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["ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTION AND ANSWER LOG"]
["DE-FOA0003269: Concentrating Solar Flux to Heat and Power "]
["Question #","Date Submitted","Topic","Question","Answer"]
[1,"2024-04-04","Concept Paper","Do you have any guidelines for the Mandatory Concept Paper requirement for the Concentrating Solar Flux to Heat and Power funding due May 16?  Is this step the first part of the selection process?","We don’t have additional guidance other than what indicated in the FOA document.  Pages 47 and 76 have some details for you.  Yes, the Concept Paper is a mandatory first step for applicants"]
[2,"2024-04-05","Other","Viewing the teaming partner list for the FOA-0003269 on the drop-down menu is currently impossible. Please notify me when the drop-down menu for the teaming partner list has been updated to include DE-FOA-0003269. ","Link to Team Partner List has been corrected"]
[3,"2024-04-09","Eligibility","We would like to inquire whether our project would be eligible to participate in Topic Area 1: Scalable Concentrating Solar Collectors of the program. We appreciate your consideration and are at your disposal to provide any additional technical details if necessary.","Please review the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) regarding the formal process and for information on the type of work solicited under each topic area. "]
[4,"2024-04-10","Technical Topics","This past February was my first time attending the sCO2 symposium. I believe my company has a unique technology for application towards a variety of sCO2 systems including CSP receivers, but I’d like to raise a few questions with you prior to commencing a concept paper.  Would you be available for a 30 minute or 1 HR Teams call?  We have both some procedural questions about the DOE funding as well as technical questions regarding the Tiers 1 and 2 for subcomponent and component R&D classifications.  ","Upon the issuance of a FOA, EERE personnel are prohibited from communicating (in writing or otherwise) with applicants regarding the FOA except through the established question and answer process described below. Questions regarding this FOA must be submitted to SETO.FOA.CSP@ee.doe.gov no later than three (3) business days prior to the application due date and time. Please note, feedback on individual concepts will not be provided through Q&A. All questions and answers related to this FOA will be posted on EERE eXCHANGE at: https://eere-exchange.energy.gov. You must first select the FOA Number to view the questions and answers specific to this FOA. EERE will attempt to respond to a question within three (3) business days unless a similar question and answer has already been posted on the website."]
[5,"2024-04-12","Eligibility","I would like to ask if European applicants can apply for these fundings?\nI tried my best I have not found any eligibility criteria.","Please refer to Section III Eligibility Information of the FOA. "]
[6,"2024-04-19","Technical Topics","Our team is preparing responses to the Concentrating Solar Flux to Heat & Power FOA (#3269) and we would like to please seek some clarity regarding the Tier Levels and how they apply to each proposal being submitted. The particular question we have is whether it is acceptable for a single proposal to span multiple Tiers?\nThe language of the FOA document and details relating to the Topic Areas and Tier Levels reads like it is expected that each proposal should be classified as a single tier level. However, Appendix B, provides an example for blended cost share percentages across R&D and RD&D Tasks. Is this blended approach acceptable to span 2 (or more) tier levels in this FOA?","Spanning multiple Tiers is acceptable, and best done where the separation between tiers coincides with changes in negotiated budget periods to allow for the adjustment of cost share percentage, if needed.  The decision whether to apply in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant."]
[7,"2024-04-24","Technical Topics","Will concepts for Topic Area 2 be considered that reduce cost of the power block via material/component innovations outside of the turbomachinery (e.g., heat exchangers)?","All are encouraged to submit concept papers that fit in or generally support the three topic areas.  The decision whether to apply in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant."]
[8,"2024-04-29","Concept Paper","We are interested in the Solar Concentrator Concept Paper and grant application.  We would appreciate any guidance you can provide on this matter as to whether we should apply with a concept paper or not.  ","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. Please review FOA-3269, section IV(C.) for guidance."]
[9,"2024-04-30","Cost Sharing","Our cost-share partner may not be able to contractually commit by the proposal due date, but would definitely know before the contractual negotiations, if we're awarded, whether they are able to commit. If we're okay with that level of risk (possibly having the cost-share partner decide no-go after all the work of proposal submission), is the DOE okay with that? ","Please refer to the FOA Section III(B.) regarding cost share requirements.  The decision whether to apply in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant."]
