M, comprised of a $10M federal grant and $5M cost share (33.3%).\nDuring project execution, we realize savings of $2.5M to achieve a total project cost of $12.5M.\nAre we still obligated to cost share 33.3% of the total program ($4.1M) with the federal grant amount reduced to $8.4M?\nOr are we only obligated for the minimum cost share of 20% ($2.5M) and are still awarded the $10M grant?  \n","The cost share must be at least 20% of the total allowable costs for research and development projects (i.e., the sum of the government share, including FFRDC costs if applicable, and the recipient share of allowable costs equals the total allowable cost of the project) and must come from non-federal sources unless otherwise allowed by law. (See 2 CFR 200.306 and 2 CFR 910.130 for the applicable cost sharing requirements.) If your proposal is selected for negotiations towards an award and the budget changes, the cost share percentage MAY be reduced during negotations as long as it remains 20% or higher. The Federal amount may or may not change depending on negotiations and determinated scope of the project. "]
[47,"Administrative","2020-07-09",null,"For our Full Application we would like to improve the title wording, which would make it different from the title we used for the Concept Paper.  As long as the Control Number remains the same, is this allowable?","Yes."]
[48,"Administrative","2020-07-08",null,"Our question has to do with the valuation of data for an in-kind match. Since some of the data has already been collected, our question has to do with the in-kind valuation of the survey data as a donated item.  Would it be appropriate to value the data at a percentage of the total cost of the survey/infrastructure cost incurred by our subrecipient? ","Data is not allowable as cost share. Please review Section III.B. of the FOA and  2 CFR 200.306 for more information on cost share, including information on determining the value of items proposed as cost share."]
[49,"Administrative","2020-07-10",null,"In reviewing the EERE Funding Opportunity Exchange website for DE-FOA-0002236 file uploads, the site currently allows the Subrecipient Budget Justification to be uploaded only in .xls format. Will .xlsx format also be allowed, as the associated template was in .xlsx format?  ",".xls and .xlsx are both acceptable formats for the budget justifications, and the Exchange website should now accept both file names. "]
[50,"Administrative","2020-07-10",null,"We have multiple subcontracts on our proposal, which will result in a large number of documents to be uploaded, including 8 budget justification Excel workbooks.  I understand if a file is too large, it can be broken into parts and then uploaded.  I haven't attempted to do this yet, but are there multiple upload fields under each section to allow for uploading several files?","Exchange will allow for up to 10 Subrecipient Budget Justifications to be uploaded.  Note, the Exchange website automatically renames files on document uploads using the filename format in the FOA setup.   The additional files uploaded to the Subrecipient Budget Justification field will have a number automatically appended to the file name."]
[51,"Administrative","2020-07-14",null,"The subrecipient budget justification form is simply the budget justification form completed separately by each subrecipient/FFRDC entity contributing over the designated amount?","The budget justification form is required for the Prime Recipient and each Subrecipient whose budget is estimated to be more than $250,000 or 25 percent of the total work effort (whichever is less). The budget justification must include the same justification information described in the “Budget Justification” in the FOA. See FOA Section IV.C.vii and IV.C.x. See above Q&A #45 for more information regarding FFRDC entities. A DOEWP and FFRDC Authorization, NOT a budget justification, is required for all National Labs/FFRDC regardless of amount. "]
[52,"Administrative","2020-07-15",null,"I am asking about the summary slide template provided via the EERE Exchange site on the current Offshore Wind FOA, is it a requirement to use that form, or could we use our own with the same content?","You are not required to use the Summary Slide template example provide on the EERE Exchange Website. However, an applicant should ensure they are providing the required information and adhere to the document specifications (such as page restrictions, naming convention and file type). See FOA Section IV.C.iv. "]
[53,"Administrative","2020-07-15",null,"I am trying to submit a full application and it was requested to name files in a specific format. I did so, and now when I upload files, it changes my file name to the generic file format:\n\nExample:\nRequested file name is ControlNumber_LeadOrganization_TechnicalVolume.pdf\nI named my file this way using my specific control number and organization name but when I uploaded the document, the file name got changed to \"ControlNumber_LeadOrganization_TechnicalVolume.pdf\" without my specific control number and organization name. \n\nWhy are my files being re-named, and how do I submit the proper naming convention?\n","In the FOA setup Full Application page if you use the {{ }} brackets around the ControlNumber and LeadOrganization components of the filename configuration the website will use the value provided in the applicant’s Full Application record on upload.\n\nFor instance: ControlNumber_LeadOrganization_TechnicalVolume.pdf should be set to {{ControlNumber}}_{{LeadOrganization}}_TechnicalVolume.pdf.\n\nReview FOA Section IV.C for more information on the required file naming conventions.\n"]
[54,"Administrative","2020-08-14",null,"Is there a standard naming convention that we use for the reply to reviewer documents? Would something like this be ok: 2236-\"XXXX\"_\"applicant name\"_Reply","There is not a required standard naming convention for the Reply to Reviewer Comments. Replies to Reviewer Comments are deemed compliant if the Reply to Reviewer Comments complies with the content and form requirements in Section IV.D. of the FOA."]
[55,"Administrative","2020-10-01",null,"When will EERE selection notifications be made?","Selections are now expected to made around the end of November 2020."]

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["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"]