[10,"2024-05-01","Concept Paper","I would highly appreciate if you could kindly guide me to the right person or department to be in touch with (for green H2 production using solar energy) and guide me through the registration process, either in above or other appropriate grant opportunity.","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. Please review FOA-3269, section IV(C.) for guidance."]
[11,"2024-04-26","Other","1)\ta validation project is done on the grounds of an industrial partner (meaning CSP equipment are built on partner grounds)\n2)\tthe partner provides cost share to build the CSP equipment\n\nWill the industrial partner own the CSP assets? This is critical because the partner wants to apply for state dollars\nas well and can only do this for assets they will own to support decarbonization.\n\nAn answer would be appreciated ASAP as this information is critical in determining concept application to the FOA due in 2.5 weeks.","Real property and equipment purchased with project funds (federal share and \nrecipient cost share) are subject to the requirements at 2 CFR 200.310, 200.311, \n200.313, and 200.316 (non-federal entities, except for-profit entities) and 2 CFR \n910.360 (for-profit entities). Per regulation, both EERE and the award recipient have a vested interest in equipment purchased with award funds (whether via federal funds or cost shared funds), and both parties must consider property disposition throughout and at the conclusion of a project. When equipment is no longer needed for the project or at award closeout, the recipient must go through a process called property disposition. Please see Section VI.B.xvii of the FOA as well as the regulations above. "]
[12,"2024-05-01","Cost Sharing","I had a couple of questions about the funding/cost share requirements for the Concentrating Solar Flux to Heat and Power FOA. For previous SETO funding opportunities, proposals led by DOE/NNSA national laboratories have been eligible for reduced or waived cost share requirements because we are generally unable to provide cost share. Is any such exemption possible for this funding opportunity? \n\nWe were also wondering if it would be allowable to request below the estimated funding amounts outlined on p. 38 of the FOA, or if these estimates reflect the envisioned scope/scale of the projects and proposing a project below $750,000 would not be encouraged. ","Please refer to the FOA Section III(B.) regarding cost share requirements. The anticipated minimum award size is $750,000, however, the applicant should determine the appropriate funding amount based on the proposed scope of work."]
[13,"2024-05-03","Technical Topics","Will you please expand on whether low temperature collectors that heat water would qualify for this grant, or is this only for high temperature science and applications.","The primary focus will be collectors that provide high heat, however, other novel collector systems that integrate with a specified Concentrating Solar-Thermal (CST) system and may significantly impact DOE’s decarbonization mission due to the size of the CST target market, is also sought."]
[14,"2024-05-05","Concept Paper","Would like to know if there is a format requirement for the Mandatory Concept Papers? Or there is a tutorial web page/document that we can follow to prepare our paper/proposals?  ","Please see the full Funding Opportunity Announcement Section IV. For content and form of the Concept Paper. "]
[15,"2024-05-03","Technical Topics","The FOA calls out ETES and we want to make sure that other forms of energy storage including TMES connected to CSP would still be a good fit. I would appreciate any feedback.","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. Please review FOA-3269, section IV(C.) for guidance."]
[16,"2024-05-10","Concept Paper","Is there a template for the concept papers?","Please see the full Funding Opportunity Announcement Section IV. For content and form of the Concept Paper. "]
[17,"2024-05-10","Concept Paper","We're trying to submit our concept paper to this FOA. For some reason, when we upload, there's no button to upload the concept paper, only a button to upload additional files. So the concept paper is uploaded in the additional documents slot. Please let us know  how to correct this or if this is ok.  ","EERE Exchange has been updated and corrected. There should now be a button to upload the concept paper."]
[18,"2024-05-13","Concept Paper","•\tIf there are two institutions who will be working on a project together, is the lead institution required to submit the Concept Paper?\n•\tFurther, is it possible to switch which institution is serving as lead post-Concept Paper submission?"," Any ERE Funding Opportunity Exchange user who either owns (Created) the Concept Paper record or who has been shared to the Concept Paper can view, edit or submit the Concept Paper on behalf of the Lead Organization.  The user who submits the Concept Paper is asked to check a box certifying that they are authorized to submit on behalf of the Lead Organization.\n\n In the Full Application phase of the submission process applicants can change the teaming arrangements (Lead Organization and other organizations (Sub contractors))."]
[19,"2024-05-20","Concept Paper","Can Applicants submit more than one concept paper?","Per 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. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their, Concept Papers, Full Applications, and Replies to Reviewer Comments at least 48 hours in advance of the submission deadline."]
[20,"2024-05-23","Other","Do subcontractors on the proposal need to have indirect cost rate agreements with DOE an/or appropriate audits to be a part of the project? Perhaps they would only become relevant when the subrecipient reaches $250,000 in award?","Please see 2 CFR 200.331 for the differences between a subcontractor and subrecipient. All of the Terms and Conditions and Federal regulations flow down to subrecipients, and subrecipients are required to comply with 2 CFR 200 Subpart F Audit Requirements and 2 CFR 200.412-415 Direct and Indirect Costs. Subcontractors are not subject to the Terms and Conditions and Federal regulations, however, prime recipients are responsible for ensuring selection of subcontractors is in accordance with Procurement Standards at 2 CFR 200.317-327. "]
[21,"2024-06-10","Foreign Entities/Work","Are DOE/NNSA FFRDCs required to submit the SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form?","A1: Refer to Paragraph D. Content and Form of the full Application, Section xiv which states, ” Prime recipients and subrecipients are required to complete and submit SF-LLL, “Disclosure of Lobbying Activities” (https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-individual-family.html) to ensure that non-federal funds have not been paid and will not be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence any of the following in connection with the application:\n• An officer or employee of any federal agency;\n• A Member of Congress;\n• An officer or employee of Congress; or\n• An employee of a Member of Congress.”"]
[22,"2024-06-10","Labs/FFRDCs","When participating in the role of a Subrecipient, are FFRDCs who are funded independently of the remainder of the project team required to submit Subrecipient Budget Justification, even if the funding exceeds 25% or $250k, or does the DOE Work Proposal for FFRDC (“FWP”) meet the requirements for FFRDC budget documentation?","A2: Refer to Paragraph D. Content and Form of the full Application, Section xii which states, “If 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.”"]
[23,"2024-06-10","Labs/FFRDCs","Are FFRDCs required to submit Letters of Commitment to Prime partners when participating as a subrecipient, or does the FFRDC Authorization from Cognizant Contracting Officer suffice?","Refer to Paragraph D. Content and Form of the full Application, Section v which states, “Submit letters of commitment from all subrecipient and third-party cost share providers. 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. Based on this, the authorization from the Cognizant Contracting Officer is typically sufficient."]
[24,"2024-06-10","Eligibility","The Current and Pending Support PDF outputs via SciENcv and the existing fillable PDF contain a standard Disclosure Statement that is automatically generated when finalizing this requirement. Can the SciENcv Disclosure statement be submitted, or must the EERE Disclosure Statement on page 62 of the FOA be submitted? (Certification Statements Provided Below)","Paragraph D. Content and Form of the full Application, Section xvi which states, “Current and pending support is intended to allow the identification of potential duplication, overcommitment, potential conflicts of interest or commitment, and all other sources of support.” The EERE disclosure statement should be electronically signed using a digital signature or by using a physical signature. "]
[25,"2024-07-02","Concept Paper","We were recently informed that we should not proceed with a full proposal at this time. While we respect the decision, we are keen to understand the specific reasons and areas where our proposal fell short.\nReceiving constructive feedback will be invaluable for us as we seek to improve and better align our future proposals with your organization's needs and expectations. Any insights you could provide regarding our submission, including both strengths and weaknesses, would be greatly appreciated.","Exchange now has all comments published for the concept papers"]
[26,"2024-07-05","Concept Paper","Is the page limit for the SOPO 10 pages, or 15 pages?  Different sections of the FOA indicated different page limits.","Clarification of SOPO page limit to 10 pages, on page 57"]
[27,"2024-07-08","Concept Paper","Our technology uses a hybrid of CSP and CPV to achieve unique functionality. The reviewer states that “Concentrated PV is outside of the scope of the FOA.” Is this indeed outside of the scope of the FOA? I do not see where this is stated in the FOA document.\n","Although, not specifically mentioned as an excluded technology, the CSP team is not pursuing Concentrated PV in this FOA"]
[28,"2024-07-08","Concept Paper","If the concept paper is discouraged, can we still address the concerns in the full application and submit a full application?","Applicants that received a “Discourage” are still able to submit a full application"]
[29,"2024-07-10","Concept Paper","Concept paper was submitted under Tier 1, but we’ve realized that our technology is further along than what’s required for that tier and is a better fit for Tier 2. Are we able to change to Tier 2 for the full proposal?","DoE realizes that concepts continue to mature throughout the application process, therefore please either re-state the Tier, or state the new Tier you are applying to"]
[30,"2024-07-19","Cost Sharing","Proposal includes two small businesses with limited cost share availability. We are attempting to alleviate it however we can, and I was wondering if there was a possibility of decreased (or waived) cost-share requirements in the case of two small businesses. ","Refer to Section III(B) regarding cost share requirements.  Please note, there is no waiver of the cost share requirements within the FOA."]
[31,"2024-07-19","Cost Sharing","We have an organization who is providing cost share for our project, but not receiving federal funding. Would this organization be considered a ‘subrecipient’ and therefore required to provide SF-LLL and Transparency of Foreign Connections documentation with the application?","Refer to Section D(xiv) for guidance regarding SF-LLL and Transparency of Foreign Connections documentation. Please also refer to 2 CFR 200.331, which states\n     Subrecipients. A subaward is for the purpose of carrying out a portion of a Federal award and creates a Federal assistance relationship with the subrecipient. See definition for Subaward in § 200.1 of this part. Characteristics which support the classification of the non-Federal entity as a subrecipient include when the non-Federal entity:\n     (1) Determines who is eligible to receive what Federal assistance;\n     (2) Has its performance measured in relation to whether objectives of a Federal program were met;\n     (3) Has responsibility for programmatic decision-making;\n     (4) Is responsible for adherence to applicable Federal program requirements specified in the Federal award; and \n     (5) In accordance with its agreement, uses the Federal funds to carry out a program for a public purpose specified in authorizing statute, as opposed to providing goods or services for the benefit of the pass-through entity."]
[32,"2024-07-19","Cost Sharing","Are software licenses required for project execution accepted as a valid form of cost share under this FOA?","Documentation which reflects why the specific software is required for the project would be required.  Documentation should also state the software will only be used for this specific award for the duration of the award. Please note use of software already owned or developed by the Recipient or Subrecipient is not allowable as cost share."]
[33,"2024-07-29","Cost Sharing","This FOA describes project submissions using the SOLAR Tier hierarchy, and has different cost-share requirements for Tiers 1/2 (20%) and 3 (50%). Are project that span multiple tiers allowed (i.e., combining medium-scale R&D with commercial-scale demonstration)?\n","Kindly refer to the Documents section of Exchange, Q&A for FOA-0003269 dated as of 7/25, line 6 of the spreadsheet. "]
[34,"2024-08-06","Cost Sharing","May a Prime Recipient and its Subrecipient contribute two different forms of cost share under an effort?","The Prime Recipient and its Subrecipient(s) may contribute two different forms of cost share as long as it meets the guidelines found with 2 CFR 200.306."]
[35,"2024-08-08","Other","We do not have an accounting system that complies with FAR Part31 or 2CFR Part 200.  We do have specific items we will have to purchase under equipment and can cleanly account for them.  We can estimate the hours, cost and fringe for our engineering and maintenance folk, but not comply to the mentioned government requirements.  Finally, our in-kind contribution would be based on performing services at our commercial price (Pyrolysis and RMI furnace runs). We do not have a commercial agreement with ORNL. ","The organization must have an adequate accounting system in place prior to expenditure of any award funds. However, an adequate accounting system is not required to submit a project application. Verification of an adequate accounting system would be part of the Post Selection Information Requests (see FOA Section IV.F.)."]

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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"]